I tried to push her away despite the searing pain, but the moment my hand touched her, Cassidy flung herself dramatically to the floor like a feather in the wind.
She collapsed at Joaquin’s feet, whimpering softly.
Joaquin instantly scooped her up into his arms and barked at me, “Was throwing you into the bullfighting ring not enough? You’re still this vicious?”
“It’s okay, Brother-in-law,” Cassidy whispered tearfully, “Maybe Sis is just jealous that we have children of our own.”
Children.
That word shattered what little restraint I had left.
“Joaquin,” I said, my voice cold, “Do you even know the truth about those children?”
“Sister!” Cassidy interrupted, feigning heartbreak. “No matter what, the children are innocent! How can you be so cruel to those poor little ones?”
Before I could say another word, she pounced again—this time driving both her hands down hard onto my wounded leg.
Pain exploded through me. I was soaked in cold sweat, unable to even form a sound.
As she sobbed and dramatized her performance, the twins started crying too.
Joaquin's expression flickered with conflict—but in the end, he gathered all three of them into his arms, gently rocking them while whispering words of comfort.
“Waaaah! Bad Auntie! Bad Auntie!”
“Teacher said bad people must be punished!”
Joaquin waved his hand.
Two bodyguards stepped forward.
“Take the Madam to the kangaroo farm. Let her box with them.”
The guards moved like emotionless machines. Their hands were iron claws clamping down on my ankles. I was dragged out like a sack of meat and thrown straight into the reeking pen.
The stench of feces hit me instantly.
A mother kangaroo glared at me, bristling with hostility at the intruder.
I couldn’t even stand. My leg injuries were too severe. All I could do was crawl and dodge, barely avoiding her strikes.
But the blows came—hard and fast.
I lost consciousness before the pain could take everything.
—
When I woke up in the hospital, for a split second, I thought I had already died.
But pain—burning, suffocating pain—dragged me back to reality.
Unfortunately, I was still alive.
My entire body felt like it had been crushed, my ribs were shattered. Even breathing was excruciating.
I slowly turned my head—and saw Joaquin sitting next to my bed, typing on his laptop.
Sensing my movement, he looked up with what almost seemed like relief.
“Allison, you’re awake.”
“The doctor said you should drink more water.”
He carefully scooped a spoonful of water and brought it toward my lips.
I smelled gardenia on his skin—and the faint, unmistakable scent of fresh lipstick kisses on his neck.
I turned my face away.
He froze mid-motion.
Then, without warning, he slammed the water cup and spoon down on the bedside table. Boiling water splashed across my face, burning my skin.
“Allison,” he growled, “Have I been too kind to you? Is that why you think you can get away with everything?”
“After everything you’ve done, I’ve been nothing but tolerant!”
I didn’t respond. I simply stared at the ceiling.
Four more days.
Then someone would come to take me away.
Seeing my indifference, he exploded.
“Cassidy even said she’s planning to return the emerald to you tomorrow. But someone like you—this venomous, remorseless woman—you’re no longer worthy of something so pure!”
I still said nothing.
My silence only fueled his fury. He grabbed my chin tightly, forcing my face toward him.
“What is this? Another one of your games? Playing hard to get? Or maybe you still don’t realize what unforgivable sins you’ve committed!”
Still, I said nothing.
That’s when his phone lit up on the nightstand. I tilted my gaze toward it.
He picked it up.
The moment he answered, his voice softened, his tone completely changing.
It was Cassidy.
I watched his back as he walked away, and all I felt was bitter irony.
He was the one who cheated.
He was the one who betrayed me, who broke me again and again—and yet he had the audacity to talk about my sins?
What a joke.
Was this truly how the world works? That having a sincere heart only leads to betrayal and pain?"
Three years ago, even a twisted ankle would have him rushing over to carry me like I was made of glass.
And now—with both my legs broken—he tossed me to the beasts, humiliated me, and not even flinch.
Even if I died right in front of him, I doubt it would matter as much as a frown from Cassidy.
...
Two days later, I was discharged from the hospital.
I began packing my things.
The gifts he'd given me, now faded and dusty, I stuffed silently into black garbage bags.
Then I found my handwritten letters.
All 999 love letters he had written for me, one for each day he claimed to love me. I had kept them all, treated them as sacred proof of our love.
But now?
They meant nothing.
I pulled out the Zippo lighter he had custom-engraved for me.
[Allison & Joaquin — Forever Together.]
I struck the flame and set everything ablaze.
The front gate swung open.
Joaquin walked in, carrying the twins and smiling as if nothing had happened.
Then he saw the roaring fire.
“Allison! What are you burning?!”
