Aanya had spent the entire night sitting on a chair beside the sofa, just to make sure Zain wouldn't need anything during the night. When her eyes finally opened, the first thing she noticed was that the sofa was empty. Zain had already gone upstairs to his room.
She composed herself and walked toward the kitchen. She prepared breakfast for Zain, and just as she was about to take it upstairs, she saw him coming down the stairs. He was wearing a deep blue suit that day, and his face had once again turned as hard and expressionless as stone.
The softness of the night, the warmth of that conversation… it felt as if nothing had ever happened.
"Breakfast is on the table," Aanya said softly.
Zain glanced at his watch and replied without looking at her, "I told you I don't like delays. It's already 7:30. Where is my black coffee?"
Aanya froze. The man she had cared for the previous night had once again turned into the same 'cold, harsh boss.'
Part 8: Kiyan's Arrival and Zain's Departure
Just then, there was a knock on the door and Kiyan entered, holding a few files in his hand.
"Boss, the car is ready. There's the Project Phoenix meeting today," Kiyan said. Then he glanced at Aanya, whose tired eyes made it clear that the night had not been easy. Kiyan understood without asking.
Zain took a sip of coffee and left the cup there. "Alright, let's go."
As he reached the door, he stopped and said to Aanya without turning back, "I need dinner at home for guests tonight. Mother Xuyan has invited some business partners. Remember, no servants will come. You will do everything alone. And if there's even one mistake… you know the consequences."
Part 9: Aanya's Challenge
As soon as Zain's car left the house, Aanya sank down against the kitchen counter. She understood clearly that Zain would punish her for every moment she tried to get close to him. He was hiding his weakness behind anger.
She wiped her tears and said to herself, "The more you try to break me, Zain, the stronger I will rise. This year is not just a test of your hatred, it is also a test of my courage."
It was time for the evening dinner. Aanya wore a white high-neck T-shirt and a deep blue long skirt. The new glasses on her eyes added a quiet elegance to her simplicity. She looked exactly like she used to in China's famous design studios—calm, beautiful, and professional.
Zain was standing near the stairs waiting for her. For a moment, a flicker of light appeared in his eyes when he saw her, but he immediately controlled himself.
"Ready?" Zain said in a low voice. "Remember, these are my mother's special guests. If they even slightly doubt that our marriage is just a contract, our secret will be exposed. And I don't want my mother to be hurt."
Aanya adjusted her glasses confidently and replied, "Don't worry. I'm a designer. I know how to dress characters for their roles."
Part 2: The 'Perfect Couple' in Front of the Guests
As soon as the guests entered, Zain's behavior completely changed. Smiling, he placed his hand on Aanya's waist and pulled her closer. Aanya froze for a second, then gently leaned her head toward Zain's shoulder.
"Mr. and Mrs. Wang, meet my wife, Aanya," Zain said proudly.
One of the women guests smiled and said, "Zain, your wife looks as innocent as an old Chinese painting. And these glasses… so cute!"
Zain looked at Aanya with a loving expression and said, "That's her charm. My honey hates show-off, right, jaan?"
Aanya smiled back and replied, looking into his eyes, "Absolutely, hubby. After all, your taste is also so simple and sincere."
Part 3: Bridges of Praise at the Dining Table
Dinner time arrived. Aanya had prepared traditional Chinese dishes with her own hands—Mapo Tofu, Peking Duck, and Dim Sum. As the aroma spread across the table, the guests' faces lit up.
Mr. Wang tasted a bite and was shocked. "Amazing! Zain, why would you ever go to hotels when you have such a wonderful chef at home? Your wife is truly multi-talented."
Zain lifted his eyes from his plate and looked at Aanya. There was a strange conflict in his eyes—on one side, the fire of hatred, and on the other, an unwilling respect for Aanya's capability.
From under the table, he held Aanya's hand and pressed it lightly. The guests thought it was love, but Aanya knew it was Zain's warning.
"Honey, you really did wonders," Zain said, kissing Aanya's hand in front of the guests.
(Expression: There was mischief in Zain's eyes, while Aanya's cheeks turned pink with embarrassment.)
Part 4: Inner Bitterness
As the guests remained busy laughing and talking, Aanya leaned toward Zain's ear and whispered, "Is this much drama enough, or do you want more, hubby?"
Zain's smile remained fixed, but his voice turned cold. "Just keep smiling. Tonight is about my mother's honor. If you make even one mistake, tomorrow morning's sun will rise for you behind the kitchen walls."
Aanya lifted her wine glass, clinked it with Zain's, and said, "Cheers, to a perfect lie!"
After the guests left, the heavy silence once again spread through the mansion. Zain sat on the sofa, his eyes filled with a mix of exhaustion and bitterness. He looked at Aanya, who was cleaning the table despite being tired.
"You did well today," Zain said coldly. "The guests were impressed. You may go now."
Aanya said nothing. She simply adjusted her glasses and walked toward her room. More than her physical exhaustion, she felt the weight on her heart.
Part 2: The Box of Pain
As soon as Aanya entered her dark room, her foot hit an old, dusty cardboard box lying in the corner. It was the same box she had brought with her, but never had the courage to open.
The moment she lifted the lid, tears spilled from her eyes. Inside were the buried memories of her first love, Ruan Jian.
Photographs: Pictures of Aanya and Ruan smiling together—when the world was still beautiful.
Ring: The ring Ruan had promised to give her on her birthday, but never got the chance to put on her finger.
Aanya hugged one photo to her chest and sat on the floor. Her entire body trembled. Sobbing, she whispered:
"Ruan… how many places did I search for you? At least you could have told me before leaving. Where did you go, leaving me alone to burn in this fire of hatred?"
Part 3: The Last Message (The Heartbreak Chat)
With trembling hands, Aanya took out her old phone and opened the chats she had read thousands of times. Ruan Jian's last message glowed on the screen:
"I'm sorry, Aanya… I have to go. I'm not worthy of you. From today, everything between us is over. Take care of yourself."
Aanya's throat tightened. "Breakup? Was the end of our three-year love just one message?" She burst into uncontrollable tears.
She had no idea that Zain Yan was standing outside in the corridor.
Part 4: The Truth Behind the Door
Zain stopped outside the room. He heard Aanya crying. He had come to scold her again, but her words made him freeze.
Confusion filled Zain's eyes. He had no idea there was a man named Ruan Jian in Aanya's life. He had always believed Aanya was just a 'clever girl' from the Lu family.
Expression and Emotion:
Aanya: Her face was soaked with tears, her glasses lay on the table. At this moment, she was not the ashes of 'Project Phoenix,' but a girl with a broken heart.
Zain: Standing behind the door, Zain clenched his fists. He felt anger—not because Aanya was crying, but because he had discovered that her heart ached so deeply for someone else. A strange mix of jealousy and hatred filled him.
Zain raised his hand to knock on the door, but stopped. In his mind, he said:
"Ruan Jian? So this is the name behind your innocence. But remember, Aanya, in this house, only my memories will be mourned, not yours."
He left silently, while inside, Aanya remained buried in the ruins of her memories.
In the dark corridor outside Aanya's room, Zain leaned against the wall. Her sobs still echoed in his ears. The name Ruan Jian pierced his chest like a dagger.
He closed his eyes and said to himself in a cold, controlled voice:
"Ruan Jian… so that's the name for whom your eyes hold so many tears, Aanya? I thought your world was limited to Project Phoenix and the conspiracies of the Lu family. But you carry a graveyard of someone else's memories in your soul."
A cruel smile appeared on his face, filled with jealousy.
"How strange… I wanted to burn you in my fire of hatred, but you were already buried in the ashes of someone else's farewell. You live in my house and cry for another man? Who gave you that right?"
Part 2: The Bitterness of a Birthday
His eyes fell on the clock on the wall. Midnight was approaching. His birthday was about to begin.
Hatred deepened on Zain's face. He clenched his fist and said softly:
"Tomorrow is my birthday. The day the world calls a celebration, but for me, it's the anniversary of destruction your family began. When the sun rises, not only will my old memories awaken, but I will also settle the account for your tears."
He cast one last sharp look at the door and walked heavily toward his room.
Part 3: Aanya's Helplessness
Inside the room, Aanya had no idea that her 'monster husband' had discovered her biggest secret. She stared at Ruan's last message on the screen—"I'm sorry, Aanya… I have to go."
Burying her face in the pillow, she sobbed:
"Tomorrow is his birthday… and I'll have to pray for the long life of the man who tries to kill my soul every day. Ruan, I wish you were here."