Chapter 1

On Valentine's Day, my husband transferred $1 million to our female neighbor, but only gave me $10.

In a fit of rage, I accidentally pushed him downstairs. He died on the spot.

Although my mother-in-law signed a settlement agreement, I became a criminal from that day forward, subjected to daily abuse from the female neighbor.

To atone for my sins, I worked as my mother-in-law's unpaid maid.

Five years later, the female neighbor gave birth to a son. My mother-in-law happily went to take care of her, even treating the neighbor's son as her own grandson.

Looking at the baby's face---identical to my husband's---I felt doubt for the first time.

Later, I heard sex noises coming from the female neighbor's house.

I opened my door and saw a man walking out of her room.

That silhouette looked exactly like my dead husband.

Possessed by some inexplicable force, I quietly followed him.

When we reached a deserted area, the man removed his hat and took off his mask.

Looking at that familiar face, I felt as if I'd been struck by lightning. I nearly screamed out loud, but managed to cover my mouth just in time to stifle the sound.

That face was identical to my husband Sebastian Hunt's.

Could he really be Sebastian Hunt?

But five years ago, I had accidentally pushed him downstairs to his death!

Could this just be someone who looked like him?

My fists clenched tightly as my mind tangled with indecision. I was about to approach and demand answers.

Just then, his phone rang.

After answering, his voice was exceptionally gentle: "Lauren, don't worry. There's no way that idiot Claire could discover me."

"Relax, I've already safely left the complex."

He really was Sebastian Hunt.

I immediately understood---he had deliberately faked his death and kept it from me.

It felt like plunging into an ice cellar. My heart seized with violent pain, as if pierced by millions of arrows, leaving my flesh torn and bloody.

Sebastian had once made vows at our wedding, promising me a lifetime of peace and swearing never to tell me a single lie.

Who could have known he would tell me such a monstrous deception?

My eyes burned with unbearable acidity. Scalding tears froze in the cold spring wind.

I reached up to wipe them away, but the tears only came faster, like a broken faucet that wouldn't stop.

After a long while, my tears finally dried. When I looked up again, Sebastian had vanished without a trace.

My phone suddenly vibrated---a SnapChat voice message from the female neighbor, Lauren Evans.

I took several deep breaths, desperately trying to suppress the waves of cold rising in my chest. My fingertips turned white from the pressure as I clicked it open.

"Claire, I suddenly want lobster and shrimp soup. Go to the supermarket right now and buy me some imported ones."

Even through the screen, I could feel the entitled tone in her voice.

On the day Lauren gave birth, my mother-in-law had declared that I should be Lauren's on-call servant.

Before, though I had my suspicions, I mostly believed my mother-in-law was projecting her longing for her son onto the child, using the baby's face to ease the pain of losing her son.

So I had been willing to set aside my grievances and serve Lauren hand and foot.

Who could have known this was all an elaborate scheme they had carefully planned?

I steadied my trembling breath and calmly replied with a simple "okay."

Lobster and shrimp?

I'll satisfy you.

But I dare to buy it---do you dare to eat it?

I didn't go to the supermarket to buy any imported lobster or shrimp. Instead, I bought some expired, rotten products from a roadside stall.

Rotten people deserve rotten food.

A perfect match!

As soon as I opened the door, a wet baby diaper came flying at my face.

Along with the stench of urine and feces came my mother-in-law's venomous curses.

"You husband-killing whore! Where have you been slacking off? Don't you know Emma and her baby need care, or are you trying to work these old bones to death?"