Seven Years of Love, One Fake Marriage

I returned to the villa numb all over, like a wandering ghost, and began packing up the things in my room.

The anniversary gifts Emmett had given me. The birthday presents my brothers had given me when we were children. Their handwritten letters. Photographs from every stage of my life.

I threw everything I had once cherished without reservation into the fireplace.

As the roaring flames devoured them, the bone-deep chill in my body slowly began to thaw.

I had craved their love so desperately that I lost myself in the process.

Only after paying such a painful price did I finally wake up.

When the fire burned down to ashes, a pair of familiar arms wrapped around me from behind.

"Camille, I know this is hard for you right now," he said softly, his voice low and gentle—the very voice I once loved most.

"But Leanne is sick. All she wants is a wedding. You've always been strong. Once the wedding is over, I promise everything will return to how it was."

He swore it like an oath.

I was too tired to respond. I just stared blankly at the ashes before me.

Emmett didn't notice my silence and continued, "During the wedding preparations, I'll send you to stay at the hospital for a while. Think of it as recuperating."

As he spoke, he pressed a kiss to my hair.

From behind us came Antonio's voice, sharp with impatience.

"Why are you explaining so much to her? From the day Leanne came back, you should've listened to me and sent her to a mental institution. Then Leanne wouldn't have been hurt by her so many times."

I turned around abruptly, my heart pounding wildly as I stared at them.

"You're... sending me to a mental institution?"

Emmett grabbed my arm and tried to soothe me. "Camille, it's only temporary. Once the wedding is over, I'll bring you back."

Jace looked at me coldly. "If you want to blame someone, blame yourself. Why did you hurt Leanne? If we leave you outside, you'll definitely go and ruin the wedding."

"This is Leanne's only wish," he said flatly. "I won't let you destroy it."

I heard my own voice, eerily calm.

"No. I won't go to a mental institution. If you're afraid I'll disrupt the wedding, I can leave—"

Before I could finish, Emmett's expression darkened instantly.

"That's enough! Camille, I said I'd bring you back. It's just one week. Can't you endure that much?"

"Why should I have to go to a mental institution for Leanne's wish?" I clenched my teeth.

"I've already given up my husband. I've already given up my wedding. Is that still not enough?"

Without another word, Antonio pinned me down brutally, his face twisted with fury.

"You selfish, vicious bitch! Leanne has treated you so well, and all she asks is for you to stay in a mental institution for a few days. Emmett is far too soft—I wish I could lock you up for life!"

I struggled desperately, trying to break free, but Antonio held me down with ruthless force.

"Let go of me! I won't go! I can leave—I'll leave!"

No one listened.

They looked at me as if I were already insane.

My hands scraped against the floor, leaving streaks of blood, yet no one spared them a glance.

Ten minutes later, I was tied to a bed.

No one asked for my consent.

I cried and screamed for every passerby to call the police—but no one came to my aid.

A cold needle pierced my vein.

Leanne's face appeared before my eyes.

She looked at me with feigned pity and leaned close to whisper in my ear, "I bribed the staff here. I'm sure this week will be unforgettable for you—consider it my wedding gift to myself."

I stared at her, biting down hard on my tongue, using pain to fight the creeping drowsiness.

"You... were never sick," I said hoarsely.

Leanne smiled, a triumphant, childish grin.

"Of course, I wasn't. But no one will ever believe you."

I widened my eyes, thrashing against the restraints until the entire bed shook.

But the world before me still slowly sank into darkness.

The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was Emmett walking away, his arm wrapped around Leanne.