Chapter 1

"Tyson… You and Nadine got married?"

Jolene Lockwood stared at the photo on her phone. Nadine Smith had sent her a picture of a marriage certificate, with Nadine and Tyson Ford's names on it. She went pale.

Tyson and Jolene had been dating for three years, and they were supposed to discuss marriage with their families the next day.

But Tyson had already married Nadine?

The date on the certificate… It was two weeks ago, on Jolene's birthday.

She had waited for Tyson at the villa all day that day, and he said he was busy with work.

So this whole time, he had been busy tying the knot with Nadine?

Her whole body went stiff as she stared at Tyson, who was sitting next to her, in disbelief.

She asked in a shaky voice, "Tyson, aren't you going to give me an explanation?"

From the side, Tyson looked refined, intimidating, and perfectly put together, his elegance beyond compare and his aloofness unmistakable.

Seated inside his Maybach, he carried himself with calm, effortless authority.

Furrowing his brows, he was about to speak when the phone he'd set beside him rang.

The screen displayed the name "Nadine".

A rush of rage and humiliation hit Jolene the moment she saw that name.

She reached out to grab Tyson. "Don't answer it, Tyson!"

He swatted her hand aside, frowning coldly as he warned, "Stop acting up."

He answered the call. Unlike the irritation he usually showed Jolene, his tone was gentle and cautious as he said, "Hey, Nadine."

On the other end came Nadine's crying, whiny voice.

"Tyson, I'm so sorry. I accidentally sent Jolene the picture of our marriage certificate. Is she mad? Did I cause trouble for you two? I…"

"Nadine? Nadine! What's wrong? Don't scare me like that."

"Mr. Ford, come quick! Nadine passed out from guilt!"

Tyson went pale. "I'm on my way!"

Hanging up, he exclaimed to the driver, "Stop the car!"

The car immediately pulled over to the side of an empty road.

Tyson fixed Jolene with his cold gaze. "Nadine passed out from guilt. I need to go and check on her. You're too emotional right now, and it would only harm her if she sees you. Get out of the car. I'll have someone come pick you up."

Shock filled Jolene's eyes. She took in the desolate stretch of land.

"You want to leave me here?"

It was the middle of the night right now, though?

Impatience was starting to show on Tyson's face. Clearly, his worry for Nadine had worn his patience thin.

He got out from the other side of the car and practically yanked Jolene out.

The cold night wind hit her face, chilling her to the bone.

Even so, Jolene still tried to be rational. "I won't go to the hospital with you to see her. Just drop me off in the city."

But all she got in response was Tyson shutting the door in her face and the car driving off.

Wordlessly, Jolene watched the car disappear into the distance, leaving her stranded in the darkness.

A bitter smile curled at her lips.

She had been obsessed with Tyson since she was 18, and by 20, she managed to become his girlfriend by shamelessly pursuing him.

About four years had passed since they got together.

Tyson had always been calm, cold, and distant toward her, so she thought that was just how he was.

She was also convinced he loved her. If that weren't the case, he'd never have made her his girlfriend.

After all, no one could force the high-and-mighty Tyson to do anything he didn't want. It was just his personality and past experiences that made him unable to show love.

That was, until six months ago, when he came back from abroad with Nadine by his side.

And on his ever-composed face, she saw concern, fear, restlessness, and his partiality toward Nadine.

No matter the time, no matter how late it was, as long as Nadine called, Tyson would drop everything to go to her without hesitation.

She had asked Tyson who exactly Nadine was before, and he told her that there were no romantic feelings between him and Nadine.

But now, as Jolene stared at their marriage certificate on her phone, seeing how sweet Nadine looked and how attentive Tyson seemed in the picture, she could no longer lie to herself.

It felt like something had ripped a huge, gaping hole in her chest. It hurt so much she could barely breathe.

Engulfed in anguish and despair, she failed to see the car barreling toward her.

A loud bang pierced the night, and she was sent flying before hitting the ground hard 65 feet away.

In an instant, she felt like all her organs had been crushed and rearranged inside her.

Instead of stopping to check on her, the driver floored the gas and sped off, crushing her even more as he passed.

Jolene couldn't keep her eyes open anymore. It felt as though she had been torn apart, and her life was slowly slipping away from her.

Reflecting on her life, she realized that ever since Tyson came along, her life had revolved entirely around him.

She had given her heart and soul to him, and all she got in return was disappointment.

If she could start over…

She let out a bitter, bloody smile.

She knew it was too late now. This was the end.

"Do you want to live? How about making a deal with me?"

A voice echoed in her mind.

Her desire to survive snapped her unfocused eyes into focus.

"I… I do… want to live."

"If you wish to live, offer me what you treasure most. Would you be okay with that?"

"Yes…"

"Ding! Scan complete. Your greatest treasure is your loving heart. I will take it from you. And so, you will be losing your Heartstring.

"Warning! Once the deal is done, all past feelings of love will be gone, and you won't develop feelings for anyone ever again. Do you agree to the deal?"

Jolene thought of Tyson's face, the one she had been obsessed with for years, the pain in her chest growing unbearable.

She had given all her love and sincerity to him, but Tyson didn't care.

Since he didn't, neither would she…

"I do."

"Ding! Deal complete!"

The excruciating pain went away in a flash, and Jolene gingerly got to her feet.

She had just been hit and run over moments ago. All her bones were practically shattered, and there was still a bright red pool of blood on the ground.

Yet at this moment, she was perfectly fine, perhaps even strong enough to wrestle a bear.

On top of that, the thought of Tyson now no longer made her feel soul-crushing pain.

Without her Heartstring, she could no longer love, so she didn't love Tyson anymore.

Jolene smiled.

For the past six months, every time Tyson gave Nadine special treatment, it crushed Jolene, and she would go hysterical.

She thought about ending their relationship, but her love for Tyson made it impossible.

Now, she finally stopped loving him.

In a way, this could be considered luck.

She picked up her phone, its screen now broken, and made a call. "Mom, I will accept the arranged marriage."

…

Meanwhile, Tyson, on his way to the hospital, suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if something had just been ripped away.

His brows furrowed deeply.

But by the time he arrived at the hospital, all he cared about was Nadine. Nothing else mattered.

Chapter 2

Jolene made it home in a daze, her mind blank. All she felt was utter exhaustion.

Without even freshening up, she flopped onto the bed and passed out.

She slept like the dead for hours on end.

In her dreams, she saw every moment she had spent pursuing Tyson over the years. The contrast of his cold, distant attitude and the way he doted on Nadine was excruciating.

In the dream, she saw it all from the perspective of a bystander.

The difference between being loved and unloved was so obvious that a bitter, self-mocking smile appeared on her lips. She had to come close to death to finally see this obvious truth.

…

Jolene was woken up by the ringing of her phone.

Groggily, she answered it. It was her mother, Jessica Finch.

"I already sent you the time and place for your blind date. Don't be late."

Jolene's eyes snapped open as she remembered agreeing to the arranged marriage.

She hadn't expected Jessica to be so efficient.

No matter. Doing it now or later made no difference to her at this point.

At 7:00 pm, she arrived at the restaurant on time, but the person she was supposed to meet wasn't there.

By 8:30 pm, there was still no sign of him.

Then her phone buzzed.

She thought it might be her date contacting her, only to find that it was a message from Nadine.

Inside was a photo of the cold and aloof Tyson. He was sitting by Nadine's bedside, carefully peeling an apple for her with a gentle look in his eyes. His every move was graceful and meticulous, as if performing a sacred duty.

"Jolene, I win again. Tyson has never peeled an apple for you, has he? How laughably sad you are. Also, Tyson and I are married now. Why don't you back off and have some dignity? Don't be a homewrecker."

Instinctively, Jolene clutched her chest.

In the past, seeing messages like this and Tyson's care for Nadine would have hurt so much that she could barely breathe.

But now, she felt nothing, no waves of emotion, no ups or downs.

It was at that moment that she realized just how real everything that had happened last night was.

She really had lost her Heartstring, her ability to love.

A smile appeared on Jolene's face, a relieved one.

Truth be told, loving Tyson for all these years had been exhausting and painful.

Even when she was humiliated or hurt, she could never let go because she loved him too much.

Her mind knew Tyson wasn't worth loving, but her heart loved him as if he were air to her, like he was her life itself.

Even if it hurt, she couldn't let him go. But now, she could ignore everything related to Tyson.

There wasn't a single ripple in her heart. She no longer loved him.

Jolene took a deep breath. This was a good thing. She already knew just how helpless and empty loving someone with all her heart was.

She never wanted to feel that way again.

Jolene replied, "Don't worry. I'm not like you. I wouldn't even glance at someone who's taken. Also, congrats on getting what you wanted. Wishing you and Tyson a long and happy life together."

The moment she set her phone down, she felt a wave of relief.

It turned out that love had been a shackle. Without it, she could be free.

When her food arrived, her phone rang. It was Tyson, who rarely called her.

Before, she would have grabbed the phone immediately. Now, she didn't really want to answer his calls.

But when she remembered that she hadn't officially ended things with him, she picked up just for closure.

No sooner had she answered than Tyson's icy, detached voice came through.

"Jolene, why are you sending messages to provoke Nadine when you know that she isn't well? How cruel can you be?"

Without bothering to check the facts or ask for context, he just went straight to accusing her.

This was the man she had loved so desperately all these years.

Now that she no longer had any feelings for him, she felt like a detached onlooker, and she had never recognized a truth this profoundly.

Tyson wasn't worthy of her. He didn't deserve her love.

Without her love for him, she could see him for what he really was—a scumbag.

Even when he was with her, he was still hung up on Nadine, his perfect first love, insisting that they were just friends.

Before, Jolene had continued to lie to herself like a fool, or maybe she was just unwilling to admit the truth that he cared about Nadine more.

What sort of friend would ask for this much from him? And what kind of friend would need him to marry her just to feel better, turning Jolene, his real girlfriend, into the other woman in the process?

It was ridiculous.

Jolene said coldly, "Tyson, your wife is physically weak and mentally fragile. She can't handle provocation. Since I'm petty and cruel, have her delete my contact info so that I won't be able to bother her anymore.

"And if you want her to get better quickly, don't contact me from now on. If you do as I say, I can guarantee she'll be healthy and safe for decades to come."

Jolene then hung up immediately.

"Jolene Lockwood, you…"

Tyson was about to scold her when he heard the beeping from his phone.

She actually hung up on him. How dare she?

A look of anger crossed his gaze.

Nadine immediately clutched her chest, her frail, pale face showing concern.

"Tyson, I'm sorry for being selfish. I shouldn't have asked you to register our marriage and cause tension between you and Jolene.

"I should go and explain things to Jolene. I don't want there to be a misunderstanding between you two because of me…"

She tried to get out of bed when she abruptly yelped. Apparently, she was too weak to move, collapsing as soon as she got out of bed.

Tyson immediately scooped her up and put her back on the bed, comforting her as she looked at him guiltily.

"Don't dwell on it. Jolene's just being childish and throwing a tantrum. She'll be fine in a bit."

His tone was nonchalant. Obviously, he couldn't care less about Jolene's feelings.

He was sure she'd sort herself out and come back to him on her own.

…

After hanging up, Jolene felt surprisingly calm. She continued to wait for her date until it was 9:00 pm.

Realizing her date would not be coming, she got up to leave.

"Jolene?"

A surprised, slightly amused voice broke the silence.

When Jolene looked up, she saw her date, Hunter Scott, standing in front of her, dressed in biker gear. He had an arm wrapped around a seductive woman with long legs and a tiny waist.

Hunter's eyes lit up when he saw Jolene.

Surprised, he exclaimed, "You're my date? Why didn't you say so? I thought I'd be meeting Lucille. If I'd known it was you, I wouldn't have made you wait."

Hunter's gaze on her was bold and heated, making his attraction to her clear.

Deep down, Hunter was thrilled.

Everyone knew Jolene was the only woman Tyson had ever publicly acknowledged as his girlfriend, yet she was here on a blind date with him.

The fact that she was Tyson's woman made him curious about what she'd be like in bed.

Chapter 3

The way Hunter looked at Jolene was unsettling, leaving her feeling nauseated and on edge.

The one meant to meet Hunter that day was supposed to have been her sister, Lucille Lockwood.

Hunter had a reputation for being a pampered playboy with a messy private life.

Since Lucille had high standards, and the Lockwood family couldn't bear letting Lucille spend the rest of her life with someone like Hunter, they had always wanted to send Jolene to take Lucille's place, even when Jolene was still Tyson's girlfriend.

Logically speaking, fence-sitters like the Lockwood family wouldn't dare offend Tyson.

As Tyson's girlfriend, Jolene should've been treated with more respect. But the problem was how Tyson had treated her. It was way too cold and indifferent.

Since anyone with eyes could tell that Tyson wasn't serious about her, no one believed her relationship with Tyson would last.

For years, the talk around Dartmund was that Jolene was only pretty enough to catch Tyson's eyes and that he wasn't serious about Jolene, merely playing around with her.

That was why no one took her relationship with Tyson seriously.

It seemed like the inevitable outcome of their relationship was clear to everyone but her, Tyson himself included.

She was the only one blind to it all, unable to see the truth.

Jolene tried to keep her expression calm. "Hello, I'm Jolene Lockwood."

Hunter was completely captivated by her strikingly beautiful face. Jolene was stunning.

He had seen her before, and she'd been breathtaking at first glance.

But since she was Tyson's girlfriend back then, he never dared stare openly. Now that she was his blind date, he could look as much as he wanted.

He quickly let go of the woman in his arms and patted her shoulder. "Babe, go get yourself something from the mall. Buy whatever you want. I'll pay for everything."

Only when the woman obtained his credit card and happily went on her way did Hunter sit across from Jolene.

He kept his eyes glued to her as he said, "If you're here to meet me, then you and Tyson…"

Hunter already knew the answer, but he still needed to be sure.

Sure, he could dream about Tyson's women, but he would never make a move. However, now that Tyson no longer wanted her, and her family had arranged for them to marry, everything was fair game.

Jolene nodded calmly. "We've broken up."

Hunter was secretly pleased, his eyes unabashedly fixed on the stunning Jolene.

"You shouldn't be too upset about it. Only after leaving the wrong person can you meet the right one."

Jolene sneered inwardly.

Surely Hunter didn't think he was the right one for her? Was he not aware of the kind of person he was?

Not only was he not the one for her, but he was also a total disaster waiting to happen.

Still, she didn't really care.

In the past, when she still had the ability to love, she treated it as something sacred. Love meant everything to her, and it couldn't be desecrated or taken lightly.

But now that she no longer had her Heartstring, she could never fall in love again. Love no longer existed for her.

Repaying Jessica's so-called care over the years with something that no longer existed sounded like a good deal.

Jolene said bluntly, "You and I both know what kind of arrangement this is. If you're alright with me, the alliance between our families can move forward.

"Once we're married, I won't concern myself with your private life. I'll even help you smooth things over. I'll be your ideal wife."

After saying that, she stood up. "While I've been waiting for you, I already ate. You can take your time. I'll head out first."

Without giving Hunter a chance to speak, she grabbed her bag and left.

Hunter blankly stared after her, his gaze full of mischief and interest.

"Hah! What arrogance! Tyson's already done toying with you, and you're still putting on airs in front of me? Fine, you can keep that up for now. Once you step into my house, I'll show you who's boss!"

Hunter could tell Jolene looked down on him, but so what?

Once she became his wife, he would be her whole world. Whatever he said would become law then, and there was no way she could defy him.

As soon as Jolene left, Hunter pulled out his phone and called his drinking buddies.

"Hey, where are you guys? Nightfall? Alright. Wait for me there. I've got huge news to announce! You're going to be green with envy when you hear about this! I'm coming now!"

…

At 10:30 pm, Tyson went to Nightfall for a gathering.

Nightfall was the biggest club in Dartmund, and there were 12 floors in total.

Only Dartmund's richest and most powerful could go above the tenth floor, with the 12th floor being for the absolute elite, which was where Tyson was heading.

When the private elevator reached the sixth floor, it suddenly stopped.

His assistant, James Garland, told him the elevator had malfunctioned.

They had to switch to a regular one. On the way to the regular elevators, they passed a private room.

"It's really Jolene Lockwood?"

"You're talking about Tyson's woman?"

"She really went on a blind date with you?"

Voices of shock rang out one after another.

When Tyson heard Jolene's name, he unconsciously stopped. His imposing figure lingered at the entrance to the noisy room, his shadow dark and intimidating.

Jolene? Blind date?

From the room came a mischievous voice. "Of course it's real! I was expecting Lucille, but it was Jolene."

"Why is she going on blind dates? Did she and Tyson break up?"

"She said they broke up! It must be true, or she wouldn't have shown up for the date!"

"Bro, you're so lucky! Jolene is stunning and has a killer figure. You seriously hit the jackpot, man!"

After a laugh, the mischievous voice said, "I never thought I'd get a chance to toy with Tyson's woman in this lifetime. You guys have no idea how drop-dead gorgeous she is up close.

"She's got a tiny waist, gorgeous legs, and a face straight out of a fantasy. I could even smell her faint scent just from sitting across from her. It was exquisite!

"Based on my vast experience with women, Jolene is definitely top-tier! Hahaha! Once I'm done with her, I'll make a video and share it with you guys."

Everyone else broke into laughter. "If Tyson liked her, she must be great in bed. You'd better not keep her all to yourself! Don't forget that we're all pals!"

As they laughed on, Tyson's rage boiled over.

Every crude comment and filthy joke was about Jolene, his woman.

Even James, standing next to him, stayed silent upon hearing all that, too scared to speak.

Tyson's voice was as cold as a whisper from the depths of hell. "Teach them a lesson. Spare no one!"

Trembling, James answered, "Understood!"

That very night, everyone in that private room was reported and taken to the police station for questioning.

Chapter 4

In the end, Tyson skipped the gathering and headed straight home. On his way back, he was on edge, his veins practically protruding all over.

The trashy, lewd things those spoiled heirs had said in the private room kept echoing in his mind.

Slim waist… Killer figure… Toying with her…

Hunter was a complete scumbag. Everyone in Dartmund knew that.

Even if Jolene had to go on a blind date, it shouldn't be with someone like Hunter!

She sure knew how to get under his skin. If this is her latest stunt, she'd definitely hit a nerve.

Not one to be messed with, he called Jolene.

Jolene had a facial mask on at the moment. When she heard her phone ring, she answered without looking.

Tyson's cold, sharp voice came through. "I heard you went on a blind date today."

Jolene was surprised he even knew. "How did you find out about that?"

Tyson asked in a terrifyingly icy voice, "Are you cheating on me?"

Jolene's expression went cold.

"Tyson, just so we're clear, you and Nadine are legally married. Both of you are husband and wife, so, naturally, what we had is already over. It's only fair that I move on, no?"

"Hah!" Tyson let out a sneer.

He was sure that he heard jealousy in Jolene's voice.

There was no doubt in his mind that Jolene only went on that blind date with Hunter to provoke him, and that it was all fake.

He wanted to see just how long she would continue her stubborn act. He wasn't going to indulge her because what she did had pissed him off.

If she really wanted to go on a blind date, she could have at least picked someone decent, not a shameful scumbag like Hunter!

In a sharp, clear voice, he said, "Fine, then let's make it a clean break. Come to my place and take everything you own with you."

Jolene checked the time. It was already late.

"Alright. I'll be there to pick up my things when you're at work tomorrow morning, so that I won't be a bother to you."

Tyson's face darkened, a dark glint in his eyes. "Make it quick. Clear a space for Nadine."

"Fine."

After Tyson hung up, his eyes darkened, the intense rage evident in them. It took a while before his fury finally faded, replaced by a hint of helplessness.

Clearly, Jolene was seriously mad that he and Nadine had gone to register their marriage.

Even so, Tyson wasn't planning to explain himself or cheer her up.

He wanted to see how long Jolene could keep up this act before breaking down and asking him to get back together.

With an icy look on his face, Tyson sat in the car, giving off a chill as cold as frost and a vibe as dark as night.

…

The next morning at 10:00 am, Jolene set off for Tyson's villa with a large suitcase.

She had moved in just a year ago, so she didn't have that many things there. A large suitcase was enough to hold everything.

By the time she arrived, it was already 10:30 am. At this hour, Tyson should have already left for work.

Yet, as soon as she opened the front door, she saw Tyson sitting upright on the couch.

She froze, clearly surprised.

Jolene pursed her lips. Her face betraying no expression, she started heading upstairs with the suitcase.

"I'll pack my stuff quietly so you can just pretend I'm not here."

In a crisp white shirt, Tyson sat ramrod straight, exuding a refined, aloof air.

When she passed him, she could even feel his icy gaze on her, feeling like her back was being pricked by needles.

She told herself she should just pack her things quickly and leave.

She hurried upstairs to her room. Just as her hand touched the doorknob, the door opened from the inside.

Nadine appeared in a pure white silk pajama set, drying her hair. She looked surprised when she saw Jolene. Clearly, she hadn't expected to see the latter.

She smiled brightly. "Jolene, you're back! I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the whole marriage thing. Did you misunderstand? You don't have to worry. I'm not going to fight you for Tyson.

"If you really mind, I can divorce him immediately."

Her words were apologetic, but her eyes were full of provocation and malice.

If Jolene had still been in love with Tyson, she would have already lost it and cursed her out.

She couldn't believe Nadine came out of her room in her pajamas, used her perfume, and used her toiletries. How disgusting and infuriating.

But at this point, Jolene was already clear-headed and saw everything for what it was.

The fact that someone as aloof and distant as Tyson would show warmth and favoritism to Nadine, and even marry her, had to mean he truly cared about her.

As for Jolene, she had been the one standing in the way of Tyson and Nadine. If it were the old her, this would have hurt like hell, but all she felt now was calm.

Without her Heartstring, there was no longer the feeling of weight and heartbreak.

Over the past six months, Tyson's special treatment of Nadine was obvious to everyone.

On countless nights of being abandoned, Jolene felt pain and regret. She did think about leaving Tyson at some point, but she just couldn't do it.

Tyson was the first love she fell for at first sight, the one she had spent years pursuing, and the one she had exhausted all her courage and dignity to finally have.

She couldn't let go. She couldn't give him up.

The mere thought of not loving him felt like fire and knives tearing through her soul. She loved Tyson to her core, down to her very being.

Even if she knew that Tyson's heart belonged to another, even if she knew a big part of why he stayed was guilt, she still couldn't bring herself to walk away, because Tyson was the one she loved most in the world.

That was why, now that she had lost her Heartstring, she could finally think clearly and cut her losses in time.

Jolene stared at Nadine, who looked all pure and delicate. She used to see Nadine as a thorn in her side, unbearable until removed, but she was now at peace.

Nadine had done many horrible things to her, but she did them out of love for Tyson.

Just as Jolene had loved Tyson before, Nadine was also giving her all to be with him, using every means and scheming she could think of.

It was understandable.

Still, Jolene had a line she would never cross. She would never hurt anyone, unlike the despicable and shameless Nadine.

Jolene said calmly, "You and Tyson are married, so you two are legally husband and wife. I was naive. Let's just leave the past behind.

"Anyway, I'm here to collect my things. Don't worry. I'll be quick, and it'll take five minutes at most. I'll be gone once I'm done, and I'll never appear in front of you and Tyson again."

She spoke sincerely and plainly, unaware that Tyson's face had gone stone-cold downstairs.

Chapter 5

Nadine could feel the heavy, oppressive vibe radiating off Tyson.

She went pale and tried to explain to Jolene, "Jolene, you've got it wrong… Tyson and I only got married because—"

Jolene immediately held up her hand to stop her, cutting her off. "There's no need to explain. That's between you and your husband. It has nothing to do with me."

With that, she stepped inside and started packing her things.

Flustered, Nadine looked at Tyson, who had an icy look in his eyes. Tyson sneered, his eyes dark and bloodshot.

Nadine hurriedly said, "I'll explain everything to Jolene."

With that, she rushed inside the room with an anxious look on her pale face, as if she were genuinely afraid of ruining Tyson and Jolene's relationship.

Yet, as soon as she entered, the worry and remorse vanished from her face.

She casually sat on Jolene's bed. As she crossed her legs, her smooth thighs came into view.

With a sly lift of her eyebrow, Nadine watched Jolene pack her things and mocked, "Jolene, so what did chasing Tyson for years and clinging to him shamelessly get you? If he doesn't love you, he just doesn't. Isn't it obvious?"

There was a smug look in her eyes. "Look at me. All I did was charm him a little, and he went and tied the knot with me. Oh, by the way, we got married on your birthday."

Nadine's words were vicious enough to cut deep, like knives twisting in the heart.

The past Jolene would have gone all out with her, screaming and clawing, but the current her felt nothing.

While stuffing her clothes into her suitcase, Jolene said in a resigned tone, "Nadine, you don't need to treat me as your enemy. I'm not like you. I would never become a mistress."

Jolene had at least a basic sense of morality.

Whether Tyson and Nadine's marriage was just a formality, their marriage certificate existed, so they were legally husband and wife.

If Jolene got involved, she'd become a real mistress.

Jolene wasn't sure if her past self, who once loved Tyson deeply, would accept it and suffer for him, but she was sure that her current self would never become a mistress.

Nadine frowned at Jolene's composed and unbothered expression, an inexplicable surge of anger rising inside her.

"Jolene, what are you playing at? You think a little game of push and pull can make Tyson change his mind? Don't be naive!"

Looking at Nadine's flustered, frustrated expression, Jolene felt exasperated.

She zipped up her suitcase, her face unreadable. "Believe whatever you want."

She got up to head to the door, but Nadine suddenly lunged in front of her, a sly smile on her face. "Jolene, tell me… If an accident happened, would Tyson choose to believe you or me?"

Jolene raised an eyebrow.

Nadine stepped back with a weird smile, then deliberately slammed into the door and screamed, "Ouch! It hurts!"

Tyson, hearing the commotion from downstairs, stormed up the stairs instantly, his face icy with fury.

Nadine lay on the floor with a bloody forehead. She smiled triumphantly at Jolene.

Jolene just looked at her as if she were an idiot. The past Jolene would go crazy at even a small provocation from Nadine.

Now that she had no feelings for Tyson, she only found Nadine's antics utterly pathetic.

Under Nadine's triumphant gaze, Jolene slightly turned and pointed above her head. There, a red light was blinking from something that looked like a surveillance camera.

Nadine's face went pale. Her body trembled violently.

At that moment, Tyson had arrived.

What he saw before him was Jolene's imposing and fierce stance and Nadine's bloodied and pitiful state.

He strode forward and shoved Jolene away from Nadine. "Jolene, I'm so disappointed in you!"

His shove sent Jolene crashing to the floor, her forehead hitting the edge of the table and causing her to yell. Blood instantly gushed out.

The moment he heard her scream and looked back, he saw blood seeping through her fingers as she clutched her head.

He instantly froze.

Nadine felt secretly pleased, but her face showed an anxious, caring expression.

"Tyson, you've misunderstood. I simply fell. Jolene did nothing wrong."

Tyson fixed his cold eyes on Jolene, a snort of blatant scorn escaping him.

"Nadine, you don't need to speak up for her. I know what kind of person Jolene is."

Deep down, Tyson was actually worried about Jolene, but in their years together, he had always maintained an air of superiority. Jolene, on the other hand, stayed humble and reserved.

As such, he could never humble himself in front of her.

Jolene calmly pulled out a tissue, caring for her wound expressionlessly.

She looked at Tyson with mockery in her gaze. "Thank you for making me realize how you actually see me, Tyson."

Before this, Jolene thought their relationship had been somewhat meaningful.

With him married to Nadine and her own arranged marriage looming, she thought they could end things peacefully.

But in that moment, she realized that all her years of love and sacrifice had moved no one but herself. Tyson never had genuine feelings for her. In his eyes, she was nothing but a petty, nagging, jealous, and shameless woman.

Dragging her suitcase, Jolene walked past Tyson with a blank face, only for him to grab her arm.

With an icy gaze, he questioned in a harsh and unfeeling voice, "Jolene, shouldn't you apologize when you hurt someone? Do you not have manners?"

Jolene smirked at Nadine. "Nadine, do you need an apology from me?"

Nadine went pale and quickly said to Tyson, "Tyson, I really fell because of my own carelessness. It's not Jolene's fault."

Determined not to be on the defensive, she pointed above her head. "It really wasn't Jolene. You can check the surveillance footage if you don't believe me."

Tyson's grip on Jolene's arm stiffened.

For Nadine to bring up the surveillance footage meant that it really wasn't Jolene's doing.

Tyson experienced a fleeting, strange sensation deep down, but it lasted only a moment before he dismissed it.

He looked at Jolene coolly. "If you hadn't picked fights with Nadine all the time, I wouldn't have misunderstood you."

In other words, it was still Jolene's fault at the end of the day.

Jolene pulled her arm free from his grip, her expression neutral the whole time. The eyes that once looked at him with boundless tenderness were now empty of emotion.

Dragging her suitcase, she turned and left without a backward glance. "As you wish, I won't pick fights with her anymore, and I won't appear in front of you again."