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Claudine Bradshaw was committed to a psychiatric hospital by her husband Jeromy Lozano to please her stepsister Juliette. For one hundred and eighty days, Claudine endured inhuman abuse every single day. When she was finally released, she wanted nothing from them anymore. Her husband always dotes on Juliette, her daughter wants Juliette to be mother, and her brothers are partial to Juliette. But when Claudine appeared beside the most powerful man in the city, they were all overcome with regret. Jeromy watched the woman who had once loved only him being cherished by another, while he could only watch from afar—like a rat in the gutter, spying on her happiness. Her daughter, who had once despised her, begged. "Mommy, I don't want Juliette as my mom anymore. I only want you. Mommy, can you forgive me?" Even her brothers were filled with remorse once they learned the truth of Claudine's suffering. But it was too late, Claudine no longer needed any of them. ------ ###Chapter 1 After Claudine Bradshaw received electroconvulsive therapy in the morning, someone came to pick her up from the psychiatric hospital that afternoon. She stood at the entrance. Six months without sunlight made the blazing summer glare almost unbearable. She couldn't help but squint. A gray Aston Martin was parked across the street. Its window slid down, revealing the flawlessly handsome profile of Jeromy Lozano, her husband. Claudine swallowed hard, her eyes rimmed with red. She didn't move. Jeromy darted a glance at her, his voice cold and stern. "Claudine, after six months, you still haven't learned to behave? Come here." As Claudine looked at the man she had loved for fifteen years—and at the fury hardening his features—grievance surged up her heart. But she forced it down. She had come to terms with it. From today onward, she would no longer love him. The Jeromy she had loved had disappeared long ago—ever since the day Juliette Bradshaw stepped back into the Bradshaw's mansion. Expressionless, Claudine pulled open the passenger door. The first thing she saw was the seat cover—pink, embroidered with the words "Princess Julie's Exclusive Seat." A wave of dizziness hit her so hard she nearly collapsed. Her stomach churned, and she felt like puking. She staggered to the roadside, crouched down, and vomited uncontrollably, bile burning her throat as tears streamed down her face. How revolting. Six months ago, she had caught Juliette—her father's stepdaughter—sending intimate photos to Jeromy, and she had slapped her. As a result, Juliette had an episode and was rushed to the ER. To stick up for Juliette, Claudine's father, four cousins, and husband all demanded she apologize. Of course, she refused. Then they locked her in a psychiatric hospital for six months. Every single day there was heII. She endured everything—electroshock, flogging, abuse, starvation, and exposure to the bitter cold. For one hundred and eighty days, no one ever came visit her. Now she knew why. While she was locked away, Juliette had taken her place. It was disgusting. Jeromy stepped out of the car and handed Claudine a bottle of water, already uncapped. Her mouth was bitter and foul. So she took it and rinsed her mouth in large gulps. Jeromy stood behind her, his deep-set eyes fixed on her back. The woman before him now was almost unrecognizable. She wore a plain white T-shirt, its edges yellowed with age. As she crouched, the thin fabric clung to her back, outlining every sharp vertebra. She had grown frighteningly thin. A searing pain suddenly twisted in Jeromy's heart, sharp enough to steal his breath. He reached out a hand. He wanted to tell her that as long as she stopped making things difficult for Juliette, they could go back—back to being that perfect, devoted couple everyone admired. Just as his hand hovered above her shoulder, Claudine—still crouched on the ground like a stray cat—spoke hoarsely, "Jeromy, let's get a divorce." Her words reached him loud and clear. His outstretched fingers trembled violently. He withdrew his hand and forced his expression into calm. But his gaze turned cold and sharp, his tone edged with an icy blade. "I'll take that as a joke, Claudine. And you only get to tell it once." Claudine scoffed, "Jeromy, I mean it. I want a divorce. I don't want your money. Just give me custody of Dora and pay child support on time. I'm done." Jeromy irritably loosened his tie. Frowning slightly, he said, "We'll talk at home. Get in the car first." Jeromy grabbed her wrist. Then he froze, staring down at her bony wrist in disbelief. Claudine caught the flicker of guilt that flashed through his eyes. It amused her. What? Was he feeling sorry for her and regretting what he did? But why? He was the one who sent her to the psychiatric hospital. He was the one who instructed the doctors to "teach her to behave." Didn't he know what awaited her there? Claudine sat in the back seat. The entire ride passed in silence. She was exhausted. ###Chapter 2 Her muscles still twitched from the morning's electroshock therapy. But today they hadn't used a strong current as usual, probably knowing someone was taking her home. Before, the shocks had been so severe that she lost control of her bladder every single time. She was born into wealth and married into privilege. Yet she had lain convulsing in her own filth. And she had lost count of how many phones had been held up to film her in those humiliating moments. Claudine's silence throughout the drive unsettled Jeromy. He drove all the way back to Regent Estates and pulled over. Before Claudine stepped out, she saw Juliette in the courtyard, playing with Dorothy Lozano—her daughter. Claudine flung the car door open and stumbled out. She rushed to the entrance, fingers shaking as she pressed her fingerprint against the scanner. But it didn't work. Jeromy came up behind her, one hand settling at her waist as he pressed his own thumb to the scanner. "We changed the locks a few days ago," he explained. "We'll add your fingerprint in a moment." Claudine pushed him aside and ran toward Dorothy. During those months in the psychiatric hospital, Dorothy was the only one she had worried about. From the moment Dorothy was born, Claudine had cared for her herself—tending to her every need, because she wanted Dorothy to have the very best. It had been one hundred and eighty days. She had missed Dorothy like crazy. The director of the psychiatric hospital had once said that if she bowed to him, he would take her to see Dorothy. Knowing it was likely a lie, she still complied without hesitation—just for that sliver of hope. Then she ended up getting filmed, humiliated, and beaten by the director and the supervisors. Dorothy was everything to her. As Claudine approached, her steps slowed. Even her breathing grew cautious. Finally, she stopped behind Dorothy. "Dora," she said, her voice choked with emotion, "Mommy's back." Dorothy froze, then snapped her head around. The moment she saw Claudine, she screamed, "Mommy Julie, my crazy mommy is back. Come protect me!" The air froze instantly. Claudine opened her mouth, but no sound came out. The terrified, panicked face of Dorothy in front of her overlapped with the sweet little girl from her memories, who used to call softly for "Mommy". Claudine's body trembled uncontrollably. Juliette quickly got off the swing, crouched down, and said gently to Dorothy, "She's your mommy. How can you call her 'crazy'?" Dorothy wrapped her arms around Juliette's leg. "But she is. Grandpa and my uncles said only crazy people go to the crazy hospital. She went there, so she's the crazy mommy." Claudine felt Dorothy's words like an invisible hand gripping her heart and squeezing ruthlessly. Bitterness overwhelmed her, forming a hard knot in her throat. Jeromy frowned. "Dora, that is no way to speak to your mother. Come here and apologize." His words and tone were stern. Dorothy burst into tears at once. While crying, she shouted through sobs, "I don't want her to be my mommy! I want Mommy Julie! Bad Mommy, why did you come back?" Every day of the past hundred and eighty days, Claudine had looked forward to reuniting with Dorothy. But her hope was shattered now, leaving a piece of her heart gouged out and missing—even her breathing tasted metallic. She slowly crouched down. "Sweetheart, I'm your mommy. You love me the most, don't you?" Dorothy glanced at her. Then she decisively turned her head away. Still clinging to Juliette, she mumbled in her cute, childish voice, "I don't want you to be my mommy anymore. From now on, Julie is my mommy." Claudine raised her voice abruptly. "Dorothy!" Everyone was startled. Claudine stared intently at Dorothy. "I'll give you one last chance. Are you coming to me, or staying with Juliette?" Dorothy said without hesitation, "I want to be with Mommy Julie. You're crazy and should be locked in the crazy hospital, watched by doctors and given shots every day." Very well. ###Chapter 3 Dorothy had always had a high IQ. She could speak clearly and express her needs accurately by the age of one. Her language ability far exceeded that of her peers. Claudine had always been proud of that. It had never occurred to her that this ability would now become a knife, viciously stabbing into her heart. The pain was overwhelming. She no longer wanted Jeromy. And she no longer wanted Dorothy. She wiped her tears away and slowly stood up, bracing her hands on her knees. "Jeromy, the courthouse isn't closed yet. Let's go finalize the divorce. You can keep Dorothy. I don't want her anymore." Jeromy's expression, however, was dark. He grabbed Claudine's wrist, pressing closer step by step. "Say that again." Claudine lowered her eyes, her long, thick lashes fluttering slightly. "I said, let's go—" Before she could say "get a divorce," Jeromy suddenly scooped her up and carried her toward the living room. He carried Claudine into the master bedroom and slammed the door shut. ... In the room. Jeromy pinned Claudine to the bed. She struggled with all her might. "Let go!" As Jeromy tried to kiss her lips, she tilted her head away with force, and his lips slid from the corner of her mouth to her cheek. He pinned both her hands above her head with one hand, gripping her chin with the other. His voice low, eyes dark, he slowly rubbed his thumb over her cold, pale chin. "This is called 'couples spicing things up.' Besides, isn't this what you've always wanted?" He let out a cold sneer. Meanwhile, his other hand slid downward along her clothes. The moment his fingertips made contact with her soft skin, they hovered—then dissolved into a wild, seeking rush. Just then, someone pounded violently on the door without warning. The sound was deafening. Jeromy barked toward the door, his voice filled with irritation, "Go away!" Celia Martinez, the maid, called from the other side, "Mr. Lozano, it's Ms. Juliette. She's having an asthma attack." He immediately withdrew the hand caressing Claudine's waist. Then he got up quickly, buttoning his shirt as he hurried toward the door. Claudine lay in bed alone, smiling faintly as she wiped dampness from the corners of her eyes. He had been aroused—his physical reaction had been unmistakable. Yet he controlled himself the moment he heard about Juliette's condition. Sure enough, he loved Juliette so much. Claudine struggled to get up from the bed and walked into the walk-in closet. She pulled a suitcase from the bottom of the wardrobe. Then she grabbed a handful of clothes and threw them in. Just then, an exquisite little velvet box fell out. It dropped to the floor, the magnetic clasp breaking open. Inside lay a pair of finely crafted cufflinks. The day before she was admitted to the hospital, she had picked them up from the shop. She had designed them herself, intending to give them to Jeromy on their wedding anniversary. But she had been locked away on that day. She took a deep breath. Then she crouched down. As she picked up the cufflinks, she smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. Then, without hesitation, she tossed them into the trash bin. She closed the suitcase. The moment she turned around, she saw the family photo magnet stuck to the wardrobe door—a photo-booth picture of her, Jeromy, and Dorothy. Her heart broke. She extended a trembling finger, wanting to touch Dorothy's little face. But she decisively withdrew her hand just before her fingertip made contact. She turned and left, dragging her suitcase behind her. Then she walked downstairs. As she walked past the living room, she saw Dorothy holding a ice cream in one hand, eating them in big bites. Her heart tightened. Dorothy had always had a sensitive stomach. She shouldn't eat so much cold food at once. She tried to look away, to pretend she hadn't noticed. But after a few seconds, she still couldn't help but say, "Dora, don't eat so much ice cream all at once." ###Chapter 4 Dorothy looked up, her gaze falling on Claudine—sharp and cold as a knife. "If you hadn't come back today, Mommy Julie wouldn't have gotten sick. You always taught me to be kind. Why can't you be kind?" Claudine cast a deep glance at Dorothy. Then she walked out, suitcase in tow. Watching her retreating figure, Dorothy suddenly felt a pang of loss. She didn't know why. But an inexplicable panic gripped her. She turned to look toward the door, but Claudine had already disappeared into the dark night. She pursed her lips. She didn't want a crazy mother. Juliette had told her that if she had a crazy mother, all her friends at kindergarten would laugh at her. She wanted Juliette to be her mother—Juliette loved dressing up and was so pretty. It filled Dorothy with a pride. ... Claudine left Regent Estates without a penny. She couldn't return to the Bradshaw's mansion, either. Since Juliette and her mother had moved in, they had owned the Bradshaw family. But she wasn't entirely cornered. Before her mother, Rosalie Nelson, passed away, Rosalie had left an apartment in her name. At least she had a roof over her head. Claudine entered the bedroom. Throwing herself onto the soft bed, she felt aches all over. She buried her face deep in the blanket. All night, she slept fitfully, as if still trapped in the psychiatric hospital. She remembered vividly—1 night not long after she was admitted, a security guard slipped into her room around 2:30 a.m., intending to rappe her. Luckily, she woke in time. She kicked him squarely between the legs. He collapsed, unconscious. His lower body was soaked in blood. She knew he'd be impotent after that. But from that night on, no one ever mentioned the incident, as if the attacker had never existed. Yet it haunted her, becoming her recurring nightmare. For the next six months, she never slept soundly. Early the next morning. When Claudine went to the bank, she was told all her bank cards were frozen. "Well, well. The noble Ms. Bradshaw? The enviable Mrs. Lozano? It's been a while." Claudine looked up. A pretty face with delicate makeup came into view. It was Edwina Rivera. Claudine had always disliked Edwina. Edwina crossed her arms. They were about the same height, but Edwina's heels, over ten centimeters, allowed her to look down on Claudine. "Claudine, look at yourself now. You're so pathetic. "Is this what your proud marriage brought you? Turning you from the most dazzling socialite in all of Clambury into a ... bitter woman?" Edwina and Claudine were the same age. They had been in the same class since kindergarten. Edwina had competed with Claudine in everything. But before Claudine married Jeromy, Edwina had always been overshadowed by her. In fact, refusing to admit defeat, Edwina had once pursued Jeromy. But the outcome proved it again—she was defeated by Claudine once more. Yet now, as Edwina looked at how miserable Claudine had become, she suddenly sneered. "I'm so glad I didn't steal Jeromy from you back then. Otherwise, I'd be the housewife dressed like a hobo now. Thanks for winning him." Claudine looked at Edwina calmly. If this were before, she would have fought Edwina with everything she had. But her temperament had changed since being locked away for six months. "Are you done? I'm leaving." Edwina watched Claudine's retreating back and stomped her foot in frustration. She had finally beaten Claudine. So why? Why was she feel upset seeing Claudine like this? She asked the clerk, "What did she come here for?" The clerk answered, "Ms. Rivera, she came to withdraw money, but all seven of her cards are frozen." Edwina fell silent for a moment. She muttered under her breath, "How did you end up like this, Claudine?" ... Claudine walked alone down the street. A harsh realization suddenly struck her. In all those years by her childhood sweetheart Jeromy's side, she had made not a single true friend. A car pulled up beside her. She looked over. The door opened. With 3,000 dollars in hand, Edwina walked over and slapped the money heavily into Claudine's palm. "I still hate you a lot, but I can't stand seeing a woman suffer. Take it as a loan. Pay me back when you can." ###Chapter 5 Then she drove off without giving Claudine a chance to respond. Claudine stood at the roadside, watching as Edwina's car peeled out. She didn't even have time to thank Edwina. It surprised her that now, when she had nothing, at her lowest point, it was her sworn enemy who offered help. Yes—sworn enemy. Claudine bit back her tears. Then she put the money away. Then she took the bus, transferring twice, and arrived at the Lozano Group. At the front desk. The receptionist looked at Claudine. "I've already said—without an appointment, you cannot see Mr. Lozano. Please understand." Claudine said earnestly, "Call Jeromy. Tell him it's Claudine. I'm here to get a divorce." The receptionist's gaze now held a trace of mockery. She gave Claudine a once-over, her gaze slightly haughty. "At least come up with a better lie. You mean you're Mrs. Lozano? Mrs. Lozano comes to work with Mr. Lozano every day, you know." Claudine's face turned ghastly pale. The receptionist continued, "Sometimes their daughter is with them, too. Gosh, just look at you. What on earth makes you think you're fit to be Mrs. Lozano? Give me a break. 'You're Mrs. Lozano?' Yeah, right—and I'm Mr. Lozano's mother!" Just then, Claudine spotted Jared Horton, Jeromy's assistant. She hurried forward. "Jared!" The receptionist narrowed her eyes. Was Claudine not lying after all? At the sight of Claudine, Jared greeted her flatly, "Mrs. Lozano." She nodded. "Call Jeromy. Tell him I'm here for a divorce." A flicker of disbelief crossed Jared's eyes, nearly breaking his composure. "Please wait a moment." He pulled out his phone and called Jeromy. Jeromy answered quickly. "Jared." Jared lowered his voice. "Mr. Lozano, I've run into Mrs. Lozano in the lobby on the first floor. She asked me to call you, saying she's here to talk to you ... about a divorce." Jeromy fell silent for a long time. Finally, his icy voice came through, reaching Claudine's ears at the same time. "Tell her to make a private appointment at the front desk." Then he hung up. Jared glanced at Claudine, expecting her to lose her temper as she once would have. But she simply thanked him and walked to the front desk. She said to the receptionist, "I'd like to schedule a private appointment with Mr. Lozano." Glancing at her, the receptionist smacked her lips. Then she said mockingly, "So much for being someone important. Turns out you need an appointment after all. Guess what they say is right—sometimes you just have to be shameless. Anyway, Mr. Lozano's private calendar is blocked solid for the next ten days. So, what'll it be? Still want that appointment?" Claudine nodded. The appointment was booked. Claudine picked up a feedback form from the desk, gave the receptionist a one-star rating, and tossed it into the suggestion box. "It's not that your service is worth one star—but because one star is the lowest rating. No need to thank me." With that, she smiled and turned to leave. The receptionist, seeing the one-star rating, turned livid. Five minutes later, she received a call from HR. "You're fired. Go to accounting to collect this month's salary." ... It'd be ten days before Claudine saw Jeromy again. And there was a one-month waiting period for divorce. In other words, it would be at least forty days before the divorce was finalized and Claudine was free for good. Regardless, she had to put food on the table. She wasn't too worried—after all, she had education and skills. But all her fantasies about the future were smashed a week later, after sending out countless resumes without a single response. She sent a direct message to an HR recruiter on a job platform. The HR recruiter replied, "You have an excellent educational background, but you were away from the workforce for five years. It poses significant challenges." ###Chapter 6 Five years away from the workforce. Indeed. Claudine had chosen marriage and motherhood before graduating, spending the most critical five years of her life on her family. She had a diploma from a top-tier university but no practical experience. Of course, she'd be rejected. Claudine clenched her phone. She stared at the conversation for a long time. Finally, she sent her resume to Edwina's company. What did pride matter? Survival came first. Right after sending the resume, Claudine received a call from an unknown number. She answered. The aged, kind voice of Meagan Lozano, Jeromy's grandmother, came through. "Dina, aren't you going to visit me? Have you forgotten about me?" Tears slid down Claudine's cheeks. She fumbled to wipe them away. "Of course not, Madam Lozano." Meagan said, "Then come see me tomorrow. I have something to tell you." She nodded. "Alright, Madam Lozano." ... At Regent Estates. Dorothy was sitting on the floor playing with a toy train. She looked up and asked innocently, "Daddy, is Mommy Julie better now? I miss her." Looking at her face, which resembled Claudine's so much, he gently pinched her cheek. "You miss Julie?" She tightened her expression, then nodded vigorously. Jeromy couldn't help but let out a cold scoff. He wondered—what kind of mother Claudine was? After she was sent away, Dorothy never said she missed her. Yet after just six months with Juliette, Dorothy couldn't live without her. What a failure mother. Thinking of Claudine, he suddenly grew curious. What was she doing now? How was she supposed to live? "Go play by yourself." Dorothy clung to his leg. "When will Mommy Julie come back to play with me?" His voice was deep. "After we visit your great-grandmother tomorrow, we'll stop by your grandfather's house on the way back and see her." Dorothy cheered and went back to playing with her train on the carpet. Jeromy stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. He couldn't help but call Jared. "Find out what Claudine is doing now." Jared, ever efficient, reported back in thirty minutes. Jeromy frowned. "She's been trying to find a job?" Jared said seriously, "Several major companies have already rejected her. A few smaller ones haven't responded. Tonight, she sent her resume to the Rivera Group." The Rivera Group belonged to Edwina's family. Everyone in Clambury knew Edwina and Claudine were sworn enemies. Jared mused, "It seems Mrs. Lozano's hands are tied." After all, she had resorted to sending her resume to her enemy's family business. But Jeromy only let out a low chuckle. His handsome face was cold and indifferent. "If she still has a choice, then she's not cornered enough." After a pause, he ordered ruthlessly, "Jared, spread the word. "No one is to hire her. Otherwise, they can wait for bankruptcy." Jared nodded and began carrying out the order. Staring at the dazzling lights, Jeromy seemed to see Claudine from years ago, hanging them up with a smile. He had had her locked away for six months. He had wanted her to learn to behave. But quite the opposite—she had only grown more defiant. Suddenly, a soft little thing bumped into his leg. Dorothy looked up and said in her milky voice, "Mommy Julie isn't here. Daddy, I want to sleep with you tonight." He picked her up. "OK." They went back to the bedroom. While Dorothy was in the walk-in closet choosing a dress to wear tomorrow, she suddenly spotted a small box in the trash bin. It was pretty. She couldn't help but pick it up. Walking out, she showed it off to Jeromy. "Daddy, look! I found something good in the trash!" Jeromy had just showered. He wore a bathrobe, gaped open, revealing his clearly defined, ridged muscles. "What is it?" he asked. She stood on tiptoe and handed it to him with both hands. He opened it. It was a cufflink. What kind of game was Claudine playing now? ###Chapter 7 Did she expect him to think of her once he saw it? With a dismissive scoff, he tossed it out the window. Dorothy didn't understand why Jeromy had thrown away such a pretty thing. But she felt it had something to do with Claudine. She hated admitting she had a "crazy" mother. She walked to the window and looked down where Jeromy had thrown it. Suddenly, she took off the lucky charm she wore around her neck—a gift from Claudine. Then she tossed it out, too. Like Jeromy, she wanted nothing to do with anything related to Claudine. ... After breakfast the next morning, Claudine took a cab to the Lozano's mansion. The mansion stood within an exclusive enclave of nine such compounds. Eight were arranged around a central, dominant ninth. That central position belonged to the Montgomery family, with a century of influence in Clambury. The Bradshaw's mansion was one of the eight surrounding compounds. So Claudine had grown up here. The families of the other eight compounds were familiar, but she had hardly ever seen anyone from the Montgomery family. The cab stopped outside the gates. She paid the fare and walked in. She hadn't gone far when a large, burly Rottweiler charged straight at her. It bared bloody fangs, aiming for her eyes and nose. Her pupils contracted sharply. Instinctive fear flooded her body—she knew well that a full-grown aggressive dog could kiII an adult. She swallowed the scream rising in her throat. Dogs interpreted screams or fleeing movements as either a challenge or a signal to chase, which only made them more aggressive. At the critical moment, she turned her face aside and thrust her forearm forward, letting the fangs sink into it. A sharp pain surged. Gritting her teeth, she didn't flinch. Instead, she used her free hand to yank the canvas bag off her shoulder and shoved it over the dog's head. The dog shook its head violently, struggling. Instead of backing off, she attacked—using both hands, she yanked the bag and forced the dog down onto the ground. Its limbs thrashed desperately, leaving deep scratches on her arms. Then she grabbed one of the bricks stacked by the roadside and began slamming the brick onto the canvas-covered skull. She had only struck a few times when a frantic shout cut through the air from nearby. "How dare you lay a hand on my dog, Claudine! You're done for!" Emilia Johnson came sprinting over, her face a mask of panic. Her eyes reddened when she saw Claudine's bag stained with blood. "Claudine, you monster! How could you be so cruel to a harmless little dog? Let him go!" Claudine had already used all her strength dealing with the dog. When Emilia shoved her, she stumbled and fell. But she stood up immediately and wiped her face. Emilia quickly removed the bag. The Rottweiler's mouth was smeared with blood. She burst into tears, shouting, "Claudine! You vicious woman! This isn't over—I'll make you pay!" She glared at Claudine with such venom that anyone unaware might think Claudine had murdered her family. Claudine leaned down, patted Emilia's cheek, and curled her lips. "Go ahead and try. Just a reminder—I'm a certified psycho. Killing someone isn't even illegal for me." Emilia's whole body shook. She pushed Claudine away. Claudine pulled out a tissue to wipe her hands and then tossed it onto Emilia. "The dog was so unlucky to have you as its owner." Then she turned and walked toward the Lozano's mansion without looking back. She entered through the main door. Meagan walked over with a warm smile, but it froze when she saw Claudine's injuries. Standing under the sunlight, Claudine smiled at her. Then Claudine slowly said, her voice gentle, "Madam Lozano, I might need to trouble your private doctor for a rabies shot. I just got into a fight with a dog outside." Meagan quickly pulled Claudine closer. She looked up. Her eyes reddened as she took in Claudine's visible weight loss and the fresh wounds on Claudine's neck. "What happened? Come inside, dear." She pulled Claudine inside. Then she instructed the housekeeper, Carlos Goodman, to call her private doctor to bring the rabies vaccine immediately. Claudine said, "Madam Lozano, I'm covered in dirt. I'll take a shower first." Meagan nodded, holding her hand. "Use your room with Jeri. The wardrobe is still full of your clothes. I made sure no one touched a thing." ###Chapter 8 Claudine smiled at her and went upstairs. Downstairs, Meagan said to Carlos, "That brat Jeri lied to me all this time—said Dina was traveling! But he actually sent her to a psychiatric hospital! That place would drive anyone insane! Look at her... She's been through so much." What could Carlos say? Meagan could scold Jeromy all she wanted, but he couldn't. He offered carefully with a smile, "It was a judgment call Mr. Lozano made at the time. After all, Ms. Juliette was about to jump off the roof that day." Meagan spat. "I don't understand it," she said, fury burning in her eyes. "How does Jeri lose all his judgment when it comes to Juliette? Can't he see? No one is more important than his own wife! And the Bradshaw family is just as foolish! Juliette is Mauricio's stepdaughter. How is she more important than Dina, his own daughter?" Carlos didn't dare speak ill of Jeromy. But he dared to comment on the Bradshaw family. He murmured, "They say a stepmother turns a father into a stepfather. Mrs. Lozano was once Mr. Bradshaw's darling, but he became a different person after he remarried." Meagan grew even more furious. "Men! They're all basterds!" ... Claudine rinsed clean under the showerhead. Wrapping herself in a silk robe, she tied the belt as she stepped out of the bathroom. As she emerged, Jeromy happened to enter the room. With about three steps between them, their eyes met. Jeromy let out a cold scoff. So much for demanding a divorce yesterday—now she was on his tail. Claudine was startled to see him, but then calmly tightened the robe. "Since we've run into each other, let's talk about the divorce." Jeromy's eyes were unfathomable—dark, unreadable, like a bottomless abyss. He stepped forward, closing the distance between them. She stood her ground, forcing herself to remain calm. He stopped half a step away. Then he suddenly grasped her wrist, applying pressure. She lost her balance and stumbled forward, colliding against his chest. His other hand lifted. His slender, elegant fingers slipped under the V-neck of her robe and began to explore at will. Feeling utterly humiliated, she slapped him hard. The slap echoed sharply through the room. It was so loud that Claudine felt her own ears ringing. Jeromy's head snapped to the side. He remained motionless for a long moment. He was the chosen heir. Even his stern, strict grandfather had never once laid a hand on him. But today, Claudine slapped him across the face. A coppery tang spread in his mouth. His gaze darkened. Claudine quickly took several steps back. "You asked for that." His long lashes lowered slightly as he pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek. "Claudine, playing hard to get works once. Twice just becomes annoying." "I'm not joking, and I'm certainly not playing hard to get," she said firmly. "I want a divorce!" But he just glanced at her with contempt. Then he reached out, his fingers brushing her shoulder before tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His voice was low and hoarse, laced with mockery. "Claudine, Edwina pitied you enough to hand you 3,000 dollars in charity. Otherwise, you couldn't even feed yourself. If you leave me, do you really think you could survive at all?" Claudine felt as if all her strength had drained away. His words seemed to tear her heart open, the pain overwhelming. Five years. She had taken care of Dorothy, shuttling her to every activity. She had looked after Meagan, bringing Dorothy to visit at least three times a week. She had cooked three meals a day for Jeromy and Dorothy. To care for them better, she had learned to cook and even earned a nutritionist certificate. She remembered the birthdays of every one of Jeromy's business partners' wives and children, always arranging suitable gifts well in advance. Yet Jeromy had never appreciated any of it. He even saw her as a parasite, living off him. She almost laughed. Her five years had been a complete waste, a joke. Her eyes stung, but she forced the tears back. "If I'm such a useless wreck in your eyes, then let's finalize the divorce as soon as possible. Jeromy, you must hate me so much—staying married to me must be torture for you." Jeromy turned and left. ###Chapter 9 He offered no answer to her request. She passed a hand over her brow. Then she quickly changed and went downstairs. Meagan was nowhere in sight. Instead, she saw Juliette. Now, she was sitting on the carpet playing with Dorothy. Jeromy sat in a single armchair beside them, his posture restrained. With his head lowered, it was impossible to tell if he was watching Dorothy or the curve of Juliette's chest. Claudine knew Jeromy's quirks better than anyone. He always had a fixation on that part. Just then, holding a bottle of orange juice, Juliette said softly, "Jeri, I can't open it." He took it, twisted the cap off, and handed it back. She looked up and smiled, "Thank you, Jeri." Claudine walked down the stairs. Dorothy looked up, surprised. "What are you doing here? Don't make a scene. I don't want to see you upset Mommy Julie." Claudine couldn't just shrug off Dorothy's words. Claudine's mom, Rosalie, was a perfect mother. Claudine remembered how deeply Rosalie had loved her. She had always believed that after giving birth to Dorothy, she would love Dorothy with that same fierce, unwavering devotion. She had given her all to Jeromy, but her love for Dorothy was even more intense. Even now, she didn't understand—what had gone wrong? She had labored for a day and a night to bring Dorothy into the world. In the past, Dorothy would gaze at her with bright eyes and say, "I love you, Mommy." Now, Dorothy's words had become sharp knives, stabbing straight into her heart. The pain was so acute that she could barely stand. Just then, Meagan returned with the family doctor, Jimmy Gibson. The smile vanished from Meagan's face the moment she saw Juliette. "Dina, Dr. Gibson is here. Come get your shot." Jeromy frowned. His gaze shifted to Claudine's face. Dorothy asked the question he hadn't voiced, "Is Mommy sick?" Meagan exaggerated slightly. "On her way to see me, she was bitten by a big, bad dog. Dora, come give her a hug." Dorothy shifted uneasily. Then she retorted loudly, "Dogs are our friends! Mommy must have been mean to it. Mommy's not nice—she doesn't like cats or dogs, and she doesn't let me like them either! It makes me sad." Juliette stroked Dorothy's little face. "Dora, you like cats and dogs? How about I get you a kitten?" Claudine stopped her. "No. Dora is aIIergic to cat and dog dander." Dorothy's face fell immediately. With a smile, Juliette gently pinched her ear. "Actually, Ms. Claudine, you might not know this, but there's a breed called the Sphynx—the hairless cat. They don't have a single strand of fur, and that makes them perfect for people who love kitties but are aIIergic." Dorothy's eyes lit up at once. "Mommy Julie, you're the best!" Then she pouted at Claudine. "Mommy, you don't care about me. You're not a good mommy!" Meagan walked over to Dorothy and shot Juliette a displeased look. "Dora, don't be fooled. Some people just love to stir up trouble and talk nonsense. Dina is the person who loves you most in this world. No one could love you more than she does." Dorothy hugged her leg. "Great-Grandma, you love me the most. Don't scold me, please?" Meagan sighed. She turned and asked Jimmy to administer the shot to Claudine. Jeromy set down the magazine in his hand and took the toy from Dorothy, his voice cold and hard. "What's so special about this illness that it can't be handled anywhere else?" His implication was clear—he thought Claudine had come to play the victim and win Meagan's sympathy. Meagan shot him a reproachful glance. "Dina was bitten by Emilia's massive Rottweiler." He pinched the bridge of his nose. Jimmy opened his medical kit, tore open the syringe packaging and swabbed her arm with alcohl. "This will sting a bit, Mrs. Lozano." Jeromy subconsciously stood and walked toward Claudine. She was clutching a cushion so tightly her knuckles were digging into the fabric. It suddenly occurred to him that when she was pregnant with Dorothy, she had always been terrified of the progesterone shots. She'd always buried her face in his chest and asked him to cover her eyes. Back then, he'd found her childish. Now that she was no longer childish, he somehow felt something was missing. ###Chapter 10 After the injection, Jimmy reminded Claudine of the follow-up schedule, then turned to leave. Meagan caught up with him at the door and said in a hushed tone, "Jimmy, give me some of that." Jimmy blinked, uncomprehending. Meagan frowned, leaning in closer. "You know—the kind that make them desire." Jimmy was surprised. Having been her private doctor for years, he advised earnestly, "Madam Lozano, given your heart condition, I strongly advise against—" Meagan looked utterly embarrassed. "What are you thinking? I want it for Jeri and Dina." Jimmy quickly understood. He retrieved a small pill from his medical kit and handed it to her. "Madam Lozano, you can crush this into their drink." Meagan took it, clutching it tightly in her palm. ... Before dinner. Meagan offered Juliette a smile that didn't reach her eyes, her tone cool and detached. "It's time for our family dinner. Ms. Juliette, I'm sure you have somewhere else to be." Juliette stood up, her face flushing with embarrassment. Out of the corner of his eye, Jeromy glanced at indifferent Claudine. Then he said to Juliette, "You're already here. Why not stay for dinner?" Meagan shot him an exasperated look. Though annoyed, she didn't want to embarrass him in front of an outsider. Dorothy grinned and took Juliette's hand. "Mommy Julie, eat with me, please? When you're here, the food tastes so much better. I can eat a whole lot more." Dorothy pulled her to sit on the sofa. Juliette began scrolling through Instagram. Nestled in her arms, Dorothy fixed her gaze on the dancing images. Suddenly, Dorothy spotted a photo of a dog with its head covered in blood. She gasped. Juliette quickly covered the screen. "Are you OK, Dora? I'm sorry I scared you." Still shaken, Dorothy patted her heart. "What happened to that dog?" Juliette glanced at Claudine, seeming hesitant to speak. Dorothy, ever sharp, immediately picked up on it. She slipped off the sofa and walked toward Claudine. "I saw the dog you hurt. Its head was all bloody." Claudine looked at Dorothy, saying nothing. The little girl who shared her face was staring at her with pure disgust and wariness. She could almost hear the sound of her heart shattering. Dorothy pressed on, "Doggies are so cute. Why did you hurt it? You're a person without love. I hate you even more now. Why do you have to be my mommy?" Claudine crouched down, meeting Dorothy's gaze. Then she said quietly, "You know what? I don't want you as my daughter either. I'm very disappointed in you, too." Dorothy's lips trembled. She tried to hold back, but failed—she burst into tears. Hearing her cries, Jeromy rushed over immediately. As he scooped her up, his arm forcefully slammed into Claudine. Claudine stumbled back several steps from the impact. With heartache in his eyes, Jeromy soothed Dorothy, who was crying so hard she could barely breathe. He glared at Claudine. "Dora is just a little girl. She doesn't know any better. Are you really on her level?" Claudine smiled coldly, "Before you accuse me, why don't you ask her what she actually said?" Dorothy cried even louder. "Mommy said she hated me! She said she didn't want me as her daughter... She said she wished I wasn't her daughter at all..." A mix of shock and disbelief flashed across Claudine's face. Since Dorothy was little, she had instilled in Dorothy the importance of taking responsibility and owning up to her mistakes. Never had she taught Dorothy to distort the truth or lie. Dorothy was deliberately twisting the truth. Suddenly, Claudine grabbed Dorothy from Jeromy's arms. "Dorothy, tell Jeromy the truth. What exactly happened? What did you say, and what did I say? Tell us every word. If you dare lie, I swear I'll spank you!" ###Chapter 11 It was the first time she had ever lost her temper with Dorothy like this. Even Jeromy seemed taken aback. His probing gaze instinctively fell on Dorothy. Under their stares, Dorothy's little body gradually stiffened. "I..." Juliette slowly walked over to Jeromy. She tugged gently at the hem of his shirt with both hands. "Jeri, don't blame Dora. You have no idea the rumors she's had to endure these past six months. "Those words have left deep scars. "If someone must be blamed today, if someone must apologize ... let it be me. Because I know that pain. I want to protect Dora." Unable to hold back any longer, Dorothy burst into fresh sobs. She pounded Claudine with her little fists. "I hate you! I hate you so much! It's all your fault! I don't want you to be my mommy anymore! I want Mommy Julie! Mommy Julie, save me!" Juliette quickly reached out for her. The moment Dorothy threw herself into Juliette's arms, Juliette staggered backward. Jeromy's expression shifted slightly. He caught Juliette by the waist, steadying both her and Dorothy in his arms. Juliette looked up at him, her gaze faintly reproachful. "Jeri, you should apologize to Dora. The way you looked at her just now—you were doubting her. "Do you have any idea how much that hurts?" A flicker of guilt passed through Jeromy's eyes. When he looked back at Claudine, his gaze was sharp and cold. "Dora is only four years old. Would she really lie? Claudine, ask yourself. Why is there no one left on your side? Why does even your own daughter hate you?" "What's going on here?" Meagan stepped back inside. "I was only gone five minutes, and you're already at each other's throats?" Claudine turned first. "No, everything's fine, Madam Lozano." Meagan walked over and took her hand. "Let's have dinner. It's ready." Saying this, she linked arms with Claudine affectionately and led her toward the dining room. Claudine thought she no longer cared, but bitterness still soured her heart. Noticing this, Meagan sighed inwardly. This wouldn't do. If things continued like this, that delicate, fragile pretender Juliette would truly cement her place around Jeromy. Meagan didn't like Juliette. At the dinner table. Meagan offered, "Dina, I remember you majored in design at university, right? Jeri, I heard you recently opened a design studio. Dora's getting bigger, and Dina doesn't need to be with her all the time. Why not let Dina work there?" He said indifferently, his expression unchanged, "The studio is for Julie." Meagan set down her fork. Juliette quickly smoothed things over. "Madam Lozano, here's the thing—I've wanted to be a designer since high school. But something happened later, and I had to leave my studies and go abroad. "Opening a design studio has always been my childhood dream. Jeri is just helping me achieve it. But if Dina really wants it, she can have it." Claudine smiled, "Really? Sure. Thank you." The corners of Juliette's lips twitched slightly. She said nothing. Meagan lowered her head and let out a quiet chuckle. Just then, Jeromy said, his voice faint, "What's yours is yours. No one can take it from you." The flicker of fury in Juliette's eyes vanished at once. She turned to look at Jeromy, her gaze gentle and affectionate. "It's fine," she said. "As long as Dina likes it, she can have anything." Jeromy sneered, "Oh? She can have anything just because she likes it? All of you indulged her—that's why she turned out like this." Then he slammed his fork onto the table, stood up, and left. Juliette stood immediately. "Madam Lozano, Dina, Dora, go ahead and eat. I'll go check on him." ###Chapter 12 Meagan fumed. "How shameless! Does she actually think she's family? The audacity!" Dorothy spooned food into her mouth. Meanwhile, she glanced at Claudine out of the corner of her eye. She pouted, her voice a whine. "We always used to have happy meals. We never had fights like this before." After dinner. Meagan asked Claudine to join her in the tea room. There, she placed a delicate teacup on the table and poured Claudine some tea. "Dina, I hate to nag, but you can't go on being so lukewarm toward Jeri and Dora. Remember how you treated Jeri right after you married? Do that again." Claudine took a sip. Bitterness filled her mouth. She said with a wry smile, "I've always been a stand-in." Jeromy and Claudine's third cousin had been close childhood friends. All along, Jeromy had treated her like a younger sister, doting on her. She had had a crush on Jeromy since forever. Both families were well aware. And of course, they were delighted to see the two together. But when Jeromy was in high school, he visited the Bradshaw's mansion one day and became drawn to the maid's daughter, Juliette. It wasn't just him. All four of Claudine's cousins had also taken a strong liking to Juliette. Back then, as hot-blooded teenagers, they saw themselves as Juliette's saviors. They solved her problems—dealing with her abusive father, getting her out of those damp, dark living conditions, and stopping the buIIying at school. Gradually, she occupied a special place in their hearts—someone they felt compelled to protect. After the SATs, Meagan found out about Jeromy and Juliette. The Lozano family was top-tier. Of course, the future heir would not be allowed to marry the daughter of a man who was both a gambler and a drunkard. Meagan gave Juliette and her mother a sum of money, and the two went abroad. Jeromy didn't return home once until after graduating from university. The year he graduated, his grandfather fell seriously ill. He had no choice but to come back. His grandfather said his last wish was to see him start a family. That very night, Jeromy blocked her way. Under the moonlight, he kissed her gently, his voice lingering and soft. "Dina, marry me." She was so overjoyed that she cried. She nodded without hesitation. After all, she'd carried a torch for him—her childhood sweetheart—for years. After they married, she became pregnant with Dorothy. The ten months she carried Dorothy were the happiest of her life. Jeromy loved her deeply. At least... He seemed to. A year after Dorothy was born, Mauricio Bradshaw—Claudine's father—remarried. His second wife was Juliette's mother, the Bradshaw family's former maid. How absurd. So Claudine firmly believed their affair had begun back then. She made a huge scene at home over the marriage. And it was because of that scene that she came to know about Juliette. Juliette was actually that diligent, gentle, stubborn, beautiful, and kind girl Jeromy and her cousins had praised so highly years ago. From that day on, Jeromy began to distance himself from Claudine. Even her cousins, who had once doted on her, began to view her with disgust. The accumulated favoritism finally found its breaking point the moment she discovered the private photos Juliette had sent to Jeromy. But what did her explosion earn her? A commitment to a psychiatric hospital. She snapped back to reality at Meagan's voice. Staring at her, Meagan said, "Dina, go back to the room and rest." Claudine nodded and returned to the bedroom. Suddenly, she felt a heat surging inside her. Her neck felt like it was burning, her heart on fire. She was desperately thirsty. Her whole body was aflame. She hurried toward the bathroom for a shower. The moment she pushed the door open, she saw Jeromy. He was standing under the showerhead, taking a cold shower. Their eyes met. Jeromy gritted out, "Claudine, how dare you drrug me!" But she didn't hear a word. All she wanted was cold water drenching her body, cooling her down, bringing relief. She walked toward the shower. "Ho..t... I need..." Jeromy narrowed his eyes. ###Chapter 13 Suddenly, he seized her wrist and pressed her against the cold tile wall. "Claudine, impressive. After six months, you've picked up new tricks. Learned how to seduce a man, have you?" The moment the cold water poured over her head, Claudine finally felt some relief. She wanted more. She pushed at him. "Go away..." He smiled coldly, "Playing hard to get again? I know you—when you say no, it means yes." With that, he tore open her shirt. In the cramped bathroom, with just the two of them, the sound of fabric tearing mixed with the rush of running water. Claudine's light purple underwear lay exposed, directly in Jeromy's line of sight. She had rosy lips and pearly teeth. Now, under the drrug's thrall, her fair skin flushed a delicate pink, her lips slightly parted, her breath hot. Jeromy was painfully hard. He let out a low whimper. He knew perfectly well—this was Claudine's scheme. But he couldn't resist. His whole body burned, every cell screaming—what the heII had she given him? He pressed her firmly against his chest, the only barrier her thin brra. Steam filled the air. It clung to their skin, beading into droplets that traced a path down Claudine's slender neck, over the curve of her breeasts, and further down. Madness and intimacy warred between them until only raw, desperate intimacy remained. Claudine pressed her hands against Jeromy's body, trying to push him away. "What are you doing..." Playing hard to get again and again? Jeromy's patience wore thin. He wasn't a man of particularly high drives. They had slept together once a week, each time with Claudine blushing in anticipation. And now she had drrugged him. She knew exactly what would happen. So why pretend to resist now? Impatient, he pinned her pushing hands against the wall with one hand. Claudine let out a soft whimper. His eyes turned bloodshot. Staring at her lips, he kissed her hard. At the critical moment, she turned her face away. His lips brushed her cheek. He gritted his teeth, his voice a low rasp. "Claudine, enough with the act. It's too much." The drrug had stripped Claudine of her senses. All she knew was she felt unbearably hot, aching with need. Subconsciously, she leaned closer to him. He let out a cold scoff. He cupped her body and lifted her. "Wrap your legs around my waist." Then he carried her out of the bathroom. He laid her, dazed and trembling, onto the bed. Looking at her, who could no longer control herself, he said, "Say my name..." She whimpered, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. Taking a sharp breath, he gripped her chin. "Claudine, you're so hard ... even on yourself?" Claudine's lips kept moving. She looked like a fish gasping for air. Jeromy felt the blood burning in his veins. Still grasping her chin, he kissed her deeply, possessively. Just then, his phone rang suddenly. It was a customized ringtone. So, even on the verge of losing control, he forced himself to stop and answer. Juliette's voice, though gentle, reached Claudine's ears clearly. "Jeri, my heart hurts... Dad and Mom aren't home. I'm alone in the main villa. I don't know what to do. I—" Jeromy rolled off the bed. "Wait for me." As he moved to get dressed, Claudine grabbed his arm. "Don't go... Please don't..." He angrily shook off her arm. "Claudine, you're always so selfish. What, other people's safety means nothing next to you getting off?" He quickly pulled on his clothes. Then he glanced at Claudine one last time. She was still writhing, clutching at herself. "Jeromy, please... Don't go..." It was the first time she had shown such vulnerability since leaving the psychiatric hospital. He forced down his own need and said coldly, "Claudine, if you can't stand it, take care of it yourself." With that, he turned and left without a backward glance. His figure vanished. Claudine's hands clutched the bedsheet beneath her desperately. Desire and reason were intertwined, battling fiercely to take over. The moment the door slammed shut, tears spilled from her eyes. The fabric wrinkled under her grip. She forced herself up, stumbled into the dressing room, changed into fresh clothes, threw a coat over her shoulders, and walked out in a daze. She didn't know what she'd been drrugged with. ###Chapter 14 But her instincts screamed that if she didn't find relief tonight, she would burn up and break. She didn't want Meagan to know. So she slipped out through a side door. If memory served, there was an upscale nightclub nearby. But just walking out of the Lozano's mansion had drained her. She wondered. She was on the verge of shattering. Jeromy, under the same influence, could suppress his desire and go to Juliette without a second thought. How deep must his love be? How profound his feelings? But... Once he reached Juliette and saw she was fine, they would certainly have sax. Two security guards patrolling the grounds walked toward her. Their flashlights shone directly into her eyes. She instinctively threw up a hand against the intrusive beams. They approached. "Mrs. Lozano? Good evening. Is everything alright? Can we help you?" She clutched her coat tightly, not wanting them to see her trembling, wretched state. "Could ... you help me call a car?" The two guards were temporary hires. Seeing her condition, they exchanged a look—a wicked idea forming. They were seasoned scoundrels who hung around bars. They recognized her symptoms immediately. She was Jeromy Lozano's wife. And she was clearly under the influence of an aphrodisiac. Instead of going to her husband for relief, she was trying to slip out alone. What did that mean? She was sneaking out for an affair. So even if they took advantage of her tonight, she wouldn't dare tell a soul, much less openly accuse them. The taller one rubbed his hands together. He stepped forward and gently tugged a strand of her hair. "Mrs. Lozano, you smell incredible. I'm already getting a hard-on." The other grinned lewdly. "Go ahead. I'll keep watch. After you're done, I'll have my turn." Claudine retreated half a step, alert. "Get away from me, you jerrks!" The taller one laughed. "No one will hear you, Mrs. Lozano. Don't worry—I'm quite skilled. I promise you'll have fun." She turned to leave. But he grabbed the sleeve of her coat and yanked the entire garment off her shoulder. He grabbed her coat and inhaled deeply. Then he seized her wrist and dragged her toward the landscaped bushes. "You put on such a prim and proper act, Mrs. Lozano. Tell me, have you ever done it outdoors? Bet the answer is no." Claudine was shoved into the bushes. The tall security guard fumbled frantically out of his uniform, then reached for her sweater. She tried her best to squirm away, but her body was already weak, and she couldn't find the strength to fight back. Tears rolled down her face. She was completely out of hope. She bit down on her tongue. A muffled sound came from the road. The security guard thought his buddy was just in the mood and laughed. "Can't wait? Go jerrk off, man. I can go for a good ten minutes at least." Before the words were fully out, a hand slapped down on his shoulder. It was freezing cold, like it didn't even belong to a living person. He spun around, annoyed, but he didn't get a good look at who it was. Before he knew it, he was yanked off the ground and tossed onto the road. The road was made of hard stone slabs. When he hit it, it felt like every bone in his body was smashed to pieces. The pain was so intense that he couldn't get up for ages. The guy crouched and tugged Claudine's sweater back into place. Looking at how messy she looked, he sighed softly. He scooped her up and held her in his arms. That was when he felt how much she was shaking all over. He walked out of the bushes, still holding her close. The two security guards still writhed on the ground, whining, "Who the heII are you? Do you even know who you're holding? Put her down now, or we'll make you regret it! That's Mrs. Lozano! If you take her away like this, we'll call the cops and swear you rapped her!" The guy lifted his chin a bit. Before they could tell where the men in black came from, they were already surrounded. "Castrate them." He just said two words, so quiet his throat didn't even move. His voice was low and scratchy. He walked off, steady as ever. A few seconds later, two loud, painful screams rang out. Claudine was awake and knew she had been saved. She leaned against him, consumed by burning desire, and couldn't help but beg: "Please, help me."

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