Ten years of marriage, and Julian Thorne, the man who’d doted on me so deeply, was keeping another woman. On a day I was visiting my family’s graves, a somber occasion, they chose that moment to indulge their illicit desires. In a public restroom at the cemetery, they defiled each other. I found them. Afterwards, he held me captive. “You pathetic, parentless old hag, still dreaming you’re some high-society heiress? The Hayes empire, your family’s legacy, is mine now!” Verbal abuse, whips, boiling water. He even let his bastard son lock me away with ravenous vermin, to be gnawed alive, day after day, until I finally died. But he didn’t know. The Hayes Corporation? It was just a plaything I gifted him. And I, I was an heiress from one of the most powerful, old-money dynasties in the country. When I opened my eyes again, I was back. Back to the day I first learned he was keeping a mistress. I love collecting small curiosities: hamsters, spiders, and even non-venomous snakes. It was ironic, then, that I eventually died by the hands—or rather, the fangs and claws—of such creatures. I stroked the small, pinkish-white snake coiled around my wrist. It was as smooth as jade, acting as a docile, beautiful bracelet. But I couldn’t appreciate its beauty. My soul was still trembling from the memory of being gnawed alive in my past life. “It’s rare for you to ditch your husband and make time for me,” Chloe, my friend, remarked, sipping her tea. “But then again, your husband spoils you rotten.” “He just got a promotion and immediately bought you this tea house, all because you love tea. He goes to such lengths to make you happy, it makes me so jealous…” My thoughts, caught in the echoes of my past life, snagged on the mention of the tea house. Sweetheart’s Sanctuary. My full name is Evelyn Hayes. I’d thought Julian was being subtly romantic, dedicating the tea house to me, with a name that sounded so… personal. Only to discover his mistress’s pet name was “Sweetheart.” So for ten years, he’d played me for a fool, pretending deep affection with me while playing it for real with another woman. The thought of ten years of deceit, combined with the despair of my past life, brought tears to my eyes, silent and unbidden. Chloe, who had been gushing with envy, instantly panicked. “What? Why are you crying? Are you not feeling well, or are these tears of joy…?” “Or did that son of a bitch Julian Thorne upset you? No, that can’t be right, he’s always so good to you. But if he did dare, I’ll hire someone to teach him a lesson! Don’t cry, Evie, please!” Chloe’s words jolted me back to reality. A tidal wave of hatred threatened to drown me; I wanted nothing more than to rip that despicable pair apart right then and there. No, I couldn’t cry. I wiped my tears away. I would make every single person who had ever wronged me pay, tenfold. Since fate had given me a second chance, I would make sure that wicked man, that vile woman, and their child, all paid the ultimate price. 2. “Oh, new tea house opening today? What a joyous occasion, yet someone’s crying. Talk about bad vibes!” A woman waltzed in, cradling a visibly swollen belly. Her face was perfectly made up, her hair meticulously styled – every detail screamed of wealth, accumulated through someone else’s pockets. Seeing that face, so familiar and utterly loathsome, I trembled with hatred. It took every ounce of my willpower to stop myself from lunging at her, from tearing her to pieces. My grip tightened unconsciously. The pink snake on my wrist slithered a little higher. Suddenly, a child shrieked with delight, rushing towards me. “Mommy, I think I saw that bracelet move! It’s pink and so pretty! I want it for you!” The woman smiled sweetly at me, a mix of feigned helplessness and outright gloating. “This boy, he’s just like his father, always wanting to give me all the good things he sees. My closet is already overflowing.” “I wonder, madam, if you’d be willing to part with it? I’m happy to pay double the price.” I lowered my gaze, masking the cold fury in my eyes. Listening to her smug words, I spoke calmly. “I know all the established ladies in this city’s social circles, but you? You’re a nobody.” “And who are you to even suggest a price with me?” My gaze swept over her, filled with disdain. “You might wear expensive clothes, but you’re clearly not one of us. You have no class.” I implied she was just a kept woman, hidden away in shame. Her face turned instantly ashen. The child, seeing his mother upset, whined and reached out to grab my bracelet. I instinctively pushed him away. He landed on his bottom, howling. The woman bristled, her eyes burning with resentment as she glared at me. Then, a sly smile crept onto her lips. She stared at a tea cup, her words laced with hidden meaning. “This new tea house, what an enchanting name, ‘Sweetheart’s Sanctuary.’ Just hearing it brings such joy.” “Such a wonderful place, of course, everyone wants a piece of it.” “But wanting it doesn’t make it yours. After all… some things, they look like they’re yours, but they might not be.” She reached out, attempting to touch the snake on my wrist. “Just like this bracelet…” “Ah!” Her sentence was cut short by a piercing shriek. Her eyes were fixed on the snake, which had reared its head, and she trembled uncontrollably. Seeing her fear, a secret thrill pulsed through me. I patted the snake’s head and uttered two chilling words. “Bite her!” The snake darted forward, striking her neck, sinking its fangs in and leaving two distinct marks. The woman froze, too terrified to move. I spoke with satisfaction. “Be careful. This snake… it’s venomous.” No sooner had the words left my lips than her eyes rolled back. She fainted from fright. Her body hit the floor with a heavy thud, and slowly, a dark, crimson stain began to spread beneath her. Seeing the child just screaming, frozen in terror, I rose to leave. It seemed it was time to contact my father. 3 I was born prematurely. My mother’s health was fragile, and she passed away shortly after giving birth to me. My father adored my mother, and he cherished me, this precious jewel she left behind, above all else. Unfortunately, when I was very young, my father had just taken over the family empire; his position was still precarious, surrounded by ambitious vipers who sought to harm me and cripple him. Fearing for my safety, my father publicly declared me missing but actually sent me to a different city, anonymously building up the ‘Hayes’ enterprises as my cover. So the entire Hayes Corporation existed solely to protect and care for me. Later, as I grew older and my father’s power was solidified, he planned to bring me back to the capital. But by then, I had already met Julian Thorne. The first time we met, I was having my period. I hadn’t calculated the date correctly and hadn’t noticed my pants were stained. It was Julian who, blushing furiously, came to my aid. He lent me his school jacket, bought me tampons, and awkwardly asked another girl to bring them to me in the restroom. And that girl? The same one who’d later become his mistress, Brittany, who rudely scoffed, “Freak!” When I thanked him later, he simply said it was a normal thing for girls, and he couldn’t stand to see me embarrassed, so helping wasn’t a bother. Back in school, when boys still thought it was funny to snatch tampons and tease girls, his kindness shone like a beacon. But it was all a lie. I still remember every word of his humiliation, as he trampled on my dignity, declaring how utterly sick he was of ‘serving’ me. “Everyone around you says I got my start because of you. Bullshit! I got where I am today through my own strength.” “Your Hayes Corporation is crumbling. The fact that I’m keeping you fed and housed for a few years is out of charity, not obligation. You think I’m still going to be your devoted slave, waiting on you hand and foot?” His face had been contorted with rage, and the woman beside him glowed with malicious satisfaction. “If it weren’t for you, Julian and I wouldn’t have to hide our love. He loves me. I’m the one who should be his wife!” They spoke as if they were the wronged parties, conveniently forgetting that everything they ate, wore, and enjoyed, everything they had, was piled high by my Hayes legacy. Later, they completely rebranded the Hayes Corporation under the Thorne name. And I, I died a miserable death in utter despair. Now, remembering Julian’s claim of self-made success, I scoffed. Men like him, who climb the social ladder on someone else’s back, always love to claim it was all their own doing. Did he ever stop to think what he actually climbed with? Was it his baseless insecurity, or the countless times I had to quietly bail him out when his schemes fell apart? Without me, what was Julian Thorne? Nothing. 4 Taking Chloe with me, I furiously maxed out Julian Thorne’s credit cards, buying a mountain of things. As expected, he was waiting at home when I arrived, his face a thundercloud. “What in God’s name did you buy that cost so much? I just bought you a tea house, and now you’re suddenly so materialistic, Evelyn?” Hearing that, I couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. He’d played the part for so long, he actually believed his own lies. How dare he claim that tea house was his gift to me? There was no contract, the tea house wasn’t even in my name. Just an ambiguous name that had sweetened my foolish past self into a sugary delusion. I was so stupid. But then again, he was such a brilliant actor. Every time my period came, he’d worry about my cramps, afraid I’d be in a bad mood, and find endless ways to cheer me up. He remembered every single anniversary, for ten years straight, always with a new surprise. Fireworks lighting up an entire city, just for me. City-wide declarations of his love. An entire estate transformed into a sea of roses. The latest designer bags displayed in a prominent cabinet, along with jewels and diamond rings. And anything, anything I merely mentioned wanting, he would pursue relentlessly, no matter the cost. Back then, I truly believed I was the happiest woman on earth. But now, I knew. He played the devoted husband while sleeping with other women, cursing me to die sooner. I suppressed the hatred churning inside me, repeating to myself: Not yet. It’s not time yet. Julian, seeing my silence, grew angrier. “And that tea house just opened today, and you nearly caused a pregnant woman to miscarry! Do you have any idea how much that impacts our business?” “Evelyn Hayes, I can spoil you, but haven’t you gone too far?!” “This Hayes Corporation is my domain now. I’m still supporting you out of my benevolence, but you don’t appreciate it. It seems you need a lesson.” His mistress’s near-miscarriage had made him lose all reason. Coupled with his recent takeover of the Hayes Corporation, he clearly thought I had no backing, that I was completely at his mercy. So he didn’t even bother pretending anymore. “Evelyn! Answer me!” I sneered, meeting his bloodshot eyes with a slow, unhurried smile. “Are you worried about the tea house, or that mother and child?” “The child in her belly isn’t yours. She barged into my private room, yelling at me, and fell by herself. What does that have to do with me? And you’re here, blaming your wife on her behalf?” His bluster faltered instantly, his anger vanishing. Then, remembering something else, he raged again. “She fell herself? Then what about those snake bite marks on her neck?” “That lowly pet is dangerous! Hand it over, I’ll have it put down!” His eyes burned with hatred, as if he wanted to tear me limb from limb right along with the snake. I pretended not to notice, humming softly as I stroked the pink-white snake on my wrist. I spoke languidly. “Julian Thorne, don’t change too quickly.” “Don’t forget you just started taking over the Hayes Corporation, and my name is Evelyn Hayes. One word from me, and it doesn’t matter who you replace; the entire company will still listen to me.” My calm threat, devoid of any overt malice, made Julian’s face change. He glared at me, as if he couldn’t believe the Hayes empire, which he thought was in his grasp, could be so easily lost because of me. But he didn’t dare say more, only cast a look of disgust my way. “Evelyn, your spoiled, willful attitude truly sickens me.” I leaned back on the sofa, calling for my bodyguards. The team of bodyguards I’d requested from my father had just arrived, specifically to help me “play” with Julian. “Keep an eye on him and that woman.” 5 According to my bodyguards, Julian’s mistress, Brittany, was furious that I hadn’t been punished. For days, she’d been nagging Julian to let her move into our home and “deal with” me. Julian, weak-willed as always, crumbled under her charm and agreed to everything. So, he came home early one morning, telling me he was bringing someone to live with us. “She’s a neighbor’s sister I grew up with. Get a guest room ready for her.” He spoke in a rush, giving me no chance to argue. Since our last confrontation, he couldn’t even be bothered to pretend anymore. He even tightened his control over the company, indulging Brittany’s move to “teach me a lesson.” In my previous life, Brittany had also suggested moving in. Through soft pleas and persistent nagging, she’d convinced Julian – who hadn’t yet revealed his true colors – to let her stay. At the time, Julian described her situation as so pathetic: abused by her original family, then by her husband, a divorced woman with a child. My heart softened, and I welcomed her. Only to discover she was the same woman who’d caused trouble at the tea house. I was ready to send her away, but Julian held me close and coaxed me for a long time. I, ever the empath, pitied a woman who had endured so much, thinking her skewed mindset was a result of her trauma. Coupled with my gentle nature in the previous life, I didn’t push back, making their mother-son act seem subtle and preventing me from truly suspecting Julian. Simply put, Julian was too good at pretending, and I trusted him too much. Now, thinking back, I wondered how many times they’d been intimate in this very house behind my back. Truly disgusting! I lazily turned on the TV, calculating that Julian should have arrived at the office by now. Today, there was quite a show to watch. I’d specifically instructed my bodyguards to record it all so I could enjoy it from the comfort of my home. 6 On the video, Julian was strutting, boasting about the progress of his new project. He painted a grand vision, a future full of success.
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