Chapter 1

Garrison has many lovers, yet he chose to marry me.

The reason is simple: I'm the most tolerant.

I can endure him bringing other women home, and even prepare dinner for three with my own hands.

Everyone says Garrison is a badass for finding such a love-struck doormat.

But no one knows that I married Garrison because he has a face identical to Dane's.

In the seventh year of using Garrison to ease my longing for Dane, the cloning project finally succeeds, and it's time for me to leave.

However, I never expected Garrison to follow me abroad, kneeling at my feet and begging me to come back.

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Outside the villa, I could hear the noisy chatter coming from inside.

As I opened the door, sure enough, Garrison's group of fair-weather friends were all there.

Seeing the groceries in my hand, they immediately burst into mocking laughter.

"Garrison, this lapdog really listens to you! She actually went to buy groceries and cook for you and Melody!"

An hour ago, Garrison had texted to inform me he was bringing Melody home and ordered me to cook dinner.

But I hadn't expected him to invite so many people, waiting to make a fool of me.

However, after seven years of marriage, such incidents had happened countless times. I greeted them nonchalantly and prepared to head to the kitchen.

To my surprise, Garrison called out to stop me.

"Jolene, I remember you're good at massages. Melody has a headache, come over and rub her temples."

I used to pester Garrison for massages sometimes.

Because when he closed his eyes, he looked the most like Dane, and I couldn't help but stare greedily.

But he mistook it as my way of showing affection, and now wanted me to use it on his true love. To outsiders, it was undoubtedly a humiliation.

Everyone snickered quietly, wearing expressions of anticipation for the show about to unfold.Seeing me standing still, Garrison teasingly pressed,

"Don't want to?"

I shook my head and pointed at the ashtray on the table.

"I will, but you have to give me that ashtray you used."

As soon as I said that, everyone burst into exaggerated laughter.

"Unbelievable! Jolene must be madly in love with Garrison, even collecting things he's used. It's downright creepy!"

Garrison's face gradually darkened amid the mocking laughter. He didn't say anything, but I knew he agreed. After all, this wasn't the first time.

Under everyone's gaze, I began massaging Melody's head, even thoughtfully asking her about the pressure.

"Jolene is such a lowlife! Just like those concubines serving the first wife in ancient times!"

"Yeah! I've never seen someone so shamelessly in love, it's disgusting!"

"Can't be helped. It's because our Garrison only has eyes for Melody. Jolene has no choice but to try and win his favor this way!"

The jeering continued. Garrison, somewhat displeased, pushed me away and scolded,

"Jolene, do you really love me that much?"

I nodded, but in my heart, I was thinking of Dane's name.

"Remember, you promised to give me the ashtray."Garrison's words ignited his fury. He snatched up the ashtray and hurled it at me with all his might.

"Take that, you disgusting wretch!"

The ashtray struck my temple with brutal force, making my vision explode with stars as I staggered backwards.

Fearing I'd knock over the picture frame, I desperately tried to shield it.

But I was a moment too late. Shards of shattered glass sliced deep into my palm.

At this, Garrison's posse of friends erupted into raucous jeers like they'd stumbled upon buried treasure.

"Holy shit! Jolene's taking pathetic to a whole new level! She's protecting his photo even after he decked her!"

Garrison grabbed Melody's hand, ready to make his exit. But not before firing one last verbal grenade my way.

"Even after all this, I could never love you. Give it up already!"

After they left, I gingerly picked up the ashtray and tucked it away in a box.

It joined a collection of various mementos, all once belonging to Dane.

These were the spoils of my negotiations with Garrison.

Our marriage began as a transaction. Garrison appreciated my tolerance of sweet Melody, while I was drawn to his face - identical to his twin brother's.

For seven years of marriage, we've maintained an unspoken truce, coexisting in feigned harmony.However, Garrison has been acting somewhat strange lately. He seems increasingly dissatisfied with my compliance, and his temper has become more unpredictable.

I rubbed my swollen temple and took out my phone to call the head of the cloning project.

Emerson knew what I was going to ask as soon as he saw my number, so he rushed to answer,

"We're already in the testing phase. It'll be done in a week at the latest!"

As I hung up the phone, my heart, which had been dormant for seven long years, finally began to beat wildly with life again.

"Dane, you're finally coming back..."

"And it's time for me to leave..."