My boyfriend treat me as a sx partner.

"Kayla is still a virgin. I just didn't want to take her V card before marriage," he sneered, "Now she'll soon be my rightful wife, and you're no longer needed"

He even conspired with his first love to make me lose my baby.

It turned out I was the substitute for his first love. He only treated me as his toy.

A commanding female voice came from the doorway.

"My daughter isn't someone you get to scold."

It was my mom. The man behind her picked me up without a word.

I wiped my tears and looked up. "Germain Abbott, we are done."

"Your life and your company are also done." With that, my mom turned and walked off with me.

***

The heating made the room very warm, but I felt like I'd fallen into an ice pit.

The man in front of me was still intimating with me one second ago. Now, what he said pushed me into the abyss.

I was stunned for a while, and my smile froze. "Germain, you are kidding, right?"

Germain stared at me. A while later, he chuckled, "Cynthia, we are adults. It was just a fling. Don't tell me you took it seriously?"

I didn't say a word. I lowered my eyes to hide the turmoil surging inside me.

To him, these three years were just a game. But not for me.

I had loved him for ten whole years.

We grew up in the same military community. We were childhood sweethearts.

Germain had been the most outstanding one in the crowd since childhood. He was cool, aloof, and untouchable.

But it was also he who turned red in the face while buying me my first pack of period pads.

It was he who stood in front of me when people mocked me for not having a father.

When it was time for me to pick a university, Germain came back home from New York University especially and looked at me passionately. "Cynthia, apply to New York University. I'll be waiting for you."

So I only applied for New York University, leaving myself no turning back. I wanted to go to Germain's city.

I thought he liked me.

Three years ago, someone drugged him. In a daze, he clutched my hand, eyes full of affection. I was almost drowning in it.

We spent the night together. When Germain became sober, he saw me and suddenly jerked up.

Germain's cold gaze was like a sharp knife, piercing through me.

"Cynthia, why are you here?"

I opened my mouth to explain, but he didn't give me the chance. He lashed out without mercy. "Cynthia, how could you play such a dirty trick?

"You put drugs in my wine to sleep with me. How desperate are you? So hungry for a man?"

I felt like I was struck by lightning and froze on the spot.

I wanted to explain, but I couldn't make a sound.

It turned out Germain saw me as such an indecent person.

Germain was angry and left, slamming the door.

I sent Germain many messages to explain what happened that night, but he didn't reply to any of them.

Three days later, Germain sent me a location and a room number.

I went there. As soon as I entered the room, Germain pressed me against the door, his kisses all over me. His eyes were filled with desire, and his movements were rough like an untamed animal.

Afterward, he lit a cigarette and spoke through a cloud of smoke, his tone indifferent. "Cynthia, since you like me so much, I will do you a favor and fulfill your wish."

There were no flowers or confession of love. What I got from Germain was a bunch of hickeys on my body and his "favor".

Then, I became Germain's secret lover.

As soon as Germain texted me, I would stop whatever I was doing and go to him.

Life went on like this. Germain spent more and more time with me and treated me better and better. I almost forgot how filthy all of this began.

I drowned in Germain's fake gentleness and even innocently believed that he really loved me.

Today, I finally realized that our three years were only a ridiculous game to Germain.

I had been dreaming for three years, and today, I woke up from my dream.

Germain was still waiting for my response. I raised my eyes and looked into his eyes. "Of course not. Since you're engaged, let's end this.

"Germain, I wish you happiness."

It was the answer Germain wanted, but he looked upset somehow. He opened his mouth but didn't say anything in the end.

I didn't want to get caught up in him anymore. I got dressed and prepared to leave. Suddenly, I heard the key opening the door.

My heart sank. A wave of dread washed over me.

Before I could react, the door was opened.

The person standing outside was Kayla May, Germain's fiancée.

"Germain, who is...this?" Kayla's voice was cute and sweet, but I could sense the hostility in it.

Germain raised his eyebrows. The ice in his eyes melted right away.

Germain walked past me and put his hand on Kayla's shoulder without hesitance, his tone so gentle, "Cynthia Morton. My younger sister. I've mentioned her a lot to you."

The two words "younger sister" were like two burning matches, scraping through my eyes, leaving them sore and hurt.

I bit my lower lip tightly. When I tasted blood, I could finally suppress my surging emotions.

Kayla was still smiling as if she hadn't sensed the weird atmosphere. She shook Germain's arm gently. "I see! Cynthia, please stay for the meal. Germain will cook today."

I raised my eyes, and my pupils contracted all of a sudden.

I had a terrible fever last week, and I used my last strength to beg Germain to cook something simple for me.

But Germain said coldly, "I don't cook." In the end, I managed to cook for him.

It turned out Germain cooked. He just didn't want to cook for me.

Germain seemed to have recalled that day as well. A trace of fluster flashed across his eyes. But soon, he became condescending again and agreed to Kayla's words. "Since Kayla wants you to stay, you can stay."

I nodded subconsciously, but my mind went back.

Those years I had spent together with Germain were as delicious as the food from the kitchen.

They used to be so real. But now, only emptiness was left.

"Cynthia... Are you dating someone?" Kayla's voice pulled me back to reality.

Kayla was staring at my neck. I realized there were hickeys on my neck and buttoned the first button on my shirt subconsciously.

Kayla showed a meaningful expression. She covered her mouth and chuckled, "Cynthia, we are all adults. Don't be shy.

"But Germain is not like you. He said only flirtatious women would sleep with men before getting married. So he treasures me and doesn't want to touch me."

I felt my cheeks burning as if someone had slapped me.

I opened my mouth but realized that I had nothing to retort.

Kayla was not wrong.

Germain had never promised me anything, but I stuck with him for three years, throwing my dignity behind me.

At this time, Germain came out of the kitchen with some dishes.

In less than half an hour, Germain served three dishes and one soup. But he used to tell me that he didn't cook.

I didn't say anything and tried the food.

The food tasted good. But I felt bitter.

Kayla looked at me and Germain without changing expression. Then, she smiled, "Germain, do you know that Cynthia is dating someone? I wonder when she can let us meet that guy."

I pursed my lips and looked at Germain subconsciously.

Germain looked calm and said in a faint tone, "Kayla's right. Let us meet with the guy you are dating. We can help you find out if he's the right guy for you."

My heart sank right away. I nodded subconsciously.

But Kayla wouldn't let this topic go. She kept showing off the "love story" between her and Germain.

They loved each other at first sight in the university. Everyone was jealous of their love.

Later, Kayla went to study abroad. They separated temporarily but still loved each other.

Some time ago, Kayla came back. Germain couldn't wait to meet Kayla's parents and ask for their approval for their marriage. They finally engaged.

I calculated the timeline quietly.

When Germain went back home and asked me to apply to New York University, Kayla had just gone abroad.

I thought, "What am I? A pathetic substitute? A toy Germain kills time with?"

I couldn't enjoy the meal at all.

Finally, I finished the food and stood up to leave. But Kayla offered to see me off "enthusiastically".

I couldn't refuse Kayla and could only get in her car.

As soon as the car door closed, the smile on Kayla's face disappeared.

Kayla sneered and said with disdain, "Cynthia, you like Germain, right?"

Kayla sounded so sure.

I was stunned for a while and looked at Kayla blankly.

It seemed Kayla didn't need my answer. She continued with a condescending tone that sounded gross, "As soon as I went abroad, you managed to join New York University. You are so cheap!"

I wanted to retort but couldn't utter a sound as if something had grabbed my throat.

"But no matter how hard you try, you are a cheap woman that everyone will laugh at. How can you compare with me?

"As soon as I came back, Germain dumped you and met my parents, asking for their approval for our marriage. You'd better piss off. Don't pester Germain. It's gross."

I clenched my hands into fists. My nails pierced into my palms, making them almost bleeding.

When I didn't know what to do, Kayla made a call.

Kayla raised her chin to me provokingly. Then, she screamed in fear on the phone, "Germain, help me! Cynthia is crazy! She wants to die with me..."

With that, Kayla hung up the phone.

I didn't even have time to think about why she designed such drama.

The car turned abruptly and bumped into the low wall by the road.

My body lurched forward because of the inertia, and my forehead bumped into the seat in front of me.

After a blunt pain, warm blood streamed down, blocking my vision.

Kayla was no better than me. Her delicate hairstyle was a mess now, and bloodstain wound its way down from her temple.

Kayla looked like a devil that was forced back to its original form.

Insane.

That was the tag I gave Kayla.

To frame me, Kayla even risked her life. How ridiculous!

Soon, Germain rushed over with the emergency staff.

Germain carried Kayla out of the car cautiously. He treated Kayla so gently as if Kayla had been a delicate treasure.

"Kayla, how do you feel?" Germain was worried, his voice trembling.

Kayla curled up in Germain's arms like a scared bird. She cried to make Germain worried and said in discontinued words, "Cynthia... She blamed me for snatching you... She wanted to... She wanted to die with me..."

I felt dizzy, but I still plucked my strength to explain, "I didn't..."

Germain looked at me with disdain in his eyes, "You could do anything to get what you want!"

After a pause, Germain said in a colder voice, "How dare you hurt Kayla! I'll make you pay the price."

Germain didn't even want to hear my explanation. He carried Kayla and rushed to the ambulance.

The emergency staff put me onto the stretcher and wanted to send me into the ambulance. But Germain stopped them. "The murderer and the victim can't stay in the same car. She should go to the police station and receive the punishment first."

The doctor was angry. "Things are still under investigation now. This lady's injuries are clearly more severe. If she can't be treated in time, it could result in permanent damage."

Germain hesitated. When he was about to say something, Kayla murmured in a weak voice in his arms, "Germain... No... I don't want her... I'm scared... She might hurt me again..."

Germain darkened his eyes again.

Germain told the emergency staff, "Send Kayla to the hospital first. Her safety is the most important."

After a pause, Germain said with impatience, "I paid to hire you guys. Don't waste time on unrelated people."

The doctor had no choice and could only put me down. The ambulance sped away.

I lay on the cold ground alone. Many people were around, but no one helped me.

I was still bleeding, and I gradually lost consciousness.

I could feel that my life was fading.

I repeated in my heart, "Home... I want to go home..."

When I had lost track of time, another ambulance finally arrived.

I managed to stay sober and asked the doctor for his phone. My hands trembled as I dialed the familiar number. "Mom... I miss you... Can you come and pick me up? I will listen to you... I will see the guys you choose..."

Before I could finish, I fainted.

When I opened my eyes again, all I saw were white walls.

I was lying in a hospital bed.

The doctor spoke in a flat tone, though there was a hint of pity in his voice, "Miss Morton, due to the delay in treatment, we couldn't...save the baby."

I touched my now-flat belly.

There had been a baby here?

It felt absurd. I hadn't even known he existed before he was gone.

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

So this was what it cost to love Germain, a price I couldn't afford to pay.

So, this was the end of us.

The doctor had barely left when Germain walked in with a few police officers and said, "Cynthia, you need to take responsibility for what you've done!"

I looked up at him, feeling completely numb. "It wasn't me."

"Not you?" He sneered and didn't even bother to glance at me. He turned to the officers and said, "Take her away."

The handcuffs clicked around my wrists.

I struggled and yelled, "Check the security cameras! There has to be footage!"

In the crowd, Kayla's face turned pale.

She leaned into Germain's chest and said in a weak voice, "Germain, just let it go. Cynthia didn't mean it. If she apologizes, I won't press charges."

Germain's tone softened when he heard her words, but he still looked down on me. "You heard what Kayla said, right? Just apologize and we'll be done."

Apologize? I looked at him, and my throat was tight as if stuffed with cotton. I couldn't make a sound.

Whether it was the spiked drink three years ago or today's car accident, he never once believed I was innocent.

My phone buzzed. My Mom just sent me a message, "Cynthia, I'm coming to New York to bring you home. I won't let you suffer anymore!"

My eyes stung with tears. I still had a home. And I still had my Mom.

Once she came here, I'd leave this awful place.

Germain frowned and asked impatiently, "Why are you crying? It's just an apology. Is that too much for you?"

I looked at him, the man I grew up with, who now felt like a complete stranger.

I thought we were childhood sweethearts.

Turned out that was only my wishful thinking.

I laughed as tears slipped down my face, "Fine."

I stood up and walked over to Kayla. Then I bowed to her and said calmly, "I'm sorry."

Kayla lifted her chin, leaned close to my ear, and whispered so only I could hear, "How does it feel to lose your baby? It hurts, doesn't it?"

I looked up and stared at her smug face. The rage I'd held back for so long finally exploded.

I raised my hand to slap her hard.

The sharp sound echoed in the hospital room, but Germain took the blow instead.

He had stepped in front of Kayla and taken the slap for her.

Germain shoved me to the floor and shouted, "Cynthia, have you lost your mind?"

I pointed at Kayla and argued in a hoarse voice, "Did you even hear what she just said to me?"

"It doesn't matter what Kayla said. You can never lay a finger on her!"

Germain yelled, and his eyes blazed with disgust, "You vicious woman! You've hurt Kayla over and over. Apologize to her right now!"

I glared at him and said nothing.

"Bang!"

Pain shot through my knee as Germain kicked the back of my leg, forcing me to kneel.

He pressed down on my head again and again, making me kowtow in apology to Kayla.

My forehead slammed against the floor, each time harder than the last.

He didn't stop until blood blurred my vision.

"You've got such a spoiled attitude. You'll suffer when you deal with others in society. I'm doing this for your own good."

Germain looked down on me and sounded like he was doing me a favor.

Right then, a cold female voice cut through the room with undeniable authority, "And since when do you get to teach the Morton family's daughter a lesson?"