LOGINThe nails stabbed deep into Callum's knees, but he still forced himself to stay upright. I could see the way he was grinding his teeth at the pain."Lia… please… forgive me."I frowned as I stared at the blood staining my window, finding it utterly disgusting. Noting my displeasure, Jamie instantly sent his men to drag Callum away.For a long time after that, I didn't see Callum again.Under the diligent care of my family and the medical experts, my hands successfully recovered.As the gauze was unwrapped, I tested my wrists by rotating them. There was no longer any pain, but I still couldn't hold a scalpel or do anything that required too much precision.Nonetheless, I didn't give up on my dream. Although I wouldn't be able to shine at the side of an operating table anymore, I could continue my medical research.Jamie invited Felix Linnell, my favorite surgeon, to be my research advisor, and with our combined efforts, we managed to attain some academic achievements that were no
Jamie looked rather put out and reluctant, but he still allowed Callum to come in.Callum looked starkly different from the man in my memories.A dark shadow of stubble covered his chin, and dried blood stained the wrinkled fabric of his suit. Those eyes that I used to love so much now had several new wrinkles creasing the corners.I averted my gaze, feeling rather uncomfortable.However, it was not because I was heartbroken to see him in this state, but because I found his ungroomed appearance just too unsightly."Lia, I'm so relieved to see that you're fine. I know that I was wrong, and I've already taken revenge for you. Forgive me?"He crouched beside my bed and offered up the video of him torturing Veronica.My face was blank as I had someone accept the video. Then, I spoke in a cool tone."Anything else?"Fishing out my journal, he pointed at the words while tears welled up in his eyes."Lia, I read everything. Turns out that you've loved me all along. It was my fault.
Callum stumbled to my bedroom and opened the door.A photo that had been hanging on the wall had fallen, revealing the journal that had been hidden in a little alcove behind it.Callum flipped through the journal and realized that every single entry was about him."Today is the day I got engaged to Callum. I know that he doesn't love me right now, but I'm willing to wait.""I got Callum another substitute. He was so happy about it, but my heart hurts terribly. When will these days come to an end?""28th June. Our baby is gone. Callum never came to visit me.""They were right. I really am an ostrich. Callum, it's so hard loving you.""Callum Holden, I don't love you anymore."Fat tears dripped from Callum's cheeks and landed on the journal, smudging the ink into an indecipherable mess. He clutched the journal to his chest and caressed it, treating it like the most precious treasure in the world."Lia, I love you…"A loud wail from the basement ruined the solemn atmosphere.Gr
Cold sweat broke out across Veronica's forehead, but she still thought Callum was messing with her."Callum, stop it. You're scaring me.""You're scared?" Callum laughed coldly. "Then, have you ever thought about how terrified Lia must be right now? She had her hands chopped off and was falsely accused of something she didn't do! Don't tell me that you didn't know she wasn't actually pregnant!"Veronica's lips trembled, but she couldn't seem to find the words to explain herself.However, the moment an icy blade was pressed against her, she began babbling without much thought. "Callum, look at my face. Don't you love me the most? How could you bear to treat me like this? Talia is just a bitch! She—Ah!"Veronica was sent sprawling with a slap to the cheek. Her newly recovered face became lopsided again.Callum stared at her with a gaze so cold it was as though he were looking at something dead."Lia is my childhood friend and wife, while you're nothing but a substitute. If I'm hap
"What's going on?" Callum muttered to himself in disbelief.Suddenly, a thought occurred to him, and he began checking his phone for the past medical records."97, 98, 99."It was then that he recalled he had once told Talia that if she created 99 substitutes for him, then he would let her go.Still, he had never thought about divorcing her!Pulling out his gun, he aimed it right between his subordinate's eyes and asked frostily, "Tell me who told you to chop off Talia's hands!"Callum was well aware that his subordinates had been with him long enough to know that he hadn't truly meant his words. None of them had the guts to harm Talia without his permission either.His subordinate raised a shaking finger to point at Veronica behind him. "I-It was Ms. Dane! She gave us the order to teach Talia—no, Mrs. Holden—a lesson! She said Mrs. Holden had to pay for what she did to Ms. Dane's face! She also said that this was what you wanted too!""What freaking nonsense!" Without any hesi
As my consciousness returned to me, I realized that I was still sprawled on the icy hospital floor. The hives and itchiness all over my body had subsided.Callum's reddened eyes were focused on me, but I couldn't detect even the slightest bit of warmth in them."Tell me, just who does that bastard in your belly belong to?"I subconsciously shook my head. "I don't know. No, that's not right. There's no way I'm pregnant. You and I didn't even—"A scoff cut me off as Callum's lips twisted into a cruel sneer."That's right. I didn't even touch you, so where did that baby come from?"I opened my mouth to argue further, but at that moment, Veronica suddenly started shrieking.Blood poured from the blisters on her face, and the doctor shook his head helplessly when he saw that."It must be that solution Dr. Suther gave her. There's no way that Ms. Dane's face can recover here in this country."Veronica nestled into Callum's arms before pointing a hateful finger at me."Callum, that







