After ninety-nine hurts, my husband deeply regretted it.

My personal videos were deliberately leaked and blasted all over the headlines.

Overnight, I became public property.

To protect his reputation, my husband told me to suck it up and sign an NDA.

Every word out of his mouth pushed me lower, like my dignity was just another bargaining chip.

He thought money, apologies, and his clout could wipe the slate clean.

He also thought that because I loved him, Id stay

just like Id put up with the ninety-eight humiliations before.

What he never noticed was this:

he only ever got ninety-nine chances.

When the last chance was used up, the debt for saving my life was finally paid in full.

And this time, I didnt forgive.

During a party game, his assistant lost three rounds straight and got dared to lick whipped cream off some playboys thigh.

She smashed a bottle and held the shards to her throat, swearing, "Ethan, Id rather die than let someone humiliate me like this!"

My usually ice-cold husband panicked and begged me to take the fall for his assistant.

"Its just licking some cream. I promise Ill make it up to you later."

Everyone was waiting for me to make a fool of myself, but I just agreed, cool as a cucumber.

He had no idea this was the 97th time hed cut me deep.

And I was done being his caged bird. I was just biding my time, waiting to pay off that life debt, so we could be done for good.

"Wow, look at that, the supermodels actually gonna lick it? Ethan sure knows how to keep his women in line!"

"What if she backs out? Theyre not really gonna make Amber do it, are they? Shes Ethans one that got away!"

The mocking laughter was a roar in my ears, and the humiliation burned.

In the middle of all this disgusting posturing, Ethan knelt in front of Amber, carefully putting a band-aid on her neck. Then he turned those cold eyes on me:

"Chloe, dont try anything. Ambers waiting for you to finish so we can get back to the game."

Amber, Amber It was always Amber. He never once asked if I was okay with it.

Hed completely forgotten I was his wife.

Hed also forgotten that just a few days ago, Id miscarried because of her, and I was barely holding it together now.

Seeing me hesitate, someone shoved me from behind:

"Whatre you standing around for? Get licking! Dont tell me youre chickening out now?"

I stumbled but caught myself. When I looked at Ethan again, his eyes were glued to Amber.

"96 times. Thats ninety-six," I counted in my head as I walked stiffly toward the guy with cream on his thigh, the well-known player in our circle.

Just as I bent down, the playboy grabbed my chin.

He looked at Amber and said, "Miss Amber, this isnt right. She lost to me three times. One lick isnt enough."

"How about we play egg roulette? You convince her to do it, and Ill call it even."

Egg roulette? What the hell?!

A cold dread shot through me, and I instantly looked at Ethan.

But in the next second, Amber was already clinging to his arm, pouting:

"Ethan, its just a silly dare. Cant you get your wife to play along just this once?"

Seeing Ambers tiny frame trembling, Ethans heart just melted. He stared me down:

"Chloe, you were willing to lick the cream. Taking on one more little dare for Amber shouldnt be a problem, right?"

"Yay! Thanks, Ethan!" Amber bounced up, her face pure smug satisfaction.

Watching Ethan pat her head with that fond look, I almost laughed right then. My dignity was dirt under their feet, and I was just a toy for their amusement.

Ethan, how could you be so cold? How could you still want me to do some degrading performance art for her sake?

Oh, right. I almost forgot. Amber was his untouchable white moon.

Hed chased her for years and struck out, then their families got in the way. Amber left the country overnight.

Now that he finally had her back, of course hed spoil her rotten.

How could I ever compete?

Pushing down the bitter taste in my mouth, I said flatly:

"Does that count as a forgiveness voucher?"

Forgiveness voucher? The crowd laughed at the weird ask, but Ethan let go of Amber and suddenly looked straight at me.

He knew what I meant.

After a beat, he nodded:

"It counts."

I smiled, a bitter twist of my lips.

"Fine. Ill do it."

Eight years ago, when I was just starting out as a model, I caught the eye of a big shot and got trapped on an island.

Along with other girls, I became a party favor for men at their business deals.

I got lucky. Ethan was the first man I met, and it was love at first sight for him.

For me, he took over those mens operations, sent them away, and saved my life.

Later, I found out it was because I looked so much like Amber.

The night he saved me, I asked how I could ever repay him.

His eyes were sincere: "Then marry me."

I pinched him: "Im serious."

His breath hitched as he pulled me close and said:

"Then give me 99 forgiveness vouchers."

"Forgiveness vouchers?" I clung to him, curious.

Thats when he smiled:

"Silly, if C and Im just saying if C if I ever hurt you 99 times, Ill use these vouchers to get you to forgive me 99 times. Once theyre gone, were even."

For the next five years, he poured everything into making me a top model and treated me like a princess.

Until two months ago, when Amber came back. Everything changed.

Now it was the 97th time. Just two more, and my debt would be clear. Wed be nothing to each other.

Seeing Ethan agree, the playboy led me to a back room, dim and draped in silk.

The table was covered in hard-boiled eggs, and on the floor lay two or three women, clothes torn, a foul smell rising from them.

Ice flooded my veins as I realized what "egg roulette" meant C they were going inside me.

Ethan, whod followed us in, narrowed his eyes and turned to Amber:

"Wasnt this about eating eggs? Whats going on?"

But Amber ignored him and pushed me forward.

"Mr. Seven, Miss Chloe used to be a dancer. Im sure her flexibility will impress you."

"Dont you want to see for yourself? See how far she can go?"

As Amber finished, I was trembling. I looked to Ethan for help.

I was still his wife. Hed loved me once. Even after all hed put me through for Amber, he wouldnt hand me over to some freak, right?

But to my shock, Ethan walked to the bar, poured a drink, and shoved it into my hand.

"Why dont you have a drink with Mr. Seven first? Break the ice."

Break the ice? He wanted me to entertain them?

He actually agreed?

Dazed, I saw Amber flash me a vicious grin.

"Sis! You deaf? Ethans talking to you!"

While I was staring at Amber, lost, she suddenly kicked me behind the knee.

I lost my balance instantly, and the drink in my hand flew into the playboys face.

Then I fell onto broken glass, slicing my arm open in several places.

My eyes met the twisted, pale face of the woman on the floor.

Ambers shriek filled my ears:

"Sis, if you didnt want to drink, you couldve just said so. No need to pull a stunt and piss off Mr. Seven. Is this how you act as Ethans wife? Trying to make him lose face?"

The playboys face froze, then understanding dawned and he stared at me, wide-eyed:

"You youre Ethans famous wife?"

I said nothing, just sat on the floor, my body and heart aching so bad I could barely breathe.

The playboy reached for my arm, but Ethan instantly grabbed his wrist.

Ethan glanced at my bloody face, his eyes darkening. He gritted his teeth at the playboy:

"Get out."

The playboy backed off, grumbling as he left.

"Ethan! Youre insane! If Id known she was your crazy wife, I wouldnt have touched her with a ten-foot pole!"

As he vanished, I got up to leave, but a large hand clamped onto my arm again.

"Chloe, arent you happy youre off the hook? Didnt those two years on the island teach you how to act? You just had to have one drink, and this wouldve been over. Why the drama? You knew when I told you to drink, I was trying to end this, right? Are you really that clueless?"

Looking at a furious Ethan, I met his gaze, my own eyes red.

This time, I didnt hold back.

"Ethan! Im your wife. If youd just said who I was, this wouldve ended the same way."

My meaning was clear. It was him. He wanted to play along to save Ambers pride, so he never said a word.

Caught off guard, Ethan actually looked guilty.

Amber, seeing this, tried to jump in.

But Ethan frowned and cut her off:

"Enough! Just shut up and wait for me in the car."

After her footsteps faded, he sighed:

"Look, Im sorry, but I need to say this. I really didnt know what egg roulette meant. If Id known, I never wouldve agreed."

"As for Amber try to understand. She just got back and saw that I was marr"

Ethan stopped short, but I could guess the rest.

He was going to say Amber was upset finding out he was married, so she took it out on me, and he wanted me to let it go.

Our eyes met, and Ethan seemed to read the mockery in mine. He sighed again.

"Fine. Youre hurt. Ill have the driver take you to the ER. Ambers not in a good place, I need to check on her. Well talk when I get back."

Without waiting for a reply, he added: "Even though you didnt finish, Ill let this count as a forgiveness voucher."

With that, he turned and left. Watching him walk away, I touched my still-bleeding forehead and laughed.

But I didnt care anymore.

Just two more times. Once my debt was paid, I was out.

From now on, I wasnt putting up with his crap.

The driver dropped me home late. Ethan wasnt back, and I didnt bother asking.

The next day, his assistant brought a gift: two commercial property deeds.

He made a point to say one was for the cream-licking, the other for the egg mess.

Blank-faced, I labeled them 96 and 97 and tossed them into the safe.

The maid beside me beamed:

"Mr. Ethan really spoils you, maam. The gifts are coming more often."

I just smiled.

She didnt know these were just Ethans payoffs for hurting me.

Looking at the safe stuffed with deeds, I knew Id be leaving soon.

But before I left, I needed one camera. It had stuff I had to destroy.

Ethan had his kinks, and in the heat of the moment, hed sometimes film us.

Back then, those videos were just us.

But now, I didnt want them around. If they got out, Id be ruined.

But after turning the place upside down, I couldnt find that camera.

Just as I was about to search again, my agent called, yelling:

"Chloe, have you lost it? Check the news! Your private photos are everywhere! How dare you mess around behind Ethans back? If you want to die, dont take the whole agency down with you!"

My mind went blank, only catching her words:

"You better explain those videos online right now! And explain it to Ethan, or were all screwed!"

She hung up. I fumbled for my phone.

The top trending topic was my private video.

With a bold, clickbait headline: [Supermodel Chloes Sleazy Rise to the Top]

In it, Ethans face was blurred, but mine was clear, flushed and wanting.

Millions of comments called me a slut, a gold-digger who slept her way up.

My legs gave out, and I hit the floor.

But right before I collapsed, strong arms caught me.

"Dont look at that stuff. Its okay, Ill handle it. Trust me!"

The comforting words were barely out when he turned, his face like stone, and roared at the room.

"Who did this! Tell me! Who!"

Seeing him this furious, my eyes stung.

But at the same time, Ambers casual voice floated over:

"Ethan, you mean the videos? I posted them!"

The arm around my waist tightened. Ethan and I both stared at Amber.

"Dont look at me like that! I just found them and thought siss body was too hot for just you, Ethan. So I shared!"

"Beautiful things should be for everyone, right?"

Blood rushed to my head. I lunged to slap her, but Ethan caught my wrist.

"Chloe! Enough!"

Furious and heartbroken, I yelled: "But she"

Before I could finish, Ethan glanced at a smug Amber, then turned back to me, frowning:

"Ill get the topics taken down. Let it go. Dont make trouble for Amber, okay? You know, shes also"

"No! Ethan, why should I let it go? She ruined me! Why should I let it go?"

"Im suing her for defamation! She has to pay!"

I stared at Ethan, my eyes red, not backing down an inch.

"Chloe! You"

Ethan took a deep breath, about to say more.

But Amber tugged his sleeve, fake-sobbing with red eyes:

"Ethan! Dont. I know I messed up. Let sis sue me. I shouldnt have been jealous, jealous she married you. Its my fault. If only Id held on back then!"

As she spoke, Ambers eyes welled up, and she started crying for real.

"Sis, Im really sorry. Ill kneel and apologize. Please dont make it hard for Ethan."

"If it makes you happy, Ill turn myself in right now, clear your name! So what if Im ruined too, just dont let this break you two up."

Seeing Amber about to kneel, Ethans eyes went cold again. He said to me, low and hard:

"Chloe! Amber knows she was wrong. Drop it."

"Your reps already trash, so just quit the industry and be a rich housewife. Isnt that good enough?"

I was stunned by his blindness, unable to believe hed still indulge her like this.

I was about to speak, but the next second, a hard slap cracked across my face, stinging.

His knuckles were red, his breathing ragged, his eyes full of a violence Id never seen.

He threw a disclaimer at me:

"Be a good girl and sign this. Once this blows over, Ill get you back in the game."

"But if you dare go to the cops, dont even think about leaving this house again!"

"I wont sign!"

I ground my teeth, glaring.

But no matter how I fought, Ethan forced my handprint onto the paper.

As I collapsed, exhausted,

A helpless, crushing pain Id never felt washed over me, like a thousand needles in my heart.

They left, but their casual talk wormed into my ears like poison:

"Ethan, is sis okay"

"Shes fine. As long as she wants back in, shell listen. Worst case"

"Ill count it as a forgiveness voucher. Shes got plenty left, shell behave."

No, there arent plenty. Just one more.

Ethan, I wont be your puppet anymore.

After sitting on the floor in a daze forever, I finally went to my room and took out my diary.

Everyone says the modeling world is just as dirty as showbiz, but I really loved it.

On the runway, under the spotlightsthat confidence was where I found my worth.

But now, it was destroyed. Maybe heaven was telling me it was time to go, to not stick around.

Tears falling, I wrote today in the book, ending with the number 98.

Every time he hurt me, Id write it down, to remind myself not to soften.

But Ethans voice came from behind:

"Whats 98 mean?"

Seeing him reach for the diary, I slammed it shut and shoved it in the drawer.

"Nothing."

He sensed my panic and seemed to remember something:

"You girls and your dramatics, always writing grudges in your little books. Is this that grudge book you mentioned?"

He meant after our wedding, when he lost the rings.

Hed used two soda can tabs instead.

That night, I was so mad I kicked him off the bed:

"Ethan, youre killing me. Im putting you in my grudge book."

Hed laughed through the pain: "Write all you want, Ill always win you back."

Realizing hed misunderstood, I didnt bother explaining, just nodded.

Remembering those newlywed days, his cold face finally cracked a rare smile:

"Alright, I said Id win you back, so no more grudges. Look."

He handed me a property deed and pulled me into his arms.

"Its a new building downtown. Saved it just for you."

"The videos been taken care of. Next month, Ill get you back in the game, okay?"

The maid peeked in, jealous.

But I stayed stiff, saying flatly:

"Whatever."

Seeing I wasnt moved, his brow furrowed, anger in his eyes:

"You really want to make this a thing?"

I looked up, my eyes dark:

"No, how would I dare, Mr. Ethan?"

That set him off.

"Chloe, I took those videos, and I slipped up letting Amber see them. If youre mad, take it out on me. Got it?"

For a second, it felt like a rock was crushing my chest.

Hed do anything for Amber, even beg me, or throw himself in front of her.

I was suddenly so tired.

I didnt want this anymore.

So I calmly said: "Got it."

Seeing his punch land on cotton, he glared, jaw tight, before finally slamming the door on his way out.

The next day, Ethan texted me to come to the golf course.

I was about to say no, but the next message came:

"Ill count it as a forgiveness voucher."

Seeing that, knowing it was the last time, I went.

As soon as I walked into the private course, I didnt see Ethan. Instead, someone kicked me from behind, and I hit the dirt.

Ambers voice floated over:

"Dont bother looking. I invited you."

As she finished, two bodyguards pinned me.

Then clubs rained down on my legs. I screamed as blood splattered.

Through the pain, I shouted:

"Amber, are you insane!"

She smiled sweetly, but her eyes were poison:

"Chloe, how dare you! Youre already trash, but Ethan still wont divorce you. He even says he needs to make it up to you, get you back in the game."

"Chloe, tell me! How dare you?!"

Ethan treats her like a queen, and his half-assed words to shut me up are worth this?

Fed up, I said coldly:

"Im not competing with you."

Seeing I knew my place, she snorted, haughty:

"But I just cant stand you. Youre a supermodel, right? Ill break your legs and see how you seduce Ethan then!"

Looking at the blood on my pants, she gagged. Her eyes landed on a golf ball nearby.

Like shed had an idea, she smiled, eerie.

"Strip her!" Her voice was a shriek.

"Last time we didnt get to the egg. Too bad. Theres a ball right here. Chloe, I promise youll feel amazing today!"

She stroked the golf ball and told the bodyguards to strip me.

I fought like a wild animal, roaring.

Amber giggled in my ear, grabbing my face, her nails drawing blood:

"Dont scream! Youll feel so good soon, better than any man! I promise youll be addicted!"

Looking at her ugly face, I flashed back to all the times Ethan had scolded me, looked at me with disgust, iced me out because of her.

Tears poured out, giving me the guts to say screw it.

I was leaving anyway.

Why should I take this?

Just as my pants were coming down, strength came from nowhere. I shoved the bodyguards and charged Amber.

Then I bit down hard on her hand. Amber screamed, trying to pry my mouth off.

But I held on. The taste of blood filled my nose as I bit off half her finger.

"What the hell?" Ethans roar came from behind.

Rushing in, he saw my bloody face and half-stripped legs.

Realizing Amber was behind this, he was shocked!

He kicked the bodyguards away and yanked up my pants, his eyes full of panic.

"Chloe, what happened? Dont be scared, Ill get you to the hospital!"

But Amber shrieked, showing him her bloody half-finger, her cries piercing:

"Ethan, she bit my finger off! My hand is ruined!"

"It hurts! Ethan, please, help me!"

Ethans face changed. He looked at me, shocked, torn.

But after a second, he tossed me a few words and scooped up Amber.

"Finger reattachments time-sensitive. Im taking her first. Call an ambulance. Ill come back for you."

Hearing that, my heart dropped into a black hole.

So, he knew exactly how vicious Amber was. He was just picking sides.

I looked up at him, my eyes empty:

"Ethan, this is the last time."

Ethan looked at my stone-cold face and felt a pang, like hed lost something big.

But feeling the broken girl in his arms, he still chose to leave me.

As he left, he looked at me, pleading:

"I know youre hurt. Ill make this right."

"Just dont call the cops please."

Watching him disappear, I didnt go to the hospital. I just dragged my busted leg back to the villa.

Sure enough, as soon as I got home, the maid handed me the 99th property deed.

It was for this villa.

I locked it in the safe.

With my diary, divorce papers, and contract termination, I put them on the table.

I left a note:

"The life debt is paid, love is done. Ethan, lets divorce."

I packed a small bag and booked a flight to Yunnan.

Ethan, this is how we end.

As the plane cut across the sky, Ethan came home, wrecked.

The place was empty, silent. He called me, confused.

He saw the note on the bedroom table and reached for it as a cold, robotic voice came from his phone.

"Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service"

And the next second, when he saw the big words on the note, his eyes went wide!

"The life debt is paid, love is done. Ethan, lets divorce."

Ethans mind blanked, barely registering the word "divorce."

He picked up the paper, turned to the last page, and only then saw the three words signed: Chloe.

He finally got it. Chloe really wanted out.

Looking at the contract termination in front of him, he smashed his phone in a rage.

Then he called my agent, roaring:

"You terminated her contract behind my back. You have a death wish?"

The agent was terrified, stammering:

"Mr. Ethan, didnt you say Amber was hurt bad, and unless the sky was falling, not to bother you?"

Ethan froze.

He remembered getting a call when the specialists couldnt help Amber.

But hed been so panicked hed cursed and hung up.

Who knew it was about Chloes contract?

"How could you let her leave without me signing the termination?"

Ethan was out for blood.

The other end sighed:

"Mr. Ethan, did you forget? You signed that contract five years ago."

"Shes your wife. You gave her a special termination clause back then, even paid the breach fee out of pocket"

Ethans lips were white, teeth grinding.

That did happen.

But hed forgotten.

Back then, he was head over heels for Chloe. He signed her to his own label, poured everything into making her a star, just to give her the best, make sure she wasnt trapped.

Hed even blown through his cash, pissing off his grandpa whod whacked him twenty times with the family cane.

After he healed, Chloe was so worried she got a fever in the night, almost died.

He was terrified, called in every favor in the city to save her.

Hed cried at her bedside like never before:

"Chloe! You cant die, you cant. Even the grim reaper cant take my wife!"

And when Chloe woke up, her one sentence made him cry with joy:

"Is this your idea of a proposal?"

Remembering, Ethans eyes stung.

His so-called spoiling had almost killed Chloe back then, and now it had made her vanish.

Didnt Chloe say she loved him?

Then why did she leave

His nails dug into his palms, but he felt no pain, just the ache in his chest.

The world felt like those dark days when the Jin family had him surrounded, fighting for power.

The darkest days of his twenty years, suddenly thrown into a frozen hell, all warmth gone.

Only Chloe stayed, loving him.

She stayed up with him, coaxed him to sleep, took him to therapy, did extreme sports with him. She gave him love, became his rock.

How could someone like her leave?

Ethan crouched, head in his arms, asking the air over and over.

But no one answered.

The phone on the floor was still ringing:

"Sigh, Chloes pitiful too. Her legs were beaten so bad shes crippled. Cant model anymore."

"But at least she retired as an international supermodel at her peak. People will remember her, so she wont be too lonely."

A tear hit Ethans phone as he desperately needed to know:

"How bad are her legs?"

The agents voice turned angry:

"Its sick. They specifically aimed to ruin her. Didnt touch anything else, just destroyed her legs. Its a sin!"

"Couldve been treated, but who knows why it took so long to get her to the hospital. Her right legs done for now."

Only her legs? Specifically to end her career?

Ethans heart ached, knowing Amber was behind it. His chest felt squeezed, guilt washing over him.

But right now, he just needed to find Chloe!