“Caelen!”

Just as the scissors were about to pierce Caelen’s heart—

*THUMP!*

*SQUELCH—*

The scissors sank into flesh, but Caelen felt no pain.

In that split second, Liana had thrown herself in front of him. The scissors were buried in her shoulder, blood rapidly soaking through her clothes.

“Liana?”

Caelen’s anger evaporated, replaced by a helpless panic as he held the pale-faced woman. “Hang on, I’m taking you to the hospital!”

But he’d barely taken a step when his path was blocked.

“Liana…”

Julian seemed stunned, his face contorted in a panic as if he were the one who’d been stabbed. “I’m sorry, Caelen just provoked me… I couldn’t control myself…”

“Please don’t be mad, I’ll stab myself right now!”

He bent down, grabbing the blood-stained scissors from the floor and aiming for his own chest—

“Julian!”

Liana pushed Caelen away, clutching her wounded shoulder as she embraced Julian. “Stop crying, I know you didn’t mean it. I’m not mad at you…”

Julian sagged against her, burying his face in her shoulder and whimpering pitifully.

“I was lost as a child, no mother or father to love me. I grew up all alone, without a single drop of affection, and now I’m about to die… Liana, I love you so much. Can’t you just grant me this one wish? Let me be loved, just for once?”

“Even if it’s fake, I’ll be content…”

Caelen watched the scene with cold eyes.

The flicker of concern he’d felt for Liana was now shrouded in a dark haze.

He’d lost his own mother young. His father had raised him, pulling double duty.

His dad had raised him like a prince, not so he could stand by and hand his wife over to a homewrecker.

“Julian, stop this drama. It’s Grandma’s birthday, we have guests. You’re making a scene for everyone to see, and Liana needs to go to the hospital…”

Just then, the aged voice of Liana’s grandmother came from behind. “No need. I’ve already sent for the doctor. Liana, you’ll stay in the room with Julian for the rest of the day. If word of this gets out, our family will be disgraced.”

Caelen’s heart froze. He turned to see Liana’s grandmother, her hair impeccably styled.

“Grandma, you heard him. You know what Julian is thinking. How can you let Liana stay with him?”

But as soon as he spoke, the gaggle of aunts and cousins who had followed chimed in. “Caelen, just be a little more understanding. Julian has had a truly pitiful life.”

“You may have grown up without a mom, Caelen, but you have a steel mill director for a father who spoils you rotten. And now you have a wife who loves you so much. Julian is sick, he doesn’t have many days left. Lending Liana to him for a few days won’t kill you.”

“Exactly. It’s a day of celebration. An elder has spoken. Just do as you’re told. What if you upset your grandmother and make her ill?”

What the hell were they saying?

How had he suddenly become the bad guy?

Caelen clutched his bandaged wrist, the pain doing nothing to quell his fury.

To his shock, Liana stood up, her blood-stained hand gripping his. “Caelen, since Grandma has spoken, don’t make things difficult for Julian. We’re all in this community together. It’s better if we’re all on good terms.”

Another dagger to the heart. The sense of betrayal was overwhelming.

His face went white. “*I’m* making things difficult? You think this is all my fault? For the sake of harmony, you’re supposed to be tangled up with Julian? Then what about my dignity? Where does that go?”

“What if Grandma ordered you to marry Julian? Would you do that too?”

“Caelen! What nonsense are you talking!” Liana’s expression was one of pure disappointment. “It’s Grandma’s big day, and everyone is watching. Why do you have to make such a scene over this?”

Caelen stared into her eyes, at the accusation swimming within them.

Suddenly, none of it seemed to matter anymore.

“Liana, we’ve known each other for over a decade. You should know I don’t tolerate betrayal.”

Caelen ignored everyone else, his eyes fixed on the woman he’d loved since he first understood what love was. He slowly pushed her hand away.

“If this is how it’s going to be… Liana, let’s get a divorce.”