Seven Years of Sacrifices

I traveled far and wide, meticulously recreating the little wooden cabin from his childhood memories.

To satisfy his desires, I even learned every trick in the bedroom.

I thought we were building a happy future together. But on our wedding anniversary, he brazenly took my best friend to a hotel.

I lost control, running there in a frenzy to confront him.

Cassian sneered, tossing the contract between me and Thomas in my face. "Leona, what do you think you are? You just played along for a few days and really thought you were Mrs. Harland? You’re just a dog my grandfather bought. What right do you have to question me? If you dare make me unhappy, I’ll have them stop your grandmother’s treatment immediately!"

I felt as if I had been struck by lightning, unable to utter a single word.

After that, Cassian only became worse.

Tiring of social media influencers and celebrities, he turned his attention to my friends, relentlessly testing my limits.

On one side was my grandmother, who desperately needed medical treatment. On the other was a marriage that had long rotted beyond repair.

I was constantly being pulled in both directions, teetering on the edge of collapse.

One day, in a daze, I lost my footing and tumbled down the stairs, only to discover that I was pregnant.

Thomas, near desperation, pleaded with me. "Leona, please keep this child. He might be the turning point in your marriage. If Cassian still refuses to change after the baby is born, I promise I won’t force you anymore."

With a heart full of conflicting emotions, I chose to agree.

I never imagined that despite all my efforts, I would fail to keep even a single one of my grandmother, my child, my marriage and my love.

Slowly, I wiped away the tears from the corner of my eyes and looked up at the gray, overcast sky outside the window.

Perhaps the only consolation was that both Cassian and I had finally gained our freedom.

Lost in thought, my phone suddenly rang. It was Cassian.

"Leona, did you go whining to Grandpa again? Tessa and I were finally having some alone time and you just had to ruin it! I'm warning you. If you dare do this again, I’ll cut off your card!"

In the past, I would have humbly apologized to Cassian, desperately explaining myself. I used to do everything I could to earn his forgiveness. But now, I simply responded expressionlessly, "Do as you wish."

Cassian was momentarily surprised by my indifference. But he quickly let out a cold laugh.

"I heard the child was born. No wonder you suddenly have more confidence when you speak. But don’t forget, I am the heir of the Harland Family. As long as you remain in this house, I have countless ways to make your life miserable."

I closed my eyes. I knew all too well what Cassian was capable of.

The first time I caught him cheating, I naively went to Thomas, hoping he would uphold justice.

Instead, what I got in return was Cassian’s ruthless retaliation.

Using my grandmother as leverage, he forced me to kneel on the freezing balcony of our bedroom, over and over again, slapping myself.

That night, the sounds of his pleasure with his mistress echoed endlessly.

With my face swollen from slaps and my body frozen numb, I was eventually sent to the hospital with frostbite.

The last shred of sincerity I had for him vanished into the endless snowfall.

From that moment on, no matter how cruel or outrageous Cassian’s actions were, I pretended not to see.

I endured his humiliation and torment in silence, doing everything I could to hold onto the title of Mrs. Harland.

But now, my grandmother was gone, my child couldn’t be saved.

This empty, lifeless marriage had finally reached its rightful end.

Without hesitation, I coldly hung up the phone.

Then, I got up and contacted a friend at the funeral home to schedule the cremation.