Chapter 1

Landon and I were kidnapped during our trial marriage trip.

The kidnappers forced me to reveal Landon's whereabouts, but to protect him, I kept my lips sealed tight, enduring 100 hours of abuse and humiliation.

Landon mobilized all his family's resources to finally find me, broken and shattered.

He went berserk seeking revenge on the kidnappers, swearing to throw them in prison. The kidnappers fell to their knees, crying and begging for mercy:

"Mr. Channing, we were only following Miss Luna's orders. Surely you won't send her to prison too?"

I watched Landon's hesitant expression as the wounds on my body throbbed with excruciating pain.

Luna was Landon's first love, his pure love, who had vanished five years ago.

In that moment, I knew it was truly over between Landon and me.

After waking up in the hospital, I canceled our marriage registration.

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1

"Hello, I'd like to cancel my marriage registration."

I recited my ID number and the scheduled date to the staff member on the other end of the line.

Suddenly, there was silence on the other end. After a moment of hesitation, they spoke:

"Ms. Jefferson, Mr. Channing went out of his way to book that date for your marriage registration. He said he wanted to register on the anniversary of when you two first met... If you cancel now, you might have to wait another year."

My chest tightened suddenly, a suffocating, dull pain blurring my vision.

"Cancel it, please."

Seeing my determination, they had no choice but to agree to the cancellation.

As I confirmed the details over the phone, I glanced around every corner of the hospital room.

In the empty room devoid of warmth, my heart sank deeper and deeper.

"Melody, you're awake?"

The sudden intrusion made me turn reflexively, and I saw Landon.

After more than ten days apart, he still looked polished and handsome as ever.

I looked at my reflection in the window - my face swollen with injuries, some still oozing pus from festering wounds.

I barely looked human anymore.

"Why are you making phone calls as soon as you wake up? The doctor said your injuries are severe and you need to rest properly."Landon acted as if nothing had happened, expertly helping me lie down and tucking me in.

Those beautiful almond-shaped eyes showed concern and love for me.

"The doctor said your condition isn't serious. You just need to rest and you'll be fine. As for your legs... the doctor recommended scheduling surgery in six months, after your overall health improves a bit..."

"Landon, did you come to see me at all while I was unconscious?"

I coldly interrupted his rambling. Landon's hand, which had been peeling an apple, suddenly froze.

His eyes shifted away from me as he stammered:

"Of course I did."

I knew Landon too well. He was lying.

This cold, empty hospital room showed no signs of his presence. How could he possibly have been here?

I still remember last year when I was hospitalized for stomach pain. Landon was so frantic he nearly turned the hospital upside down.

He searched for top specialists, barged into the operating room to confront surgeons, and caused chaos throughout the hospital.

Even after learning it was just simple gastroenteritis, he still refused to leave my side. The room was filled with all kinds of nutritional supplements and essentials.

He even had fresh flowers delivered daily, claiming patients needed to maintain a positive mood.If I remember correctly, it's been half a month since that incident happened to me.

He hasn't come to see me even once.

All that deep love seemed to completely vanish the moment he heard the name Luna.

But what about all the suffering I endured for him? My entire body was tortured until not a single part remained unscathed, even my legs were broken. Does all that pain mean nothing now?

Remembering Landon's hesitation when he heard Luna's name, and the look of difficulty he gave me, it all makes it hard for me to breathe.

"Just go..."

I heard my own choked voice as I painfully turned away, no longer looking at Landon.

Landon seemed panicked. He hurriedly tried to explain:

"Melody, don't misunderstand. I didn't intentionally avoid visiting you. I really couldn't get away."

"Luna, she... she had her reasons for leaving me back then. She hasn't been doing well since she left me. She's even developed severe depression. She needs me..."

If that incident hadn't happened, maybe I would have chosen to believe Landon, and even felt sympathy for Luna.