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The butler swept up the broken pieces on the floor and sighed.

“Mrs. Jordan, you’re far too soft-hearted. Every time Mr. Jordan comes home, Sophie pulls the same stunt, and he always falls for it.”

I motioned for him to stop.

“Better not say too much. Thank you.”

He shook his head and carried the trash away.

Once he was gone, I opened the box. I swallowed one pill, and bitterness spread across my tongue.

Only two pills were left.

Two more times, and I would be free.

I had seen through Clayton from the start.

He might not have been heartless, but when love faded, everyone showed their true colors.

…

Clayton came back close to dawn, and he smelled strongly of perfume.

When he undressed, I saw lipstick on his collar.

Our eyes met. His gaze wavered for a moment before he let out a sigh.

“I was in a rush to pull Sophie down from the chair. I must have brushed against her. I’m sorry. I’ll be careful next time.”

He sounded sincere.

I did not press him as I used to. I only said calmly, “Then, as we agreed, I’ll take one regret pill.”

Clayton knew what the pills meant. He knew that once they were gone, I would leave. Yet he looked unconcerned.

“All right. I’ll get one for you. There are plenty left anyway.”

As he walked into the bedroom, a strange sense of anticipation stirred in me.

What would he do when he saw there were only two left?

I heard the lid fall.

Puzzled, he asked, “Wendy, why are there only two pills left?”

I drew in a breath and began to count the past events on my fingers.

His face turned paler with every word. By the end, he rushed forward and pulled me into his arms.

“It’s my fault. From now on, I’ll treat you better.”

I did not answer him. He raised his head with hesitation in his eyes.

“Even when the pills are gone, you won’t leave me, will you?”

Before I could speak, he lifted me and pushed me down on the bed. His eyes burned with stubborn madness. His voice came low and hoarse.

“Wendy, let’s have a child.”

I wanted to refuse, but a thought held me back. I let him strip my clothes without resistance.

When it was over, he lay beside me and breathed hard with satisfaction written across his face.

Then, his phone rang. He picked it up, and Sophie’s coy voice came through.

“Clayton, my chest hurts so much… Am I dying? Can you come see me one last time?”

Clayton shot up from the bed at once. He hesitated, then looked at me with worry.

“Wendy… I…”

I kept my eyes away from him.

“Her life could be on the line. Go.”

Relief filled his face as he grabbed my hand.

“You’re not angry? Then don’t take another pill. Wait for me. I’ll be right back.”

He ran out before I could reply.

I opened the drawer, took out the birth control pills I had prepared, and swallowed them along with one regret pill.

There was only one pill left.

Clayton, you had better not disappoint me.

…

He did not return until morning. Afraid I might be angry, he had even gone to my favorite cake shop to buy me pastries.

The first thing he did at home was check the pillbox.

He saw two pills inside, and his brow eased. He never noticed the smile on my lips.