Chapter 1

On the day Bryan Ostern proposed to me, my older brother, Ashton, was murdered in a hotel.

The mastermind behind the crime was none other than Bryan’s beloved younger sister, Camila Ostern.

She even had the audacity to record a video and send it to me. In the footage, Ashton had clearly been drugged.

A group of young men and women forced him into a situation so degrading, I could barely keep watching.

The video lasted five hours. His screams didn’t stop—until he stopped breathing.

Bryan, who had always spoiled and indulged her, stood by my side for the first time.

“She went too far this time. She must be punished,” he said.

So I took the video as evidence and filed a lawsuit against Camila in court.

But on the eve of the trial, Bryan brought me to my critically ill younger brother, Aiden.

Holding an oxygen mask to the boy’s face, he cornered me with a demand.

“My sister is just spoiled and stubborn. I’ve already punished her. Sending her to prison will ruin her.”

I broke down in tears—only to receive devastating news that the hospital had refused to treat my brother.

Bryan was forcing me to compromise. And in the end, he succeeded. I withdrew the lawsuit that night.

Afterwards, he kissed me gently on the forehead with a relieved smile.

“Sienna Grain, I still love you. Don’t let this little matter come between us.”

“Our wedding will still happen. I’ll give you the grandest ceremony.”

But I no longer looked forward to the wedding.

All I wanted now was to leave—with Aiden.

To disappear forever, so Bryan could never find us again.

——

“Miss Grain, your passport and your brother’s have been successfully processed. You’ll receive them in three days.”

I nodded solemnly. “Also, once my brother and I leave the country, please cancel all records of our identities.”

“Are you sure?” the staff member asked, surprised. “Once that’s done, no one will be able to trace you. Have you discussed this with your family?”

An image of Ashton’s lifeless body lying in the church flashed through my mind. My heart clenched.

“I have no other family left.”

After completing all the procedures, I took a taxi home.

But the moment I arrived at the door, a basin of boiling water was poured on me from inside the house.

The scalding pain made my entire body tremble. I looked up and met Camila’s smug, satisfied expression.

“You cheap woman. What kind of love potion did you use to make my brother insist on marrying you? He loved me the most!”

“Give me back my family’s heirloom bracelet. That thing belongs to me. You’re not worthy of it.”

The Ostern Family had a rule: the head of the household would pass down the heirloom bracelet to his wife.

Camila knew Bryan had given me the bracelet when he proposed. That was the reason why she murdered Ashton—to take revenge on me.

The person responsible for Ashton’s death was standing right in front of me.

I wanted so badly to rush forward and stab her. But I couldn’t. I still had Aiden to care for. I had to endure.

Clenching my fists, I replied coldly, “I already returned the bracelet to your brother. If you want it, ask him.”

I would never hold onto anything that belonged to a murderer’s accomplice.

“You’re lying! You seduced my brother just to become Mrs. Ostern. Like hell you’d return that bracelet so easily!”

Camila didn’t believe me. She motioned to the bodyguards behind her. Those men grabbed me, pinning me down so I couldn’t move.

A sinister look spread across her face.

“If you won’t give it back, then I’ll take it myself!”

She reached out and tore at my clothes, ripping off half of my sleeve.

A chill swept over me. I struggled free from the bodyguards and shoved her away. Though I used all my strength, my body had gone weak after days without food or water.

Even so, Camila fell like a fragile flower, landing dramatically on the ground.

Suddenly, a figure stormed into view and landed a vicious kick to my stomach.

I rolled down the stairs, hitting my head hard on the floor.

Dazed, I looked up through the dizziness and saw Bryan holding Camila protectively in his arms, looking at her with concern.

When he turned to me, the coldness in his gaze cut like a knife.

“Sienna, what did Camila ever do to deserve this? Apologize to her—now!”

Apologize?

His eyes were locked on Camila.

I was the one who had been attacked, yet he defended her without hesitation. Was he blind?

She should be the one apologizing!

No—an apology wasn’t enough. She should pay with her life!

Fighting back the rage boiling inside me, I got to my feet, trembling and looked at them.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. I won’t apologize.”

The next moment, someone kicked me hard behind the knee and I fell with a thud.

“Sienna,” Bryan said coldly, “you know I hate disobedience. You have three seconds to apologize to my sister.”

Before the three seconds were up, he signaled his men to force my head down and slam it into the floor—again and again. Only when my forehead started bleeding did he finally stop them.

He picked Camila up in his arms and looked down at me.

“Sienna, think carefully about your brother’s condition before you act again. Don’t let me catch you bullying Camila ever again.”

Then he turned and walked away.

I watched his retreating figure, my hand slowly pressing against my stomach where I’d been kicked.

A tear slipped down my cheek.

Bryan didn’t know I was pregnant.

I had planned to tell him the day he proposed. Now, it no longer mattered.

Once I had taken care of everything for my brother… I would terminate the pregnancy. Someone like Bryan didn’t deserve to be a father.

Chapter 2

That night, after treating my wounds, I was getting ready for bed when the door suddenly opened.

Someone slipped their arms around my waist from behind and I was instantly surrounded by the familiar scent of Bryan.

In the past, I would always nuzzle against his neck and shoulders, breathing in that scent and telling him how much I loved him.

But now, all it did was make me feel sick. I struggled to break free from his embrace.

His body stiffened, then a low voice spoke behind me.

“I know you’re angry at my sister because of what happened to your brother, but the past is the past. Will holding a grudge bring him back to life?”

“My sister was adopted and always felt insecure. She was afraid I’d neglect her after marrying you, so she hurt your brother—but she had no malicious intent.”

No malicious intent?

She had deliberately lured her twisted friends to torment and humiliate Ashton until he died—and now he says there was no malicious intent?

I couldn’t stay silent any longer. I stood up and turned to face him, glaring.

“You love your sister and of course I love my brother. He was a living, breathing person who was tortured to death. Don’t I even have the right to be angry?”

Bryan seemed taken aback by the hatred in my eyes. He opened his mouth to respond, but just then, his phone rang.

It was Camila calling.

“Brother, didn’t you say you were going to the bathroom? Why haven’t you come back yet? I’m scared to sleep alone.”

He hurriedly soothed her with a soft voice, then looked at me with a complicated expression.

“I will punish my sister for what happened to your brother. But I also hope you can let go of this grudge soon. Our wedding is just a few days away.”

“Rest well. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone arrange a funeral for your brother—as a way to send him off properly.”

Hearing those words, I couldn’t help but laugh.

His so-called punishment was nothing more than locking Camila up for a few days and cutting off her credit card. What else could he possibly do?

We’d been together for five years. He never tired of saying things like this—but I was long past tired of hearing them.

***

The next day, I got up early and began making arrangements for my brother’s funeral—without waiting for Bryan.

Just as I was in the middle of preparations, Bryan arrived.

And with him was Camila.

My blood ran cold. I instinctively looked at Bryan.

He had promised me—sworn—that she wouldn’t appear at my brother’s funeral.

Bryan noticed my gaze and lightly pushed Camila forward.

“Camila has sincerely repented. She came here specifically to burn incense for your brother.”

“Your brother was a generous person. If he could see my sister admitting her mistake and changing her ways, he would surely be pleased.”

Camila nodded sweetly in agreement with his words—but when her eyes met mine, she arched her eyebrows with a smug, taunting expression.

My blood froze in my veins.

As she stepped forward to light the incense, I rushed up and knocked it from her hands.

“Get out of here! You’re not welcome!”

“Bryan, you brought the murderer of my brother to his funeral to burn incense for him. Are you trying to provoke him?”

The next second, Bryan slapped me across the face.

His eyes burned with fury, glaring at me like I was some lunatic causing a scene.

“What are you doing? My sister got burned by the incense! Apologize to her right now!”

Camila clutched her arm, where a red mark had formed and burrowed into his arms looking pitiful and wronged.

Suddenly, I regretted everything…

Regretted ever falling in love with Bryan.

Regretted ever having the foolish impulse to marry him.

Those two siblings were nothing but monsters.

Still, Bryan kept urging me to apologize quickly, saying he didn’t want me to embarrass myself in front of so many people.

I walked up and slapped Camila hard across the face.

With red, tear-filled eyes, I shouted at them, “I said I’ll never apologize!”

Everyone around us froze in shock. Even Bryan was stunned.

Camila’s mask cracked. Humiliated, she could no longer keep up the act. She lunged forward and snatched my brother’s urn from the altar.

“You cheap woman! You dare hit me? I’ll show you what happens when you mess with me!”

My heart pounded as I rushed to stop her.

“No, stop it!”

But it was too late.

Camila slammed the urn to the ground with all her strength, then kicked the small pile of ashes into the air with her foot.

I collapsed to my knees, frantically gathering the ashes with my hands.

“Brother… Brother…”

Camila looked down at me from above, sneered, then turned and walked away arrogantly. While Bryan didn’t even spare me a glance. He turned and chased after her.

Left alone, I held what was left of my brother’s urn in my arms. And I cried…

Uncontrollably, helplessly, brokenhearted.

Chapter 3

What happened at Ashton’s funeral left the relatives and friends who had come to pay their respects feeling outraged on my behalf—but none of them dared to speak out.

The Ostern Family’s influence was too powerful.

All they could do was offer me quiet words of comfort.

In the end, I swallowed my hatred and buried my brother beneath the cold earth.

It wasn’t until the next morning that I was able to calm down enough to think clearly.

Suddenly, I felt a desperate need to see Aiden.

I stumbled to the hospital, clinging to the thought that even without my older brother, I still had my little brother.

In two days, we’d leave this place behind—all the pain, the humiliation, the people who wanted to hurt us. No one would be able to find us ever again.

For Aiden’s sake, I had to endure. Just thinking of his innocent face brought warmth back to my frozen heart.

But when I pushed open the door to his hospital room, I was met with a sight that shattered me completely.

Aiden was lying pale and lifeless on the bed.

The room was empty. All of the medical equipment had been removed.

My body froze. Trembling, I rushed to check his breathing.

It was faint—but he was still alive.

I bolted from the ward and finally found his attending physician on the first floor.

Grabbing him by the collar, I spoke with a voice that shook like I’d just crawled out of an ice cellar.

“Doctor, my brother… Why did you remove his equipment? Put it back—please! He’ll die without it!”

The doctor’s face was full of unease.

“I’m sorry, Miss Grain. This is Miss Ostern’s order. She said you humiliated her at the funeral and now the entire social circle is laughing at her. She wants to punish you.”

I broke down, nearly collapsing into tears, pleading with him desperately.

“But he’ll really die like this! Please save him—please! I’ll go beg Miss Ostern myself. I’ll do anything!”

The doctor pushed me away, his voice helpless.

“I’m sorry. We can’t disobey orders. Not just our hospital—but every hospital in the city has received the same directive. We’re not allowed to treat your brother. This is Miss Ostern’s order.”

He paused, then added with a touch of sympathy, “I think… begging Miss Ostern won’t work. But maybe—maybe you can try Mr. Ostern instead. He might be able to help.”

The moment Bryan’s name was mentioned, my eyes, previously dull and lifeless, suddenly lit up.

Yes, Aiden had once saved Bryan’s life.

Back when Bryan had been in a car accident, it was Aiden who had thrown himself into danger to rescue him—leaving him in his current condition.

Bryan owed him his life. He had to save him.

I frantically pulled out my phone and called Bryan.

No answer.

I called again. Still no answer.

I couldn’t wait any longer. I jumped into a taxi and rushed to the Ostern Corporation.

But I didn’t even make it through the front door. Security blocked me at the entrance.

“Who are you here to see? Do you have an appointment? You can’t just walk into the Ostern Corporation.”

My voice was hoarse, but I spoke as firmly as I could, “I’m your boss’s fiancée. I have urgent business with him. Please, let me in.”

The security guard’s face darkened. His tone became even firmer.

“You’re not allowed to enter. Mr. Ostern said you’ve repeatedly targeted his sister and he’s extremely disappointed in you. He wants to be left alone for a few days. He doesn’t want to see you.”

I broke down. I pulled a sunny day doll from my pocket.

“This… This is what Mr. Ostern gave me. He said it was a token of reconciliation. That no matter how angry he was, if I showed him this, he’d calm down.”

This doll had once been posted on Bryan’s social media. Everyone knew it was special. Whoever held the sunny day doll had the power to defuse any of Mr. Ostern’s anger. It was his personal get-out-of-jail-free card.

The moment the guards recognized it, I became excited.

I tried to push forward, to rush inside. But the security guard shoved me back roughly. Their expressions turned cold with disdain.

“Who are you trying to fool with that fake?”

“Everyone knows the real sunny doll is with Mr. Ostern’s sister.”

“You liar. Get out of here—and don’t cause any more trouble.”

Chapter 4

I thought I had heard wrong.

How could the sunny doll that Bryan had personally given me be fake?

He told me it was a symbol of his affection—one that only I possessed in the entire world. But what did that even matter anymore?

I didn’t have time to dwell on it.

I dropped to my knees and pleaded with the guards.

“My brother’s medical equipment has been removed. If we wait any longer, he’ll die! He’s Mr. Ostern’s savior. If you just tell him, he’ll definitely come to help. Please... please!”

But the security guards remained unmoved.

Then, at that moment, my phone rang. It was the hospital. They said my brother was okay.

Overwhelmed with relief, I nearly fainted.

I rushed back to the hospital—and finally saw my brother again. With the oxygen supply restored, his heartbeat slowly stabilized. The crushing weight on my chest began to lift.

Just then, my phone vibrated again. It was a video from an unknown number. In the video, Bryan was seated in his office.

From the camera angle, he had a clear view of everything happening at the company’s entrance.

Camila was sitting on his lap, her arms wrapped seductively around his neck. Their clothes were disheveled. It was obvious what had just happened.

Then Camila smiled and said teasingly, “Bryan, Sienna is your savior, yet you removed her brother’s equipment just to make me feel better. Aren’t you afraid she’ll ignore you once she finds out?”

Bryan scoffed.

“I told you—I won’t let anyone bully you. Not even Sienna. The way she treated you at the funeral... she deserves to be punished.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let her brother die. I just needed to teach her a lesson.”

Camila laughed, then leaned in and kissed him.

Bryan—the man who had once been so cold, so restrained that we’d only had one accidental encounter in five years—now held her head tightly, kissing her back with unrestrained hunger in his eyes.

I had no idea how I managed to watch the entire video. When it ended, I felt completely numb.

Bryan had loved only Camila from the very beginning. So why did he choose to be with me?

Why did he have to destroy my family like this?

Just then, Aiden stirred. At some point, he had woken up. He reached out weakly and touched my hand.

“Sienna...”

I froze, then an overwhelming wave of joy surged through me. Gripping his hand tightly, I burst into tears.

“You’re awake... Thank God you’re awake!”

He gently wiped the tears from my cheeks.

“Don’t cry. Where’s Bryan?”

Just hearing that word made me sick to my stomach. Still, I forced myself to stay calm.

“We broke up.”

“Don’t worry, Aiden. Get some rest. Tomorrow, I’ll take you somewhere better—somewhere safe for treatment.”

He could sense something was wrong, but he didn’t press me. He just held my hand tightly, as if trying to comfort me without words.

That night, after settling Aiden in, I made an appointment for an abortion.

The next morning, I went to the hospital.

The baby was four months old. It already had a human form, curled up tightly inside me.

When I saw it, my heart broke. I was filled with guilt.

I bent down and gently kissed the baby.

“I’m sorry. I was blind. I couldn’t give you a good father.”

“If there’s a next life, I promise I’ll make sure you grow up happy and healthy.”

Then I placed the tiny body in a plastic bag... and had it shipped to Bryan via courier. I wanted him to know that he was the one who had taken our child’s life with his own hands.

After it was done, I went to the law firm, picked up my passport and boarded the plane with Aiden.

We flew to Miami.

As soon as we landed, I received a message.

“Miss, we have successfully canceled all identity records for both you and your brother. From now on, no one will be able to find you.”

I exhaled slowly.

Finally, it was all over.