The Betrayal Misread, The Years Lost

After I hung up, I carefully put away the torn doll.

In just two weeks, I would be able to leave the Leslie residence for good and start a new life.

The next day, Samson said he wanted to make it up to Judy and decided to take her to a nearby auction. He insisted that I come along as his personal assistant.

At the auction, Samson mingled with wealthy elites, clinking glasses, with Judy holding his arm. She was dressed in a designer outfit. Samson introduced her to everyone as his girlfriend.

When people's eyes landed on me, Samson just gave me a cold glance. "She's just a maid. Nothing worth paying attention to."

The auction began.

All sorts of rare treasures and jewelry sparkled under the spotlights.

Samson would immediately raise his paddle if Judy looked at it for even a moment more. He was determined to win it for her, no matter how high the bidding went.

I thought back to my birthday seven years ago.

That night, as I closed my eyes to make a wish, Samson placed a pink diamond necklace around my neck.

It was the necklace I had been wanting for so long, but could never bring myself to buy because of the high price. Samson had saved up and reduced his spending for half a year just to give it to me for my birthday.

I could still remember the look in his eyes back then.

"Helen, I'll give you anything you want."

Now, he had all the money and power in the world. He could buy whatever he wanted.

But it was all for Judy, not for me.

After the auction ended, everyone was talking about what a big spender Samson was.

While he went backstage to check the items he won in the auction, Judy walked to me with a glass of wine.

"If you want some jewelry too, I'll give you one of the freebies from the kindness of my heart."

I looked into her eyes, searching for even a trace of the kind, considerate Judy I once knew. Yet, there was nothing left.

"No thanks," I replied calmly.

My indifference only seemed to make Judy angrier. Suddenly, she grabbed my face.

"You know, Helen. What I've hated most all these years is the way you act like you don't care about anything. I chased after Samson for years, but he never even looked my way. Did you know he never slept well during all those years you were gone? He drank to the point of having stomach ulcers! He thought you left because you were afraid of getting dragged into his mess.

"He trained himself mercilessly every day. Even when he was about to collapse, the only thing he could say was your name. He loved you so much and waited five whole years for you. How could you be so heartless and just walk away like that?"

I didn't say a word. I only shut my eyes in pain.

It wasn't that I didn't love Samson back then. But every time I thought about how my mother could have been saved, I just couldn't forgive myself.

Even after I left, the nightmares never stopped. I had to see a therapist almost every week.

The therapist tried to reassure me, telling me it wasn't my fault, that maybe I just needed time to heal.

With help, I was finally able to let go and see what really happened back then after five years.

But Samson and I could never go back.

Later, I lost my job in a round of company layoffs. All my savings had gone to Judy's schooling. When I couldn't pay rent, my landlord kicked me out.

It seemed Samson had been keeping an eye on the whole time. The moment he learned I was unemployed, he sent someone to offer me a high-paying job as his personal assistant.

I couldn't refuse, because wherever I tried to work, Samson would just buy the company and fire me again.

Judy simply sneered when she saw I didn't react. "I really want to see if you truly don't care about anything."

With that, she tossed her wine glass to the ground, the sharp sound of breaking glass echoing through the hall. Then, she deliberately threw herself backwards, crashing to the floor.

Red wine splattered everywhere, soaking her dress in crimson.

Samson, hearing the commotion, rushed out and saw the scene.

"Samson, it's not Helen's fault. I know she wanted the jewelry, too. If she takes it out on me, I deserve it..." Judy said pitifully.

I stared at her in disbelief. I was just about to defend myself when I saw Samson storm over.

Slap!

The sharp sound echoed through the auction hall. My cheek was burned with pain.

"When did you become so vicious?! Judy is pregnant! You must apologize to her right now!"

Before I could say anything, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me over to Judy. He forced me to kneel, and I could feel the shards of glass digging into my knees. The sharp pain shot through my legs.

Just then, he suddenly stopped. He grabbed my hand, and his gaze landed on the ghastly scar.

"How did you get this scar?"