chapter 1

Everyone in Celandra knew how madly I, Ellen Russell, loved Daniel Beck.

I went out of my way to drive away any woman who tried to get close to Daniel, telling them that only I could marry him.

However, in the end, he sent me to a psychiatric hospital.

He said I was insane.

Later, when I recovered from the mental disorder, my affection for him disappeared.

Surprisingly, he regretted what he had done to me and begged for my attention.

When Daniel came to pick me up, I was physically punished by Tony Cooper in his office. Tony was the director of the hospital.

He clutched my neck with a sinister grin and said, "You better behave yourself after you're out, or I'll bring you back here."

I couldn’t help but shiver. I said, "Okay. I won't say anything about you. I promise."

Tony showed a contented smile on the day I left. As I walked out of the hospital, I immediately saw that familiar license plate.

Daniel got out of the car, looking as handsome as ever, yet it felt like I had not seen him for ages.

He walked towards me, and I instinctively stepped back.

I couldn't approach Daniel.

He was the cause of my illness. Getting close to him would make me ill again.

Yes, I finally admitted that there was something wrong with me.

I remembered when I newly arrived at the hospital, I made a huge fuss and denied my illness.

Tony subjected me to electroshock therapy.

I called Daniel's name in pain, hoping he would come to my rescue.

My asking for help only led to more frequent therapies that lasted longer.

"Get in the car," Daniel said, frowning at me.

His look was complex.

I couldn't see through it and didn't wanna dwell in it, so I obediently got into the car.

We both kept silent until Daniel said, "My mom cooked many delicious dishes for you. Behave well. Don’t spoil the reunion."

Linda Beck, Daniel’s mother, was always kind to me. After my mother passed away, she invited me to live with her family.

I didn't look at Daniel but nodded and said, "Got it. I won't make Linda upset and I won’t trouble you anymore."

I didn't want to go back to the hospital, so this time, I would definitely stay far away from Daniel.

Daniel paused, then looked at me as if he was wondering about something.

But I didn't have the energy to pay attention to him. I bent over, coughing slightly.

Upon arriving at the Beck residence, I followed Daniel inside and saw Linda.

And there was Ada Jones, Daniel’s wife, sitting beside her.

Ada looked gorgeous. She must have lived a comfortable life over the past three years.

She was different from me. I was skinny and ugly, without energy and hope. I even hated myself.

Three years ago, it was Ada who asked to meet me. She claimed that she was pregnant with Daniel's child and begged me to let them be together.

I saw her belly bulge. She looked pitiful yet smug hidden in her eyes.

I was infuriated and blamed her for being shameless. Finally, I told her to stay away from Daniel.

Ada tried to fight with me, and somehow, she fell.

Daniel happened to see this and glared at me fiercely before taking Ada to the hospital.

I felt so wronged and wanted to explain everything to Daniel.

To my surprise, he just sent me to the psychiatric hospital in response.

When I recalled the past, a little boy ran past me and jumped into Ada’s arms.

He was Ada’s three-year-old son.

I couldn’t help but put my hand on my belly, heartbroken.

Ada saw me like this and her expression shifted. She held her son closer, looking defensive.

Daniel strode over and stood between them and me. He said, "Ellen, what are you trying to do?"

His stern face frightened me. I trembled and couldn't make an explanation.

I bit my lip so hard until I tasted blood in my mouth. This was how I held back the fear inside me.

Linda said, "Ellen, come here."

She let me sit beside her and stroked my short hair. She asked, "Why did you cut your hair? You looked so pretty with long hair."

I looked down and said, "I was not allowed to have long hair in the hospital, so I cut it."

That was not true.