Chapter 2

Jasper and I were sort of childhood friends. My dad was the Jasper Family Driver, and my mom was the Jasper Family Maid.

In middle school, I was brought into the Jasper Family.

The atmosphere was relaxed, and Mr. and Mrs. Jasper treated us well.

Jasper and his twin sister, Phoebe, were four years older than me. Sister Phoebe treated me like family, and we were inseparable.

Jasper was always jealous, squeezing in beside me whenever Phoebe wasn't around, giving me unwavering care.

Mrs. Jasper teased that he was always chasing after me, and people might think I was a child bride.

Jasper didn't mind, looking smug.

"Raising my own wife, I'm proud."

As we grew up, we naturally got together.

The day before my eighteenth birthday, Phoebe and I were ordering a cake when we encountered a thug. She fought back alone to let me escape, and ended up stabbed multiple times, raped, and died despite medical efforts.

On the same day, my dad, rushing back for my birthday, took Uncle Jasper on a changed route and both died in a car accident.

Jasper, who had returned from abroad to surprise me, hated me ever since.

He knelt at the grave all night, came back cold as ice, but refused to break off the engagement. Yet, he never married me legally or held a wedding, just tormented me day and night.

And my birthday became the day I dreaded most.

Every year, Jasper insisted on celebrating, and on that day, he tortured me the most.

Every year, he'd bring many people to witness my pain.

The more they humiliated me, the happier Jasper became, rewarding them generously.

"Hey, sister-in-law, you came down quick? Did you serve Jasper's little sweetheart well?"

"Yes."

I forced a calm answer.

Jasper leaned against a model, took a drink, and looked at me suggestively.

"You know what I like. Teach her well."

I swallowed my bitterness, thinking this would be the last time.

"Okay."

Jasper crushed the wine glass in his hand, shards piercing his palm, blood seeping out, but he seemed unfazed, staring at me coldly.

"Who's that dead look for? Didn't you like celebrating birthdays? I invited so many people for you. Can't you even smile?"

I forced a stiff smile.

"So happy?"

Jasper played with a lighter, its flame flickering.

"Then make a wish!"

Jasper roughly dragged me to the cake, lighting the candles.

I stood frozen, not moving.

"Make a wish! Why aren't you?"

Jasper taunted, forcing my hands together, making me wish.

"Come on, tell everyone your wish."

The candlelight reflected in his eyes, cold and fractured, like a madman.

"Was it wishing for a divorce?"

His face full of ridicule.

I looked at Jasper, unsure what to say.

Actually, my wish was for time to rewind. I would never have entered the Jasper Family, avoided all this pain, and not be stuck in this humiliating situation without escape.

I initially asked for a divorce because he brought people home, and I was desperate. But when he drove me to City Hall, I regretted it.

I was pathetic enough to stay, letting him torment me, thinking I was atoning.

After that, I realized he was happy when I asked for a divorce then backed out, so I pathetically played along.

But eventually, I truly wanted a divorce.

After being tormented over and over, I couldn't take it anymore.

I didn't want to be entangled any longer. Could I repay them with my life?