Author: Momo Chan

“Honey, I need to have a baby for Leo Vance. He’s terminally ill.” Leo Vance. Her first love, the one she never forgot. My wife has a severe bleeding disorder. We’ve been married six years, and I’ve never touched her. In my past life, I vehemently refused for her safety, forced her to get an abortion, and stayed by her side day and night. After Leo died, she became strangely docile, caring for me meticulously. But I never imagined she blamed me for Leo’s death the entire time. On our sixth anniversary, she stabbed me twenty times, doused me in gasoline, and burned me alive. Flames roared around me as she screamed, her face contorted with hate. “He was dying! All he wanted was a child! What was so wrong with that? It’s all your fault!” Reborn, I looked at my wife Lily’s pale face and smiled. “Just one? Why not give him two?” … “What nonsense are you talking? I know you don’t like kids. I’ll just have one to carry on his line, then I’ll come right back.” Lily caressed her belly, trying to sweet-talk me. “I’m already three months along. Leo never wanted to interfere with us, Ethan. He always says good things about you. Once the baby’s born, I won’t have anything more to do with it, don’t worry.” She wrinkled her nose playfully, placing my hand on her stomach. “You know my past, Ethan. I basically grew up bouncing between relatives and relying on neighbors. The Vances were the kindest to me. I can’t let their family line end. You understand, right?” I nodded, pulling her into a hug, but inside, I sneered. It was the early 2000s. I was the only son for three generations in my family. I took all the pressure, just wanting her to be healthy. Lily’s father killed her mother for insurance money. She suffered immensely growing up. I felt terrible for her. To make her feel secure, I put all my money and property in her name, giving her every safeguard. Now, she leaned against me, praising the Vance family, while my mind reeled with the agony of being stabbed, collapsing to my knees before she burned me alive. Lily pulled away, hesitant. “Didn’t you used to hate Leo? Why agree all of a sudden? Are you being sarcastic? We haven’t… done anything. It was IVF.” If I hadn’t found traces of their lovemaking in the car and in our house, I might have actually believed her. I smiled, stroking Lily’s head, soothing her gently. “Of course not. I’m mainly worried about your health. IVF must have been tough, right? Honestly, you didn’t need to go through that trouble. As long as your heart is with me, that’s all that matters.” Lily relaxed again, giving me a rare, tight hug and a quick kiss. “Then… can Leo come stay with us? You can take care of both of us. You’re a doctor, you know best. He is the baby’s father, after all.” “Once the baby is born, we’ll be together properly, and I won’t owe the Vances anything anymore.” Her eyes were probing. I pretended to hesitate, and a flash of triumph crossed her face before she pouted, feigning displeasure. I quickly agreed, holding her close and murmuring sweet nothings. She was overjoyed, oblivious that I was even happier. This time, let her have the baby. No one could save her now. She nestled against me for a moment before Leo called. She took the call in the bathroom. I heard the faucet running loudly. She was scrubbing away where I had touched her, rubbing until her skin must have been raw. She complained to Leo, “Leo, honey, come over soon, I miss you like crazy! I talked to Ethan; he’ll take care of you and our baby.” After a few minutes, she came out, dressed. Her eyes flickered. “Let’s get the divorce finalized. Otherwise, it’ll be hard to register the baby’s birth certificate.” I replied casually, “Sure, okay.” Maybe I agreed too quickly. Lily seemed stunned. Perhaps she expected me to break down crying or fly into a rage like before. I added, “The baby isn’t at fault. And Leo is sick, after all. I misunderstood him before. It was my bad. From now on, I support all your decisions. After all, if you love someone, you should love everything about them.” A high-end package of medicine peeked out from the cabinet. Lily asked what it was. I earnestly explained it was a holiday gift I was planning to give someone, but if she wanted it, she could take it first to boost her health. Lily’s eyes lit up. She snuggled against my face again. “Oh, Ethan, you’re the best! So generous and thoughtful! Don’t worry, Leo won’t affect your position. I only see him as a brother.” 2 The sound of a key turning in the lock. Leo Vance walked in casually, holding a key. He looked at me, pretending to be weak, panting heavily. “Dr. Hayes, sorry to trouble you. This body of mine… who knows how many days I have left. Before I go, I just want to spend more time with Lily. Thanks for putting up with this.” He walked into the kitchen, put down some groceries, and insisted on cooking for Lily. Lily was deeply moved. They shut the kitchen door, getting cozy inside. I raised an eyebrow, noticing the muddy black footprints on the floor. That kind of dirt only comes from the hills outside town. Leo must have just come down from there. Guess he had to ditch his other girl for this. I didn’t barge in, worried about Lily being taken advantage of. Instead, I lay on the couch, letting my mind drift. Soon, three dishes and a soup were ready. I ate heartily. Lily served Leo soup, her face full of nostalgia. “Your cooking tastes exactly like my mom’s. Leo, thank you for being so good to me all these years.” She turned to me. “Ethan, let’s go get it done later. You’ll have to leave with nothing, but it’s just a temporary measure. We’ll divorce but still live together. Trust me.” Watching her lie so naturally, I hated that I couldn’t just kill her right then. Suppressing my disgust, I nodded. “Okay. As long as the three of us can make things work, that’s what matters most. Lily, as long as you’re happy, nothing else is a problem.” I thought about Leo’s debts and smiled inwardly. When I proposed to Lily, she turned me down dozens of times, always saying she wasn’t ready, that her mother’s tragic death made it impossible for her to trust anyone. Yet, faced with Leo’s clumsy acting and obvious lies, she believed every word. After dinner, Lily eagerly dragged me to get the divorce processed. The county clerk’s office was almost empty. When I stated I was leaving the marriage with nothing, people looked at me with confusion. “Hurry up, or the marriage license office will close, and Lily won’t make it in time to register with Leo.” The looks turned to pity. Lily snatched the fresh divorce certificate, embarrassed, and hissed under her breath, “Don’t say that! People who don’t know the situation will think I’m some kind of… person!” Playing the victim while acting the villain. I sneered internally but outwardly agreed. “Sorry, my bad. Lily is the best, kindest person. I understand.” Her expression softened slightly. She turned towards the marriage license counter. Just then, a colleague ran into us, shoving a handful of candies at me enthusiastically. “Dr. Hayes! What are you doing here? Didn’t you and your wife get married ages ago? Hey, I even copied you with these candies – imported peanut brittle! Remember how envious everyone was of Mrs. Hayes back then?” Lily froze. Peanut brittle was her favorite. She couldn’t afford it as a kid, and by the time she could, the factory had closed down. When I found out, I secretly bought the factory and had it produce only that peanut brittle. She cried, saying she didn’t deserve it, but I firmly told her there was no such thing as deserving or not – I thought she was worth it. Lily forced a smile, distractedly popping a piece of peanut brittle into her mouth. In my previous life, I died horribly. The candy factory went bankrupt, my family was ruined, and a large number of workers lost their jobs. Leo interrupted my thoughts, naturally wrapping an arm around Lily’s waist, his hand resting on her belly. “Is the baby kicking? Come on, let’s go get registered.” My colleague stood there, dumbfounded, apologizing profusely to me. I waved it off, even explaining for Lily, “We just got divorced.” The colleague nodded, then turned to whisper to his wife, loud enough for me to hear, “Even a guy like Dr. Hayes gets cheated on? He’s the Dean’s son, you know, though not many people know it. That Leo Vance is a notorious bum. Tried his hand at business and lost everything. Imagine ditching a diamond for dog crap. Hilarious.” “Poor Dr. Hayes. Just last month he was bragging about his wife, and this month they’re divorced. Baby’s three months along… everyone knows what that means. That Lily isn’t any good!” I watched him spread the gossip, a slight smile playing on my lips. 3 We got everything done smoothly and went home. But Lily kept glancing at me, her thoughts unreadable. That night, she shut her door and didn’t come out. I didn’t care. I went to my own room and went to sleep. Just as I was drifting off, a cold body suddenly slipped into my arms. My sleepiness vanished instantly. Lily looked at me, tears welling in her eyes. “Honey, don’t you love me anymore? Why aren’t you angry?” What kind of drama was this in the middle of the night? I became wary, tucking her cold feet under the covers to warm them, speaking softly. “Did you run over here barefoot? Look how cold you are. What’s wrong?” Lily’s eyes shone in the darkness. “Someone talked about me today. Said I was shameless. Tomorrow, can you take me and Leo to the hospital cafeteria, host a little reception, and clear things up? Just say… say you can’t have kids, that’s why we divorced.” “The party will bring Leo some good luck too. If you don’t agree, I… I might as well just die.” “And don’t worry about my bleeding disorder. Leo brought me a folk remedy. He left town seven years ago specifically to find a cure for me.” She wouldn’t trust me, a doctor with a bachelor’s degree, but she’d believe in some folk remedy. Her eyelashes fluttered against my face. I deliberately paused for a few moments before pretending to agree reluctantly. “As long as you’re happy and don’t hurt yourself, I’ll do whatever you want.” “Oh, right. Remind Leo to take his medicine.” Leo wasn’t sick, but I had prepared some… special things for him. She happily slipped out of my arms, closed the door, and ran off. The door didn’t shut completely. Her excited voice drifted in intermittently. “He agreed! See? I told you he was a pushover. He agrees to whatever I say. And you said he didn’t love me anymore? Impossible! He’s paying for the reception too.” Leo, smoking, drawled lazily, “I’m still a bit short for this business deal. Get me some more cash. When I strike it rich, you’ll be a wealthy wife. Forget one candy factory, honey, I’ll open three for you!” “And I want lots of clothes and bags! But take your medicine first.” The bedsprings creaked rhythmically, accompanied by sounds of flirting. I yawned and drifted off to sleep. I dreamed of Leo’s death scene from my past life. Debt collectors had hung him from a rooftop all day. When he called Lily, he was surrounded by heavily tattooed men, leering as they said if he could lure the woman over, she’d be worth a hundred bucks off his debt. Lily never got that nightmare call. Leo was violated, humiliated in the worst way, and died shamefully on that rooftop. The scene shifted. Gasoline drenched me again. I was burning alive in front of Leo’s memorial photo. The workers from the candy factory heard I had died. Many came to see me. They sent Lily to prison and arranged my parents’ funerals and memorials for me. I sat up in the darkness, covering my eyes, crying silently. 4 At the crack of dawn, I went to the hospital. I arranged the food, instructed the workers to help me hang decorations – red banners everywhere, especially making sure Leo Vance’s name was prominent at the entrance. At lunchtime, everyone flocked to the cafeteria, curious about the sea of red. “Is Leo Vance getting married? To who?” Someone in the know answered, “Lily.” “That’s not even the half of it. The real shocker is Dr. Hayes is throwing the party for them!” A wave of stunned silence, then murmurs erupted. My dad is the hospital Dean, my mom an OB/GYN. They heard the news and looked at me, astonished. My mom smacked my arm. “How could you get divorced! What is going on?” My parents are good people. They never looked down on Lily for being an orphan; instead, they urged me to treat her well. Six years without children earned my parents endless ridicule and cold shoulders, but they still protected her. Leo’s parents, who worked at the boiler plant next door, showed up, probably called by Leo. They sat down and dug in immediately. Under the weight of confused, mocking, and curious stares, I stood on the small stage, holding Lily’s hand in one and Leo’s in the other (though he wasn’t physically there yet). I began the toast: “Let’s wish them happiness. From this day forward, these two are husband and wife. But mainly, this banquet is to celebrate me rejoining the ranks of the single.” Lily stared at me, aghast. Before she could question me, a group of men with full tattoo sleeves burst through the door. “Leo Vance! You’re pretty good at hiding! Let’s see where you run now! Pay up!” Leo instinctively thought Lily had exposed him. Furious, he shoved her away, yelling, “Was it you?! You damn bitch, you dared to sell me out!” Lily fell to the ground, wincing in pain, but still shook her head. “It wasn’t me! I didn’t say anything!” Leo roared, “Don’t grab me! I’ll give you this broad! She’s got money!” Then he bolted towards the exit. Lily stared in disbelief as Leo ran off, while the tattooed thugs grabbed her. “Leo Vance? Where are you going?! I’m pregnant with your child! You bastard!” I walked over, looking down at her. She instinctively pleaded with me. “Help me, Ethan! Please, explain! I don’t know anything about this! What debt? I don’t have any money! What’s going on? Honey, help me! Talk to them for Leo, please! They aren’t going to kill him, are they?!” She was frantic, her words tumbling out incoherently. I walked past her, a smirk playing on my lips as I addressed the lead thug. “Buddy, the woman and the kid are both Leo Vance’s. You hold onto her, Leo won’t get far.” Lily froze, stunned. Two lines of tears streamed down her face as she stared at me. “What?” “What is happening, Ethan! It’s me, Lily!” “Leo and I were just pretending to get married! Once the baby’s born, I was going to divorce him! I was just repaying a debt! Ethan, didn’t we talk about this? What’s wrong with you?” Bored, I sat back down to eat, ignoring Lily’s cries. My mom sat beside me, nudging me. “What do you mean she’s pregnant and the baby isn’t yours? What on earth is going on?!” Leo’s mother, Brenda Vance, who had been hiding nearby, started screeching, “Ethan Hayes! Save them! Give them money! You useless piece of trash!” “Mom! Don’t yell at Ethan!” Lily cried out towards Mrs. Vance. “You give them money! Save me! The baby in my belly can’t take this stress!” Leo, agile as a cat, leaped out a window and fled, showing no sign of illness. Seeing her son was safe, Brenda Vance turned to Lily with fake helplessness. “No money! Gave it all to Leo for his debts! Go ask your in-laws! Old Mr. Hayes and Dr. Hayes are still here.” My parents exchanged glances. My mother, as if waking from a dream, erupted in fury. “Brenda Vance! My son made it perfectly clear just now – they are divorced! She calls you ‘Mom,’ not me! The baby in her belly is your family’s business, nothing to do with us!” Since walking in, Lily hadn’t acknowledged my parents once, yet she had been overly affectionate with Leo’s parents. I wiped my mouth, stood up, ushered the crowd out, and closed the door. Behind me, Lily screamed, “Honey! Ethan, don’t go! You can’t leave me like this!!” I walked back to look at her. “You and Leo Vance are legally married. Don’t call me that. From now on, you can repay your debt to the Vance family forever.”

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Three years we dated, three years married. Then, my husband Ethan ditched me on the side of the road to rush off to his depressed old flame, Sophia. Before I could even process it, a speeding car hit me, sending me flying. Skull fractured, clinging to life, he refused to operate on me himself. “She’s not going to make it. Don’t worry about protocols, I’m her husband, I can sign the DNR.” When I miraculously survived the emergency surgery performed by someone else, he stood there, arm draped impatiently around a pregnant Sophia, sneering at me. “Funny, you couldn’t get pregnant in three years with me. Maybe a hen that can’t lay eggs should see a doctor.” But I just leaned back into the arms of a real man, the one who actually saved me, and slapped proof of his infertility right across Ethan’s arrogant face. My mom was undergoing emergency heart surgery. It was critical. I kept urging my husband, Ethan, to drive faster. “Please, Ethan, hurry!” We were still thirty minutes from the hospital when Ethan slammed on the brakes, pulling over sharply. My heart hammered against my ribs. “Nina,” he said, his voice tight with urgency, “Sophia’s threatening to cut her wrists again. Her depression… I have to go, right now.” Before I could even form a word, he grabbed my arm and yanked me out of the car. “Are you seriously going to make a scene now?” he snapped. “This is life or death! Stop being so damn jealous!” He didn’t stop there. “Besides, your mom is always in and out of the hospital. She’ll be fine this time, she’s not going to die!” I stumbled, falling hard onto the asphalt. My ankle twisted, landing squarely on a sharp piece of gravel. Blood instantly soaked through my jeans. Tears sprang to my eyes from the searing pain. I turned to look for Ethan. But he was already gone. The car peeled away, leaving me behind without a second glance. Helpless, I pushed myself up from the cold, hard ground, sticky blood painting my pant leg red. The wind cut through me, making me shiver violently, my teeth chattering. The chill seeped deep into my bones. As I tried to steady myself, I saw headlights bearing down on me. On this deserted stretch of road? How could there be a car driving so recklessly fast? My heart pounded like a drum. There was no time to react. I was hit. Hard. 2: He Wouldn’t Save Me The sharp, stinging smell of antiseptic filled my nose. When I opened my eyes, I was in a hospital bed. Some kind stranger must have found me and called an ambulance. Relief washed over me when I realized Ethan worked here. He was the star surgeon, the best. Surely, I was safe now. “Dr. Hayes,” a nurse said urgently, “this patient has severe head trauma. We need to operate immediately to prevent fatal intracranial bleeding.” Ethan waved a dismissive hand, his face a mask of annoyance. He did a cursory check with his instruments, then delivered his verdict. “She’s not going to make it. The damage is too extensive. There’s nothing we can do.” Perhaps sensing the shock in the room, he added coldly, “I’m her legal husband. I can sign the waiver to cease treatment. It won’t reflect badly on the hospital’s reputation.” A pained groan escaped my lips. I reached out, trying to plead with him, appealing to the years we’d spent together. Don’t give up on me. Save me. As his wife, I knew his skills. If anyone could save me, it was him. But Ethan’s face darkened. “Are you deaf?” he hissed. “Sophia is in critical condition, don’t you understand? You probably staged this whole thing just to get me back here! If something happens to Sophia because I wasted time on you, can you live with that responsibility?” “You’re always pulling stunts like this,” he spat. “Serves you right if you die!” “Then… then could you just… check on my mom?” I forced the words out, my voice raspy and weak. At this point, I didn’t even care that he’d abandoned me on the road. I wasn’t begging him to save my life anymore. Just check on my mom at the hospital next door. It would only take half an hour, back and forth. Not long at all. “I told you, your mom’s fine! It’s the same old thing. If she dies, great, you two can have a little reunion in hell!” He turned impatiently to the other staff. “Who has the DNR forms? Give me one, I need to sign this now and get out of here. I have someone else to save!” Because he was the hospital’s top surgeon, his word carried weight. When he declared me a lost cause, no one else dared to argue. 3: He Said He’d Make Me Live After Ethan stormed out, I heard hushed, angry voices nearby. “Dr. Hayes crossed a line this time. He could clearly save her, but he dragged his feet, and now he’s just leaving? So unethical.” “Shh, that’s his wife! Be careful, you don’t want him making your life miserable.” A few junior doctors whispered amongst themselves, occasionally glancing my way. I didn’t know if they pitied me for dying or mocked me because my own husband wouldn’t save me. I was left on an old gurney, practically abandoned. No one dared approach me. People were constantly being wheeled into the operating rooms for emergency procedures. And I was just left there. Waiting to die. “Help… help me…” I rasped. “Nina! What happened to you?!” A familiar male voice roared my name, frantic. I couldn’t place who it was, but I knew, finally, someone was here to help. “Why isn’t anyone helping Nina?” the voice demanded. “She’s… she’s Dr. Hayes’ wife,” a young nurse stammered evasively. “He said she couldn’t be saved… so, it’s probably true. Besides, he signed the waiver himself, so the hospital isn’t liable…” “She’s still conscious! How can you say she can’t be saved? What kind of doctor is Ethan Hayes?!” I felt myself being moved, pushed from darkness towards a bright light. “Ethan!” The male voice called out sharply, stopping Ethan in his tracks. Ethan turned back, defensive. “Look, Daniel, I know you’re good, maybe even better than me, but I’m a top surgeon too. You think I can’t tell when someone’s beyond saving?” Smack! I heard the distinct sound of someone being hit, but my vision was too blurry to see who. The man who had come to my rescue—Daniel—spoke again, his voice laced with fury. “Ethan! Are you even human? Your own wife is dying, and you won’t save her? You’re just going to walk away? What was all that ‘devoted husband’ act about?” Ethan, enraged now, pried open my eyelid, checked my pupil, then lifted his chin defiantly. “Her pupils are blown! Not even a miracle worker could save her now. I said she’s a lost cause, you got a problem with that?” With that, he stormed off again. After he left, I somehow found a surge of strength. My voice was hoarse, broken. “Save me! Please, save me… I don’t want to die!” The words were fragmented, but clear enough. Through the haze, I saw someone push past the other doctors and rush towards me. His voice was firm, resolute. “I’ll save her! I’ll save Nina. As long as Nina wants to live, I’ll make sure she lives, and lives well!” 4: Surgery Successful Who was he? The thought drifted through my fading consciousness. Twenty minutes later, wearing familiar surgical goggles, fully scrubbed and sanitized, he stood at the head of the operating table. “Anesthesiologist, full intubation, general anesthesia. Get the 3D CT model ready!” he commanded crisply. Everyone scrambled to prepare. He glanced down at me, his voice still cool. “What were you thinking, choosing a scumbag like that instead of me?” I struggled to open my eyes, trying to focus on my surgeon. When I finally saw his face clearly, the pain I felt intensified, and I genuinely wanted to cry. Daniel. It was Daniel. As soon as he took charge, a sense of calm settled over the operating room. After rapidly completing the critical procedures, the team began the slow process of closing the incision. Everyone held their breath, waiting for my blood pressure to stabilize. 3! 2! 1! The countdown ended. A few nurses let out excited whoops. Closure successful. Heartbeat steady. Oxygen levels normal. The surgery was a success! I was moved to a recovery room for observation. By evening, I was awake. Daniel Chen stood by my bedside. “We’ll monitor you for rejection for a week. If there are no complications, you can move to a regular room.” I stared at him intently. “Daniel, thank you. But… I need to ask you another favor. Before the accident, my mom was having heart surgery… at the hospital next door. Could you please go check on how she is?” Daniel looked at me deeply for a moment, then turned and left without a word. A pang of bitterness hit me. Daniel Chen… the most sought-after, wealthy guy in college. He’d pursued me relentlessly, showering me with flowers and cakes at my dorm, making me laugh when I was down. But back then, my heart belonged to Ethan, the poor scholarship student. I turned Daniel down again and again, marrying Ethan right after graduation. Daniel had finally let go then, wishing me happiness. And now, here I was, a complete wreck, saved by the man I rejected, exposed in my most vulnerable state. The irony was enough to make me want to weep. 5: Using My Things to Appease His Mistress Beep beep beep. The moment my phone turned on, it exploded with messages from Ethan. I steeled myself. What could my husband possibly have to say after leaving me for dead? Nina, are you dead yet? If not, just stay at the hospital for a while. Sophia needs to stay at our place for a few days. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I’d just been dragged back from death’s door, and now my husband wanted to move his old flame into our home? More texts flooded in. Nina, don’t be unreasonable. Sophia’s situation is really critical this time. Show some compassion. Besides, Sophia and I have known each other for years. If something was going to happen between us, don’t you think it would have already? Anyway, I’ve made up my mind. Just stay put at the hospital. Nina, where are those silk pajamas you bought? The ones you haven’t worn? I gave them to Sophia. Her skin is too delicate, not like your tough hide. … Before I could even finish reading, I noticed Ethan had changed his profile picture. It used to be his professional headshot. I’d begged him countless times to use a couple’s photo with me, but he always patiently explained that as the hospital’s top surgeon, an unprofessional picture wouldn’t look good. I’d understood his position. But now? His profile picture was two cute, pink teddy bears holding hands – exactly the kind of cutesy thing a girl would love. Then came another barrage of explanatory texts. Don’t freak out. I had no choice. Sophia insisted we change it. She calmed down a lot after I changed the picture, finally stopped talking about suicide. I’m a doctor, Nina. My job is to save lives. I couldn’t just stand by and watch someone die. If you weren’t such a cruel person, you’d understand, right Nina? The messages painted a sickening picture: while I was fighting for my life, my husband was busy placating his old flame, Sophia. Now he was telling me he couldn’t be there for me and was even using my belongings to appease his mistress?

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Eight months pregnant, and Ethan decided to throw a divorce party for his first love, Chloe. He insisted I personally build a sixteen-tier champagne tower. When the party started, Chloe deliberately knocked over the tower, cutting her finger in the process. “Ethan, where did you hire these workers? They’re as stupid as pigs.” Ethan shot me a dark look. Chloe smirked. “You know, Ava,” she said, turning to me, “now that you mention it, you do kind of resemble a sow.” Shaking with anger, I slapped her across the face and demanded an apology. Ethan stood up and shoved me hard. I crumpled to the ground. “Chloe didn’t even know you built it! Why the hell are you flying off the handle? “And was she wrong? Calling you a pig? Look at you, stomach as big as a damn beach ball!” Later, on a night pouring rain, he made me kneel on the doorstep to ‘reflect on my actions’. Inside, I could hear him laughing with his friends. “That’s how you have to train women to make them behave.” But this time, I didn’t obey him. I stood up, hailed a cab, and went to the hospital to arrange for an induced termination. Eight months? So what? If I didn’t want this baby anymore, I wasn’t going to have it. 1. The doctor on duty looked at me, then at my paperwork, frowning slightly. “Does your husband consent to this procedure?” “I don’t have a husband.” He clearly didn’t believe me, his eyes scanning me up and down. I realized then that when Ethan threw me out to ‘reflect,’ I hadn’t even grabbed a coat. Who in their right mind would be out on a cold fall night dressed so thinly? The doctor probably thought I’d just had a fight with my husband. Finally, seeing my determination, the doctor nodded. The procedure couldn’t be done immediately; it would take three days to schedule. As I was leaving, he tried one more time. “Look, miss, maybe talk things over with your family first? Don’t do anything impulsive.” I managed a bitter smile. I’d seen this doctor a few times before, but he didn’t know Ethan was my partner. Ethan rarely came with me to prenatal appointments. Once, in a rare moment of ‘kindness,’ he walked out with me, holding my hand. The second he saw someone he knew, he dropped my hand like I was toxic. Like he was ashamed to be seen with me. When the doctor asked who he was, Ethan had just said, “A friend.” I took a cab back to the house. The front door was wide open. The party guests were gone, leaving behind a total mess. Ethan sat slumped in the middle of the sofa, his face grim, enveloped in cigarette smoke. “Hah, I was actually considering letting you back in, thinking about the baby and all,” he sneered. “But look at you, out having a good time!” So, he did remember I was pregnant. I didn’t have the energy to argue. All I wanted was a hot shower. He stood up as I walked past. “Where were you?” I gave a vague answer. “My stomach hurt. Went to the hospital.” Ethan’s expression softened instantly. He reached out and touched my belly. “Then why didn’t you call me to go with you? Look at you, not even wearing a coat…” He seemed about to show some concern, but a woman’s voice interrupted him. “Ethan, smell this body wash, doesn’t it smell amazing?” Chloe emerged from the bathroom, wrapped only in a towel, cleavage on full display. Seeing me, she feigned surprise with a little “Oops!” 2. “Oh, Ava,” Chloe said with a coy smile, sidling up next to Ethan. “I thought you had plans tonight, that you wouldn’t be back.” She leaned into Ethan. “Since Ava’s home now, maybe I should leave?” Ethan frowned slightly. “It’s late, not safe. Just stay here tonight. Ava won’t mind.” He often decided for me that I didn’t mind. But this time, I genuinely didn’t. I mumbled some agreement, which seemed to satisfy Ethan. Then I headed to the bedroom to shower. As I walked in, I saw it immediately – an item of lingerie lying on the bed. White lace against the black sheets. Glaringly obvious. Expressionless, I picked it up and tossed it to Ethan, who had followed me. He froze, then awkwardly handed it to Chloe. He opened his mouth to explain, but I had already shut the bathroom door. After washing up, I lay down, wanting only sleep. But Ethan crawled in beside me, pulling me into his arms. “Ava, I told you, you can rely on me for anything. “Why didn’t you knock on my door when your stomach hurt today? Isn’t this my baby too?” I ignored him, pretending to rub my eyes sleepily. He grabbed my hand and leaned in to kiss me. The cloying, sweet scent of roses – Chloe’s perfume – filled the air. “Forgive me, okay?” Nausea rose in my throat. I shut my eyes tight, feigning deep sleep. Ethan finally released me. In the darkness, the glow of a phone screen flickered on. The mattress dipped beside me, then sprang back up. He was gone. I already knew where. I picked up my own phone. Chloe had just updated her social media. The picture was Ethan cradling her bare feet in his hands, warming them. The caption read: [The heat might be late, but your love never is.] Even late at night, people were awake, flooding the comments. [OMG, kill me with the sweetness!] [You two should just get back together already! It’s obvious you both want it.] [Chloe, hold onto a guy like that! Don’t let some other woman snatch him.] I was the “some other woman” they were talking about. My parents died in a car accident years ago. I had no one left to depend on. And in the eyes of Ethan’s friends, if a woman couldn’t help her man succeed, what good was she? I expected Ethan to chime in with agreement. Instead, he replied to that last comment. [Don’t talk nonsense. Ava and I are fine.] 3. The next day, I intentionally slept late and didn’t make breakfast. Normally, Ethan would have chewed me out. But today, surprisingly, he was in the kitchen cooking himself. Chloe watched him expectantly from the side. Caught, Ethan offered her a bite from his fork. They looked, for a moment, like any ordinary couple. So, he could be proactive and thoughtful, just not for me. It didn’t matter anymore. Once the procedure was done, I’d be gone. “Ethan, you’re amazing! This is all my favorite food!” Chloe exclaimed. Ethan smiled, a doting look on his face. “I know you love these dishes, so I practiced making them.” The food on the table consisted of the few simple, home-style dishes Ethan knew how to cook. When we first got together, he used to cook for me sometimes. But it was always these same things. Once, I casually complained, asking him to try something different. He immediately got irritated. “Just eat what’s served. Relationships require compromise.” His reasoning convinced me back then. I actually believed him. Looking back now, it wasn’t mutual compromise; it was me always being the one to compromise. And now, the sight of those dishes made my stomach churn. Clapping a hand over my mouth, I rushed to the bathroom and threw up violently. When I returned after rinsing my mouth, Chloe put down her bowl, pinching her nose. “Ugh, it stinks.” I’d had morning sickness since the early stages, and Ethan was used to it. But Chloe’s comment made him frown too. “Why don’t you take your bowl and eat in the other room?” he said to me. A wave of desolation washed over me. I decided not to eat at all. The clatter of my bowl as I put it down was a bit loud, and Ethan probably thought I was angry. “Ever since you got pregnant, your temper’s gotten worse!” he snapped. He and Chloe finished their meal happily, ignoring me completely. Only after they were done eating did Ethan come into the room where I was. “Come on, let’s go out for a bit.” My feet ached, my back was sore, and I didn’t want to go anywhere. But he practically forced me out the door. “You’ve been cooped up inside too long, that’s why you’re getting so petty.” 4. Once we were outside, it became clear: Chloe wanted to go out, and I was just tagging along. Like that free piece of hard candy you sometimes get with your change at the grocery store. You didn’t ask for it, but you take it anyway, maybe just to toss it out later. I automatically moved to get into the front passenger seat. Ethan saw me and raised an eyebrow. “Sit in the back. Chloe gets carsick.” “But it’s hard for me to get in and out of the back,” I protested weakly. “Alright, stop making a scene. Don’t make me drag you out,” Ethan said, his patience gone. As I squeezed into the back seat, Chloe slid effortlessly into the front. She pointed to a cartoon sticker on the dashboard and giggled. “I stuck that there last time we were out… why didn’t you take it off?” Ethan glanced at me in the rearview mirror. I looked away. “Forgot,” he mumbled. Did he really forget, or did he not want to remove it? I’d seen that sticker the last time he’d accompanied me to a prenatal check-up. Ethan usually hated anything he considered ‘girly’ cluttering up his car. But when I’d reached to peel it off, he’d stopped me immediately. “My buddy’s little girl put it there,” he’d lied. “The kid said she’d check next time she saw the car. If I take it off, she won’t be my friend anymore.” So, it wasn’t a ‘little girl,’ it was a ‘big girl.’ Chloe shot me a look over her shoulder, smugness radiating from her. Throughout the drive, Chloe made thinly veiled jabs about my clothes. Said I dressed frumpy, that I looked like I weighed 400 pounds. I finally snapped back. “Well, I am carrying Ethan’s child. Staying warm is kind of important. Unlike some people, wearing a crop top when it’s practically winter. Aren’t you freezing?” Chloe’s face flushed, but she shut up. When we reached our destination, I realized we were at an amusement park. We walked until we were standing directly beneath the giant Ferris wheel. Chloe put on a show of being considerate. “Ava’s pregnant, so she can’t ride roller coasters. Why don’t we all ride the Ferris wheel together!” I looked up at the towering structure that seemed to pierce the clouds. A roaring filled my ears, and cold sweat instantly beaded on my forehead. I couldn’t ride it. I have acrophobia – a crippling fear of heights. 5. I refused immediately. Chloe pouted, looking wounded. “Ava, are you still mad at me?” Instinctively, I reached for Ethan’s hand. He flinched, surprised by how clammy my palm was. “I… I’m afraid of heights,” I stammered. Ethan hesitated. “Maybe Chloe and I can go, and Ava can wait down here?” he suggested. Chloe fixed her gaze on me, a sly smile playing on her lips. “Fears are meant to be overcome, Ethan,” she said sweetly. “You don’t want to spoil the fun, do you?” Her words solidified Ethan’s decision. Trembling all over, I was pushed into the Ferris wheel cabin. As the machine started moving, the ground fell away, and the horrible sensation of dangling in the air gripped me. The only sounds inside the cabin were my own ragged, panicked breaths. Chloe and Ethan sat across from me. Her eyes darted around, then she smiled. “They say distracting yourself helps you forget your fear. Ava, look, what’s this?” She held out her hand, and dangling from her fingers was a jade pendant. My hand flew to my collarbone. It was empty. That was my pendant. It was the most precious thing my mother owned before she died. Mom told me that the year I was born, she felt this sudden, inexplicable urge to go to a gem show. Among all the dazzling, polished stones, she was drawn to the most overlooked, roughest-looking one. Against all odds, when it was cut, it revealed the most beautiful, pure jade inside. This pendant was crafted from it. Mom always said the pendant had protected her twice from harm. Before she died, she gave it to me. “Ava,” she’d whispered, “it will protect you in my place.” For a moment, I forgot my fear, my eyes locked on the pendant. I reached for it, but Chloe snatched her hand away. “That’s mine! Give it back!” I cried. Chloe laughed, a malicious glint in her eyes. She extended her arm out of the cabin’s small, open window. “See? You were terrified of heights just a second ago, but now you’ve overcome it, haven’t you?” My gaze was fixed on her hand outside the window. I desperately wanted to claw open that window and snatch my pendant back. “Give… it… back… to… me!” I gritted out, my fists clenched. Even Ethan sensed something was wrong. “Chloe, stop messing around,” he said sternly. Chloe looked slightly disappointed but nodded. Then, in the next instant, her fingers loosened their grip. 6. I lunged across the cabin, my hands closing around Chloe’s throat, squeezing hard. Chloe screamed and struggled violently. The commotion rocked the cabin, making it creak ominously. Her face and neck began to turn purple. Ethan pried my hands off her, trapping me in his arms. I was no match for his strength. All I could do was scream and fight, sinking my teeth into his arm. Pain contorted his face, veins popping on his forehead, but he didn’t let go. Chloe rubbed her neck, gasping. “I didn’t mean to drop it,” she wheezed. Whether she meant it or not didn’t matter anymore. All I knew was that I was useless. I couldn’t hold onto anything. I couldn’t hold onto my man. I couldn’t hold onto my child. And now, I couldn’t even hold onto the pendant my mother gave me. I knew Chloe wanted to see me cry, but I refused to give her the satisfaction. I clenched my jaw, holding onto a brittle thread of defiance. Ironically, my acrophobia was completely gone. The moment the cabin door opened, I scrambled out and ran as fast as I could to the area below where the pendant might have fallen. The grass there was thick and overgrown, requiring someone to crouch down and search meticulously. With my large belly, crouching was impossible. So, I got down on my hands and knees, almost on the ground. Ethan pulled me up and moved me aside. “Stop looking.” I couldn’t help but scream at him. “That was my mother’s! The last thing she gave me!” He was silent for a moment. “I’ll find it for you.” He rolled up his sleeves, crouched down, and began searching the grass inch by inch. The lawn was still damp from a recent rain. His pants cuffs were soaked, splattered with mud and grass clippings. I sat nearby, the dampness seeping through my own pants. Chloe sauntered over, looking down at me with amusement. “How does it feel? To lose something precious?” She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a hiss. “You killed my brother. So I’ll make you lose what’s most important to you!” I didn’t look at her. “I feel terrible about your brother, Chloe, but his death wasn’t my fault.” She opened her mouth to say more, but snapped it shut when she saw Ethan walking back towards us. He was covered in grass stains, sweat beading on his forehead. He had found the pendant. Dropped from that height, it was miraculously unbroken. I traced the familiar carvings with my finger, then carefully put it back around my neck. Suddenly, a piercing scream cut through the air.

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My college roommate, the one who spread slut-shaming rumors about me, sent me an e-vite. “I’m marrying the richest man in the country! Soon, I’ll be the kind of wealthy wife you could only dream of associating with.” “Consider it a favor, since we were classmates. I’m graciously letting you be a bridesmaid. Don’t miss this chance to latch onto someone important, okay? ;)” I frowned. What the hell was Jessica Lee on about? I was the wealthiest woman in the country. Had some new richest man suddenly popped up? Just as I was about to delete her contact, my finger slipped and opened the invitation. I froze when I saw the photo of the groom. Wasn’t that my husband, Kevin Grant, who was supposedly away on a business trip? A cold smile touched my lips as I typed back through gritted teeth. “I’ll be there. And I’ll even bring a surprise for you.” 1 Right after I sent the message, a shipping notification popped up. It was from my husband – a local wine specialty from where he was supposedly traveling. And the delivery address? Coincidentally, it was the exact hotel where Jessica was holding her wedding reception. Just last night, Kevin had been cooing sweet nothings to me over the phone. “Honey~ It’s only been three days, and I miss you like crazy. The hotel food is awful, I hate it. Nothing compares to your home cooking~” “Ugh~ This business trip is going to take half a month, it’s so long. Without me there, you have to take good care of yourself, okay? Don’t make me worry~” Staring at the familiar features of the groom in the photo, I almost doubted my eyes. Maybe he just looked like my husband. I couldn’t bring myself to believe Kevin would betray me. Especially not by secretly marrying the very person who led the bullying against me in college, the one who started those vile rumors. But the watch, clearly visible on his left wrist in the picture, told me the truth. It was him. I had personally designed that watch for him, sketching it myself. Our names were engraved on the dial. It was one of a kind, something money couldn’t buy. A wedding reception like that must cost a fortune. I immediately checked the activity on his supplementary credit card. Sure enough, there was a massive charge at that very hotel. The wedding was the day after tomorrow. If I booked a flight now, I could still make it. I packed my bags immediately and headed to the airport that night. The entire journey, I kept hoping it was all just some terrible misunderstanding. When I arrived at the hotel, the first thing I saw were promotional displays plastered with sickeningly sweet photos of the bride and groom. I couldn’t find Kevin anywhere, and his phone went straight to voicemail. After searching around, I bumped into Jessica Lee in the hallway, already decked out in her wedding dress, surrounded by her posse. “Jess, isn’t that gold-digging tramp who loves sleeping with old rich guys coming yet?” “She used to bully you back in school, Jess. Now that she knows you’re marrying the richest man, she’s probably too scared to show her face!” “Good riddance if she doesn’t come. If she does, I’ll definitely help you teach her a lesson later.” Hearing their chatter, my brow furrowed. So, this was clearly a setup aimed at me. But I was the actual billionaire heiress. Why would I be scared of them? I composed myself and walked forward. “Jessica Lee, congratulations on the wedding!” My voice drew everyone’s attention. “Is that her? She’s kinda pretty, I guess, in that slutty way.” “Look at her clothes. Definitely knockoffs from head to toe.” I could only laugh inwardly. Jessica’s friends were just as clueless as she was. Carrying fake designer bags themselves, they assumed everyone else’s luxury items were fake too. Seeing me approach, a calculating glint flashed in Jessica’s eyes. “Ava! I didn’t think you’d actually come! We were just waiting for you, the last bridesmaid. Quick, come get changed.” I raised an eyebrow, glancing at the women around her. “You already have three bridesmaids. You don’t really need me, do you?” Jessica stepped forward, grabbing my hand with fake warmth. “Ava, we were roommates for four years! You have to be my bridesmaid.” “Besides, the groomsmen are my husband’s friends, all incredibly rich and powerful. You should really treasure this opportunity.” My gaze dropped, and I noticed her slightly rounded belly. That definitely wasn’t just weight gain. Kevin and I had been married for five years, childless. And here was his mistress, already pregnant. A wave of bitterness washed over me. Curious to see what she was plotting, I nodded in agreement. But the moment I stepped into the dressing room, Jessica’s expression changed completely. She looked down her nose at me, sneering. “I can’t believe you actually showed up, Ava Miller. You’re still the same desperate bitch as always, jumping at any chance to suck up to the rich.” “Girls, strip her clothes off!” As the three women lunged at me, I reacted instantly. A quick punch for the first, a side kick felling the next two. Thank goodness for those kickboxing classes I took; handling these skinny women was manageable. I pulled out my phone. “Jessica Lee, what do you think you’re doing? Keep this up, and I’m calling the police.” Jessica laughed coldly. “Ava Miller, don’t you forget, my husband is the richest man in the country.” “Even if I beat you half to death today, nothing will happen to me.” With that, she waved over four bodyguards. “You guys, hold her down.” The uniforms on these bodyguards looked familiar. As the actual wealthy one, I had my own security team. But I’d left in such a rush today, I hadn’t brought them. And these men… these were the bodyguards assigned to protect my husband. I smoothed down my clothes, my voice turning icy. “Take a good look. Do you know who I am? Are you sure you want to lay a hand on me?” The four bodyguards exchanged confused glances. As they started moving towards me menacingly, a chill ran down my spine. “Aren’t you the billionaire’s bodyguards? How could you not recognize me?” 2 Hearing my confused question, Jessica scoffed derisively. “These are my husband’s bodyguards. Who the hell do you think you are, you bitch? Why would they need to know you?” “Get her! Strip this bitch naked!” I was no match for their combined strength. Within a minute, I was pinned to the floor. A bodyguard snatched my phone and handed it respectfully to Jessica. She pressed the side button, and the screen lit up. Jessica’s friends gasped, staring at the phone’s wallpaper. “Jess, why does the man holding this trash look so much like your husband?” “That’s definitely AI-generated! There’s no way Mr. Grant would even know this bitch.” Furious, Jessica smashed my phone onto the floor. “Ava Miller, you’re shameless! You found out my husband is rich and decided to latch onto him?” “How dare you use AI to create intimate photos with him! You make me sick.” Hearing Jessica, everyone else stared at me with contempt. A couple of them even spat in my direction. I looked at Jessica defiantly. “Do you dare call Kevin Grant here and have him confront me face-to-face?” The words were barely out of my mouth when Jessica marched forward, her face dark, and slapped me hard across the face, twice. “No wonder you’ve been acting so high and mighty since you walked in. So you’re the sly fox who’s been secretly seducing my husband.” “He protected you well, didn’t he? I searched for ages and couldn’t find you. Well, today, you’re not leaving this hotel alive.” Jessica ordered her people to tie me to a pillar near the hotel entrance and hung a cardboard sign around my neck. “HOMEWRECKER SLUT – FAIR GAME!” Jessica loudly announced to the people passing by: “This shameless woman tried to seduce my billionaire husband on our wedding day, trying to ruin everything!” “The grand finale of today’s wedding celebration will be a live broadcast of beating the mistress!” Bound and unable to move, I could only try to explain to the surrounding crowd. “I am the wealthy one! Kevin Grant’s wife is ME!” Before I could finish, Jessica slapped me several more times. “Are you delusional? Since when is the richest person a woman?” “I’ve been with Kevin for four years! You think some pathetic homewrecker like you can step over me to take my place? Dream on!” Jessica’s words shocked me. Kevin was truly skilled at hiding things. Married to me for five years, yet cheating on me for four of them. And now, secretly holding a wedding ceremony with his mistress. The hotel staff all recognized Jessica and knew her as Kevin Grant’s new wife-to-be. Not a single person believed me. They all sided with her, pointing and whispering. “Young women these days just want shortcuts. Always scheming to land a rich man. Now she’s claiming she’s the rich one? Utterly ridiculous.” “Pah! A woman like that? She could strip naked in front of me, and I wouldn’t bat an eye. And she dares to seduce Mr. Grant?” Jessica lifted her high-heeled foot and, with the help of her bridesmaids holding her steady, kicked me hard several times. The moment the sharp impact hit my abdomen, my instinct was to curl up. But the ropes held me fast, leaving me gasping for breath. Each kick from Jessica felt like a boulder crashing onto my stomach. Pain radiated from my gut, engulfing my entire body. Sweat beaded on my forehead and trickled down my face. “Ava Miller, you bitch! How dare you seduce my husband! Today, I’ll show you who the real wife is!” When Jessica got tired, she had her makeup artist touch up her face, leaving me tied there. A stout woman, wanting to curry favor with Jessica, stepped forward. “Miss Lee, beating this bitch like this might tarnish your image.” “We all know how sensitive fingertips are. Just using fine needles to prick under her fingernails will make her scream in agony.” Jessica looked at her approvingly. “Then you do it. A hundred bucks per needle. Prick more if you want to earn more.” Immediately, the stout woman untied me, had others hold me down on the ground, exposing my hands. She produced a bundle of fine needles, lifted my index finger, and jammed one in. I squeezed my eyes shut, biting down hard, trying to endure the pain. After several continuous jabs, the dense, sharp agony in my fingers became unbearable, and I couldn’t stop myself from crying out. Just then, Jessica’s phone rang. It was Kevin. Jessica quickly had the stout woman stuff a sock in my mouth. Smugly, she squatted in front of me and put the call on speaker. Kevin’s voice filled the air next to my ear. “Momo, my wedding car convoy is almost there. Are you ready on your end? Don’t embarrass me.” 3 Jessica immediately switched her tone, speaking coyly. “Honey, don’t worry. There won’t be any silly door-blocking games to trouble you today.” “I’ll have the bridesmaids and myself kneeling at the hotel entrance to welcome you properly. I guarantee your friends will be so envious.” On the phone, Kevin’s voice was arrogant and commanding, completely different from the gentle, almost needy way he usually spoke to me. I struggled against my bonds, trying desperately to make a sound through the gag. Seeing this, Jessica continued, “Honey, that little tramp you keep on the side tried to ruin our wedding. If I beat her up a bit, would you be angry with me?” Kevin’s indifferent voice came through the speaker. “Do whatever you want. As long as you’re happy. Besides, you’re the only one I love. I don’t have any other women. She must be lying.” “If you’re really pissed off, you can just kill her. You’ve got me to protect you, you don’t have to be afraid of anything.” Jessica looked down at me with contempt. “Honey, you’re the best! Love you~” I sneered inwardly. Kevin clearly had no idea it was me tied up here. Otherwise, he’d probably be on his knees begging right now. I truly regretted being so blind, ignoring my father’s warnings back then, insisting on marrying for ‘true love’. Thankfully, before boarding the plane, I had informed my house manager of my destination. He should be arriving with reinforcements soon. Jessica hung up the phone and stepped on my hand. “Ava Miller, did you hear that? I am the love of Kevin Grant’s life. Trash like you? I can get rid of you whenever I want.” Looking at Jessica’s smug face, I regretted letting her off the hook back when she spread those rumors about me. Instead, I had secretly arranged for my family’s corporation to fund her entire university education. Back in college, wanting to experience normal student life, I chose to live in the dorms instead of my family’s apartment. When I moved in, Jessica noticed my high-end cosmetics and tearfully told me her sob story. Her parents were divorced, and her grandmother supported her education by running a small street stall. She could never afford meat in the cafeteria, let alone makeup. Her tearful, snotty display tugged at my heartstrings. I discreetly had someone check her background, and it confirmed her story. Feeling sorry for her, I arranged for the corporation to sponsor her tuition and living expenses. In our daily interactions, I often gave her beauty products and taught her about skincare and makeup. But somewhere along the line, rumors started spreading around campus that I was a gold digger. Whispers claimed I left in luxury cars every weekend for paid dates. My assistant investigated and found out Jessica was the source of the rumors. Furious, I confronted her, but she just burst into tears, accusing me of bullying her because my family was rich. The issue escalated to our academic advisor. But the advisor didn’t bother with the facts and immediately blamed me. “Ava Miller, assaulting a roommate can lead to serious consequences, even jail time! Apologize to Jessica Lee right now.” “I know your family has some money, but you could try being less flashy. Driving off in fancy cars every weekend, it’s no wonder classmates misunderstand you.” The truth was, I went to the corporation headquarters every weekend to handle business matters. To get back to the dorms before curfew, my house manager drove me. Yet, even though I was the victim, the advisor was completely biased and unfair. Later, when my father found out I’d been wronged, he had the university fire that unprofessional advisor. Jessica wrote me an apology letter, promising never to fabricate stories again. Seeing her looking genuinely pitiful, I decided not to pursue it further and let the corporation continue funding her. “Beep beep beep…” The sound of numerous luxury car horns interrupted my thoughts. Jessica hastily had someone shove me aside. Supported by her bridesmaids, she knelt primly at the hotel entrance. I glanced up. Surrounded by an entourage, Kevin Grant stepped onto the red carpet, looking impeccably distinguished. The dark, high-end suit he wore enhanced his already handsome features. Kevin was undeniably good-looking; that’s what had attracted me in the first place. It led me to defy my father’s wishes, insisting I wouldn’t marry anyone else. Looking at the bowing crowd, Kevin smirked faintly. He clearly relished this feeling of being admired, of being above everyone else. He walked up the steps, took Jessica’s outstretched hands, and pulled her into an embrace. As they turned, Kevin noticed me lying on the ground. He frowned in disgust, clearly displeased. “Momo, why is there some crazy woman lying behind you?” “It’ll look terrible if she ends up in our arrival video.” Jessica chuckled lightly and pointed at me. “Honey, don’t you recognize her? She’s that mistress you were keeping on the side~” “Today, I want everyone to see what happens when someone tries to destroy my marriage and covet my husband!” Kevin spoke with revulsion, “I’m the richest man in the country. Would I really be interested in this kind of trash?” “Bodyguards, chop her up and feed her to the fish.” Hearing this, everyone looked towards Kevin in fear. Indeed, crossing the richest man meant disappearing without a trace. Ignoring the throbbing pain in my fingers, I struggled to push myself up. “Hmph! Kevin Grant, quite the big shot, aren’t you?”

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Ever since my wife switched jobs, she started playing these deadly “jokes” on me. Small stuff, like kissing me into a chokehold, or covering my head while I slept. Then bigger things, like mixing my meds with booze, or handcuffing me and trying to push me underwater. Every time I barely escaped, she’d just grin and say, “Just messing with you! Isn’t it exciting?” I brushed it off as her acting out, didn’t push it. But then, during a camping trip, she secretly brought back snake eggs. I ended up tangled and bitten to death by venomous snakes. She felt zero guilt over my death. Turned right around and spent the night wrapped around her boss. “Your husband kicked the bucket just like that? I wasn’t done having fun! Guy couldn’t handle a little rough play, huh?” Only after dying did I learn my life was just a game piece for her to impress her boss. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day we were supposed to leave for that camping trip. This time, I’d be the one putting snake eggs in her bag. 1 “Honey, pleeeease say yes! I’ve never been camping before, the wilderness sounds so thrilling!” “And there’s a reward tonight!” she purred, pulling three sets of skimpy lingerie out of her suitcase. The same scene played out in my head. I realized I’d been reborn. Seeing my lack of reaction, she immediately slipped into a bunny outfit and threw herself at me. “Ooh! Hubby, I’m sooo cold, hold me tight!” Looking at her trying to be seductive, memories of my past life flooded back. Revulsion churned in my stomach. It was just disgusting. In my past life, ever since she changed jobs, she was like a different person. Kisses turned into chokeholds, sleep meant being smothered, and where she learned about mixing dangerous pills with alcohol or handcuffing someone near water, I had no idea. Every single life-threatening moment, she just laughed it off. I thought she was just being difficult. Then, chasing more “excitement,” she insisted on dragging me camping at Shadow Creek Preserve. While I was setting up the tent, she snuck off and brought back Diamondback Rattlesnake eggs. When night fell, she deliberately left me alone on the mountain. The rattlesnakes, drawn by the scent, found me. Unprepared, I was their target. With my last ounce of strength, I dialed her number. All I heard were her moans tangled with a strange man’s grunts. That night, she was wearing this exact outfit, screwing her boss in the car, completely ignoring whether I lived or died up on that mountain. Her ecstatic cries drowned out my pained gasps as the rattlesnakes coiled tighter, biting, killing me. When she saw my cold corpse, there wasn’t a flicker of remorse. The man kicked my body dismissively. “Your husband died just like that? I wasn’t finished playing! Couldn’t take a little action, huh?” “Well, I haven’t had enough action either. You planning on finishing the game tonight?” Excited, the man swept her up. “What do you think?” They went back to the car, screwing all night long. Afterward, she twisted the truth, slandering me, claiming I’d secretly gone camping with someone else behind her back, looking for cheap thrills. My death became gossip fodder – the price of cheating. I stared at her, numb. We’d been in love for four years. I’d cherished her, put her on a pedestal. But she’d tried to kill me, again and again, just to please another man. My heart was dead to her now. Hatred, like poison, began to spread through me. “Okay, fine. I’ll go with you. Now change back into normal clothes,” I said, forcing calm, suppressing the fury inside. A flicker of triumph crossed her eyes. “Great! You start packing, I need to do my makeup.” “I don’t have much to pack. I’ll run out and grab some fruit and snacks for the trip.” “See? Hubby always thinks of everything.” I used the chance to go downstairs. Besides fruit, I bought some fake eggs, the kind you use for crafts, perfect for making realistic-looking snake eggs. This time, it was my turn to put the snake eggs in her bag. Let them taste despair. 2 I was packed and ready. She emerged, face plastered with heavy makeup. Ever since switching jobs, she, who rarely wore makeup before, was always fully done up. I never suspected a thing. Even encouraged her to embrace her beauty. Thinking back now, I basically helped put the horns on my own head. Only when she slid into the passenger seat did I see what she was wearing under her coat: a short skirt and black stockings. “You’re wearing that little? It’s going to be freezing up in the mountains.” “With you here, I won’t be cold,” she purred, placing my hand on her thigh. “Don’t you think it’s convenient?” A small smile touched my lips. “Yeah, very convenient.” Convenient for seducing other men. Shadow Creek Preserve was over twenty miles from the city. By the time we arrived, it was already afternoon. I carried the gear and food, forging a path ahead. She trailed behind, phone in hand, typing and giggling, obviously chatting with someone. “Honey, this way! Who are you texting that’s making you so happy?” She realized she’d taken a wrong turn, gave an awkward laugh, and headed towards me. “Oh, nobody~ Just thinking about spending the night outdoors gets me all excited, hehe!” Right. Excited about hooking up with someone else tonight, or excited about getting me killed? I picked up the pace towards the summit. Once there, I dropped the gear but didn’t immediately start setting up the tent. Grabbing her backpack, I ducked into the dense woods. “Honey, where are you going? Set up the tent first!” she called out, hurrying after me. “Babe, ate something bad, gotta take care of business! Wait here, I’ll be right back!” I ran fast, not slowing until her voice faded. After cautiously checking my surroundings, I quickly found the rattlesnake nest. And a clutch of eggs. Remembering the two thirteen-foot rattlers coiling around me in my past life… the pain like a million needles drilling into bone, my chest crushed so tight every breath was agony… I shuddered involuntarily, then decisively pulled out her lingerie from my pocket. Carefully, I wrapped the snake eggs in the fabric, placed them in her bag, and retreated quickly. But I ran right into her on my way back. “Honey, what are you doing in here? Did you eat something bad too?” She didn’t answer, her eyes fixed on me. “Why did you bring my bag in here?” I quickly took the bag off my back and slung it over her shoulder. “Came in such a rush, forgot to put it down.” “Good thing you had tissues in here, though. Otherwise, I would’ve had to call you.” She looked impatient. “Alright, let’s just get out of here and set up the tent. Don’t waste my time.” “Okay, babe. Did you need to go? I found a spot back there…” “Why are you being so chatty?” “Hey, I found this weird egg just now. Look, isn’t it pretty?” I pulled the fake egg out of my coat pocket. She turned, her expression shifting from annoyance to shock, then poorly concealed delight. “Looks like a bird egg. Honey, let’s fry it up when we make dinner.” “Are you sure?” I held the fake egg out towards her. “Seems like a waste to eat it.” She backed away quickly. “It’s a waste not to eat wild game! Just pack it carefully, don’t break it.” “Whatever you say, honey.” I put the fake egg back in my pocket, pretending to protect it. She visibly relaxed and hurried out of the woods ahead of me. 3 After coming out of the woods, whether I was setting up the tent or talking to her, she kept her distance. Either taking pictures or wandering off “looking for signal.” Just as I wanted. She didn’t linger near the tent site. I deliberately took until dark to finish setting up the tent. While gathering firewood, I overheard her on the phone. “Are you at the base of the mountain yet?” “Don’t worry! Everything’s taken care of.” “I just can’t wait to see you!” Clutching the firewood, I felt a surge of grim satisfaction. Finally, she’s leaving. Go on, take the snake eggs and go find your lover. I guarantee it’ll be very exciting for both of you! “Oh no, honey! I left the most important thing in the car! Toss me the keys, quick!” I had just gotten the fire going when she called out, her bag already slung over her shoulder, standing several yards away. The same escape excuse as last time. “Honestly, you…” I stood up deliberately. “I’ll go with you.” She looked slightly panicked. For every step I took towards her, she took one back. “No, no, it’s fine! I can go myself.” “You get dinner started, I’m starving. Remember to fry that egg first! I’ll be right back.” “It’s already dark. Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” She refused again and again. I finally just tossed her the keys. “Alright then. Hurry back.” If I didn’t let her go now, the snakes might show up too soon. That would ruin everything. “Love you, hubby!” she chirped, blowing me a kiss before turning to leave. No, more like, before turning to die. I didn’t reply, just waved goodbye, watching her walk away. Goodbye! My dear wife. Once her figure completely vanished, I quickly took sulfur powder and snake repellent from my pack and sprinkled several circles around the tent, just in case. With that done, I unfolded the camp table, laid out the roast chicken, beer, peanuts, and grapes I’d bought earlier, and sat by the fire, ready for the show. I set up a small tripod, placed my tablet on it, angled perfectly. Calculating the time, it should be starting about now. My heart hammered as I opened the app. Soon, my wife’s shameless moans filled the quiet night air via the tablet’s speaker. “Whoa there, Mr. Henderson, what’s the rush? Ow… you’re hurting me!” (Mr. Henderson, a good generic boss name instead of Mark for now, keep Mark/Finn reveal for later) That was the feed from the hidden camera I’d installed in the car this morning, connected to my phone. I never thought I’d witness my own wife starring in such a film. Watching the woman I loved betraying me with another man in my own car… a bitter taste filled my mouth. It wasn’t pleasant. But then I remembered: tonight was their last night. Suddenly, the anger subsided. “You said you had a surprise for me? Where is it? I don’t see anything.” The man, Mark Henderson, was like a starved wolf, tearing into his prey. Distracted, she fumbled with one hand, reaching for the bag on the floor, trying to pull out the lingerie. With considerable effort, she yanked the clothing free. But as it came out, something else seemed to tumble out with it, rolling near her feet. Mark stepped on it, crushing it. 4 “What’s the theme tonight? Fancy props?” “You’ll see when I change.” She straddled his lap and started changing, oblivious to the sticky mess on the floor mat. “God, it’s hot in here! Let’s leave the door open, nobody’s around anyway,” Mark grunted, pushing the car door ajar. “What if someone comes?” she asked, suddenly cautious. “If you’re scared of people, why come out to the wilderness?” Mark snapped, taking his frustration out on her. “Not just the car. Later, we’re doing it by the roadside, in the trees.” “Okay, okay, whatever you want.” “Did you take care of things or not? How come your husband hasn’t called yet?” They finally remembered I existed. Not wanting to disappoint them, I immediately dialed her number. “Should be fine? I saw him with my own eyes… Oh, his call’s coming in.” “Make it loud for me!” Mark ordered. “Chloe! Help me! You gotta come save me! I’m being…” As soon as she picked up, I started screaming in fake agony. Just like last time, her response was panting moans. “Hubby, I’m kinda… busy right now… Can’t save you~” “What are you doing? Who are you with? Answer me!” My feigned rage was met with dismissal. She simply tossed the phone aside and went back to her pleasure. “Your wife said she’s busy, can’t you understand plain English?” Mark’s voice sneered through the phone. “Who are you? You goddamn animals, I’ll kill you!” “Kill me? Hahaha!” Mark laughed mockingly. “We’re right here in the car. Come and get us if you’ve got the guts.” “Since you heard everything, I’ll just tell you straight,” Chloe chimed in, her voice dripping with malice. “This whole camping trip was about getting rid of you. But you’re the one who supposedly brought the snake eggs. Your death is your own damn fault, got nothing to do with me!” She admitted everything without me even having to press her. “For the sake of our marriage, if you come save me right now, I’ll pretend tonight never happened.” I offered one last, empty chance. “Tch! Who wants to be married to you! I’ve been waiting for you to die! Only when you’re dead can we be together openly.” “Alright then! Chloe, you said it. Don’t come crying and begging me for forgiveness later.” Things had reached this point; no need to play games anymore. “Me? Crying and begging you?” She didn’t know whether to laugh or scream. “You’re about to die and you’re talking nonsense? Okay, then I beg you, don’t haunt me as a ghost, hahaha~” “Why would I die? The ones who are going to die are you two.” They dismissed it as angry ranting, ignoring me, returning to their ‘game’. “Ah!” Suddenly, she let out a piercing shriek. “Ow! That hurts! Why did you pinch my leg?” Mark sounded confused. “Your hand feels freezing.” “My hands are on your waist, I didn’t move!” The pleasure vanished, replaced by a sharp pain in her calf, accompanied by a chilling coldness. She looked down, scratched at it— “AHH! SNAKE! There’s a snake on my leg!” The snake, drawn by the scent of the crushed eggs and the warmth, had slithered in through the open door. Familiar smells triggered its aggressive attack. It bit savagely into her calf, its body instantly coiling around her leg, tightening its grip. She screamed uncontrollably, wanting to grab it but terrified, trying to shake it off but it wouldn’t budge. The sudden terror turned Mark limp with fear. He stopped moving, shoved her violently away, grabbed his clothes, and scrambled to open his door to escape. In panic, she latched onto his arm, shaking her leg frantically while begging, “Where are you going? Get this snake off me!”

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My father is Duke Harrison, a decorated war hero covered in glory. My mother is the daughter of the former Chief Advisor, a man who once held immense power. But my two older brothers? To curry favor with a street kid they took in, they let him steal my identity. At my own Investiture Gala, Silas blocked my path, sneering, “A sickly weakling like you thinks you deserve this honor?” “The brothers already promised I would receive the title today. You should crawl back to the back shed and stop embarrassing everyone.” In my past life, I was terrified of my brothers hating me, so I became a coward, letting Silas walk all over me. But now, I’ve been reborn. Looking at Silas’s smug face and my brothers acting like they’d already won, I sent him flying with a kick. “A beggar like you dares block my path!” 1 No one expected me, the one who always backed down, to actually get physical. The guests froze. I immediately ordered Thompson, the butler, to drag him out. Thompson shot me a nervous glance, then hesitantly helped Silas up. “Young Master Silas handles most affairs in the household… The investiture is crucial, young master. Perhaps you should go rest…” My eyes turned ice-cold. I smirked. “I wasn’t aware an outsider could call the shots in Duke Harrison’s household.” Hearing this, Thompson trembled even more, his eyes darting towards Silas, who was scrambling up from the floor, furious. I didn’t wait for his answer. I grabbed a teacup from the table beside me and hurled it at the insolent servant. “A household servant conspiring with an outsider to defy his master? Perhaps he should be beaten immediately.” In my past life, this old fool ignored my father’s instructions. Trusting in my brothers’ favor, he helped them torment me endlessly. He didn’t just short me on food and clothes; helping Silas torture me to death wasn’t enough. He even desecrated my body and left it exposed outside the city walls. The butler was shaking like a leaf, terrified. He wouldn’t dare touch me now. He dropped to his knees instantly. “Forgive me, master! Spare this old servant’s life!” “Ethan, how has this house wronged you that you resort to violence and still dream of receiving the title?” Silas cried out, playing the victim, as if I were the villain. The crowd started murmuring at his act. Silas’s buddy, Caleb Miller, son of Governor Miller, was livid. He stormed up to me, pointing right in my face. “You’re just some broke freeloader! How dare you disrupt Silas’s investiture today!” “Didn’t the Duke adopt a kid years ago to be a guinea pig for the young master’s treatments? I heard the young master was too kind-hearted, didn’t use him, and even provided for him.” “That was just some beggar. If the young master hadn’t saved him, he’d have frozen to death. Now look at him, biting the hand that fed him.” Back then, I was frail and often sick. When I saved Silas, my brothers thought I planned to use him for experimental treatments and called me cruel, showering Silas with pity instead. Coming back, I finally get it. My father is the most uniquely honored Duke in the country, incredibly powerful and wealthy. As his legitimate son, why should I be overshadowed by Silas, a mere charity case, and two lackeys from minor branches of the family? Thinking this, my gaze sliced into Caleb Miller like a knife. “And who the hell are you? The son of a mere Governor dares interfere in the Duke’s family matters? Even your father wouldn’t dare speak to me like that!” Caleb clearly didn’t expect me to clap back in public. His face flushed crimson with rage. He lunged, swinging his hand, but I dodged easily and slapped him hard across the face. “You piece of trash! You hit me? I’m the Governor’s son!” he roared in disbelief. Gasps erupted from the crowd. Silas was furious, his face red. He snarled at the servants who were lowering their heads, afraid to intervene: “This lowlife’s gone crazy! Tie him up and throw him in the shed!” I swept my gaze over the few servants hesitantly grabbing ropes, my eyes glinting dangerously. “I am the Duke’s son. You dare touch me?” Silas flinched, a flicker of panic crossing his face before he quickly covered it with rage. “What nonsense are you spouting! Everyone in the capital knows you’re just the kid who cleans the chamber pots in the Duke’s manor!” The others clearly didn’t believe me. “Silas is right. He must have really lost it.” “Duke Harrison leads armies and wins great victories, but his own son is being bullied like this at his investiture ceremony.” I calmly instructed my loyal aide, Miles, beside me: “Go tell my two brothers that this Silas brazenly claims he’ll receive my title. Isn’t he afraid of committing fraud against the state?” Miles looked at me, hesitant. My brothers doted on Silas, indulging his every whim. If they found out I’d hit him, I’d likely face severe family discipline. Seeing his worried expression, I gave him a firm nod. Go. Quickly. Silas sneered triumphantly. “Still haven’t learned your place, huh? Let’s see how you handle this when the brothers get here.” In my past life, the brothers I’d looked up to since childhood let me be bullied, let Silas torture me to death. As I lay dying in agony, I begged them to save me, but they complained my blood was dirtying Silas’s hands. I was tortured to death, my body left exposed in the wilds for dogs to devour. Now, I’ve crawled back from hell. Let’s see who doesn’t let who off the hook. 2 A moment later, Miles ran back in, head bowed, looking guilty and pained. “Master Silas will proceed with the investiture. The young master should just behave himself.” Of course. No matter how I was mistreated, it was nothing in their eyes. Silas snickered. “See? You made him run for nothing…” Before he could finish, someone burst in energetically. It was my fiancée, Sophia Patton, daughter of the General. Miles thought she was here to help me, his worried expression vanishing. I just shook my head with a small, humorless smile. When we were kids, she followed me around constantly, saying she’d marry me when we grew up, pestering her father to arrange the betrothal and exchange family tokens. But ever since she met Silas, she became obsessed, helping him humiliate me. Sophia anxiously looked Silas up and down, as if terrified he’d lost a single hair. Then she turned to me, her face full of disgust. “A beggar. I can’t believe I was fooled by you, actually thinking you were the Duke’s son. Thank goodness the Heir told me the truth. If I had actually married you…” “The General’s family would have been a laughingstock!” My own fiancée confirmed the lie about my identity. That instantly changed the minds of anyone who might have still half-believed me. This whole drama got everyone else whispering, their curious eyes darting between us. Silas’s smugness grew more obvious. To help Silas further, Sophia’s face hardened. She ripped the pendant from her waist. “Take back this engagement token! A lowlife like you will probably only ever marry some cheap street girl!” Watching Sophia’s resolute act, I remembered my past life. After my death, the President was furious. Sophia knelt before my uncle, the President, weeping, insisting she had always loved me, that she was just misled by villains into doing such foolish things. It was so laughable, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Sophia’s face darkened. “What are you laughing at…” “I’m laughing at how blind you are, mistaking trash for treasure. Breaking off our engagement for a beggar. I wonder what the old General will say when he finds out.” My words made the crowd gasp. “Silas is the beggar?” “But why are the Duke’s older sons letting him receive the title?” The murmurs started again, everyone’s eyes shifting between Silas and me. Me: handsome features, sharp eyes, an air of inherent nobility. Him: dressed in fine clothes, but his eyes and posture still screamed cunning, vulgarity, and a cheap imitation. Silas turned pale, swaying slightly. He quickly retorted, “If you’re really the Duke’s son, why won’t your brothers let you receive the title instead of me?” Sophia sneered, “Silas is too kind-hearted to expose you! And now you turn around and accuse him!” Their words flipped the situation again. Caleb Miller, who had just been embarrassed, regained his confidence. “He’s just a beggar! If I beat you dead today, no one would stand up for you. Let me teach you a lesson for Silas!” Several other young men from prominent families chimed in, ordering their guards to grab me. They kicked my legs out from under me, forcing me to my knees. “Teach him how to apologize properly,” one said, then they forced my head down, slamming it against the floor again and again, until the ground was stained with blood. Sophia pulled Silas behind her. “It’s too dirty. Don’t let it offend your eyes.” Silas smirked triumphantly. “I told you not to cross me. You don’t have a say in this family, do you?” I defiantly raised my head, glaring at him. “Mother is coming back soon! Then none of you will get away with this!” After the ceremony, my father returns triumphant from the war. The President, having already honored him greatly, will shower me with rewards. That’s why these people are rushing to suck up now. But in my past life, I didn’t even live to see Father return; Silas framed me. I never saw my father again before I closed my eyes for the last time. Silas crouched down, whispering mockingly in my ear, “You really are naive. The Pattons command significant military power. As long as I marry Sophia, who would dare touch me?” Thinking of how yielding in my past life only led to a miserable death, I wouldn’t let him go this time. 3 I struggled violently, trying to fight back. Before I could land a blow, a furious voice boomed: “Absurd!” My two older brothers strode in. The others instantly let me go, frightened. A flicker of panic crossed Silas’s face, but he quickly composed himself. My second brother, Leo, fussed over Silas, straightening his slightly rumpled clothes. My eldest brother, Marcus, glanced dismissively at my wretched state after giving Silas a concerned look. He scolded me publicly, “You crude, worthless dog, daring to disrespect your betters! Why can’t you learn from Silas’s manners? Maybe then you could find a decent family to marry into someday.” My brothers said things like that all the time in my past life. To please them, I tried desperately to imitate Silas, only for them to mock me as a pathetic imitation. I finally understood. If people don’t care about you, nothing you do will make them see you differently. Thinking this, I gave a cold laugh. “Learn what from Silas? His phony victim act? Or his talent for identity theft?” Afraid of getting caught in the crossfire, the other young men quickly blamed everything on me. “He even dares talk back to the Heir! No wonder he bullies Silas.” “Exactly! He was insulting Silas and trying to steal his title. If we hadn’t protected Silas, who knows what crazy thing he would have done.” Sophia stepped forward indignantly. “A lowlife like him isn’t fit to touch a single hair on Silas’s head! Today, in front of the Heir, I officially break off our engagement!” Leo looked apologetic towards her. “It’s our fault. We failed to discipline this troublemaker. It truly shames both our families.” Seeing the alliance between the Harrison and Patton families shattered because of me… Marcus frowned. “The Harrison family has no place for such a disgraceful degenerate. Silas is my only true brother.” Silas’s eyes widened in surprise, then he lowered his head, sighing dramatically. “It’s my fault for not managing things better, letting a mere beggar dream of replacing the real heir. I was wrong.” His words made the three of them feel incredibly sorry for him. Sophia immediately took out the marriage contract and ripped it to shreds on the spot. She carefully took the engagement locket she’d taken from me and hung it on Silas’s belt. She announced loudly, “All our esteemed guests are here today. It should be perfectly clear who deserves this honor. I, Sophia Patton, declare that the man I intend to marry is Silas of the Harrison household!” Amidst cheers and congratulations, Silas shot me a triumphant, smug look. I ignored his provocation. Whoever wanted a fickle woman like her could have her. Seeing I showed no remorse… Leo turned to Marcus, his voice hardening. “Marcus, today Ethan publicly defied his superiors and embarrassed Silas. But, out of mercy, perhaps we should just cut out his tongue, make him a mute servant, and send him off to the country estate.” Marcus seemed hesitant. “If you admit you were wrong right now, in front of everyone, and then go kneel in the study all night, we can let this go.” The smile on Silas’s face froze for a second. He put on a wounded expression. “It’s alright, brothers. Don’t be angry on my account. I don’t care about these empty titles anyway.” “But brother,” he added, looking at me, “even if you’re being willful, you shouldn’t disgrace the Harrison name.” His words instantly made Marcus’s impatience flare up visibly. “You still refuse to admit you’re wrong?” Ha. These were the brothers I grew up adoring. They weren’t always this wealthy and privileged. It was only because I liked trailing after them as a child that my mother formally adopted them – sons from a side branch of the family – under her name, securing the title of Heir for Marcus early on. I stiffened my neck, wanting to slap my past self. How could I have been so stupid, wasting my loyalty on dogs? Marcus turned, his face grim, and ordered the servants: “Do as Leo said. Take him to the back, cut out his tongue, then dump him at the country estate. If he doesn’t learn his lesson, he’s never coming back.” I lifted my head, meeting Marcus’s gaze coldly. “What right do you have to kick me out? Even the Head of the Clan wouldn’t dare suggest disowning me or cutting out my tongue.” Leo scoffed. “Father and Mother aren’t here. Of course, Marcus, as the Heir, has the authority to handle family matters.” Marcus announced gravely, “This Investiture Gala is for Silas. This Ethan Harrison has nothing to do with our family.” Silas smugly told a servant, “Things happened suddenly, so all the family carriages will be needed for our guests later. Just find a simple cart outside the estate to haul him away.” Just as they were about to grab me and drag me off… A furious voice boomed from the doorway: “You two degenerates! Who are you saying is my son? Have the guts to say it again to my face!”

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The year I turned twenty, Ethan rescued me, helped me escape that nightmare town I called home. To repay him, I spent three years cooking and cleaning for him, never complaining, doing whatever he asked. But I knew, deep down, I had less than a year left. I thought we’d live out my remaining days in quiet, simple happiness. Until one night, he came home drunk from a work thing. I saw the texts from his ‘perfect girl’. “Ethan, you must be wasted, probably made a mess. Why don’t you let me take care of you tonight?” Ethan texted back: “Why would I let you handle that dirty work? I’ll just make the housekeeper at home deal with it.” “Aww, you always know how to take care of me!” Chloe replied, adding a little heart emoji. Reading that, my stomach twisted. So, he loved someone else. All this time, I was just the live-in maid, someone he could summon or dismiss whenever he felt like it. The dream was never mine. It was time to wake up. 1 Ethan was still dead asleep in bed, soft snores escaping his lips. I scrolled through the contacts list until I found the one labeled “Goddess.” Her social media profile painted a picture of a girl living a charmed life. She had the same long, dark, straight hair as me, the same delicate build, skin that looked flawless. But in the pictures with Ethan, her big, doe eyes sparkled with a vulnerability I’d never managed. My own default expression was usually… gloomy. It made me think about all the times Ethan had nudged me about my clothes, my style. Maybe I was just her stand-in all along. I’m a pretty traditional girl, maybe even a little old-fashioned. I never used to wear skirts above the knee. But Ethan had practically begged, giving me those puppy-dog eyes, until I slowly gave in, trying out the black stockings and high heels he liked. Standing in front of the mirror, I took off the lacy nightgown he’d bought me for Valentine’s Day. I put on a plain blue bathrobe instead. I spent the night on the living room sofa, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. The next morning, when Ethan woke up, I was already putting a bowl of freshly made oatmeal on the coffee table. As I set it down, I quickly touched my earlobes with my fingers, red from the heat of the bowl. Ethan wrapped his arms around me from behind. He inhaled the scent of my hair, whispering softly in my ear, his breath warm. “My sweet, thoughtful Maya. You work so hard.” “It’s what I do,” I replied flatly, gently pushing him away as I arranged the spoon. He probably thought I was just being shy. Ethan shrugged. Then his eyes fell on what I was wearing. He frowned. “Why’d you change your pajamas?” I told him the other one was too revealing, I felt a little cold, so I picked something warmer. I expected him to ask if I was okay, maybe show some concern. Instead, a flicker of disappointment crossed his face. He used that coaxing tone he always used. “I still like you better in that sexy little devil outfit. Please, wear it again tonight? For me?” Without waiting for an answer, he went to brush his teeth, put on his suit, ready to leave. “Aren’t you going to eat breakfast?” I asked, watching him polish his dress shoes. Ethan clutched his stomach, shaking his head with a sigh. “Nah, drank too much last night. Stomach’s still messed up. You eat it.” He grabbed his briefcase and walked out the door. The sound of the front door clicking shut echoed in the sudden silence. The oatmeal on the table was still steaming, but my heart felt ice-cold. Because I knew exactly where Ethan was heading. Downstairs, by the entrance to the complex, smiling as Chloe handed him a coffee and a bagel. It didn’t matter if Chloe made it herself or just bought it. If it came from her hands, it was the most delicious thing in the world to him. Looks like another breakfast alone. I sat at the table, mechanically spooning oatmeal into my mouth. It tasted like cardboard. Maybe fate was just trying to get me used to being alone ahead of time. With her appearance, the countdown to leaving Ethan had officially begun. 2 Was I wasting my time, obsessing over every detail of this man’s life? This was our third year together. Twenty-three. For a girl, that’s supposed to be the prime of your life. Most girls my age are either in college, maybe grad school, or starting their careers. Me? I spent my days cleaning the apartment, washing Ethan’s clothes, even his socks. Waiting for him to come home, I’d have a hot meal ready, then change into whatever pajamas he liked best and sit quietly on the bed, waiting. Some might say I was pathetic, lowering myself like that. Not worth it. But I did it because I owed him. A debt of gratitude. Back when I ran away from home, I was lost, wandering aimlessly on a mountain road in the pouring rain. The next thing I knew, I woke up in a strange city, a handsome face looking down at me with concern. “You’ve got a high fever. Just lie still, we’re almost at the hospital.” That was Ethan. He stayed with me at the hospital for two days and nights until I recovered. He never asked why I was out there in a storm, or where I came from. Maybe it didn’t matter to him. To him, I was probably just some poor runaway girl he happened to rescue. But to me, Ethan was the first man who had ever been truly kind to me. So, after that, we just… fell together. Naturally. I gave myself to him willingly, tried everything to make him happy, even accepted his flaws and weird little habits. On his birthday, I wore that maid outfit he’d been hinting about forever and gave him… everything. The most precious thing a girl has. It wasn’t until last night that I realized how incredibly stupid I’d been. Today, I didn’t clean. Instead, I went downtown, just to get some air. Besides grocery shopping and running errands, I hardly ever went out. Sitting on a bench, I scrolled through my phone and, almost without thinking, searched for Ethan’s Instagram. He probably figured I wasn’t savvy enough to check, so he hadn’t blocked me or made it private. Mostly work stuff, nothing too out of the ordinary. But then I noticed one account liked almost every single post. I clicked on it. Of course, it was Chloe. And sprinkled through her feed were pictures of her and Ethan, acting like a couple. In the park, on the subway, at the movies… even at a motel. The one that hit hardest was taken in what looked like a cheap motel room, on one of those heart-shaped beds. Chloe had her head buried in Ethan’s broad shoulder, and he was playing with strands of her hair. The caption read: Ugh, stylist went rogue and chopped off way too much hair today! So annoyed! 🙁 Ethan’s comment below: I like it. When your hair grows long enough to touch your waist, will you marry me? Chloe replied with a blushing emoji. Nausea washed over me. How many times had he done that same thing to my hair, whispering sweet nothings in my ear? “I can’t wait to see you in a white wedding dress, your hair blowing in the wind in our photos.” “Maya, you’re my angel. Just wait a little longer. As soon as I save up enough money, we’ll get married.” I walked into a hair salon. A stylist, Tony, immediately started trying to sell me hair products. “Hey there! Looking for color? Treatment?” I didn’t answer. I just sat in the chair, staring at my own reflection – lost, broken. Then I spoke, my voice cold. “Cut it short.” I knew it now. The woman he pictured in that wedding dress definitely wasn’t me. 3 It was after nine when Ethan finally decided to come home. I didn’t bother asking where he’d been. The answer was always the same: working late or a client dinner. When he saw my hair, barely reaching my chin, he looked surprised. “Whoa, what happened here? My little homemaker decided on a new look?” I ignored him, focusing on hanging the freshly washed clothes on the balcony rack. He probably thought I was busy and didn’t hear him, not noticing the shift in my attitude. He walked over, glanced at the clothes, and said, half-joking, “Seriously? What kind of style is that? So plain.” Then he went into the bedroom. Soon, I heard the tap-tap-tap of his phone keys, punctuated by muffled laughter. I knew it. I couldn’t even spark a flicker of interest in him anymore. It was time to leave. Better to die alone than keep getting hurt like this. I finished hanging the clothes, washed the dishes piled in the sink, and dragged my exhausted body toward the bedroom. As soon as I walked in, Ethan looked up, a sly grin on his face. “Hey, come here. Let’s try this tonight.” He eagerly held up a box. New lingerie, probably from one of those trashy shops. I gave it a cold glance and shook my head. “I’m too tired today. And besides… I don’t really like it.” He’d asked me to wear embarrassing things before. At first, I’d refused. Then he’d throw a tantrum, call me ungrateful. How he’d stayed up for two days taking care of me when I was sick, and now I couldn’t even do this one little thing for him. Then came the silent treatment. Remembering how he’d helped me, I’d always cave first. I’d force myself into those skimpy outfits, trying to please him, satisfy him. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Back then, Ethan was everything to me. I could overlook his weird kinks. But now that I knew what I really was in his eyes, I wasn’t going to humiliate myself anymore. My refusal this time didn’t deter him. He shoved his phone in my face. It was a private photo of Chloe, wearing sexy lingerie – the exact same style he’d just shown me. A disgusting thought crossed my mind: maybe the one he handed me was hers, already worn. “Look how cool my colleague Chloe is! She wore it, even sent me pics, no big deal. See how open-minded she is?” “You’re my woman! You need to have some awareness!” When I still didn’t respond, just climbed into bed and turned my back, Ethan sighed dramatically. “Ugh, girls from the sticks just don’t get it. No class.” Seeing that pleading and bullying weren’t working this time, Ethan switched tactics. Reverse psychology. He started praising Chloe right in front of me – how amazing she was, how understanding. He was so bold now because he was convinced he had me completely under his thumb. That my old self would never, ever leave him. But even after all his prodding, I didn’t give in. He didn’t seem too angry, just went back to texting Chloe. After a minute, he nudged me with his foot. “Hey, Maya. What’s your hometown like? Scenery-wise?” “Holiday’s coming up. Chloe mentioned wanting to get out of the city, see some mountains and rivers, but doesn’t know where to go.” Hearing the words “hometown” sent a chill down my spine, making the hairs on my arms stand up. It wasn’t because he was so blatantly trying to provoke me. It was the flood of terrifying memories those words unleashed. The villagers’ leering faces. My mother’s wild eyes. A nightmare I could never fully escape. 4 Seeing I still wasn’t talking, Ethan figured I was just sulking again. Based on past experience, he assumed I’d be crying and begging for his forgiveness soon enough. Muttering “What a buzzkill,” he rolled over and went to sleep. The next morning, Ethan left early without even saying goodbye. My heart felt completely frozen. I started packing my things, ready to leave this place, find somewhere no one could ever find me. This time, I was serious. It was really over. I was about to delete our photos from his laptop when I noticed his Discord was still logged in. A group chat named “The Wolf Pack” was flashing insistently. Someone had uploaded a bunch of files. I clicked one at random. It was a video of me, wearing that revealing lingerie, trying to appease Ethan, just like he’d demanded. “Damn, Ethan! Even got innocent little Maya wrapped around your finger.” “Whoa! Didn’t know you had it in you, man. Such a player. How’d you PUA her? Share your secrets!” As the group members started commenting on me, objectifying me, Ethan posted a smug emoji, then typed: “That’s nothing. Maya and I had a good foundation. She was crazy in love with me, would do anything I wanted.” Everyone in the chat was envious. Then someone typed: “Maya’s got the body and face, sure, but still not quite on Chloe’s level.” Others chimed in: “Yeah, Ethan, when are you gonna share some real action with Chloe for the bros?” But when faced with this request about Chloe, Ethan instantly became protective, like a dog guarding its food. “Dream on. Chloe’s my goddess. Her divine beauty isn’t for peasants like you to even gaze upon.” The ‘wolf pack’ responded with eye-roll emojis, calling him selfish. Someone immediately challenged him: “But Maya’s your actual girlfriend, right? How come you can just share her private videos with us?” Ethan replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world: “Maya? Girlfriend? LMAO, she’s just a toy. Don’t compare her to my pure goddess, Chloe.” “To me, she’s just a maid who cleans and cooks during the day, and a doll that moves and makes noise at night.” “If any of you guys are interested, maybe one day I’ll slip her something extra, and then you can… hehehe…” The rest of the chat was too disgusting to read. Ethan clearly reveled in being the center of their sleazy attention. I closed the laptop, my whole body shaking violently. Tears streamed down my face, splashing onto the floor like raindrops. I buried my head between my knees, replaying everything that had happened since Chloe appeared. My initial disappointment and heartache had curdled into pure disgust and fury. So, all my love and devotion had been wasted on a scumbag. My gratitude, my tolerance – he’d twisted them into excuses to trample all over my dignity. In his mind, Chloe was the angel, and I was the witch. Completely incomparable. I might have come from a dark place, but I never wanted to hurt anyone. I was even willing to give up my own life to hold onto that last shred of decency. Thinking this, I finally dialed the number I hadn’t called in years. The call connected. A familiar voice answered. “Yeah? Who is it?” “Mom,” I said, my voice flat, devoid of any emotion. “I’m coming home.” “Hmph. Finally snapped out of it? Or are you just scared now that you know you only have a year left?” “That doesn’t matter,” I cut her off. “This time, I’m bringing a man back with me.” A chilling laugh echoed from the other end of the line. My own eyes turned cold as ice.

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The night we got married, I passed out drunk, and my husband snuck off to spend the night in his childhood friend’s room. When I found out the next day, he brushed it off. “She just wanted to feel what it’s like to be a bride for a night, it’s not a big deal!” We had a massive fight about it. He stormed out, slamming the door. The next time I saw him, he was gently helping his childhood friend—already heavily pregnant—shop for baby supplies at the hospital gift shop. I confronted him, furious and loud. He shot back, completely self-righteous, “She just wants a child with me to keep her company in her lonely years! It doesn’t threaten your position as Mrs. Cole. What’s the problem!” Hearing that, I demanded a divorce right then and there. He looked completely unfazed. “Fine. Just don’t come crawling back!” 1 When Ethan Cole returned three months later, I handed him the divorce papers I’d already printed out. “Sign them.” Ethan took them, flipped through a few pages casually, and snorted. “Claire, are you serious?” “Jessica and I grew up together. She lost her family young, she’s had it rough.” “She asked me to give her a child, something to keep her company through the lonely years ahead. What’s so wrong with that?” “Claire, seriously, don’t be so petty!” I remained expressionless. “On this, I can’t compromise my principles.” “You should find a wife who’s okay with her husband having a baby with another woman.” I grabbed my single suitcase, packed with my few personal belongings, ready to leave. Ethan stepped quickly in front of me. “Claire, stop making a scene, okay?” “Even if Jessica has the baby, it won’t affect your standing as Mrs. Cole.” “If it bothers you that much, once the baby’s born, I can bring him here for you to raise. Problem solved.” His tone was insistent, his face etched with irritation as he tried to force this ‘solution’ on me. The old me would have seen that look and immediately agreed to anything, just to keep him happy. But not anymore. Forcing myself to ignore how I really felt was torture. My voice was cold. “Sorry, if I want a child, I’ll have my own.” Seeing I wouldn’t budge, Ethan kicked over a display stand nearby. The crystal rose sculpture sitting on it shattered instantly as it hit the floor. I stared at the scattered fragments, feeling suffocated. That crystal rose… Ethan had specially commissioned it from an artisan overseas to celebrate our fifth anniversary. Now, it was just broken pieces. Like us. Irreparable. When exactly did the man who swore he loved only me turn into someone who would father a child with another woman? Were all those promises of spending a lifetime together just empty words, forgotten so quickly? Ethan froze for a second, looking at the crystal petal near his foot. He pressed his lips together, seemingly forcing himself to calm down. “Claire, we’ve been together for so many years. Are you really going to throw it all away this easily?” “I know Jessica’s always had feelings for me, but she never meant to upset you.” “Even wanting to be my bride… she just begged me to let her experience it for one night, our wedding night.” Hearing him say that, so matter-of-factly, I almost laughed out loud from sheer bitterness. What bride on earth would be okay with her husband spending their wedding night with someone else? It was the ultimate humiliation, like being trampled on! I regretted so badly not slapping that bitch that day. My voice dripped with sarcasm. “Oh, right, right. Poor little Jessica, the most pitiful girl in the world!” “After we divorce, you can just bring her right here to take care of her. Wouldn’t want the baby born without a dad, making poor Jessica’s tragic life even worse.” “You can show off your boundless compassion then.” Hearing my words, Ethan’s face darkened instantly. “Claire, don’t push it!” “You need to understand something. If you divorce me, you lose all of this – the money, the status, everything!” “Even if you get on your knees and beg me to take you back, I won’t.” “Besides, who would want to marry a divorced woman with a back full of scars!” 2 Those few simple words from Ethan felt like a knife twisting in my heart. It’s true. The people closest to you always know exactly where to strike to cause the most pain. Ethan was right. Most men wouldn’t want a wife whose back was covered in scars. But Ethan Cole was the last person on earth who had the right to say that. In high school, some criminals targeted the Cole family’s immense wealth. They ambushed Ethan after school, trying to bundle him into an unmarked car as he walked home alone. I saw him struggling. I grabbed his arm, trying desperately to pull him out of the sedan. Instead, they dragged me in too, taking us both to an abandoned warehouse. Even after they got the ransom money, they didn’t let us go. They set the warehouse on fire and fled. Ethan was unconscious. While trying to drag him out, a burning beam fell, hitting me squarely on the back. That incident sparked something different between Ethan and me. Even though it was just me and my grandma, barely scraping by, I refused the Cole family’s help after getting into college. I worked my ass off to pay my own tuition. I wanted to marry him without anyone whispering that I was just after his money. But now I realized Ethan wasn’t worth my effort. Not one bit. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably as I dragged my suitcase out of the Cole mansion. It was strange. I’d already decided I didn’t love him anymore. So why did it still hurt so damn much? I took my few belongings and went back to the old house in the small town where I grew up. The town isn’t big, not many people live here. But every single one of them watched me grow up. When Grandma saw me, she instinctively looked behind me. I knew she was looking for Ethan. My lips trembled. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her I was getting divorced right after getting married. But Grandma saw something was wrong anyway. Her eyes reddened as she took my hand. “It’s okay, child. It’s okay. You’re home now.” That night, lying on the creaky old wooden bed, I picked up my phone and saw a notification from Jessica. It was four wedding photos of her and Ethan. Then, within three minutes, she unsent them. Followed by a text: “Oops, sorry Claire! Meant to send these wedding pics with Ethan to him, accidentally sent them to you.” “You’re not mad, are you? 😉” The fake sweetness, the ‘oopsie’ vibe… it made me sick to my stomach. Lying there, a thought clicked in my mind. So, after Ethan stormed out from our fight, he and Jessica clearly did everything they shouldn’t have. Less than a minute later. Jessica posted those same photos to her social media feed. The main picture showed Ethan, smiling down tenderly, holding a heavily pregnant Jessica in his arms. Her caption read: 【Thank you, Ethan, for making my dream of a happy family come true! 】 I let out a cold laugh, immediately liked the post, and commented: 【Congrats on your happy family reunion! 】 Just as I was about to turn off my phone, it rang. Ethan. “Claire, what the hell was that comment on Jessica’s post?” “We just took a few pictures, that’s all! Did you have to leave such a nasty comment?” “Jessica saw it and got totally hysterical, now her stomach hurts!” “She’s right here next to me. You need to apologize to her, right now! If something happens to the baby because of this, you can’t afford to take responsibility!” My voice was sharp. “Who the hell does she think she is? Why should I apologize to her?” “The second I left, she threw herself at you, sleeping with a man who isn’t even divorced yet.” “Ethan, my advice? Finalize this divorce ASAP. That way, when people see you together, you can flaunt your love openly.” “It’ll be much better for the precious Cole Industries reputation too.” Ethan laughed coldly. “Claire, I already ripped up those divorce papers. I’m giving you one last chance to come back to me.” “Wait until I really don’t want you anymore. Then it’ll be too late for regrets!” I replied calmly, “Wow, thanks so much for the chance. Too bad I’m the one who doesn’t want you anymore!” “Right now, all I want is to get this divorce over with!” With that, I hung up. Ethan, Ethan, Ethan. How can you be so damn confident I’d actually want you back after you cheated? 3 Unfortunately, Ethan seemed completely incapable of understanding reality. First thing in the morning, I was jolted awake by my phone ringing. His name flashed on the screen. I immediately hit decline. But then he called the old landline in the house. Grandma, already up, reached for the phone, but I snatched the receiver faster. “Grandma, I’m hungry. Could you make me something to eat?” “When I was away, I missed your cooking every single day!” Once Grandma was safely dispatched to the kitchen, I hissed into the phone, “Ethan, will you just give it a rest!” “Can you please stop bothering my grandmother!” “Well, if you hadn’t hung up on my cell, I wouldn’t have had to call here,” Ethan shot back. “Where’s my breakfast? My stomach hurts, I’m starving.” Hearing him harassing me over breakfast, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. When I didn’t respond, Ethan’s voice grew agitated. “Get back here right now and make me breakfast! Do you want me to get an ulcer or something?” “Whether your stomach hurts or not has absolutely nothing to do with me!” “Isn’t Jessica there at the house? Let her make you something.” Ethan exploded. “Jessica is pregnant! How could I possibly let her cook!” Those words, coming through the phone line, felt like another stab to the heart. He couldn’t bear to let her cook, but I was supposed to be at his beck and call? I’ll never forget the year I was drowning in my thesis work. He called, saying he craved my homemade chili. So, I rode my bike through a torrential downpour to deliver it to his office. When I arrived, soaked to the bone, his colleagues stared at me with pity and curiosity. I knocked on his CEO office door, and who opened it? Jessica, wearing a slinky little dress. She took the insulated container from me, her voice dripping with faux surprise. “Oh, Claire, you really shouldn’t have! Coming all this way in this storm with chili!” “I told Ethan not to bother you, but he was just so worried about me, he insisted on calling you to make it for me!” Jessica’s words hit me like a bucket of ice water, freezing me from head to toe. I just stood there, motionless. It wasn’t until Ethan came out from inside that I finally found my voice. “Were you planning to give the food I made… to her?” Ethan looked completely nonchalant. “It’s just food, Claire. No big deal.” “You haven’t found a job yet anyway, making Jessica some food isn’t exactly hard work.” “Besides, I’ve always seen her as a little sister. Once we’re married, she’ll basically be your sister-in-law. Think of it as getting to know each other early.” Back then, naive and trusting, I completely bought his explanation. There was even a period when I genuinely tried to bond with Jessica. Thinking back now, I want to shake my past self awake. Claire, how could you have been so easily fooled! I gripped the phone tighter, my voice cold. “Ethan, we are getting divorced.” “If you want food, figure it out yourself. Stop harassing me with this nonsense!” “You have more than enough money, hire someone! Anyone would be willing to cook for you!” “And I assume you don’t want the scandal of your affair with Jessica splashed all over the gossip sites, right?” Before he could start yelling, I slammed the phone down. Strange. I clearly won that exchange, yet my heart still ached with a dull throb. I rubbed my tired eyes and saw Grandma standing in the doorway, holding a bowl of hot oatmeal. “Was that your husband on the phone, dear?” I managed a weak smile. “Grandma, he won’t be your grandson-in-law anymore. We’re getting divorced.” 4 After finishing the oatmeal, I rode my bike into town and printed out another copy of the divorce agreement. Just as I handed the new envelope to the courier, my phone rang again. Ethan. The frequency of his calls made me momentarily think he’d somehow already received the papers I just sent. I snapped into the phone, “We are about to be divorced! Please stop calling me!” There was a pause on the other end, then a sickly sweet voice purred, “Claire, honey, it’s me, Jessica.” “Tomorrow, Ethan and I are having our gender reveal party! You have to come, okay?” The triumph in her voice was unmistakable, even over the phone. “Jessica, you’re the mistress, the secret on the side. Who gave you the audacity to provoke the actual wife?” Jessica’s sugary-sweet voice came back, laced with venom. “Oh, Claire. The one who isn’t loved is the real third wheel.” “In Ethan’s heart, I’m the one who matters most.” “From now on, his heart only has room for me and our baby!” “Hope you can make it tomorrow. Be there!” After hanging up, a decision formed in my mind. Not only would I attend tomorrow’s party, but I’d also bring a little surprise for her and Ethan. Something truly unforgettable. The next day, when I arrived at the party venue, it was already filled with familiar faces. There were Cole family relatives, along with business partners who worked with Cole Industries. I recognized most of them from my time dating Ethan. Seeing me arrive, several people approached immediately, offering congratulations. “Congratulations, Mrs. Cole, to you and Mr. Cole on the wonderful news!” A few businesswomen chimed in with compliments, “Mrs. Cole, you’re several months along and barely showing! What’s your secret to staying so slim?” I smiled serenely. “That’s because the one who’s pregnant isn’t me.” I honestly couldn’t understand how Ethan could allow his mistress to be presented so formally in front of all these people. Wasn’t he afraid of becoming the laughingstock of their entire social circle? He must have been completely blinded by Jessica’s manipulation! Just as I finished speaking, music swelled, and Jessica walked out, arm-in-arm with Ethan. Seeing her obviously pregnant belly, everyone in the room instantly understood what I meant. The looks on the faces of all the women present shifted dramatically as they stared at the couple on the small stage. Jessica, seemingly oblivious to the sudden change in atmosphere, shot me a defiant look. Putting on a frail, delicate act, she stepped forward and took the microphone. “I have to thank Claire for me being pregnant with Ethan’s baby.” “If she hadn’t fought with Ethan, I never would have had the chance to go away with him on that three-month trip!” “That’s when our baby was conceived.” This blatant airing of their dirty laundry actually made me see her in a new, albeit disgusting, light. Now I finally understood why she insisted I had to be here. She wanted to force my hand, pressure me into a quick divorce so she could marry Ethan, using the baby as leverage. And Ethan? He didn’t seem worried at all about becoming gossip fodder. So much for Ethan’s “innocent little sister.” What a calculating bitch! Jessica then picked up a champagne flute and walked towards me, smiling. “Claire, I really, truly have you to thank!” I returned her smile, unfazed. “Since you’re so grateful, let me give you a big gift in return.” I snatched the microphone from her hand. “Excuse me, servers? Could you please open the doors? Let’s welcome the baby’s biological father, Mr. Rick Johnson!” Under the confused stares of the crowd, a rough-looking man dressed in cheap clothes stormed in, fury radiating off him. He looked like a gorilla, built and angry. He saw Jessica, standing there pregnant and glammed up, and slapped her hard across the face. The force of the blow sent Jessica sprawling to the ground. He grabbed her by the hair, yelling, “You rotten bitch! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” “Took me long enough, but I finally found you!” Jessica scrambled, panicked. “No, no, no! You’ve got the wrong person!” The man sneered. “Even if you were ashes, I’d still recognize you!”

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Brenda was a single mother. She worked diligently for my family for 20 years. Before the holidays, she had an appendectomy and had no one to care for her at home. So, I let her bring her daughter over to stay with us through New Year’s. On New Year’s Eve, I gave Crystal a cash gift in an envelope. She pulled it out and counted it right in front of me. “Tsk, only $2000? That wouldn’t even cover one of your handbags.” A few days later. I noticed that one of my classic monogrammed LV bags in the closet looked… faded. 1 I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. Not until I managed to completely rub off one of the ‘L’s on the bag’s surface. Only then was I certain. This bag wasn’t mine. I immediately called Brenda. Half a month earlier, I had gone out of town on business and asked Brenda to take several of my regularly used bags from my closet to be professionally cleaned and conditioned. They were just returned the day before yesterday. “Oh my, what… what happened here?” Having been around me for so long, Brenda knew instantly this bag was a fake. I asked Brenda where the bags were sent for maintenance. “The same place you always go to!” That shop is owned by my best friend Chloe’s family. Never mind that she’d have no reason to swap my bag. Even if she did, she wouldn’t use such a crudely made fake! “Did you pick up the bags? Did anyone touch them after they were brought back?” “Actually, I didn’t pick them up. That day, I mentioned I needed to get the bags, and my daughter said she happened to be going shopping near there anyway. So she brought them back.” After Brenda finished speaking, I was silent for a long moment. I still remembered Crystal’s first day here. I had worked late and came home to find her upstairs in my room. Staring obsessively at my closet full of designer bags. Brenda seemed to realize something and quickly tried to clear her daughter’s name: “It couldn’t be Crystal. Sophia, Crystal wouldn’t do something like this! There must be some misunderstanding…” “Alright, Brenda, I didn’t say Crystal did it. I’m hungry. Can you make me a bowl of simple pasta?” Brenda let out a sigh of relief, agreed readily, and hurried to the kitchen to cook. I checked the recently installed security camera footage. It confirmed that the bag brought back wasn’t my original one. Meaning, it had been swapped somewhere along the way. While I was eating, Crystal returned. She acted as if she didn’t see me, glanced past without a greeting, and sashayed upstairs. “Crystal.” I wiped my mouth and stopped her. “I heard you helped pick up my bags the other day?” Crystal paused, a flicker of panic crossing her face. But a second later, she smoothed her hair, looking nonchalant. “Yeah, what’s up? Is there a problem?” I walked up to her, looked her straight in the eye, and said word by word: “One of the bags was swapped for a fake.” Crystal instantly flew into a rage. “What are you trying to say?” “Are you saying I swapped your bag?!” 2 Before I could respond, Crystal burst into loud sobs. Wailing that I looked down on her, accusing her without any proof. Brenda quickly arrived, drawn by the commotion. She protectively pulled Crystal into her arms. “Oh honey, what’s wrong? Why are you crying so hard?” “You just had surgery, you can’t cry like this. Tell Mommy what happened.” Crystal sobbed out her version of the story. Brenda shot up, confronting me loudly: “Sophia, didn’t you say you didn’t suspect Crystal?” “Crystal is my daughter, I know her character best! She would never do something like this!” “You can treat me however you want, but you can’t disrespect Crystal like this!” Brenda vented her anger. Afterward, she took a deep breath, stood up, and stared at me coldly. “Even though Crystal didn’t take your bag. I won’t let anyone look down on my daughter.” “I don’t want this month’s salary. Consider it compensation for your bag.” Brenda had worked for my family for 20 years. You could say she watched me grow up. My mother passed away from illness when I was very young. My father remarried quickly. They say when you get a stepmother, you get a stepfather too. When my stepmother mistreated me, and my father turned a blind eye, It was Brenda who stepped up, secretly looking out for me. After all these years, even though she’s older and slower, I kept her around, paying her several times more than others. Because in my heart, I considered her family. I thought she felt the same way. But I never expected… Seeing the hostility in Brenda’s eyes, a sudden tightness gripped my chest. I did suspect Crystal swapped my bag. Because after she arrived at my house, Two of my necklaces had already gone missing. And now a bag had been swapped. Besides Brenda and me, there was no one else in the house. Suspecting her was logical, wasn’t it? “Mom, I didn’t take the bag! Why should you give up your salary?” “Didn’t you say she’s loaded? A whole room of luxury goods, and she makes such a fuss over one missing bag!” “Are all rich people this stingy?” I almost laughed out of sheer anger. Did she have any idea that I had sponsored her college tuition? Stone-faced, I dragged all her luggage outside. “Get out. You’re not welcome here.” Crystal cried, pleading with Brenda for help. Brenda’s heart ached, tears streaming down her face, but she didn’t dare step out of the house. Because she could see I was genuinely furious. And besides Crystal, she still had a useless son to support. She couldn’t afford to lose this job. 3 After Crystal left, Brenda quickly apologized to me. Saying she spoke foolishly in the heat of the moment and hoped I wouldn’t hold it against her. Looking at her increasingly wrinkled face and frail body, My heart softened for a moment. I waved my hand dismissively and sent her away. I thought that with Crystal gone, life would return to its quiet, stable, uneventful routine. But I never expected that after returning from another business trip, Two more bags were missing from my house. My first instinct was to check the security footage, only to find it was blank for the days I was away. I found the camera – the plug had been pulled out. Suppressing my anger, I found Brenda busy in the kitchen. “The chicken soup is almost ready, Sophia. Have some water and rest for a bit.” I stared at Brenda’s busy figure and spoke calmly: “Brenda, have we had any guests recently?” Brenda’s hand paused. “N-no.” “Then how did two bags disappear from my closet?” “What? N-no way. There are so many bags in the closet, m-maybe you miscounted?” I walked over and turned off the stove. Brenda froze on the spot. She hesitated, turned, glanced at me, then quickly looked down. “Brenda, things are disappearing from the house for no reason. You need to give me an explanation.” “Well, I really don’t know…” “Then I’ll have to call the police.” Brenda immediately grabbed my arm. “Don’t! Don’t call the police!” “Look, Crystal said she needed to start her internship, entering the workforce, and she was afraid people would look down on her.” “So she came over, wanting to borrow a couple of bags from you.” “You happened to be out of town, so I made the decision myself and let her take two you don’t use often.” “But don’t worry, Sophia, Crystal said she just needed them for interviews.” “She’ll return them as soon as she gets a job.” I opened my mouth, but before I could speak, Brenda’s phone rang. She answered immediately. A minute later, Brenda hung up, her face beaming with excitement. “Sophia, Crystal said she found a job!” “She said she’s coming over for dinner tonight, asked me to make a few extra dishes to celebrate!” “Oh, right, she knows you’re back. She said she’ll bring your bags back then too.” Brenda turned the stove back on and got busy cooking again. She muttered to herself, a hint of disdain in her voice. “See? Told you not to worry. Crystal said she’d return the bags once she got a job! She doesn’t lie.” I stood there, watching Brenda’s bustling back. She was even humming happily. I finally believed that sometimes, you get so speechless you actually laugh. Fine. Let’s wait for Crystal to arrive. I really wanted to hear what she had to say. 4 At seven in the evening, Crystal arrived fashionably late. She carried a large shopping bag in her left hand and a bottle of red wine in her right. Her expression was incredibly arrogant. As soon as she arrived, she sat down at the dining table. “Oh my god, I’m starving. Mom, when you look for your next job, can you find someone who doesn’t live in the middle of nowhere?” “The driver didn’t even know the way, it was pitch black the whole drive. What kind of rich person lives in a dump like this?” Brenda immediately ran out upon hearing her voice. She glanced nervously at me, then quickly told Crystal to watch her mouth. “What did I say wrong? Didn’t you tell me she’s broke now, that she’s selling this house to pay off debts?” “Anyway, you won’t be working here much longer, what’s there to be afraid of!” It dawned on me. No wonder Brenda’s attitude had changed so drastically recently. Turns out she overheard me calling a real estate agent about selling the house. Yes, that’s right. I was planning to sell this house. Because it held painful childhood memories – My mother’s death, the abuse I suffered, and later, the birth of my father and stepmother’s son… My life became even harder then. Soon after, my father took his new wife and son abroad to pursue opportunities, transferring the deed of this house to me. And now, I had already bought a penthouse in the city’s most exclusive new high-rise. I was just waiting to finalize things here and move. But I had been too busy with work recently and hadn’t had a chance to tell Brenda. I never imagined she’d misunderstand and think I was broke, needing to sell the house to cover debts… “Sophia, since Crystal already mentioned it, I won’t hide it from you either.” “Someone has already helped me find a new family. I’ll be starting there at the beginning of next month.” “Look at you, already having to sell your house. You won’t have money to pay my salary soon anyway.” “Let’s just part ways amicably.” I looked at the mother-daughter duo before me. After a long moment, I chuckled softly. “Alright, no problem.” “But Crystal, you took my things. Shouldn’t you return them first?” Crystal sneered, then tossed two bags out from her large shopping bag. “Aren’t they just a couple of worthless bags? Here, take them back!” Worthless bags? I almost burst out laughing. Brenda had indeed been considerate. She knew to give her daughter two bags I didn’t use often. Except these two “infrequently used” bags were ones I had spent a fortune and jumped through hoops to acquire. And now Crystal was calling them worthless bags. I carefully inspected the bags. The light wasn’t bright enough, so I went and turned on every light in the room. Crystal became even more dismissive, eyeing me scornfully. “Is all this necessary?” “You used to have money, after all. It’s just a bag. Anyone who didn’t know better would think this bag is worth millions!” “It doesn’t even have a logo! I was too embarrassed to even take it out for my interview today!” Seeing the obvious scratches on the hardware and the greasy stains inside, my heart ached. I looked up, staring coldly at Crystal. “You’re right, this bag isn’t worth millions. Just eighty to ninety thousand dollars.” “And now you’ve ruined it.” “Tell me, how are you going to pay for it?”

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While I was fighting over discount groceries at the supermarket, Mark was dropping a fortune on jewelry for his secretary. He gave me the freebie that came with it as an anniversary gift. I looked at the pile of discounted groceries on the table and the necklace marked ‘promotional item.’ While I was nearly dying from an allergic reaction, Mark was fussing over his secretary’s paper cut. Later, I wore a wedding dress and married my childhood friend. Mark, however, choked back tears and asked, “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t marry anyone but me?” 1 The night Mark didn’t come home again, I finally didn’t call him. Usually, I’d complain and then call him again and again, urging him to come back. At first, Mark would just say, “Be right there.” Later, he got annoyed when I asked too much. “I just don’t want to come back. Seeing you looking like such a mess ruins my appetite.” I started spiraling, buying tons of makeup to hide how tired I looked. Instead, my face broke out like crazy. When Mark saw it, his expression was pure mockery. “Ugh, Sarah, you look awful. Trying too hard just makes it worse.” I unpinned his chat from the top of my contacts list. Mark came home. He reeked of alcohol, and underneath it, the unmistakable smell of someone else’s cheap perfume. “Sarah, you’re getting lazier. You didn’t even make dinner.” I looked at Mark, exhausted. “Have you even looked at the time?” The clock on the wall showed midnight. Mark was momentarily speechless, maybe feeling a flicker of guilt. “It was Megan’s birthday today, so things ran a little late.” Megan was the new secretary, the darling of their department, spoiled since she was a kid. She and Mark were inseparable. They’d often share food off the same plate, sip from the same drink. They’d even crashed on the same couch sometimes. I often asked them to keep their distance, reminding them we were engaged. At first, Mark listened and kept some distance, but eventually, he just stopped caring. “If Megan hadn’t gone abroad back then, do you think you’d even have a chance with me?” And somehow, Megan found out about this. At parties, Megan would sometimes bring the conversation around to me. “Sarah, see? I’m not getting too close to Mark.” “Mark, you shouldn’t come to karaoke with us. Sarah will just accuse me of flirting with you again.” Megan’s words always made Mark’s face darken instantly. He increasingly felt like I was tearing him and his “best buddy” apart. Soon, rumors spread through our circle: Mark’s girlfriend was a control freak, a total psycho. Mark never defended me, not once. It was as if that’s just who I was. Seeing my indifferent expression now, that tiny bit of guilt in Mark vanished instantly. He slammed his mug down on the table, shattering it on the floor. “Who do you think you’re giving that attitude to, Sarah?” The ceramic exploded near my feet, fragments flying up and hitting my face. Stinging cuts appeared. That mug was a gift from Mark when we first moved in together. Back then, his company hadn’t taken off yet. He wasn’t Mr. Thompson, the boss. He was just Mark. His voice choked with emotion, he had said, “I will never let you down.” Later, he could afford endless mugs, but he was also short on genuine feelings. Seeing the blood on my face, Mark sobered up instantly. Guilt over coming home late and cheating finally surfaced. “Sarah, are you okay? I just got a little worked up.” I didn’t say anything, just wiped the blood from my face with my hand. Mark, uncharacteristically, fumbled for a Band-Aid. My heart warmed for a second, only to plummet the next. 2 “This is Megan’s Band-Aid. You’re always picking on her, but see how nice she still is to you?” “Can’t you learn from her? Stop being so petty.” So, all along, he thought I was petty, jealous of his little girl crush. I felt the cuts sting, and red patches started appearing all over my face. “What’s in the Band-Aid?” Mark wasn’t used to my sharp tone and faltered slightly. “Uh, I think it’s peach scented.” “Megan knows I’m allergic to peaches.” How could she not know? Once, Megan deliberately gave me a dress for a party. She’d secretly rubbed peach fuzz inside it. I didn’t notice anything until the party started. My whole body turned red, my face swelled up like a balloon. Mark thought I did it on purpose just to embarrass him. He looked at me, writhing in allergic agony, with nothing but contempt. “Figures. Straight out of the sticks. Can’t even handle a simple party.” “She’s really punching way above her weight being with me.” Megan, meanwhile, put on her best pitiful act. “Mark, maybe Sarah didn’t like the dress I gave her? She looks really unwell.” Of course, Mark wouldn’t let Megan feel the slightest bit wronged. “Uncultured thing. You’re just embarrassing me.” My throat was swelling shut. I wanted to say something, but couldn’t get a word out. I knew Mark wouldn’t believe me anyway. Finally, I was taken to the hospital. As I was being helped out, Megan whispered in my ear. “I know you’re allergic to peach fuzz. I did it on purpose.” “That’s what you get for stealing Mark. It’s karma.” Someone who hates you will stoop to anything to hurt you, while the person who supposedly loves you doesn’t even know your allergies. Eventually, a shred of guilt must have pricked Mark, because he drove me to the hospital. The car was full of traces of another woman. A pink Hello Kitty keychain, the scent of gardenia perfume, even a half-eaten bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos on the floor. Mark was a notorious neat freak. Once, I ate a Snickers bar in his car because my blood sugar was low. He kicked me out immediately. “You got crumbs all over the car! Are you disgusting?” It was below freezing, maybe 20 degrees Fahrenheit. I walked for almost an hour in a thin sweater before I could get a cab. I went home with a raging fever. And Mark just said: “So I made you walk a couple of miles? Do you have to be so dramatic?” Mark noticed me looking at the car’s interior and seemed a bit sheepish. “Megan’s always forgetting things. I’ll give them back to her later.” My head was pounding from the allergic reaction, and I didn’t have the energy to listen to his excuses. Suddenly, Mark’s phone buzzed. He snatched it up immediately. His face lit up with undisguised joy. “Megan? How are you?” “Okay, okay, I’m coming right over. Stay right there, don’t move.” He hung up. The car speeded up abruptly, the inertia making me feel even sicker. “Megan cut her hand. I need to go check on her.” Mark didn’t drive to the hospital. He parked downstairs from Megan’s apartment. I watched him go upstairs, feeling my breathing get heavier and heavier. I stared at the lights in Megan’s apartment until they went out. He never came back down. In that instant, despair washed over me completely. The Mark who promised to always protect me died that night. With my last ounce of strength, I dialed a number I hadn’t called in far too long. “Help me.” 3 When Liam got me to the hospital, I was covered in hives from the allergic reaction, nearly dead from anaphylactic shock. I was unconscious for a long time before slowly waking up. “Liam.” The boyishness was gone from the man before me, replaced by maturity. Seeing me awake, he looked relieved, but his words were laced with sarcasm. “You really love making things hard for yourself, don’t you? Why did you have to stick by that guy while he was building his empire from scratch?” “Isn’t everyone in our family loaded? Was there any need to suffer like that?” I had been rebellious, refusing to let my parents arrange my life, so I ran off with Mark. I supported him as he started with nothing, only to end up like this. Just as I was about to thank him, Mark called. “Sarah, where the hell are you? Didn’t make breakfast? Didn’t iron my shirt?” “When did you get so lazy?” Liam, beside me, frowned deeply. He seemed shocked that the person Sarah ran away for was this guy. “I’m in the hospital. Hire a housekeeper.” Mark on the other end seemed to remember abandoning me, allergic and alone, in the car the other night. His voice turned hesitant. “Okay, uh, I’ll have Sam bring you some soup. I’ll pick you up this afternoon?” I could hear Megan in the background. “It’s all my fault. I’m the reason Sarah’s in the hospital.” Megan’s cloying voice completely erased any guilt or concern Mark might have felt for me. “She’s just being dramatic. It’s just an allergic reaction. What’s the big deal?” Yeah, just an allergic reaction. But if Liam had been just a little later, I could have died from shock. “This is the guy you chose? Total idiot.” He was still as blunt as ever, but I didn’t have the strength to argue. Everything he said was true. At noon, Sam brought me some snacks and drinks. Mark checked my social media all afternoon and saw nothing. He called again. “Did you get the stuff I sent? Why didn’t you post about it?” After all, I used to post pictures of everything he gave me, showing the world how happy I was. Until the day I overheard Mark saying dismissively: “Sarah’s such a hick. Gets excited over such small things she has to post them.” “Women with no class are so easy to please.” So that’s what he really thought of me. I replied flatly. “Saw it. Didn’t feel the need.” I hung up. Surprisingly, Mark actually showed up on time that afternoon to pick me up. With Megan. He was never on time before, usually making me wait an hour or two, then fobbing me off with “work was busy.” Megan sat in the front passenger seat, looking smug. “Sarah, Mark and I just ran into each other. You don’t mind me sitting up front, right?” The old me would have definitely thrown a fit, demanding why Megan was in the passenger seat. I couldn’t be bothered arguing. I just got in the back. Mark sensed my low mood and, for once, actually offered an explanation. “Ran into her after work. Just giving her a lift.” Just as Mark was about to start the car, a pair of long legs slid into the back seat next to me. Liam leaned close. “Hey sis, don’t leave me behind.” Then, addressing the front seats: “Hi there. I’m Liam, Sarah’s childhood friend.” 3 Mark’s face turned green. He had no idea I had a childhood friend. After all, I always told people I was an orphan, with no one to rely on. “Since when do you have a childhood friend? How come I never knew?” I didn’t answer directly. “I told you before. You probably forgot.” “You can have your childhood friend, why can’t I have mine?” My counter-question caught Mark off guard. He fell silent. But Megan wouldn’t miss this opportunity. She started chatting with Mark about their childhood memories again. Usually, they’d be deep in conversation in the car, making me feel like an outsider. But now, Mark was still annoyed about what I’d just said, so he completely ignored Megan. Megan looked awkward. Suddenly, she seemed to remember something. “Mark gave me a necklace the other day. Easily worth seven figures.” She glanced pointedly at my neck. “Yours is the freebie that came with it, right, Sarah?” I touched my neck, my heart sinking. That morning, I’d been so pleased I managed to snag those discount groceries, thinking I got a great deal. Turns out, Mark had casually dropped a fortune on Megan. Seven figures. How long would it take me to save that much? Mark spent it without a second thought. I looked at the promotional necklace he gave me for our anniversary. I thought maybe Mark was finally changing his ways, but it turned out to be just as worthless as he thought I was. When we finally got home, Mark immediately started yelling. “How can you be such a slut, always hitting on guys?” “Do you really think I believe your crap? How could he possibly be your childhood friend?” After listening, I didn’t answer his question, just shot back: “You can hang out with your childhood pal to cure your loneliness, but I can’t see mine?” “Why is it okay for you but not for me?” My rapid-fire questions left Mark speechless. He rarely saw me this angry. “Let’s break up.” My next words made Mark even angrier. “Sarah, you’ve got some nerve now, huh? You dare break up with me? For some pretty boy?” “He’s just after your money right now! If you leave me, you’re broke! Who’s gonna want you then?” I laughed bitterly. So that’s how Mark saw me all along. He thought I was only with him for his money. But what about when he had nothing, and I was willing to run away with him? What was that then? My eyes reddened. It felt like I was truly seeing this man for the first time in years. I turned and went back to the bedroom to start packing. In the bedroom trash can, I saw a used condom. And in the closet, some sexy lingerie that definitely wasn’t mine. I hadn’t been home for a few days. It was obvious whose these were. I showed these items to Mark. For once, real panic flickered across his face. “Megan’s just… forgetful sometimes. This…” I cut him off. “You should throw out used condoms. They’re dirty.” I don’t know which word hit Mark the wrong way. He snapped, “None of your damn business,” and stormed out. As I finished packing, I realized I barely owned anything. When we were poor, I didn’t dare buy things. Now that we had money, I couldn’t shake the deep-seated feeling that I didn’t deserve nice things. Liam had been waiting downstairs for a while. He leaned against his Maybach, glancing at the single suitcase beside me. “That’s it? You really went through a lot these past few years, huh?” I gave a weak smile. “Wouldn’t have given up if I hadn’t gone through it, right?” Once, I was full of passion, thinking we could spend our lives together. Later, I realized it was just wishful thinking on my part. We stumbled through poverty together, but when wealth came, I was left behind alone. “Thanks for what you did in the car today.” Liam shrugged it off. “Wanted to do that for a long time.” Mark called again. “Sarah, bring me a box of condoms. Don’t slack off.”

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