Chapter 1

"Help me draft a divorce agreement. I want to leave Tyler completely."I sat in front of my divorce lawyer and opened my mouth with determined eyes.

"Miss Robinson, the biggest hurdle in the divorce agreement is the division of assets. Have you discussed this with Mr. Jacobson beforehand?"

Three years into our marriage, my husband, Tyler Jacobson, always used his so-called "mysophobia" as an excuse to avoid my touch.

I accidentally saw him standing by my sister's bed, looking at her worn stockings, moving his hands back and forth under his body, and groaning.

Only then did I know that he didn't have mysophobia at all. He just didn't love me.

I gave a slight smile. "I don't need any of the assets. How soon can we finalize the procedures?"

"I'll draft the divorce agreement within three days and email it to you for confirmation. If there are no issues, the entire process can be completed in seven days."

I nodded, walked out of the law firm and sighed a sigh of relief.

It was finally coming to an end.

This time I will give him one last anniversary gift - my divorce papers, setting him free.

I turned and dialed a number. "Hans, does your offer still stand? I've made up my mind; I'll marry you."

——

"Hans, does your offer still stand? I've made up my mind; I'll marry you."

I leaned against the hospital entrance. My eyes were fixed on the ward's door not far away, as my lips tinged with bitterness.

A three-second silence was on the other end of the line before Hans Schneider chuckled softly. "If I'm not mistaken, you're still Tyler Jacobson's wife, right?"

My eyes reddened slightly and I took a deep breath. "I'll divorce him."

Hans's voice deepened. "You've probably heard a lot of rumors about me. Aren't you afraid of jumping out of one pit and into another?"

Rumor had it that Hans suffered a severe injury five years ago that affected his virility.

He'd seen countless famous doctors, but none could cure him, leaving him completely impotent.

Since he became a brewer droop, his personality became moody and he beat people when he lost control.

Even though the Schneiders were the wealthiest family in California, all eligible women feared him.

To this day, he hasn't found a wife.

I smiled faintly. "It's fine. I can accept you, no matter what you're like."

"Alright. In half a month, I'll hold the grandest wedding to marry you."

After receiving a positive response, I hung up the phone and turned my gaze back to the ward's door nearby. Suddenly, I heard a faint, ambiguous groan coming from inside.

I walked over and peered through the small glass window of the ward's door, only to witness an intimate scene inside.

Tyler and my half-sister, Clara Robinson, were cheek to cheek.

His body pressed against her arm as he moved frantically against her.

"Clara, baby … you're amazing."

Clara was initially engaged to Tyler, but an accident left her in a vegetative state.

Tyler and I had been at odds since childhood; we were known as sworn enemies in New York City.

But our relationship originally was not like this. I met Tyler first and I was his real childhood sweetheart.

My mother died when I was five. My father was always busy with work and barely paid me any attention.

Until I was ten, Tyler had always been by my side, accompanying me through the most lonely and difficult years.

At that same time, my father brought back his illegitimate daughter, Clara. Then, everything changed.

She took away my father and Tyler. From then on, Tyler and I became mortal enemies.

That same year, the Jacobsons' business suffered a huge blow. Their funds dried up and they couldn't find help anywhere in New York except from my father.

He had only one condition: Tyler had to fulfil the marriage agreement with the Robinsons.

But Clara was now in a coma. How could she fulfil an engagement with Tyler?

The only suitable marriage candidate was me.

Tyler looked at me with a furious expression. "Clarine Robinson, are you really that vicious? You won't be satisfied until you break up your sister and me, huh?"

I laughed so hard that my body shook. "Of course. The Jacobsons have fallen from grace anyway, so marrying me is your only option. Take it or leave it."

On the wedding day, Tyler didn't even bother to show up. He just sent a life-sized doll made to look like him instead.

Everyone looked displeased, but I gracefully linked arms with the doll and affectionately called it "husband."

Marrying Tyler was what I had dreamed of before.

Now, after three years of marriage, I regret it.

During these three years, I tried every way to make love with him and seduced him 999 times.

But each time, I failed. I thought he just couldn't forget Clara.

I believed that if I just tried a little harder, I could win his heart.

Then, I first caught him relieving his desires with Clara's worn stockings.

After he finished, he even took a call.

I didn't know what was said on the other end. Still, I only heard Tyler scoff contemptuously, "Clarine can't even compare to one of Clara's fingers. Fall in love with her? Over my dead body. You don't know how disgusted I feel just looking at her."

Every word was like a knife stabbing my heart, but I still didn't give up.

Until I caught him for the second time, the third time …

Sometimes, he clutched Clara's photo in our bedroom.

Other times, in the hospital like now, beside her unconscious body.

"By this point, I'd lost count of how many times I'd caught him.

And my heart had gone completely cold.

"Tyler, if you don't want me, there are others who will."

This time I will leave you forever as you wish.

Chapter 2

The next day, I woke up early and went to the law firm to discuss the divorce agreement with my lawyer.

"Miss Robinson, the biggest hurdle in the divorce agreement is the division of assets. Have you discussed this with Mr. Jacobson beforehand?"

I gave a slight smile. "I don't need any of the assets. How soon can we finalize the procedures?"

"I'll draft the divorce agreement within three days and email it to you for confirmation. If there are no issues, the entire process can be completed in seven days."

I nodded, walked out of the law firm and sighed a sigh of relief.

It was finally coming to an end.

Tyler, the man who had been with me throughout my childhood, the man I had silently loved for over a decade, was ultimately not meant to be mine.

During these three years of marriage, I had changed, becoming unlike myself. Knowing he liked Clara's gentle nature, I toned down my own assertiveness, learning to be gentle and understanding.

Yet, in the end, Tyler's most hated person was still me.

Just then, I got a call from home. They said the Schneiders had delivered a rare medicinal herb to our house.

They even sent a convoy of cars and ten highly trained bodyguards to deliver this herb.

It was a Blood Ganoderma that only bloomed once every thirty years on the peak of Mount Kaelen. Only one would appear each cycle, making it extremely rare.

It was rumored that a vegetative person could wake up after eating it.

My father had searched high and low for it ever since Clara became a vegetable, but he never found one. Now, the Schneiders had sent it to our door.

I quickly texted Hans. [Was that from you?]

He replied almost instantly. [Yes. It's part of the betrothal gift. Your family has already accepted it. Don't go back on your word in two weeks.]

The Blood Ganoderma really was a miracle. The day after Clara took it, she woke up. Two days later, she was already able to walk.

My father was overjoyed. That night, he invited all the major families in New York to celebrate her recovery with a grand banquet.

I wore a long, black velvet dress with spaghetti straps for the banquet. The slit at the hem swayed with every step I took, subtly revealing my long, fair legs.

Since I got married, I had stopped wearing anything this revealing because Tyler preferred modest women.

I boldly greeted various guests and even invited different young men to dance.

Halfway through, my best friend, Sarah Wallace, grabbed my arm. "Clarine, are you crazy? You've been feeling up every guy's chest muscles! What if Tyler sees you?"

I pulled Sarah along and looked around; there was no sign of Tyler.

Sarah still wouldn't let up, insisting on stopping me. "No! Today is Clara's recovery banquet. If your family sees you like this, it'll be endless trouble!"

With that, Sarah forcefully dragged me off the dance floor.

A banquet where you couldn't dance or drink was incredibly boring, so I didn't stay long before I wanted to leave.

As I walked through the long corridor outside the banquet hall, I suddenly heard familiar voices coming from the end of the hallway.

It was Clara and Tyler.

I quietly followed the sound, pressed myself against the wall and peeked around the corner. I saw Clara crying, her eyes filled with tears.

"Why did you stop talking to me after I woke up, Tyler? Did I do something wrong?"

Tyler closed his eyes in pain. His voice trembled. "Clara, you didn't do anything wrong. It's just that … "

He couldn't continue.

Still, Clara had already guessed. She became emotional. "It's because you married my sister, isn't it? I've heard about all these things. Tyler, you were forced, weren't you?"

Tyler's voice was hoarse and full of pain. "Clara, I'm already married. There's no point in talking about this now."

Clara shook her head and threw herself into Tyler's arms. "No. Tyler, if you divorce my sister, we can go back to how things were, can't we?"

"I … "

Clara looked up from his embrace, her eyes brimming with tears. "You'll definitely divorce my sister and get back together with me, right?"

Tyler fell silent, his face filled with hesitation.

Clara then asked uneasily, "Tyler, you haven't fallen in love with my sister, have you?"

Before Tyler could answer, a vicious look flashed across her face. "It doesn't matter if you have. As long as my sister disappears, you'll fall in love with me again."

With that, she pushed Tyler away and ran out.

Clara saw me and a look of surprise appeared on her face. Later, she ran towards me wildly, showing no signs of weakness from just recovering from being in a coma.

I couldn't dodge in time and was pulled by her, falling with a "thud" into the nearby pond.

Chapter 3

I couldn't swim. I struggled with all my might, but Clara forced me under the water.

Icy pool water rushed into my lungs and stomach. I was suffocating.

Clara was an excellent swimmer; just two kicks from her and I sank heavily into the water.

Right before I lost consciousness, a memory from school suddenly surfaced.

In the summer when I was ten years old, Clara always targeted me. She often pushed me into various pools, standing on the shore and watching my struggles coldly. This seemed to be a kind of enjoyment for her.

I went home and asked my father to learn to swim. Alas, my father also signed up Clara for a class.

When Tyler heard about it, he took on the task, promising to teach us to swim.

But when he got to the swimming pool, the person he patiently taught was Clara. He was only indifferent and impatient with me.

I could only stand by the side, watching him teach Clara repeatedly.

I woke up in the hospital, the voices of the medical staff buzzing around me.

"She's still unconscious, but she needs surgery soon. We need someone to sign. What should we do?"

"Where's the person who brought her in? Wasn't that her family?"

"The person who brought her in was a stranger. They don't know her."

My mind was in a haze, but I still managed to press the speed dial for my emergency contact.

The call connected to Tyler, but the voice that answered was Clara's, stuttering through sobs.

"Tyler. It, it's … my sister calling. You … should … answer."

Tyler's heavy breathing was like thunder in my ears. "Don't bother with her. She just fell into the water. What important matter could it be?"

The next moment, the phone was hung up.

The nurse looked troubled, still wondering how to speak.

But I weakly took the consent form and signed my name. "It's fine. I'll take responsibility myself."

It was three days later when I woke up completely.

The nurse stayed by my bedside, "Thank God, you finally woke up. You have been sleeping in the hospital for three days and your family has never come."

My phone vibrated. It was her social media update that Clara had specifically sent me.

[Just a slight cold, but you personally brewed medicine for me and stayed by my side for three days.]

The accompanying picture showed Tyler in the kitchen, intently brewing medicine.

Even without seeing his face clearly, I recognized him in an instant.

"I don't have family."

He wasn't my husband. He was my sworn enemy.

Tyler truly hated me for ten years.

Pain tightened in my chest. I took a deep breath and called 911. "Hello, I'd like to report a crime. Clara Robinson tried to drown me."

In just ten minutes, Tyler rushed to my ward.

His face was full of anger and there was a faint smell of medicine on his body. "Clarine, did you call the police?"

"Yes, and I've already submitted the surveillance footage. The evidence is conclusive."

Tyler stepped forward and forcefully grabbed my chin. "Clarine, you're as vicious as ever. She's your own sister! She just woke up not long ago; are you really so eager to ruin her?"

He suddenly seemed to snap back to reality, letting go with disgust and grabbing a disinfectant wipe nearby to quickly clean his hand.

Yes. He has always been a mysophobe and didn't want to have any contact with me at all.

Even if he stayed in the same room as me for over half an hour, he'd wipe the entire room with disinfectant.

I couldn't help but laugh, tears streaming down my face. "Tyler, I've been lying in the hospital for three days with pneumonia! I almost died!"

Tyler awkwardly turned his face away, but still scoffed, "Aren't you perfectly fine? Stop pretending! Clara also had a cold for three days. She's already been punished enough."

"On the way to the hospital, I already had the police department drop the case. I'm your legal husband; I can handle something like this."

I stayed in the hospital for another three days and Tyler never came to see me, nor did he ask about me once.

Clara, on the other hand, would send me her and Tyler's daily lives in various ways every day.

Tyler personally cooked for her, making nutritious meals, saying he needed to make up for the three years of lost nutrition.

He accompanied her in exploring New York, witnessing every change in the city during her long sleep.

Tyler spent a long time with her at the movie theatre, helping her catch up on all the films she had missed over the past three years.

***

There were too many to count.

On the day I was discharged, I received the complete draft of the divorce agreement.

I glanced at it and clicked the confirm button without hesitation.

I returned home alone, only to find that Clara had already moved in.

She threw out all the things I had initially placed in the main bedroom at the door.

Clara acted like the lady of the house, directing the maids. "Clarine, please move to the maid's room on the first floor. Tyler said he's worried since I just woke up and wants me to stay here so he can take care of me."

In just a few days, I will completely divorce Tyler and leave this place for good.

I didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble, so I picked up my things and walked towards the maid's room.

I locked myself in the room and tried to avoid contact with Clara as much as possible. I didn't even leave the room to eat or drink.

It wasn't until midnight that I heard no other movement outside. I left the room to find something to drink in the refrigerator.

Who knew I would stumble upon a scene that sent a chill down my spine?

Chapter 4

Clara drank a lot of wine and was unconscious. Tyler held her down from the car.

Her hand gently stroked Tyler's face. "Tyler, is there really no possibility for us? Do you really not want me?"

Clara followed Tyler's face and kept touching him until she reached into his shirt.

I had been married to Tyler for three years, but he had never spent the wedding night with me and only regarded me as his enemy.

Once, I was really depressed and drank a lot of wine outside.

After drinking to boost my courage, I simply changed into black lace lingerie, pushed Tyler on the bed and rode on him.

My hand had only touched his cheek twice before he threw me off the bed.

That same night, he forced me to kneel in a bucket of disinfectant, copying lines from a sexist moral handbook a hundred times.

Until now, the scars from the chemical burns were still on my back.

I thought he just had mysophobia and didn't want people to touch him.

It turned out that he just didn't let me touch her. All of these were just signs that he didn't love me.

"Clara, don't do this."

Tyler breathed heavily, restraining Clara's restless hands.

Clara's cheeks were flushed, her eyes wet as she looked at Tyler, softly calling out, "Tyler."

Tyler could no longer resist, picked her up and rushed into the main bedroom.

I couldn't bear to watch any longer, returning to my room with tears streaming down my face, clutching the blanket.

Suddenly, a bright flash of light outside illuminated me.

I quickly pulled open the curtains and saw several men holding binoculars peeking in.

"Let me see, is this Robinson's eldest daughter? Her figure is absolutely amazing!"

"You've been looking for thirty seconds! It's my turn to feast my eyes!"

"Her sister, Clara, was right! That physique definitely looks like a virgin!"

The men's vulgar voices reached my ears.

Clara actually found people to spy on me? I was about to run upstairs to confront her, but then I heard waves of groans coming from upstairs.

"Clara, only you can touch me. I've always remained chaste for you."

My heart instantly turned to ash. I simply pulled the curtains shut and covered myself completely with the blanket.

Tyler knocked on my door the next morning, inviting me to breakfast.

Clara sat at the table in an off-shoulder top, showing off the hickeys all over her skin.

"Clarine, nothing happened last night between me and Clara. Don't get the wrong idea. I slept in the second-floor guest room."

At this point, I didn't care anymore.

"After a while, once Clara has fully adjusted to the changes of the past three years, she'll go back."

With that, Tyler got up and left to handle matters at his company.

When he left, Clara pushed me directly onto the dining table. "Sister, I hear you're still a virgin. Let me check."

Chapter 5

I kicked Clara hard.

She staggered back in pain. Seizing the moment, I grabbed her hair and slapped her twice across the face.

"Perfect. It's time to settle the score with you for hiring someone to secretly photograph me last night."

Clara looked at me gloomily, covered her face and laughed, "I just hired someone to secretly take pictures of you, so what? You don't know, you may be sold at a high price now. I slept for three years and I just need."

Slap! A sharp slap echoed through the living room.

"Clara, since you've been asleep for three years and forgotten how to act like a decent human being, then it's a good thing I'm here to teach you a lesson today."

Her eyes flashed with rage. She shrieked and called over a group of maids. "You're just going to stand there and let her bully me? Hold her down!"

I coolly watched the maids. "I am the mistress of this house, Tyler's wife. You should know your place."

The maids hesitated, looking at me, then back at Clara.

But Clara just smirked and pulled down her collar to show the hickey on her neck. "I slept with Tyler last night. Now, isn't it clear who's more important in his heart?"

The maids swarmed in, no longer hesitated and pressed me to the ground.

Clara stood before me and raised her hand, but the slap did not fall.

Instead, I felt a chill beneath me as Clara lifted the hem of my nightgown and snapped several photos.

After that, she ordered the maids to tie me to a chair, forcing me into various poses for her to photograph.

If I resisted, I would be slapped by the maid.

Countless slaps landed on my face. I was beaten black and blue, my vision blurring.

But this was only the beginning. Clara watched me suffer, her face alight with pleasure.

"Exactly 50 shots. We need 100. Tie her to the pole and make her pose according to the pictures! Hurry!"

After the pole, it was the bed.

After the bed, there were flower bushes in the backyard.

By the end, I'd lost count of how many locations we'd used.

As dusk fell, Clara reached her goal of 100 photos and finally untied me.

I watched as she finished selecting the photos and was about to send them when I quickly lunged forward, grabbing her and we ended up in a fierce struggle.

I would never allow these photos to be leaked!

During the fight, the scented candle on the table was knocked to the ground, instantly igniting the expensive carpet.

Thick smoke billowed and the entire villa was soon engulfed in flames.

I covered my mouth and nose, struggling to climb out, but was crushed by the beam that suddenly fell.

At this time, Tyler rushed in. He saw Clara by the door and hugged her tightly in his arms.

I felt the pain of the fire burning my skin and shouted with all my strength. "Tyler … save me … "

Tyler glanced at me indifferently, then turned and walked out of the fire, carrying Clara in his arms without looking back.

I watched his retreating figure, my consciousness fading until I completely passed out.

***

At the hospital.

I seemed to have regained some consciousness, but my eyelids were still heavy and I couldn't open my eyes at all.

The sound of the medical staff's discussion was all around.

"Mr. Jacobson, both patients need skin graft surgery immediately, but there's only one doctor available for the procedure right now. Who do you want to save first?"

Tyler said nothing.

I struggled and finally managed to open my eyes.

"Mr. Jacobson, your wife has burns covering over 50% of her back; it's a severe burn. If she doesn't get surgery promptly, she'll be scarred for life. I recommend you treat your wife, Clarine, first."

Clara choked back a sob. "Tyler, my hand is burned. There's a 3cm wound; it hurts so much! If it scars, how will I ever play the piano again?"

Tyler took a deep breath. "Save Clara first. I'll find another way for my wife."

Tears streamed from my just-opened eyes and they closed again.

The light in my eyes was extinguished forever.

Chapter 6

When I woke again, my body was covered in bandages. Even a slight movement made the wounds ache, bringing tears to my eyes.

Tyler, for once, sat by my bedside, holding me down. "Don't move. You just had surgery; you need to be careful during recovery."

I gave a faint smile and said, "And then?"

"I already know what happened. Clara has been asleep for three years and is finding it hard to adjust to her new life. Some extreme behavior is normal."

I looked at Tyler in disbelief. "What did you say?! Tyler, say that again if you dare!"

A rare look of guilt crossed Tyler's face. "Clara saw a doctor a couple of days ago. Because she was dormant for so long, she's unable to adapt to society since waking up and has developed depression. When she has an episode, she can't control herself. She's your sister; you should be able to understand, right?"

My nose stung and tears almost fell. "She has depression, you said? Do you actually believe that lie?"

Tyler's expression turned cold. "Clarine, I've deleted all the photos! That's enough!"

I grabbed the apple on the bedside table and threw it at Tyler. "Get out! I don't want to see you! Just get out!"

Tyler walked to the door, then paused as if remembering something. "There's an auction tomorrow. You'll come with me. Anything you like there, I'll buy for you as compensation for this incident."

Before I could answer, Tyler turned and left without another word.

The next day, I had no intention of attending any auction.

But as soon as the time came, a group of maids filed in, practically forcing me into an extravagant yet revealing gown.

When I arrived at the auction, Clara was the only person I saw.

She was wearing a black long-sleeved gown, greeting people around her.

"Why are you alone? Where's Tyler?"

"He has some things to take care of and will be a bit late, but I'll take good care of you, my sister."

Clara turned around, her face twisted into a vicious smile. "Clarine, haven't these past few days been difficult for you? How does it feel watching Tyler dote on me?"

She leaned close to my ear and said smugly, "He abandoned you in the hospital again and again, all to be with me. Even after all that, are you still not giving up, Sis?"

This person before me was my most familiar sister.

She was selfish, hypocritical and malicious. Even after three years of slumber, she hadn't changed an ounce.

"But it doesn't matter; all of this will be over soon."

The auction began before I could figure out the meaning behind her words.

The entire venue erupted in excitement as soon as the host stepped onto the stage.

It was only then that I noticed, apart from Clara, that every single attendee was male. A sense of dread crept over me.

The auction screen lit up, displaying the intimate photos Clara had forced me to take not long ago.

All 100 photos were there, completely uncensored.

"Our special item for auction today is a maiden's first night, starting bid one million!"

My blood ran cold. I immediately stood up, wanting to leave, but Clara grabbed my hand tightly.

"Clarine, you're the item being auctioned today. How can you leave?"

Before I could react, she pulled out a syringe and injected me with anesthesia.

Instantly, my body went limp and I could only slump in my seat, forced to watch the absurd scene unfold.

Soon, someone used a blank check bid.

I recognized the man in his sixties, a wealthy businessman from New York who had been married multiple times.

Every ex-wife accused him of being a pervert during their divorce, claiming he had abused them relentlessly.

After the auction ended, I was taken to a room.

The sixty-something-year-old man impatiently pressed me against the wall, his eyes gleaming lustfully. "Miss Clara was right; you truly are a stunner."

I struggled desperately, but Clara had already given me drugs. So, I couldn't use any strength at all.

I could only watch in horror as the older man ripped open my long dress, terror engulfing me.

Inch by inch, I dragged myself, finally reaching the vase beside me.

With all my strength, I smashed it over the old man's head, leaving him bleeding profusely.

Seizing the moment, I stumbled out, reaching for the doorknob as he caught up, dragging me back into the room.

Bang! In that moment of despair, the door burst open!

Chapter 7

Tyler rushed in, kicked the old man aside and helped me up. "Clarine, are you alright?"

I was so weak that I leaned on Tyler. "Yes, it was Clara who did it."

Clara, who had followed Tyler in, heard this and burst into tears. "Clarine, I don't know how this could have happened. I know you've always disliked me, but you can't just accuse me like this!"

I immediately showed her a video recording from the auction until now. "Clara, the evidence is undeniable. Are you still going to deny it?"

Tyler's expression changed, turning grim. "Clara, she's your own sister! Why would you do this to her?"

Clara, however, broke down sobbing. "Tyler, it's all because I love you!"

"I only slept for three years and when I woke up, you were married to my sister! What about me?"

"I just wanted to fight for myself! What did I do wrong?"

Tyler held me close, deliberately turning his face away from her. "Clara, I'm already married to Clarine. We can never be together in this life."

"Yes, not in this life, then the next."

With that, Clara pulled out a dagger and plunged it directly into her heart.

Blood instantly gushed out, spraying warm onto Tyler's face.

"No! Clara! Don't leave me!" Tyler screamed.

Just before she fell, she looked at me with a triumphant smile.

Tyler scooped her up and rushed out of the room, leaving me alone amidst the wreckage.

I stayed in that room for two more hours, waiting for the effects of the drug to wear off. Then, I quietly returned to the villa by myself.

Tyler never came back that night. He didn't even try to contact me.

The next morning, I got a message from the lawyer.

[Miss Clarine Robinson, the divorce has been finalized. You're officially single. Congratulations.]

I immediately called him. "I want to hire you for another case. I'm filing criminal charges against Clara Robinson, for assault and for coercing someone into attempted rape."

"I'll send you all the evidence shortly."

"There's only one outcome I want: I want her in prison. I won't settle."

Just as I ended the call, Tyler's text came in.

[I'm sorry about what happened yesterday. I'll come by later so we can talk about Clara.]

Talk? About what?

So he could beg me to forgive her?

I set the signed divorce papers down, grabbed my suitcase and headed for California.

Hans was waiting for me at the airport.

When I didn't reply, Tyler called.

I blocked his number, tossed out the SIM card and boarded the plane.

Tyler, I forced the marriage three years ago.

This time, I let go and we have nothing to do with each other anymore!