When I was having my beach wedding with Ethan, he received a call from Mia. As the officiant asked “Do you take Olivia to be your lawfully wedded wife?”, he refused in front of all our family and friends. “I do not. I will never marry such a vicious woman! I was blind before! She doesn’t deserve me!” He slapped me hard across the face and pushed me down. I tumbled down the five-foot-high steps, my body bloodied and battered, barely clinging to life. It was the hotel staff who rushed me to the hospital. When I regained consciousness, the doctor delivered devastating news. I had miscarried my early pregnancy, and I was diagnosed with locked-in syndrome in critical condition! Just as I was about to contact Ethan, I saw a video Mia posted of him proposing to her on a snowy mountain. Having narrowly escaped death, I called my birth parents. “Mom, Dad, I’m willing to go abroad and live with you!” The doctor’s cold voice still echoed in my ears: “Locked-in syndrome, the condition is very serious.” In one month, I lost my baby. Diagnosed with a terminal illness, late-stage locked-in syndrome. I lay in the hospital bed, my body aching from the fall down those five-foot-high steps. He had also slapped me across the face. Ethan, my newlywed husband, a doctor. Living with me, yet he never noticed anything wrong with my health. With trembling hands, I picked up my phone. On the screen was Mia’s radiant smile, a snowy mountain, a diamond ring, a proposal. Meanwhile, I was lying here, tubes all over my body, wasting away. For a week, he hadn’t come to see me. On SnapChat, his last message was “Baby, I finally married you” on our wedding day. Along with videos sent by people gloating over my misfortune, showing how he insulted me at the wedding after receiving that phone call. I used to cook for him, iron each of his shirts meticulously, and give up my chance to study abroad for him. Now, for another woman, he had tossed me aside like garbage. My phone vibrated. It was my adoptive mother calling. “Olivia! Where the hell are you? Get your ass back here right now! Look what you’ve done to Mia, you shameless bitch!” “If Ethan hadn’t traveled so far to find Mia, our real daughter might have been killed by you!” The barrage of insults felt like daggers piercing my heart. Once, they had cherished me like a precious jewel, saying I was their most beloved daughter. Ethan was the husband they had chosen for me since childhood, and we were once deeply in love. But ever since Mia, their real daughter, came back, he became a different person. I learned that my parents were actually my adoptive parents. Everything had changed. They had once tried to stop our wedding, but Ethan had insisted on marrying me despite me being the “fake daughter”, saying he loved me. Who would have thought that one phone call from Mia, their real daughter, would change everything? And now, in their eyes, I had become a despicable criminal. I silently hung up the phone, tears silently rolling down my cheeks. The home I once knew, I could never return to again. I dialed the number of my birth parents overseas. “Mom, Dad, I’m willing to go abroad and live with you.” The joyful voices on the other end were like a ray of sunshine on a winter’s day, warming my cold heart. I gave myself only one month. One month to leave this place, apply for a visa, and hand over my work. One month to say goodbye to the past completely and finalize the divorce. It was also my final deadline for Ethan and this family. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Olivia, you need to start over. Your life shouldn’t be controlled by anyone else.
I returned to the home Ethan and I shared. The locks had been changed. My documents and clothes were all inside. I went to my adoptive parents’ house across the street. “You little bitch! I’ll beat you to death! If Ethan hadn’t gone to save Mia, our real daughter might have been killed by you!” “How dare you show your face here? Go die somewhere!” My adoptive mother screamed, grabbing an ashtray and hurling it at me. Blood trickled down my forehead. I was still reeling from the shock of the miscarriage and locked-in syndrome diagnosis. The intense pain made my vision go dark. “How dare you bully my daughter! You ungrateful wretch, we raised you for nothing all these years!” My adoptive mother was hysterical. Mia? What had I done? I leaned weakly against the wall, my whole body trembling. My adoptive mother lunged at me, grabbing my hair. Punching and kicking. I was trampled on the ground like a stray dog. Once, she had gently brushed my hair so tenderly. Once, she said I was her most beloved daughter. There was a commotion outside. Ethan and Mia had returned. Mia saw me and shrank back, trembling, hiding behind Ethan. “Sister, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, please, stop forcing me! Please, I’m begging you, I’ll kneel down for you!” She wanted to kneel before me? I looked at her in bewilderment. What had I done to her? “I didn’t, I don’t know what she’s talking about!” I clutched at Ethan’s shirt. He shook off my hand, his eyes full of disgust. “Olivia, you’re really despicable! You won’t even admit what you’ve done! Fine, I’ll show you, so you can die with a clear conscience! We’re going to call the police!” He took out his phone and played a surveillance video. A group of men were tearing at Mia’s clothes, their vulgar language unbearable to hear. Mia was crying and struggling. Then, Ethan rushed in with some people. In the video, those men specifically said they were acting on my instructions. He also showed my bank transfer records. Once, he had held my hand, saying he would protect me for life. Once, he had tenderly kissed my forehead, saying I was his one and only for life. But now, Ethan threw the phone in my face. “Get lost!” He was cold and heartless. I collapsed on the ground, my whole body cold. Blood and tears mingled together. Blurring my vision. I stumbled to my feet. Looking around at this home where I had lived for over twenty years. The walls used to be covered with family photos of all of us. And my beloved garden swing. Mia had only been back for a year. Everything had changed. This home was now filled with all her favorite things. The family photos I had once been so proud of were now replaced with photos of them, as if I had never existed. I looked at Ethan. “When are we going to file for divorce?” “I need to go back and get all my things and documents now!” His eyes were still full of hatred. “I can’t wait to divorce you!” “Since you’re back now, take your things and get out of my world!” He comforted Mia while walking towards the villa across the street. He opened the door. The overwhelming scent of roses hit me. I had severe pollen allergies that could be fatal! He knew that! I gasped for breath at the doorway, my locked-in syndrome making it difficult to move. Gone was my former nimbleness. I held my breath and went inside, wanting to quickly gather my things. I entered the bedroom, but all my belongings had vanished. Mia’s glamour shots hung where Ethan and I’s wedding photo used to be above the bed. The closet was filled with her clothes. It seemed that during my hospital stay, she had already become the lady of the house. On the bedroom sofa were unused condoms and lacy lingerie. Once, our wedding photo had been displayed there. Once, this place had been filled with our sweet memories. My heart felt like it was being stabbed. I could only pretend I hadn’t seen it. After this month I would really be leaving. I opened the closet. Fighting back nausea. I opened the safe and took out my documents, but there were no property deeds or anything like that. “Where are my things?”
Ethan sneered, “You have the nerve to ask for things?” “Haven’t you done enough to hurt Mia? That house will be your compensation to her! It originally belonged to Mia’s parents anyway, you were just a cuckoo in the nest!” Hearing this, Mia put on an innocent act and simpered from the side. “Sister, it was Ethan who asked me to move in. If you mind, I can move out right away!” I looked at her coldly. “No need, I should be the one to leave. I wish you both a happy life together.” I looked at the harsh terms of the divorce agreement. Everything that once belonged to me was being taken back. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at myself. I was the real joke all along. After signing the divorce papers, Ethan turned away in disgust. “Take your things and get out now!” “I don’t want to see you for another second!” I looked around. This place was once my home. Now it felt like a cold prison. I took my documents and stumbled out of the villa. Once, this was the love nest Ethan and I shared. Now, it had become my hell. I had just reached the doorway and was leaning on the doorframe when my pollen allergy made my vision blur and breathing difficult. My phone was buzzing frantically with countless message notifications. Before I could check them, the vice president of my company called. “Ms. Sullivan, quick, check the trending topics!” “You’ve been accused of plagiarizing Mia’s latest jewelry design!” Plagiarism? I hurriedly opened social media. The label “plagiarist” was plastered all over me. I clicked on the widely shared images. But those were clearly my works! My painstaking designs had now become Mia’s original creations! In the comments, everyone was cursing at me. The former praise had now turned into slander. My stomach churned and I vomited a mouthful of blood. The bright red blood stains stood out starkly against the white floor. I turned to look at Mia. She still had that innocent expression. “How did you get my designs!” I demanded. “Sister, what are you talking about? I know you hate me, but how can you falsely accuse me? I designed these myself!” “I spent so long working on these sketches!” As she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears, on the verge of crying. I looked at Ethan. There wasn’t a hint of surprise on his face. As if everything was within his expectations. Once, he had treasured me above all else. Now, he coldly watched my suffering. Once, we could talk about anything. Now, he was filled with disgust towards me. Once, this home was my safe harbor. Now, it was my hell. I nearly fainted. I gripped the doorframe tightly, barely managing to support myself. Once, I was a jewelry designer praised by all. Now, I had become a plagiarist despised by everyone. Once, I had a happy and loving family. Now, I had nothing. Looking at everything before me, my heart turned to ashes.
“You told her my design ideas, didn’t you?” I confronted Ethan. He scoffed dismissively: “I couldn’t be bothered to look at your designs.” “You had ill intentions yourself, plagiarizing Mia’s work, and now you’re trying to frame her.” “You’re truly despicable!” I staggered forward, wanting to confront Mia. But Ethan pushed me away forcefully. My locked-in syndrome made it difficult to move. I fell to the ground hard. Once, he had protected me so carefully, afraid I would get hurt. Now, he pushed me down without hesitation. I struggled to get up, watching them throw all my belongings out of the villa. Tossed outside like garbage. My medical records had fallen out of my bag at some point and Mia picked them up. She pushed open the door and shouted accusingly. “Sister, whose child did you get pregnant with and abort? Did you betray Ethan! And this locked-in syndrome? How did you get that?” Ethan came out when he heard. He took a look and his eyes turned vicious. “Olivia, I haven’t touched you in a long time. You actually got pregnant with someone else’s child behind my back!” “Stop pretending. This trick of yours, trying to make me come back to you, keep dreaming! And locked-in syndrome? You really know how to act! You dare bring fake medical records you bought online to fool me, a doctor? You’re utterly disgusting!” With that, he took Mia’s hand and went back inside. Once, this was the love nest I had carefully decorated. Now, it was my burial ground. He continued to disbelieve me as always. He even slandered me, saying the child was conceived from an affair, forgetting that night. That time he came back from a business trip, had some drinks, and made love to me passionately all night long. It took me a while to recover. I picked up my suitcase containing the few belongings I had left, and step by step, left this heartbreaking place. Once, I had laughed and smiled here. Now, I was leaving with a heavy heart. Countdown: Two weeks. I needed to wrap up all loose ends before leaving this city. I returned to the company to resign. Online, the abuse towards me showed no signs of stopping. Moreover, Mia had held a press conference, revealing the design sketches. Ethan had also testified that I had plagiarized. “I can testify that Olivia plagiarized Mia’s designs! I’ve also divorced her!” All the rumors and slander came crashing down like a tidal wave. Once, I was a design genius praised by all. Now, I had become a plagiarist despised by everyone. The cyberbullying instantly engulfed my life. My phone was bombarded with abusive calls. I didn’t dare turn it on. At the company, people sent me dead rats and other nasty things. Once, I had countless fans, with flowers and applause everywhere I went. Now, I was cursed by thousands, hated by all. Countdown: 10 days. My condition suddenly worsened. Breathing became increasingly difficult. My vision grew blurrier, movement more labored. The doctor had said this disease was incurable. If I stayed positive, I might live a bit longer. If I gave up on treatment, the condition would rapidly deteriorate. Once, I had a healthy body and a bright future. Now, I was terminally ill, with not long to live. I lay shivering in the cold rental apartment. Once, I had a warm home. Now, I was homeless. I clutched my design sketches tightly. They were my last pride, and also my last pain. Once, I had been so proud of my designs. Now, my designs had become evidence of my crimes. I closed my eyes weakly, tears silently falling. I no longer had the strength to prove I wasn’t a plagiarist, because I had no evidence left. Countdown: 5 days. I dragged my body that could collapse at any moment to the place where we grew up. There, he had protected me countless times, fought for me, cooked for me for the first time. His traces were everywhere. Countdown: 3 days. I went to my childhood home. Back then I didn’t know I was adopted. My parents had once cherished me like a precious pearl, afraid I would melt if they held me in their mouths. They had accompanied me for every exam, always encouraging me. All the memories felt like they had happened just yesterday. Countdown: 1 day. At the time Ethan had specified, I arrived at the civil affairs bureau to officially file for divorce. He came with Mia. I couldn’t be bothered to ask if he was going to marry Mia as soon as we divorced. I no longer cared. I just wanted to be free. But as soon as we finished the paperwork and came out, we were surrounded by a crowd of reporters and angry fans, pushing and cursing at me. Meanwhile Mia put on a tearful act. “Don’t hurt my sister! You can’t hurt my sister! My sister didn’t mean to plagiarize my work, she’s the most important person to me, please don’t hurt her!” Her act was so convincing even Ethan believed it. I collapsed to the ground, my vision blurring. Just before I blacked out, I heard a familiar voice. “Make way! The patient has locked-in syndrome and is going into shock! Quick, make way, we need to get her to the hospital! Dr. Ethan, call 911 now!” “Are you sure? Locked-in syndrome?” Ethan asked again in disbelief. “Dr. Ethan, my father-in-law diagnosed Ms. Sullivan himself. How could there be a mistake?” the other person said. “How could this happen…”
My whole body was in excruciating pain, my consciousness floating in darkness. I vaguely heard a clamor of voices, crashing into my eardrums like waves. Then, I saw light. In the blinding light, I saw my birth parents, tears streaming down their faces. “My child, you’ve suffered so much!” My mother hugged me, sobbing like a child. My father’s eyes were red as he stroked my hair over and over. I lay weakly in the hospital bed, tears silently falling. Once, I thought Ethan was my support, my future. Now, I was like a bird with broken wings, lying alone in a cold hospital bed. A strange man appeared in my line of sight – handsome, sunny, wearing a white coat. “This is Chris, the son of my old friend. He’s an expert in this field, and we specially asked him to rush back from abroad,” my father introduced. Chris smiled gently and began examining me. Outside the door stood a crowd of doctors. Even the hospital director had come. “Dr. Chen, what do you think…” the director asked respectfully. Chris pondered for a moment. “The situation isn’t too bad. There’s still hope.” I felt like I had grasped a lifeline, a glimmer of hope lighting up in my eyes. Once, Ethan had cared for me so tenderly. Now, he had pushed me into the abyss. “We’ll take you abroad for treatment, using the best medical resources,” my mother said firmly. I gripped my mother’s hand tightly, feeling a long-lost warmth. Once, the Foster family was my home. Now, I was returning to my real home. “Olivia, do you have anything else to say?” A cold voice came from the doorway. It was Ethan. He stood at the door, his face pale, his expression complex. “Get lost.” I used all my strength to spit out those words. Once, I had loved him with all my heart. Now, I just wanted him to disappear from my world. Ethan staggered, unwilling to turn and leave. His appearance made my parents very wary. I gestured for them to stay. I needed to talk to him alone. His eyes were blank. He seemed to want to ask something, but didn’t dare open his mouth. “Want to ask why I have locked-in syndrome?” “Or do you want to ask whose child I was carrying?” He looked shocked. “The child was really mine?” “What’s going on with your locked-in syndrome?” “How did you suddenly get this disease?” His eyes were full of curiosity. Once, he had been so attentive to me. Now, he scrutinized me like a stranger. “I started falling for no reason a year ago.” “I didn’t pay much attention then.” I smiled bitterly. “Remember that time? I fell and you mocked me, saying how could a grown woman trip like that. Have you forgotten?” “You’re a doctor, and you’ve been with me for so many years, but you never noticed, did you?” “Because during that time, you were always accompanying Mia, weren’t you? How could you notice me?” Once, he had treasured me above all else. Now, Mia was all he saw. “As for the child, you’ve forgotten yourself.” “You came back from a business trip drunk and made love to me all night, then turned around and said you hadn’t touched me in a long time?” “Did you mistake me for Mia?” I calmly recounted these painful and ironic events. But he said: “I really didn’t know it was like that, I…” Once, he had made me countless promises. Now, even an explanation was so weak and powerless. A phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID. “Mia, don’t cry, I’ll be right there, stop crying.” He left the hospital room without looking back.
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