Chapter 1

It was already morning when I woke up.

Like the previous seven times, Winnie was lying naked next to me with tears in her eyes.

Before I could speak, she hugged me and cried, “Benjamin, don’t blame yourself. This isn’t your fault, and I don’t blame you at all.”

Then, she shouted at the butler, “Are you deaf? I’ve told you many times to reduce the dosage!

“Benjamin and I are this close to getting married, and you’ve ruined it all!”

The butler lowered his head and spoke respectfully. “Ms. Smith, I’m only following the Smith family’s rules.”

She seemed even more upset and almost passed out from crying.

I wanted to pat her back and comfort her out of reflex. But when I recalled what she said last night, my hand froze midair.

This scene had played out too many times. It was my fault for loving her so much that I trusted her every single time.

Three years ago, when I first asked for her hand in marriage, she had a bigger reaction than I did.

She begged her parents to accept me, and she begged her grandfather not to give me a hard time. On top of that, she threw a tantrum at her family home and claimed that the family’s test was unfair.

“Every aphrodisiac is specially made for the person. With how concentrated and effective it is, almost no one’s passed the test. You’re just trying to stop us from getting married!”

Even though Winnie was delicate, she endured a dozen beatings from her grandfather that day.

I could not stand it anymore and forced myself through a wall of bodyguards without hesitation. I protected her in my embrace and yelled, “It’s just a family rule. I can handle it!”

She was covered in bruises as she hugged me tightly.

“I trust you, Benjamin. You’re the only one I’ll marry!”

From then on, I took extreme measures to pass the test.

I tried blood-letting, injections, and even consumed certain types of medicine. There was even a time when I broke my own leg without anesthesia to keep myself lucid.

However, it always ended with Winnie naked by my side. The Smith family ridiculed me.

In the past, I thought that I was not determined enough. I finally realized that her family’s rule had just been a lie. Winnie came up with it to delay our marriage so that she could fulfil Joe’s last wish.

I had undergone the test eight times over the span of three years. I was the only one who had been putting in the effort.

As I returned to my senses, I saw Winnie looking at me with swollen eyes.

“Benjamin, we can’t just give up. Let’s transfer the money for another test today.”

I was stunned as I watched her take my cell phone. Then, she transferred three million dollars to the Smith family bank account as payment for the aphrodisiac.

It was the last of my savings.

I was worried from the start that I would not have the money to take the Smith family’s test. It was obvious that it was time to end this farce.

“Winnie, I’ll make us some food. Let’s talk about this at night.”

Winnie nuzzled her head against my chin like a kitten.

“Are you planning to discuss how you can pass the next test? Benjamin, promise me that you won’t do anything to hurt yourself anymore.

“I can’t bear it.”

I was stunned. Suddenly, I could not tell if she truly felt bad for me or if she was lying for Joe’s sake.

I sighed and forced a smile before heading to the kitchen.

After a while, I heard her cell phone ringing. Then, she anxiously said, “Joe, don’t do anything stupid! You still have hope! Didn’t the doctors say that there’s a new treatment plan?”