She Never Loved Me

The day before my global piano master competition, intruders stormed into my home. They brutally murdered my parents and grievously harmed my sister, leaving her irrevocably traumatized. It was my childhood friend who bravely came to my rescue, apprehending the assailants and bringing them to justice. She also tenderly handled all the funeral arrangements for my family, as I was too distraught to leave the house. Though I was left with a persistent tremor in my hands, making it impossible to play the piano again, she remained steadfastly by my side. She even defied her parents' objections to marry me. Five days before our wedding, I overheard her unexpected phone call with her private doctor from outside the door: “Ms. Sullivan, five years ago you hired someone to cause an accident to the Baker family. You’ve already ruined Mr. Baker once. Are you really going to be so cruel as to ruin him a second time?” “I promised Lucas I would help him achieve his dream.” “Only if Everett Baker was out of the picture could Lucas stand on that stage to receive the World Piano Master award.” “Lucas is my reason for being, my everything. For Lucas, I'm willing to bear any burden…” Outside the door, tears silently streamed down my face. My heartbroken eyes shattered, consumed by a fierce hatred. So, her so-called love for me was nothing but a lie. 1 “Investigate the truth behind the Baker family tragedy.” Only after making that call to the private investigator did I wipe the dry tears from my face. It seemed there were no more tears left to shed. Inside the room, Willow Sullivan’s voice resonated. “As long as Lucas is happy, I have no regrets.” The private doctor on the other end reluctantly asked, “But Mr. Baker’s hands have finally fully recovered. Are you sure you want to…” Willow’s answer was instantaneous, without a moment of hesitation. “Only by completely extinguishing his desire to play the piano can Lucas remain the most brilliant piano master.” The private doctor nervously pressed, “What if he finds out you orchestrated the accident for his parents and sister, all for Lucas to win an award?!” Willow fell silent for a moment, tracing the wedding ring on her finger. After a long pause, she spoke, her voice hoarse: “As long as I’m always good to him, he’ll never suspect me…” “I’ve already married him. Repaying him with my entire life, that should be enough.” Just a door away. Hearing these words, my heart, betrayed in that instant, nearly cried out in pain. My lips were bitten until they bled, my nails practically embedded in my flesh. I somehow maintained my composure, quietly returning to the room. In our wedding chamber, I gazed absently at our wedding photo hanging on the wall. In the picture, her eyes, filled with tenderness, now struck me as sinister and terrifying. On a nearby table sat our family photo. My father, mother, and sister, surrounding me, cherishing me. I still remembered that day when the intruders broke into our home. My father, trying to buy us time to escape, rushed forward to fight them but was tragically overcome and silenced. My mother, attempting to shield my sister and me, desperately blocked the door, only to be gravely injured. My sister, though physically unharmed by the intruders, was deeply scarred and traumatized by the horrific events. Had Willow not arrived in time to save me, I too would have perished. Yet, everyone whispered that I had led my family to their fate, that I had only survived by using their lives to buy time. I was powerless to defend myself. My adopted brother, Lucas Baker, seemed to share this belief. My reputation was ruined, my life plunged into an abyss. Under immense pressure, my mental health deteriorated, leaving me with a persistent tremor in my hands, making it impossible to play the piano, unable even to hold a fork steady. I truly believed I had abandoned my family and selfishly clung to life. When I was on the verge of jumping from the thirtieth floor, consumed by despair, it was Willow who pulled me back. Under her meticulous care, my condition gradually improved. I even accepted her proposal, despite the malicious rumors surrounding me. I never imagined that her love, which had melted my heart and soul, was the meticulously crafted product of endless malice. It was more chilling than poison disguised with honey. My hands, which hadn’t trembled in a long time, violently shook, sending our family photo crashing to the floor. Hearing the noise, Willow immediately rushed in. “Everett, what’s wrong…” Seeing me standing amidst sharp shards on the floor, clutching the broken family photo, my eyes red-rimmed, her breath hitched. She quickly walked over and pulled me into her embrace. The scent of wisteria perfume, one I’d smelled countless times, wafted over me. It was my favorite. Her voice was soft as she comforted me: “Don’t cry… Uncle and Auntie will be happy seeing you happy up in heaven.” I gently pushed her away, creating some distance. “I’m fine, it’s just my hand tremor acting up again.” Hearing my reply, Willow seemed to relax slightly. She gently felt my wrist bones, her touch so delicate, as if afraid to break them. “Get some rest. Tomorrow, we’ll go pick out the wedding dress.” I couldn’t distinguish her feelings for me. How much was genuine, how much was false? I had been countless times captivated by the subtle affection she showed, lost in it beyond recovery. Her pity for me seemed real. But her deception and manipulation were also real. Now, seeing that tender expression, I only felt disgust. I nodded, but didn’t tell her. Once I uncovered the truth of that year, it would be over between us. 2 Early the next morning, we drove to the city’s most renowned bridal boutique. With only four days left until the wedding, our outfits were still undecided. Willow had said she was hand-making a dress for me, a unique, one-of-a-kind gown. At the boutique, the assistant asked me to wait on the sofa. Willow smiled, pulling me down beside her. “You’ll love it.” In the past, I would have eagerly awaited the surprise she had prepared. But now, I only felt cynical. My phone rang. It was a message from the private investigator. Mr. Baker, I’ve found some past information about Willow Sullivan and Lucas Baker. I watched the messages pop up on my phone, unable to control my trembling hands. Seeing this, Willow quickly took my hand, asking worriedly, “What’s wrong?” I subtly withdrew my hand, suddenly feeling she was a complete stranger. It turned out her profound love, meticulous in its details, all carried Lucas Baker’s shadow. Under his influence, I had gradually grown to love wisteria perfume. It was a unique blend she had personally created for Lucas, his exclusive scent. That’s why she would spray it all over herself before we became intimate. I used to think it was a sign of her love for me. It was, in fact, proof that her heart belonged to someone else. Even the soft kiss she’d give me under the covers before sleep each night, was a habit Lucas had indulged in with her, a childish plea for affection. Willow looked at my withdrawn hand, momentarily stunned. Just then, the assistant brought out the suit she had designed for me. The moment I saw it, my heart seemed to stop beating. It was the most opulent attire I had ever seen. Beside it hung a pure white wedding dress, perfectly matched. Willow, smiling, looked at me expectantly, as if awaiting praise: “Everett, are you happy?” She said she had traveled to various countries, sought countless masters, and poured her heart and soul into designing this suit. But the video on my phone showed Lucas Baker wearing an identical suit, the very same “one-of-a-kind” suit right before my eyes. In the video, the two of them, dressed in a wedding gown and suit, spoke their vows with deep affection, swearing to dedicate their entire lives to each other. Every word was devoid of evasion or jest, utterly sincere. A wave of sorrow washed over me. I began to doubt if the fleeting pain in her eyes yesterday was truly due to concern for me, or if it was the guilt buried deep in her heart, taking root. 3 That day at the bridal shop, I didn’t give Willow Sullivan an answer. She was called away by a phone call and then vanished. She claimed it was a company emergency, but I knew it was for Lucas Baker. With only two days left until the wedding, I decided to visit my parents and my sister. I needed to tell them my decision. When I arrived at the cemetery, I saw the two people who least should have been there. Willow and Lucas Baker, dressed formally, stood before the graves of my parents and sister. Lucas held a trophy, representing the World Piano Master award, sobbing uncontrollably. “Dad, Mom, sis, your son wishes you could have witnessed this, seen that I haven’t disgraced you…” With that, Lucas placed the trophy at the grave and gently brushed dust from the photos. Willow reached out, as if to embrace his arm. My appearance instantly changed their expressions. Willow’s hand, about to reach Lucas, froze for a moment, then quickly dropped. She explained to me, “Everett, it’s not what you think. Lucas and I…” Her eyes held a nervous tension, her slender fingers unconsciously clenching. She seemed genuinely afraid I would misunderstand. I glanced at her, saying nothing. I just looked at Lucas and spoke softly: “Brother, when did you get back? Why didn’t you tell me before visiting Mom and Dad, and sis?” Lucas wiped the tears from his eyes and looked up again. “Your most unworthy son has finally achieved something. I wanted Mom and Dad to praise me.” He paused, his voice catching. “I hope you can forgive my selfishness…” Lucas broke down in tears again. Willow’s eyes were filled with complex emotions. Her hand rose several times but ultimately did not reach for his arm. “Brother, Everett is marrying Willow. He must have something to say. I borrowed Willow for a while; it’s time to give her back to Everett.” After Lucas left, Willow came over to me. Her anxiety escalated, her lips pressed into a thin line: “Lucas and I, it’s not what you think.” Seeing my silence, she seemed to panic, reaching out to grasp my hand. Suddenly, her phone vibrated with a distinctive ringtone. Her outstretched hand froze mid-air. I silently watched her struggle for a moment, then reach for her phone. In the past, whenever we were together, whether on a date, at dinner, or during more intimate moments, she had left me countless times because of that specific ringtone. She’d claimed it was an urgent work matter that couldn’t be postponed. But now I knew it was her exclusive ringtone for Lucas. She looked at me with guilt. “Lucas and I really have nothing going on. I have work to handle now. Please be careful going home alone.” With that, she hurried away. Watching her retreating figure, I felt neither sorrow nor joy. I simply looked at my family’s gravestones, the memory of that night replaying in my mind. My phone buzzed again with a new lead from the detective. All of this, finally, was coming to an end. 4 The final day before the wedding. The private investigator sent more clues. Mr. Baker, I’ve found some leads regarding the mastermind, but I hope you’re mentally prepared. I clicked on the video he sent. It was the same dimly lit, damp rental room. I noticed a shattered trophy on the floor. It was the second-place trophy from the national piano competition when I was fifteen. The first place had gone to me, after only a month of playing piano. In the video, Lucas Baker was crying hysterically in Willow Sullivan’s arms, his face contorted with a resentment I’d never seen before. “Why, why after ten years of hard practice am I still not as good as him…?” “I hate it so much, I can’t accept it… Why does he even exist? If he disappeared, if he died, the championship would be mine!” “The championship should have been mine all along!” Listening to the beast-like roar from his throat, listening to him curse me, damn me, wishing for my death, I watched the pain in Willow’s eyes harden into ice, as if she was making a grim decision. “I will help you achieve your dream, even if I have to bear everything…” My already fractured heart shattered completely. After calming down, I called Lucas Baker. He seemed to have been waiting a long time. “I thought you’d never come looking for me.” I pursed my lips and asked him, “Shall we meet?”