A Cold Marriage with a Cruel Husband

Lily was Ethan's childhood friend from the orphanage and their relationship could easily be described as childhood sweethearts.

Ethan insisted he only saw her as a sister, yet every time I had a disagreement with Lily, he would unhesitatingly take her side.

"Just like me, Lily is an orphan who has faced a lot of hardships. Why do you have to pick on her?"

"Do you think you can bully her just because she has no one to support her? I promise, as long as I'm here, I won't let you mistreat her."

"How many times are you going to bring this up? What has Lily ever done to you that makes you keep going after her?"

Hearing this repeatedly wore me down and I began to seriously consider divorce.

To clear my head, I retreated to my grandmother’s house in the countryside, hoping to find some clarity. But I hadn’t been there long when Lily appeared, looking to provoke me.

"So what if you're a wealthy heiress? Ethan doesn’t even like you. Let me fill you in: he told me a long time ago that he only got close to you to secure the Summers family's support."

"Now that he’s made a name for himself in the business world, he’ll divorce you soon and marry me. If you’re smart, you’ll just get lost."

I was too exhausted to argue, so I grabbed a broom from the side and hurled it at her. "Get out!"

Lily sulked away, but just as she reached the door, she abruptly turned around and kicked the little dog that had been munching on some food nearby.

The dog yelped and sprang up, sinking its teeth into her calf.

I was about to rush over to intervene when I heard Lily scream, "Jenna, please let me go! I just wanted to help you reconcile with Ethan. Why are you letting the dog bite me? It hurts! Someone, help!"

Before I could process what was happening, Ethan's furious voice thundered from the entrance. "Jenna, what the hell are you doing? Stop it!"

I looked up just in time to see Ethan sprinting toward us, kicking my little dog aside and pulling Lily into his arms.

“Ethan, are you out of your mind? She kicked my dog first!” I quickly rushed over to pick up the startled pup and comfort it.

Before Ethan could say anything, Lily, snuggled in his embrace, began to cry dramatically. “Ethan, I thought I’d never see you again... I even prepared my last words!”

I couldn’t help but laugh; was it really that serious?

She’d just been bitten by a dog; it wasn’t like we were saying goodbye forever!

But Ethan believed her. He stormed over, grabbed my hair and dragged me to the car, taking me straight to the nearest circus.

“Do you have any idea that Youyou is terrified of dogs? How could you treat her like that?”

“I’m going to show you what happens when you bully someone weaker than you!”

He violently tossed me into a cage, locking me in with an aggressive lion. No matter how much I begged for mercy, he refused to let me go.

Now, as I faced death at the jaws of a raging lion, I couldn’t help but wonder if he would feel even a hint of regret when he learned of my death.

The next day, Ethan took Lily to their secret hideout.

“Wow, did you really grow all these flowers, Ethan?” Lily gazed at him with pure admiration.

Ethan nodded.

She quickly added, “Your sister-in-law truly doesn’t know how lucky she is. If someone went to this much trouble for me, I’d be completely devoted to him. I just don’t get why she’s never satisfied.”

At her words, Ethan’s demeanor turned icy. “Let’s not discuss any downer topics.”

Lily feigned innocence. “I’m sorry, Ethan! I just feel like… you deserve so much better.”

Ethan reached out and gently patted her head. “Silly girl, I’m not blaming you.”

“Then I’m relieved! This place is so beautiful. Can you take a few pictures of me?”

“Of course.”

Like an energetic rabbit, Lily danced through the flower beds, striking a variety of cute poses for Ethan to capture.

The next day, Ethan took Lily to their secret hideout.

“Wow, did you really grow all these flowers, Ethan?” Lily gazed at him with pure admiration.

Ethan nodded.

She quickly added, “Jenna truly doesn’t know how lucky she is. If someone went to this much trouble for me, I’d be completely devoted to him. I just don’t get why she’s never satisfied.”

At her words, Ethan’s demeanor turned icy. “Let’s not discuss any downer topics.”

Lily feigned innocence. “I’m sorry, Ethan! I just feel like… you deserve so much better.”

Ethan reached out and gently patted her head. “Silly girl, I’m not blaming you.”

“Then I’m relieved! This place is so beautiful. Can you take a few pictures of me?”

“Of course.”

Like an energetic rabbit, Lily danced through the flower beds, striking a variety of cute poses for Ethan to capture.

But I was already dead.

Ethan was sulking, while Lily was blissfully oblivious, happily lost in her own world. Several times, Ethan asked her if she wanted to leave, but she kept insisting they wait a little longer. It wasn’t until darkness fell and rain started to pour that she finally pouted, “Ethan, I’m scared of thunder and lightning. How about we stay at a nearby hotel tonight?”

Ethan hesitated for a moment, but ultimately agreed. “Okay.”

“You’re so good to me, Ethan,” Lily said sweetly as she linked her arm with his.

Clearly, this had been her goal all along.

To my surprise, when they arrived at the hotel, Ethan booked two separate rooms.

Lily looked disappointed but didn’t voice her thoughts just yet.

Once inside their room, Ethan closed the door and called Alex. “What are you up to?”

Alex paused for a moment before replying, “Mr. Grant, your wife hasn’t called me either.”

Ethan snapped back, “I didn’t ask about that. What’s she doing?”