The Silent Goodbye

Nissa Sullivan was born mute, yet by chance managed to marry rich, becoming Mrs. Jules, wife of Benjamin Jules. However, she knew full well that Benjamin held no love for her. Naturally, Benjamin got together with his first love, Charlotte Quinn, when she returned to the country. Nissa, knowing full well that it was time she left, chose to hide her pregnancy result and make room for Charlotte. Chapter 1 Nissa Sullivan, clutching her pregnancy test results, walked into the private dining room. She entered just in time to see Charlotte Quinn holding a piece of dessert up to Benjamin Jules's mouth. Benjamin smiled as he ate without the slightest resistance. As his wife, Nissa knew better than anyone that he never ate food others offered him. But that rule did not apply when it came to Charlotte, his so-called first love. "Nissa, you're here!" Charlotte greeted her with an easy smile, then added with feigned surprise, "Why didn't you call and let me come get you? Oh, right. I forgot you can't speak." She said it casually, like she was commenting on the weather. Nissa tugged the corner of her lips into a polite, silent smile and sat down. Charlotte suddenly added, "Oh, by the way, I ran into Benjamin's uncle yesterday. He mentioned how much they expected you two to have a baby." The atmosphere at the table froze instantly. Benjamin scoffed and said, "I'm not letting a mute give birth to my child. What if it turns out mute too?" Nissa lived her whole life hearing cruel words about her disability, but nothing stung quite like Benjamin's casual contempt. She instinctively placed a hand on her lower abdomen and thought about the results in her hand. A dull ache crept up her chest. She was one month into her pregnancy. She originally hoped this baby might soften the tension in their marriage. But now? She did not see the point in telling Benjamin at all. Quietly, Nissa slipped the test results back into her purse. One month ago, Benjamin came home drunk and forced himself on her. She was unlucky enough to get pregnant. The doctor said her body was delicate, and if she chose to terminate the pregnancy, she would have little hope of having another one in the future. Benjamin would never accept this baby. But Nissa could not bear to let it go. Maybe it was time to leave. Charlotte's eyes sparkled with mischief. She leaned in and said with a sweet smile, "Oh no, that won't do. The elders are all so eager to have a grandchild. If that's how you feel, maybe someone else should have the baby for you?" Her words were loaded, and her gaze flirtatious as she looked at Benjamin with thinly veiled intent. As expected, Benjamin looked back at her, his eyes burning with interest. "Can you do it?" he asked. Right in front of his wife, he was asking another woman to bear his child. It was not just humiliating. It was cruel. Charlotte tried to suppress her smile, lowering her eyes shyly. "Don't tease me like that. Your wife's right here." Then, as if nothing had happened, she picked up her fork and served Benjamin more food, not pressing the topic further. She was baiting him and not rejecting him, not accepting him, but keeping him hooked. She played the game well. Benjamin glanced at Nissa when Charlotte called Nissa his wife. All he saw was her sitting there quietly, offering no reaction. She was her usual timid self. And so he smirked. Nissa knew exactly what that smirk meant. He thought their marriage was a joke. Six months ago, Benjamin wanted to marry Charlotte, but his elite family looked down on Charlotte's modest background and firmly opposed the match. Charlotte, proud and defiant, left the country after repeated rejections from Benjamin's mother. Around that time, Benjamin's uncle fell on the street. No one dared to help, except Nissa, who rushed him to the hospital. The uncle took a liking to her and arranged for her to meet Benjamin. Benjamin, still bitter over losing Charlotte, impulsively married Nissa out of spite, to rebel against his family. And it worked. His parents were furious but eventually gave up meddling in his love life altogether. Nissa often felt like a thief who stole someone else's happiness. She was never bold. She was painfully shy and soft-hearted. If it were not for her younger sister's mounting medical bills, she would never have agreed to such a marriage. Now, a new thought crossed her mind. What if she left? She would be giving Benjamin and Charlotte what they wanted, and she could quietly protect her baby without anyone knowing. Yes, she still cared for Benjamin. But deep down, she also knew that he loathed her. Nissa lowered her eyes. She had to leave. There was no time to waste. But what about her sister? Chapter 2 After lunch, Benjamin went ahead to get the car. Charlotte and Nissa waited outside the restaurant, standing near the entrance in awkward silence. Nissa stared quietly at the tips of her shoes, her mind elsewhere, when Charlotte suddenly spoke. "Did you know Benjamin only married you out of spite?" Nissa looked up slowly, then hesitantly nodded. Charlotte tilted her chin, the gentle, graceful mask she wore in front of Benjamin now completely gone, replaced by open arrogance. She continued coldly, "Then you must also know that he turned against his entire family for me. He said he'd never marry anyone but me." Again, Nissa nodded, calm and emotionless. Her quiet acceptance only irritated Charlotte more. When she left the country months ago, she never actually meant to end things. She expected Benjamin to chase after her, to beg her to stay. Instead, he ended up marrying someone else. A mute, no less! Charlotte was never able to let that go. She gritted her teeth behind a tight smile. This woman was a dumb, dull, and spineless woman. Benjamin had no feelings for her. While Charlotte was still scheming how to win him back, a sudden, sharp pain ripped through her stomach. Her expression twisted in agony, and she collapsed to her knees. Nissa panicked, crouching to help her, trying to ask what was wrong in a flurry of choked, voiceless sounds. "What did you do to her? Get away from her!" A sudden force yanked Nissa backwards, throwing her aside. Her head slammed into something hard, and pain exploded across her forehead. Warm blood instantly trickled down her face. Dazed, she looked up, just in time to see Benjamin cradling Charlotte in his arms, worry etched deep into his normally impassive face. Charlotte whimpered through tears, complaining about her stomach. Without a word, Benjamin swept her off her feet and rushed her to the car, disappearing down the road in a blur of tires and panic. Nissa sat frozen on the pavement, her fingers pressed against the gash on her forehead, watching the car speed away. Like trash, she was cast aside. She stared blankly in the direction they had vanished. For the first time, she saw Benjamin show real emotion. He was always cold, distant. But for Charlotte, he could panic. He cared. A quiet, bitter smile curved her lips. She called a cab and went to the hospital alone. Thankfully, the doctor told her the injury was not serious and that she would be fine after a few days of rest. That was a relief. When she left the ER, she bumped right into Benjamin coming back from the pharmacy with Charlotte's medication. His eyes flicked to the bandage on her forehead. He frowned slightly. "The doctor said it was acute gastroenteritis. It had nothing to do with you." Nissa forced a small, strained smile. Of course, it had nothing to do with her. So he thought she might have hurt Charlotte? Out of jealousy? She tried to explain with gestures, to tell him she was not jealous. Maybe a little envious, from a distance, but that was all. Benjamin, however, did not care to decipher her signing. "I'll buy you a bag or something," he said dismissively, "let's just put this behind us." And with that, he turned and walked away with the medicine, never looking back. Still, she followed him. She needed to clear the air. She needed him to understand. She caught up outside the hospital room, only to find the door ajar. Inside, Benjamin sat by the bed. Charlotte gazed at him with soft, longing eyes and then, slowly, leaned forward and kissed him. Benjamin did not push her away. Some time went by before Charlotte finally pulled back, her eyes darting subtly toward the door. Startled, Nissa quickly shrank back from the crack in the door, heart pounding. She clutched her chest, trying to ease the tight, aching feeling blooming there. 'It's okay,' she told herself, 'none of this matters.' After all, she had already made up her mind to leave. Even if Benjamin and Charlotte rekindled their love, it had nothing to do with her anymore. Chapter 3 Nissa returned home alone. She began packing her things. She did not bring much with her when she married into the Jules family, and she did not have much since. Everything she owned fit neatly into a single 20-inch suitcase. Standing in the vast, empty living room with her suitcase at her side, she absentmindedly touched her lower abdomen. For some reason, a wave of loneliness washed over her. This place was never her home. She was always just a temporary guest, someone who was destined to leave. Her only worry now was her sister, who was still in the hospital. Without Benjamin's money, her sister wouldn't even last a day. The front door suddenly burst open. Startled, Nissa hurriedly tucked her phone away. Benjamin stormed in, his face dark. His eyes landed on the suitcase by her feet, and without a word, he strode up and grabbed her wrist. "What now? Planning to run away after what you did?" Nissa was stunned. She had no idea what he was talking about. What did she supposedly do wrong this time? Still, the thought of leaving made her heart beat faster with guilt. She quickly took out her phone and typed, "I was just bored, so I packed up some old clothes to donate." Benjamin did not question her story, but it only made him angrier. "Charlotte ended up in the hospital with acute gastroenteritis because of the spicy chicken you gave her at lunch," he snapped, "she's still lying in bed, and here you are, playing housekeeper?" His voice turned colder. "If you're the one who caused it, then you're going to take care of her until she's discharged." Nissa stared at him, speechless. Why was she to blame for Charlotte's hospitalization? When did she ever serve Charlotte spicy chicken? She frantically tried to explain, but Benjamin gave her no chance to defend herself. He dragged her out the door and shoved her into the car. All the way there, Nissa kept holding up her phone, trying to show him the truth. But Benjamin did not even care to look. And then it hit her that the truth didn't matter. Benjamin just needed to remind her of her place, to show her that in his world, she was nothing more than a disposable caretaker. Nissa laughed bitterly to herself. To make his wife wait hand and foot on his ex-girlfriend? Benjamin truly knew how to be cruel. When they arrived at the hospital, Benjamin went to park the car while Nissa was told to go up to the room alone. Charlotte was expecting her. "Oh, I'm so sorry," she said sweetly, "I told Benjamin you didn't need to come. But he insisted, saying he couldn't stop worrying about me." Every word was like a blade to her heart. Nissa forced a tight smile, turned away, and walked over to pour her a glass of warm water. The water's temperature in the thermos was boiling. As she passed it to Charlotte, she tried to warn her through soft, muffled sounds. But Charlotte's hand slipped, spilling the hot water all across her hand. She shrieked. Nissa jumped back, horrified, rushing to help her up and guide her to the bathroom to run cold water. Just then, the door slammed open. Benjamin stormed in, eyes blazing. He rushed to Charlotte's side, saw the blistering skin on her hand, and turned on Nissa with barely controlled fury. "What the hell happened?" Nissa tried to sign, but before she could move her hands, Charlotte sobbed out, "I just asked her to get me some water, but then she got angry and dumped boiling water on me. It hurts, Benjamin, it hurts so much." Nissa's eyes widened in shock. That was not what happened! She shook her head desperately, mouthing silent pleas. However, the more she panicked, the harder it was for her to communicate clearly. Benjamin's face had already turned cold. His dark eyes locked onto Nissa. In an instant, his hand landed hard across her cheek. The blow was so forceful that she stumbled, the sharp sting instantly blossoming into burning pain. Her pale face swelled rapidly, an angry red imprint already visible. But Benjamin was not finished. He grabbed her by the back of the neck and shoved her down to her knees in front of Charlotte. "Apologize to her. Now!" he ordered. Nissa's eyes filled with tears. Her lips trembled. She let out a broken whimper, trying again to explain, to tell him it was not true. The more she struggled, the more Benjamin's rage grew. "If you can't speak," he said coldly, pressing down harder on her neck, "then bow down with your head. You can't be too dumb to understand that much." Nissa tried to lift her head in defiance, but his grip tightened, forcing her back down. Her teeth sank into her lower lip so hard she tasted blood. At the same time, her heart was torn. To her, kneeling before God or her parents was no issue. That was completely normal. However, this very day, she was forced to kneel and bow to her husband's ex-lover. The very act itself was killing her internally. Chapter 4 Nissa's forehead slammed hard against the cold floor. She heard Charlotte gently saying, "Enough, don't make things harder for her. Just let her go, please." It was Nissa who was forced to kneel, yet it was Charlotte who got to play the kind-hearted one. Benjamin, cold-faced, let go of Nissa at Charlotte's words, then carefully carried Charlotte in his arms and rushed to find a doctor. Charlotte's burn was serious. Even as the doctor treated her wound, she clenched her teeth and refused to shed a single tear. The tears that welled in her eyes trembled like fragile pearls. As Nissa approached the examination room, she overheard Benjamin's chilling voice. "Don't worry. I'll make sure she pays for this." Charlotte responded softly, "She's your wife! Please don't ruin your marriage because of me." She discreetly wiped away her tears as she spoke. The more understanding and gracious she acted, the more Benjamin's heart ached for her. In his mind, he was already convinced. Nissa must have been jealous. That was why she hurt Charlotte with boiling water. He stood abruptly, ready to storm out and settle the score with Nissa, only to find her standing silently outside the door. Nissa did not flinch. Instead, she handed him her phone. In her Notes app, she wrote everything down; The full story, the truth of what happened. But Benjamin, consumed by rage, did not even glance at it. He swatted her hand, sending the phone flying across the room. It crashed to the floor and shattered into pieces. Nissa froze. She instinctively moved to pick up the pieces, but before she could reach them, Benjamin grabbed her by the collar and slammed her against the wall. Her petite frame was completely overpowered, like a sparrow caught in the jaws of a wolf. She had no strength to resist. Tears welled in her eyes as she whimpered, pleading silently, her lips mouthing desperate sounds. But Benjamin showed no mercy. He leaned in close, his voice low and full of menace, whispering against her ear, "Want to know for yourself what it feels like to be scalded with hot water?" A terrible chill ran down her spine. Nissa shook her head, terrified, her hands frantically signing for mercy. Benjamin only sneered. He grabbed her wrist and dragged her into the bathroom, twisting the faucet open to full heat. He turned the showerhead toward her and let the hot stream pour directly over her body. The water was not hot enough to cause lasting injury, but it was more than enough to cause great pain. Nissa twisted and scrambled inside the narrow space, gasping in pain like her skin was being stripped away. Benjamin watched her with cold indifference. Her helpless thrashing seemed to amuse him. With an annoyed click of his tongue, he finally turned off the water. "Come here!" He ordered sharply. Nissa trembled where she huddled in the corner. She did not dare move. Benjamin scowled, displeased. "I've been too lenient with you. That's why you've forgotten your place." His voice dropped even lower. "Maybe cutting off your sister's medical bills will remind you of your place." At the mention of her sister, Nissa's head snapped up, eyes wide, face pale. Tears poured from her already red-rimmed eyes. She scrambled forward on hands and knees, clutching desperately at his pant leg, begging without words. Benjamin's expression did not change. Only the corners of his lips curled slightly, cold and cruel. The silence terrified her even more. She bent low, forehead to the floor, and began to beg in earnest. Each time her forehead hit the floor was harder than the last, until blood bloomed faintly against the tile. Benjamin's eyes flickered. He reached down, grabbed her chin, and forced her head up. "This is my final warning," he said coldly, "stay away from Charlotte. A woman like you doesn't even deserve to shine her shoes." Nissa nodded through her tears, face stained with blood and water. She did not dare make a sound, didn't dare resist. She knew he would do it. He would let her sister die if she dared disobey. Benjamin turned and walked away. Nissa remained kneeling on the floor, her back arched, curled into herself like a wounded animal. She could not even cry anymore. All the pain, the bitterness. She could only swallow it back down into her chest. But now, one thought burned fiercely in her heart. She had to leave. She could not afford to stay even a moment longer! Chapter 5 Nissa got up, limping as she stepped out of the bathroom. She wanted to retrieve her broken phone. After all, she could not afford a new one. Blood from the wound on her forehead blurred her vision. She stumbled and nearly fell. Just then, a pair of hands reached out and caught her. She turned her head--and was stunned to see Marcus Jules, Benjamin's uncle, looking at her with heartbreak in his eyes. He just came for a routine check-up at the hospital. "Nissa, how did you get hurt so badly?" She did not expect to run into him, and she lowered her head awkwardly. But the more she tried to hide it, the more pained Marcus looked. In that instant, he understood everything. These wounds were the work of his nephew. "That bastard! Is this how he treats you?" He once believed he was helping to arrange a good marriage, but all he did was push Nissa into a pit of fire. Marcus took her to the ER, made all the arrangements. Before leaving, he muttered vaguely, "I'll take care of everything." Nissa did not understand what he meant. Holding her shattered phone, she stood dazed. Just then, a voice behind her drawled, "So this is where you were hiding? Took me long enough to find you." She turned around and saw Charlotte standing there, smirking smugly. Charlotte's gaze swept over Nissa's drenched figure, lips curled in pride. "You saw how much Benjamin cares about me, didn't you? Be smart and leave him. Otherwise, if you end up kicked out of the house, it's going to be ugly." Nissa pressed her lips together. She had already made up her mind to leave, but hearing it from Charlotte made it sting even more. Without a word, she tucked her broken phone away and turned to walk off. Charlotte frowned and grabbed her arm. "What's with that attitude? You think you're better than me?" Then she scoffed, waving a hand. "Forget it. I'm not going to argue with a mute. I know someone like you doesn't have many job options, so don't say I'm being heartless. Take this money, and leave Benjamin now." Without waiting for a response, she shoved a check into Nissa's hands. It was not a huge amount, just over a hundred thousand dollars. But for Nissa, it was a fortune. When she hesitated, Charlotte sneered. "Too little for you? You've already milked the Jules family for months. It's time to quit while you're ahead." Nissa opened her mouth, trying to explain, but stopped short. She never took a dime beyond what she was given as medical allowance, and even that she always felt grateful for. She never dared ask for more, afraid it would irritate Benjamin. She wanted to refuse the check, but then she remembered that once she left the Jules family, she would have no income. Moreover, she was pregnant with a child now. Raising a child was not cheap. If Charlotty wanted to pay her off, why not accept it? From a young age, she was taught not to accept what was not rightfully hers. Taking that check went against everything she believed in. But this time, for the sake of her baby, she forced herself to accept it. Her cheeks burned with shame as she carefully folded the check and slipped it into her pocket. She made up her mind. Someday, when she had the money, she would pay Charlotte back. Charlotte would be staying at the hospital for a while, and Benjamin was sure to stay with her. This was the perfect time to go to the bank and cash the check. But first, Nissa wanted to return to the Jules residence and change clothes. Her entire body was soaked, and she didn't want to risk catching a cold. She could get sick; that was fine. However, she would not risk her baby. The Jules residence was massive. Aside from the master bedroom, there were several guest rooms. Though she carried the title of "Mrs. Jules," Nissa always lived in one of the guest rooms. She was only called to the master bedroom when Benjamin wanted her for his needs. And afterward, she was always sent back to the guest room. Back at the house, she peeled off her wet clothes and dried herself with a towel. Her hand instinctively covered her lower belly. Her waist was still slim, and there was no visible bump yet. But just knowing that a tiny life was growing inside her made her feel a strange sense of wonder. She sighed. While she looked forward to the child's arrival, deep down, she doubted whether she could be a good mother. She reached for fresh clothes. Just as she was about to put them on, the guest room door suddenly swung open. Benjamin stood at the entrance, having returned without her knowing. He saw her standing there, completely in her birthday suit, and his eyes narrowed slightly. Nissa's figure was delicate, her skin pale and soft. Her cheeks flushed with panic as she scrambled to cover herself with the bedsheet, like a frightened bird. Benjamin's throat tightened involuntarily. But he hid it well. Not a trace of emotion showed on his face. He said coolly, "Charlotte's injury is serious. You should take responsibility. I'm not expecting you to be thoughtful enough to care for her. Just make her meals from now on. I'll bring them to the hospital. Understand?" Nissa frantically nodded, clutching the sheet tightly. Her face was crimson as she buried it into the blanket in embarrassment. Benjamin's gaze lingered on the sliver of skin still visible. He adjusted his collar with a flick of his finger and was about to leave when something caught his eye. A corner of paper was sticking out from Nissa's discarded wet clothes. Curious, he picked it up--and his expression instantly darkened. It was the check. He glared at her and barked, "Nissa! Did you just ask Charlotte for money?" Chapter 6 Nissa's heart sank. She frantically shook her head, flailing her hands, trying to explain. But Benjamin did not even glance at her. He held the check and examined it closely, then suddenly let out a cold laugh and flung it to the floor. "You went behind my back to ask Charlotte for money? Nissa, you just met her, and you're already this shameless? Looks like I underestimated your greed." He stepped toward her slowly, his towering figure casting a long, dark shadow over her. His narrow eyes were filled with ice, a brewing storm ready to erupt. Nissa knew he was angry, and she had already learned the hard way what his anger meant. She could not bear it again. She sat on the bed and backed away in panic. Shaking her head in desperation, she silently begged for mercy. But Benjamin had no patience. He yanked her off the bed and threw her to the floor. The shame of being bare and exposed washed over Nissa like a tidal wave. She curled up tightly, trying to preserve even a shred of her dignity. Benjamin sneered, his voice like a blade, "What are you covering up for? Don't tell me you think I'd be interested in you? Even if you stood shirtless on the street, no one would even bother looking at someone like you." Nissa squeezed her eyes shut, tears streaming from the corners. Of course, she knew he was not interested in a mute like her. Every time they were together, he would press her face into the pillow, pretending she was Charlotte. In his eyes, she was just a cheap imitation, a free tool to vent his lust. She bit her lip and swallowed her pain. Stretching out her hand, she tried to retrieve the check. That money meant everything to her. Even if it meant losing face, she had to hold onto it. But Benjamin, seeing how desperate she was for the check, only grew more disgusted. His face darkened. Without hesitation, he stomped down hard on her hand. Pain surged through her, causing her to go pale. Her body trembled uncontrollably. She couldn't make a sound and could only curl into herself. Benjamin bent down and picked up the check. Then, right in front of her, he tore it into shreds. The pieces fluttered down like snow, landing all over Nissa. She clutched at them hopelessly, and silent tears ran down her face. Seeing her so desperate for money, Benjamin's eyes filled with revulsion. "All you poor folks care about is money. If you're so short on cash, why don't you just beg me properly? If I'm in a good mood, I might even throw you some. That'd save you from embarrassing me by begging others." He reached down and grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up. That tear-stained face, pale as frost, held a fragile kind of loneliness. Weak, almost pitiful. For a split second, something in Benjamin stirred. His callused thumb dragged roughly across her lips. Nissa winced and turned her face away. However, the very act of dodging sparked his irritation. His eyes darkened. Without another word, he lifted her and tossed her onto the bed, pinning her down with his weight. Nissa immediately understood what he was about to do. She was terrified, fearing that it would hurt the child. She struggled with all her strength. In the chaos, her palm accidentally struck Benjamin across the cheek. The air around them seemed to have frozen. Nissa stared in horror as he slowly turned his face back to her. His expression was icy, dangerous. She frantically gestured an apology, hands trembling. But Benjamin grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head. His voice dropped, low and threatening. "You hit me? You've got a death wish, Nissa." Tears spilled from her eyes as she sobbed soundlessly, like a kitten's whimper. But that only ended up fueling Benjamin's fire. As always, he forced her to turn over, burying her face into the pillow. No matter how she resisted, he did not stop. Just then, his phone rang, loud and insistent. Annoyed, Benjamin answered with a sharp tone, "What?" There was silence for a moment, then a soft, timid voice came through the line. "Benjamin, weren't you just going home to grab something? Why haven't you come back? I'm still in the hospital. I feel a little scared by myself." He glanced at the caller ID; It was Charlotte. Realizing how harsh his tone just was, Benjamin forced himself to soften, "Something came up. I'll be there later." "Okay," Charlotte replied in a low voice and said no more. The moment the call ended, her expression changed entirely. Eyes filled with rage, she hurled the phone at the ground. Her chest heaved with fury. She was not an idiot. Just from Benjamin's hoarse voice and the faint sobbing in the background, she could easily guess what he was doing. Charlotte's lips twisted with contempt. "Cheap woman. Took my money one second, climbed into my man's bed the next. That mute has no shame." Her voice turned colder by the second. "You're asking for it!" She bent down, picked up the phone, and pulled up a contact. After typing out a short message, she hit send. A moment later, a reply came through. Charlotte's lips curled into a sinister smile, her eyes glinting with a chilling sharpness. Chapter 7 Back at the Jules residence, Benjamin did not go through with it in the end. Nissa cried nonstop. Midway, she even started vomiting. Whatever desire he had instantly vanished. Hearing her retching in the bathroom, Benjamin frowned and called out, "Don't tell me you've caught something contagious. If you're sick, go get treated. Don't come back here and infect me!" Nissa came out wrapped in a bathrobe, her face pale with embarrassment. She quickly shook her head. She could not let him know it was morning sickness, so she typed on her phone: "I ate something bad." Benjamin glanced at her screen with disinterest and did not press the issue. Instead, he said, "Don't forget what I told you. Charlotte wants something light to eat today. Go make it now. I'll take a shower and head to the hospital after." The moment she heard she could get away from Benjamin, Nissa turned and bolted. Her eagerness to escape made him frown in mild displeasure. After his shower and a change of clothes, Benjamin came downstairs to find that Nissa had already packed the food. He glanced at the meal, then narrowed his eyes. "You only made enough for one person?" Nissa was confused. She gestured with her hands. "Wasn't the food for Charlotte?" She assumed Benjamin would not eat her cooking anyway. After all, in the early days of their marriage, she put in great effort to make him meals, but he never touched a single one. They all ended up in the trash. Benjamin's face darkened, but he didn't say more. Instead, he tossed her a card and told her to buy groceries from the supermarket and put in more effort for Charlotte's meals. Then he left, carrying the hot food with him. Once the door shut behind him, Nissa let out a quiet sigh of exhaustion. She glanced at the back of her hand. She burned herself while cooking. The skin was bright red. She did not bother telling Benjamin. If she did, he would only mock her. She quietly retrieved some burn ointment and gently applied it. The truth was, she got used to taking care of herself. Her younger sister was sick for years, and they had no other relatives. To put it bluntly, if she died one day, there might not even be anyone to bury her. Just then, a message came through on her phone. It was from Marcus. She read it, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes. Marcus said he deeply regretted introducing her to Benjamin. He wanted to help her leave, even offering to arrange a new life for her overseas. More importantly, he would transfer her sister to a hospital abroad. He even promised to fully cover all of her future medical expenses. Relief flooded Nissa's chest. She typed out a grateful reply. At last, she had a way out. She could finally escape this hell. Nissa wiped away her tears and picked up the card Benjamin threw at her. Since she would be leaving soon anyway, she figured she might as well do one last thing: Buy some groceries and fill the fridge. After shopping at the supermarket, she missed the bus. But since the villa was not too far, she decided to walk back. As she walked, something started to feel off. The streets were quiet, the night air cold. Wind blew through the trees, rustling the leaves in a way that felt almost sinister. And underneath the sound of the wind, she could hear footsteps. Disjointed and uneven, those footsteps kept following behind her. She glanced around, and it was darkness everywhere. The shadows stretched long across the ground, as if something were lurking. Nissa felt a chill crawl up her spine. She quickened her pace. But just as she turned a corner, a gang of thugs closed in on her from behind. She froze, heart pounding, and stumbled backward a few steps. The leader, a man with dyed blond hair, rubbed his hands together with a greasy grin. "Hey, pretty girl. How about keeping us company tonight?" Panic surged through Nissa's mind like an alarm. She dropped the shopping bags and turned to run. But in the next instant, they grabbed her. Their tight, merciless hands pulling her back. A damp cloth pressed against her face. Within seconds, the world spun, faded, and then went black. When Nissa woke up, her head was pounding like it was split in two. Her memories came rushing back. She bolted upright. Thankfully, she wasn't tied up. She immediately scrambled for her phone and sent a group SOS message to everyone in her contacts, praying that someone, anyone, would come help. After confirming the messages went through, her eyes caught a new notification in the corner. It was from her sister's attending physician. Her stomach dropped. A terrible premonition seized her as she opened the message with trembling fingers. What met her was a short message with few words. "Complications. Urgent. Come Now." Chapter 8 Nissa's whole body went cold. That message was sent over an hour ago, back when she was still unconscious. There was no time to worry about subtlety or hiding her escape. She scrambled to her feet and rushed toward the door. But just as her hand reached for it, the door was pushed open from the other side. That group of thugs staggered in, and Charlotte stood right there among them. Nissa's eyes widened in shock. She could not believe it. Why would Charlotte do this? Was it because of Benjamin? But she already promised to leave. Why would Charlotte still go this far? Charlotte's expression was dark. She ordered, "Do it." The blond man nodded and gestured. The others moved in immediately, grabbing Nissa and forcing her down into a chair. Then, he stepped forward with a camcorder in his hands. "Don't blame us for being cruel. Cooperate and you won't suffer too much. Damn, you've got a face made for the camera, huh?" Nissa's skin crawled. She turned her teary eyes to Charlotte, letting out desperate, muffled cries. Her hands flailed in frantic gestures, begging and pleading. She did not care about anything else now. She just needed to get to the hospital. She needs to go to her sister. Not only did Charlotte not care, but she did not even try to understand. Only by getting rid of Nissa could she feel secure. She can then finally take her place at Benjamin's side and enjoy everything that comes with being his official wife. The thugs moved in, eyes gleaming, reaching out to touch her. Nissa trembled in terror. Tears poured down like rain. She struggled with everything she had, pushing their hands away, until someone grabbed her arm and twisted it violently. With a sickening pop, it was dislocated. She let out a silent cry, the pain blinding her. An image came to her mind: Benjamin's face. But what was the point? Benjamin would never come. She gave up hope. If she had to die, so be it, but she would not die being humiliated. With every ounce of strength left in her, she snatched a piece of metal from the floor and plunged it into her stomach. Everyone froze. Thick, dark blood poured out, dripping fast onto the floorboards. The blond man's face turned white. "Holy shit! She's bleeding out!" Charlotte did not expect this either. She did not imagine Nissa would be this fierce. And at that moment, outside the house, an engine roared in the distance, rapidly approaching. Charlotte rushed to the window, and her face instantly turned pale when she saw who it was. Benjamin! Why was he here? "Take everything and get out the back, now! I'll settle the money later!" The blond guy did not wait for a second command. The gang scattered, afraid things were about to go very wrong. Inside the room, Nissa was a mess. Clothes were torn, slumped on the floor, one hand clutching her bleeding stomach. Her strength was gone. Charlotte's expression twisted with panic. Before she could react, the door swung open. Benjamin barged in, a few of his men behind him. The scene in front of him made his pupils shrink. "Benjamin! You're here! Thank God!" Charlotte rushed forward, crying, her voice full of panic and innocence. She threw herself into his arms. "Nissa told me to come here. As soon as I walked in, she stabbed herself! She tried to frame me! I don't know what she's thinking!" Her meaning was clear; Nissa staged this to set her up. Benjamin stared at Nissa with her face pale as paper, her expression distant and empty. He frowned slightly. He was about to speak when he saw Nissa struggling to get up. She fell, got up, and fell again. Over and over. Each fall only caused her wound to bleed more. He could not watch anymore and stepped forward to help her. But the moment Nissa saw him, she dropped to her knees, clutching his leg, using hand signs to beg him to take her to the hospital. Benjamin did not understand her gestures. And Nissa, thinking he was refusing, threw herself into a frenzy. She knelt, bowed, and cried out in agony. Blood and tears soaked the floor, even spreading to the tips of his shoes. Just then, her phone buzzed. She froze. Her dazed eyes shifted toward it. She reached out with a trembling hand, unlocked the screen, and opened the most recent message: "Ms. Sullivan, your sister has passed. Please come handle the arrangements." The light in Nissa's eyes went dark. Her mind swirled in chaos. Memories flashed by. The past decade of her and her sister, relying on each other, barely surviving. She once believed, foolishly, that if she worked hard enough, someday her sister would get better. She never imagined this outcome, that the only family she left would be taken from her, too. Benjamin did not notice her change. Instead, he snapped, "Why did you lure Charlotte here?" Nissa slowly lifted her eyes to him. They were red-streaked and expressionless. Her blood-stained face was utterly silent, like someone already dead. She did not bother to explain at all. She only had one thought left: Get to the hospital. Even if it was just to see her sister one last time. She forced herself to crawl up from the floor, using the wall to steady herself, stumbling, limping toward the door. Benjamin frowned and reached to stop her, but Nissa shoved him away. He froze. She never did that before. The woman who always obeyed him without question just pushed him aside? Nissa did not look back. She walked on tirelessly, making her way to the hospital. At the hospital morgue, she finally saw her sister. Her heart was bleeding out, dying. But even so, not a single tear came out. Later, she had her wound treated and bandaged at the hospital. Then, she returned to the Jules residence one last time to collect the suitcase she'd long packed. With her sister already dead, she politely declined Marcus's offer to send her abroad. She had no intention of relying on anyone anymore. Nissa did not even take one final look at the luxurious house where she'd spent the past half-year. There was nothing worth remembering. With that, she stepped out into the wind and disappeared into the night.