On our third anniversary, Ethan forced me to give blood for his old flame’s dog.

The long needle pierced my skin, the suffocating feeling of my blood being drawn making me scream in despair.

My life hung by a thread.

Meanwhile, Ethan and Olivia were busy planning the dog’s funeral arrangements.

He didn’t forget to warn me: "You stay in that room and reflect on what you did, otherwise, forget about marrying me!"

After I got out of the hospital, I didn’t hesitate. I called my Aunt Carol and agreed to the match she’d arranged overseas.

But Ethan, why are you now frantically searching the world for me, spending nights outside my building, repenting?

1

When I was finally let out of the room I’d been locked in, Ethan was helping Olivia move her things in.

Silently, I moved my suitcase into the guest room, leaving the master bedroom for her.

Only then did Ethan nod, satisfied.

"Locked up for a few days, you finally learned your lesson."

My breath caught, my fingertips trembling uncontrollably.

Three days ago was our third anniversary. I had excitedly planned a proposal, only to have Olivia show up unexpectedly and ruin everything.

The moment Olivia saw me, she smiled.

"Wow, you really do look like me. No wonder Ethan’s with you."

It hit me like lightning – the crushing realization that I was just her replacement.

I was so stunned I didn't even notice when Olivia approached Ethan’s golden retriever, Goldie.

She gently stroked Goldie's fur. "Goldie, Mommy's home."

But the next second, she plunged a sharp pair of scissors deep into Goldie’s body. The dog died right there in a pool of blood.

A few tears from Olivia, and Ethan instantly, furiously decided I was the murderer.

That same night, he dragged me to the hospital, practically wanting to drain me dry.

"Goldie bled to death. You should feel what Goldie felt!"

Ethan's cold, final words echoed in my ears. The feeling of my blood leaving my body, the suffocation, made me shriek in desperation.

I explained, begged, apologized over and over…

But it wasn't enough for him. He locked me, weak from blood loss, in that room, alone with Goldie's lifeless body, forcing me to repent until I broke down.

Whenever exhaustion threatened to pull me under, Ethan would play recordings of Goldie barking, constantly grating on my nerves.

For three whole days, every time I closed my eyes, I plunged into agonizing nightmares. Fear and despair washed over me like a flood.

While Ethan and Olivia were planning Goldie's funeral, I dragged my weak body to the hospital.

I was so close to death, even the doctors weren't sure they could save me.

After being discharged, I immediately called my Aunt Carol.

"Aunt Carol, I'll do it. I'll go abroad for the marriage arrangement."

2

I had two weeks before Aunt Carol would come pick me up to go overseas. I had no choice but to return to that house.

As soon as I walked in, Ethan forced me to kneel before Goldie’s urn and repent. Olivia stood nearby, eyes red from crying, mourning Goldie’s tragic end.

Then she turned, helped me up, and spoke softly, "Sarah, I was so lost in grief over Goldie the past few days, I couldn't check on you. You don’t mind, right?"

"And Ethan… honestly, locking you in that room with Goldie’s body… that must have been so hard for you."

Ethan sneered, "She brought it on herself!"

The whole situation felt utterly absurd, and a wave of fear washed over me.

The man I had loved for three years wanted me dead… over a dog!

After the memorial, Ethan tossed a necklace at me.

"Your third-anniversary gift. Making up for it now."

I looked at the necklace – clearly an accessory matching one of Olivia’s expensive designer bags. I sighed inwardly and didn't reach for it.

Ethan's face instantly darkened. "Don't like it? Sarah, don't be so greedy."

I forced a bitter smile and took the necklace. "I like it. Thank you," I said calmly.

Only then did Ethan look satisfied. He left, taking Olivia out for French food, her favorite.

I leaned against the doorframe and slowly sank to the floor, bitter tears escaping the corners of my eyes.

Ethan wasn't always like this.

For three years, he had cherished me.

If I randomly craved those specific tacos from downtown at 3 AM, Ethan would drive across town without hesitation to get them for me.

He never forgot my birthday or any of our anniversaries, always planning surprises weeks in advance.

Every payday, he’d transfer his check straight to my account, saying he wanted me to feel completely secure.

…

Until six months ago. Ethan started coming home late, sometimes not at all.

Whenever I called, it went straight to voicemail or was busy.

Once, I couldn't stand it anymore and brought lunch to his office. He casually handed the meal I’d spent hours preparing to his assistant – Olivia.

Then he urged her to eat. "You have a sensitive stomach, you need to eat on time."

In that moment, a sense of unease and defensiveness gripped me, especially when Olivia smiled and called me "Sarah, dear."

Her eyes held a clear hint of provocation.

I asked around and found out the truth: Olivia was the old flame Ethan could never get over.

As soon as she returned to the country, she became his assistant.

Feeling insecure and desperate, I planned the proposal on our third anniversary, hoping marriage would tie him down.

But Olivia's words – "You look like her" – shattered everything.

Three years as Ethan's substitute. It was time to face reality.

3

Ethan and Olivia came back very late. The sounds drifting from the living room woke me up.

"Ethan, this is so thrilling… Aren't you afraid your fiancée will find out?"

Her breathy moans were unbearable. I clutched the blanket tightly, my lips pressed into a thin line.

Then I heard Ethan’s careless reply: "Afraid of what? This is my house, not hers."

"Oh, stop~ Aren't you worried she'll break up with you?" Olivia tested.

Ethan scoffed, absolutely certain. "She won't. She loves me way too much. Why would she ever leave me?"

"Besides," he added, his voice laced with contempt, "she has no job, no savings… and let’s be honest, who else would want her now? She’s not exactly untouched. Marrying me is her only option."

"Shh, baby, let's not talk about unpleasant things. Just enjoy the moment."

…

Tears fell like broken pearls until they dried up. The noises from the living room finally stopped.

When I woke up the next morning, Ethan and Olivia were gone.

I started packing my things and realized how little I actually owned. Everything fit into one suitcase.

For Ethan, I had given up the chance to emigrate with my aunt, moving alone to this unfamiliar city.

Three years had passed. My aunt, focused on her career, was thriving. Me, focused on finding true love, had failed miserably.

I gathered all the gifts Ethan had ever given me. Anything useful, I donated. Anything useless, I threw into the dumpster downstairs.

It took several trips up and down before everything was gone.

Downstairs, I ran into Ethan again. My first instinct was to run, terrified he’d realize I’d thrown out all his gifts.

But he casually took my hand.

"What are you doing?"

I suppressed my panic. "Just taking out the trash," I said coolly.

Ethan gave a distracted "Mm-hmm," his eyes glued to his phone. Looked like he and Olivia were arguing again.

After a moment, he asked, "What did you say?"

"Nothing," I replied quietly.

He still hadn't heard me. Needing both hands to type, he let go of mine and walked towards the elevator by himself.

But then his phone rang. His expression changed drastically when he saw it was Olivia. He hesitated for a few seconds before answering.

Olivia's crying voice came through the receiver: "Ethan, you have to come save me! These business partners are trying to get me drunk…"

Before she could even finish, Ethan bolted out the door.

4

After Ethan left, I hailed a cab and went to the bank.

I transferred the entire inheritance my parents left me into Ethan's salary account.

It wasn't a huge amount, but it was enough to cover everything he'd spent on me over the past three years.

If I was leaving, I was leaving completely, owing nothing.

As for what Ethan owed me… I decided to let it go.

After leaving the bank, I got a text from Ethan.

He told me to meet him at a hotel restaurant.

I hesitated for a few seconds, then changed my route and told the driver to take me there.

As I approached the private dining room, I heard people singing "Happy Birthday." The first thing I saw was Ethan and Olivia locked in a passionate kiss.

Olivia was wearing an expensive haute couture dress, a diamond sparkling on her hand.

I recognized it. It was the gift Ethan had placed in the crystal cabinet in his study a month ago.

At the time, I’d foolishly thought it was a birthday present for me and had been happy for days.

Now, it was clear it was always meant for Olivia.

Another round of false hope, but this time, it didn't hurt as much as before.

Those three days locked in that room had extinguished any love I had left for Ethan.

People in the room looked confused when they saw me enter.

A few well-meaning guests even asked if I had the wrong room.

A sharp pain twisted in my chest. I looked at Ethan, my gaze complicated.

So, after three years together, he had never even mentioned my existence to his friends.

To the world, he maintained the image of being single.

Ethan frowned, accusatory. "What are you doing here?"

I lowered my eyes, speechless. I should have known.

In three years, Ethan never initiated plans with me. It was always me taking the first step.

Olivia smoothly intervened, "Ethan, I invited Sarah to celebrate my birthday with us. You don't mind, do you?"

Ethan's expression softened slightly. His cold eyes scanned me before he finally let me sit down.

I chose a seat in the furthest corner, watching everyone congratulate Ethan and Olivia, reminiscing about their high school romance.

"I remember back in high school, Ethan swore he wouldn't marry anyone but Olivia. I was so bummed when you two broke up. But look, after all this time, you found your way back to each other! Meant to be! Cheers!"

"Yeah, Olivia, you better treasure Ethan! When you went abroad, he was miserable for ages. He dated a few girls afterwards, but they all kinda looked like you!"

…

My fingertips trembled uncontrollably. Hot tears fell onto my hand.

No wonder I chased Ethan for two years and he never agreed.

The moment Olivia left, he got together with me.

So, it was all just to get back at Olivia.

My nails dug deep into my palms, drawing blood.

A voice message notification popped up from my aunt. I meant to tap 'voice-to-text' but accidentally hit the speaker mode.

"Sweetie, it's your birthday today! Did you have cake? Auntie ordered one for you, celebrate with your friends!"

The message played out loud. The room fell silent for a moment, the atmosphere turning awkward.

Ethan looked surprised, but mostly angry.

"Sarah, what is your problem? You know damn well today is Olivia's birthday, and you pull this stunt? Who are you trying to disgust?" Ethan lashed out without thinking.

Hearing this, I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

My own boyfriend, celebrating his old flame's birthday on my birthday, and wouldn't even let someone wish me well.

What a prize.

"What are you laughing at?" Ethan demanded, annoyed.

I looked him straight in the eye, calm, and said, syllable by syllable, "Coward."

Anyone could see the tension between Ethan and me. Combined with the fact that I resembled Olivia, it wasn't hard to guess I was another one of her stand-ins.

Only Ethan refused to acknowledge it.

"Sarah, oh, it's your birthday too? Why didn't you say so earlier…"

Olivia tried her usual tactic, feigning retreat to gain ground.

I tilted my head, staring into her eyes. "My birthday. What's it got to do with you?"

Crash! The glass in Ethan’s hand shattered at my feet, sending shards flying, embedding themselves deep into my calf.

Blood started flowing freely.

"Apologize to Olivia!" Ethan roared.

The same rage as the day he locked me in that room.

But this time, I wasn't afraid.

I couldn't wait to get out of this place, out of this city.

My feet moved faster than my brain. I bolted for the door.

But Olivia suddenly ran to stop me. A piercing scream cut through the room as she crumpled to the floor, her face contorted in pain.

My eyelid twitched violently. A wave of unease washed over me.

SLAP—

Ethan struck me hard across the face. I fell to the ground, watching helplessly as the heel of his leather shoe ground viciously into the back of my hand.

Cold sweat broke out all over me from the pain. Ethan didn't stop until my hand was a bloody mess.

"If anything happens to Olivia, I swear I won't let you off the hook!"