Bonnie had spent five years supporting her poor, amnesiac boyfriend, Parrish, never suspecting that he actually came from a prestigious family. In truth, Parrish had already recovered his memory long ago, but he chose to keep up the pretense of poverty and deceive her. Worse still, he turned to another woman, treating her as his savior, and even went so far as to marry that very person. At her wit's end, Bonnie took on a fake-marriage job just to earn money for her foster mother's medicine. Her new partner, Quentin, was ill-tempered, sharp-tongued, and blind—so cold that he seemed impossible to warm. Bonnie assumed it was merely a transaction, a simple exchange where each got what they needed. However, as time went on, Bonnie eventually healed Quentin's eyesight, and little by little, she found herself falling into his embrace. One night, in the dimly lit entrance, Quentin pulled her close by the waist, pressed her against the door, and gave her a fervent kiss. "Bonnie," he murmured, "you cured my eyes. Doesn't that mean you should take responsibility for me?" Meanwhile, Parrish finally realized his grave mistake—he had misidentified his true benefactor and had protected the wrong person all along. Blushing with shame, he begged Bonnie for forgiveness. But Quentin simply held Bonnie tightly and declared, "Parrish, she's my wife now."

Chapter 1"Parrish... your legs are so tense."Inside the presidential suite, a woman's soft, seductive voice drifted through the half-open door.Bonnie Hayes stopped dead in her tracks, the tray holding the detox tonic trembling in her hands.Tonight, the hotel's top floor was exclusively hosting VIPs. The manager had repeatedly warned them that the man inside, Mr. York, was of utmost importance and could not be slighted.Just as she raised her hand to knock, her gaze slipped through the crack in the door.One glance was all it took to freeze her in place, her blood running completely cold.In front of the luxurious black leather sofa, a woman in a pristine, haute-couture gown crouched on the floor, leaning intimately between the man's legs.The position was so suggestive it made the air feel thick with tension.The man leaned back lazily against the sofa. The top two buttons of his black dress shirt were undone, revealing a sliver of pale collarbone.Gold-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, his features relaxed, exuding an air of untouchable, arrogant wealth.Bonnie's mind reeled, a deafening ring echoing in her ears like a bomb going off.She knew that profile better than her own.Even dressed in an expensive shirt, lounging in a presidential suite she could never afford to step foot in, she recognized him instantly.Parrish.Her Parrish.Five years ago, she had found him covered in blood in a ditch behind her town. She had carried him home on her back and stayed by his side for three days and nights, pulling him back from the brink of death.He had lost his memory and had nowhere to go, trailing after her like a devoted golden retriever for the next five years.Just last night, he had held her in his arms and promised, "Bonnie, once I make enough money, I'll give you the life you deserve."Yet here he was, sitting in a suite that cost thousands a night, with another woman draped over his lap."I told you not to push yourself when you twisted your ankle earlier," Seraphina Miller murmured, looking up at him as her fingers massaged upward along his tailored trousers. "Does it still ache here? Let me rub it a little more."The roaring in Bonnie's ears drowned out the rest of their words.A suffocating chill swept through her, and her fingers trembled uncontrollably.Crash!The tray slammed against the marble floor. The porcelain bowl shattered instantly, spilling the piping hot detox tonic everywhere.A group of young men laughing and walking down the hallway stopped, their expressions darkening at the mess."What's wrong with you? Clumsy idiot!"Bonnie snapped back to reality, slowly lifting her head.From behind the door, steady footsteps approached.Parrish York walked out, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, his expression impeccably stoic as if the intimate scene moments ago had never happened.But the second his eyes landed on Bonnie, his pupils constricted, and his steps faltered.Bonnie stared at him, desperately searching his face for a flicker of panic, guilt, or even the slightest hint of remorse.But there was nothing.After a brief flash of surprise, the gaze behind Parrish's glasses darkened into something cold.It held only the irritation of a secret exposed and the displeasure of being interrupted.Seraphina followed him out, holding up the hem of her gown. When she saw Bonnie, a fleeting look of triumph crossed her eyes, like a predator claiming its territory."Mr. York, so this is where you wandered off to."The wealthy heirs in the hallway immediately plastered on eager smiles and approached him."The Xavier family just called asking if you wanted to personally review the engagement party details, and here you are, hiding out for some peace and quiet."One of them glanced at Seraphina and offered a knowing chuckle."Ms. Miller is here too?""Mr. York is about to get engaged to the Xavier heiress, yet he's still so devoted to the woman who saved his life. If Xandra Xavier finds out, she might just get jealous."Mr. York.Engaged.The woman who saved his life.Every word felt like a brutal blow to Bonnie's chest, shattering her reality.So, he was never a penniless nobody.He was the untouchable heir of the York family, Parrish York.He was even about to get engaged to a woman of equal standing, the Xavier heiress.And she was the only one kept entirely in the dark, playing the fool."Honestly, Ms. Miller is Mr. York's lucky charm," someone chimed in, eager to flatter."If it weren't for her incredible medical treatments, who knows when Mr. York would have regained his memory and returned to take over the family business.""Exactly. Just a few therapy sessions and he remembered everything. A life-saving grace like that is truly unmatched."Seraphina lowered her head, offering a shy, modest smile."Please, don't say that. I only did what any medical professional would do. Parrish suffered so much during his years away; I'm just happy I could help him."Then, as if just noticing the broken porcelain on the floor, she let out a soft gasp."Oh my, why is this server so careless? Parrish had a lot to drink tonight. If he doesn't have his detox tonic, his stomach will start acting up again."Bonnie trembled with rage, refusing to even look at Seraphina.She kept her eyes locked dead on Parrish.Seraphina was his savior?Then what was she?Five years ago, she was the one who carried his bleeding body home, stitched his wounds, and fought tooth and nail to keep him alive.During the countless nights when his old injuries flared up and his head pounded in agony, she was the one who stayed awake, administering treatments, brewing remedies, and massaging his tension points over and over.But now, everyone treated Seraphina as his savior.And Parrish remained completely silent.He didn't explain their relationship, nor did he correct their assumptions.The last shred of hope in Bonnie's heart shattered entirely.At that moment, another server hurried over with a fresh bowl of detox tonic.The manager, sweating profusely, snatched the tray and shoved it into Bonnie's hands."What are you standing there for? Serve it to Mr. York and apologize immediately!"Bonnie didn't move.Seraphina stepped forward with a sweet smile. "I'll take it."The next second, her elbow seemingly accidentally bumped the edge of the tray.The bowl tipped over, and the dark brown tonic spilled directly onto her pristine white gown."Ah!"Seraphina shrieked, stumbling backward.A massive, ugly stain instantly spread across the white fabric.Her eyes reddened, looking as though she were on the verge of tears."My dress..."Bonnie stood perfectly still, holding the half-empty tray, watching her performance with cold detachment.But the surrounding crowd immediately rained harsh reprimands down on her."What is wrong with you? You did that on purpose!""You actually have the nerve to throw a drink on Ms. Miller? Are you out of your mind?!"The manager looked utterly terrified. He grabbed Bonnie by the shoulder, trying to force her down."Mr. York, Ms. Miller, I am so incredibly sorry! She's new and clumsy. I'll make her apologize right now!"Seraphina dabbed at the corner of her eye and sneered. "Apologize? Parrish had this dress custom-made for me. It costs eighty thousand dollars. Can she even afford to pay for it?"Eighty thousand.Bonnie worked three jobs a day, barely managing to save a thousand dollars a month.The manager pinched her hard, hissing a threat into her ear. "Grovel and apologize right now! Do you want to ruin all of us?"Bonnie still didn't move.She stared straight at Parrish with bloodshot eyes.She refused to believe that the man she had lived with day in and day out for five years would just stand there and watch her be humiliated like this.Parrish looked down at her.Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes were as dead and cold as an empty well, devoid of a single ripple of emotion.It was as if the woman standing in front of him was nothing more than a complete stranger.A few seconds later, he turned to Seraphina, his voice gentle. "Don't be upset. I'll buy you another one."Bonnie's eyelashes trembled violently.The astronomical price tag that she could never pay off in her lifetime—he casually promised to cover it for another woman without even blinking.Then, Parrish's voice rang out again, completely devoid of warmth."However, if you make a mistake, you should apologize."At that moment, Bonnie distinctly felt something inside her snap completely.The manager was still gritting his teeth beside her. "Do you want to lose this job? Apologize!"Her mother was still lying in the hospital, relying on daily life-saving medication. She couldn't afford to lose this income.In the face of brutal reality, dignity was ground into dust.Bonnie bit her lower lip so hard she tasted blood.She stared at Parrish, as if trying to completely sever the cold, callous man standing before her from the gentle Parrish of her memories.Then, she slowly bowed her head, but she stood her ground, her posture rigid."I'm sorry, Ms. Miller. The soup from my tray ruined your dress, and for that, I apologize."After she spoke, she straightened her back, her eyes devoid of any retreat."But you bumped the tray yourself. I won't take the blame for that."The corridor fell dead silent.The smugness on Seraphina's face froze for a second before twisting into a mockingly cruel smile."Still so stubborn even now. I guess some people just never know their place."Parrish looked at Bonnie's defiant stance, his brow furrowing imperceptibly.Seraphina reached out and wrapped her arms around his, pouting. "Parrish, I don't want to look at her anymore. She deliberately spilled it on me and now she's trying to play the victim."After a brief silence, Parrish looked away. "Security, escort her out."Two security guards immediately marched over and roughly grabbed Bonnie by the arms.Bonnie didn't struggle, nor did she beg for mercy. She kept her spine perfectly straight, letting them drag her toward the elevator.Just as the elevator doors were about to close, she looked back one last time.Under the dazzling crystal chandelier, Parrish's profile was cold and distant, while Seraphina leaned intimately against him.They looked like they truly belonged in the same world.The elevator doors shut tight.Leaning against the cold metal wall, Bonnie suddenly let out a soft, hollow laugh.But in the very next second, the tears she had been fighting back came crashing down.Her Parrish was dead.He died the day he regained his memories and returned to being the York heir.It was late into the night by the time Bonnie returned to her cramped apartment in the old district.She stood in the narrow doorway, staring down at the worn, misshapen gray men's slippers by her feet.They belonged to Parrish, the soles still stained with water from when she mopped the floor earlier that day.On the bathroom counter, two plastic toothbrush cups—one blue, one pink—sat side by side. On the nightstand lay the razor she had scrimped and saved to buy him. His faded jacket still hung on the coat rack...Every single item was a glaring reminder that a man named Parrish had once lived here.But she and Parrish could never go back.Her phone suddenly vibrated.Bonnie mechanically pulled it out and saw a message from Parrish.[I have an important client to entertain tonight, so I probably won't make it home. Go to sleep first, I'll explain everything tomorrow.]An important client?Or was he entertaining Seraphina?Or maybe the Xavier heiress he was about to marry?She had witnessed his lies with her own two eyes, yet he still had the audacity to lie as if nothing had happened.Bonnie rubbed her stinging eyes and replied with just three words.[Let's break up.]...Early the next morning, Bonnie headed out for work as usual.However, reality slapped her in the face much faster and harder than she could have ever anticipated.In the morning, the pharmacy owner blocked her at the door, telling her not to come back.At noon, the diner manager paid her remaining wages and told her to find work elsewhere.By the afternoon, when she arrived at the office building, the cleaning supervisor crossed her name right off the schedule.She had lost three jobs in a single day.Unable to hold back any longer, Bonnie grabbed the cleaning supervisor's arm."Chloe, tell me the truth. Is someone blacklisting me?"Chloe glanced around nervously and lowered her voice. "Bonnie, my hands are tied. Word came from the top. Everyone knows you offended Mr. York last night. Hiring you means crossing the York family. A small company like ours can't take that risk."With that, she hurried away, looking terrified that Bonnie's mere presence would drag her down.Bonnie stood outside the office building, a cold dread washing over her.Parrish had lied to her, cheated on her, and now he was actively cutting off her every means of survival.Before she could even process her mounting fury, her phone rang frantically.The caller ID showed the local clinic back in her hometown.Bonnie's heart lurched, and she quickly answered."Bonnie, the toxins in your mother's system relapsed. She's been in agony all night and is severely dehydrated."A familiar nurse's panicked voice came through the line. "The doctor said we need to administer the Vitalis Heart Elixir immediately! If the toxins reach her heart tonight, she won't make it!"Bonnie's throat tightened. "I'll buy the medicine right now! Please, just stabilize her until I get there!"Years ago, her grandfather had competed for the presidency of the city's medical association. Unable to beat him fairly, his rival had poisoned their family's well.Her grandfather died full of regret, and her father passed away three years later.Her mother had suffered the mildest poisoning, but it still ruined her health. For years, Bonnie had kept her alive using specialized remedies.Whenever the toxins flared up, she desperately needed the expensive imported medicine to survive.Hanging up, Bonnie frantically checked her bank balance.A single dose of Vitalis Heart Elixir cost eight thousand dollars, but she only had three thousand left in her account.Just two days ago, she had finally received her eight-thousand-dollar paycheck.But Parrish had told her his startup needed emergency funding. She hadn't kept a single dime, transferring every last cent to him.Bonnie gritted her teeth, scrolled to her pinned contacts, and dialed his number.It rang endlessly before automatically disconnecting.She took a deep breath and dialed again.On the fifth attempt, the call finally connected."Parrish, the money I sent you the other day—""Ms. Hayes, are you ever going to give it a rest?"The voice on the other end wasn't Parrish's; it was a young man sneering impatiently."Now that you know Mr. York's true identity, you should have the self-awareness to back off. Stop clinging to him like a leech! Mr. York is busy enjoying French cuisine with Ms. Miller and doesn't have the time to entertain gold-diggers like you!""I'm not clinging to him! I just want my own money back!" Bonnie screamed into the phone, her voice trembling uncontrollably. "That's my mother's life-saving money! Tell him to give it back!"But the man didn't listen and abruptly hung up.Bonnie stood at the noisy intersection, surrounded by a sea of people, but the world around her faded into deafening silence.She never could have imagined that the man she had loved and provided for with her very life for five years would turn into a poisonous blade, stabbing her right in the heart.When she was twenty, she had been gathering herbs in the mountains when she found Parrish covered in blood, clinging to his last breath. She carried him home, staying awake for three days and nights to snatch him back from the grim reaper.When he woke up, he claimed he couldn't remember anything, and she believed him.Chapter 2"Parrish... your legs are so tense."Inside the presidential suite, a woman's soft, seductive voice drifted through the half-open door.Bonnie Hayes stopped dead in her tracks, the tray holding the detox tonic trembling in her hands.Tonight, the hotel's top floor was exclusively hosting VIPs. The manager had repeatedly warned them that the man inside, Mr. York, was of utmost importance and could not be slighted.Just as she raised her hand to knock, her gaze slipped through the crack in the door.One glance was all it took to freeze her in place, her blood running completely cold.In front of the luxurious black leather sofa, a woman in a pristine, haute-couture gown crouched on the floor, leaning intimately between the man's legs.The position was so suggestive it made the air feel thick with tension.The man leaned back lazily against the sofa. The top two buttons of his black dress shirt were undone, revealing a sliver of pale collarbone.Gold-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, his features relaxed, exuding an air of untouchable, arrogant wealth.Bonnie's mind reeled, a deafening ring echoing in her ears like a bomb going off.She knew that profile better than her own.Even dressed in an expensive shirt, lounging in a presidential suite she could never afford to step foot in, she recognized him instantly.Parrish.Her Parrish.Five years ago, she had found him covered in blood in a ditch behind her town. She had carried him home on her back and stayed by his side for three days and nights, pulling him back from the brink of death.He had lost his memory and had nowhere to go, trailing after her like a devoted golden retriever for the next five years.Just last night, he had held her in his arms and promised, "Bonnie, once I make enough money, I'll give you the life you deserve."Yet here he was, sitting in a suite that cost thousands a night, with another woman draped over his lap."I told you not to push yourself when you twisted your ankle earlier," Seraphina Miller murmured, looking up at him as her fingers massaged upward along his tailored trousers. "Does it still ache here? Let me rub it a little more."The roaring in Bonnie's ears drowned out the rest of their words.A suffocating chill swept through her, and her fingers trembled uncontrollably.Crash!The tray slammed against the marble floor. The porcelain bowl shattered instantly, spilling the piping hot detox tonic everywhere.A group of young men laughing and walking down the hallway stopped, their expressions darkening at the mess."What's wrong with you? Clumsy idiot!"Bonnie snapped back to reality, slowly lifting her head.From behind the door, steady footsteps approached.Parrish York walked out, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, his expression impeccably stoic as if the intimate scene moments ago had never happened.But the second his eyes landed on Bonnie, his pupils constricted, and his steps faltered.Bonnie stared at him, desperately searching his face for a flicker of panic, guilt, or even the slightest hint of remorse.But there was nothing.After a brief flash of surprise, the gaze behind Parrish's glasses darkened into something cold.It held only the irritation of a secret exposed and the displeasure of being interrupted.Seraphina followed him out, holding up the hem of her gown. When she saw Bonnie, a fleeting look of triumph crossed her eyes, like a predator claiming its territory."Mr. York, so this is where you wandered off to."The wealthy heirs in the hallway immediately plastered on eager smiles and approached him."The Xavier family just called asking if you wanted to personally review the engagement party details, and here you are, hiding out for some peace and quiet."One of them glanced at Seraphina and offered a knowing chuckle."Ms. Miller is here too?""Mr. York is about to get engaged to the Xavier heiress, yet he's still so devoted to the woman who saved his life. If Xandra Xavier finds out, she might just get jealous."Mr. York.Engaged.The woman who saved his life.Every word felt like a brutal blow to Bonnie's chest, shattering her reality.So, he was never a penniless nobody.He was the untouchable heir of the York family, Parrish York.He was even about to get engaged to a woman of equal standing, the Xavier heiress.And she was the only one kept entirely in the dark, playing the fool."Honestly, Ms. Miller is Mr. York's lucky charm," someone chimed in, eager to flatter."If it weren't for her incredible medical treatments, who knows when Mr. York would have regained his memory and returned to take over the family business.""Exactly. Just a few therapy sessions and he remembered everything. A life-saving grace like that is truly unmatched."Seraphina lowered her head, offering a shy, modest smile."Please, don't say that. I only did what any medical professional would do. Parrish suffered so much during his years away; I'm just happy I could help him."Then, as if just noticing the broken porcelain on the floor, she let out a soft gasp."Oh my, why is this server so careless? Parrish had a lot to drink tonight. If he doesn't have his detox tonic, his stomach will start acting up again."Bonnie trembled with rage, refusing to even look at Seraphina.She kept her eyes locked dead on Parrish.Seraphina was his savior?Then what was she?Five years ago, she was the one who carried his bleeding body home, stitched his wounds, and fought tooth and nail to keep him alive.During the countless nights when his old injuries flared up and his head pounded in agony, she was the one who stayed awake, administering treatments, brewing remedies, and massaging his tension points over and over.But now, everyone treated Seraphina as his savior.And Parrish remained completely silent.He didn't explain their relationship, nor did he correct their assumptions.The last shred of hope in Bonnie's heart shattered entirely.At that moment, another server hurried over with a fresh bowl of detox tonic.The manager, sweating profusely, snatched the tray and shoved it into Bonnie's hands."What are you standing there for? Serve it to Mr. York and apologize immediately!"Bonnie didn't move.Seraphina stepped forward with a sweet smile. "I'll take it."The next second, her elbow seemingly accidentally bumped the edge of the tray.The bowl tipped over, and the dark brown tonic spilled directly onto her pristine white gown."Ah!"Seraphina shrieked, stumbling backward.A massive, ugly stain instantly spread across the white fabric.Her eyes reddened, looking as though she were on the verge of tears."My dress..."Bonnie stood perfectly still, holding the half-empty tray, watching her performance with cold detachment.But the surrounding crowd immediately rained harsh reprimands down on her."What is wrong with you? You did that on purpose!""You actually have the nerve to throw a drink on Ms. Miller? Are you out of your mind?!"The manager looked utterly terrified. He grabbed Bonnie by the shoulder, trying to force her down."Mr. York, Ms. Miller, I am so incredibly sorry! She's new and clumsy. I'll make her apologize right now!"Seraphina dabbed at the corner of her eye and sneered. "Apologize? Parrish had this dress custom-made for me. It costs eighty thousand dollars. Can she even afford to pay for it?"Eighty thousand.Bonnie worked three jobs a day, barely managing to save a thousand dollars a month.The manager pinched her hard, hissing a threat into her ear. "Grovel and apologize right now! Do you want to ruin all of us?"Bonnie still didn't move.She stared straight at Parrish with bloodshot eyes.She refused to believe that the man she had lived with day in and day out for five years would just stand there and watch her be humiliated like this.Parrish looked down at her.Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes were as dead and cold as an empty well, devoid of a single ripple of emotion.It was as if the woman standing in front of him was nothing more than a complete stranger.A few seconds later, he turned to Seraphina, his voice gentle. "Don't be upset. I'll buy you another one."Bonnie's eyelashes trembled violently.The astronomical price tag that she could never pay off in her lifetime—he casually promised to cover it for another woman without even blinking.Then, Parrish's voice rang out again, completely devoid of warmth."However, if you make a mistake, you should apologize."At that moment, Bonnie distinctly felt something inside her snap completely.The manager was still gritting his teeth beside her. "Do you want to lose this job? Apologize!"Her mother was still lying in the hospital, relying on daily life-saving medication. She couldn't afford to lose this income.In the face of brutal reality, dignity was ground into dust.Bonnie bit her lower lip so hard she tasted blood.She stared at Parrish, as if trying to completely sever the cold, callous man standing before her from the gentle Parrish of her memories.Then, she slowly bowed her head, but she stood her ground, her posture rigid."I'm sorry, Ms. Miller. The soup from my tray ruined your dress, and for that, I apologize."After she spoke, she straightened her back, her eyes devoid of any retreat."But you bumped the tray yourself. I won't take the blame for that."The corridor fell dead silent.The smugness on Seraphina's face froze for a second before twisting into a mockingly cruel smile."Still so stubborn even now. I guess some people just never know their place."Parrish looked at Bonnie's defiant stance, his brow furrowing imperceptibly.Seraphina reached out and wrapped her arms around his, pouting. "Parrish, I don't want to look at her anymore. She deliberately spilled it on me and now she's trying to play the victim."After a brief silence, Parrish looked away. "Security, escort her out."Two security guards immediately marched over and roughly grabbed Bonnie by the arms.Bonnie didn't struggle, nor did she beg for mercy. She kept her spine perfectly straight, letting them drag her toward the elevator.Just as the elevator doors were about to close, she looked back one last time.Under the dazzling crystal chandelier, Parrish's profile was cold and distant, while Seraphina leaned intimately against him.They looked like they truly belonged in the same world.The elevator doors shut tight.Leaning against the cold metal wall, Bonnie suddenly let out a soft, hollow laugh.But in the very next second, the tears she had been fighting back came crashing down.Her Parrish was dead.He died the day he regained his memories and returned to being the York heir.It was late into the night by the time Bonnie returned to her cramped apartment in the old district.She stood in the narrow doorway, staring down at the worn, misshapen gray men's slippers by her feet.They belonged to Parrish, the soles still stained with water from when she mopped the floor earlier that day.On the bathroom counter, two plastic toothbrush cups—one blue, one pink—sat side by side. On the nightstand lay the razor she had scrimped and saved to buy him. His faded jacket still hung on the coat rack...Every single item was a glaring reminder that a man named Parrish had once lived here.But she and Parrish could never go back.Her phone suddenly vibrated.Bonnie mechanically pulled it out and saw a message from Parrish.[I have an important client to entertain tonight, so I probably won't make it home. Go to sleep first, I'll explain everything tomorrow.]An important client?Or was he entertaining Seraphina?Or maybe the Xavier heiress he was about to marry?She had witnessed his lies with her own two eyes, yet he still had the audacity to lie as if nothing had happened.Bonnie rubbed her stinging eyes and replied with just three words.[Let's break up.]...Early the next morning, Bonnie headed out for work as usual.However, reality slapped her in the face much faster and harder than she could have ever anticipated.In the morning, the pharmacy owner blocked her at the door, telling her not to come back.At noon, the diner manager paid her remaining wages and told her to find work elsewhere.By the afternoon, when she arrived at the office building, the cleaning supervisor crossed her name right off the schedule.She had lost three jobs in a single day.Unable to hold back any longer, Bonnie grabbed the cleaning supervisor's arm."Chloe, tell me the truth. Is someone blacklisting me?"Chloe glanced around nervously and lowered her voice. "Bonnie, my hands are tied. Word came from the top. Everyone knows you offended Mr. York last night. Hiring you means crossing the York family. A small company like ours can't take that risk."With that, she hurried away, looking terrified that Bonnie's mere presence would drag her down.Bonnie stood outside the office building, a cold dread washing over her.Parrish had lied to her, cheated on her, and now he was actively cutting off her every means of survival.Before she could even process her mounting fury, her phone rang frantically.The caller ID showed the local clinic back in her hometown.Bonnie's heart lurched, and she quickly answered."Bonnie, the toxins in your mother's system relapsed. She's been in agony all night and is severely dehydrated."A familiar nurse's panicked voice came through the line. "The doctor said we need to administer the Vitalis Heart Elixir immediately! If the toxins reach her heart tonight, she won't make it!"Bonnie's throat tightened. "I'll buy the medicine right now! Please, just stabilize her until I get there!"Years ago, her grandfather had competed for the presidency of the city's medical association. Unable to beat him fairly, his rival had poisoned their family's well.Her grandfather died full of regret, and her father passed away three years later.Her mother had suffered the mildest poisoning, but it still ruined her health. For years, Bonnie had kept her alive using specialized remedies.Whenever the toxins flared up, she desperately needed the expensive imported medicine to survive.Hanging up, Bonnie frantically checked her bank balance.A single dose of Vitalis Heart Elixir cost eight thousand dollars, but she only had three thousand left in her account.Just two days ago, she had finally received her eight-thousand-dollar paycheck.But Parrish had told her his startup needed emergency funding. She hadn't kept a single dime, transferring every last cent to him.Bonnie gritted her teeth, scrolled to her pinned contacts, and dialed his number.It rang endlessly before automatically disconnecting.She took a deep breath and dialed again.On the fifth attempt, the call finally connected."Parrish, the money I sent you the other day—""Ms. Hayes, are you ever going to give it a rest?"The voice on the other end wasn't Parrish's; it was a young man sneering impatiently."Now that you know Mr. York's true identity, you should have the self-awareness to back off. Stop clinging to him like a leech! Mr. York is busy enjoying French cuisine with Ms. Miller and doesn't have the time to entertain gold-diggers like you!""I'm not clinging to him! I just want my own money back!" Bonnie screamed into the phone, her voice trembling uncontrollably. "That's my mother's life-saving money! Tell him to give it back!"But the man didn't listen and abruptly hung up.Bonnie stood at the noisy intersection, surrounded by a sea of people, but the world around her faded into deafening silence.She never could have imagined that the man she had loved and provided for with her very life for five years would turn into a poisonous blade, stabbing her right in the heart.When she was twenty, she had been gathering herbs in the mountains when she found Parrish covered in blood, clinging to his last breath. She carried him home, staying awake for three days and nights to snatch him back from the grim reaper.When he woke up, he claimed he couldn't remember anything, and she believed him.Chapter 3"Parrish... your legs are so tense."Inside the presidential suite, a woman's soft, seductive voice drifted through the half-open door.Bonnie Hayes stopped dead in her tracks, the tray holding the detox tonic trembling in her hands.Tonight, the hotel's top floor was exclusively hosting VIPs. The manager had repeatedly warned them that the man inside, Mr. York, was of utmost importance and could not be slighted.Just as she raised her hand to knock, her gaze slipped through the crack in the door.One glance was all it took to freeze her in place, her blood running completely cold.In front of the luxurious black leather sofa, a woman in a pristine, haute-couture gown crouched on the floor, leaning intimately between the man's legs.The position was so suggestive it made the air feel thick with tension.The man leaned back lazily against the sofa. The top two buttons of his black dress shirt were undone, revealing a sliver of pale collarbone.Gold-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, his features relaxed, exuding an air of untouchable, arrogant wealth.Bonnie's mind reeled, a deafening ring echoing in her ears like a bomb going off.She knew that profile better than her own.Even dressed in an expensive shirt, lounging in a presidential suite she could never afford to step foot in, she recognized him instantly.Parrish.Her Parrish.Five years ago, she had found him covered in blood in a ditch behind her town. She had carried him home on her back and stayed by his side for three days and nights, pulling him back from the brink of death.He had lost his memory and had nowhere to go, trailing after her like a devoted golden retriever for the next five years.Just last night, he had held her in his arms and promised, "Bonnie, once I make enough money, I'll give you the life you deserve."Yet here he was, sitting in a suite that cost thousands a night, with another woman draped over his lap."I told you not to push yourself when you twisted your ankle earlier," Seraphina Miller murmured, looking up at him as her fingers massaged upward along his tailored trousers. "Does it still ache here? Let me rub it a little more."The roaring in Bonnie's ears drowned out the rest of their words.A suffocating chill swept through her, and her fingers trembled uncontrollably.Crash!The tray slammed against the marble floor. The porcelain bowl shattered instantly, spilling the piping hot detox tonic everywhere.A group of young men laughing and walking down the hallway stopped, their expressions darkening at the mess."What's wrong with you? Clumsy idiot!"Bonnie snapped back to reality, slowly lifting her head.From behind the door, steady footsteps approached.Parrish York walked out, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, his expression impeccably stoic as if the intimate scene moments ago had never happened.But the second his eyes landed on Bonnie, his pupils constricted, and his steps faltered.Bonnie stared at him, desperately searching his face for a flicker of panic, guilt, or even the slightest hint of remorse.But there was nothing.After a brief flash of surprise, the gaze behind Parrish's glasses darkened into something cold.It held only the irritation of a secret exposed and the displeasure of being interrupted.Seraphina followed him out, holding up the hem of her gown. When she saw Bonnie, a fleeting look of triumph crossed her eyes, like a predator claiming its territory."Mr. York, so this is where you wandered off to."The wealthy heirs in the hallway immediately plastered on eager smiles and approached him."The Xavier family just called asking if you wanted to personally review the engagement party details, and here you are, hiding out for some peace and quiet."One of them glanced at Seraphina and offered a knowing chuckle."Ms. Miller is here too?""Mr. York is about to get engaged to the Xavier heiress, yet he's still so devoted to the woman who saved his life. If Xandra Xavier finds out, she might just get jealous."Mr. York.Engaged.The woman who saved his life.Every word felt like a brutal blow to Bonnie's chest, shattering her reality.So, he was never a penniless nobody.He was the untouchable heir of the York family, Parrish York.He was even about to get engaged to a woman of equal standing, the Xavier heiress.And she was the only one kept entirely in the dark, playing the fool."Honestly, Ms. Miller is Mr. York's lucky charm," someone chimed in, eager to flatter."If it weren't for her incredible medical treatments, who knows when Mr. York would have regained his memory and returned to take over the family business.""Exactly. Just a few therapy sessions and he remembered everything. A life-saving grace like that is truly unmatched."Seraphina lowered her head, offering a shy, modest smile."Please, don't say that. I only did what any medical professional would do. Parrish suffered so much during his years away; I'm just happy I could help him."Then, as if just noticing the broken porcelain on the floor, she let out a soft gasp."Oh my, why is this server so careless? Parrish had a lot to drink tonight. If he doesn't have his detox tonic, his stomach will start acting up again."Bonnie trembled with rage, refusing to even look at Seraphina.She kept her eyes locked dead on Parrish.Seraphina was his savior?Then what was she?Five years ago, she was the one who carried his bleeding body home, stitched his wounds, and fought tooth and nail to keep him alive.During the countless nights when his old injuries flared up and his head pounded in agony, she was the one who stayed awake, administering treatments, brewing remedies, and massaging his tension points over and over.But now, everyone treated Seraphina as his savior.And Parrish remained completely silent.He didn't explain their relationship, nor did he correct their assumptions.The last shred of hope in Bonnie's heart shattered entirely.At that moment, another server hurried over with a fresh bowl of detox tonic.The manager, sweating profusely, snatched the tray and shoved it into Bonnie's hands."What are you standing there for? Serve it to Mr. York and apologize immediately!"Bonnie didn't move.Seraphina stepped forward with a sweet smile. "I'll take it."The next second, her elbow seemingly accidentally bumped the edge of the tray.The bowl tipped over, and the dark brown tonic spilled directly onto her pristine white gown."Ah!"Seraphina shrieked, stumbling backward.A massive, ugly stain instantly spread across the white fabric.Her eyes reddened, looking as though she were on the verge of tears."My dress..."Bonnie stood perfectly still, holding the half-empty tray, watching her performance with cold detachment.But the surrounding crowd immediately rained harsh reprimands down on her."What is wrong with you? You did that on purpose!""You actually have the nerve to throw a drink on Ms. Miller? Are you out of your mind?!"The manager looked utterly terrified. He grabbed Bonnie by the shoulder, trying to force her down."Mr. York, Ms. Miller, I am so incredibly sorry! She's new and clumsy. I'll make her apologize right now!"Seraphina dabbed at the corner of her eye and sneered. "Apologize? Parrish had this dress custom-made for me. It costs eighty thousand dollars. Can she even afford to pay for it?"Eighty thousand.Bonnie worked three jobs a day, barely managing to save a thousand dollars a month.The manager pinched her hard, hissing a threat into her ear. "Grovel and apologize right now! Do you want to ruin all of us?"Bonnie still didn't move.She stared straight at Parrish with bloodshot eyes.She refused to believe that the man she had lived with day in and day out for five years would just stand there and watch her be humiliated like this.Parrish looked down at her.Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes were as dead and cold as an empty well, devoid of a single ripple of emotion.It was as if the woman standing in front of him was nothing more than a complete stranger.A few seconds later, he turned to Seraphina, his voice gentle. "Don't be upset. I'll buy you another one."Bonnie's eyelashes trembled violently.The astronomical price tag that she could never pay off in her lifetime—he casually promised to cover it for another woman without even blinking.Then, Parrish's voice rang out again, completely devoid of warmth."However, if you make a mistake, you should apologize."At that moment, Bonnie distinctly felt something inside her snap completely.The manager was still gritting his teeth beside her. "Do you want to lose this job? Apologize!"Her mother was still lying in the hospital, relying on daily life-saving medication. She couldn't afford to lose this income.In the face of brutal reality, dignity was ground into dust.Bonnie bit her lower lip so hard she tasted blood.She stared at Parrish, as if trying to completely sever the cold, callous man standing before her from the gentle Parrish of her memories.Then, she slowly bowed her head, but she stood her ground, her posture rigid."I'm sorry, Ms. Miller. The soup from my tray ruined your dress, and for that, I apologize."After she spoke, she straightened her back, her eyes devoid of any retreat."But you bumped the tray yourself. I won't take the blame for that."The corridor fell dead silent.The smugness on Seraphina's face froze for a second before twisting into a mockingly cruel smile."Still so stubborn even now. I guess some people just never know their place."Parrish looked at Bonnie's defiant stance, his brow furrowing imperceptibly.Seraphina reached out and wrapped her arms around his, pouting. "Parrish, I don't want to look at her anymore. She deliberately spilled it on me and now she's trying to play the victim."After a brief silence, Parrish looked away. "Security, escort her out."Two security guards immediately marched over and roughly grabbed Bonnie by the arms.Bonnie didn't struggle, nor did she beg for mercy. She kept her spine perfectly straight, letting them drag her toward the elevator.Just as the elevator doors were about to close, she looked back one last time.Under the dazzling crystal chandelier, Parrish's profile was cold and distant, while Seraphina leaned intimately against him.They looked like they truly belonged in the same world.The elevator doors shut tight.Leaning against the cold metal wall, Bonnie suddenly let out a soft, hollow laugh.But in the very next second, the tears she had been fighting back came crashing down.Her Parrish was dead.He died the day he regained his memories and returned to being the York heir.It was late into the night by the time Bonnie returned to her cramped apartment in the old district.She stood in the narrow doorway, staring down at the worn, misshapen gray men's slippers by her feet.They belonged to Parrish, the soles still stained with water from when she mopped the floor earlier that day.On the bathroom counter, two plastic toothbrush cups—one blue, one pink—sat side by side. On the nightstand lay the razor she had scrimped and saved to buy him. His faded jacket still hung on the coat rack...Every single item was a glaring reminder that a man named Parrish had once lived here.But she and Parrish could never go back.Her phone suddenly vibrated.Bonnie mechanically pulled it out and saw a message from Parrish.[I have an important client to entertain tonight, so I probably won't make it home. Go to sleep first, I'll explain everything tomorrow.]An important client?Or was he entertaining Seraphina?Or maybe the Xavier heiress he was about to marry?She had witnessed his lies with her own two eyes, yet he still had the audacity to lie as if nothing had happened.Bonnie rubbed her stinging eyes and replied with just three words.[Let's break up.]...Early the next morning, Bonnie headed out for work as usual.However, reality slapped her in the face much faster and harder than she could have ever anticipated.In the morning, the pharmacy owner blocked her at the door, telling her not to come back.At noon, the diner manager paid her remaining wages and told her to find work elsewhere.By the afternoon, when she arrived at the office building, the cleaning supervisor crossed her name right off the schedule.She had lost three jobs in a single day.Unable to hold back any longer, Bonnie grabbed the cleaning supervisor's arm."Chloe, tell me the truth. Is someone blacklisting me?"Chloe glanced around nervously and lowered her voice. "Bonnie, my hands are tied. Word came from the top. Everyone knows you offended Mr. York last night. Hiring you means crossing the York family. A small company like ours can't take that risk."With that, she hurried away, looking terrified that Bonnie's mere presence would drag her down.Bonnie stood outside the office building, a cold dread washing over her.Parrish had lied to her, cheated on her, and now he was actively cutting off her every means of survival.Before she could even process her mounting fury, her phone rang frantically.The caller ID showed the local clinic back in her hometown.Bonnie's heart lurched, and she quickly answered."Bonnie, the toxins in your mother's system relapsed. She's been in agony all night and is severely dehydrated."A familiar nurse's panicked voice came through the line. "The doctor said we need to administer the Vitalis Heart Elixir immediately! If the toxins reach her heart tonight, she won't make it!"Bonnie's throat tightened. "I'll buy the medicine right now! Please, just stabilize her until I get there!"Years ago, her grandfather had competed for the presidency of the city's medical association. Unable to beat him fairly, his rival had poisoned their family's well.Her grandfather died full of regret, and her father passed away three years later.Her mother had suffered the mildest poisoning, but it still ruined her health. For years, Bonnie had kept her alive using specialized remedies.Whenever the toxins flared up, she desperately needed the expensive imported medicine to survive.Hanging up, Bonnie frantically checked her bank balance.A single dose of Vitalis Heart Elixir cost eight thousand dollars, but she only had three thousand left in her account.Just two days ago, she had finally received her eight-thousand-dollar paycheck.But Parrish had told her his startup needed emergency funding. She hadn't kept a single dime, transferring every last cent to him.Bonnie gritted her teeth, scrolled to her pinned contacts, and dialed his number.It rang endlessly before automatically disconnecting.She took a deep breath and dialed again.On the fifth attempt, the call finally connected."Parrish, the money I sent you the other day—""Ms. Hayes, are you ever going to give it a rest?"The voice on the other end wasn't Parrish's; it was a young man sneering impatiently."Now that you know Mr. York's true identity, you should have the self-awareness to back off. Stop clinging to him like a leech! Mr. York is busy enjoying French cuisine with Ms. Miller and doesn't have the time to entertain gold-diggers like you!""I'm not clinging to him! I just want my own money back!" Bonnie screamed into the phone, her voice trembling uncontrollably. "That's my mother's life-saving money! Tell him to give it back!"But the man didn't listen and abruptly hung up.Bonnie stood at the noisy intersection, surrounded by a sea of people, but the world around her faded into deafening silence.She never could have imagined that the man she had loved and provided for with her very life for five years would turn into a poisonous blade, stabbing her right in the heart.When she was twenty, she had been gathering herbs in the mountains when she found Parrish covered in blood, clinging to his last breath. She carried him home, staying awake for three days and nights to snatch him back from the grim reaper.When he woke up, he claimed he couldn't remember anything, and she believed him.