Forgotten Memories

When I woke up in the morning, I realized I couldn't remember anything.

The moment I opened my eyes, I learned that I had married the boy next door—the one I'd secretly loved throughout my entire youth.

Logically, I should have been overjoyed. But the instant his hand touched mine, a wave of intense revulsion surged from the depths of my heart.

One

I had completely lost my memory.

When I regained consciousness from my coma, Marcus was keeping vigil by my hospital bed.

His face was exhausted, his eyes bloodshot. The moment he saw me open my eyes, he grasped my hand. "Vivian, how do you feel?"

An instinctive disgust made me pull my arm back immediately.

After making that move, even I was stunned. Marcus's hand hung frozen in midair.

"Vivian, you…" His voice was hoarse.

I forced a smile and deliberately changed the subject. "Marcus, why are you here? Don't you need to be with your girlfriend?"

Marcus froze for a moment, muttering, "Marcus… girlfriend."

He repeated the words several times, then suddenly his eyes widened, and an unmistakable joy flickered in them.

I didn't understand why he was suddenly so happy.

He grabbed my hand again.

"Vivian, have you forgotten? I don't have a girlfriend. You are my wife—my only wife. In this life, I will only love you."

I was stunned.

I let Marcus hold my hand, my mind a tangled mess. Before I passed out, he had clearly been all over Tanya, the campus beauty queen. They had even gone abroad together for further studies.

I had always thought Marcus would marry Tanya. But now, waking up, I found that the person he married was me.

What confused me even more was that although it felt like only a few hours had passed, it seemed I had lost all my love for Marcus.

Two

Marcus and I had grown up together. For as long as I could remember, he had always been by my side.

He was three years older than me, and we had always been close.

When we were kids, he took me fishing, played video games with me, and often helped me with my homework.

Except for school hours, we were almost inseparable.

I was an only child, and so was he. Our families were close—practically old family friends.

Growing up, I often heard people say that Marcus and I should be a couple.

When I was little, I didn't take it seriously. Sometimes it even annoyed me.

Whenever he heard such remarks, Marcus would gently pat my head.

"Sure. Then when I grow up, I'll marry Vivian and take care of her for the rest of her life."

Back then, I would often shake off his hand in anger.

"I don't want to marry you, hmph!"

The adults would just laugh at our exchange. No one took those jokes seriously.

At first, I didn't either. But as time passed, as I grew up, I realized… I had really fallen for him.

Three

I realized I liked Marcus when I was a freshman in high school.

That was my rebellious phase. I loved skipping class to go to internet cafes. No one in the family could talk me out of it.

My parents were at their wit's end. They even considered sending me abroad.

One day, I was skipping class again to play games.

Just as I was getting into it, someone pulled off my headphones.

I looked up and saw Marcus's face.

He was usually gentle, but now his expression was tense.

Marcus grabbed my hand and pulled me outside without a word.

I cried hard, refusing to go with him.

"What right do you have to control me? You're not my real brother!"

Marcus wiped away my tears and sighed.

"Vivian, can you tell me why you don't want to study? Are you unhappy at school?"

I cried even harder.

When I skipped class and refused to study, my parents only scolded me. Only Marcus asked me why.

I was both touched and aggrieved.

Through my tears, I told him:

"I don't like school. The teachers don't like me. The boys whisper behind my back. I'm not happy at all."

Marcus was silent for a long time. Then he pulled me into his arms.

"Vivian, don't be afraid. I'll make things right for you."

The faint scent of soap on his clothes… my heart pounded like a drum.

I realized I liked him. Not like a brother, but like a man.

Four

After that day, the principal, the homeroom teacher, and the boys who had gossiped about me—one by one, they all came to apologize.

I had no doubt about Marcus's ability. His family was prominent; handling such matters was easy for him.

Facing their apologies, I felt mostly sweet. I thought, maybe Marcus had some feelings for me too.

Since we were kids, he had never been this good to any other girl.

Back then, I naively believed that Marcus would only ever have me, and I would only ever have him.

I started studying like crazy, ignoring everything around me.

My grades skyrocketed like a rising tide. In the end, to everyone's astonishment, I got into the best university in the country.

The same university Marcus attended.

The moment I got in, I couldn't wait to confess to Marcus.

On a summer night, shyly, I gave Marcus a necklace I had made myself.

"Marcus, I like you. Will you be with me?"

Hearing my confession, Marcus was stunned for a moment. But after a few seconds, he still took the necklace.

I heard him say, "Okay. Let's be together."

His voice was low, but I heard it clearly.

I hugged him excitedly. He paused, then hugged me back. At that moment, I felt like the happiest person in the world.

Five

Soon, everyone at the university knew that I was with Marcus, the senior heartthrob.

He waited for me downstairs every day, brought me breakfast, accompanied me to class, and took me to concerts.

He would hold my hand in public and smile as he introduced me: "This is my girlfriend."

My roommates often said enviously:

"Vivian, how did you land Marcus? He's so good to you. He's the perfect boyfriend."

Every time, I would answer happily:

"We grew up together."

My roommates would cheer, saying they were totally invested in our love story.

I was happy. With Marcus's meticulous care, I felt like the happiest person in the world.

But as time went on, I gradually sensed something was off.

Marcus rarely kissed me. He rarely said sweet things to me.

He would stare at his phone blankly, sometimes sitting still for an entire day.

At first, I thought that was just how he was. Until… I discovered the existence of another woman.

I first saw Tanya at an exhibition held by the university.

Tanya had returned from abroad as an outstanding international student representative, invited by the school.

When I held Marcus's hand and walked into the exhibition, I saw the beautiful Tanya, dressed in a qipao, elegantly chatting with the principal.

At that moment, I inexplicably felt something called inferiority.

I saw Marcus's gaze fixed on Tanya. There was an emotion in his eyes that I had never seen before.

When Tanya saw Marcus, she walked over gracefully.

There was a smile in her eyes. Her gaze swept over me from head to toe.

For some reason, I saw contempt in her eyes.

Tanya's red lips parted. She extended her hand to Marcus.

"Long time no see, Marcus."

Marcus took her hand. His voice was calm, but it seemed to be suppressing something.

"Long time no see, Tanya."

Tanya smiled at me. "You must be Marcus's little neighbor girl. He mentions you all the time on his phone."

The moment she said that, I felt all eyes on me.

I instinctively said, "No, you're mistaken. I'm Marcus's—"

"Vivian, let's go. There's nothing worth seeing here." Marcus suddenly cut me off.

At that moment, I clearly heard people around me whispering.

I was frozen cold.

Six

After that day, I learned from some upperclassmen that Tanya was actually Marcus's ex-girlfriend.

His ex-girlfriend of three years.

So while I was secretly in love with Marcus, he already had a girlfriend.

When I confessed to Marcus, it was exactly when Tanya had broken up with him to study abroad.

At that moment, I slipped into the void and became his girlfriend.

I didn't sleep well for several nights. I kept wondering: did Marcus accept me only because he needed a comfort object?

My heart ached. I wanted to call and ask him, but I didn't know where to start.

Marcus was still good to me. He still gave me everything I asked for. But I could clearly feel his distraction.

He grew more distant day by day. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. With tears in my eyes, I asked him:

"Marcus, have you been treating me as nothing more than a comfort object to fill the gap between you and Tanya? Do you really love me?"

Marcus hugged me. His voice was tired.

"No, Vivian. Don't overthink it."

"Then do you love me?" My tears fell. "Marcus, have you ever loved me?"

Marcus was silent. That silence was like a knife stabbing into my heart.

I understood everything.

He didn't love me.

I, Vivian, was so proud. Facing a man who didn't love me, I should have said goodbye.

But so many years of love made me unwilling to let go.

I swallowed my pride.

I told myself: I am Marcus's girlfriend now. We've known each other since childhood. He will surely come around and love me.

I endured it again and again.

Even when I noticed Marcus replying to my messages more slowly, even when I knew he was making excuses to avoid me, I still swallowed it.

In the end, I couldn't fool myself anymore.

In a secluded grove on campus, I saw Marcus holding Tanya in his arms, kissing her devoutly.

His eyes were closed. He was so absorbed.

Marcus had never looked like that when he kissed me.

When he kissed me, his eyes were always open. Always so clear.

But kissing Tanya, he was so infatuated, so passionate.

So this was the difference between love and not-love.

I don't know how long passed before I heard Tanya ask:

"When are you going to break up with your little childhood sweetheart? You can't keep me in this ambiguous position forever, can you?"

Marcus's voice was as gentle as ever, but his words made my blood run cold.

"Tanya, how could you be the other woman? You are my everything. In love, the one who isn't loved is the third wheel."

I suddenly laughed. I laughed until the tears came. So in Marcus's heart, I was the third wheel.

I was the obstacle to his love with Tanya.

But he was the one who accepted my confession in the first place.

If he didn't love me, why did he accept? Couldn't he have just rejected me?

Was I forcing him to be with me?

At that moment, I felt like a complete joke.

Maybe my laughter was too loud. It startled the two people holding each other.

I saw panic flash in Marcus's usually calm eyes.

He hurriedly tried to come toward me, but Tanya held him back.

He looked at me, opening his mouth, but no words came out.

My head was spinning. Tears streamed down my face. But I still held onto my last shred of dignity.

I heard myself say:

"Marcus, let's break up. I'll let you go."

After I got back, I fell seriously ill.

The news that Marcus and Tanya were back together spread across campus like wildfire.

My roommates took turns taking care of me. Every day, they cursed Marcus and Tanya, saying all kinds of harsh things.

And me? I just smiled.

Later, I heard my roommates say that Marcus was going abroad with Tanya. They cursed him some more.

By the time I recovered, Marcus and Tanya had already left.

When I went to class, I felt the sympathetic looks from my classmates.

Right. A girl betrayed by her childhood sweetheart and boyfriend… it was pretty pitiful, wasn't it?

I was in a daze for a long time. My first love, and I was betrayed. It was hard to get over.

One day, while wandering aimlessly around campus, I wasn't watching where I was going. A bicycle came speeding toward me and hit me head-on.

I passed out.

Seven

When I woke up, everything had changed.

Marcus told me we were married. But it still felt unreal.

I frowned at him.

Marcus held my hand tightly. "Vivian, we've been married for two years. I love you very much, and you love me too. We walked down the aisle with our parents' blessings."

The hand he was holding felt like a venomous snake was crawling on it. Uncomfortable. Extremely uncomfortable.

Marcus's touch didn't make me happy. It made me sick.

No, this was definitely not the feeling of loving someone.

At this moment, I was certain: not only did I not love Marcus, I loathed him. From the depths of my bones.

I didn't understand. I was confused. Why had everything changed so much when I woke up? Marcus and I were married. He seemed so devoted. But I felt nothing for him.

Was it because I couldn't accept the betrayal I had witnessed?

But it felt like more than that. My feelings for him now… it was as if all my emotions had been drained away in an instant.

No love. Only resistance and disgust.

I instinctively wanted to pull my hand back, but he held it tight, refusing to let go.

I looked at Marcus for a long time before speaking slowly.

"Marcus, I'm not feeling well. Can you let me rest alone for a while?"

Marcus stared at me for a long time without saying a word.

There was an emotion in his eyes that I couldn't understand.

The atmosphere made me afraid. I slowly curled up.

I was a little scared of this Marcus.

After what felt like an eternity, Marcus finally let go of my hand. He forced a gentle smile.

"Then get some rest, Vivian. I'll step out."

With that, he leaned in to kiss my forehead.

I quickly turned my head. My body's instinct was faster than my thoughts.

My whole being was rejecting Marcus from the inside out.

Marcus froze. He looked at me, his eyes slowly reddening.

I could hear his ragged breathing.

He was holding back. I knew it.

After a long while, I heard him say:

"Vivian, I'm leaving now."

Eight

After lying in the hospital for several days, my condition finally improved. I could get up and walk around.

During this time, not only did Marcus stay by my side every day, but both our parents were also there.

From them, I gradually learned about the current situation.

Five years had passed since the bicycle accident.

I had married Marcus in my senior year of college. In everyone else's eyes, we were a happy couple.

My parents were very satisfied with Marcus.

They also told me that three years ago, when my father's investment failed, Marcus stepped in and saved our family business.

After learning all this, I was stunned for a moment. Then I said to Marcus, "Thank you."

Marcus stepped forward and pulled me into his arms. He whispered in my ear, so only I could hear:

"Vivian, we're husband and wife. Don't say thank you. If you really want to thank me, get better and reward me properly. It's been a while since we…"

I wasn't a naive child anymore. I understood his implication immediately.

My blood ran cold.

The image of Marcus kissing Tanya flashed through my mind.

I thought, this man had probably done that with Tanya countless times. And now he wanted to do it with me.

Just hugging Marcus made me feel sick all over. How could I possibly want to…?

I wanted to push him away, but my parents were watching.

I had to suppress the nausea and let him hold me.

At that moment, the thought of divorce kept swirling in my mind.

Nine

This time, I had fallen from the second floor. So it was serious.

After more than a month in the hospital, I finally recovered.

I kept wanting to know what had happened in those five years. Why had I fallen from the second floor? But Marcus only said we loved each other. He wouldn't say anything else.

And Marcus really hated it when I asked about the bicycle accident.

Once, in the hospital, I casually mentioned it.

"I wonder what happened after that bicycle accident five years ago. Before I passed out, I remember the boy riding the bike was actually quite good-looking. I wonder how I got to the hospital."

I laughed, feeling inexplicably happy.

When I turned my head, I saw that Marcus's face had turned deathly pale.

He suddenly grabbed my hand, his voice trembling. "That's in the past, understand? Those five years don't matter. What matters is our future."

I didn't understand. "But you said we love each other. Why don't you want me to remember those five years?"

Marcus forced a smile. "I mean, the past is the past. Our future will be even better."

Looking at his pale face, I sensed something was wrong.

I was sure I didn't love Marcus now. And this lack of love couldn't have appeared out of nowhere.

There was only one possibility.

Something must have happened in those five years. Something that made me feel nothing for Marcus.

Or even hate him.

Ten

On a weekend morning, Marcus took me back to the place where we lived.

When I saw the house, I was a little shocked.

This was the kind of house I had mentioned when Marcus and I were together in college. I said I wanted to live in a small villa. It didn't have to be big, but it should have a small garden.

This villa did have a small garden, filled with many varieties of flowers. It was clearly carefully designed.

When I stepped inside, I was even more stunned.

Everything seemed to be decorated according to my taste. Marcus had clearly put a lot of effort into preparing our marital home.

But for some reason, seeing a house that suited my taste so perfectly didn't move me. Instead, I felt a strong sense of repulsion.

Suddenly, a vague image flashed through my mind.

On a quiet night, under a sky full of stars, a man and I were kissing.

I couldn't see the man's face clearly. But at that moment, my heart felt full. So happy. So joyful.

Marcus took my hand and smiled. "So, do you like it?"

I didn't answer his question. Instead, I asked, "Marcus, did we ever kiss on the rooftop under the stars?"

Marcus's smile froze. After a moment, he forced another smile and asked, "Are you remembering something?"

I shook my head. "No. Just a vague image."

Marcus's expression returned to normal. "Yes, that was us. Vivian, you've only ever had me, understand? You've only ever loved me, understand?"

He pulled me into his arms. "Vivian, I know I wronged you. I shouldn't have done that back then… But I regret it. I regret it so much. Now, you're the only one in my heart. So please, love only me, okay?"

He looked at me cautiously, his eyes filled with intense emotion.

I felt extremely uncomfortable. I tried to step back, but he held me tightly.

He held me so hard, as if afraid of losing something.

Eleven

Marcus kept telling me, "Vivian, we love each other. We're made for each other. Who else could you love? Just like I only love you."

Marcus's obsessive behavior scared me. I trembled, unable to speak.

In a daze, I seemed to see myself in this same room, held in Marcus's arms, his lips on mine.

I tried to escape, but he pressed me down on the sofa.

He grabbed my ankle and pulled me toward him.

His eyes were bloodshot. "Vivian, can't you still forget him?"

Coming out of the memory, I felt a splitting headache. Tears streamed down my face.

I screamed, "No! I'm not yours! I'm not!"

Marcus's whole body stiffened. I felt his arms trembling as he held me.

My face was wet with tears. "Marcus, I don't love you. I really don't. Can you please stop treating me like this?"

Marcus let go of me and slowly wiped the tears from my face. "Vivian, you're talking nonsense again."

"I'm not talking nonsense." I looked at him seriously. "I don't love you. I don't know how I married you. But I'm sure of one thing: I have no feelings for you."

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

I knew he was suppressing his anger.

He struggled to stay calm. "Vivian, you've lost your memory. That's why you're saying these things. Don't say them again, understand? Just remember: you only love me. And I will treat you well from now on. This time, there will be no one else."

Looking at his obsessed, almost sick expression, I finally realized… he wasn't normal.

Twelve

That night, after I showered, I lay in bed.

Marcus hugged me from behind.

My body stiffened. After our morning argument, Marcus had left.

I thought he wouldn't come back. But he did.

I had a bad feeling. He seemed to be planning something.

And sure enough, when he saw that I wasn't resisting, he started kissing the back of my neck.

My whole body went numb. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and started struggling.

"Marcus, I'm still not used to being married. And I really don't have any feelings for you right now. Can we sleep separately for a while?"

But Marcus just smiled and pressed me into his arms. His kisses grew hotter.

"Vivian, don't say you don't like me anymore. It makes me unhappy. We're husband and wife. We're supposed to be together. You'll get used to it."

He pushed me down and kissed my lips.

My eyes flew open. The nausea in my heart wouldn't go away.

I couldn't forget the image of Marcus kissing Tanya.

Even when I loved him, I couldn't forgive that. Let alone now.

I couldn't take it anymore. I turned my head and started dry-heaving.

Marcus stopped. He just looked at me.

He patted my chest gently, suppressing his emotions. "Did you eat too much at dinner?"

I knew he was avoiding the issue.

After the nausea passed, I sniffled and said, "I'm sorry, Marcus. I have a cleanliness issue. Seeing you with Tanya like that… I can't accept it."

I saw tears fall from Marcus's eyes.

After a long time, he said slowly:

"Vivian… are you disgusted by me?"

Thirteen

After that day, Marcus and I seemed to fall into a cold war.

He started deliberately avoiding me.

I was happy about it. I didn't want to talk to him either.

I just wanted to get as far away from him as possible.

If I could, I would leave him immediately.

Although Marcus didn't talk to me much, whenever he came home, he would stare at me.

His gaze made my scalp crawl.

Every time I met his eyes, he would look away.

This went on for almost two weeks.

Finally, one day, he couldn't hold back anymore and spoke to me first.

"Vivian, if I don't come to you, will you never come to me? That day, it was your fault."

There was a hint of grievance in his voice.

I looked at him, my eyes expressionless. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been disgusted by you."

I apologized calmly. "But I can't control it. You know that. I… can't accept what you did to me."

When I finished, Marcus's face changed again.

He turned pale. His hands clenched into fists.

I knew he was enduring it. I knew he was hurting.

But what did that have to do with me? Seeing him suffer, I even felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

I hoped he would be the one to bring up divorce.

If he said it, I would agree immediately. I would even offer to leave with nothing. I had the speech ready.

As long as I could get rid of him, I would be happy.

But Marcus didn't say anything about separating.

He took my hand and smiled. "Vivian, I'll show you my love through my actions."

But I looked at him indifferently.

Maybe I had once longed for his love. But now, I didn't need it. I didn't want it.

When I didn't love him, everything he did was wrong. Even a confession would make me sick.

Fourteen

In the noisy hall.

I stood expressionless as people around me raised their glasses and approached Marcus to chat.

Tonight was a banquet hosted by the Johnson family. Many high-society figures had been invited.

As the new president of the city's largest food company, Marcus was naturally on the guest list.

As his wife, I was forced to attend.

I didn't really like places like this. If Marcus had brought another female companion, I wouldn't have minded.

But he insisted on bringing me.

I heard people around me complimenting us, saying we were a perfect match.

Marcus smiled and pulled me close, occasionally kissing my forehead.

I remained expressionless.

Marcus took good care of me. He kept asking if there was anything I wanted to eat. I just smiled and said nothing.

I was too tired to even pretend anymore.

Marcus's eyes dimmed, but he kept his arm around me.

He watched me closely. Almost everywhere I went, he followed.

We maintained this strange, uneasy peace.

Until a familiar, beautiful face appeared not far from me.

I heard people nearby discussing her.

"Isn't that Tanya from the Tanner family? Why is she back from abroad? Didn't the Tanner family fall from grace? How did she get in here?"

"What do you know? The Tanner family has some connections with the Johnson family. Maybe they're using their pretty daughter to climb back up. You know the drill."

"Got to admit, Tanya is gorgeous. I hear she had a thing with President Marcus once."

"Shh! Keep your voice down. Mrs. Marcus is right here."

…

Under the shifting lights, I saw Tanya's beautiful face bloom like a flower.

She suddenly looked over and met my eyes. Then she smiled at me gracefully, her eyes carrying the same ambition and determination as before.

After a moment of shock, I calmed down.

I smiled back politely.

"Vivian, I… I didn't know she would be here. I really don't like her anymore. Don't misunderstand." Marcus's arm tightened around my waist. His voice was panicked.

I turned my head and looked up at him. His face was already pale.

I smiled indifferently. "It's fine. It's just a chance encounter. If you really want to see her, I understand. She is your first love, after all."

As soon as I said that, I saw Marcus's body sway slightly.

"Vivian… you… don't care at all?"

Fifteen

Why would I care?

I was even thinking: if Tanya could help me get a divorce from Marcus, I would be grateful to her.

Marcus had been bringing up intimacy with me more and more often lately.

He had even hinted at it to my parents.

Yesterday, my mom actually called and told me to be more considerate of Marcus.

I could only brush her off.

Tanya was staring deeply at Marcus from across the room. Marcus was holding me tightly.

I felt stuck in the middle.

Look at them. Marcus and Tanya were such a perfect match. Why drag me into it?

I thought, maybe I should leave and give them a chance to rekindle their old flame.

I turned to Marcus. "Marcus, I'm going to the restroom to touch up my makeup."

Marcus didn't want to let go. "I'll go with you."

"No need." I smiled faintly and pushed him away. "It's just the restroom. Do I need you to accompany me? I'm not that delicate."

My half-joking demeanor seemed to calm him. After a moment's thought, he nodded and let me go.

So I stayed in the restroom for a while.

I took out my phone and checked the time, mentally calculating if it was enough for them to reconnect.

But before I could leave, I ran into Tanya in the restroom.

I looked at her. She looked at me.

Tanya smiled at me.

I thought for a moment, then nodded slightly at her.

I had never actually met Tanya alone in private. Even though we had both dated Marcus, we weren't really familiar.

"Miss Lu, long time no see. I really didn't expect you to actually marry Marcus."

There was a challenge in Tanya's eyes.

I said calmly, "I didn't expect that you wouldn't be the one to marry him either."

With that, I turned and left the restroom.

Tanya quickly caught up and blocked my way.

In the empty hallway, it was just the two of us.

Tanya's face was indignant. "Miss Lu, are you mocking me? Don't think that just because you've won now, you'll win forever. Marcus will—"

"Let's talk about the future when it comes." I cut her off. "If you're not satisfied, if you still like Marcus, go to him. Don't come to me."

Tanya's eyes widened slightly.

She looked at me with curiosity.

Then, after a long moment, she suddenly laughed.

"I didn't expect that Miss Lu doesn't even like Marcus. Haha… So after all these years, Marcus still hasn't won your heart. Or could it be that you still can't forget—"

"Tanya."

A cold male voice came from the side.

Tanya and I both looked over. Marcus was standing there, his face expressionless.

He strode over and pulled me into his arms.

Without a word, he led me away.

"Marcus, what are you afraid of?" Tanya called after us.

"Are you afraid she doesn't love you? But Marcus, do you really think she can still love you? From the moment you chose me, she could never love you."

Marcus didn't look back. His voice was cold.

"Tanya, you'd better stay away from Vivian. If you say anything to her, don't blame me for being unkind to your family."

Sixteen

In the car, I was still distracted.

Marcus helped me fasten my seatbelt. I just leaned back slightly.

I kept thinking about Tanya's words.

"Grayson… Grayson?"

Why did that name feel so familiar?

Who was he? Did I know him?

"Vivian, don't mind what Tanya said. There's nothing between us anymore."

I turned to look at Marcus.

It was dark in the car. I couldn't see his face clearly. But I could feel the oppressive atmosphere.

Marcus seemed afraid. But what was he afraid of?

I said calmly, "If you really like her, I won't stop you from going to her. She's your true love. I understand—"

"She's not my true love! She's nothing!" Marcus's voice suddenly rose. He grabbed my hand in panic.

"Vivian, I know I was wrong. When I was abroad, I realized I had fallen in love with you. I didn't see my own heart clearly. It was my fault. I shouldn't have treated you like that. I'm a bastard!

But Vivian, even criminals deserve a chance to be forgiven. Why can't I? From now on, I will love you with all my heart. Can you… give me a chance?"

By the end, his voice was trembling. He seemed to be choking.

I was confused. Marcus was really strange. He was the one who cheated. But he acted like I was the one in the wrong for not forgiving him.

Why did cheaters always find excuses for themselves?

"Marcus, you're really something. This is the first time I've seen someone ask for forgiveness so matter-of-factly. Marcus, you might have forgotten one thing. You were the one who cheated. You were the one who did wrong.

You know what kind of person I am. I never look back."

I looked at him coldly and said cruelly:

"Marcus, let's part on good terms. Let's get a divorce."

Marcus held my hand tightly, interlocking our fingers. I tried to shake him off, but he was too strong.

I heard his cold voice: "Vivian, don't think you can get rid of me. If I hadn't injected capital into your father's company back then, your family would have gone bankrupt. Do you think you'd still be living like a princess?"

"So Vivian, you'll never escape me."

He unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned over, held my head, and pressed his lips against mine.

"Tonight, when we get home, we're going to have a child. Once you have a child, you'll give up this idea for good."

The nausea rose again. But I couldn't get away from him.

At that moment, I finally understood why I had married him.

Seventeen

That night, Marcus carried me upstairs.

I struggled hard. I knew what he wanted to do.

Marcus pinned my hands down and tried to kiss me. "Vivian, we're husband and wife! Husband and wife! You can't reject me!"

I pushed him away. "Get lost!"

Marcus was very strong. In the chaos, I kicked him in the stomach and managed to break free.

I glared at him hatefully. "Marcus, don't make me hate you!"

Marcus clutched his stomach and laughed bitterly. Tears fell from his eyes. "Why, Vivian? Why? We're husband and wife! Why won't you let me? I love you so much. I really love you…"

His voice grew softer and softer, until it was just a helpless murmur. "I love you so much…"

My face was covered in tears. I hugged myself.

I was on the verge of breaking down. At that moment, I screamed out everything in my heart:

"Who wants your love?!"

"Marcus, can't you just go to Tanya? Isn't she your first love? Your true love? The one you cheated on me with? If you love her so much, why don't you go to her?"

"I don't want you!"

Marcus looked at me, his eyes red and swollen from crying.

He laughed bitterly. "Vivian, you can't escape me. Even if you're disgusted by me, even if you look down on me, you are still my wife. I will never let you go."

I looked at him in silence.

I knew. I had to find a way to leave. Staying entangled with Marcus would only waste my time and energy.

I, Vivian, never settle.

Eighteen

After that day, while Marcus was at work, I went back to my parents' house.

When I got home, my mom was playing with the dog in the garden. The moment she saw me, she looked incredulous.

"Vivian? Why are you back? Did you have a fight with Marcus?" She looked at me nervously, worry in her eyes.

I said tiredly, "Mom, can you please not mention Marcus? I don't want to hear his name."

Without a word, my mom walked up and slapped me across the face.

The slap made my ears ring. I stared at her in shock.

My face hurt. But my heart hurt more.

"How dare you treat Marcus like that? If it weren't for him, your father's company would have been finished! How dare you offend him? Vivian, I don't care what the reason is. Go back. Apologize to Marcus. Understand?"

My eyes were red. But I held back my tears.

I didn't understand. Why was my mom treating me like this after I woke up?

I had been spoiled my whole life. I had everything I wanted.

Now, my mom was hitting me because of Marcus. Because of a man who had hurt me.

I laughed bitterly. "Mom, so in your eyes, my only value is maintaining your life as a rich wife? Don't you care at all whether I'm happy?"

My mom glared at me stubbornly. "Go back to Marcus. Our family owes him."

"And doesn't Marcus owe me?" My eyes were red. "Marcus cheated on me in college. Didn't I tell you? Am I supposed to just accept being cheated on? Am I supposed to let a man who betrayed me disgust me?"

I continued, "Marcus makes me sick. I feel like throwing up when I see him. I have to divorce him!"

"Then can't you think about your father and me?" My mom cried. "Can't you let us live out our old age in peace?"

I took a step back, ready to leave.

"Vivian." My mom grabbed my arm. "Men make mistakes. And Marcus made his mistake before marriage. Now he's so good to you. He loves you, doesn't he? We women need to be more tolerant. You married him before. You could tolerate it then. Why can't you now…"

"Mom, don't try to control me." I cut her off. "Who told you women need to be more tolerant? Besides, people change. I don't know why I agreed to marry him back then. But I can't tolerate him now.

I'm not like you, Mom. You can put up with Dad having mistresses to keep your comfortable life. I can't. I, Vivian, won't tolerate even a grain of sand in my eyes."

With that, I ignored my mother's furious shouts behind me and turned to leave.

When I reached the gate of the yard, I saw Marcus standing there, watching me.

I was a little surprised.

I didn't know how long he had been listening.

But the shock only lasted