Chapter 1

Darling lost at cards and pawned me off to Felicity, the socialite of New York City.

She locked me in an iron cage, leaving me bloody and torn by vicious dogs, enduring endless mockery.

Some said I was an auction item.

Others laughed that I was like a worthless mutt.

Before I passed out, I asked Darling, "Why is it me again? You're the one who signed that betting agreement to help Granger."

She sneered, "What are you yelling for? You're thick-skinned and used to it anyway. Another week or two won't kill you."

With that, she took Granger's arm - her male bestie - and left, chatting and laughing.

But what she didn't know...

This time, the collateral period was permanent.

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1

"You have three days to finalize the divorce paperwork."

"After that, you'll be mine."

Felicity's delicate hand tipped up my chin, a hint of playfulness in the corner of her mouth.

"Okay."

I nodded numbly, like a walking corpse.

"Good boy. Here's a kiss as your reward."

Felicity leaned in and gently kissed my forehead before turning to leave.

Countless people longed for even a taste of intimacy with this New York socialite.

But at that moment, watching her graceful figure walk away, I felt nothing but profound sorrow.

Because this was the ninth time Callie had used me as a gambling chip, losing me to Felicity.

I dragged my bandage-wrapped body home, only to find Granger passed out drunk on the couch as soon as I entered. From the kitchen came the sounds of Callie and my mother-in-law arguing.

"This isn't fair to Soren!"

"Even if Granger's drunk, you can't just leave him at home like this."

"You're afraid of upsetting Granger, so you won't have children with Soren. You take birth control every time and even faked hospital test results saying he has weak sperm and is infertile."

"Two years ago, Granger, after failing to win Felicity's affections, sought revenge by spiking Soren and Felicity's drinks with a potent drug at a party, causing them to become intoxicated and lose control."

"How else could Felicity hate Soren so much?"

My mother-in-law accused on my behalf.

"Granger has been my close friend since childhood. I can't let anything happen to him. As for Soren? He's mentally tough; I'll make it up to him gradually in the future."

Callie replied impatiently.

"Nobody's heart is made of stone. How can anyone endure such pain?"

Mother-in-law sighed.

I stood in the living room, completely stunned.

Two years ago?

Granger had just returned to New York not long before. We went on a business trip together, and at a dinner party, he met Felicity for the first time.

That night, Granger kept pushing drinks on me, and I blacked out, remembering nothing.

I never imagined I had fallen into Granger's trap.

No wonder Felicity never asked for anything else whenever I became the stakes.

Callie knew the truth all along but chose to keep it from me, using it to her advantage.

Then again, it makes sense.She would go to any lengths to please Granger, even concocting lies about my weak sperm and infertility, forcing me to hang my head in shame.

So what else was she incapable of doing?

It's laughable that I've been grateful all this time for her not despising me.

"Mom, leave it alone. I know what I'm doing."

Callie tossed out those words and turned to walk out of the bedroom, startling when she saw me.

"When did you get back?"

"Was Felicity feeling so generous this time? She let you go after just a few hours."

Her flushed cheeks were full of surprise.

At first, she would apologize to me, saying she didn't want to bow down to Felicity in public, which is why she spoke harshly to me.

Now she doesn't care at all.

"I came back to pack my things."

I looked at Callie with a deathly pale face, paused, then continued: "Besides that, Felicity wants me to divorce you."

"Divorce? Felicity is truly disgusting."

After hearing this, Callie first muttered, then pounced on me like a kitten, giving me a gentle kiss.

"Honey, I'm sorry you have to go through this."

"We can't let Felicity look down on us! We can always remarry after divorcing. When she lets you come back again, we'll go on a vacation to Scandinavia."

She pressed against my chest, her words soft and tender."Would you like to bring Granger along?"

I asked tentatively.

"Of course!"

Callie nodded emphatically and said, "I've heard the scenery there is breathtaking. It might help with Granger's depression."

Just as I thought.

Everything Callie does is for Granger.

Including her gentle words to me just now.