Grace Parrish shoved the divorce papers across the table. "Antonio, our contract marriage is due in a month. Now that Lucile is back, why don't we just end it now? Then you can marry her right after our divorce is finalized."

Three years ago, to save the Parrish family, Grace agreed to a three-year contract marriage to Antonio Kaufman at his request.

He treated her well, but he had always been hung up on someone else.

Three months ago, Lucile Parrish showed up at the Parrish's house. That was when Grace's world crumbled. Her parents told her that Lucile was their biological daughter. Grace was nothing but a replacement.

And as fate would have it, Lucile was Antonio's unrequited love.

From that moment on, Lucile became the apple of everyone's eye. Grace, the substitute, naturally received the cold shoulder.

For the past three months, Antonio hadn't returned home, and the Parrishes no longer acknowledged Grace as their daughter. As for Lucile, the sweet, innocent girl in everyone's eyes, showed her true colors only when she was with Grace.

Grace had had enough.

She was done living in Lucile's shadow, done with this sham of a marriage.

She wanted to leave for Auroville and find her real parents.

Just when Antonio was about to sign his name, he got a call from the hospital.

"What? Lucile had a car accident? I'll be right there!"

He grabbed his coat and bolted for the door.

Grace caught up to him. "At least sign the damn papers first."

Antonio shot her a glare. "Lucile's injured in a car accident. I don't have time for this."

He then jumped in the car and sped off.

Grace let out a bitter laugh as she watched his car disappear.

How long could signing a name possibly take? He wasn't a doctor. Getting to the hospital sooner or later wouldn't make a difference.

But she was too tired to dwell on it. She went upstairs, packed her bags, and waited for Antonio to come home. As soon as he signed the papers, she'd be out of here.

However, Antonio never came back, and he wouldn't answer her calls. Eventually, she drifted off on the couch.

At midnight, Grace was yanked up and dragged toward the door.

Startled, she shouted, "Who the hell? Let me go!"

Antonio's face came into view. "Come with me. Lucile needs you."

"What?"

"She has Rh-negative blood. The hospital doesn't have enough in stock. You need to donate."

That was when it hit Grace that Lucile and she had the same blood type—another damn coincidence.

She felt like their fates had been entangled from the start, like she was doomed to be Lucile's shadow.

After Grace was forced to donate 1,000 ml of her blood, Antonio dropped another bomb. "Lucile's eyes are injured, and she needs a cornea transplant. Give her yours."

Grace had been feeling dizzy after the blood draw. Antonio's words sent shivers down her spine, making her tremble all over.

"How am I gonna live without my cornea?"

"It's not like you'll die. Lucile won't be able to paint without her eyesight. Art is her life."

Grace gave a bitter smile, thinking, "Did he forget that I'm an artist too? I'm having an exhibition in two weeks. If I lose my vision..."

For the past three months, he and the Parrishes had been siding with Lucile, giving Grace a hard time. Grace had fought back, but in the end, she always gave in.

After all, Antonio was the man she had loved for seven years, and the Parrishes had raised her.

But now, they actually wanted her corneas...

"Why should I?" Grace forced out the question.

"Because you owe her. You stole her life and her family. Giving her your cornea isn't even enough to atone for your sins."

His cold, biting words twisted like a knife in her heart.

Was that really how it was?

Had Grace stolen Lucile's life?

So in Antonio's eyes, everything that belonged to the Parrish family, including himself, was meant for Lucile. And Grace? She was just an outsider who had taken what wasn't hers.

How ridiculous.

She never asked to be taken in by the Parrish family. She never begged for their love. Even the marriage contract three years ago was Antonio's idea, not hers.

So how did she suddenly become the thief?

"Grace, give Lucile your corneas. I'm begging you."

A familiar figure burst through the door, dropping to her knees in front of her. "You lived the life meant for Lucile for twenty years. You owe her this much. Consider it making things right, okay? We'll find you a cornea later, I promise. But Lucile can't wait. If she doesn't get a transplant now, she'll be blind forever."

There it was again—"You owe her."

When had she ever owed Lucile anything?

Grace clenched her fists. "No. I don't owe her. And I won't give her my corneas!"

Smack! A stinging slap landed across her face, ringing in her ears.

"Ungrateful brat! We raised you for twenty years! Shouldn't you repay us? If Lucile hadn't been kidnapped, do you really think you'd have lived as the Parrish family's daughter? You would've been rotting away in some village, probably sold off as a child bride!"

Grace's father, Eloy Parrish stormed in, eyes blazing with fury. "This isn't a request, Grace. It's an order. You don't get to say no."

She stared at her parents, the people she had called family for twenty years. They were so familiar, yet at this moment, they felt like strangers.

Strangers standing on the other side of a gap so wide, Grace knew she would never cross it again.

After a long silence, she let out a soft, bitter laugh and lifted her gaze. "And if I refuse? Are you planning to lock me up and force me?"

Antonio stepped forward, his towering frame casting a shadow over her.

"Grace, have you forgotten?" His voice was cold, emotionless. "Our contract states that for three years, you must do whatever I ask. Even if it costs you your life."

Grace's blood ran cold.

Three years ago, the Parrish family was on the brink of collapse. Her so-called parents had begged her to help. She had gone to Antonio, the man she loved, desperate to save them.

And he had named his price—marriage. A three-year contract. His terms, his rules.

She hadn't hesitated. She had signed the papers without a second thought.

But she never imagined that the very contract she signed out of love and desperation would one day be used as a weapon against her.

The threat sent a shiver down her spine. "Grace, legal agreements are binding," Antonio continued. "I'd rather not go down that road, but if I have to... I will."

Antonio's cold, piercing gaze sent a chill down Grace's spine. She lowered her head slowly, falling into silence.

Sometime during the conversation, Silvia had stood back up. "Lucile has suffered for twenty years, Grace. She's weak, physically and emotionally. If she wakes up blind, she won't be able to handle it. Do you really want to be the reason your sister takes her own life?"

"Why are we even wasting time talking?" Eloy sneered. "Antonio has the contract. If she refuses, just throw her in jail. Let's see how long she keeps resisting."

Grace's chest ached, every word they spoke carving deeper into her heart. After what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke. "So no matter what Lucile wants, I have to give it to her?"

"Yes. Even if she wants your life, you should give it willingly."

Grace looked up at Antonio. "Fine, if that's what you want, then I'll give it to her, even if it costs me my life."

Hearing Grace's sudden agreement, the three of them froze for a moment, exchanging glances.

They had expected a fight, yet Grace gave in so easily.

"Lucile's condition is critical, but the surgery isn't possible just yet. The doctors estimate it'll be another two weeks," Antonio said, his tone softening now that she had agreed.

"That gives you enough time to finish your art exhibition. Think of it as your final masterpiece. Afterward, I'll take care of you. I won't let you suffer."

He made it sound so noble.

But she remembered how, three years ago, when he proposed, he had promised, "Grace, this may be a contract marriage, but I swear, once you marry me, I'll make you the happiest woman in the world."

Yet, Antonio... you never did.

Grace didn't bother arguing with him. Instead, she repeated, "Then at least sign the divorce papers. Otherwise, Lucile's position will never be legitimate."

Antonio's brows furrowed. An uneasy feeling settled in his chest, but he merely muttered, "The contract isn't over yet," before turning and walking away.

Eloy and Silvia shot Grace a glare, their voices laced with warning. "Grace, don't even think about playing tricks! Or else, I swear, you won't get away with it! Don't forget. You're just an orphan!"

An orphan...

Grace scoffed.

She still remembered the day, at five years old, when Eloy and Silvia had taken her from the orphanage, saying they were giving her a life of luxury, making her their little princess.

And now?

Now, she was nothing more than Lucile's personal donor bank. Whatever Lucile needed, they'd take from her.

If one day Lucile needed her heart to keep beating, Antonio and the Parrishes wouldn't think twice before cutting her open.

It was almost laughable. The very reason she was bound by this contract was to save the Parrish family. Yet, in the end, the ones devouring her piece by piece were the Parrishes themselves.

Her savior had become her enemy.

But Grace wasn't an idiot. She might have let other things slide, but her corneas? There was no way she was actually going to give those to Lucile.

Once she was alone, Grace sent a text to Auroville.

"Can you find a pair of corneas for me within two weeks?"

The reply came quickly: "No problem."

Grace bit her lip before typing again. "One more thing... Can you help me fake my death? I want to die during the cornea donation surgery in two weeks."

"Consider it done."

If Antonio refused to sign the divorce papers, then the best way out was to die.

Once she was "dead," she'd be free, from him, from the Parrishes, from all of it.

Two days later, Antonio came back to the villa and dragged Grace to the hospital again. This time, they took another 1000ml of blood.

By the time Grace was done, she could barely stand. Everything felt light, distant. She leaned against the wall, trying to steady herself.

That was when a shadow blocked her path.

She looked up. Lucile stood in front of her, healthy, glowing, her dark eyes filled with amusement. "What's wrong? Did you really think I was blind?"

Grace froze. "You... you weren't in a car accident?"

Lucile let out a soft laugh. "Nope. It was all a little game. A test, really, to see between you and me, who our parents and Antonio would choose."

Grace said nothing. Lucile continued, "And guess what, Grace? I won. They picked me, without hesitation. So tell me, do you still have the nerve to stick around?"

Grace curled her lips into a faint smile. She should've known.

With Lucile's scheming mind, was there anything she wouldn't do?

"Grace... I... I didn't mean for this to happen... I-I'll tell them. I'd rather die than take your corneas..."

Lucile suddenly covered her eyes with gauze and fell to her knees, sobbing.

Grace let out a weary sigh, knowing Lucile was putting on another act.

As expected, the next moment, Grace was shoved hard into the wall, the impact sharp and painful.

"Lucile?"

Antonio bent down to gently lift Lucile's face, then helped her up, his voice soft and comforting. "Lucile, don't say things like that. I won't let you die."

Lucile shook her head frantically, gripping Antonio's hand. "Antonio, don't say that... After all, you and Grace are married. If it causes problems between you two, It wouldn't be right. Besides, matching corneas isn't that hard. It doesn't have to be Grace..."

"Stop thinking that way. Everything, all of this, is something she owes you. And you are supposed to be my wife anyway. She's enjoyed your life for twenty years. Isn't that enough?"

Antonio caressed her cheek, his voice tender. "You're just too kind."

Then he turned, his gaze cold as it fixed on Grace. "Grace, Lucile's still recovering from the accident. She's blind. Why are you still bothering her? Do you want to kill her?"

"I'm not bothering her. She's the one-"

"Do you seriously think a blind person is coming after you, Grace? You'd better remember your place. If anything happens to Lucile, I won't let you off the hook."

With those words, Antonio swept Lucile into his arms and left.

Grace looked up and locked eyes with Lucile, who wore a smug grin. She couldn't help but sneer.

This was just one more of their tricks. How many times had this same drama played out over the last three months? Yet every time, Antonio blindly defended Lucile, while Lucile kept stirring up trouble.

Grace felt like she was just a pawn in their game.

She was fed up, but the two of them never seemed to tire of it. Shaking her head, she walked away in silence.

Back at the villa, she slept for an entire day and night, only managing to eat three bowls of rice before her body felt somewhat restored.

But it only lasted two days before Lucile started threatening suicide again.

Silvia called, furious. "Grace, you've been eating off the Parrish family for twenty years, and I never asked you for anything. Now, you won't even donate your corneas to save Lucile? Are you happy now that she's threatening suicide?

"Grace, listen to me. If you don't do it, I'll sue you and make sure you go to jail. Then we'll see if you change your mind!"

After hanging up, Grace leaned back on the sofa, feeling drained.

She didn't understand why Lucile was still against her.

Ever since she came back, everything was hers. What could Lucile possibly be unhappy about?

Just as she was lost in thought, the villa door was suddenly slammed open, and the icy December wind rushed in, making her shiver.

"Grace!"

Antonio stormed toward her, grabbing her without a word and dragging her out.

"Antonio, let go!"

Grace tried to struggle, but Antonio didn't budge, pulling her all the way to the villa's warehouse. He threw open the door and shoved her inside.

"Grace, I swear, if I don't teach you a lesson, you'll never know your place."

Antonio looked down at her from above, his voice cold. "Remember, I married you because you reminded me of Lucile. But I never expected you'd use that to go around flaunting it in front of her. I guess I've been too kind to you.

"You'll stay here and think about your actions. If you don't figure things out, I won't hesitate to knock you out and send you straight to the operating room."

With that, the heavy iron door slammed shut in front of Grace, plunging her into darkness.

"Open the door! Antonio, open the door!"

Grace pounded on the iron door in the dark, but all she heard was the sound of it rattling. Nothing else.

Antonio was gone.

He knew how much she feared the dark, yet he locked her in this tiny, pitch-black room.

There was once a typhoon, and the power went out. The house was plunged into darkness, the wind howling and the rain pouring down, each flash of lightning making her tremble.

She panicked, calling him, crying as she spoke.

Antonio was in a meeting, but he didn't get angry. Instead, he calmly comforted her, announcing the meeting was over and rushing home through the storm.

When he walked in, he found her in the bathtub, pulling her close. "Grace, don't be scared. No matter what happens, I'll always be by your side."

But now, all she had was his cold words, "You're only a little like Lucile."

Grace couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Outside, the wind and rain began to pick up, just like that night, but now the only thing surrounding her was endless darkness.

She had no idea how long it had been, but when the cold and hunger were about to overwhelm her, the door opened. Antonio's tall figure stood in the doorway, pulling her roughly off the floor.

"Lucile tried to kill herself again. We need to go to the hospital for a blood transfusion."

Antonio drove fast, seemingly anxious about Lucile, while Grace, already dizzy, felt even more faint. When they arrived at the hospital, Antonio slammed on the brakes, and her stomach collided painfully with the front seat.

"Antonio..." Grace trembled, trying to reach for him. "My stomach..."

"Stop pretending."

Before she could finish, Antonio shoved her into the blood donation room and took 1000ml of her blood.

Grace's body grew cold, her lips turning pale, her mind foggy. Even the pain in her lower abdomen faded.

But Antonio didn't even glance at her. He grabbed the blood bag and hurried off.

"Ms. Parrish?"

The nurse, noticing Grace's condition, looked down and saw the bloodstains on her pants. She froze in shock and called for the doctor.

When Grace woke up, she was told she had miscarried due to her weakened state.

She placed her hand over her stomach and buried her face in the pillow, crying.

"Grace, you're supposed to have surgery in about a week... you..."

Before Antonio could finish, he saw her pale face and the tears on his own cheeks. He froze for a moment. "Are you not feeling well?"

Grace wiped away her tears and turned to face him. "Just now..."

Antonio's phone rang, and Lucile's voice came through, crying. "Antonio, Mom and Dad aren't here... I was thirsty and wanted water, but I accidentally spilled hot water on myself... I'm burned..."

When he heard Lucile had been burned, Antonio's face darkened. "Stay put, I'll be right there."

He hung up and looked at Grace with annoyance. "Grace, stop pretending. Even if you die, your corneas are still going to Lucile. After all, you owe her that!"

Grace stared at his back, her voice soft. "Antonio, our baby is gone."

Antonio's heart skipped a beat, a sudden unease creeping in. He turned back to her. "What did you just say?"

But before she could answer, Lucile called again. Antonio didn't hesitate and left without another word.

Soon after, Grace, weak and stumbling, made her way to Lucile's hospital room. She saw Antonio anxiously holding Lucile's delicate hand, carefully applying medicine to the tiny burn marks.

Ha, all the pampering from these past three years now seemed like a joke.

"Antonio, I think you should lock Grace up. If she's running around looking for someone, what will happen to Lucile's eyes?"

Silvia spoke up, her voice trembling, "I'm afraid that ungrateful girl is just saying all that to manipulate us, just so she can run off later."

"Exactly."

Silvia's tears flowed freely. "Antonio, you saw for yourself how Lucile can't even do the simplest things without her sight. She burns herself just trying to drink water... How is she going to live like this?"

Antonio tucked Lucile in, his expression grim, yet he said nothing.

Grace bit her lip, her heart ice-cold, but still, she staggered toward the door and pushed it open.

"Antonio, please don't lock me up. I won't run away."

Where could she go in her state?

She hadn't eaten or drunk anything for days, had lost 1000ml of blood, and had just miscarried. Even if she wanted to escape, she probably couldn't make it out of the hospital.

Antonio glanced at her frail form and for a moment, his heart softened. He almost spoke, but just then, Lucile screamed.

"Ah!"

Everyone turned toward her. Lucile had stepped on broken glass, her foot bleeding.

"Lucile!" they all cried in unison.

" Antonio..."

Lucile reached her hand out but couldn't find Antonio's. In the end, he grabbed her hand. "Lucile, don't move, I'll help you..."

"Antonio, stop pushing Grace..." Lucile gripped his hand, shaking it as she cried. "She never owed me anything. It's not right to force her to give me her corneas... I paint, but it's nothing compared to her work. If she gives them to me, what will she do?

"Mom, Dad, Antonio, it's normal for Grace not to want to give them to me. Stop pressuring her. My life is already ruined. It's over, and I don't care anymore."

With that, Lucile began slapping her own legs. "I've been a cripple for a long time... Don't worry about me..."

Antonio's heart softened for a moment, but seeing Lucile so self-destructive and speaking on Grace's behalf only ignited his anger. He snapped, "Get her back to her room and keep an eye on her. Don't let her leave for even a second!"

Grace was dragged back to her room.

In that instant, her heart shattered completely.

She didn't want anything from Antonio or the Parrish family anymore.

Soon, Grace'd be leaving Elmeburg, leaving all of them behind for good.

Later that night, Lucile appeared in the room, looking smug.

"Grace, still not giving up?"

Grace glanced at her but said nothing.

There was nothing left to fight for. She had no hope for the Parrish family, for Antonio, or for the past twenty years. She was done.

Lucile walked to her bedside, pulled out her phone, and showed her a necklace. "Look, this is the necklace Antonio bought for me. Looks like it's the one you always wanted, right?"

She paused, then put her phone away. "And the yacht he promised you? I own all the shares now. Soon, I'll be his wife.

"If that's the case, why come here to gloat? Is it because you're unsure of yourself?"

Lucile shot her a glare, and then quickly lowered the bandage over her eyes. Her voice became pitiable. "Grace, I'm here to apologize. I really had no idea about the cornea thing..."

She pulled a knife out of her pocket. "Grace, I swear, I can die right here to prove it. I never thought about it, and I'm so sorry... I took everything from you..."

Then, she raised the knife and aimed it at herself.

"Lucile!"

Antonio rushed in, snatching the knife from her and slapping Grace across the face. "Grace, what's wrong with you? Is it not enough that you've tormented Lucile? She's lost everything, and now you want her to die?"

It was Grace, not Lucile, who had nothing and was being pushed to the edge.

But Grace didn't bother to explain anything to Antonio. She just covered her flushed cheek and stared at him without saying a word, looking both defiant and resigned.

Antonio felt a little uneasy under her gaze. He picked up Lucile, carried her out, and left.

For the next week, Antonio never came back to that hospital room. Only Eloy and Silvia showed up twice, one crying and cursing, the other hitting and scolding.

Grace didn't fight back or even react. She just took it all quietly.

She thought to herself that this was her way of repaying them for raising her for 20 years.

On the day the art show was supposed to happen, Antonio walked in and tossed a bag onto the bed.

"Put this on."

Grace looked at the evening gown in the bag and asked, puzzled, "What's this?"

"Isn't today your art show?"

Grace paused and looked at Antonio's nice suit. "You're planning to go with me?"

Antonio seemed a bit annoyed and frowned. "We're husband and wife. If you're not going with me, who else are you going with?"

"Oh."

"Hurry up. Once it's over, we'll come straight back for the surgery. Lucile can't wait any longer."

Grace's hand trembled as she held the dress, and she sneered.

Antonio wasn't being nice to her out of the blue; it was just a farewell gesture.

Grace quickly changed into the dress, went into the bathroom to freshen up a bit, and then said, "Let's go."

Antonio noticed that she wasn't wearing anything on her neck, hands, or ears, so he took out a set of jewelry from a fancy box nearby.

"My wife can't go out looking too shabby."

Grace didn't even look at the jewelry. "There's no need. I'm a painter. It'll be a hassle to wear these during the surgery later."

Hearing this, Antonio put the jewelry back and started walking outside.

But for some reason, he felt a little uneasy, like he was about to lose something.

At the show, Antonio held Grace's hand and chatted with everyone. He acted like the perfect husband. Everyone said how much they loved each other and how lucky they were.

But only Grace knew that Antonio was pretending.

Just as everything was going smoothly, Lucile burst in from outside and fell to the ground as soon as she got in.

"Ah!"

Upon seeing Lucile, Antonio let go of Grace, who he had been holding the whole time, and ran over. He picked Lucile up gently and asked, "Why did you come here?"

"Antonio." Lucile leaned into Antonio's arms. "Where's Grace? I came to congratulate her. But I'm too clumsy. I can't see, so I fell."

People around them started talking, and most of them were looking at Grace with unfriendly eyes.

"Grace." Lucile, still crying, pulled herself up with Antonio's help. "Even though I can't see anymore and can't appreciate your paintings, I know they must be the most beautiful."

As she spoke, she became more and more upset. "But... I... I might never paint again."

"Enough, stop talking. I told you; you'll be able to see again."

Antonio held Lucile and comforted her. "Stop making a fuss. I'll take you back to the hospital."

"No!"

Lucile cried and broke free from Antonio, taking out a knife and cutting her wrist. "Antonio, you and Mom and Dad are all Grace's. Everything should have been hers, but I took it from her. I shouldn't even exist, especially not as a burden. Grace, I'm giving my life back to you now!"

With that, Lucile's eyes rolled back, and she passed out.

Looking at the blood on Lucile's wrist, Antonio felt bad. He held her and ran outside, shouting, "Grab Grace and take her to the hospital!"

Seeing that Lucile had just a little cut but was making such a big deal out of it, Grace couldn't help but smirk.

How ironic.

After being put in the car, Grace's phone buzzed, and she got a message: "Everything is ready."

She finally felt relieved. She erased everything on her phone and threw it out of the car.

Grace had finally waited for this moment.

As she was being pushed into the operating room, she looked back at Antonio. His eyes still didn't have her in them; they were only focused on Lucile.

But she had prepared a gift for Antonio—a video of Lucile coming to find her, proving that she had never been blind and that everything had just been a setup.

Two hours later, the door of the operating room opened. Eloy, Silvia, and Antonio quickly stood up and hurried over.

"How's Lucile?"

The doctor nodded and said, "Don't worry, the surgery was successful, but..."

Then they wheeled out Grace's body. "I'm sorry, Mr. Kaufman. Mrs. Kaufman just had a miscarriage and kept losing blood, so..."

Antonio's mind went completely blank. He stared at the familiar but pale face, and as if under a spell, he grabbed the doctor by the collar.

"What did you say?"

The doctor was startled. "I'm sorry, but Mrs. Kaufman lost too much blood during the process, and we didn't have any extra blood. You said before that if anything went wrong, we should save Miss Lucile first, so..."

"What did you say about Grace just now?"

"She... She had a miscarriage..."

"A miscarriage?"

Antonio's eyes turned red as he stared at the doctor. "When?"

"I'm not sure, but based on her condition, it must have been about a week ago."