After five years in prison, the first thing Valerie Hartman did was book her own sky burial.

“Ms. Hartman, this is your scheduled sky burial service. After your death, your body will be sent to Azure Summit for the ceremony. We require a deposit now, and the remaining balance must be paid within two weeks.”

Valerie nodded. She reached into the pocket of her faded jeans, pulled out a plastic bag, and carefully counted the crumpled bills and coins she had saved up in prison. It took a few tries, but she finally scraped together the full deposit.

She had been diagnosed with late-stage cancer in prison, and the doctor said she had about a month left to live.

Years ago, she and Fabian Porter had made a promise to hold their wedding in Eleyburn, where the gods of Azure Summit would bear witness to their love.

That wedding would never happen now. But at least she could rest there forever. That was counted as a small comfort.

The burial wasn’t cheap. After leaving the agency, Valerie went to Nightfall Club to apply for a job as a waitress to earn the rest of the money fast.

As she had a criminal record, no decent place would hire her. But Nightfall was one of the most famous luxury clubs in Nobert City, and the waitresses made good money.

After a quick rundown of the rules, they handed her a uniform and put her to work that same night.

Following a brief training session, Valerie carried a tray of liquor into one of the VIP private rooms.

The lighting inside was dim. A crowd of socialites and rich heirs was playing drinking games.

Keeping her head down, Valerie crouched and set the bottles down on the table quietly. Just as she was about to turn and leave, a familiar, cold voice rang out.

Her body went rigid at once.

Sure enough, on the couch in the center of it all, Fabian sat like a king among his peers. The shifting light accentuated his sharp features, making his presence all the more commanding.

Five years had passed, yet his face hadn’t changed. If anything, he seemed even more untouchable.

Valerie couldn’t help but take another look, only to notice the woman in his arms. That was her best friend, Sasha Donaldson.

Sasha and Fabian were talking about wedding plans.

“Let’s have our wedding at the beach chapel, just like you wanted. I’ll have them cover the sand with pink roses.

“And if you don’t like the dress the designer made last time, I’ll have them redo it. Everything will be just the way you like.”

As Valerie listened to that familiar voice, her thoughts drifted away. Five years ago, she had been just a step away from becoming Fabian’s bride.

They had grown up together since childhood.

When her parents died, it was Fabian who got her through the grief.

Fabian took her to school on his bike and fought anyone who bullied her. The first time she got her period, he had turned bright red but still ran out to buy her sanitary pads.

The two had fallen in love naturally. Step by step, they had walked toward their future together. Then, on the night before their wedding, Valerie ran over his mother, Amelia Booth, with her car.

Valerie would never forget the way Fabian looked at her that night. His eyes were bloodshot.

He lost control. He had cornered her against the wall and demanded to know why she had killed Amelia.

Valerie had never felt more hopeless. She had raised her head and smiled. “No reason. She caught me in bed with another man and was going to tell you. I got angry, so I ran her over.”

She would never forget the way Fabian looked at her—anger, hatred, and disappointment tangled together like an unbreakable net, suffocating her.

In the end, he had handed her over to the police.

During those five years in prison, Valerie had replayed that night countless times. She wondered if things would’ve turned out differently had she told him the truth.

But reason reminded her that she couldn’t do that.

Because the truth was, Amelia had been suffering from severe depression.

The night before the wedding, her symptoms flared up, leaving her disoriented. In her confusion, she mistook a bodyguard for Fabian’s father, Matthew Porter, and slept with him.

Valerie had been looking for Fabian to discuss wedding plans, only to stumble upon that scene by accident.

When Amelia came to her senses, she had broken down. She had begged Valerie not to tell anyone.

Valerie had hesitated. But in the end, she had agreed.

She never expected Amelia to run straight into the path of her car on that very night.

Fabian had been born into power and prestige. If the truth came out, the scandal would destroy both him and Porter Group.

Who knew what people in their circle would think? Some might even start questioning his identity.

For Fabian’s sake, Valerie had chosen to take the fall. And now, with death on her doorstep, there was no longer any need to clear her name.

If he hated her, so be it. At least that way, when she left, there would be no lingering ties.

Trembling, she turned to leave, but a voice called out behind her.

“Valerie? You’re out of prison?”

Valerie trembled, not daring to meet the sharp gaze from above. Just as she was about to leave, someone stuck out a foot and tripped her.

Caught off guard, she crashed into the table and fell hard onto the floor.

Several bottles toppled over, shattering on impact. Sharp shards cut into her hands, and fresh blood seeped from the wounds.

Laughter erupted in the room. One by one, people stood up, sizing her up as she lay there in disgrace.

“Damn, Valerie. Just got out of jail and already working so hard? Impressive.”

Without a word, Valerie pressed a hand over her bleeding wounds.

“What are you waiting for? You spilled liquor all over the place. Clean it up. On your knees.”

Laughter echoed around her. She had no choice but to pull a rag from her apron and kneel down to scrub the spilled liquor over and over again.

Valerie kept her head down, but she could feel Fabian’s hateful gaze fixed on her. It was like a blade hovering over her, waiting to strike.

He despised her that much. Watching her suffer must have been the greatest satisfaction he could ask for.

She hurriedly wiped away the spilled liquor and was about to stand up and leave, but the people before her had no intention of letting her go so easily.

“Where do you think you’re going? These drinks cost a fortune. How do you plan to pay for them?”

Valerie clenched her fists. She did not dare to raise her head. “I’m sorry. It was an accident.”

“Sorry doesn’t cut it. You can’t afford to pay, so I’ll give you an alternative. Crawl under my legs, and we’ll call it even.”

After saying that, the man propped a foot on a stool and smirked down at her.

The others laughed and chanted, “Crawl over! Crawl over!”

Valerie clenched her teeth. Her face burned as the mocking stares pierced her back like knives. There was no escape.

She could not afford to pay them, and it was clear that they were here to vent Fabian’s anger. Even if she refused to crawl, they would find another way to make her pay.

After five years in prison, dignity had long lost its worth to her.

Her vision blurred, and she bit her lip so hard it nearly bled. In the end, with everyone watching, she dropped to her knees before the man with a dull thud.

Just as she was about to bow her head and crawl, the table was kicked over with a violent crash. Following that, a sharp voice cut through the room.

“Enough!”

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through Valerie’s arm. Before she could react, she was yanked away.

In the dim hallway, Fabian shoved her against the wall. His eyes were burning with hatred.

“Valerie, is this what you’ve become?”

Her back hit the cold marble, which sent a shiver through her body. She turned her head slightly and said, “You shouldn’t stand up for me. Your mother won’t rest in peace if you do.”

His anger flared at her words. He shoved her back. “Stand up for you? Don’t kid yourself. I brought you out here to discuss a deal.

“You need money, right? Stay outside my room tonight, and I’ll pay you. From now on, stick by my side. I guarantee you’ll make more than you ever did serving drinks.”

Before Valerie could refuse, Fabian flung a wad of cash at her face.

The bills cut her cheek, and blood welled up instantly.

She knew this was just his way of getting back at her.

And Fabian made sure of it.

That night, as Valerie stood outside his door, she heard him and Sasha in bed.

Fabian’s muffled grunts and Sasha’s moans filled the air all night long. Meanwhile, Valerie sat there like an empty shell, tears streaming down her face.

The sounds lasted until dawn. When Fabian finally opened the door, his gaze was cold.

“Clean the room,” he ordered.

Valerie looked at the room. There were used condoms strewn across the floor. Her chest tightened painfully, but she said nothing. She merely nodded in silence.

Sasha emerged from the bathroom. Her skin was covered in hickeys. She paused at the sight before her, then looped her arm around Fabian’s and gently said, “Let bygones be bygones, Fab. Let Valerie go.”

Fabian’s lips curved slightly, but the smile never reached his eyes. “She wants money, and I pay her to do a job. It’s a fair deal. I’m not forcing her to be here.”

Then he pulled Sasha closer and softened his tone. “Don’t worry. She’ll be gone for good before the wedding.”

For the next few days, Fabian took Valerie everywhere he went with Sasha.

Whenever someone toasted him, he made her drink in his place until she was completely lightheaded. She stumbled to the restroom to throw up over and over, yet he never let her stop.

During meals, he treated her like a maid, making her peel shrimp for Sasha, pick out fish bones, and wipe her hands. Even when Sasha needed to use the restroom, Valerie had to accompany her.

Meanwhile, Fabian showered Sasha with endless affection in front of everyone.

After every event, he’d coldly retrieve a thick wad of cash from the car and throw it at Valerie.

“Here’s your payment for today.”

She never reacted to his humiliation. She only bent down, picked up the dirty bills, and carefully tucked them into her bag.

Yes, Valerie needed money. Once she earned enough, she could disappear from his world forever.

With sky burial, not even a bone or scrap of flesh would remain. It would be as if Valerie Hartman had never existed at all.

…

On Sasha’s birthday, Fabian threw her a grand celebration. Anyone could see how much effort he had put into it.

The entire venue was decorated according to Sasha’s tastes. Rumor had it that over a million roses had been used just for the occasion.

The dress Sasha wore that night had been personally designed by Amelia years ago for her future daughter-in-law.

When the couple entered hand in hand, all eyes turned to them.

Fabian was as dashing and charismatic as ever. The only difference was that the woman beside him was no longer Valerie.

Seeing the scene before her, Valerie couldn’t help but recall the moment they got engaged.

That day had been just as grand. Their loved ones had gathered to witness his devotion. Hand in hand, they had stepped toward what they thought would be a lifetime of happiness.

Fabian had slid the heirloom ring onto her finger and said that from the moment she wore it, she was his, and they would never be apart.

Just then, a murmur of conversation snapped Valerie back to reality.

“Seriously, what was Valerie thinking? She and Fabian grew up together. He spoiled her rotten, treated her like a princess, and she repaid him by killing his mother?”

“Exactly! Everyone knew how much he adored her. Why would she do that?”

“If that hadn’t happened, they’d probably have a kid in elementary school by now.”

“Forget it. Who can understand the mind of a heartless woman? She deserves everything that’s happening to her.”

“Yeah. A woman like that should just drop dead.”

Valerie listened to the surrounding curses with a vacant expression.

Just as they wished, she would soon be dead.

After the party, Fabian stayed behind to say goodbye to the guests, leaving Valerie and Sasha by the lake outside.

This was the first time they’d been alone since Valerie’s release from prison.

Sasha remained silent for a long time before finally saying, “Valerie, did you know? I’ve loved Fab for years. Long before you two got together.”

“Back then, you both loved each other, so I chose to step aside and bless your relationship. But why did you betray him?”

“Do you have any idea how much pain he has been in all these years? It took everything in me to put him back together, and now you show up again just to wreck him all over again?”

Valerie looked at the woman in front of her. She had never imagined that her best friend, who had always been by her side, had secretly loved the man she once called her own.

But she hadn’t returned to disrupt their lives.

A woman who had “killed” Amelia and was about to die had no right to fight for anything.

“I’ll be gone soon, Sasha.”

Sasha’s cold gaze flickered with suspicion. She didn’t believe her.

Suddenly, she pulled the ring off her finger and flung it into the lake.

“Valerie, you threw my ring into the water. Shouldn’t you go fetch it for me?”

The moment Sasha said that, Fabian appeared before them.

He grabbed Valerie’s wrist. His eyes were burning with fury.

“Valerie Hartman, do you ever stop? That was Sasha’s ring! What does it have to do with you? Why the hell did you throw it away?”

Valerie met his gaze. Beneath the anger in his eyes, there was something almost like anticipation.

Was he hoping she had thrown the ring away out of jealousy?

A bitter feeling crept into her chest, but she forced a smile.

“Why would I care about some meaningless ring? Compared to that, the stacks of cash you throw at me are worth far more.”

Fabian’s eyes turned cold at once. Without a word, he shoved Valerie into the lake. With a loud splash, her startled cry echoed, but he had already turned away.

“I don’t care how you do it. Just get that ring back.”

With that, he took Sasha’s hand and walked away without hesitation.

It was the dead of winter. The air was sharp with the bite of fresh snowfall.

Ice floated in patches across the water. Just looking at it was enough to send a chill down the spine.

Submerged in the freezing lake, Valerie’s body was numb to the point of paralysis. The lake bed was thick with mud. It hid jagged debris that tore into her feet. Blood seeped out with every movement.

She bit her lip, diving into the water again and again, only to resurface each time.

For the entire night, she mechanically searched the lake, until her blood stained the water red. Finally, she found the ring at the lake bed.

When Valerie finally stood before Fabian, drenched and battered, he frowned before pulling a wad of cash from his pocket and tossing it at her feet.

Like always, she silently picked up the money and walked away.

For the next few days, Fabian stopped tormenting her. That was quite unusual.

Then, one day, when Valerie returned home and got out of the car, she saw the entire Porter residence engulfed in thick, billowing smoke.

A chilling sense of dread gripped her chest. Fabian was in trouble!

The thought struck like lightning, and before she knew it, she was running straight into the fire.

Fabian had always preferred peace and quiet, so the household staff only came to clean when he was away.

He had stayed at home these past few days, so the entire Porter residence was empty, except for him.

Valerie knew the house like the back of her hand. It didn’t take long to find Fabian in the bedroom. He was unconscious.

The fire spread rapidly. He must have taken sleeping pills and fallen asleep, which was why he had been trapped in the flames. He was likely unconscious from smoke inhalation.

Valerie dragged him onto her back and slowly made her way toward the door.

The fire had already cut off most of the way out.

In the midst of her thoughts, a burning beam suddenly collapsed. She didn’t have time to think, and instinctively shielded Fabian with her own body.

The scorching wood struck her back. The pain was so intense that she nearly lost consciousness.

But as Valerie looked at Fabian, with his brow furrowed and his unconscious form resting against her shoulder, a fierce determination surged within her.

She had to get him out, even if it meant sacrificing her own life.

With a resolve to die and a reckless determination, Valerie somehow managed to carry the six-foot man out of the flames.

When they finally collapsed onto the lawn, she gasped for fresh air. Her body was nothing but raw, searing agony.

When she saw Sasha rushing toward them, she summoned the last of her strength and pushed Fabian into her arms.

“If he wakes up, tell him it was you who saved him.”

Sasha stared at her. She was confused about what she was trying to do. She called out as Valerie started to leave and asked once again, “Tell me the truth. Did you intentionally kill Mrs. Porter?”

Valerie staggered to her feet. At the sound of the question, her body stiffened. After a long pause, she finally replied, “Yes.”

With that, she turned and walked away without looking back.

…

In the days that followed, Sasha tended to Fabian with unwavering devotion.

When he learned Sasha had risked her life to save him, he cherished her more than ever. He granted her every wish and request without hesitation.

Their intimate moments became more frequent. Valerie, who always stood outside the room, could hear their passionate exchanges, along with the sweet nothing's he whispered to her.

She thought that maybe he really did love Sasha now.

Maybe it was for the best. He deserved happiness, after all.

And Valerie was nothing but a rat scurrying through the gutters, watching someone else bask in the light.

The wound on her back still throbbed with pain. She could only apply the medicine secretly when no one was around.

…

That day, just like any other, she hid in her small room. She took off her coat and was about to apply the medicine when the door suddenly opened.

To her surprise, it was Fabian.

His gaze fell on the gruesome burns marking her back. His eyes turned red-rimmed at once.

Step by step, he approached her and asked in a trembling voice, “Where did those burns come from? Was it you who saved me that day?”