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Love Drowned in the Deep

quote I waited five years for my boyfriend, only for him to get my best friend pregnant. So I made sure his company went bankrupt and that "child" was never born. Now he's in a mental hospital, and I own everything that was once his.

Chapter 1 It was the first year of the arranged engagement between Ethan and my best friend. One of them jumped from a third-story window, breaking his leg, but not before swearing to his parents, “I’ll only ever love Peyton.” The other cried with me all night, never leaving my side. “Peyton, don’t worry. Once we take over the company, I’ll give Ethan back to you. I’ll watch him for you, I’ll make sure he never hurts you.” Everyone said I’d hit the jackpot. I had a boyfriend who loved me to his core and a best friend who was closer than a sister. But in the fifth year of their engagement… When I handed Ethan her positive pregnancy test and tried to break up with him… He just scoffed. “Charlotte is my fiancée. Isn’t it normal for her to be pregnant?” He broke my ring finger and tossed the ring into the trash. “Don’t you ever try to play these games to get my attention again, you hear me?” *** It was the first year of the arranged engagement between Ethan and my best friend. One of them jumped from a third-story window, breaking his leg, but not before swearing to his parents, “I’ll only ever love Peyton.” The other cried with me all night, never leaving my side. “Peyton, don’t worry. Once we take over the company, I’ll give Ethan back to you. I’ll watch him for you, I’ll make sure he never hurts you.” Everyone said I’d hit the jackpot. I had a boyfriend who loved me to his core and a best friend who was closer than a sister. But in the fifth year of their engagement… When I handed Ethan her positive pregnancy test and tried to break up with him… He just scoffed. “Charlotte is my fiancée. Isn’t it normal for her to be pregnant?” He broke my ring finger and tossed the ring into the trash. “Don’t you ever try to play these games to get my attention again, you hear me?” I looked down, yanking my hand from his grasp despite the sharp, searing pain. I didn’t say a word. Over the past five years, I’d screamed, I’d fought. But all my gut-wrenching anguish and pain… …was just fuel for the fire of his and Charlotte’s romance. I looked away. My voice was steadier than I expected. “Ethan, you asked me to wait for you. I waited five years, and this is where it got me.” “I’m done wasting my time on you. Let’s break up.” He didn’t answer, just walked over to the living room on his own. After spotting my already-packed suitcase, he leaned back lazily on the sofa. His eyes dripped with ridicule. “Well, you’re certainly prepared. But everything you own, I bought for you. It wouldn’t be right for you to take it, would it?” “Peyton, can you even survive without me?” He was so sure I wouldn’t leave him. Just like how I had given in to him, time and time again, for the last five years. He always felt he owed Charlotte, that trapping her between us was cruel to her. So he kept lowering his standards for her, again and again. “Charlotte is only in this fake engagement to help us. She’s wasted the best years of her life on me. We can’t do her wrong.” Ethan gave Charlotte his passionate hugs, his tender kisses, and even his body. The explicit photos—one after another—were like a thousand sharp knives, stabbing me until I was a bloody mess. But before I could even confront him… Ethan had rushed over to me. The man who had always been so proud and aloof got on his knees in front of me, all dignity gone. He pressed a knife to his own stomach. Blood flowed freely. “Baby, Charlotte said she’s never been with a man before. I just wanted to make it up to her.” “I swear, this was the first and last time. Please, please don’t think I’m dirty.” That night, his blood soaked through my dress. I believed him. But all I got for it were more videos of them together, each one more graphic than the last. I couldn’t handle his betrayal. I screamed at him, hit him, kicked him. I even put him in the hospital once. I’d tried to break up with him countless times. His attitude went from panicked and helpless at first to increasingly cold. I took a few steps forward. I opened my suitcase and took out only my important documents. “I don’t want any of your things.” “In this world, nobody needs someone else just to survive.”

Chapter 2 The smile on Ethan’s face vanished. Just then, the living room door suddenly opened. Ethan instantly wiped the coldness from his face and slammed into my shoulder. He carefully made his way to the door and steadied Charlotte Davis. “Charlotte, what are you doing here? This place is so filthy and rundown. Be careful, you could get hurt.” Charlotte rushed to help me. But she stumbled, losing her balance. Ethan immediately grabbed her hand. Right in front of me, their fingers intertwined. On their hands were matching wedding rings. Noticing my gaze, Charlotte frantically pulled her hand back. “Today’s my prenatal appointment. I'm sorry, did I interrupt something? After today, I'll have Ethan come see you.” Ethan kissed the back of her hand. “She's like a rabid dog right now, snapping at anyone who gets close. Why bother explaining anything to her?” “I don't want to see her anyway. Just let her wait here.” His eyes flickered over to me. When he saw I was totally unfazed... ...he slammed the door shut and left. My ring finger still ached faintly. I grabbed my things and went to the hospital. I had just stepped into the lobby... ...when I ran right into Charlotte and Ethan. The man who was a notorious clean freak was kneeling on the floor, gently massaging Charlotte's calves. His expression was completely focused. As if he were holding a priceless treasure. I had no intention of spying. I turned and headed for my own department. But I never expected to find Charlotte waiting for me in the hallway. When she saw me... ...a flicker of conflict crossed her eyes. But her expression quickly hardened with resolve. “Peyton, maybe you should stop seeing Ethan while I'm pregnant?” “The baby's still small, but it needs its father's care.” “You love Ethan so much, you wouldn't want anything to happen to his child, would you?” She pulled out a thick wad of cash. In front of everyone, she shoved it all into my arms. “Consider this a little something for your trouble.” Her voice wasn't quiet. Everyone in the hallway heard. Countless judgmental eyes fell on me. I even heard someone call me a slut. Hearing the murmurs... Charlotte looked a little flustered and lowered her voice. “I’m sorry, Peyton. I didn’t mean for that to happen.” Then she grabbed my hand. Just like she used to back in school whenever she wanted something from me. But the words that came out of her mouth were designed to publicly humiliate me. “Please, just for a little while, can you stay away from Ethan? The baby needs its father.” Amidst the chorus of curses from the crowd... I raised my hand and slapped her across the face. “Charlotte, aren't you tired of this act after all these years? You must be so proud of yourself for stealing Ethan, huh?” A flurry of urgent footsteps sounded behind me. Charlotte collapsed to the floor, her eyes brimming with tears. “Peyton, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. Please don’t be mad.” Ethan rushed over and pulled her up from the floor. When he looked at me... ...his eyes were filled with ice-cold disgust. “Peyton Jenkins, did you just hit a pregnant woman? Are you an animal?” “Get on your knees and apologize to Charlotte. Otherwise, this time, I won't let you off so easily.”

Chapter 3 For the millionth time. For the millionth time, Ethan Miller blindly took Charlotte Davis’s side. If this were the past, I would have fought tooth and nail to prove my innocence, arguing until the truth was out. But now, I just felt bone-tired. Charlotte knew me well enough. Before I could even speak, she was already tugging on Ethan’s sleeve, her voice trembling. “Don’t talk to Peyton like that. I’m the one who fell—it was my own fault.” But her “explanation” only made the look in Ethan’s eyes grow colder. “You don’t have to cover for her. We both know exactly what she’s like.” “Peyton, if you want to walk out of this hospital, you’d better apologize to Charlotte. Right now.” I didn’t want to get tangled up with them anymore. Didn't want a front-row seat to their lovey-dovey drama. I just pointed to the security camera on the wall. “You want to know what happened? Go check the footage yourself.” I took a single step forward, and a hand violently yanked my hair. Ethan jerked my head back, forcing me to meet his gaze. “You hurt Charlotte, and you think you can just walk away?” Tears instantly streamed down Charlotte’s face. “Ethan, what are you doing? I really did fall on my own! Let go of Peyton, please!” A sharp, tearing pain shot through my scalp. I winced. But the Ethan who used to panic if I so much as scraped my hand… Now, his eyes held nothing but ice-cold indifference. “What are you pretending for? You’re not a delicate princess like Charlotte. Can’t handle a little pain?” I struggled, trying to break free from his grip. Ethan’s eyes darkened. He kicked the back of my knee, hard. “Apologize.” His face, once so familiar, now felt like a stranger’s. I was in a daze. When we were eighteen, he was wild and rebellious and had pissed off the wrong people. I took a knife for him. He’d held me then, his eyes bloodshot, crying until he choked on his sobs. He promised he’d never let me get hurt again. But now, all my pain came from him. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “I won’t apologize for something I didn’t do.” “Ethan, just let it go...” Charlotte choked out, reaching to help me up. But Ethan pulled her behind him, shielding her. A heavy slap landed squarely across my face before I could even react. He didn't hold back at all. The force of it snapped my head to the side. Charlotte’s eyes went wide, her sobs catching in her throat. She threw herself over me, trying to shield me. “Ethan!” Ignoring her struggles, Ethan pulled her into a protective embrace. His gaze swept over the red, swollen handprint on my cheek. “This is your last warning. In this relationship, *we’re* the ones who wronged Charlotte. If you have a problem, take it out on me.” “But if you dare touch her again, I’ll make you pay for it a thousand times over.” I struggled back to my feet. And slapped him right back. “Haven’t you already dedicated your life to her? What the hell do I owe her?” Caught off guard, Ethan stumbled back a few steps before steadying himself. “Peyton Jenkins!” I ignored his furious roar and turned to walk away. I was in a complete daze as I made my way to a hotel and checked into a room. Lying on the bed, sleep was impossible. My phone screen lit up the dark room. I opened it. It was a text from Charlotte Davis. 【I’m so sorry, Peyton. I had no idea Ethan would get so worked up today. I already told him off. Please don’t be mad, okay?】 I didn’t reply. I just closed my eyes and turned off the phone. The next morning, I took an Uber to the airport. “Luke, I’m at the airport. I’ll be in City A soon.” After I’d finally decided to cut things off with Ethan, Luke Moore, an old friend from college, had suddenly gotten in touch. He told me about a great research project and asked if I wanted to join. Once upon a time, I was the star student, the one everyone praised. But for Ethan, I threw my future away, waiting for the one he had promised me. That future never came. But just as I was about to board my flight, several bodyguards grabbed me and dragged me to the Miller estate. Ethan’s mother looked down on me, her expression imperious. “Ms. Jenkins, I thought you were a sensible girl. I never imagined you’d dare to harm Charlotte.” “When you do something wrong, you must be punished.”

Chapter 4 Charlotte Davis stood timidly behind Ethan’s mother. When I showed up, she didn’t look the least bit surprised. The moment our eyes met, hers flickered away. She moved her lips, saying something without a sound. It was our favorite silent game from college. So I knew. I instantly knew what she was saying. She said, "I'm sorry, Peyton. You wouldn't give Ethan to me, so I had to do this. Don't blame me, okay?" The bodyguards slammed me to the floor. For a moment, all the strength drained from my body. I once thought Charlotte was my best friend. I never imagined she would betray me again and again. Ethan’s mother had the butler bring over a long, barbed whip. The way she looked at me, it was like she was staring at an insect. “This is how the Millers enforce our family’s rules. Using it on you is an upgrade, really.” I struggled, trying to throw off the hands holding me down. “Ethan and I already broke up!” Ethan descended the stairs, his expression cold and grim. He went to stand with Charlotte. “Are you so desperate to avoid responsibility that you’d make up a lie like that?” “Peyton, I’ve spoiled you rotten. A little punishment will teach you a lesson. It’ll be good for everyone.” I dug my nails into my palms, the sharp points sinking deep into my flesh. They were the ones who dragged me into this twisted love triangle. And yet here they were, the two traitors, shamelessly pinning all the blame on me. “Ethan, I said I’m breaking up with you! Don’t you understand?” Why should I, the innocent one who did nothing wrong, be the one who gets punished? But no matter what I said, it was like they couldn’t hear me. Ethan’s mother let out a cold sneer. “A gold-digger like you would never let go once you’ve latched onto a rich man. ‘Breaking up’? Who do you think you’re fooling?” She wouldn’t listen to a word I said. A servant raised the whip high and brought it down hard across my spine. Soon, my back was a bloody, mangled mess. Cold sweat soaked through my clothes, and my face twisted in agony. The gruesome sight made Charlotte’s face go pale. She looked like she couldn’t bear it and tried to step in. But Ethan’s mother was determined to teach me a lesson and ordered the servant to hit even harder. All I could taste was metal. A coppery spurt of blood burst from my lips, staining the pristine floor red. Charlotte started crying and threw herself in front of me. Ethan panicked. He rushed to pull her into his arms. “Charlotte!” “You’re taking a blow for her? Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Someone like Peyton isn’t worth it!” He held her tight, but when he looked at me, his eyes were filled with resentment. He resented me for almost getting Charlotte hurt. But I was the one they had dragged here against my will. Ethan grabbed the whip. He lashed it across my back with brutal force. “Why can’t you just behave? Charlotte is pregnant! She can’t handle this kind of shock and stress!” I thought I was numb to the pain, that my heart couldn’t break any further. But as Ethan’s whip landed on my already ravaged back, I felt my soul shatter right along with it. His eyes were bloodshot as he held the whip. “Peyton, I really, really...” Before he could finish, Charlotte clamped a hand over his mouth. I knew. He was going to say he regretted ever loving me. I closed my eyes and gave a bitter laugh. Furious, Ethan shoved me into a car, intending to lock me away. The car sped down the road. He gripped my arm tightly as he threw me into the villa. I fought through the pain and angrily wrenched my hand from his grasp. I staggered toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. The villa was right on the coast. Beyond the glass was the endless ocean. Ethan stared at me, a mocking smile on his face. “Peyton, you’re not actually going to try and kill yourself, are you? Grow up.” I took one last, long look at him. I finished the sentence he’d started back at the house, my voice a low murmur. “Ethan, I truly regret ever loving you.” “And if this is what it takes to sever all ties between us, then I’m willing.” Seeing the resolve in my eyes, a flicker of panic crossed his. He took a step toward me. “You don’t have the right to say that! After everything Charlotte and I have sacrificed for you, you don’t get to just give up!” A humorless smile touched my lips. “It’s my life. Of course I have the right to decide.” I threw myself into the air. The last thing I saw was the look of pure, helpless panic on Ethan’s face. “Peyton, no!” The upcoming chapters are even more exciting! Click the download button below to read the entire book!👇👇👇