Beneath the city's hustle and bustle lies a heartbreaking story.
It was a cloudy day, as if foreshadowing an impending tragedy.
For reason unknown, Melody found herself trapped on the mezzanine floor of an elevator. Her half-hour ordeal haunted her with nightmares and lingering fear.
Callum felt sympathy for Melody as she recounted her suffering through tears. However, that sympathy quickly morphed into rage toward Kyra, the alleged mastermind behind Melody's distress.
Kyra shrank under Callum's glare, terrified of what he might do next.
"You'll experience double the torment Melody endured!" Callum hissed, sending a shiver down Kyra's spine.
Before she could escape, he grabbed her wrist and dragged her to a room. Spotting a piece of luggage, he shoved her inside, ignoring her struggles and pleas.
The luggage was too small for an adult, yet Callum forcefully twisted Kyra's hand just to stuff her in.
Kyra screamed in pain, but Callum remained unmoved. "Witches like you need a lesson. Reflect on your actions!" he declared coldly, locking the luggage and tossing it into the closet.
Curled up in darkness, Kyra gasped for breath, tears streaming down her cheeks. She took the blame, hoping to calm Callum and persuade him to let her go.
But consumed by anger over Melody's suffering, Callum cursed at Kyra and stormed out.
Time passed slowly as Kyra desperately called for help, pounding on the luggage's sides. Blood seeped from her wounds and soaked the floor. Callum ensured all exits were blocked, leaving her with no chance of rescue.
Five days later, most of Callum's fury had faded. Out of a lingering shred of compassion, he muttered, "Kyra, I'll let you off this time. You'd better learn your lesson."
Unbeknownst to him, Kyra had already died, her body decomposing.
While Kyra fought for her life, Callum remained at Melody's side, enjoying their closeness.
"Why hasn't that jealous woman caused any trouble recently? Has she learned her lesson?" Melody asked, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at Callum.
Callum caressed her cheek and replied, "Women like her only behave after a tough lesson."
Satisfied, Melody headed to the bathroom to freshen her makeup.
Standing nearby, Callum's assistant, Dane Kaur, hesitated before speaking. "Mr. Smith, the room where your wife is confined has an unpleasant smell. Maybe you should check it out?"
Callum's tone turned icy. "So what? That wretch is probably just figuring out how to survive in there, likely having consumed her own waste. Don't concern yourself with someone like her."
Dane wanted to say more but was cut off by Callum's impatience. "Enough. I'll let her out tomorrow. If she apologizes to Melody, I'll let this slide."
Just then, Melody approached barefoot.
Callum's expression softened. "Melody, still having nightmares? Don't worry. Kyra won't dare harm you again. I've punished her severely. Her suffering is far worse than yours."
He pulled her onto his lap, tenderly stroking her hair.
"Callum, you're the best," Melody murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck to kiss his cheek.
Pouting, she added, "I think Kyra realizes she's wrong. Honestly, I just wanted her to apologize. I never wanted her punished. She wouldn't hate me for this, right?"
Kyra's soul, floating nearby, couldn't help but laugh bitterly at their intimacy. They were oblivious to her presence, as she was already dead.
In her final moments of suffocation and despair, Kyra's soul emerged from the blood-soaked luggage, the lock silently trapping her body inside, as if it wanted to refine her there for eternity.
Kyra's soul froze, tears threatening to fall. Callum had completely forgotten her pregnancy when he stuffed her inside. She caressed her belly, overwhelmed by sorrow for the child she would never bring into the world. Memories flooded back. Her past moments of joy with Callum now felt like sharp blades piercing her soul. She couldn't comprehend how everything had turned so cruelly against her.
Meanwhile, Callum remained lost in tenderness with Melody, unaware of Kyra's fate. He believed he had merely taught her a lesson, oblivious to the fact that he had killed the woman who once loved him deeply.
In a dimly lit corner, the gears of fate turned relentlessly, unfolding a tragedy filled with pain and despair.
Kyra was stuffed into a narrow luggage, trapped and unable to move. The cramped position caused her stomach to ache with pressure and pain. In her final moments, desperation surged within her. She hissed, trying to release the fear and despair that consumed her, and desperately clawed at the zipper with her toenails, seeking a glimmer of hope.
But that hope was fragile. Callum's cold voice shattered it: "Scared, huh? Melody must have felt even more helpless. Experience this pain so you can learn from it!"
Kyra took on blame that wasn't hers, hoping for mercy from Callum. Yet, fate was unforgiving, and the blood pooling from her lower abdomen left her weak and resigned to her end.
In a daze, she heard Callum instruct, "Dane, lock the closet after tossing the luggage in. She's making too much noise. Clearly, she hasn't realized her faults. I don't mind giving her enough time to reflect."
Kyra begged in a hoarse voice, tears blurring her vision, but she could do nothing as the closet door locked, extinguishing her last glimmer of light.
Five days later, Callum decided to release her. "Let Kyra out of the luggage. She needs to clean up before coming to admit her mistake in front of Melody. Don't let her stench affect her," he said indifferently, as if discussing something trivial.
Dane nodded, uneasy.
Melody beamed as she snuggled up to Callum. "When Kyra comes out, comfort her. After all, she's your wife. A strained relationship won't be good."
Callum snorted, squeezing Melody's hand. "She wouldn't dare confront me. She orchestrated your ordeal in the elevator for half an hour. I can't imagine how scared you were. You're always so gentle and radiant, and that drives Kyra crazy with jealousy."
Kyra's soul floated above, bitterly laughing at Callum's words, stung by the irony of the situation.
A week ago, while Callum was in a meeting, Melody had stormed into his home to provoke Kyra. "Don't think your pregnancy makes a difference! You'll never win Callum's heart; I'm the only one for him. Your child is just as much a nuisance as you are!"
Kyra, uninterested in a fight, coldly replied, "Get lost." She was surprised to hear about Melody's elevator mishap shortly after, where Melody was said to be stuck on the mezzanine floor.
While trapped, Melody texted Callum, exaggerating her plight, saying she might never see him again. "I always knew Kyra didn't like me. I didn't expect her to be so cruel. But I don't blame her. I should have prepared better. I just hope she can take care of you after I'm gone. Callum, let's meet again in the next life."
Upon receiving her messages, Callum suspended his meeting and rushed to Melody's side, mobilizing all available help to rescue her.
Meanwhile, Kyra stood nearby, watching Callum hold Melody tightly, a blank expression on her face.
"Melody, don't leave me…" Callum cried, his voice breaking.
Kyra couldn't understand his reaction. After all, Melody had only been trapped for half an hour and appeared unharmed. A brief rest should suffice for recovery.
It wasn't until Callum yanked her hair and shoved her into the luggage that Kyra realized she had been framed by Melody once more.
Callum snapped at Kyra, "How could you do this to Melody? She's claustrophobic! You nearly killed her! Though she's safe now, she's haunted by nightmares. Are you gloating? You've gone too far! Melody is where I draw the line. You're my wife, but you can't act recklessly without consequences! Don't come out until you admit your mistake!"
Five days later, as Dane approached the locked closet, Callum waited outside, expecting Kyra to obediently confess. But Kyra was gone—a truth Callum refused to accept, despite Dane's warnings.
"Mr. Smith… Your wife… She seems to be dead!" Dane exclaimed, rushing to Callum.
Callum froze. Kyra's soul watched, hoping for at least a hint of remorse.
But Callum merely smirked. "Dead? An evil doer like her won't leave this world easily. She's just putting on an act. If she continues to pretend, call the crematorium to take her away. Let her know the price of faking death to fool me."
He tapped the desk with his knuckles, voice flat. "Tell her if she doesn't clean herself up and come here in half an hour, I'll keep punishing her until she learns not to cause trouble."
Dane trembled, wanting to speak, but Callum's anger silenced him. "What are you waiting for? Do you want to be punished too?"
Callum then wrapped his arms around Melody's waist, speaking gently. "Melody, be firm when Kyra apologizes. Make her suffer a bit more. I want her to kneel when she begs for your forgiveness. That's my punishment for her. Don't feel sorry for her."
Melody leaned against Callum. "Oh, Callum…"
Listening to their exchange, Kyra felt dejected, even as a soul. Their shamelessness disgusted her, yet she was rooted in place, forced to hear Callum's scornful words. Her heart ached with disillusionment, and the fond memories of their past now felt like daggers piercing her soul.
Kyra had loved Callum for a decade, her feelings ignited in high school and enduring through college. After graduation, they finally became a couple, and her love remained unwavering. However, she was blind to the fact that Callum viewed her as nothing more than a burden.
For seven years, Kyra followed Callum, believing her devotion would eventually melt his icy demeanor. When he finally agreed to be with her, she was so overjoyed that she couldn't sleep a wink that night.
Kyra belatedly realized Callum had married her solely for her money, as his company was on the brink of collapse.
Throughout their two-year marriage, she poured herself into supporting his career, striving to be the perfect wife. For a while, Callum seemed to change; he would come home early, cook breakfast, and rub her belly during her period. Kyra thought her efforts had finally earned his love.
The day she discovered she was pregnant, she rushed to tell him, only to be met with a cold response. "Kyra, are you sure you're pregnant?" he asked skeptically. She missed the doubt in his voice and nodded eagerly.
Callum smirked. "Interesting. My asthenozoospermia means I'm unlikely to have children. How could you be pregnant?"
Kyra, desperate to prove her fidelity, relayed the doctor's words, assuring him she would take a paternity test after the first trimester.
Fate had a cruel twist in store; the same day Kyra learned of her pregnancy, Melody returned from abroad. Callum jokingly shared the news with Melody, shattering Kyra's illusion that she had finally won his affection.
As Kyra reflected on her situation, a wave of despair washed over her. Even as a soul, she still felt the weight of her despair when being confined.
As Kyra still hadn't emerged as he expected, Callum, holding Melody in his arms, grew flustered, his shaky voice betraying his emotion. "Why hasn't Kyra come over? After all this time, she still doesn't know how to learn her lesson? Just wait until I get my hands on her."
Kyra's soul watched Callum with cold detachment as he fidgeted nervously.
"Melody, I'll check on her. Don't worry; I'll make sure she comes to apologize." Callum stood up, striding toward the room.
As he reached the door, Callum frowned, covering his nose. "What's that smell?"
Dane, standing behind Callum, was already sweating. "Mr. Smith, you might want to see for yourself."
Kyra's soul felt a surge of anxiety at the thought of seeing her own corpse.
Callum pushed open the door. The luggage lay on the floor, half-open and emitting a foul odor. "Kyra, I've let you out. Are you refusing to come out? Do you want to spend your life in there?" he called out, irritation creeping into his voice.
Kyra's soul scoffed. Was it that she didn't want to come out? She had fought to see the light again, but that chance was gone.
"Seriously? Still making a fuss?" Callum approached the luggage, the stench overwhelming him. He kicked it hard. "Damn it! You smell terrible! Just go clean up!"
The force of his kick overturned the luggage, revealing Kyra's corpse in a horrifying position. Her arms were twisted, her mouth wide open, her eyeballs bulged out, and dried blood covered her lower body.
Callum stumbled back, panic in his eyes. "Who put this dead body here to scare me? Where's Kyra? She must be playing a trick! Hurry up and find her!"
Kyra's soul laughed bitterly, tears streaming down her face. Was he really that frightened? Her body lay right there, reeking of decay. Where else could he find her?
Dane stammered, "Mr. Smith, your wife… She is already dead. Her body is decomposing!"
Callum glared at Dane. "Stop with the nonsense! Why are you helping her lie? Do you think I'm a fool? A stinking corpse, and you expect me to believe she's dead? Just find her!"
Callum hurried out of the room, ordering someone to lock the door and track Kyra down.
Noting Callum's troubled expression, Melody trotted over and wrapped her arms around his neck. "What's wrong? Did Kyra upset you again? Relax. Don't let her get to you. I'm here for you."
Callum sat on the sofa with her, still shaken. "She's gone too far this time, faking her death! But no matter where she is, I'll find her. She still owes you an apology, and I'll make her say it."
Kyra's soul laughed mockingly. Despite seeing her corpse, Callum still demanded an apology from her. He must have lost his mind.
Callum reviewed the surveillance footage of the room. The screen clearly showed Kyra, after being locked in, going from screaming and struggling to gradually losing her voice. Yet, he remained skeptical. "The footage hasn't changed much. It must have been edited. Kyra, you've really outdone yourself."
He slammed his fist on the computer, startling Melody, who blinked back tears. After calming down, he gently reassured her, "Don't be scared, Melody. I'm just frustrated that she refuses to admit her mistakes and walked away! I promise I'll get her back before your birthday. By then, she'll apologize to you on her knees in front of everyone!"
Melody's eyes sparkled with satisfaction as she planted a quick kiss on Callum's forehead, causing him to blush.
Kyra's soul watched, feeling a pang of discomfort at the scene.
From the moment Kyra fell for Callum, she knew about Melody's presence in his life. Callum had chosen a childhood photo of him and Melody as his profile picture, where Melody beamed at the camera while Callum looked at her with unmistakable affection. Kyra's gaze mirrored that intensity.
Determined to win Callum's heart, Kyra investigated Melody and only pursued Callum after learning Melody had a boyfriend. She hoped that one day, he would love her deeply.
When Callum finally confessed to Kyra, he changed his profile picture to one of her from childhood. Kyra was ecstatic, unable to sleep as she repeatedly refreshed his page, excitedly sharing screenshots with her friends. They teased her for being lovesick, but she didn't mind, feeling special in Callum's eyes.
In high school, Kyra had been bullied and cornered in an alley until Callum, dressed in a white shirt, came to her rescue. Grateful and moved, she felt safe in his presence, even as he insisted he acted out of kindness, not love. Young and reckless, Kyra dismissed his words, saying, "It doesn't matter. I just like you."
One day, seeing Callum pick up Melody from art school crushed Kyra, and she cried all night. The next morning, she mustered the courage to ask, "Is that girl your girlfriend?"
After a moment of thought, Callum replied, "Nah. Just a neighbor. What's up?"
Kyra lost count of how many times Callum swayed her emotions. His knightly rescues left a lasting impression, and she believed he would eventually warm up to her.
Kyra remembered when Callum sighed, his long eyelashes fluttering behind his glasses, saying, "Study hard. I have no intention of dating anyone in high school." Motivated by his words, she studied diligently, hoping to attend the same college as him.
Blinded by her passion, Kyra failed to see that Callum was just an ordinary man. He gave her false hope while not fully committing to Melody. For financial gain, he claimed to love Kyra and would always be there for her.
Callum only used Kyra's photo as profile picture for three days before switching to a pitch-black image. At that time, Kyra's parents had just passed away, and he changed his profile picture to feign concern. The truth was, he had long set his sights on her family fortune.
When Kyra was violently shoved into the luggage, she cried, "Callum, don't do this! It'll kill me."
Callum glared at her, coldly saying, "Spare me your tears. Your parents are gone. No one cares about you."
As Kyra struggled, Callum snarled, "You've scared Melody! Rot in hell!"
Within the cramped luggage, breathing became a struggle. In her final moments, regret washed over Kyra. She realized she had been naïve to believe love could change someone. Callum had given her a harsh reality check. After her parents' death and with little contact with friends, she understood that no one cared about her.
Reflecting on her choices, Kyra recognized she had been reckless, assuming Callum was her Mr. Right just because he saved her that day. The boy she thought was her sunshine turned out to be a monster, intent on exploiting her for money without any regard for her well-being. She laughed at her own naivety.
Despite having seen Kyra's corpse, Callum was unfazed, focused instead on preparing for Melody's upcoming birthday. He spared no expense, hiring a popular band and throwing money at the event just to please her. Ironically, all the money he spent was Kyra's.
Callum had married Kyra solely for her wealth. As his game company faltered, she willingly gave him her savings and even mortgaged the house left by her parents. With her money, he invested in research, and soon his company released a hit game that took the internet by storm.
Callum became a successful businessman, and Kyra felt proud of him, unaware that her sacrifices would ultimately become a weapon against herself.
One year, Melody left the country for college and soon began dating a wealthy man. However, three months ago, her relationship soured, and she ended up divorced. Disillusioned, she returned home after the divorce was finalized.
Callum rushed to the airport upon hearing of Melody's return, arriving three hours early to ensure he wouldn't miss her.
Oblivious to Callum's true nature then, Kyra voiced her concerns, to which he replied, "Melody is like a sister to me. I need to be there for her." Naively, Kyra believed him.
On that day, Lost Land, a popular game of Callum's company, released a free gift package along with an email that read, "Mr. Smith receives cheerful news. Let's share the joy."
The release quickly became a trending topic.
Kyra thought Callum was doing this for her and felt elated since she had just discovered her pregnancy and left the test in the bathroom, assuming he had seen it.
Excited netizens flooded the comment section with admiration.
"Such a romantic gesture! I'm so jealous."
"Wonder how Mrs. Smith will react. She's lucky to have such a husband."
"Another day of being moved by a sweet love story."
That night, thrilled, Kyra prepared a lavish meal, eagerly waiting for Callum to join her. She forgot that Melody had returned home that same day, which was the real reason Callum had orchestrated the release of the free gift package in his game.
Callum didn't return home that night, and comforted herself that he was just as swamped as ever and that they had plenty of time ahead to spend together. Little did she know, her demise was approaching swiftly at the hands of the man she loved.
Meanwhile, Callum spent the evening with Melody, enjoying a candlelit dinner at an upscale restaurant. Someone snapped a picture of them dining together and posted it in the trending topic's comment section. The dim lighting obscured Melody's face, but it was clear Callum gazed at her affectionately while she shyly smiled back.
Assuming, Melody, the woman in the picture was Callum's wife, the clueless netizens cheered for their love story, praising their perfect match. While Melody and Callum enjoyed their time together, Kyra and her unborn child waited in vain for Callum's return.
Thinking of this, Kyra's soul chuckled bitterly. How could her homemade meals compete with the fine dining at an elegant restaurant? Her place in Callum's heart mirrored that disparity. It was pathetic. Today, her decomposing body reeked, while Melody, dressed like a princess in an exquisite gown, commanded the room's attention as the birthday girl.
At her birthday banquet, Melody addressed the guests, "Thank you all for coming to my birthday celebration. Callum, thank you for organizing this amazing party for me. It's a shame your wife didn't show up. For my birthday wish, I hope you and Kyra enjoy a pleasant married life."
As the ceremonial flowers burst and ribbons scattered, some landed in Melody's hair. Callum picked up the ribbons with a smile, asking, "Why don't you make a wish for yourself?"
With a cheerful smile, Melody replied, "I just wish you well."
Despite having seen Kyra's corpse, Callum still refused to believe she was dead. He mobilized a large search effort to find her. The irony struck Kyra's soul. He had seen her body, yet he was searching for her? Had he lost his mind?
As the birthday banquet concluded, a slightly drunk Callum pulled Melody into an embrace, guilt in his tone. "I haven't located Kyra yet. When I do, I'll make her apologize to you publicly. I'll ensure she makes it up to you."
Melody smiled, pleased with his words. "You don't have to do all that for me, Callum. I'm content with how you treat me. I bet Kyra acted out of jealousy. I don't blame her. I guess she must have something to attend to, and that's why she hasn't been around these days. Please, don't so so harsh to her when she returns. Honestly, I couldn't quite bring my heart to witness her sadness."
Callum sighed, tightening his embrace. "Why are you always so understanding?"
Later, instead of spending the rest of the night with Melody, Callum unexpectedly quoted work that needed his attention and dropped her off first. Alone in the car, he drove to the company, slowly approaching the room where Kyra's body was locked away.
Callum had purchased the entire building, with Kyra owning half the shares. It was her money after all. Ironically, the very room that served as storage was where her body lay.
The dark red closet Callum had brought in was meant to "teach Kyra a lesson." He had never truly cared for her, but he was adept at causing her harm.
Standing at the doorway, Callum frowned at the stench, hesitating to open the door. "Kyra, if you dare trick me, I won't let you off the hook," he muttered.
After steeling himself against the awful smell, he finally gathered the courage to open the door.
