Breaking Free from the Love Trap
But it all collapsed completely when I was seventeen.
The family business failed. To save themselves, my parents decided to send me to the Watson Family as a slave.
I begged through my tears, saying I didn't want to go, but they just coldly pushed me away.
Just like that, a black car took me to the Watson Family villa.
As soon as I got there, Mrs. Watson gave me a brutal warning—making me kneel and clean the entire living room floor.
The floor was huge; I scrubbed from dawn till dusk, my knees rubbed raw, aching deep down.
At night, they gave me leftovers—worse than what the dog at home ate.
The days that followed felt like pure hell.
Every day, before dawn, I had to get up to clean the yard, wash clothes, cook, and take care of the Watson family's daily needs.
If I didn't do something right, I would be scolded and beaten.
Mr. Watson treated me like a punching bag, bullying me for no reason.
Once, he poured boiling tea on my hand. The pain made me cry, but he just laughed out loud nearby.
I thought about running away countless times, but with the Watson family's tight security, I never had a chance.
So, I endured three years of brutal torment in the Watson family.
Over these three years, I wasted away to nothing but skin and bones, my eyes growing numb and hollow.
I thought my life was over—that this was the end.
Until that day, when a familiar figure appeared at the gate of the Watson Family villa.
It was Richard Deer, my ex-boyfriend.
The moment he saw me, his eyes instantly filled with tears.
He rushed in, knocked Mr. Watson—the one beating me—to the ground, grabbed my hand, and ran.
My mind was completely blank; I followed him like a robot.
Only after we were in his car did it finally hit me—I was saved.
I lay in his arms, crying uncontrollably, letting out all the hurt and pain I'd bottled up over the last three years.
Richard Deer gently patted my back and said softly, "Julia, I'm sorry I came too late. From now on, I won't let you suffer even an ounce of pain."
He also promised to help me forget the pain of the past and help me reclaim control of the Sinclair Family, making those who hurt me pay dearly.
In that moment, I felt hope blossom inside me again.
With Richard Deer's help, I slowly began to heal.
He hired the best doctors for me, helped me restore my health, and taught me business skills, giving me the strength to take back the Sinclair Family.
Over the years, we worked hard together, slowly dismantling the forces that once betrayed the Sinclair Family.
Finally, at twenty-three, I successfully regained control of the Sinclair Family.
That day, I stood on the top floor of the Sinclair Family Company, watching the bustling streets below, my heart heavy with emotion.
Richard Deer stood beside me, smiling as he said, "Julia, you did it."
I turned to look at him, my heart overflowing with gratitude and love.
I felt it was time to make him a promise.
So, on a romantic evening, I prepared a candlelight dinner and proposed to Richard Deer.
I nervously said, "Richard, thank you for all the help and care you've given me these past years. I like you. Let's get married."
But unexpectedly, Richard's face instantly went pale.
He was silent for a long time, then said apologetically, "Julia, I'm sorry. I can't say yes."
Hearing his words hit me like a lightning bolt; I stood there, stunned.
I couldn't understand. He had clearly promised he'd be by my side forever—so why was he refusing me now?
Tears flowed uncontrollably as I turned and ran back to my room, locking myself inside.
I don't understand—why is this happening?
Could all those beautiful moments from the past have just been my imagination?
I cried in my room for what felt like forever, until I was too drained to keep going, then I fell into a hazy sleep.
I don't know how I'm supposed to face the road ahead.
And I wonder if Richard and I can ever go back to how things used to be.
The next morning, I woke up with eyes swollen like walnuts.
I stepped out of my room and saw Richard sitting in the living room, his eyes heavy with exhaustion and guilt.
He looked at me, wanted to say something, but swallowed the words back.
I ignored him and walked straight to the dining room, picked up a slice of bread, and silently started eating.
The atmosphere was awkward; neither of us said a word.
After breakfast, I said to Richard Deer, "I want to be alone for a while. You should go back first."
Richard hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, Julia, take care of yourself. Call me anytime if you need anything."
After he left, the house felt emptier.
I sat on the sofa, staring out the window, my heart lost and confused.
I don't know how I'm supposed to face all of this.
I don't know what the future holds for Richard Deer and me.
But I know I can't stay lost in sorrow forever.
The Sinclair Family still needs me; I can't afford to fall.
So, I wiped away my tears, pulled myself together, and threw myself back into work.
I told myself that no matter what happens, I have to be strong.
Because I'm no longer the slave anyone could bully—I'm the one in charge of the Sinclair Family. I have to be responsible for them and for myself.
Day after day passed, and I poured all my energy into my work.
Richard Deer calls me from time to time to check on me, but I always respond coldly.
I know—I still can't forgive him for rejecting me.
I don't know when things between us will ever ease up.
I just hope time will heal all wounds and let me slowly step out of this shadow.
Time flew by—five years have passed.
In these five years, I've kept the Sinclair Family running smoothly; the company has grown quite a bit, gaining a fair reputation in the industry.
I'm no longer that fragile, helpless girl from years ago—I've become more capable and steady.
Richard Deer was always by my side; we worked on projects together and faced crises as a team. Everyone thought we were a perfect match made in heaven.
But the rejection of my marriage proposal back then was like a thorn stuck deep in my heart, never to be pulled out.
On my birthday, the people at the company suggested throwing a grand birthday party. I thought everyone had worked hard over the years, so I agreed.
The birthday party was held at the most luxurious hotel in town, with many business elites and company employees attending.
Wearing an elegant evening gown, I stood at the banquet hall entrance, smiling as I welcomed the guests.
Richard Deer stood right beside me, occasionally straightening my dress, his eyes full of warmth.
At that moment, I almost believed that the barrier between us had finally been broken.
Halfway through the party, a sudden commotion erupted.
I turned toward the noise and saw a disheveled woman in strange clothes being stopped at the door by several security guards.
She kept shouting, "I want to see Julia Sinclair! I have something to show her!"
I frowned, the woman looked familiar, but I couldn't place where I had seen her before.
Just then, the woman suddenly broke free from the security guard's grip and rushed in.
It wasn't until she stood in front of me that I recognized her — it was Tina Watson.
Back when I was enslaved by the Watson Family, she always acted high and mighty, bossing me around.
Later, I heard that after her family went bankrupt, she suffered a mental breakdown and was sent to a psychiatric hospital.
I never expected she'd show up here.
Tina stared at me, her eyes burning with resentment. She pulled a USB drive from her pocket and shouted, "Julia Sinclair, don't think you're living the good life now!"
"Look at this, see who Richard Deer really loves!"
Everyone around was whispering, their eyes all locked on Richard Deer and me.
A knot tightened in my stomach—I had a bad feeling.
Richard's expression shifted; he stepped forward, trying to grab the USB drive from Tina Watson's hand. "Tina, stop spouting nonsense here and leave at once!"
But Tina held the USB drive tight, took a few steps back, and shouted at the waiter nearby, "Turn on the projector! I want everyone to see this!"
The waiter stood frozen, unsure of what to do.
Just then, Richard Deer suddenly rushed forward, trying to stop Tina Watson, but it was already too late.
Tina had already plugged the USB drive into the computer connected to the projector.
Soon, a video appeared on the big screen.
In the video, Richard and Tina were cuddled up together, looking very intimate.
Tina said coquettishly, "Richard, when are you going to come clean with Julia? I don't want to keep sneaking around like this anymore."
Richard ran his fingers through her hair and said gently, "Just wait a little longer. Once I get control of the Sinclair family's overseas branch, I'll break up with her. Then we can be together openly."
Reading this, it hit me like a thunderbolt—I felt cold all over.
I couldn't believe my own eyes. The person who promised to protect me, to always be by my side, had been deceiving me all along.
The whispers around me grew louder, and those eyes stabbed into me like needles.
I turned to Richard Deer, hoping he would give me an explanation.
But Richard avoided my gaze and said to Tina Watson, "Tina, stop this. Let's get out of here first."
There wasn't a hint of apology in his voice; instead, it was filled with firm defense of Tina.
At that moment, my heart turned completely cold.
So, all these years of being there and helping were just part of his scheme.
I fought back my tears and said to Richard Deer, "Richard, what is really going on? You owe me an explanation."
Richard frowned, looking a bit impatient, but he said, "Julia, it's not what you think. Don't listen to Tina Watson's nonsense. I'll explain everything to you later."
After saying that, he tried to grab Tina Watson and walk away.
But Tina shrugged off his hand and said smugly to me, "Julia Sinclair, see? He loves me! You're just a tool he used!"
I stared at Richard Deer, waiting for him to deny Tina Watson's words, but he just stayed silent, showing no sign of defense.
Whispers rippled around me; my face burned with shame, and I felt like a clown, toyed with and laughed at by everyone.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm, and said to Richard, "I'm giving you three days. After that, I want a full explanation."
"If you can't make it clear, then it's truly over between us."
After saying that, I stopped looking at him and Tina, and turned to leave the banquet hall.
The whispers behind me and Tina Watson's laughter echoed around my ears like a curse.
I got into the car and couldn't hold it in anymore; tears burst out uncontrollably.
I don't understand why the people I genuinely cared for would hurt me like this.
Haven't I endured enough pain already?
Back home, I locked myself in my room, refusing to eat or drink, and ignoring every call.
Images from the video kept replaying in my mind—Richard Deer's tenderness and Tina Watson's triumphant smile—like knives stabbing into my heart.
I even started to wonder if the day he rescued me had been a carefully planned trap.
That's how I wandered through the day, numb and lost.
The next day, I forced myself to go to work at the company.
The way the employees looked at me felt different—I knew the incident at yesterday's birthday party had already spread throughout the company.
I pretended not to notice those strange looks and focused on my work like usual.
But my heart was no longer as steady as it used to be.
I kept waiting for Richard Deer's explanation, but it was as if he had vanished—no calls, no sign of him at the company.
The hope in my heart slowly crumbled.
But I kept telling myself to wait a little longer—maybe he had some unspeakable reason.
After all, we had been together for so many years; I refused to believe he felt nothing for me.
Three days passed by quickly.
Richard Deer still didn't show up, nor did he give me any explanation.
Just when I thought it was truly over between us, Richard Deer suddenly appeared at my office door.
I looked at him, my eyes filled with exhaustion and disappointment, and said, "You're here. So, where's your explanation?"
Richard walked in and sat across from me. After a long silence, he said, "Julia, I'm sorry. The words in that video—I said them in a moment of confusion."
"It's not what you think between Tina and me."
His explanation was weak and unconvincing, unable to make me believe him at all.
I sneered, "A moment of confusion? Richard, do you take me for a fool?"
Richard looked at me, his eyes full of guilt. "Julia, I know I was wrong. Give me one more chance. I'll cut ties with Tina. Can we go back to how we used to be?"
I shook my head. "Richard, it's too late. Once trust is broken, there's no going back."
Just then, the office door suddenly opened. Tina walked in, linking arms with Richard, and looked at me defiantly. "Julia, don't be ungrateful! Richard has already chosen me. Stop clinging to him!"
Richard Deer didn't pull away from Tina Watson's hand; instead, he quietly accepted her gesture.
I looked at them, and the last spark of hope in my heart was completely crushed.
I stood up and said to Richard, "Richard Deer, from today on, we're done. You and Tina, watch out for yourselves."
After saying that, I didn't look back and walked straight out of the office.
I knew I had to get out of this relationship as soon as possible; I couldn't let them ruin my life and work any longer.
The Sinclair Family still needs me; I can't afford to fall.
In the days that followed, I threw all my energy into work, trying to numb myself with it.
But whenever the night falls silent, the pain inside me still crashes over.
I honestly don't know how much longer I can keep living like this.
But I know I have to stay strong, for myself and for the Sinclair Family.
I believe that one day, I'll step out of this shadow and find the happiness that's truly mine.
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