Chapter 1

Kevin Jackson, my boyfriend, never lied.

He told me that I was naturally prone to weight gain and that it would negatively affect my lifespan. So he urged me to diet, and I reluctantly agreed.

He said I was born to bring misfortune to my parents, potentially harming their health. So he suggested I stay away from them. After much hesitation, I tearfully consented.

Then he claimed my facial features would bring bad luck to our marriage and advised me to undergo cosmetic surgery. After careful consideration, I agreed.

On the day of the surgery, as I lay in the operating room, I suddenly remembered my allergy to anesthesia.

As I got up to talk to the doctor, I accidentally overheard a conversation outside the door.

"You didn't have a relationship with Emily for six years, but you still think about her?"

Kevin said, "That's true. Emily is deeply ingrained in my heart. I can't forget about her."

"Since you're marrying another woman, I'll try to make Brysona resemble Emily..."

After a long silence, Kevin's indifferent voice came again. "You know, Brysona is really easily influenced. Whatever I say, she accepts it."

In that moment, I felt utterly ridiculous.

Fortunately, it was not too late. I had time to change the wedding. "Hello, there's a change in the wedding plan. Please change the bride into a jackstraw at the wedding."

1

Throughout the years I dated Kevin, he knew I was introverted and socially anxious and needed companionship for everything.

So, he got up early that day to prepare everything.

When I woke up, I just had breakfast and followed him to the cosmetic surgery clinic.

Before I went into the operating room to wait, he kissed my forehead with affection. "Brysona, once your surgery is done, we'll get married. Brysona, you know what? I can't wait to marry you!"

Looking at Kevin, I felt so happy and lucky to have met such a wonderful guy.

Lying in the operating room, I suddenly remembered my allergy to a certain type of anesthesia.

Just as I reached the door, I saw the surgeon in a white coat.

I was about to speak when I suddenly heard familiar voices from outside.

"I can't believe it. You still can't forget about Emily after six years since you broke up? She's married now, and her child is already two years old. Are you still holding on to fantasies about her?"

After a few seconds of silence, Kevin's voice came from outside. He sounded frustrated in a way I had never heard before. "You are right. Emily is deeply ingrained in my heart. After breaking up with her, I've dreamed of her every night. How can I forget about her?" "Since I cannot marry Emily, I found a woman easily influenced and will make her identical to Emily. You know what? Brysona is truly the easiest woman to influence I've ever met. She believes everything I say. She even believes I never lie. It's ridiculous. Is there anyone in the world who never lies?"

The doctor's voice echoed again. "But you love Emily, and you're marrying Brysona. It is unfair to Brysona."

In just a few seconds, Kevin's casual voice came through. "It doesn't matter. After we're married, I'll be nice to her. Isn't that enough? Besides, Brysona loves me so much. It was like she hit the jackpot to marry me."

I leaned against the cold wall and felt my temperature drop even lower than the wall's at that moment.

Before meeting Kevin, I didn't believe there could be anyone who had never lied in the world.

But later, I saw him speak the truth even when it meant facing retaliation for testifying for an elderly woman hit by a car. I saw him risk millions to honestly disclose his company's true situation.

Similar things happened many times, in countless crises. He insisted on telling the truth even at life-threatening moments.

I'd known Kevin for seven years, and I'd only seen him lie once.

That was for me, and it nearly cost him his life.

Since then, I'd learned that lying caused him to break out in hives all over his body since he was born. It could even be life-threatening.

But he said casually that I was easily influenced. It negated all the feelings I had for him over the past seven years.

Their conversation hadn't ended. I held back the pain in my heart and turned on the record app on my phone.

2

"Have you really made up your mind? If you go through with this surgery, you'll owe Brysona even more."

Kevin sounded impatient. "How can you say that? It's not like I forced her to come here for the surgery. It was her own decision. It had nothing to do with me. Even if I really owe her something, I've already made it up to her through marriage. Isn't that enough?"

Kevin's voice was so familiar, yet it sounded so strange.

All along, I had thought that Kevin was kind, warm, and thoughtful, and that he deserved of all the beautiful words in the world.

But at that moment, I realized that the deep love I had imagined could be an act.

I had to admit that Kevin was an excellent actor.

The marriage I had longed for was just a meaningless compensation, in his eyes.

At that point, I no longer had the courage to keep listening.

I didn't know what other surprises I might hear if I stayed.

Ignoring the two outside the door, I turned around, grabbed my coat, and quietly left through another door of the room.

I looked at Kevin's car parked at the door, and my eyes were full of bitterness.

I had always wanted to get a driver's license, but Kevin insisted that he could always pick me up and drop me off under the guise of doing what was best for me.

Thinking back now, I realized that he was perhaps used to picking up Emily and didn't want to change his habits.

I walked past the car and stood at the crossroads. I didn't know where to go while watching the cars on the busy street.

Just as I was about to step away, someone grabbed my wrist from behind.

I knew too well that it was Kevin without even turning around.

I never really liked his scent. I never understood why Kevin used such an overly sweet perfume. It didn't match his style at all.

But since he liked it, I got used to it over time.

Now, everything seemed to make sense. That perfume must be Emily's favorite.

When I faced Kevin's gaze, shock flashed in my eyes.

He was usually gentle and patient, but he was filled with anger at that moment.

Perhaps he sensed my emotions, so he softened and regained his usual smiling demeanor.

"Amy, why did you run out? The surgery hasn't been done yet. I'll take you back for the surgery. Okay? Amy, I know you're scared of surgery, but how will we get married if you refuse to undergo it? Do you want to marry me the most?" He still called me Amy, which made me feel nauseous.

Shortly after we started dating, Kevin called me "Amy."

I was confused and asked him why. Normally, everyone called me "Brysona."

He gently ruffled my hair and looked at me with deep affection. "My favorite word is Amy, and you're my favorite woman. Of course, I have to call you that."

At the time, I was so shy that I buried my face in his chest and repeatedly whispered the special nickname he gave me.

But now I realized that I was just a substitute for another woman he truly loved all these years.

3

"Kevin, have you forgotten? I'm allergic to anesthesia, and you know how serious it can be for me," I said softly while taking a quiet step back. My eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

My words made Kevin frown, but I clearly saw a flicker of guilt in his eyes.

He stepped forward and pulled me into his arms. His voice carried evident remorse. "I'm sorry, honey. It's my fault. How about we postpone the surgery today? I'll talk to the doctor and adjust the plan. Can you wait for the final decision?"

I pushed him away, and my voice barely held back a sob. "Kevin, can I not undergo the surgery?"

"Yes, you have to." He sounded as gentle as always, but his eyes looked firm. "Didn't we agree? Once the surgery is done, we'll get married. Alright. Wait for me in the car. I'll call the doctor."

Though he seemed to be discussing with me, he didn't wait for my response before pushing me into the car and casually shutting the door.

I leaned against the car window and watched him talking on the phone from not too far away. A wave of indescribable sorrow rose from deep within me.

I attempted to open the car door to get out, only to find it locked.

As I sat in a daze, I suddenly heard his voice. Hearing the conversation, I realized that Kevin had forgotten his phone was still connected to the car's Bluetooth.

"What? Kevin, are you crazy? You know she's allergic to anesthesia, but you want to proceed with the surgery. Do you realize how painful cosmetic surgery is without anesthesia? Anyone would find it unbearable."

Kevin's indifferent voice came through. "She'll just have to hold it back. What else can I do? I can't let him not undergo the surgery just because she's allergic. It's fine. She listens to me. I'll coax her, and it'll be okay. Just proceed with the surgery as planned."

I sat in the car, where it was warm, but I felt as though I'd fallen into an icy abyss. I shivered uncontrollably.

I never expected that Kevin, who would cry over a minor scrape on my hand, could be so cold-hearted.

Kevin stood not far away and spoke the most cruel and heartless words while silently mouthing to me with a gentle expression. "Honey, I love you."

I couldn't even muster a fake smile. Bitterness seeped into every cell of me and flew quietly through my heart and soul.

My phone rang in my pocket. I took it out with trembling hands.

It was a call from the wedding planner, who asked if there were any adjustments or additions for the upcoming wedding.

Holding the phone, I looked at Kevin standing outside the car and replied in a low voice, "There is an adjustment. Please replace the bride with a scarecrow."

Before the wedding planner on the other end could react, I continued, "Also, this is a surprise for the groom. Please keep it confidential before the wedding."

I didn't need to worry about Kevin finding out, as he had never been involved in any aspect of the wedding planning, from venue selection to decorations and the menu of the banquet.

Until today, he hadn't asked a single question about the wedding plans.

I used to believe his words completely. He said one only had one wedding, and everything should be centered around me. So he left all the arrangements to me.

If I had been more careful, I would have realized that he had no interest in anything other than changing me to resemble another woman.

After all, I could be a suitable stand-in only after the surgery, which eased his longing for his true love.

When Kevin returned to the car, he seemed in high spirits. Of course, I knew why he was so happy.

4

After all, everything was unfolding according to his plan, so he was pleased. "Honey, how about fish for dinner today? Let's go and buy some groceries, and I'll make your favorite sweet and sour fish."

In truth, I didn't love sweet and sour fish. It was just that when I first met Kevin, he always made it for me.

Over time, I grew accustomed to it so that when asked about my favorite dish, my first thought was sweet and sour fish.

"No. I don't have much of an appetite." My words made Kevin pause. His hand grasped the steering wheel. He turned to glance at me, puzzled.

He seemed to realize something and chuckled helplessly. He then closed his eyes and leaned in to kiss me.

Seeing Kevin close his eyes, I suddenly remembered his peculiar habit.

Every time we kissed, he'd close his eyes before even touching me. He exuded an indescribable aura.

Now, thinking back, I understood everything.

He closed his eyes to imagine me as another one.

He just deceived himself. But he wasn't just deceiving himself.

As his face drew closer, I didn't even look before grabbing something nearby.

When I realized it, I had picked up the cactus Kevin kept in his car. His face was now pressed against it.

Instantly, Kevin opened his eyes. He looked at the cactus and then at me with disbelief. "Amy, you..."

The mention of "Amy" erased any lingering guilt.

I no longer looked at Kevin. Instead, I turned to gaze out of the window.

On the way home, I remained silent.

Kevin occasionally glanced at me, filled with confusion.

It didn't matter. Let him ponder.

As the car drove into the underground parking garage, Kevin's phone suddenly rang in his pocket.

When he saw the caller ID, Kevin's hand trembled. Then the phone fell at my feet.

I reached out and tried to pick it up for him. But Kevin was quicker to snatch the phone swiftly.

Despite his speed, I noticed the caller's name.

It was Emily.

"Honey, a work emergency. I'll take this call. You go ahead upstairs."

With that, Kevin hurriedly left the car with his phone.

"What's wrong, Emily? Why did you suddenly call? Are you facing difficulties? Are you short of money? Or is your husband giving you trouble? Or..."

Kevin's voice echoed in the car again. His urgency surprised me for the first time.

It turned out that the urgency and concern he'd shown to me before were all fake.

That was his true color. He was genuinely worrying about Emily.

"Oh, why are you so nervous?"

"I'm at the airport now. Do you want to come..."

Before Emily could finish, Kevin's voice quickly interrupted. "Okay. I'm coming to you right away."

When I came to my senses, Kevin had already dragged me out of the car. I stood there in a daze while watching the car drive away.

We had dated for seven years, and it was the first time I'd seen him like that.

That was how he truly cared for and loved a woman.

The parking lot was dark, and I summoned the courage to walk outside when suddenly I heard the sound of footsteps behind me.