Shu Wan had originally planned to be gone from this world in three months. By then, if Lin Zechen wanted to have his way with her, all he’d find was a pile of ashes. The thought that he had now shrunk that window to a mere three days was something she couldn't stomach. Just as she was about to say more, Lin Zechen abruptly released her. Gasping for breath, Shu Wan swallowed whatever she had been about to say. No matter what, she had to get out of here tonight. “Darling.” Lin Zechen bent down and planted a hard, wet kiss on her cheek. “I'll let you go for now. I'll be back to pick you up in three days.” Shu Wan pressed a hand to her cheek where he had kissed her, a wave of nausea rolling through her stomach. But in front of Lin Zechen, she forced it down, nodding with feigned obedience. Seeing her so pliant, Lin Zechen finally let her be and headed for the door. He had just reached it when he suddenly stopped. “Oh, right.” He turned, his gaze landing on Shu Wan with a heavy, meaningful look. “Darling, your best friend’s name is Qiao Shanshan, isn’t it?” The carefully constructed calm on Shu Wan’s face instantly shattered, turning icy. Lin Zechen knew about Shanshan. He must have already dug up everything there was to know about her. The feeling of being so completely exposed, of having her life turned inside out for his inspection, made her skin crawl. “What about her?” she asked, her voice cold. A small, cruel smile played on Lin Zechen’s lips. “Nothing. Just a little reminder to be a good girl and wait for me at home. Don’t go wandering off, now.” He didn’t have to spell out the threat. Shu Wan heard it loud and clear. If she dared to run, he would go after Shanshan. That suffocating sense of powerlessness, of being trapped with no escape, washed over her once more. Despair crept in, and Shu Wan’s hands, which had been clenched into tight fists, fell limp at her sides. “Don’t you touch her,” she said, her face an emotionless mask. “I’ll be here waiting for you.” Only then did Lin Zechen blow her a kiss. “Such a good girl, darling.” Disgusting! Shu Wan slammed the door shut, locked it, and hurried into the bathroom. She twisted the tap, sank into the tub, and began to frantically scrub at every spot Lin Zechen had kissed, every place he had touched. She scrubbed until her skin was raw and peeling, but still, she didn't feel clean. She washed herself relentlessly, only stopping when the suffocating wave of nausea finally began to recede, leaving a cold calm in its wake. With Lin Zechen using Shanshan as leverage, she couldn't even run. If she didn't come up with a plan soon, he would destroy her in three days. At that thought, Shu Wan shot up, wrapped a towel around herself, and went back to the bedroom. She grabbed her phone, ready to call the police. But then she thought of Lin Zechen’s influence, his methods, and she bit her lip, forcing herself to stop. Taking Lin Zechen down with her didn't matter—she wasn't going to live much longer anyway. But Shanshan was different. Shanshan was about to get married. She couldn't, in a moment of impulse, drag her friend down with her. Shu Wan stood there for a long time before finally opening her contacts and scrolling to a number in her blocklist. The moment she saw the familiar name, her heart began to pound against her ribs. He was the only person who could stand against Lin Zechen. But he didn't want her anymore. If she called, would he even answer? Shu Wan hesitated for a long, long time, but in the end, she couldn't summon the courage to make the call. She knew Ji Sihan's nature better than anyone. Once he was tired of a toy, he never looked back. If she called him for help now, he would probably just think she was trying to cling to him. Since she had already chosen to leave with dignity, she shouldn't disturb him again… Over the next few days, Shu Wan had a spare key made and picked up more medication from the hospital. Her doctor urged her to check in and wait for a suitable heart donor, but Shu Wan refused. Her heart disease was congenital, managed for years with medication. But ever since she had been brutally kicked in the chest—right over her heart—twice, five years ago, it had begun to show signs of failure. In the last year, countless infusions and drug regimens had failed to stop its decline. Shu Wan knew her time was up. There was no point in hoping for a new heart. She swallowed a handful of pills without water, then packed the pepper spray and the small stun gun she had bought into her bag. She couldn't come up with a better plan, so she could only resolve to fight him to the death. If it came down to it, it would be a life for a life. Neither of them would be walking away from this.