Where the Years of Marriage Crumbled to Nothing

After Wendy Russel had finished her defense in the court,she quickly returned to New York City to celebrate her husband’s birthday,Michael Goldman.

The door of the estate was slightly open.She hid the gift behind her back and got ready to push the door,planning to surprise Michael.

“Michael,it was Wendy who sent Sandra to prison.Are you sure you want them to meet?And even let Sandra live in your house?”

“Also,you and Sandra were once engaged.Aren’t you afraid Wendy will find out you got close to her only for revenge and then divorce you?”

Her slender hand froze in midair out of nowhere.

Michael’s gaze became sharper.There were sparks that flared from the cigar between his fingers.

After a long silence,he spoke coldly,“She won’t know.”

“I got close to her only to make her drop her guard as a lawyer.Sandra was thrown in prison and suffered because of her,so I couldn’t just ignore it.”

“Not to mention,both Sandra and I were childhood sweethearts.We grew up together.She is not a bully at all!Sandra must have had other reasons for hurting Wendy’s sister back then.”

“I haven’t decided what to do about the engagement yet.I’ll explain to Wendy when I have the chance.”

Wendy’s mind buzzed.She could not believe what she was hearing.Footsteps approached,while she turned to leave.Losing her balance,she bumped into someone carrying a cake.

“Miss Russell,long time no see.”

She looked up in shock.Like a lightning strike,the tall figure stood before Sandra Johnson in panic.

“Can’t you see?How dare you bump into anyone!”

When Michael saw Wendy clearly,his anger seen in his eyes,disappeared.A flash of surprise crossed his face.Instinctively,he held Sandra tighter.

“Wendy?Why are you returning…”

He stared at his friends,signaling to them to take Sandra away.

“She’s the one behind my sister’s bullying,”Wendy said.

After all,Wendy could never forget the CCTV recording from the school.Sandra grinned as she ripped open Wendy’s sister’s clothes and poured sulfuric acid on her,which left terrible burns.It was all because Annie Russel had scored one point higher on a test,making Sandra a laughingstock.

“Wendy,those are all misunderstandings.Someone changed the video.”

Michael spoke as if it were nothing.

“Sandra’s parents died from the shock.After she got out of prison,she had nowhere to go,so she’s staying here for now.”

“I’ll move out once I find her another place.”

But her sister still lived here!If Annie saw her old enemy again…

“Ahhhh!”

It was Annie’s voice.

Without thinking further,Wendy shoved Michael aside and rushed downstairs.When she saw Annie’s pale face and Sandra’s cold smile,her blood turned to ice.

“What the hell are you thinking you’re doing?Get away from Annie!”

With tears in her eyes,blood ran down Annie’s fingertips as she clung to Wendy.

Meanwhile,Wendy’s chest tightened painfully.

“I apologize,Wendy.I just wanted to talk to Annie,but she suddenly had a breakdown and tried to stab herself with a glass…”

Sandra’s words sounded apologetic,but her eyes glowed with mockery.Annie was never mentally ill.Wendy shielded Annie and coldly ordered Sandra to apologize.

“People with mental illness should return to the hospital instead of causing trouble here.”

A deep voice cut through the air,making Wendy’s head pound.She would not allow anyone to insult her sister.Her hand swept forward,striking with force.

Slap!

Michael took the slap directly.His eyes darkened,while a faint glint flashed as a cold smile touched his lips.

“Wendy,don’t make this harder for me.”

He turned and left with Sandra without looking back.

The sting in Wendy’s hand throbbed.For a long time,Wendy stood stunned.She couldn’t help but stare at her swollen palm before suddenly smiling bitterly.

Michael was a national taekwondo champion.There was no strike he couldn’t avoid.Yet,he had accepted the slap willingly for Sandra this time.

Her eyes dimmed as she took Annie upstairs,urging her sister to pack.

“Wendy,Sandra hurt me on purpose.I won’t cry again next time.Please don’t send me away…”

Wendy couldn’t bear to let her go alone.

“Michael has chosen someone else.We must leave this place.”

“Has he stopped loving you?”

It wasn’t a change of heart.Besides,Michael’s heart had never belonged to her.Wendy remembered clearly the first time she met Michael.He had knocked the file from her hand.He stared at Sandra’s case file,lost in thought,then returned it with a smile.

After the trial,Michael would often appear around Wendy.He told her that he had financial disputes and asked for her help.Then,they grew closer.

She thought this younger flirt was only joking,but she hadn’t expected him to be so serious.

Michael chartered a cruise,sailed across the Hudson River at night and filled the sky with drones to confess his love.He climbed a mountain for a Mountain Laurel flower,fell into the valley and came back covered in blood.It was all to heal her old wrist injury.

When a criminal’s family tried to take revenge,Michael shielded Wendy from the attack.She had been unable to resist his care and eventually gave in to his gentleness.But now she learned the truth.

Sandra was his childhood sweetheart and his fiancée.

Michael’s betrayal was like a sharp slap,breaking her illusions.He had approached Wendy for Sandra’s sake.But it didn’t matter.She didn’t want it anymore.

She would treat these two years as her gift to Michael.

Wendy pulled a blank divorce agreement from her folder,a bitter smile on her lips.After years of handling cases for others,this was the first time she handled her own.She would wait for the chance to have Michael sign.

When that moment came,they would part ways and never meet again.

Just in case,Wendy hired some handymen,errand boys,bought cameras and set them up in every corner of the estate.All of this could become evidence.Since Sandra was like a time bomb that could explode at any moment,she had to be ready.

After everything was arranged,Wendy picked up the divorce agreement and the estate’s contract of sale,then knocked on the study door.

Michael’s fingers were wet with orange juice.Meanwhile,a smile curled on his lips as he fed the fruit to Sandra,who sat on his lap.

When he saw Wendy,Michael looked away.A wave of nausea hit her,causing her to turn to get out.But footsteps came up quickly behind her.

Michael was breathing heavily,stopping in front of her.The collar of his floral shirt was slightly visible.There was a purplish red mark along the edge of his collarbone.He didn’t like eating strawberries.

“Sandra wanted oranges,but she was too lazy to peel them,so I fed her two extra.Wendy,you won’t be angry,right?”

Wendy remembered how he used to call her‘Wendy’whenever he wanted to apologize or flirt.Everyone said Mr.Goldman had mild mysophobia.The thing he disliked most was sticky fruit juice.

For her,Michael had always chosen the freshest oranges.He would peel them off himself,placing them in her mouth while he voraciously kissed her.He had given Wendy so much attention.

But now…

Wendy then told herself to stay calm.She then took out the contract of sale and placed it between them,creating distance.

“I want Annie to move out of this estate.Just sign this and buy an apartment.”

This was the first time she had ever asked Michael for something material.As expected,he froze for two seconds,then quickly nodded without hesitation.

Those three words sealed their marriage.He tossed the documents aside and smiled lazily.

“Wendy,you’ve gotten pretty busy recently.You haven’t even talked to me…”

“I’m on my period,so I’m not feeling well.”

She avoided him smoothly and picked up the documents.

Michael was passionate and often pulled Wendy along,no matter the place.Her husband had explored the bathroom,the kitchen and even every corner of her office.He was like a comet,bright and fiery.He filled her with light and warmth.

But comets were fleeting,disappearing quickly.

Michael paused,his smile fading.For a brief moment,there was doubt in his eyes.Because behind him,Sandra appeared,dressed in a white shirt.

“Wendy,I just remembered I have some work to finish in the study.I’ll do something first,then come back to you later.”

He cupped her cheek with his hand and kissed Wendy like someone whom he truly cherished.Meanwhile,she turned away impatiently and locked the door.

Nevertheless,the sound of bodies colliding then came from the study.

Wendy felt as if she wanted to vomit.Still,she pressed her phone to the crack of the door and recorded the scene.It would be her evidence for the divorce.

She went to City Hall and filed the papers.In six weeks,she would leave Michael forever.After thinking it over carefully,she dialed a secret number.

Gunfire roared in the background of the call.

A lazy,hoarse voice spoke in a low tone.

“What’s this?Miss Russell is finally asking me for a favor?”

“In six weeks,I’ll bring my sister to you.But I need you to make two death certificates for us.The more tragic,the better.”

Wendy wanted to vanish from Michael’s life completely and kill any reason for his revenge.

After settling the details with someone on the other end of the line,Wendy felt restless and uneasy.She checked the video again and searched the entire estate,but her sister was nowhere to be seen.

Her fingers twisted the edge of her clothes,her breath coming fast.

Ring!

Annie’s message appeared.

[Wendy,save me!]

Wendy ran through two red lights,going into the back garden of the estate.

The thick thorn bushes were marked with bloodstains.Annie was curled up in a corner.Her body was covered with bloody holes.A ball of paper was stuffed in her mouth.She looked at Wendy with tearful eyes and shook her head,warning her not to come closer.

Rage burst in Wendy’s chest.She stepped forward,but suddenly pain struck her back.And the smell of blood filled her nose.

Her vision spun,while she stumbled into the flowers.

A fresh cut burned along her arm.

“I’m a lawyer.Aren’t you scared that I’ll sue you again for this?”

“Sandra,this isn’t a place without a law.You”

A sharp slap cracked across her cheek.

Even so,Wendy still held Annie’s trembling hand.

“You’re only a pawn for someone’s revenge.What right do you have to reason with me?So what if you’re a lawyer?Don’t lawyers have to pay their way,too?”

Sandra snapped her fingers.Servants carried over trays filled with syringes.Hundreds of tranquilizers gleamed under the light,the silver needles as thick as arms.

“Psychopaths need drugs to keep calm.Wendy,tell me…what will happen to that little bitch if I inject all of these into her?”

No!

Wendy’s eyes turned red.She lunged forward,but the servants grabbed her arms and held her tight.

“Get away from her!Don’t touch her,Sandra!”

The more Wendy struggled,the more excited Sandra became.

“Wendy,save me!Don’t let them touch me!”

Broken glass syringes pierced Annie’s arms one by one.She screamed,resisted,then slowly grew quiet.Her eyes went dull,while she collapsed into the thorn bush like a lifeless doll.

“Annie!”Wendy’s voice tore the air as tears streamed down her face.

Her fingers pressed the hidden button on her collar.

On her way here,she had thought of many dangers.She had already prepared a hidden camera to record Sandra’s crimes.But she had never imagined Sandra would be so vicious.Sandra wanted both her and Annie destroyed!

Wendy had to fight back now!

She then snatched a syringe from the ground.Her eyes were burning with fury.She aimed at Sandra’s chest and stabbed hard.

“Wendy!Are you insane?”

Wendy saw Michael striding toward her.Gritting her teeth,she pushed the needle in deeper.Michael shoved her aside like a madman.His eyes flicked to her bloodstained clothes,tightening for just a second,then darkening again.

His voice came sharp with anger.

“Sandra is innocent.If you want to fight,come at me instead!”

Innocent?Wendy’s chest ached.Her eyes were filled with tears.

“She hurt my sister and injected her with tranquilizers!I was only paying her back for what she did.How is that wrong?”

“If you don’t believe me,I have evidence!”

Her hand trembled in the air,gripping the camera.

But then Michael’s cold voice cut through her hope.

“I only believe what I see.”

Her hand went limp.The camera dropped to the ground with a sharp clack.She stared at him,stunned.

From the corner of her eye,she caught Sandra smiling faintly.

“Michael,it’s my fault.I only wanted to make peace with Annie.But she pounced on me,trying to kill me and I got covered in wounds.Out of fear,I pushed her.Wendy saw it and misunderstood…”

Sandra wept and buried herself in Michael’s arms.He stiffened but didn’t push her away.Then,his eyes turned to Wendy,filled with disgust.

“You’re a lawyer.You should know the law.Annie is mentally unstable.Using a tranquilizer was necessary.”

“I’ll forgive her for today.But if she acts out again,don’t blame me for being harsh.”

Michael bent down and lifted Sandra into his arms.From start to finish,he never once asked about Annie’s injuries.As soon as they left,Annie’s face turned deathly pale.Her whole body shook violently.

No,she must have overdosed on tranquilizers!

Ignoring her own pain,Wendy carried Annie to the emergency room.But a nurse blocked her way.

“Sorry,the emergency room is busy treating Miss Johnson.You’ll have to go to another hospital.”

But Sandra was only bleeding a little,while Annie was close to seizure.

And there were no other hospitals nearby,

“Michael!Annie is dying!Please call a doctor”

Wendy’s hair hung loose while her legs grew weak as she pounded the window with her fists.She was begging for someone to save her sister.Her pale face reflected in the glass.

“Michael!Have you forgotten your promise to me?Are you going to kill me?”

Michael froze,his brows drawn together.After a pause,he finally strode toward her.But before he could reach them,the nurse’s horrified scream split the air.

“Oh no!The patient is in seizure!”

Wendy couldn’t help but clasp her trembling hands tightly in the ward.At first,she refused to believe it.But she still made prayers.

The doctor said Annie had suffered severe mental trauma.Combined with the heavy sedatives,she would likely have lasting damage.Wendy only prayed that her sister would not suffer anymore,that she could live the rest of her life in peace.

The ward door opened.Michael entered,holding the medical report,wanting to speak but hesitating.

“Wendy,I’m sorry.I didn’t think a little sedative would cause such a big accident and almost kill Annie.”

“I swear,I’ll try to fix it up for you.Just ignore Sandra,alright?”

“Wendy,don’t get mad at me.”

He pressed his head against her neck with his soft hair brushing her skin.

In the past,Wendy would have forgiven him.

But not this time.

“Do you still remember the promise you made to me?”she asked softly.

Michael froze,then fell into silence.

When he first chased Weny,he learned she had only Annie to rely on.He bought her double gifts,cheered her up when she was sad and showed thoughtfulness in every detail.

On their wedding day,Michael promised in front of everyone that he would take care of her and Annie,that no one would ever hurt them.

“Wendy,I’m not only your husband.I’ll be your anchor,protecting you from storms and supporting your family.”

But when the tide fell,he himself became the storm.

“I’ll find treatment for Annie,”Michael said at last.

He pulled out a paper and signed his name neatly.

“Whatever you ask,I’ll give you.”

“Money,power,career…Wendy,this is how I apologize to you.”

She curled her lips into a cold smile but said nothing.

Instead,she wrote one word,‘Divorce’.And then slipped it into her briefcase.

“There’s also a surprise that I prepared.It’ll be mailed to your office in six weeks.Remember to open it.”

Michael let out a quiet sigh of relief.

In the days after,he came to the ward every day,bringing boxes of supplements.Then,Michael claimed he was busy with work and left in a hurry.Once he was gone,Wendy calmly handed the gifts to the nurses’station.

Wendy didn’t want even a cent of his things.

When she walked down the corridor,Wendy glanced into the ward beside hers.She then stopped with her blood rushing to her head.

Sandra was seen untying Michael’s tie with her finger and pulling him down.His loose suit hid their movements,but he sat without hesitation.The ring on his finger slipped off,rolled across the carpet and left a mark.

Even if it turned to ash,Wendy would still recognize it.

It was their wedding ring.The one Michael had personally chosen.Three hundred craftsmen had worked for six months to create it.

Her hands shook as she dialed his number.

“Wendy…I’m with a client.I’ll call you back later.”

Before Wendy could respond,she heard noises over the line.It was the sound of struggle,Sandra’s moans leaking into her ear.

“Michael…you come to see me every day.Aren’t you afraid that Wendy will find out and get angry?”

The taste of blood rose in Wendy’s throat,but she forced it down.

She then pressed the record button.

Michael’s voice came low,mocking.

“You wanted it.You even asked me to drug her and do it in front of her.Now you’re embarrassed?Hmm?”

“I’ve been pretending for two whole years to get back at her.You’d better make it worth it.”

The sounds continued.Wendy then returned to her ward,while her hands were shaking uncontrollably.

Two years of love and trust now seemed like nothing but a cruel joke.Without delay,Wendy finished Annie’s discharge procedures and took her back to the estate.She changed the locks and stayed close by her side.

But soon Michael knocked again,carrying milk.

Wendy’s heart sank.

“You’ve worked hard.I brought this milk from New Zealand just for you.Be good,drink it.”

Michael’s eyes darkened slightly.His smiling lips made Wendy shiver.Then,she turned to look at Annie.

Suddenly,Wendy remembered.After Annie had once eaten a milk pudding,she had slept far too long.Her expression changed sharply.

“Did you give it to her,too?”

Michael hadn’t even spared her sister.Wendy stared at him for a long moment.Then,all at once,she laughed.She laughed at herself for believing him.

She laughed at the choices she never truly had.

“I’ll do as you wish.”

When Wendy woke again,her whole body throbbed with pain.It was sharp and unbearable.She felt as if she were being torn apart.

A sudden thought frightened her.She quickly checked her clothes.When she confirmed everything was still in place,she let out a small sigh of relief.

The faint smell of cake drifted into her nose.Step by step,she walked forward slowly with each movement felt heavy.

In the kitchen,Michael stood carefully decorating a cake with buttercream flowers.His eyes were fixed with intense focus.Meanwhile,Sandra hugged him from behind like a sweet newlywed wife,not caring if anyone saw their closeness.

When Wendy appeared,Sandra pretended to panic and pulled away.

“I’m sorry.Michael insisted on celebrating my birthday,saying it was to make up for all the suffering I’ve gone through.”

“Wendy,you don’t mind,do you?”

Wendy glanced at Michael,who looked nervous.She remained silent.Since the moment he had brought Sandra into their home,Wendy had already understood the truth.

He didn’t care whether she or her sister lived or died.

“By the way,Michael also said he’d buy me a gift.Wendy,will you come with me?”

“If you refuse,it means you still haven’t forgiven me.Then,I’ll just leave…”

She turned as if to walk away,but Michael stopped her.

Annoyance flickered in Wendy’s cold eyes.

“Wendy,don’t get upset.”

The car sped down the road.Wendy lowered her gaze to her bruised wrist,her chest aching.Just earlier,Michael had forced her into the car.

He had forgotten her injured wrist and ignored her cries of pain.

Michael could overlook everything just for Sandra.

The auction hall glowed brightly.Wendy sat in a quiet corner,watching in silence as Michael lit a sky lantern for Sandra.

As long as Sandra wanted something,he gave it without hesitation.

“Isn’t that Miss Russell?Their relationship looks perfect.He’s almost buying up the whole auction for her.”

“Shh,don’t stare.That’s the Johnson Family’s daughter,just out of prison…”

Before the words finished,Michael shot them a glare.

The once loud hall turned instantly silent.

“Everyone here is a respected figure.The court ruling back then was wrong.That socalled bullying was a misunderstanding.If anyone dares spread rumors again,don’t blame me for being merciless!”

With just a few words,he overturned Sandra’s past and defended her openly.

But who would ever defend Annie?

Wendy’s body shook,her breath quick and sharp.She stood,ready to speak.

However,in the next instant,gasps filled the hall.She froze as countless eyes turned toward her.Her ears buzzed,her mind went blank.

How could her video appear here?

On the large screen,her body lay on a bed.She was completely still with her eyes closed as though dead.Her clothes had been stripped away,exposing everything.

“Turn it off!Turn it off now!”

Wendy’s breath grew fast and uneven.She curled into a corner with her hands clutching her head.She was terrified.

“Wendy!”

Michael pushed through the crowd.He covered her head with his coat.His breath was brushing her cheek.

“I’m sorry.I don’t know how this video got out…”

His voice was deep,heavy like thunder.It was shattering her last thread of calm.This meant the video had been taken by him after she fainted from the milk.

The secretary rushed over,panting.

“Mr.Goldman,I found it.Someone hacked into your phone and stole the video on purpose.”

Snap!

Michael pressed a hand to his face,pretending shock.Wendy’s eyes turned bloodred,veins ready to burst.

“You drugged me.You filmed me.Do you want to ruin me completely?”

“No,I would never!”

Michael’s heart raced.He reached to hold her,desperate.But she shoved him away.

The grief in her gaze cut deeper than any blade.

“I hate you forever!”

Without another word,Wendy ran.She didn’t look back.Meanwhile,her phone lit up.

A message from City Hall appeared.

[The divorce certificate has been processed.You may collect it anytime.]

Her eyes darkened.She immediately contacted the man who had faked her death,asking him to erase her tracks again.She took Annie straight to the nearest helipad.

“Miss Russell,I’m Mr.Harrow’s aide.Once you get on the plane,your car will explode.Nothing will remain.”

Her face sank with her voice becoming low as she said,“Good.”

Flames rose into the sky as the plane lifted off in the distance.The anger and betrayal in her heart turned into burning hatred.From this moment,her family was only her younger sister.

Wendy would never meet Michael ever again!