Chapter 1

Carter loved outdoor adventures. While exploring an unknown cave with friends, he got trapped inside by poisonous gas.

Carter wouldn't let me call for outside help, saying there was an undressed girl in the cave and he needed to protect her privacy.

I abandoned my concert with millions of fans to rescue him alone, inhaling the toxic fumes that left me unable to speak.

Carter got down on one knee and proposed, vowing to protect and never leave me for life.

On our wedding day, that undressed girl from the cave stood beside me, holding the microphone and laughing carelessly.

Carter patted my head comfortingly, "Sweetheart, the bride always has to say her vows. Since you can't speak, let her say them for you."

I listened as they sweetly exchanged vows and professed their love, then turned and signed an organ donation form.

Seven days later, my poison-filled body would be sent to Carter's research institute for dissection.

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At the wedding venue, I sat in a wheelchair wearing a veil that obscured my face.

Serenity stood behind the curtain, microphone in hand, tears in her eyes, her voice trembling.

"Carter, I do! I do want to marry you!"

The entire crowd cheered for the love between Carter and me, shouting for us to kiss.

Only then did Carter reluctantly tear his gaze away from behind the curtain, passionately kissing my lips.

I instinctively felt nauseated and dodged backward.

Carter froze for a moment, then soothingly patted my head.

"Melody, I know you've always felt insecure because your entire mouth was burned, leaving scars on your lips, but don't worry, I'll never be disgusted by you!"

"I'll be with you for life, be your voice for life."

He raised the microphone and sang my debut song with deep emotion.

During the chorus, a female voice slowly joined in, the two voices blending smoothly, perfectly intertwining, drawing cheers from the audience.

Carter could no longer contain his emotions, turning to smile tenderly at Serenity behind the curtain.

Once upon a time, I felt insecure due to the extensive burns in my mouth and vocal cords, not allowing Carter to kiss my lips. But this time, my avoidance was entirely because I found Carter disgusting. He had promised me a future, only to ruin my life.

The ceremony wrapped up, with relatives departing early and old friends getting hammered at the tables below.

Serenity, having accomplished her goal, was drinking merrily at the head table.

A friend teased, "Serenity, you should go toast Melody! She's your lifesaver too, after all!"

Serenity waved her hand dismissively, pointing at the person and ranting.

"Why should I? She should've minded her own business! If she hadn't tried to play hero and ruined her own future, would Carter have gotten married so early? Isn't it all because she forced his hand?"

"Our research lab is already so busy, this is our only bit of free time. She caused such a scene that Carter doesn't even go on adventures with us anymore to placate her. And you're all taking her side!"

Carter, unaware I was behind him, grabbed Serenity's arms, trying to mediate.

"Come on, Serenity, don't make a scene on this happy day! Bottom line is, Melody did save us, we should be grateful to her!"

"If it really bothers you that much, I'll just tell her I have to work late from now on, and we can sneak out together, okay?"

Serenity's cheeks were flushed as she spun around and latched onto Carter. "That's more like it!"

But as she turned her head, our eyes met. Her gaze was not only completely lucid but also filled with intense provocation.

Carter also twisted to see me, hastily pushing Serenity away. He gently tucked the blanket around me and wheeled my chair next to him.

"Melody, why aren't you resting? Did you come out here by yourself?"

I shook my head silently, focusing solely on eating my food.

Just earlier, I had signed the surgical consent form for a foreign private hospital.

Having been trapped in that cave for so long, the toxins had invaded every part of my body. Not only could I no longer speak, but now my vision and hearing were also compromised, leaving me in extremely poor physical condition.

The hospital had sent word, urging me to eat well these few days and increase my nutrient intake.

They feared my body wouldn't make it to the surgery scheduled seven days from now.

I needed to eat more, to eat more so I'd have the strength to last until seven days later, to appear on Carter's dissection table.