Eight Years of Fake Marriage, I Finally Let Go novel

My younger brother's cancer flared up again, and he needed emergency treatment. But every available medical resource had already been diverted elsewhere.
For the ninety-ninth time, I finally managed to get through to my husband, Terrence Hanson.
Terrence, my brother, he
Denise, be good. I'm busy right now. I'll come back and find you later.
Before I could finish, he hung up.
Unwilling to give up, I dialed again.
This time, the phone screen showed I'd been blocked.
A second later, the heart monitor behind me let out its mournful flatline. At the same time, my husband's new lover updated her feedcelebrating that her cat had just given birth.
So this was his so-called urgent businesshelping his mistress deliver kittens.
In my despair, I finally messaged the one man I had never saved under a name.
You once said you owed me, and that if I ever asked, you'd do anything for me.
I need you to help me create a new identityand find me a place to stay.
His reply came almost instantly, One month from now, I'll be waiting at Charles de Gaulle Airport.
...
I clicked on Siennas latest post again.
It was a photo of a newborn kitten.
The caption read: [Thanks to someones support, a new life has come into the world~]
But in the mirror behind the photo, I caught sight of a familiar figure.
Terrence.
The gentle gaze that once belonged only to me was now resting in Sienna.
On her side, a new life had begun.
But my brother... would never have another chance.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of the framed photo on my nightstand.
In it, my brother was lively, radiant with youth. And I, was smiling sweetly.
And the young Terrencehis gaze fixed on mewas full of tenderness and indulgence.
The year that photo was taken, Terrence had not yet been found by the Hanson family.
Back then, he was nothing but a feral wolf cub from the slums, surviving by his fists.
Seven years ago, I stumbled upon him in a dark alley, his head bleeding from a fight.
I hadn't planned to interfere, but his eyes shone even in the darkness.
On impulse, I took the battered young man back to my tiny thirty-square-meter apartment.
Everything that followed seemed to play fast-forward.
Terrence rose from the street thug to the feared and admired Mr. Hanson.
I moved from a crumbling urban village to a grand villa.
My brother no longer had to suffocate in a cramped flat, dragging his sick body through exhaust fumes.
I used to circle the master bedroom again and again, asking him over and over, From now on, this will always be our home, right?
Terrence never lost patience. He would just pull me into his arms and answer, Mm. Our home.
But now, my brother was gone. And that home... had long ceased to exist.
I collapsed onto the floor, clutching my brother's still-warm hand, sobbing until my chest felt like it was tearing apart.
I couldn't even remember how many documents I signed that night.
All I knew was that my once-lively brother, wasted to under a hundred pounds by illness, had been reduced to a small urn of ashes.
Taking a deep breath, I opened my chat with Terrence.
The last messages between us were from half a month ago. That day, I had asked when he would be back.
He replied with a sixty-second voice message, only to say, in the end, that something urgent at the company kept him away.
That day was our first wedding anniversary, and he had forgotten.
But in Siennas story feed, he appearedsmiling at her side, accompanying her to the Maldives to watch the sea.


This kind of double standard had long become routine ever since Sienna reappeared in my life.
Terrence bought her luxury bags and watches, yet he forgot my birthday.
Because she was harassed, he broke his own principles for the first time, even canceling a cooperation that had taken months to secure.
He even went so far as to declare war against a multinational companyjust to defend her honor.
Meanwhile, I stumbled through my brothers funeral like a walking corpse.
After scattering his ashes into the sea, just as he wished, I finally received Terrences so-called reply.
Seven full days had passed since the last time he hung up on me.
Denise, don't worry. An overseas cancer specialist is already on the way. As for the medical resources that were diverted, I still have an urgent need for them right now. Just wait a little longer.
Listening to his solemn yet perfunctory tone, I laughed through my tears.
Wasting an enormous amount of medical resources to save a damn animalthat's what you call urgent business?
The line went silent except for the sound of his heavy breathing.
Denise, don't say things like that. Denver is my brother toohow could I not be worried about him?
Yes. In the past, when we were dirt-poor, Terrence would secretly fight in underground rings just to afford a single vial of medicine for my brother.
But when Denver truly needed him most, all he could say was to wait a little longer.
Just as he finished speaking, a bright female voice chimed in, Terrence, the kittens opened their eyes! Come look!
Footsteps echoed as he moved, probably searching for a quieter spot.
But I had already heard everythingboth what I should and shouldn't have.
You don't need to explain. I cut him off, unwilling to endure another word of his hypocritical excuses, and ended the call.
Back in my bedroom, I retrieved the locked divorce agreement.
When we married, in a show of devotion, Terrence had signed it and placed it in my hands.
You will always have the right to leave me.
At the time, I laughed at his paranoia, believing it was a document that would never be used. But now, that very agreement became the courage I needed to walk away.
I signed my name with steady strokes.
Through special channels, the divorce certificate would be finalized within twenty days.
After submitting the papers, I found a spare moment to return to my old rental apartment.
Many of my brother's belongings were still there.
The dead deserve to leave behind something tangible for the living to remember them by.
What I hadn't expected was to see Terrence's exclusive Maybach parked outside.
I froze, about to step forwarduntil I noticed the car rocking.
Nausea surged up from my stomach.
When the door finally opened, I instinctively ducked into the alleyway like a guilty child.
Inside, I saw Sienna. Her clothes were disheveled, and she was whining about wanting to get out.
Terrence's cold voice barked at her to wait. Only after fastening the buttons across her exposed chest did he allow her to step down.
And to keep her shoes from touching the dirty water, he even took off his suit jacket and laid it on the ground for her.
Clinging to his arm, she pouted playfully. Why did you bring me here of all places?
He rubbed her head with indulgence. Didn't you say you wanted to start your own business?
This is an urban village. Once it's redeveloped, the profit is guaranteed.
Excited, Sienna tiptoed to press a kiss to his lips.
But this so-called urban village was more than crumbling buildings to me. It held seven years of memoriesmy entire life with him. And yet, to please her, Terrence never even mentioned the redevelopment to me.
If I hadn't come today, I might never have been able to keep even my brother's belongings.
A sharp pain tore through my chest, as though the wind had ripped a gaping hole in my heart.
I turned to leave, desperate to escapebut my foot crushed a plastic bottle with a sharp crack.
The sound sliced through the alley, interrupting their embrace.


Terrence's cold gaze swept toward the source of the noise. When he saw me, his hand instantly dropped from Sienna's waist.
Almost guiltily, he rubbed the bridge of his nose and walked toward me.
Why did you suddenly come back here?This place is full of shady peoplewhy didn't you bring anyone with you?
The concern in his words sounded no different from before. But after watching him hold Sienna so intimately, every gesture of his only filled me with disgust.
The hand that once always reached for me now hovered in the air.
I just felt like coming back. What about you?
My indifferent question cut off whatever reprimand he had been about to unleash.
He opened his mouth, but before he could answer, Sienna chimed in sweetly, I just got back to the country. I asked Terrence to show me around. Surely you're not jealous over something so small, right?
Seven years had passed. I was now the wife of a powerful CEO. Yet Sienna's gaze toward me was still the samecontempt wrapped in disdain.
Bolstered by her family background, she even stole what belonged to others with self-righteous ease.
Denise, why aren't you saying anything?
Pouting, she tugged at Terrence's sleeve. Help me explain to her. I was young and foolish before, and I already apologized. Tell Denise not to be angry with me anymore...
Her sickeningly coy words made my hands tremble. I finally cut her off. Have you said enough?
Delighted that she had gotten a reaction, Sienna burst into tears, throwing herself against Terrence's chest.
I told you, I was just a silly girl back then. Besides, most of it wasn't even meit was my friends! Why do you still hate me so much?
Heart aching, Terrence brushed away her tears.
Denise, that's enough. Don't go too far!
The urge to argue burned in me, but his sharp rebuke smothered it to embers.
Even though I had already decided to leave, why did my chest still ache so violently?
Whywhen he knew exactly how much I hated herwould he ask me to forgive, to erase the past as if it never happened?
Back in our senior year of high school, because Sienna's crush once spoke a few extra words to me, I became her target.
Every morning, my desk was filled with vile things: dead rats, bloody sanitary pads, even used condoms.
My homework mysteriously vanished after I handed it in.
Rumors spread that I was selling myself outside of school. Boys from other classes came to me, asking crudely how much I charged per night.
After school, her lackeys would drag me into the girls' bathroom by my hair.
They snapped humiliating photos, singed off my eyebrows with a lighter, pressed cigarette butts into my skin as if I were an ashtray.
The sound of sizzling flesh mixed with their laughter, scars were carved into my backscars that would never fade.
When Terrence first saw them, the man who hadnt shed a tear even when his own legs were broken trembled as he kissed each mark.
Hot tears fell onto my back, searing straight into my heart.
He whispered, Denise... just give me a little more time. I'll hunt down everyone who ever hurt you and make them pay.
And he did as he promised.
The powerful, untouchable Terrence avenged me, except for one person.
The one who escaped was Sienna, conveniently studying abroad.
And it was on this last step that Terrence lost his waybecause he fell in love with the very woman who once tormented me.
My silence stretched too long, and he mistook it for dissatisfaction.
His eyes lingered on me for a few seconds. The words of reproach circling his lips softened into a curt, Get in the car.
Sienna wiped her fake tears and smiled sweetly, playing innocent. I knew Denise was kind. She would definitely forgive me.
She reached toward me, her hands lacquered in the same blood-red polish I remembered all too well.
Instinctively, I stepped back.
But then, like the venomous creature she was, her fingers dug sharply into the soft flesh of my waist.
I gasped, raising my hand to shove her off.
She took the chance to stumble backward deliberately.
And in Terrence's eyes, the scene became something else entirelynot her cruelty, but my petty act of revenge.


Terrence immediately pulled Sienna into his arms, his voice dripping with concern.
Are you hurt anywhere?
His gaze swept anxiously over her body before he carefully brushed away a smudge of dirt from her calf.
Sienna bit her lip, insisting she was fine, yet her timid eyes kept darting toward me.
After confirming several times that she was unharmed, Terrence finally turned to me, his brows furrowed.
Denise, you've gone too far! Sienna already apologized. Why won't you let go of the past? Besides, those things back then were done by othersSienna was at most just a bystander!
Hearing his biased words, my fists clenched tight. My nails dug so deep into my palms that only the pain kept me from breaking down.
A bystander? I scoffed.
Of course Sienna never dirtied her own hands.
As the queen bee, she only needed a single glance, and countless classmates would rush to do her bidding.
Terrence knew the truthevery last detail of it. Yet with just a few words from her lips, he dismissed my years of suffering as if they were nothing.
Come on, don't fight. It's all in the past.
Standing behind him, Sienna played the part of the peacemaker, her lips speaking persuasion but her face was clouded with mockery.
I swallowed my fury and knelt to gather the scattered belongings on the ground.
She pretended to help, then deliberately stepped on the model plane.
Crack.
The fragile toy shattered into pieces.
Staring at the broken remains, I couldn't hold back anymore.
My hand shot up, ready to slap herbut Terrence was faster. His foot slammed into my shin, sending me crashing into the pile of precious keepsakes I had just gathered.
Sharp plastic pierced my back, pain flaring hot and raw.
Enough! Why do you keep targeting Sienna? What's the point?
He didn't notice the blood seeping through my clothes. Didn't notice my lips turn pale, or my trembling frame.
That was my brother's things! My voice cracked. And she destroyed them like that!
For a moment, Terrence froze. But quickly, his expression hardened again. It's just a model. I'll buy him a better, more expensive one.
I looked up at the man I had known for seven yearsand felt as if I were staring at a stranger.
He had forgotten.
Forgotten that he was the one who gave my brother that model for his birthday. Forgotten that Denver's dream was to become a dashing airline pilot.
But my brother was gone.
A new model plane could never reach his hands again.
The will to argue drained from me. Silent, I turned to leave. But by then, Terrence was already behind the wheel.
Seeing me walk away, he quickly pulled the car in front of me to block my path.
I told you, stop being stubborn. Look at youso pale. You must've skipped breakfast again, didn't you? Come on, let's grab lunch together.
I pressed my lips shut. With the divorce certificate already being processed, I didn't bother fighting him.
Numbly, I slid into the backseat.
The passenger seat had long since become Sienna's throne.
Even the car's perfume had changedsweet, cloying, nauseating.
Inside, only their voices filled the air, her silvery laughter like needles piercing my ears.
In truth, ever since Sienna returned to the country, I hadn't had a single night of peace.
To take my place, she came at me relentlessly. She bribed servants to slip allergens into my food. Sent packages of dead rats, drenched in blood, to our home to terrify me to divorce Terrence immediately.
She even went as far as drugging me unconscious, staged compromising photos, and spread them across social media. Even kidnapped my brother, forcing me to sign a divorce agreement.
Each time, Terrence swore he would make her pay. Each time, he promised me it would never happen again.
And yet, in the end, he climbed into bed with the woman I hated most.
Leaning back, I closed my eyes. The pain in my back made it impossible to focus.
Suddenly, a piercing screech of brakes tore through the air.
My eyes flew opena massive truck was barreling straight at us from the side.


Terrence jerked the steering wheel, but the collision was unavoidable.
The violent impact sent the entire car into a brutal shake, airbags bursting open in an instant.
My head slammed against the seat, dizziness flooding my senses.
Instinctively, I wanted to check if Terrence was safe. But he didn't spare me a single glance.
Every shred of his attention was on Sienna. He even used his body as a shield, holding her tightly in his arms.
Sienna, are you still with me? His voice trembled with panic I had never heard before, blood dripping down his forehead that he didn't bother to wipe away.
In his arms, Sienna whimpered, shivering like a wounded bird. Terrence, my hand hurts... my head too...
They were performing their tragic love story in the front seat.
And Ithe one hurt the mostsat forgotten in the back.
Without the protection of an airbag, the force of the crash threw me hard against the door, then slammed me back again.
My head smashed into the window, glass shattering into glittering shards. The wound on my back tore wider, warm blood soaking rapidly through my clothes.
Only then did Terrence glance toward the rear seats.
Hesitation flickered in his eyes... but in the next heartbeat, he turned back to Sienna.
Sirens wailed in the distance, drawing closer. Onlookers rushed forward, prying at the mangled doors, shouting for help.
Save Sienna first! Terrence's urgent cry cut through the chaos, as if he had completely forgotten that I was still trapped, bleeding, barely conscious.
My vision blurred, crimson flooding every corner. I struggled to scream for help, to make him remember me.
Just onceI wanted the man I had saved years ago to save me in return. But Terrence carried Sienna carefully out of the car, murmuring soft reassurances.
He didn't look back. Not once. Not even for a single heartbeat of hesitation.
The numbness of blood loss crept through my limbs.
As darkness closed in, one last bitter thought surfaced: He once promised, when proposing, that he would never let me get hurt. Yet he couldn't keep that vow for even a single year.
...
When I opened my eyes again, I was in a hospital bed.
You're awake! The nurse's voice quivered with excitement. If you haven't woken up soon, Mr. Hanson was ready to buy out the entire hospital just for you!
Her eyes softened with envy. You're so lucky to have a husband who loves you this much. He even had people redecorate your ward so you'd feel more comfortable. And every day, he brings fresh flowersnever the same kind twice.
I turned my head.
On the bedside table, the vase was brimmed with blooming crabapple blossomsthe one flower I hated most.
Really? My lips curved in a cold smile. He loves me that much?
Oblivious, the nurse pulled out her phone and eagerly showed me a video that had gone viral online.
Of course! Lookthis proves how much he cares! He risked his life to pull you out of the wreckage.
The shaky footage, taken by a bystander at the crash scene, showed Terrence cradling someone from the passenger seat, carrying her out with painstaking care.
Her face was hidden, but her delicate frame was unmistakable.
The comments overflowed with admirationpraising him as a true man, a devoted husband, a lover who cherished his wife above all else.
Yet the woman he rescued so tenderly... wasn't me.
While the internet envied the love I supposedly had, I had been left bleeding and dying inside that car.
A bitter laugh escaped my throat. Yes... he really does love me.
The nurse's smile faltered. She quickly excused herself and slipped out of the room.
Moments later, Terrence entered, carrying yet another fresh bouquet.


The moment he placed the flowers into a vase, I shoved them violently to the floor. Get out! I said get out!
Shards of glass scattered across the tiles.
Terrence didn't get angry. Instead, he crouched down and began picking up the fragments. A sharp hiss escaped his lips when one of the shards sliced his finger.
Instinctively, he looked at me. But I didn't spare him even a glance. My face was turned firmly toward the window.
A heavy silence pressed against him.
Finally, he stood, moved to sit by the window, and forced my face into his hands.
I know you're angry with me, he said lowly. But at that moment, I could only save one person.
Sienna was closer. So I pulled her out first.
Besideslook at you. You're fine, aren't you?
As if to sweeten his excuses, he pulled a piece of chocolate from his pocket as though it were some magic trick. Eat something sweet. It'll make you feel better.
He unwrapped it and tried to feed it to me.
With disgust burning in my veins, I slapped his hand away. Are you deaf? I told you to get out!
The chocolate rolled across the floor, spinning several times before coming to a stop.
Being cursed at again and again stripped away the little guilt he had left. His expression hardened as he sprang to his feet.
Keep this up, and I'll cut off your brother's treatment!
I raised my trembling hand and pointed toward the door. Get. Out.
This time, he slammed the door behind him.
I buried myself in the blankets, sobbing until my throat was raw, until my lungs burned.
During my hospital stay, Terrence came almost every day.
And every single time, I threw him out.
The fights grew sharper, uglier, louder.
He was the one who broke every principle, yet to outsiders, it looked as though I was spoiled and unreasonably difficultas though I was the wife who never knew when to stop.
I pressed my palms over my ears, whispering silently to myself, 'Fifteen more days. Just fifteen, and I'll finally have that divorce certificate.'
But I never imagined that on the day of my discharge... Sienna would dare show up.
She looked as radiant as ever, wearing flawless makeup, and elegant clothes. But the venom in her smile hadn't changed a bit.
Her eyes swept me up and down, then she clicked her tongue in disdain. A pheasant will always be a pheasant, even if it flies onto a branch and pretends to be a phoenix.
Denise, why is your life so disgustingly lucky? First, you played the part of the fragile little flower and seduced Riguel. Then you latched onto Terrence when he was still just a promising nobody.
Her sweet face twisted with malice. But none of that matters. I crushed you once, and I can crush you a thousand times more.
Sienna sneered as she waved the video she had cherished for years right in front of me.
Back then, didnt you look just like a gutter rat dragged into the light?
On the screen, my face was pale green with shame, my body stripped bare.
Countless phones pointed at me, flashing, as waves of laughter crashed over me.
Some even reached out, mocking me with their hands.
I had thought Id already left the past behind. But when the nightmare replayed itself, I shook uncontrollably. The old wound beneath its scab began to burn and itch.
My gaze flickered to the fruit knife resting on the table.
What's wrong? Sienna's voice dripped with mockery. Uncomfortable?
I heard you developed depression after being expelled and even had suicidal tendencies?
Her laugh rang like a death knell. You're crazy, and your brother is a dead cripple. No wonder you're siblings.
She leaned closer, shoving the phone against my face, forcing me to watch.
Do you know? I have so many of these videos. When I was abroad, I watched one every night before bed.
Her smile curved sharper, her words slow and deliberate, savoring my pain. Oh, and one more thing. Something you probably don't know...
She paused, enjoying my trembling silence. The day your brother died... I was in bed with Terrence.


My fingers tightened secretly around the fruit knife.
Hidden under the blanket, my hand was already riddled with shallow cutspain keeping me barely tethered to reason.
You came all the way here just to tell me this. What do you want, Sienna? I choked out.
I'll divorce Terrence. You don't need to push me like this.
Her eyes widened, stunned for a split second before fury flushed her face.
Divorce? Do you think I need you to step aside? You're nothing but a filthy parasite!
With sudden force, she shoved me off the bed.
I hadn't expected her to strike so openly. My body slammed hard against the cold floor.
Freshly healed wounds tore open, sending a sharp burst of pain through me. My vision swam in black.
The knife slipped from my hand and clattered loudly against the tiles.
I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to get up. But Sienna's heel pinned my wrist down without hesitation. The sharp stiletto dug cruelly into my flesh.
Did you really think a lowlife like you could compete with me? she sneered.
Just then, footsteps echoed in the hallway.
In an instant, Sienna smeared my blood across her face, collapsing into pitiful sobs.
When Terrence pushed open the door, all he saw was me on the floor in a pool of blood... and Sienna weeping delicately behind him.
Terrence, she cried, clinging to his sleeve, I only wanted to congratulate Sienna on being discharged. She grabbed my hand andshe... she tried to throw herself on the knife!
He froze, instinctively reaching to help me upbut her trembling whimpers halted him mid-step.
He pressed his fingers against his temple, voice taut with irritation. Denise, can't you, just once, stop making things difficult for me?
For days I haven't had a single good night's sleep because of you.
I stared at the dark shadows beneath his eyes, bitter laughter rising in my throat.
Not sleeping well... is that because of me? Or because you've been in Sienna's bed?
He faltered, then crouched down to wipe the blood from my face. His voice softened to something almost coaxing.
Denise... sometimes, it's better to pretend you don't understand. It's easier for both of us.
I love youbut that doesn't mean I can't like another woman.
When I've had enough of her, I'll avenge you. I promise.
The last sentence was whispered, almost too soft to hear.
I scrambled back, but his lips still brushed the corner of mine.
Not a flicker of emotion stirred in meonly revulsion.
So vile that in that moment, I regretted ever meeting him.
...
When they finally left, my phone rang.
Miss Watkins, a staff member's voice came over the line, we've checked the system. Both you and Mr. Hanson is registered as unmarried.
I froze. What... what did you just say?
The marriage certificate you submittedit's fake. There's no record of your marriage anywhere in the national registry.
My mind went blank. Even the pain in my body seemed muted.
Miss Watkins? Are you still there?
I... My throat was dry, words scraping out like sand. You're saying... the certificate was fake?
Yes. The confirmation was merciless.
The number doesn't exist, and the details don't match. Legally speaking, you and Mr. Hanson was never married. Which means your divorce agreement cannot take effect.
I understand. Thank you. I ended the call mechanically. The phone slipped from my hand.
Fake...
The word pierced straight through my chest.
Terrence had given me a counterfeit marriage certificate. He had crowned me with the empty title of Mrs. Hanson, letting me devote myself to him, wait for him, and endure humiliation after humiliation.
He had never once intended to give me a rightful place in his life.
Disgust welled up inside mestronger, more suffocating than the revulsion I'd felt when he kissed me.
My stomach twisted. I gagged violently, but nothing came out.
Only tears streamed uncontrollably down my face. And yet, there was one silver lining to this devastationAt least now, I saw him clearly for what he truly was: rotten to the core.
And it made walking away that much easier.
After bandaging my wounds at the hospital, I went straight to the nurses' station and demanded the surveillance footage from earlier.
Sienna still thought I was the same Denise she once tormented.
When she returned from abroad, I hadn't fought backbecause I trusted Terrence.
Because I believed his promises.
But now I know better.
What's owed to me, I'll reclaim with my own hands.
Armed with the footage and every record of Sienna's harassment, I compiled everything into a single folder.
I scheduled the files for a timed release.
...
Back at the villa, I packed.
The luxury items Terrence bought meI left them untouched.
When I moved in, I only brought one small suitcase.
Now that I was leaving, I filled barely half of it.
Without looking back, I headed straight for the airport.

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