At the product launch event, my stepson pulled off my dress in front of everyone. hat day, the trending topics were filled with photos of me trying desperately to cover myself. He smugly held up his phone: “Just a stand-in, and you think you can have both a family and a career?” “Since you’re using my mom’s eyes, you should stay home and be a servant!” The cruel comments online were hard to read, but nothing hurt more than the cold, hateful look from Asher Thompson. Twenty years ago, I had no choice when I was abducted. Twelve years ago, when my biological parents found me, I had no choice. Eight years ago, I had no choice when I was married off as a stand-in for my foster sister to Declan Thompson. But now, I want to make my own choice. I won’t continue down this path with you. 0 I quickly wrapped myself with a tablecloth, fumbling to end the live stream. Asher smirked, satisfied: “This is what you deserve for causing my mom’s death. This is your punishment!” “Letting you live without making you pay with blood is already merciful!” He was only eight years old, so it’s clear where he learned such words. I frowned and explained, “Your mother’s death had nothing to do with me.” Years ago, my foster sister Adeline Carter died in a drunk-driving accident; I wasn’t even there. Asher’s expression showed a hint of guilt. He kicked the table and stormed off, his face full of anger. In the past, I would have chased after him, patiently explaining. But now, I silently returned to my room. I didn’t expect to find all the clothes prepared for the event slashed and torn, scattered on the ground. Especially the Xiangyun silk dress ordered by a client—it was completely destroyed. The fabric was out of stock and couldn’t be quickly remade. Behind me, I heard Asher’s gleeful laughter. He held a pair of scissors, looking menacing: “Nora Carter, who told you to take my mom’s eyes?” “I want you to know what it’s like to lose something.” He plunged the scissors into a cloth doll on the table, his eyes filled with malice. I stood amidst the destruction, speechless as I watched him leave. Years ago, after being abducted for over a decade, I returned home, only to find Adeline had already won everyone’s hearts. The home I longed for was not as warm as I imagined. After her death, my mother sent me to the Thompson family. Declan’s only request was for me to bear the child for him and Adeline. At 30, I’ve never known the love of family. The child I carried for ten months and raised for eight years now sees me as an enemy. My eyes felt dry and painful; my heart seemed encased in ice. I kneeled to clean up the mess. A pair of feet stopped in front of me. Looking up, I saw Declan Thompson with his eyes downcast, sighing. His gaze was gentle, but his voice was cold and distant: “Nora, you were wrong from the start.” He extended a hand to me as if offering charity: “Asher is only eight years old; he needs your full attention.” As I stood up, the torn fabric fell again to the ground. Declan’s gaze softened, maybe pitying my futile struggle. “You should cherish Adeline’s eyes. I’ve seen you stay up late to design sketches. What if you damage her eyes?” “Take this opportunity to close your online store. I’ll help with the compensation.” His hand caressed my face, intensely staring into my eyes: “Be good. You know why I keep you around.” Of course, I understood. Because of these eyes that once belonged to Adeline Carter. Someone can love another so obsessively. Every time we were intimate, he wouldn’t let me close my eyes. Through me, he was looking at another woman. I served them wholeheartedly for eight years but never warmed their hearts. He pulled me into his embrace, his hot breath on my neck. “Nora, if you’re really lonely.” “I might allow you to give me a child.” His lips were warm and soft, landing on my cheeks and lips. Though his embrace was burning hot, I felt like I was in an ice cave. Back then, Declan didn’t want to accept me. But my mother said Adeline had frozen her eggs early, and I could be the incubator for their love child. Only then did Declan agree. Later, when he drunkenly pinned me down, his first words upon waking were: “Don’t dream of having my child; you’re not worthy.” He watched me take birth control pills again and again. Now, eight years later, faced with his rare generosity, I didn’t feel grateful. Instead, I turned my head away from his kiss. “The eight-year term is up.” “Declan Thompson, it’s time for me to leave.” 0
After the interruption, Declan’s expression turned angry: “Just because of a torn dress?” “Asher is only 8 years old; he’s still a child!” “You’re supposed to be his mother. I haven’t asked what you’ve done in these eight years to make him hate you so much. And you have the nerve to throw a tantrum?” Mother? How am I even qualified? I’m not even his lover; just a surrogate tool, something to satisfy his needs. There are too many who could replace me. Back then, he was engaged to me but fell for my foster sister Adeline. He declared that even if I was found, he would only marry her. Declan arranged a grand proposal, pledging eternal love amidst everyone’s blessings. But later, Adeline suddenly died in a drunk driving accident. My parents didn’t want to give up the alliance with the Thompson family. Seeing Declan’s deep sorrow, they came up with the plan to send me into the Thompson household. I had suffered abuse from my adoptive parents, nearly losing my sight. So my mother had Adeline’s corneas transplanted to me. Declan was obsessed with Adeline and wanted a child related to her. Because of my eyes, he agreed to take me in. We agreed that I would stay with him for eight years, raising Asher, and then I could leave. No wedding dress, no ceremony, not even a marriage certificate. From beginning to end, no one asked if I was willing. I lowered my eyes and said calmly, “I’m not throwing a tantrum.” “We agreed on eight years from the start.” “Staying with you without a name or status also delays you from finding someone new. ” Declan relaxed his brows, his tense body also easing a lot: “Nora. ” He sighed, gently coaxing: “You’re making a fuss just to get a title, right?” “If you’re obedient, this time, if you give me a son, I might consider marrying you.” “No.” As a child, I was abused by my foster parents, not even getting enough to eat. After being found, I was like air in the Carter family, just a tool for use. I’ve never been loved. How could I bear to bring a child into this world to suffer? I stepped back, taking out a prepared document from my bag. “I’ve organized all the recipes on a USB drive.” “Asher’s preferences, study progress, extracurricular arrangements, I’ve detailed everything.” “Asher has grown, and now he hates me so much. Staying would only affect his growth.” “You should find a good tutor to teach him.” Declan grabbed my chin, cracks appearing in his gentle facade: “Nora Carter, since when do you get to decide?” He took the USB drive and smashed it against the wall, shattering it, pieces scattering everywhere. His long fingers slowly tore the remaining papers. Expressionlessly, he said: “Don’t test my patience.” “For raising Asher and for your eyes, I’ll let this go.” “When you get back, close the online store. You can’t leave the house this month!” He opened the door, coldly instructing his subordinates: “Send her home immediately. Keep a close watch on her.” On the way home, we passed a park where many parents were flying kites with their children. The kites seemed to soar into the high sky, but they were always tethered by a thin string. Before being sent to the Thompson home, my mom took me to a beauty salon to undergo procedures to resemble Adeline’s face. She instructed me on all of Adeline’s preferences, including her clothing style, favorite perfume, and foods she loved. I looked at the increasingly unfamiliar reflection in the mirror. Mom stood behind me, placing a jade bracelet on my wrist: “This was Adeline’s. Wear it to remind yourself what got you into the Thompson family.” “Don’t feel wronged. The Thompson family is worth billions. Many would do anything to be by his side.” “Remember, this is your leverage to stand firm in that family.” “Once you become Mrs. Thompson, you’ll thank me.” I was obedient, mimicking Adeline’s every move. Declan was pleased with me over the years. That’s why he allowed me to start my online store and design. But a fake can never become real. Charity can be easily withdrawn. … I was just about to head upstairs. A bucket of dirty water fell from above; Asher stood on the steps, laughing wildly: “Nora Carter, does my pee smell good?” “If you don’t leave my house, next time I’ll make you eat shit, believe it or not!” Covered in filth, the servants all stood aside, watching the show. He was very proud of his prank, forgetting all the teachings I had given him. When my mom visited during my postpartum period, she said: “Even if he’s not your blood, you carried him. Raise him well, and you’ll reap good in your old age.” The moment I held the tiny baby in my arms, my heart softened completely. In the ordinary, mundane times, I had an unwarranted hope. Now, the falsehoods have ended. It’s all become empty. 0
“Stay at my house any longer, and next time, I’ll make sure you regret it!” I was covered in dirt, and the servants stood by, amused by the spectacle. He was pleased with his prank, forgetting everything I had taught him. When Mom visited during the postpartum period, she said, “Even if he’s not your flesh and blood, he’s still the child you raised.” “Raise him well, and you’ll find comfort in your old age.” When I held the tiny baby in my arms, my heart melted completely. In those ordinary moments, I allowed myself hopes I shouldn’t have. Now, the illusion has shattered, leaving nothing but emptiness. 03 I clenched my fists, looking up at him: “Asher Thompson, don’t underestimate small misdeeds. Have you forgotten already?” Then I saw a woman, scantily dressed, lazily emerge from Declan Thompson’s room: “Nora, Asher is still young. It’s normal for him to be a bit mischievous. Don’t be too harsh.” Asher immediately leaped into her arms: “Aunt Rosalie, you’re the only one who’s good to me. You have no idea what I’ve endured these years.” “I heard after she was abducted, she lived in a pigsty every day. No wonder she always smells bad!” “Not like Aunt Rosalie, who’s always fragrant and soft.” My heart tightened. Back then, I rarely had a full meal at my foster parents’ house, and my health was always poor. Even at the Thompson house, I fell ill frequently. Declan Thompson disliked me, and the servants at home didn’t treat me well. Only little Asher Thompson would sneak into my room at night, stuffing handfuls of candy into my hands. “Aunt Nora, eat this. Candy will make the pain go away.” His tiny hand covered the scars on my body, and in his childish yet determined voice, he said, “When I grow up, I’ll beat up the bad guys for you!” Back then, how could I have imagined that the little one who promised to protect me would grow into a blade that hurts me? The onlooking servants didn’t bother to lower their voices: “Didn’t they say she was making a fuss about leaving? How does she have the face to come back?” “Ha, she’s just trying to pressure Young Master Aiden into marrying her. Don’t you get her little scheme?” “Young Master Aiden never planned to marry her. Her mother practically forced her here. Not even asking for a title, and she’s been with him for eight years. If it were my daughter, I’d have broken her legs and thrown her out.” Rosalie Summers is supposedly Declan Thompson’s secretary, but she’s really his kept woman. She looked at me with a mocking smile: “Nora, holding onto something that doesn’t belong to you is exhausting.” I lowered my gaze and ignored her. As I was heading upstairs, the door suddenly opened. Mom walked in, her face turning cold at the sight of me. “Why do you look like such a mess?” She pushed me into a room to clean up. Through the bathroom door, her voice sounded all too real: “Nora, it’s enough to throw a little tantrum. Do you really think you’re Adeline Carter, threatening Declan Thompson with leaving?” “How can you be so foolish, letting some outsider outdo you so easily?” Seeing my continued silence, she yanked open the bathroom door. Water sprayed down, blurring the line between tears and water on my face. “Mom, but I’m not doing well.” Mom paused, and I wrapped a towel around myself, walking past her. She grabbed my wrist and slapped me hard. “Nora, are you awake now?” “Understand your position. Without Declan Thompson, you have no education or skills. How will you survive?” I covered my face, tears streaming down. Seeing my unresponsive state, Mom softened her tone, reaching for my hand: “Nora, what mother doesn’t care for her child? I’m doing this for your own good.” “Your dad’s company relies on the Thompson family’s support to stay afloat. Our family just bought a villa, and there’s still a few million in loans to repay.” “Your brother and sister-in-law are about to have their third child. It’s a time when money is needed. If you offend Declan Thompson now, are you trying to send our whole family to ruin?” “Asher is just a kid, no matter how harsh his words. Deep down, he must still remember your kindness. You’ve taken care of him for eight years. Even if you raised a dog, there’d be feelings. Just coax him well, and he’ll surely come around.” When disappointment reaches its peak, the heart no longer feels pain. Deep down, I knew she never truly loved me. But after being abducted and harshly treated by my foster parents, I clung to memories of my birth mother holding me. Thinking of it often enough, it became a faint glimmer of light. But falsehood is still falsehood. When I let go of my obsession and burst this illusory bubble, the hidden grim reality emerged. I pulled out the suitcase I had long prepared. “Mom, I’ve never had a choice in my life.” “But now, I want to make a choice for myself.” “I won’t accompany you on the road ahead.” I yanked open the door. Declan Thompson stood there, his brows furrowed, eyes simmering with barely contained anger: “Who gave you permission to leave?” I’m sorry, but it seems that the text to be translated was not provided. Could you please provide the text for translation? 04 He massaged his temples, as if dealing with an unruly pet. Half-heartedly, he tried to reason with me: “Why are you suddenly being so stubborn? Apart from your parents, there’s your brother, sister-in-law, and their two kids. Where would you even stay if you went back?”
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296526”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic
Leave a Reply