Author: Momo Chan

I was born with a mission. My umbilical cord blood was meant to cure my brother’s leukemia. He recovered, but years later, he sent himself to prison for murder. I became my parents’ only child, basking in all their love. Until the year I turned ten, when my parents died in a car crash on their way to pick him up from prison. I hated him. 1 My mother had treasures in her metal tin box. Being a curious kid, I naturally peeked inside when the adults weren’t home. Inside the tin was an old, faded ultrasound report. It read: [Cord Blood Match Successful. Donor: Fetus; Recipient: Caleb (Eldest Son)] Caleb was my brother, fifteen years older than me. Since I was old enough to understand, he had been in prison. My parents never talked about what he did. But every time Mom came back from visiting him, her eyes were swollen. Dad would just smoke silently on the porch all night. Before I turned ten, my entire impression of my brother was: a vague name, a stranger who made my parents cry, and the sole reason for my existence. Yes, I knew. I was never the crystallization of my parents’ love. I was just proof of their love for Caleb. Mom’s health wasn’t good. She risked a high-risk pregnancy at an older age only because Caleb had leukemia and needed a newborn’s cord blood to survive. The day I was born, Caleb’s surgery was a success. And I was just a “useful tool” in this family. But karma works in mysterious ways. Who would have thought the brother wrapped in my parents’ love would commit murder and end up behind bars? That year, I was five. I was too young to remember why Caleb went to jail. And honestly, it didn’t matter. What mattered was that I went from being a “tool” to being my parents’ only child. But the good times didn’t last. The year I turned ten, Caleb finished his sentence. Mom and Dad left early that day, full of hope, ready to give Caleb a fresh start. Then, the bad news came. A truck’s brakes failed, and it smashed into their sedan. Dad died instantly. Mom held on until the hospital, where she said only one sentence to me: “Baby, take care of your brother.” I didn’t understand. Why ask me to take care of him? Wasn’t I the child who needed taking care of? Before I could argue, Mom closed her eyes forever. At the funeral, I stared at my parents’ stiff smiles in their black-and-white photos, then at the stranger kneeling before the coffins—the brother I hadn’t seen in five years. He slammed his forehead against the concrete floor, thud, thud, until blood seeped out and mixed with his tears. Relatives whispered, their gazes pricking my back like needles. “Poor thing, losing her parents so young…” “Stuck with a murderer for a brother. What’s she going to do?” I gripped my sleeves, nails digging into my palms. Then I rushed over and shoved him with all my strength. “It’s all your fault! If you hadn’t gone to jail, Mom and Dad wouldn’t have gone to pick you up! They wouldn’t have died!” Caleb swayed from my push but didn’t look up. He just slammed his head harder. That night, after the funeral, Caleb found me in the dim living room. He wore ill-fitting old clothes, his eyes sunken like a skeleton. “Baby.” His voice was hoarse as he reached out to touch my head. I dodged. “Don’t touch me,” I said. His hand froze in mid-air, then slowly dropped. 2 We lived in a small town where there were no secrets. Gossip traveled faster than the wind. Soon, everyone knew: Caleb was out. He was a murderer. Not only was he morally bankrupt, but he was bad luck—he got his parents killed. And his sister, Chloe, orphaned at a young age, was now stuck living with a killer. When I returned to school, my homeroom teacher looked at me pointedly during roll call. “Chloe, your family situation is special. If you have any difficulties, tell me.” The whole class turned to stare. During recess, boys surrounded my desk, grinning maliciously. “Chloe, did your brother really kill someone?” “How did he do it? Knife or rope?” “Are you going to kill people too?” I buried my head in my arms, pretending not to hear. On the way home, girls from the next class pointed at me. “That’s her. Her brother was in prison.” “Stay away from her. A murderer’s sister can’t be any good either.” I ran home and threw my backpack on the floor. Caleb was in the kitchen boiling noodles, wearing Mom’s old apron, clumsily cracking eggs. “You’re back, Baby?” He turned, forcing a smile. “Almost ready. Egg noodles today.” Looking at his face, which resembled Dad’s, I suddenly exploded. “Why did you come back?! Why didn’t you die in prison?! Do you know everyone is laughing at me! Calling me a murderer’s sister!” The water in the pot boiled, steam blurring his face. He turned off the stove, his back to me, shoulders trembling slightly. After a long time, he said: “…I’m sorry.” That night, I heard him crying in the living room—suppressed whimpers like a wounded animal. But I didn’t go out. I hugged Mom’s pillow and told myself: I hate him. I had no obligation to understand or sympathize with him. If not for him, my parents wouldn’t have been in that car crash. If not for him, I wouldn’t be pointed at every day. He was supposed to be saved by my cord blood, yet he “repaid the favor” by turning my life into a mess. I was done with him. I hated him. 3 Caleb started working odd jobs. Construction during the day, helping at a night market stand in the evening, and assembling cardboard boxes late into the night. Maybe because of his major surgery years ago, his health was poor. He coughed often and looked perpetually pale. But he spent every cent he earned on me: a new backpack, new clothes, even random books I mentioned wanting. I have to admit, Caleb took good care of me. But the environment I grew up in was a swamp. In eighth grade, I ranked first in my grade. For the parent-teacher conference, he borrowed a decent shirt and combed his hair neatly. But the moment he walked into the classroom, the whispers started. “That’s Chloe’s brother?” “He looks honest enough. Who would have thought…” “Murderers don’t have it written on their faces.” Throughout the meeting, he kept his head down, fingers gripping his knees tightly. On the way home, walking behind his slightly hunched back, I suddenly said: “Let’s move.” He stopped but didn’t turn around. “Where to?” “Anywhere,” I said. “As long as no one there knows you’re a murderer.” He was silent for a long time. “Okay.” A month later, we moved to the provincial capital, two hundred miles away. Caleb used all his savings to rent a small studio apartment. We slept in bunk beds. He found a job at an electronics factory, working three shifts. The night we moved, lying on the unfamiliar top bunk, I stared at a crack in the ceiling. “Hey,” I said. Rustling from the bottom bunk. “Yeah?” “Why did you go to prison?” Silence. Long, suffocating silence. Just when I thought he wouldn’t answer, he whispered: “…I did something wrong.” “What did you do?” “Something very bad.” His voice was light as a sigh. “Baby, don’t ask anymore.” “Just know that… I’m sorry to you, and sorry to Mom and Dad… that’s enough.” I turned to face the wall. Like this again. Always like this. I never had the right to know. 4 Turns out, miracles do happen. Caleb worked at the factory for barely six months before the factory owner’s daughter took a liking to him. Her name was Vanessa, five years younger than Caleb. Fresh out of college, sent by her father to learn management at the factory. Rumor had it she couldn’t take her eyes off Caleb the moment she saw him. Okay, I admit, Caleb was good-looking. Even malnourished and exhausted, he inherited the best features of our parents—deep eyes, a high nose bridge. When he was silent, he had a broken, tragic beauty. Vanessa chased him openly. Bringing him lunch, medicine, even staying late when he worked overtime. Coworkers urged him, “Caleb, just say yes! That’s the owner’s daughter! You’ll skip twenty years of struggle!” Caleb always shook his head. “I’m not worthy.” Until Vanessa’s father—Mr. Xu—personally talked to him. That night, Caleb came home late. He sat in the dark living room, chain-smoking. He never smoked. “What happened?” I couldn’t help asking. He stubbed out the cigarette, voice dry. “Mr. Xu… knows I went to prison.” My heart sank. Of course. The background check came back. It’s over. Job gone. Can’t stay in this city either. “He asked about what happened,” Caleb continued. “I told him everything.” I closed my eyes in despair. “And?” “And…” Caleb looked up, his eyes scary bright in the darkness. “He said next month has a lucky day. He asked if I wanted a Western or traditional wedding.” I was stunned. Crazy. I thought. Mr. Xu must be crazy to want a murderer for a son-in-law. But crazy is good. I thought again. After all, the Xu family was truly rich. Who wouldn’t want to cling to such a big tree? 5 The wedding was simple, just ten tables in the factory cafeteria. Caleb wore a rented suit, stiff as a puppet. Vanessa wore a white wedding dress, smiling sweetly. During the toast, she walked up to me, her expression complicated. “Chloe, right?” She raised her glass. “We’re family now.” I raised my soda, saying nothing. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. On their wedding night, Caleb moved into the Xu family’s two-story house. I stayed in the rental, thinking I could finally have some peace. The next morning, Caleb came to get me. “Pack your things. We’re moving.” “I’m not going.” “Baby,” he used a stern tone for the first time. “You have to.” “Why? Vanessa obviously doesn’t like me!” “Because she’s my wife,” Caleb looked at me, eyes suddenly reddening. “You’re my only family left in this world, Baby. I can’t leave you behind.” In the end, I moved. Vanessa prepared a room for me. North-facing, small, but clean. She was polite on the surface, but it was a cold, distant politeness. I could feel she hated me. Not me as a person, but my identity as “Caleb’s sister.” Living in the Xu house felt like charity. Vanessa didn’t mistreat me. Food, clothes—better than most of my classmates. But she barely spoke to me. She looked at me like I was a flawed item she was forced to accept. Caleb, caught in the middle, became more and more silent. He was promoted to team leader at the factory, busier than ever. At home, he had to deal with Vanessa and her controlling father. I could see his exhaustion, but he never complained. When I was fifteen, I got into City No. 1 High School, the best in the province. Most importantly, it was a boarding school. The day I got the acceptance letter, Caleb was as happy as a child. He cooked a feast. Vanessa was happy too, even happier than Caleb. At dinner, she gave me a rare genuine smile. “Chloe is amazing. Boarding school is great, you can focus on studying.” I knew what she meant: I’m moving out. She finally doesn’t have to see me every day. The night before school started, Caleb came to my room and shoved a bank card into my hand. “The password is your birthday. Buy whatever you need. Don’t save.” “Does Vanessa know?” “…Yes.” He was lying. I saw the unease in his eyes. “Don’t worry,” I said. “I’ll study hard, become independent soon, and… I won’t trouble you guys anymore.” Caleb opened his mouth to speak but just ruffled my hair. “Baby’s all grown up.” His palm was warm, but I dodged it.

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After being trafficked to a private island, I escaped twice to avoid becoming a toy for the elite. The night I was caught the first time, they sent me a video of my fiancé being torn apart by piranhas. When my second escape failed, my brother—the only family I had left—was tied to a boat and torn limb from limb. In utter despair, I accepted the System’s offer. “Earn enough points, and you can resurrect your loved ones.” From that day on, I abandoned all dignity. I let the electric collar dig into my flesh, enduring torture until I blacked out, again and again. Finally, after another forced embryo extraction, I saw I had enough points. Joy surged in my heart. Just as my trembling hand hovered over the “Confirm” button, laughter erupted from around the corner. “That idiot actually believes she’s in a system, saving points to revive her brother and fiancé. She has no idea the island is fake, the deaths are fake, and the system is fake.” “I know, right? The rich really know how to train their dogs. Caleb and Asher staged this whole ‘death game’ just because she slapped Bella years ago and refused to apologize. This is all just to teach her to submit.” “Shh, keep it down. Caleb and Asher are coming to check on their ‘experiment’…” I froze, ice spreading through my veins. My ears rang. The pesticide I drank earlier kicked in. Before I could react, blood gushed from my mouth. As darkness claimed me, the door was kicked open. “Ava!” I struggled to lift my head and met a pair of familiar, panicked eyes. It was my brother, who was supposed to be dead. The person I had mourned for three years, whom I dreamed of seeing just one more time, appeared before me without warning. His eyes were red with urgency, his voice laced with panicked anger: “I told you guys to just scare her! How did it get this bad?!” He leaned down, gently lifting me, softening his voice: “Ava, don’t be scared. It’s okay. Big brother is here.” I stared blankly at his face, the conversation I overheard echoing in my mind. So it was all true. To vent Bella’s anger, my brother and my fiancé went to such lengths. Exhaustion and despair swallowed me whole. I gave a tragic smile, and more blood poured from my mouth in thick streams. The room erupted in chaos. Caleb was frantic, slamming his fist on the table: “Call the doctor! What are you standing there for?!” The men looked at each other nervously. Finally, someone stammered: “Mr. Vance, you forgot.” “Last time Miss Bella had a cold, you transferred your entire medical team to her side.” “You specifically ordered… since Miss Ava likes to feign illness for sympathy, no one is allowed to divert medical resources without your direct order, lest it disturb Miss Bella’s recovery.” Caleb froze, guilt flashing across his face as he looked away from me. After a long silence, he squeezed out two words: “…Useless trash!” While Caleb turned to dial, rough hands pinned me to the bed. “Quick! Keep her awake until the doctor gets here! If she dies, Mr. Vance will kill us all!” Needles stabbed into my flesh, forcing consciousness upon me. Pain exploded. My freshly stitched wounds ripped open, and my body spasmed. Caleb’s hushed, coaxing voice drifted into my ears: “Bella, don’t be mad. Just lend your doctor to your sister Ava for a bit. When she wakes up, I’ll bring her to thank you personally.” “Yes, yes, I’ll make her kneel and thank you. Whatever our Bella wants.” I dug my nails into my palm and laughed bitterly. So now, even my life and death require Bella’s permission. Another needle plunged in. Amidst the torture, I turned my head with difficulty, grabbed the fruit knife on the nightstand, and slashed my wrist without hesitation. When Caleb turned around, blood sprayed. His phone clattered to the floor. His pupils constricted. “Ava!!!” My last memory was Caleb screaming and lunging toward me. In the haze of unconsciousness, I dreamed. In the dream, I was destiny’s darling. My brother cherished me, and my childhood sweetheart, Asher, never left my side. Until the day Bella, my father’s illegitimate daughter, stepped into our home. The war began. For three years, she staged suicide attempts over a dozen times. Wrist cutting, pills, gas… every time, she was “coincidentally” discovered by Caleb or Asher. But Caleb would just sneer at the spilled pills: “Is seeking attention the only thing you know how to do?” Asher would walk right past the sobbing Bella, take my hand, and leave: “Ignore her. I’ll take you to school.” Their disgust was so real I never doubted their love for me. So on the day Asher and I got our marriage license, when Bella climbed onto the roof threatening to jump again… Caleb watched coldly. Asher frowned and moved to hang up. No one took her seriously. Unexpectedly, Bella smiled tragically and jumped. On the video call, Caleb’s face went pale. He ran toward her like a madman. Asher froze, phone in hand. His indifference shattered, replaced by a face white as a sheet. That day, clutching our marriage certificates, I walked out of the courthouse in a daze. Asher’s friends were laughing nearby: “Ash, divorced in three minutes? Bringing the princess here for the experience?” “Didn’t you say you hated Bella? Why did you look like you saw a ghost when she jumped?” “You guys don’t get it. Ash talks tough but is soft inside. He probably hurts for her.” Asher didn’t retort. He frowned: “Shut up.” Then he walked past me, dialing the number he had pinned to the top of his contacts: “I got the divorce. Can you be a good girl and let the doctor treat you now?” The other end said something. He sighed, voice full of helpless indulgence: “Okay, whatever you say… my little princess. I’m coming home to you.” Only when his car sped past me did I realize what had happened. When I rushed back to the Vance estate, Asher was gently draping a coat over Bella. The room was a mess. My gaze landed on our wedding photo, clawed and scratched. I could imagine what they had just done. Nausea rolled in my stomach. Bella peeked out from Asher’s arms, timidly: “Sister Ava, Asher and I aren’t what you think…” Before she finished, a slap echoed through the room. Bella clutched her cheek, staring at me in disbelief. Almost instantly, a massive force struck my face. I was knocked to the floor, ears ringing. “Ava Vance! Apologize to Bella!” My cheek burned. I looked up. Caleb stood over me, voice icy: “Bella’s depression only gets better when she sees Asher. Can’t you be sensible and let her have him?!” “Go! Apologize to Bella now!” Asher looked at me with equal anger: “Ava, no matter what happens between Bella and me, I’ll only marry you in the end. Why do you have to push her to death?” “She did nothing wrong. You’ve gone too far this time. Apologize!” Asher’s face blurred before my eyes. The boy who grew up with me, who fought kidnappers for me, who risked his hands for me… he was gone. I looked around the room. And met Bella’s smirking, triumphant gaze. I jolted awake from the nightmare. Before I was fully conscious, I cried out the name I had relied on for twenty years: “Brother…” No one answered. I woke up in a dark, empty bedroom. Next door, lights blazed. Everyone was surrounding Bella, who was crying and threatening to leave. “Brother, look at Ava. Drinking poison, cutting her wrists… she’s just trying to intimidate me! I don’t understand why she still can’t accept me after all these years!” “Asher, I should stay away from you. You go be with her. I’ll just leave this home!” Caleb stopped her, voice tight with anger: “Bella, you’ve suffered enough. Don’t worry, I’ll teach her a lesson for this!” “I didn’t expect this either. We spent three years trying to teach her to submit, but instead of changing, she’s gotten worse. Now she’s using death to threaten us for attention!” “Seeing her like that today, I almost… I almost fell for it!” I slowly raised my hand to my wrist. The burning in my stomach had faded, and my wrist was bandaged. But the sting under the skin was real. So my desperate struggle for death was, in my brother’s eyes, just a “bitter meat trick” for attention. Asher pulled Bella into his arms, coaxing her: “Bella, Ava is spoiled. Don’t lower yourself to her level.” “Our wedding is tomorrow. Don’t let her ruin your mood.” Caleb chimed in: “Right, focus on the wedding. I’ll handle her! Whether she wants to or not, she will be a bridesmaid! I won’t let people gossip about you!” Wedding? Bridesmaid? Three years ago, I was supposed to be the bride. Now, without my knowledge, I had been demoted to bridesmaid. My heart froze with every word they spoke. I tried to smile, but failed. Before I knew it, my legs had moved off the bed. I tried to stand, but the moment my feet touched the floor, the stitched wound on my abdomen tore open. Agony hit. My legs gave out, and I crashed to the floor. Moonlight illuminated the gruesome scars covering my body. Memories of the past three years flooded back. To earn points, I knelt under strangers, was stripped naked, forced into humiliating poses. To earn points, I was strapped to lab tables, my embryos surgically removed as soon as I conceived, tortured for endless days and nights. The pain of electric shocks, the numbness of shattered dignity… In my darkest moments, I wanted to end it all. But thinking of Caleb and Asher waiting for me in the “other world,” I survived. Turns out, the “points” I risked my life for were just a scam designed for me. I felt pathetic and laughable. I wiped the wetness from my face, grabbed the edge of the table, and tried to pull myself up inch by inch. Crash. I fell again. I pulled the tablecloth down with me. Glass shattered, shards piercing my skin. I didn’t feel it. I just stared at the open window ahead. The noise alerted next door. Caleb’s footsteps approached. He knocked, sounding annoyed: “Ava!” “I haven’t settled the score with you for scaring Bella today.” “Everyone is busy. Can you grow up?” I gasped for air, sliding down the wall. Pain tortured me every second. Three years of grievances erupted. I couldn’t hold it back anymore. I screamed at the door: “Busy with what?! Busy preparing for Bella and Asher’s wedding?!” “Or busy forcing me to be a bridesmaid for the mistress who stole my life?!” Silence outside. Then Caleb’s voice rose: “What nonsense are you spouting?! Everyone knows Bella and Asher are a couple. You’re the one trying to interfere…” He stopped, as if remembering something, then changed his tone: “Ava, love isn’t first come, first served.” “Asher loves Bella now. Plus, you know Bella has depression. She only got better because Asher stayed by her side. This marriage is expedient, good for everyone.” “Are you really going to fight Bella over this?” I didn’t answer. I finally dragged myself to the window. Wind hit my face. My heart was dead. “Bang!” The door was kicked open. I heard it, but didn’t look back. The next second, I jumped. As I fell, a strong hand grabbed me. Asher. Sweat dripped down his forehead. Veins popped on his neck, face pale: “Grab my hand, Ava!” His hand, injured for me years ago, shouldn’t have been able to hold weight. It was shaking violently. He pulled me back inside with all his might. As soon as I hit the floor, a slap landed on my face. “Ava Vance! Even if you don’t want to go to the wedding, do you have to do this?!” Asher rarely showed such emotion: “Do you know how high this is?! If I hadn’t been fast, you’d be dead!” Caleb’s legs were weak too. Supported by a maid, he barely stood. He took deep breaths, voice trembling: “Ava… how did you become like this?!” “Anyone would think you suffered terribly these three years! We lied to you, yes, but we fed you and housed you! We even visited you secretly! You never suffered!” “You know Bella is soft-hearted. You insist on suicide on her wedding day just to make her feel guilty, don’t you?” “Can’t I even scold you now? How did I raise such an ungrateful wolf?!” “Let me tell you, you are being a bridesmaid today whether you like it or not!” He yanked me up, pinned me to the bed, and signaled the maids: “Change her!” The bridesmaid dress was brought over. I stared blankly. As the maids’ hands reached for me, memories of countless hands touching me overlapped. “No!!!” I struggled with everything I had, but it was useless. “Rip!” The dark clothes covering me were torn away. My scar-covered body was exposed to everyone. Bruises, burns old and new, the two-inch incision on my abdomen oozing blood… The air froze. Everyone stared. A timid maid screamed. Looking at my scars, Asher’s face went deathly white. Caleb stumbled back two steps, eyes wide with disbelief, and collapsed onto the floor. “W-what is this?!” Caleb’s voice shook so hard it was almost a roar. Supported by others, he couldn’t stand. His gaze swept over the torn clothes, then landed on my mutilated body. His usually composed face was now paper-white. I stood there numbly, watching their shocked, twisted faces. My ears rang, vision blurring. Asher reacted faster than Caleb. Instinctively, he stepped forward, reaching out to touch me. But just before his fingers made contact, Caleb shoved him away. “Get away!” Caleb’s eyes were bloodshot. “Don’t touch her! Asher, you’re marrying Bella. Don’t dirty my sister with your hands!” Asher froze, pinned by those words. He opened his mouth but made no sound, staring blankly at my scars, his face turning gray. In the standoff, the tearing pain in my head surged again. I broke free from the maids, crawled to the wall, and slammed my head against it. Caleb jumped, rushing to hug me from behind. His grip was tight, hurting my ribs. “What are you doing?! Doctor… call the doctor! Hurry!” He picked me up frantically, voice trembling: “Don’t do this Ava, don’t do this, brother is here, don’t be scared…” I shook violently, pushing him with all my might, but he wouldn’t budge. Caleb repeated over and over, comforting me or maybe himself: “Don’t be scared, Ava, brother is here, brother is here.” I was dizzy, vision darkening.

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After failing the Bar Exam six times, I finally passed. But the moment I got my license, I transmigrated into a trashy romance novel—specifically, the kind where the female lead gets tortured, abused, and framed for everything. In this world, getting kicked and slapped is a Tuesday. Miscarriages and forced organ donations are just plot points. I used to read this book as a “what not to do” legal case study. Now, God has given me a chance to practice law in the field. So, staring at the “White Moonlight” (the hero’s first love) who was about to frame me for my own miscarriage, I pulled out my phone and started screaming: “Help! Murder! The mistress is trying to kill the pregnant wife!” It’s time to teach these law-illiterate idiots a lesson. 1 When I woke up in this world, I was in a hospital bed, the smell of disinfectant stinging my nose. “Ugh,” I wrinkled my nose. Standing by my bed was a tall figure in a black trench coat, his voice icy cold. “Stop pretending to be dead. Get up and apologize to Bella.” That line sounded familiar. Wasn’t this the trashy novel I read before bed? Caleb Vance stood there against the light, hands in his pockets, posing like he was in a photoshoot. In the original story, Caleb and the heroine, Sarah, were in a loveless marriage. Sarah secretly loved him, and Caleb was unknowingly falling for her—until his first love, Bella, returned from abroad. Bella drugged Caleb to sleep with him but accidentally sent him into Sarah’s bed. She then framed Sarah for the drugging. Sarah couldn’t explain herself, and the misunderstanding deepened. From that night, Sarah got pregnant. But Bella showed up, deliberately provoked her, and pushed her down the stairs, causing a miscarriage. And now this jerk wants me to apologize to Bella? I’m not the original Sarah. I’m here to clean house. I frowned impatiently. “Apologize my ass!” Caleb froze. “You finally stopped pretending? Bella was right. Your gentleness was all an act!” He stepped forward and grabbed my arm. “You fell down the stairs yourself and framed Bella! She’s so guilty she hasn’t eaten since you passed out. Have some conscience and apologize to her!” Get your hands off me! I yanked my arm back. My vision blurred—this body was still weak from the miscarriage. I glanced at him and held out my hand. “Give me your phone.” Caleb frowned, seeing my pale face. A flicker of pity crossed his eyes as he pulled out his phone. “Apologizing over the phone is fine too. Given your condition, I’ll let it slide this time…” Before he could finish, I snatched the phone and dialed three numbers. 9-1-1. “Hello? I want to report an assault.” Caleb: ? The police arrived quickly. I cleared my throat and started wailing. “Officer, help me!” I pointed a shaking finger at a confused Caleb. “My husband is cheating on me! His mistress pushed me down the stairs! My baby is gone! Boohoohoo! My poor baby!” Caleb’s face turned green. Under the officers’ stern gaze, he stammered, “I didn’t… I wasn’t…” “Caleb…” Everyone turned. Bella stood at the door in a white dress, looking fragile and pitiful. God, she can act. I decided to strike first. I ripped the IV out of my hand, curled into a ball at the foot of the bed, messed up my hair, and screamed: “Help! She’s here! The murderer is here! She’s going to kill me! She killed my baby!” Bella’s carefully curated “fragile” expression cracked. Caleb moved to comfort her, but the lead officer blocked him. “Sir, the victim has accused both of you of assault. Please step back.” Bella: “?” Another officer approached to calm me down. I hid behind him, trembling. “She pushed me. My baby was only three months old… he never even saw the world.” Caleb roared, “Sarah! Stop lying! You fell yourself! How dare you call the police! Filing a false report is a crime!” I looked at the officer with teary eyes. “It’s true. Since I got pregnant, I installed cameras all over the house for safety. You can check the footage!” The officer nodded and sent a colleague to retrieve the video. Bella turned pale. She thought there were no witnesses. The original heroine was stubborn and never used the evidence she had. But I’m not her. The police returned quickly. The body cam footage clearly showed Bella backing me into a corner and shoving me down the stairs. Bella’s legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor. Caleb mumbled, “Impossible… Bella really killed my child…” Bella crawled to him, grabbing his pant leg. “Caleb, I didn’t mean to! I just wanted her to stop hogging you! I didn’t mean to kill the baby! Forgive me, please!” I couldn’t take it anymore. “Are you delusional? Who are you asking forgiveness from? I was the one pushed! I lost the baby! I am the victim lying in this bed! You’re crying at the wrong grave, you idiot!” Bella: “?” Caleb: “?” Police: “???” Oops, forgot my character. I clutched my stomach and wailed, “Officer, the evidence is solid! Bella attempted to murder me! I want to press charges! She’s dangerous! I’m so scared!” Despite my terrible acting, the evidence was irrefutable. Bella was taken away in handcuffs. Caleb stared blankly as Bella was dragged out. What are you looking at? You’re next. I lay back down. “Caleb, I want a divorce.” Caleb’s lip trembled. “Divorce? What right do you have to ask for a divorce?” Ah, the classic CEO line. I grabbed the glass of water from the nightstand and chucked it at his forehead. “You think having money makes you an emperor? You think you own me? I have every right to divorce you! It’s a legal right, not a favor you grant! Tomorrow I’m sending the papers. If you don’t sign, I’ll release the footage! ‘CEO of Vance Group cheats on wife, mistress kills unborn heir!’ Let’s see how your stock price likes that!” Blood trickled down Caleb’s forehead. He looked more disheveled than he ever had in his life. “Sarah… you shouldn’t be like this.” I laughed coldly. “Then what should I be like? A doormat? Letting you and your mistress walk all over me? Smiling while you cheat? Go to hell. No one is going to spoil you forever. I’m not your mother!” Caleb left, looking like a lost soul. My chest suddenly ached. I realized it was the original owner’s lingering feelings. Stop hurting. He’s not worth it. 2 Bella was detained for 15 days for assault. She avoided prison likely due to Caleb’s connections. The day after I called the police, I hired a lawyer to draft the divorce papers, clearly dividing our assets. I never understood why heroines in these novels always leave with nothing to prove their “purity.” I was tortured physically and mentally—I deserve half his fortune and emotional damages! Unfortunately, Caleb refused to sign. After days of stalling, he sent his mother—my mother-in-law—to persuade me. Mrs. Vance sat there in her Chanel suit, sipping coffee. “I know Caleb was wrong. But in our circle, men have needs. It’s just a fling. Calling the police was too much. You embarrassed the family.” Wow. The audacity. I picked up my coffee and threw it in her face. “AHHHH!” Mrs. Vance shrieked, brown liquid dripping from her expensive hair and suit. “Sarah! Are you crazy?!” “Yes! Driven crazy by your shameless family! Your son cheated and killed his own child, and you’re telling me to calm down? Are you even human?!” “You…” “You what?! You raised a son who grew up to be a cheater and a murderer-by-proxy! Do you take no responsibility as a mother?” “I…” “Shut up! ‘Men have needs’? I seem to recall when your husband had an affair with a starlet, you threatened to hang yourself! Rules for thee but not for me? If you’re so magnanimous, why didn’t you throw them a wedding?” “He…” “He nothing! I’m divorcing him! I’m taking half the assets! Be grateful I’m not suing your whole family for emotional distress!” Mrs. Vance’s face darkened. She waved to her bodyguards. “Take this ungrateful woman to the basement! I need to teach her some manners!” The basement? I remembered now. This old hag used to lock the original Sarah in the basement to “discipline” her. Illegal imprisonment? I pulled out my phone and dialed 911. “Hello? I’m at the Vance Estate in East District! My mother-in-law is trying to imprison me! Help!” Mrs. Vance froze. “What are you doing?” I sneered. “Giving you a lesson in civilization.” The police arrived efficiently. The lead officer looked between us with a complicated expression. “You again?” I hid behind him. “Yes, officer! This is my mother-in-law. She’s trying to lock me in the basement because I want to divorce her cheating son!” The officer frowned at Mrs. Vance. “Ma’am?” “I… I was just scaring her…” “Lies! If I hadn’t called, I’d be in the dungeon right now!” I played the recording on my phone. “Officer, listen!” The recording clearly captured her ordering the bodyguards to seize me. The officer looked stern. “Ma’am, this isn’t the feudal era. Restricting personal freedom is a crime.” Mrs. Vance wilted. “I didn’t actually do it…” “Threatening is also illegal!” Mrs. Vance, with messy hair and coffee-stained Chanel, got a 15-minute lecture from the police. I knew they couldn’t arrest her for a threat, but the humiliation was enough. As we left, the lead officer looked at me with deep sympathy. “Life is hard. Stay strong.” “Thank you, officer. Sorry for the trouble.” Watching the police car leave, I sighed. “God bless the legal system.” 3 Caleb kept stalling. Bella was anxious too. She tried to cause trouble, but I wasn’t the original Sarah. She released snakes in my new apartment. I had cameras. I called the police. “Yes, it’s me. Bella is trying to kill me with snakes.” She spread rumors online that I was the mistress, doxxing me. I called the police. “Officer, I’m being cyberbullied and doxxed. I’m suicidal!” Bella went back to jail for another 15 days. During those 15 days, Caleb stalked me like a ghost. “What the hell do you want?” I met him at a cafe. He looked thinner. “I misunderstood you. I didn’t know Bella was like that. I apologize.” “Accepted. Bye.” “Sarah, wait.” Caleb looked at me intensely. “You’ve changed.” Here we go. I rolled my eyes. “Changed how? Not a doormat anymore?” Caleb smiled bitterly. “You don’t love me anymore.” I nodded solemnly. “Correct.” “Why?” WHY?! “Are you serious? You cheated. You let your mistress kill my baby. And you ask why? Are your brains in your pants? Use the head on your shoulders for once!” Caleb sat there, stunned. I felt better after venting. “Sign the papers. Or I sue.” Of course, the donkey didn’t sign. When Bella got out, he still refused. I hired the best divorce lawyer money could buy and sued. In court, my lawyer presented everything. Bella’s framing, the snake incident, the cyberbullying. Plus Caleb’s cold texts to the original Sarah and Mrs. Vance’s abuse. “Defendant Caleb Vance failed his duties as a husband. His infidelity and enabling of Bella led to my client’s physical and mental trauma, including the loss of her unborn child. We request a divorce and a favorable division of assets!” I gave my lawyer a thumbs up mentally. The court granted the divorce and divided the assets fairly. Walking out of the courthouse, the sun felt brighter. Caleb stumbled after me, trying to grab my hand. I dodged. “Sir, we are no longer married. Don’t touch me, or I’ll sue for harassment.” Caleb looked lost. “Sarah… I realized I love you. My feelings for Bella were just nostalgia… I…” “Stop! That’s disgusting, Ex-Hubby.” “I regret not cherishing you. I’ll make it up to you!” I was already walking away. Just give me the money. 4 Caleb was serious about “making it up to me.” He sent flowers daily. Left jewelry at my door. Sent gourmet breakfasts. It was annoying. I fed the breakfasts to stray dogs. I stuck the flowers in public planters. I sent the jewelry to his mother via courier. (Heard she fainted from anger). I felt no lingering emotions from the original Sarah. She had truly let go. One day, after shopping, Caleb was stalking me again. I called the police. “Officer, I’m being stalked.” Caleb: “…” The police found him squatting by a telephone pole. Officer: “Again?!” Caleb: “I just want to win her back.” Officer: “1. Too late. 2. This is harassment!” Caleb promised to stop. The officer patted my shoulder. “Hope you escape this mess soon.” Caleb watched me from afar. “Sarah, can I ask one question?” “Ask.” “Are you really Sarah?”

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I was born with a system that rebounds rumors. Anyone who spreads a lie about me suffers the consequences of that lie themselves. In high school, a boy started a rumor that I was “easy” and had slept with several old men. That same day, he was picked up by a group of sugar daddies and transformed into a gigolo. In college, while I was dating someone, his childhood friend spread a rumor that I was the star of a leaked adult video. That night, every deepfake video on the internet suddenly wore her face. Since then, no one dared to whisper a word about me. Until my biological parents found me and brought me back to the wealthy Sterling family. The fake heiress, Chloe Sterling, linked her arm affectionately with mine: “Sister, I heard you got pregnant out of wedlock and had a baby with a murderer.” “Since you’re home now, why not bring the baby too? We are family; we won’t look down on you!” 1 As soon as the words left her mouth, my father’s face turned a sickly shade of gray. “You have a bastard child?” “Annie! How could you do something so shameful at your age!” Hearing Dad scold me, the corners of Chloe’s mouth twitched upward, but she quickly covered it with a dramatic gasp. “Oh my god… Sister didn’t tell you, Dad?” “I’m so sorry, Sister. It’s all my fault… I shouldn’t have blabbed.” Then, she turned to Dad, her tone earnest and pleading. “Dad, don’t blame Sister. She’s been alone out there all these years… she must have had her reasons.” “Sister, don’t worry.” She turned back to me, eyes sincere. “From now on, I’ll help you keep this a total secret. I won’t let anyone gossip!” Just as she finished, a woman dressed in designer clothes rushed out of the villa and hugged me tightly. “Annie! My daughter… Mommy finally found you!” She wept on my shoulder, taking a long moment to notice the eerie silence around us. “What’s wrong? Why are you all staring at Annie? What were you talking about?” “It’s nothing, Mom. Sister must be tired from the long drive. Let’s go inside,” Chloe interjected quickly, winking at Dad, playing the role of the protective sister perfectly. I spoke calmly: “She said I got pregnant out of wedlock and had a baby with a murderer.” Mom’s face went pale instantly. “What! Annie, you—” “I didn’t. She’s spreading rumors.” “Sister!” Chloe’s voice pitched up, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I meant well! How can you say I’m spreading rumors?” She choked back a sob and took a half-step back. “Do I have to expose all your dirty laundry right here?” She bit her lip at the perfect moment, looking at Mom and Dad with hesitation. “What else is there?!” Veins popped on Dad’s forehead. “Chloe, speak! We need to clear this up today!” Chloe looked like she was making a huge decision. She bowed deeply to me. “I’m sorry, Sister… I know you want to hide it, but Mom and Dad have a right to know the truth.” She sighed deeply, voice soft. “When I heard Sister was coming home, I asked around about her hobbies… and accidentally found out…” She took a deep breath, as if it was too shameful to say. “Sister has been… doing that kind of work… since high school…” Boom. The air in the garden exploded. Dad was shaking with rage. “Disgrace! How did the Sterling family produce such a lowlife!” Mom stumbled back two steps, looking at me with utter disbelief. But I just looked at Chloe with a faint smile. “Are you sure these things are true? Spreading rumors brings bad karma, you know.” “Of course it’s true! You—” URGH—! Before she could finish, she convulsed with a violent dry heave, her stomach slightly distended. I blinked, the corner of my mouth lifting. I told you, karma is real. “Chloe! What’s wrong? Why are you throwing up like that?” Mom and Dad rushed forward in panic. I stood there and tilted my head. “Oh my, Chloe, you’re throwing up like you’re pregnant.” The air solidified for a few seconds. “What nonsense are you spouting!” Chloe shrieked, acting like she was deeply wronged. “I don’t even have a boyfriend! How could I be pregnant?” “Just because you… you aren’t clean and did dirty things, don’t project onto me…” Seeing her tear-streaked face, Mom and Dad’s hearts broke. Dad glared at me with fury. “Annie Sterling! You dare spread rumors about your sister’s virtue? No manners at all!” Mom looked disappointed. “Annie, that’s too much! Your sister has never even been with a man. How could she be pregnant?” I blinked, expression innocent. “I was just saying.” “But throwing up like that… maybe she should see a doctor!” “No!” Chloe blurted out, then covered her mouth and coughed lightly, eyes darting around. “I just ate something bad. I’ll be fine after a rest.” Saying that, she feigned weakness and collapsed onto Mom. Mom and Dad hurriedly helped her into the villa. I watched their backs thoughtfully. Chloe’s reaction was off. It was like… she knew she was pregnant. A strong sense of gossip ignited within me. I immediately followed them into the villa and stood by her bed with Mom and Dad. “Chloe, Sister is really worried. I called a doctor for you; he’ll be here any minute.” “Better to check and be safe, so Mom and Dad can rest easy.” Hearing my considerate words, Mom and Dad looked satisfied. But Chloe’s face lost all color. She whimpered and burrowed into Mom’s arms. “Mommy… I don’t want to see a doctor…” Mom patted her back soothingly and was about to speak— “No need.” A deep voice came from the door. My brother, Liam, walked in, looking me up and down with undisguised disgust. “You’re Annie?” “Let me tell you, even if we share blood, Chloe is my only sister.” “You have no right to interfere in her business.” He walked straight to Chloe’s bed and gently wiped her tears. “If Chloe doesn’t want to see a doctor, she doesn’t have to. Big brother is here.” Hearing this, Chloe threw herself into Liam’s arms and wept. “I knew Big Brother was the best!” I watched them, a thought sparking in my mind. I said innocently: “Brother and Chloe are so close. Even though they aren’t biological, they’re surprisingly intimate!” As soon as the words left my mouth, everyone’s expressions changed. Liam let go as if scalded, ears turning red, eyes full of anger. “What nonsense are you talking about!” Chloe sobbed quietly, looking at me with teary eyes. “Sister, how can you say that about me and Brother?” “Are you trying to divert attention? Are you spreading rumors about me just so Dad won’t pursue your pregnancy out of wedlock?” She bit her lip, looking disappointed. “Actually… I found out Sister was being bullied and wanted to ask Mom and Dad to help you… I didn’t expect you to treat me like this…” Mom instantly got nervous. “Bullying? Annie, who bullied you?” I sat down, amused. “I don’t know either, Chloe. Who bullied me?” “Sister, don’t be scared. It’s not your fault…” Her eyes filled with sympathetic tears. “I found out… a few months ago, Sister… you were dragged into an alley by seven or eight thugs…” “They did… that to you…” She sighed, reaching out as if to hold my hand. “Originally… it wasn’t your fault. But Sister, how could you be so confused? To keep entangled with them?” “The first time was forced, but later… how could you invite them over…” “Neighbors say… every few days, they see that group of men coming out of your room half-naked…” She stopped at the perfect moment, lowering her head as if she couldn’t bear to say more. “Bastard! How can you be so shameless!” Dad roared, his face as ugly as it could get. Mom clutched her chest, pointing a trembling finger at me. “Annie… tell me this isn’t true…” “Annie Sterling, you are utterly shameless!” Liam glared at me furiously. “The Sterling family has no place for someone like you! Get out now!” Looking at their twisted faces, I felt it was absurd. Setting aside the fact that I didn’t do it. Even if I had encountered something like that, shouldn’t my family’s first reaction be concern that I was assaulted? “Sister, although… although you messed around, I believe you aren’t beyond saving.” Chloe advised me. “As long as you admit your mistake and cut ties with those men… Mom and Dad will forgive you.” I chuckled lightly, looking at her calmly. “I don’t know any thugs, why should I admit a mistake?” “And… Chloe, didn’t I just tell you? Spreading rumors brings bad karma.” “Sister, why are you accusing me again?” Chloe squeezed out a few tears, tremblingly taking out her phone and shoving the screen in everyone’s face. “If I’m spreading rumors, then how do you explain these photos?” In the photo, I was wearing revealing clothes, lying ambiguously among several men. Probably fearing the evidence wasn’t strong enough, she swiped to another photo of me holding a baby. Mom and Dad’s faces were pitch black. “These photos are fake.” I reminded Chloe again. “I’ll say it one more time. Rumors rebound.” “I didn’t spread rumors! I—” “Fine,” I interrupted her calmly. “Just don’t regret it.” With the rebound system, I can’t lose. Chloe’s mouth was writing checks her reality would have to cash. Seeing my nonchalant attitude, Mom, Dad, and Liam’s anger soared. “Sister, it’s good you admit it.” Chloe smirked triumphantly, offering fake comfort: “Mom, Dad, don’t be angry… Sister was just confused for a moment…” Mom hugged her gratefully. “Chloe, you’re the sensible one.” “You’re not feeling well, so we won’t disturb you. Sleep early.” “If you still feel bad tomorrow, Mom will take you to the doctor.” They closed the door reluctantly, their eyes full of disdain when they looked at me. I didn’t care. The corners of my mouth kept rising. Until the next morning. I slept soundly until dawn, when I suddenly heard a scream: “Chloe! What… what happened to you?!” “Who did this?! Who did this!!” Chloe’s crying echoed through the villa. I stretched and walked over slowly to watch the show. In Chloe’s room, seven or eight shirtless men were pinned to the floor by bodyguards. Her eyes were swollen, red marks covered her body, and she was curled up in the corner of the bed, shaking. “Animals! Who gave you the guts to touch my daughter!” Dad kicked the nearest man over, eyes bulging. “Who touched her? She threw herself at us!” The man turned to Chloe with a lewd grin. “Little vixen, explain to your parents.” “You called us over last night. We’re all familiar, why act innocent now?” He took out his phone and shoved the chat logs in everyone’s face. “Big brothers, come keep me company tonight.” “I miss you guys. I’m waiting at home. It’s more exciting here.” Mom and Dad stumbled back, thunderstruck. Liam stared at the screen, eyes full of disbelief. “Fake! It’s fake!” Chloe screamed, tearing her voice. “I don’t know them! I didn’t send those messages!” The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she felt, tears falling non-stop. “Why are you spreading rumors about me? I don’t know you at all…” “Rumors? We aren’t spreading rumors! The chat logs are here!” The man shoved the phone closer. Chloe’s face was white. She opened her mouth to explain but couldn’t say a word. I leaned against the doorframe, watching with a cold smile. Now she should know what it feels like to be the victim of rumors. “It’s you!” Chloe suddenly looked up and glared at me. “Annie! You hired these thugs to frame me!” I looked helpless. “Me again?” “Yes! It’s you!” Chloe shouted righteously, crying like a pear blossom bathed in rain. “Sister, how did I offend you? Why did you hire people to harm me!” “These men… are clearly your clients from before!” A cold laugh escaped my chest. “You mean, I have improper relations with these men?” “Fine, Chloe. Show the evidence. Let me see clearly.” “I will!” Chloe looked prepared, glaring at me viciously. “Sister, you forced me!” A trace of malice flashed in Chloe’s eyes. She quickly tapped her phone and played a video for everyone to hear. Ambiguous moans and panting instantly filled the room. Slap!!! Dad didn’t even think. He turned and slapped me hard across the face! “I knew it! Chloe has always been well-behaved. She couldn’t do such dirty things! You orchestrated all of this!” My cheek burned, ears ringing. “I even defended you, and you harm your sister like this!” Mom looked at me with venom. Liam hugged the trembling Chloe, roaring at me: “You shameless bitch! Get out of the Sterling house immediately!” Chloe glanced at me triumphantly, then put on a magnanimous act. “Sister, I don’t blame you. As long as you apologize, I’m willing to forgive you…” My gaze swept over their hateful faces and landed on Chloe’s pitiful expression. “Apologize?” “Why should I apologize?” I reached out and pointed at the video still playing. “The person in that video is clearly you.” As my words fell, the air instantly died. Everyone’s eyes snapped to the video. The screen was dim and shaky, but the woman on it was undoubtedly Chloe! “This…” Chloe frantically turned off the video, fingers trembling, eyes wide. “Impossible… how is this possible…” “How can the person in the video be me… I didn’t…” She shook her head wildly, as if encountering the most shocking thing in her life. I silently gave the Rebound System a thumbs up and shed tears of grievance. “Chloe, you said I spread rumors about you, but clearly you’ve been framing me all along.” I deliberately looked at Mom and Dad, who were frozen in place, sobbing softly: “It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t been kidnapped as a child, Mom and Dad wouldn’t distrust me so much.” “The moment that video played, no one even looked at the face. Everyone just assumed it was me.” I paused, covering my cheek while sobbing. “Annie… I…” Dad snapped out of it, looking guiltily at the red mark on my face. “Dad was too impulsive just now. I shouldn’t have hit you…” Mom held my hand in heartache, her eyes full of disappointment as she looked at Chloe. “Chloe, what is going on?” “You kept saying Annie was messing around with men, doing dirty things.” “But these thugs are all in your bed, and those chat logs, photos, videos…” “How… how could you have the face to accuse Annie?” Chloe’s face was ashen, eyes swollen. “I… I didn’t…” “Mom, listen to me! These people really have nothing to do with me! The video has nothing to do with me!”

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The summer after my high school graduation, my dad fell from a construction scaffold and died. As soon as the funeral ended, my aunt told me to forget about college. “Your mom’s struggling alone. A girl like you should go out and work to help the family.” I refused. I rented a basement room in a cheap part of the city, worked on construction sites during the day, and studied at night. One day, just after collecting my pay, a black sedan blocked my path. The window rolled down. It was my mother, Linda, sitting next to a stranger. She looked at my dust-covered clothes, frowning deeply. “Hope, get in. We need to talk.” In the cafe, she pulled a document from her designer bag. “Sign this waiver, and consider your dad’s affairs settled.” “I found you a job at an electronics factory. Food and housing included. It’s better than this.” I stared at the words “Voluntary Renunciation of Inheritance Rights” on the document. My blood froze. My gaze drifted past her to the luxury watch on the man’s wrist. She had a new life, and I was the obstacle that needed to be cleared. 1 I didn’t respond. My mind was blank. “Hope, your dad’s death was an accident. Most of the settlement money from the company went to pay off his debts.” She pointed at the man beside her, a hint of boasting in her tone. “This is your Uncle Dave. We’re planning to get married.” Her exquisitely made-up face contrasted sharply with my dirt-stained hands. I forced myself to calm down, staring silently at the document. She seemed to lose patience, pushing the paper toward me. “Hurry up and sign. We have a wedding dress fitting.” This scene was all too familiar. A year ago, when my dad was still alive, it was the same. That day, Dad had just brought home his wages, ready to pay for my SAT prep classes. “Hope is taking the SATs soon. This money needs to be spent where it counts.” Linda’s face changed instantly. “My brother needs to buy a house. As his brother-in-law, shouldn’t you contribute?” “What’s the use of a girl studying so much anyway!” Dad’s face flushed red. “The kid’s future is the most important thing! Let your brother figure out his own house!” The argument quickly escalated into shoving. Linda grabbed a water glass and threw it. Dad’s forehead started bleeding immediately. Things in the house were smashed everywhere. In the end, Dad squatted on the floor clutching his head, while Linda snatched the money and slammed the door. “I can’t live like this! Divorce!” After that, she went back to her family. She didn’t return until Dad’s accident. When she calmed down, she looked at me with a strange, calculating gaze. “Your dad is gone. This family relies on you now.” That night, she cleared out all of Dad’s belongings, not even leaving a single photo. “He’s dead. Keeping these things just takes up space.” “Go to the labor market with your aunt tomorrow and find some work.” I grabbed the hem of her shirt, my voice trembling. “Mom, my college acceptance letter is coming soon.” She shook off my hand. “College? Are you trying to drag me down?” I thought she said those things out of grief. Now I realized she had planned everything long ago. So, I stopped reminiscing and looked up at her. “Mom, I got in. It’s a top university…” She cut me off directly. “I’m not interested in what school you go to.” “High school graduation is enough. If you want to keep studying, earn the money yourself.” “Sign this, and don’t come looking for me again.” She leaned on Dave’s shoulder, smiling happily, but her eyes stared at me coldly. “I have a wedding to plan. Don’t waste my time!” All my illusions from the past year shattered in that moment. 2 I forced back the stinging in my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself. “I can sign, but I want my share of the settlement money.” Tuition and living expenses for a top university aren’t cheap. Dad’s settlement was $250,000 in total. Legally, I was entitled to at least half. But I only asked for $50,000. Enough to get me through the start of college. I could walk the rest of the road myself. Unexpectedly, hearing this number, Linda started wiping away tears. “Hope, when did you become so materialistic? All you talk about is money!” “Your dad’s debts aren’t even paid off. Where would I get money for you?” “I thought you’d be sensible now that you’re grown up. I didn’t expect you to just want to bleed me dry.” I sneered internally. Her story was watertight. She was afraid I’d become a burden to her new family, and even more afraid this money would affect her and her new husband’s lifestyle. So she used this chance to solve the “me problem” once and for all. Seeing me unmoved, she seemed to think of something, her eyes shifting as she picked up her phone. “Hope, if you don’t believe me, you should believe your aunt.” “She’s your dad’s biological sister!” The call connected quickly on speaker. “Sis, how’s it going? Did that girl sign?” My aunt’s urgent voice came through. “Hope is here. She won’t sign and is asking me for $50,000.” Linda’s tone was full of grievance. My aunt’s voice instantly spiked on the other end. “$50,000? Why doesn’t she rob a bank! Ungrateful brat!” “Your dad’s bones aren’t even cold, and you’re thinking about splitting the money! How can you face him?” “Your mom’s hair turned gray paying off debts. Do you have no conscience?” Every sentence was a knife in my heart. I looked at Linda, trying to find a trace of maternal warmth on her face. But I failed. “If you don’t give me the money, I’ll apply for legal aid and investigate where that money went.” My answer silenced both ends of the call for a moment. Then, Linda stood up abruptly, pointing at my nose. “You dare!” “Fine! For money, you’d even sue your own mother!” “I’m telling you right now, you won’t see a cent of this money!” People in the cafe looked over, pointing at me. “Kids these days are unbelievable. Being a mom is hard.” “Suing your parents for money? That education was wasted.” “An unfilial daughter like that needs a reality check.” Many took out their phones, seemingly filming. I felt the air around me thinning. Linda looked at me triumphantly. “Hope, do you still want it?” How ironic. $50,000 meant nothing to her, who was about to marry into wealth. But she just wouldn’t give it to me, using this method to trample my dignity. I clenched my fists and spoke word by word. “Linda, I’ll see you in court.” 3 Linda immediately switched to a heartbroken expression, crying to the people around us. “What sin did I commit to raise such a daughter!” “Her dad just died, and she’s forcing me to split the assets. What’s the point of living!” The man named Dave immediately hugged her, comforting her softly while giving me a warning look. The whispers around us grew louder. I felt like a heinous criminal. Eventually, we were taken to the community mediation center. Learning I was suing my mother for $50,000 of the settlement, the mediator, Ms. Wang, frowned deeply. “Young lady, your mother raised you alone. It wasn’t easy. How can you be so insensible?” I pressed my chest to ease the pain, trying to keep my voice steady. “That’s my dad’s settlement money. I’m just asking for my rightful share to pay for tuition.” Linda started crying immediately. “Tuition? She’s always spent money recklessly since she was little, hanging out with bad crowds! I’m afraid if she gets the money, she’ll blow it in three days!” I looked at her in disbelief. For money, she could fabricate facts out of thin air. Feeling that wasn’t enough, she called my aunt again. My aunt rushed over quickly. Upon entering, she pointed at me and cursed. “Hope, you heartless thing! Your mom used all the money to pay off your dad’s gambling debts, and you’re still pressuring her!” “How did our family produce something like you!” I completely gave up. My dad was an honest man. When did he ever gamble? Even his own sister was willing to splash dirty water on the dead to embezzle this money. Ms. Wang’s gaze on me became severe. “Hope, today, you must apologize to your mother and aunt.” “Don’t mention the money again. Go home with your mom.” Seeing me stand still, Linda and my aunt grabbed my arms, trying to drag me out. I broke free with force, holding onto the table to stand steady. “I’m going to sue.” This sentence silenced the entire mediation room. Hearing this, Linda sat on a chair, covering her face and pretending to sob. “My life is so bitter. My daughter, whom I raised so hard, wants to send me to the defendant’s seat for money.” My aunt patted her back incessantly, muttering about my faults. Their performance attracted onlookers from other staff in the center. “Is that the girl suing her mom for money? People really have changed.” “Looks quiet, didn’t expect such a vicious heart.” Ms. Wang sighed heavily and waved at me. “Child, you’re too extreme. This won’t solve the problem.” Linda wiped her dry eyes and stood in front of me. “Ms. Wang, don’t persuade her. If she wants to sue, let her! I’ve had enough!” “Let the judge decide whose fault it is!” With her words, Ms. Wang said no more, just letting us leave. Before leaving, I looked at Ms. Wang and asked softly. “Ma’am, what materials do I need to prepare for a lawsuit?” She looked at me with annoyance and pulled a flyer from a drawer. “The Legal Aid Center’s number is on it. Ask them yourself.” I cherished that thin piece of paper, turned around, and walked out of the mediation center. 4 The day I got the copy of the complaint, my rented basement was trashed. The landlady pointed at my nose and told me to get out immediately. “I won’t rent to an ungrateful wolf who sues her own mother!” In the following days, I found myself isolated by the whole world. In the family group chat, my aunt posted my “crimes” daily, accompanied by Linda’s haggard selfies. “My poor sister, forced to tears every day by her unfilial daughter.” “That girl was vain since childhood, asking her dad for money to buy brand names. Now that he’s gone, she torments her mom.” They even fabricated rumors about my dad’s gambling. Helpless, I left all the group chats, burying my head like an ostrich. But trouble still found me. At the construction site where I worked, the foreman found me and said he couldn’t use me anymore because someone had “said something.” I knew it was their doing. Desperate, I worked odd jobs during the day and hid in the city library’s basement reading room at night. It was quiet and empty. Finally, the court date arrived. As soon as I walked out of the library, I was surrounded by a group of people. The leader was my cousin, my aunt’s son, whom I used to be closest to. “Hope, you really shame our family!” The people behind him also pointed at me. “That’s her. Disowns family for money.” “Heard she wasn’t a good girl in school, hooking up with boys everywhere.” These filthy words made it hard for me to breathe. I stared at my cousin. “You believe them too?” His eyes dodged, but he stiffened his neck. “My mom said if you drop the lawsuit, she’ll buy me the latest phone.” “Hope, don’t be ungrateful. Just for you, our whole family has no peace!” I walked through the crowd expressionlessly toward the courthouse. In the plaintiff’s seat, I sat alone. On the defendant’s side, Linda, my aunt, Dave, and a crowd of relatives filled the seats. The judge banged the gavel, tone serious. “Plaintiff Hope Lin, please present evidence proving the defendant Linda Xu embezzled the settlement money. Otherwise, the court will dismiss your claim.” Linda’s hired lawyer stood up immediately. “My client has used the entire settlement to pay off the deceased’s debts. The plaintiff, as a daughter, not only fails to understand her mother’s hardships but also makes unreasonable demands for property division. This is purely vexatious.” The legal aid lawyer beside me pushed his glasses and whispered. “The situation is very unfavorable for you. You have no direct evidence.” Whispers inside and outside the courtroom surged toward me like a tide. “See? Just making trouble, no evidence at all.” I looked up, meeting all the questioning gazes, and took out an MP3 player so old the paint was peeling off. “Your Honor, the evidence is here.”

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Three months into dating Ethan Black, he took me to meet his “boys.” The guys were cracking inside jokes and roasting Ethan. I stood there, wearing a carefully practiced smile. Chloe Miller tossed Ethan’s jacket back at him. “You wore the wrong jacket last night, fine. But returning it without dry cleaning? Gross.” One of the guys, eager to stir the pot, sneered, “Ethan, you really found yourself a princess, huh? Take my advice, pick a girl who’s domesticated and useful!” “Hand-washing clothes, cooking fresh meals, buying gifts for her man every month—you gotta test her for like three to five years before putting a ring on it!” Chloe nodded vigorously. “Also, remember when I stayed with you in that basement apartment? Back then you’d even wear the wrong underwear. Now you have a ‘sister-in-law,’ keep your distance!” Ethan’s face turned bright red. “Shut up,” he laughed, but didn’t deny it. Mark, a sycophant, leaned into Chloe’s ear. “The new sister-in-law looks clueless. Think she even understands what we’re saying?” They were close, but loud enough for everyone to hear. The group huddled together, snickering. Ethan finally remembered me. He pulled me into the center of the crowd. “Let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Sophie Song. No bullying her, alright?” I had just sat down when someone shoved a drink in my hand. “Sister-in-law, to hang with us, you gotta hold your liquor. No cheating.” Ethan took the glass for me. “Sophie is allergic to alcohol. I’ll drink for her.” Chloe’s face darkened instantly. “Ethan, we’ve been friends for years. You forgot the rules?” “Who promised their future partner had to be a drinker?” “Are you ditching your friends for her?” Ethan swallowed the drink and tried to appease her. “I chased Sophie for six months. We’re serious. We’re going to get married. Don’t mess this up.” The room erupted in jeers. “No wonder we haven’t seen you! Ethan is locking it down!” “Not just a girlfriend, a wife!” “Impressive! I thought Chloe was hot, but you leveled up. Sophie is a knockout!” Chloe’s hand holding her drink froze. She punched the guy who spoke, laughing loudly, “I don’t cake on makeup like those little girls.” But her eyes were filled with hostility. Ethan looked uncomfortable. He whispered to me, “Sophie, maybe we should go catch a movie.” I feigned surprise. “Why? We just got here.” My voice wasn’t loud, but it cut through the room. Mark tsked. “Trying to bail already? You used to jump when Chloe said jump. What changed?” “Enough.” Ethan’s voice was dark. The atmosphere stiffened. Only the music continued to thump. The group exchanged glances, eventually focusing on Chloe. Chloe poured two full glasses. One for herself, one for Ethan. “Ethan, since you don’t care about our rules, fine. Drink this, and we go our separate ways.” Ethan clearly didn’t expect this. He hesitated, then turned to me. “Sophie… maybe just drink it? If you feel sick, I’ll take you to the ER.” I smiled, masking my disappointment. “It’s okay, Ethan. It’s your friends’ way of welcoming me.” The stench of cheap alcohol made me nauseous. Ethan looked conflicted but didn’t stop it. Chloe downed her glass in one go. “Sister, if you don’t drink, Ethan might have to dump you.” “Right?” Ethan avoided my eyes. I held the glass for a moment, then set it back on the table. Chloe smirked triumphantly. Before she could speak, I said softly, “I really don’t want to drink. But I’ll accept a penalty. Truth or Dare, whatever.” Jason, the group’s “hype man,” sneered. “We don’t play kid games. You think you’re part of the crew?” “How about this? You don’t want to drink? Pay up. $500 a glass. Deal?” Chloe beamed at him approvingly. The others got excited, waiting to see me embarrassed. Under everyone’s gaze, I nodded slowly. “Sure. I’ll Venmo you.” Jason, seeing I was serious, hesitantly opened his QR code. A second later, the cold, robotic voice announced: “Venmo received: Fifty thousand dollars.” Jason froze, staring at his balance. “Is 100 glasses enough? Should I transfer the next round too?” I held up my phone, casually displaying a balance with too many digits to count at a glance. Jason’s eyes almost popped out. He laughed nervously, his voice dropping an octave. “Enough! Enough! I didn’t know you were a real heiress. I was just joking, don’t be mad.” The others dropped their act and scrambled for Jason’s phone. “100 glasses? You can’t drink all that! Share some!” “I want to drink with the heiress too! Don’t hog it all!” “We’re all Ethan’s bros, we deserve a cut!” Ethan pulled me into his arms. “Watch it! If you bump my wife, my billionaire father-in-law will have your heads!” “It’s just 50k. Look at you guys, embarrassing.” The group froze, exchanging glances. Knowing me, 50k became “pocket change” to Ethan. And “billionaire father-in-law”? They realized they had hit the jackpot. The richest family in the city was the Song family. That made me the Song heiress. “Sophie… I mean, Miss Song. I’m Jason. Call me J-Dog.” “I’m Mark…” They introduced themselves over each other, the arrogance gone. Even Mark, Chloe’s lapdog, wavered. Chloe glared him down. “Sophie Song! You think buying them off works? Get out! We…” “Enough, Chloe! Sophie just got here. Why are you targeting her?” “Yeah, we never said she couldn’t pay. If you don’t like it, you pay.” Chloe was cut off by the group turning on her. Her face went pale, then red. She stomped her foot. “Don’t be mad,” Ethan patted her head. “We’re here to have fun. Don’t ruin the vibe.” “Even you think I’m ruining the vibe?!” Chloe’s eyes reddened. She started chugging straight from the bottle. Before Ethan could react, I took the bottle away. “Chloe, sis, we’re women. Heavy drinking can cause birth defects. Even if you don’t care about yourself, think about your future husband.” Chloe tried to snatch it back, but hearing “birth defects,” she hesitated. “But you drank with me earlier. I’ll pay the $500.” She felt insulted and opened her mouth to argue, but Mark beat her to it. “Sister-in-law, send it to me! I’ll hold it for Chloe.” I nodded. “Sure.” Another $50k hit his account. The room exploded. I spoke slowly, “Send the rest to Chloe too. Use it for a health checkup.” Mark, blinded by money, forgot all about loyalty. “Sister-in-law, what do you want to drink? I’ll buy!” “Get lost!” Ethan shoved him. “Back off.” The party was a hit—except for Chloe. Before leaving, I dropped another $100k on a tab for them. Afterward, Jason added me to the group chat. I was in. But seeing the group name—”Chloe’s Simps”—I knew I needed stronger medicine to break them apart. Ethan saw me on my phone and grumbled, “Sophie, is your family really that strict? No sex before marriage?” His words were muffled by the pillow. I looked down, feigning sadness. “I’m sorry, Ethan. I know it’s hard…” Seeing my guilt, Ethan softened. “Didn’t you want a car? I’ll have the dealership deliver one tomorrow.” Ethan shook with excitement. “Really?!” I nodded. “Of course. When have I lied to you?” He kissed me and pulled me into a hug. Once his breathing evened out, I went to the bathroom and scrubbed my face until it was raw. Looking at the scars on my right arm, tears fell. Soon. These scumbags will pay. I unlocked my phone and added Chloe. She accepted instantly: “Ethan make you apologize?” I smiled and sent my prepared message. As expected, blocked. I smirked at the chat log. Chloe was too easy. The next day, when Ethan rolled up in the sports car, the boys lost their minds. Basking in the glory, he announced, “Sophie bought it. Haven’t even broken it in yet!” Chloe, ignored again, snapped, “Are we going shopping or what?!” They said yes, but their eyes were glued to the car. I saw their envy. “If you guys like it, we can rent a track and race.” Jason was first. “Hell yeah! Never driven a beast like this!” Some hesitated. “What if we crash? Insurance…” I smiled. “I’ll just rent the whole track.” I called the track owner. The respectful tone on the other end sealed the deal. Their eyes were full of worship. The owner sent a shuttle. I looked at the left-out Chloe and acted regretful. “Oh, aren’t you guys going shopping with Chloe? Maybe Ethan and I should go ahead?” Jason immediately insisted on accompanying me. The others followed. Chloe stood there, awkward and alone. Tears fell. Realizing she was actually crying, the guys went back and coaxed her into the shuttle. At the track, they let her pick first. She glared at me, thinking she won. I watched them do laps. Until Jason came up behind me and saw the open chat on my phone. His smile vanished. “Stop! Chloe, get over here!” Jason blocked the track with his body. The guys were annoyed, especially Mark, who shoved him. Jason grabbed my phone and shoved it in Chloe’s face. “Explain this!” The chat showed my lonely messages. “Chloe, sis, you’re the only girl in the group. I didn’t want Ethan to get jealous, so I came to you.” “I ruined the vibe tonight. I’m sorry. How about I send everyone $100k as an apology?” Chloe’s reply: “Fck off, gold digger.”* Blocked. Seeing the red exclamation mark, Jason looked like he was about to explode. The others raged. “Chloe, what the hell?” “Sister-in-law apologizes and you treat her like this?” Chloe became the target. She lifted her chin stubbornly, tears falling again. But this time, crying didn’t work. Ethan returned from the restroom and saw the commotion. After hearing the story, he looked at Chloe helplessly. “Chloe, you were wrong this time. Talk to the guys next time.” “Sophie, take a step back. Re-send the apology红包 (red envelopes).” “Sure,” I agreed instantly, making Chloe look petty. Mark grinned. “Send Chloe’s share to me. I’ll save it for her.” Chloe turned purple, but everyone was too busy checking their bank balances. Money received. They rushed back to the track. Chloe was done. She glared at me like she wanted to murder me. Until she saw my phone wallpaper. She froze, rubbing her eyes. She confirmed it. A smirk appeared. She snapped a few photos, thinking, Sophie Song, you’re dead. A few days later, Chloe acted out of character. “I was bad to Sophie. Lunch is on me today.” Once she showed weakness, the guys forgave her on my behalf. At the restaurant, she ordered a feast. Ethan peeled shrimp for me. Chloe watched with envy. She cleared her throat. “Ethan, how did you meet Sophie?” Ethan was confused but answered. “Someone was following her at night. I stepped in.” Chloe nodded, smiling. “I thought billionaire heiresses had drivers and bodyguards. Or at least didn’t walk alone at night.” Jason clicked his tongue, missing the point. Until she pulled out a photo. The table went silent. It was a blurry photo of my wallpaper. Jason, who wanted to defend me, went pale. “Sophie, funny thing. We all know the person on your wallpaper. Her name is very similar to yours.” “Sarah Song. If she hadn’t… had that incident, you wouldn’t be Ethan’s girlfriend.” “What’s your relationship with her?” I looked surprised, then sighed. “I didn’t think you’d know.” Everyone looked wary. “She’s a painter I really like. She committed suicide after being cyberbullied for… a scandalous private life. But her art was beautiful.” “I missed her, so I used her photo.” “Chloe, are you a fan too?” The tension broke. Everyone exhaled. Chloe froze. Her triumphant look shattered. “Sophie Song, stop acting! I checked! You aren’t the Song heiress!” Chloe threw documents on the table. “The Song family only has one son.” “You didn’t know this restaurant is next to the Song Corp building, did you?” “If you were really the heiress, the staff would know you!” “And that car? It’s a rental! It’s been driven by half the influencers online!” The guys looked at me in shock. Jason realized, “You didn’t spend much these few days. And you do look like her…” Chloe smirked. “You’re investigating Sarah, aren’t you? Dare to confront the Song Group with me?” My eyes widened in fear. Ethan felt a chill. I was dragged to the Song Group lobby. Chloe pinched my chin, slamming my face onto the cold stone desk. “Do you know her?” The receptionists shook their heads instantly. Chloe slapped me hard. “Bitch! Daring to play me!” Blood trickled from my mouth. I trembled, “I’m not the Song heiress…” My next sentence froze her blood. The guys holding me let go in terror. “But I am the CEO’s sister.” Footsteps approached. The lobby went silent. A man stormed toward us. “Mr. Song!” the staff chorused. Lucas Song pulled me into his arms. “Sophie, are you okay?” His pupils constricted. “Your face…” I buried my head in his chest. “Brother…” Hearing him answer, the group knew they were screwed. Chloe stammered, “Mr. Song, you’re mistaken. How could she…” “Shut up!”

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“This engine… something’s wrong.” The mechanic at the dealership slid out from under the hood, a strange expression on his face. I froze. “What do you mean, wrong?” “Your car came with an imported engine,” he said, wiping grease from his hands with a rag. “This one… isn’t it.” I stared into the open hood. Three months ago, when my aunt borrowed my car, everything inside was brand new. “So what is it now?” The mechanic glanced at me, hesitating. “Wait here a second. Let me get the shop foreman.” 1 Three months ago, I was eating dinner when my Aunt Linda came over. “Ava, sweetie, I have a huge favor to ask.” Aunt Linda sat across from me, smiling that overly affectionate smile. I knew it well. Since I was a kid, that smile was always followed by “Can I borrow…?” “What is it, Aunt Linda?” “Could I borrow your car for a month?” My chopsticks paused in mid-air. My car was a Mercedes C-Class, bought three years ago. The sticker price was $65,000. I put down $45,000 myself and had just paid off the rest of the loan. “You need a car?” “Well, your cousin’s husband’s company is organizing a road trip to the Grand Canyon. Your uncle’s old Honda is too beat up. It would be embarrassing to drive that.” My mom chimed in from the side. “Your aunt really has no other options. Just let her use it for a month.” “But I need it for work.” “Can’t you take the subway? It’s just a month,” Mom glared at me. “Your aunt is asking you personally. Can you really say no?” Aunt Linda grabbed my hand, her tone sincere. “Ava, I promise I’ll take good care of it. I’ll bring it back washed and clean. If there’s even a scratch, I’ll pay for it.” I looked at my mom’s expectant face, then at Aunt Linda. “Fine.” “Oh, Ava is such a good girl!” Aunt Linda stood up immediately. “Where are the keys? We leave tomorrow.” “Auntie, I haven’t…” “Don’t worry, I’ve been driving for twenty years. My skills are great. It’s automatic, right? Perfect, easy to drive.” I handed her the keys, feeling uneasy. “Auntie, the odometer is at 20,000 miles. I filled the tank. When you bring it back…” “I know, I know, I’ll fill it up.” Aunt Linda grabbed the keys. “One month, max. I promise.” That night, lying in bed, I felt something was off. But Mom said, “Your aunt wouldn’t lie to you. You’re overthinking it.” What I didn’t expect was that “one month” turned into three. Month one: Aunt Linda said the Grand Canyon was beautiful and wanted to stay longer. Month two: She said they drove up to Yellowstone since they were already out west. Month three: She said the car had a “little issue” and needed repairs before coming back. I asked three times when I’d get my car back. First time: “Soon, soon, don’t rush me.” Second time: “It’s good exercise for a young girl to take the subway.” Third time: She ghosted my texts. Mom told me not to be petty. “Your aunt rarely gets to travel. Can’t you be generous?” Three months later, Aunt Linda finally returned the car. She parked it downstairs, didn’t come up, called to say the keys were at the front desk, and told me to get them myself. By the time I got downstairs, she was gone. I walked around the car. The exterior looked okay, freshly washed. But something felt wrong. I opened the door. The smell of stale smoke hit me. I don’t smoke. Odometer: 28,000 miles. It was 20,000 when she took it. Three months, 8,000 miles. I sat in the driver’s seat and started the engine. The sound was wrong. It used to purr smoothly. Now it sounded… rough. I thought maybe I just hadn’t driven it in a while. But driving down the block, I felt it. The power was off. There was a lag when accelerating. That never happened before. My heart sank. I called Aunt Linda. “Auntie, is something wrong with the car? It feels weird.” “Nothing! It’s fine. You’re just not used to it.” “You said there was a small issue before. What did you fix?” “Just an oil change. No big deal.” “Where did you fix it?” “Some roadside shop. Forgot the name.” I hung up, the feeling of wrongness growing. The next day, I took time off work and drove to the dealership. “Full inspection, please.” The service advisor asked, “Has this car been in an accident recently?” “I don’t know. I lent it to a relative.” “Okay, have a seat in the lounge. We’ll let you know.” I waited for nearly two hours. Then, the shop foreman came to find me personally. “Ma’am, can we talk in private?” His expression was serious. My stomach dropped. 2 The foreman led me to a small office, holding a stack of printed reports. “Ma’am, the situation with your car is… complicated.” “What situation?” “First off, your engine… has been swapped.” I froze. “Swapped? What do you mean?” “Your car came with an original imported engine, model M264,” he pointed to a number on the report. “But the one inside right now is a domestic salvage part.” “Salvage part?” “Taken from a totaled or scrapped car, refurbished for reuse.” My head buzzed. “Are you sure?” “Positive. Engines have serial numbers. We checked. It doesn’t match your vehicle registration at all.” “How… how is that possible?” The foreman looked at me calmly. He’d clearly seen this before. “You lent this car out for the last three months, right?” “Yes, to my aunt.” “Then it likely happened during that time. The wear and tear on this engine doesn’t match your odometer. Plus, swapping an engine isn’t a small job. A certified shop would have records. We checked; your VIN has no history of engine work.” “So it was done at an unauthorized shop?” “Most likely.” I took a deep breath. “How much is my original engine worth?” “Original imported M264, brand new with labor? Around $25,000.” “And this one?” He hesitated. “This is a salvage part, poor quality. If I had to price it… maybe $1,200 max.” $25,000. $1,200. The numbers spun in my head. “Anything else?” “A few things,” he flipped a page. “Transmission shows signs of leaking, likely from bottoming out. Brake pads are heavily worn, unusual for normal driving unless there was constant hard braking. Also, the rear bumper has been repainted. Looks like a rear-end collision, repaired privately without insurance.” “Privately?” “Yes, no record. The bodywork is shoddy.” I leaned back, staring at the ceiling. Three months. 8,000 miles. Engine swapped for junk. Leaking transmission. Worn brakes. Accident damage. What did Aunt Linda say? “I promise I’ll take good care of it.” “If there’s even a scratch, I’ll pay for it.” I laughed. I didn’t know if I wanted to laugh or cry. “Can I get a written report of all this?” “Yes, I’ll print it out.” “Photos too.” “No problem.” The foreman stood up. At the door, he looked back. “Ma’am, just so you know. Insurance won’t cover this because the engine swap isn’t an accident. If you want to pursue this, you’ll have to deal with the person who borrowed it, or go to court.” “I understand.” He left. I sat alone in the office for a long time. Then, I called Aunt Linda. “Auntie, I need to ask you something.” “What is it?” Her tone was breezy. “You got the car back, what else?” “About the engine.” Silence for two seconds. “What engine?” “Auntie, I took the car to the dealer today. They said my engine was swapped.” “…What?” “The original imported engine was replaced with a salvage part.” Silence again. Then her voice hurried. “Impossible. I drove it fine. Why would I swap the engine? Are you being scammed by the dealer? They love ripping people off.” “Auntie, I have the report. The serial numbers don’t match.” “Well… I didn’t do it!” “Then who did?” “How should I know!” Her voice raised. “I just drove it normally! Don’t pin everything on me!” “You said there was a small issue and you got it fixed outside.” “Just an oil change! Does an oil change swap an engine?” “Which shop was it? What’s the name?” “I told you I forgot! Why so many questions?” I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “Auntie, the original engine is worth $25,000. This one is worth $1,200. That’s a difference of over $23,000.” Dead silence on the other end. After ten seconds, she spoke. “Ava, what are you trying to say?” “I’m saying, you need to pay for this.” “Pay? Pay $23,000?” Her voice turned shrill. “Are you crazy? I borrow your car and you try to extort me for $23,000?” “You swapped my engine for junk.” “I didn’t! It has nothing to do with me!” “Auntie, I got the car back from your hands.” “Well I don’t know what happened! Anyway, I didn’t do it!” I didn’t want to argue over the phone. “Fine, Auntie. Let’s talk in person.” “Nothing to talk about!” Click. She hung up. I looked at the inspection report in my hand. My hands were shaking. Not from sadness. From rage. 3 When I got home that night, Mom already knew. Obviously, Aunt Linda struck first. “Ava, how could you talk to your aunt like that?” I slammed the report on the table. “Mom, look at this.” She glanced at it but didn’t pick it up. “I don’t understand this technical stuff.” “The engine was swapped. The original was $25,000. This one is junk worth $1,200.” “What do you mean swapped? Your aunt wouldn’t do that.” “She had the car. It happened on her watch.” “Do you have proof? Did you see her do it?” “Mom, it was original when she took it, and junk when she returned it. Who else?” Mom frowned. “Your aunt said she drove normally. You believe the dealership? They just want your money.” “Mom, the serial numbers don’t match. That’s hard evidence.” “I don’t know about numbers. But you can’t talk to your aunt like that. She’s your elder.” I inhaled sharply. “Mom, it’s $23,000. Not $23.” “I know. But you can’t be sure it was her. Maybe the shop scammed her?” “Then it’s still her responsibility for taking it there.” “Responsibility, schmonsibility…” Mom waved her hand. “I know your aunt. She wouldn’t do this. There must be a misunderstanding.” “Mom, whose side are you on?” “Whose side?” Mom glared. “Yours! I’m afraid if you blow this up, we can’t face the family anymore!” “So I just eat a $23,000 loss?” “I didn’t say that. I said watch your tone. Talk to your aunt nicely, maybe she’ll admit it?” “Nicely? She said it has nothing to do with her.” “Try again. She’s stubborn. You have to coax her.” “Coax her?” “Yes! You’re the younger generation. Soften up, give her an out. She cares about face. Let her save some.” I laughed, a helpless, bitter laugh. “Mom, my property was destroyed, and I have to apologize?” “Destroyed? The car still drives, doesn’t it?” “With a junk engine that could fail any minute? You call that drivable?” “Then fix it.” “Fix it? A $25,000 part replaced by a $1,000 part, and I just ‘fix it’?” Mom choked, looking unhappy. “Why are you so difficult? I’m doing this for you! If you make a scene, are you going to the family reunion? What if your aunt holds a grudge?” “She scammed me out of $23,000, and I’m worried she’ll hold a grudge?” “You…” Mom sighed, softening her tone. “Ava, listen to me. We can’t offend your aunt. Your uncle, your cousins, they’re all close to her. If you fight her, you’ll look bad.” “Look bad?” “Yes. People will say you’re ungrateful, fighting over money with family.” I stared at my mom for a few seconds. “Mom, do you know I paid off that loan for three years? $600 a month, never missed a payment.” “I know…” “You don’t. You just know to lend it to Auntie. You don’t know how hard I worked.” “Ava…” “Enough, Mom. I’ll handle this.” I took the report and went to my room. As I closed the door, I heard Mom sigh. “This child, why so stubborn…” I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. $23,000. For me, that’s nearly a year of savings. For Aunt Linda, it’s a “small matter.” For Mom, it’s “not worth fighting over.” But why? Because she’s my elder? Because she’s Mom’s sister? Because I should be the “good girl”? I pulled out my phone and scrolled to the texts from when she borrowed the car. [Aunt Linda]: Ava honey, let me borrow the car for a month. I promise I’ll cherish it. [Me]: Okay Auntie. Odometer is 20k. Tank is full. [Aunt Linda]: Don’t worry, I got this. I screenshotted it. Then I scrolled down to the extensions. [Aunt Linda]: Ava, the Canyon is amazing. Want to stay a few more days. [Me]: Okay, when will you be back? [Aunt Linda]: Give it another week. Two weeks later. [Aunt Linda]: Ava, we went to Yellowstone since we were close. Pity to miss it. [Me]: Auntie, commuting is really hard for me… [Aunt Linda]: Subway is good exercise. One month later. [Aunt Linda]: Car had a small issue out of state. Fixing it then coming back. [Me]: What issue? Serious? [Aunt Linda]: Not serious, relax. I screenshotted everything. She said “small issue,” fixed it. Now the engine is gone. I googled: Engine swapped by borrower, legal recourse. Most posts said “hard.” Without direct proof, it’s hard to prove who swapped it. But some said, strict liability. Whoever borrowed the car is responsible for returning it in the same condition. I checked the time. 11 PM. Tomorrow, I’m doing something. 4 The next day was Saturday. I asked Aunt Linda to meet. I picked a coffee shop. Mom insisted on coming to “mediate.” Aunt Linda arrived late, bringing my cousin Jessica. As soon as she sat down, Aunt Linda started. “Ava, dragging me out here? Is this an interrogation?” “Auntie, I just want to clear things up.” “Clear what up? I told you I didn’t swap it. What more do you want?” “Auntie, you promised to take care of the car.” “I did!” “Then where’s the engine?” Aunt Linda scowled. “What are you implying? You think I swapped it? Why would I steal your engine?” “Then tell me how the car ended up like this.” “How should I know!” Her voice rose. “I drove normally. Hit some mountain roads in Utah. Felt a lag on a hill once, so I found a shop to check. They said it was fine, just changed the oil.” “Just an oil change?” “Yes, just oil!” “What shop? Where?” “I told you I forgot! We were in a rush!” I placed the inspection report on the table. “Auntie, look at this.” She glanced at it but didn’t touch it. “I won’t look. I don’t understand it.” “The serial numbers don’t match. Original was imported M264. This is a domestic salvage part.” “Numbers, schmumbers. You believe the dealer’s lies?” “Auntie, this is a technical inspection, not a lie.” “Fine, fine, whatever you say.” She laughed coldly. “You’ve already convicted me, what can I say?” Cousin Jessica spoke up. “Ava, just say what you want. Why beat around the bush?” I looked at Jessica. “Cuz, I just want to know how the engine disappeared.” “You asked my mom, she said she doesn’t know. What else?” “Does ‘I don’t know’ absolve responsibility?” “What responsibility?” Jessica raised an eyebrow. “Do you have proof my mom swapped it? Did you see it?” “The car left her hands with an engine and came back without one. Of course she’s responsible.” “Responsible? You lend a car and create a liability?” Mom tugged my arm. “Ava, watch your tone…” I took a deep breath. “Auntie, Jessica. I’m not hunting for who swapped it. I’m saying, someone has to pay for the loss.” “You want my mom to pay?” Jessica sneered. “$23,000? Why don’t you rob a bank?” “The difference in value is $23,800.” “Fine, $23,800.” Jessica spread her hands. “You want my mom to cough up $23,800?” “Shouldn’t she?” “Why? My mom didn’t do it on purpose!” “Does accidental damage mean you don’t have to pay?” “You…” Jessica wanted to argue, but Aunt Linda stopped her. “Enough.” Aunt Linda looked at me, her face changing. “Ava, let me ask you. Are you dead set on fighting me over this?” “Auntie, this isn’t fighting. This is protecting my rights.” “Rights?” She scoffed. “Talking about rights with your aunt? How did your mother raise you?” “This has nothing to do with how I was raised.” “Of course it does!” She turned to Mom. “Sis, look at your daughter. What is she saying? I’m her elder!” Mom looked embarrassed. “Ava, watch what you say…” “Mom, what did I say wrong?” “You…” Aunt Linda interrupted. “Fine. I get it.” She pulled out her phone, scrolled, and shoved the screen at me. “Look. This is the shop I found in Utah. Here’s the Venmo record. $150 total. Just an oil change and service fee. If you don’t believe me, go check yourself.” I looked at the transaction. Recipient: Mike’s Auto. Location: Some town in Utah. $150. “Auntie, an engine swap costs more than $150.” “Exactly!” She pulled the phone back. “I never swapped the engine! Just changed the oil! The engine has nothing to do with me!” “Then how is it gone?” “I don’t know! Maybe the shop stole it! Maybe the dealer is lying! Not me!” She looked so self-righteous. As if she were the victim. “Auntie, I can investigate that shop.” “Go ahead.” She stood up. “I’ve said my piece. Not my fault. If you want to pin it on me, fine.” “Auntie, I’m not pinning it on you. I’m talking reason.” “Reason?” She huffed. “If you knew reason, you wouldn’t be counting pennies with your aunt.” She grabbed her bag and looked at Mom. “Sis, I can’t control your daughter. You handle her.” She walked out without looking back. Jessica followed, throwing one last line over her shoulder: “Ava, you’re hilarious. Over a used car? Really?” They left. The coffee shop was quiet. Mom looked at me and sighed. “Look. Look at what you did. You upset your aunt.” “Mom, she swapped my engine for junk. I can’t ask?” “Your attitude… who can stand that?” “What attitude? I was polite.” “Every word you said was forcing her to admit guilt. Would she?” “She did wrong, why can’t she admit it?” “Ava, why don’t you get it?” Mom lowered her voice. “Your aunt has pride. The more you push, the more she denies. You have to coax her, give her a way out.” “Coax?” “Yes. Apologize first, say you were rude, then talk slowly.” “Mom, apologize for what? I’m the victim.” “You apologize to solve the problem!” “Is this how problems are solved?” I looked at Mom, feeling a deep sadness. “Mom, do you know? Growing up, every time Auntie took advantage of us, you told me to endure. When she gave my toys to Jessica, you said share. When she borrowed my $500 savings in college and didn’t pay back for two years, you said family doesn’t count debts. Now she swapped my engine, and you want me to apologize?” “Ava…” “Mom, answer me. Are you on my side, or hers?” Mom froze. “I… of course I’m on your side…” “Then can you support me in getting this money back?” Mom opened her mouth but said nothing. I waited a few seconds. “Mom, I understand. You don’t want conflict. But I can’t let this go. $23,000 is two years of my life.” I stood up. “You don’t have to help me. But don’t stop me.” I took the report and left.

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To make Caleb Vance happy, I, a pampered heiress, learned how to race cars. To catch his eye, I drifted through traffic, drew a heart on the pavement with gasoline, and set my $3 million hypercar on fire—just to see him smile. My father, furious, sent me away on a “humble pie” reality show, banishing me to the mountains to dig potatoes for six months. When I crawled back home, dusty and humbled, I heard Caleb had fallen in love with the scholarship student I swapped lives with. At my welcome-back party, Caleb publicly shielded the girl, frowning coldly: “Ava, enough is enough. I love her.” Nosy reporters shoved microphones in my face. “Miss Ava Locke, everyone knows you love Mr. Vance more than life itself. Now that he’s moved on, are you as devastated as rumors say?” The internet waited for my breakdown. Instead, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud: “Love him more than life? Since when?” 1 After I spoke, the room went dead silent. A reporter shoved a microphone in my face: “Miss Locke, were you speaking out of anger just now?” I smiled. “It’s the truth.” “Then what do you think about Mr. Vance and Miss Bella’s relationship…” “I wish them the best,” I raised my champagne glass towards them. “A perfect match.” Caleb’s face darkened. He probably didn’t expect this reaction. In the past, I would have smashed glasses, screamed, and publicly demanded to know why he changed his heart. Bella spoke up in a soft, timid voice: “Sister, please don’t be angry, it’s my fault…” “It’s not your fault,” I interrupted her, turning directly to the buffet table to grab a slice of cake. My phone buzzed. Unknown number, one text: Enjoying the show? I deleted it. No need to guess who it was. Jax. My real lover, kept secret from everyone for three years. He knew about tonight. He knew how I should be feeling. Over by my parents, they saw Bella’s eyes turn red and immediately hugged her in distress: “Child, you’ve suffered…” My father patted Caleb on the shoulder: “Your parents talked to me. Treat Bella well.” Only then did they look at me. “Ava,” my mother’s tone was complicated, “Go easy on Bella. She hasn’t had it easy. You know her family situation…” Father sighed: “Let’s go home. Stop making a scene.” Bella timidly came over to tug my sleeve: “Sister, let’s go home together…” I pulled my hand back. “You go ahead. I have something to do.” Caleb immediately blocked my path: “Where are you going now? Racing? Drinking? Ava, stop messing around.” “Work,” I showed him my schedule on my phone screen. “Meeting someone about an investment.” He looked like he heard a joke: “What investment? Weren’t you digging potatoes in the suburbs for six months…” “Digging potatoes?” I finished his sentence, looking at him. “I wasn’t just digging potatoes these past six months.” In the underground garage, Caleb cornered me. “Ava, what exactly do you want?” I unlocked my car door. “Nothing.” “Why are you pretending?” He grabbed the door, stopping me from closing it. “Don’t come crying to me tomorrow, chasing me asking why…” “Cry?” I laughed. “Caleb, people grow up.” He froze, as if really looking at my face for the first time. But he had looked at this face for ten years. Ten years. I grew my hair long for him because he said “girls look better with long hair.” I changed my temper for him because he thought it was “embarrassing.” Even when he held his new love and told me “Ava, stop it,” I only asked “why” with red eyes. What did he say then? Oh, right. He said: “You’re always so childish.” “Bella is nice,” I sat in the driver’s seat and buckled up. “Obedient, listens well, treats you like her whole world. You two are a good match.” His face turned ashen: “What do you mean?” “I mean,” I started the engine, “I’m tired.” “Chasing you for ten years was pretty boring.” As I drove away, his figure grew smaller in the rearview mirror. I dialed the number I knew by heart. “Seen enough?” I asked. A low chuckle came from the other end: “This is just the beginning, my Ava.” “Sticking to the plan?” he asked. “Yeah.” “Let them be happy for a few more days.” I hung up. That night, I returned to the Locke mansion to find my room had been turned into Bella’s piano room. Mother held my hand, explaining: “Ava, you’re rarely home anyway. Bella likes to play piano, and this room has the best light…” I said nothing, dragging out the prepared cardboard boxes from under the bed and packing my things. When I took the photos off the wall, the backs were already yellowed. Bella stood at the door wiping tears: “Sister, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…” “It’s fine,” I stuffed a frame into the bottom of the box. “As long as you like it.” Father couldn’t watch anymore: “Ava, there’s an empty room on the third floor…” “No need,” I smiled. “My apartment is more convenient.” Caleb was there too. He frowned at me: “Ava, don’t act like a victim.” I picked up the box, frowning slightly: “I’m not acting.” He choked. Bella immediately whispered: “Caleb, don’t yell at Sister…” Caleb’s tone instantly softened: “Don’t be scared, Bella. I’m here.” I watched them being affectionate and silently carried my box downstairs. Mother chased after me, stopping me at the stair landing: “Ava, Mom doesn’t love you less, it’s just that Bella…” “I know,” I turned to look at her. “Mom, as long as you’re happy.” I had said this many times. When she praised the neighbor’s daughter for being well-behaved, I said: “Mom, as long as you’re happy.” When she praised my cousin’s grades, I said: “Mom, as long as you’re happy.” It seemed as long as I was sensible enough, I could exchange it for a little love. But now it was different. Looking at the panic and guilt in her eyes, I suddenly found it laughable. So she always knew she was biased, yet expected me to swallow all the grievances myself. “Mom,” I smiled, “actually you don’t need to explain to me, because I’m not sad at all.” She froze. “Because now I know,” I pulled my hand back, “it’s not that I’m not good enough.” “It’s that your love is too cheap.” When I turned and walked downstairs, my steps were lighter than ever before. 2 The next morning, when I went to the old house to pick up things, Bella “accidentally” broke the jade bracelet my grandmother left me. That was my grandmother’s legacy. The bracelet broke into three pieces, hitting the marble floor with a sharp, crisp sound. Bella immediately cried like a pear blossom bathed in rain: “Sister, I’m sorry… my hand slipped, I didn’t mean to…” Caleb immediately shielded her: “It’s just a bracelet, Ava, don’t make a scene.” Mother rushed over too, glanced at the pieces, and sighed: “Ava, Mom will buy you a new one. Bella didn’t mean to.” Father frowned: “Alright, everyone say less.” I didn’t speak, squatting down to pick up the pieces one by one. The jade edges were sharp, and blood soon beaded on my fingertips. “It’s fine,” I said calmly, then stood up. “Out with the old, in with the new. Just like people.” Before Bella could react, I walked to the antique piano she cherished most. It was a gift Mother just gave her last month. As soon as the words fell, I grabbed the piano stool and smashed it onto the keys. CRASH! As she screamed and rushed over, I grabbed the photo frame she had just placed on the piano cover. Inside was a picture of her and Caleb. “This,” I let go right in front of her face, “also slipped.” The shattering sound was crisp and piercing. Caleb wanted to step forward but I stopped him with a raised hand: “What’s the rush? I’m not done.” I turned to my pale-faced parents: “Dad, Mom, all these years I’ve been wondering if I wasn’t good enough, which is why you always looked at other people’s children.” “Now I understand, it’s you who don’t deserve a good child.” I picked up my bag from the floor, walked past Bella, and whispered: “A counterfeit will never be the real thing.” “Just like you. Even if you live in the Locke house, deep down you’re still that pathetic creature who has to lie to be loved.” As I left, behind me was Bella’s breakdown of screams and sobs. I texted Jax: “Ready for the next step.” He replied instantly: “Been ready.” I looked up at the sky. The sky in the city was gray, much like my ten years in the Locke family. But soon, I would see the real light. On my birthday, the Locke family threw a grand banquet. The gold lettering on the invitation read: “Inviting you to the Homecoming Dinner of the Locke Family’s Second Daughter, Bella.” Not my birthday party, but Bella’s recognition party. I was coerced into attending. At the banquet, she played the piano in a million-dollar haute couture gown, winning a house full of applause. Guests whispered: “This is what a Locke daughter should look like.” Someone whispered: “Isn’t today Ava’s birthday?” Mother heard it and smiled awkwardly: “Ah yes… Ava, come, cut the cake.” The cake was a three-tier pink fondant cake, the style Bella chose. Pink, the color I had hated since childhood. Caleb fed Bella a small piece: “Sweet?” Bella nodded, eyes curving into crescents: “Sweet. Caleb, you eat too.” I put down the knife and told my parents: “I’m full.” As I turned to leave, I heard someone behind me say: “Ava has such a weird temper, no wonder Caleb chose Bella.” I scoffed. Who cares? Walking to the parking lot, I remembered my eighteenth birthday. Caleb promised to be with me but flew to the beach to watch the sunrise with an escort instead. I waited in the karaoke room until dawn. He sent a photo of the sunrise with the caption: “So beautiful.” I replied: “Didn’t you promise to spend my birthday with me?” He replied a long time later: “?” That day, my parents were on a business trip. I lit a candle alone at home and cried while making a wish. No one remembered me. The parking lot lights were dim. Jax straddled a black motorcycle, long legs touching the ground. Seeing me, he tossed over a helmet: “Let’s go. Taking you to eat a real birthday cake.” I caught the helmet, wrapped my arms around his waist, and pressed my face against his back. This was the first time someone remembered I was the main character on my birthday. Three days later, Caleb came to my apartment. “Ava, let’s talk.” I let him in. He looked around my small apartment, frowning slightly. “Bella wants to work at Locke Corp,” he said directly. “Arrange it.” “What position?” “Yours,” he paused, “or at least equal to yours.” I laughed: “Why?” “Because she’s the second Miss Locke now,” he frowned. “Because she needs a sense of security.” “What about me?” “You’re capable,” he said as if it were obvious. “Make your own way again.” I looked at him like he was a stranger: “Caleb, what do you take me for?” “For…” he stalled, “Ava.” “An Ava you can summon and dismiss at will?” He got annoyed: “Stop being unreasonable! Bella…” “She’s pitiful, she’s had it hard, she needs care,” I finished for him. “I know, I’ve heard it eight hundred times.” “So?” I asked calmly. “So I deserve to give up everything? My room, my bracelet, and now even my position?” He was silent for a long time. Then he said: “Ava, I’m begging you.” Ten years. The first time he used the word “beg” with me. It was for another woman. When Mother came to find me, her eyes were swollen like peaches. “Ava, Mom has a favor to ask.” “Say it.” “We plan to transfer the villa in the south to Bella,” tears fell from her eyes. “She says she feels insecure and wants a home of her own…” My heart constricted. That villa was my eighteenth birthday present from my grandfather. He said: “Ava, this will be your safety net.” “Mom, Grandpa left that to me.” “Mom knows,” she held my hand, her palm cold. “But Bella… she suffered too much before, we have to compensate her…” “So I should yield?” I pulled my hand back. “Compensate her with my things?” Mother froze: “Ava, when did you become so cold-blooded?” I looked into her eyes and asked word by word: “Mom, where were you during the six months I was digging potatoes in the mountains?” “I…” “You were with Bella,” I laughed, my eyes burning. “Every day without fail. She called you Mom, and you answered so happily.” Mother’s face turned pale. “I can give the villa,” I stood up and walked to the window. “But this is the last time.” “From now on, don’t ask me for anything else.” She left crying. The moment the door closed, I texted Jax: “My patience is running out.” He replied instantly: “I’m here.” 3 On the day I went back to the Locke house to sign the papers, I stood at the corner of the second-floor stairs, looking down at my phone. “Sister.” I looked up. It was Bella. She stood next to me, grinning: “Sister, look at me.” I frowned in confusion. Suddenly, she leaned back. Thump! She tumbled down the stairs. Caleb rushed over at the sound and saw the scene. Bella lay sprawled on the floor, gasping weakly: “Sister… why did you push me… I just wanted to talk to you…” Caleb turned and slapped me across the face. I fell to the floor, ears ringing, the taste of blood in my mouth. “Ava,” his voice shook violently, unsure if from anger or fear, “I never thought you could be so vicious!” When my parents rushed in, Bella was crying, Caleb was yelling, and I was sitting on the floor wiping blood from my mouth. Mother pointed at me, fingers trembling: “Get out! I don’t have a daughter like you!” I propped myself up against the wall, my left cheek burning with pain. I turned to my mother: “Mom, when I was ten and had a fever of 104, you went with my brother to his piano lesson. The nanny took me to the hospital.” “You never came to a single parent-teacher conference.” “Now,” I wiped the blood from my lip, “for a liar you’ve known for six months, you tell me to get out?” Mother’s face went white. Caleb wanted to speak, but I cut him off: “Caleb, I’ll remember this slap.” “From now on,” I scanned each of them, “none of you will ever take anything from me again.” As I turned, fake sobs came from Bella behind me. I didn’t look back. The last bit of warmth in my heart went completely cold. The entrance to the Locke house was crowded with reporters. Cameras shoved in my face: “Miss Locke, did you push Miss Bella down the stairs?” “Was it out of jealousy?” “Is it true the Locke family is disowning you?” Flashbulbs went off like crazy. No need to guess, she arranged it. Then, a black sports car burst through the crowd, screeching to a halt in front of me. The door opened, and Jax stepped out, black shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He walked straight over, put his arm around my shoulder, and spoke coldly to the cameras: “My girlfriend is tired. Move.” The reporters were stunned. Someone reacted: “Mr. Vance? You and Miss Locke…” Jax held my shoulder and smiled at the camera: “Let me introduce you properly. My fiancée, Ava Locke.” He waved his hand, and the trunks of nine sports cars parked by the road opened simultaneously, revealing a sea of red roses. The hood of the middle car had “Ava” spelled out in giant roses. “We’ve been together for three years,” Jax looked down at me, eyes tender. “We planned to go public later, but someone seems to misunderstand that my girlfriend is unwanted?” Just then, the door to the Locke villa opened. Caleb walked out supporting the red-eyed Bella, running straight into this sea of roses. He clenched his fists, staring at Jax’s hand on my shoulder. Everyone in the city knew Jax was Caleb’s hated rival, beating him in business and crushing him on the racetrack. “Ava!” Caleb looked panicked, voice trembling. “You and him… since when?” The man who was always composed in front of me now had red-rimmed eyes. He took a step forward but was blocked by Jax’s bodyguards. I didn’t answer, just fiddled with the ring Jax had just put on my hand. A three-carat pink diamond, dazzling with fire. Caleb’s adam’s apple bobbed, voice hoarse: “You did this on purpose, didn’t you? Anyone else, why him…” “Why not?” I finally looked up. “Find someone worse than you so you can keep thinking I should be humble without you?” He stumbled back. Bella tried to support him, but he flung her off. I’d seen that look before. Three years ago, when he misunderstood that I was eating with someone else, it was this same anger of betrayal. I took the rose Jax handed me, smelled it, then turned and threw it at Bella’s feet in front of everyone. “Sister,” I smiled brightly, “you want the man I used, so I’ll give you the flower I don’t want too.” Bella’s face was ugly. Reporters snapped photos frantically. Jax chuckled in my ear: “Happy?” I stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek, whispering: “Not bad. Let’s go, fiancé.” The crowd instinctively parted. 4 In the hilltop villa, Jax tended to my wound. His hand shook as the swab with medicine brushed the corner of my mouth. “I should have come sooner,” his voice was raspy. “Just right,” I pulled at the corners of my swollen mouth. “Any earlier and they wouldn’t have finished their performance.” He put down the swab and cupped my face: “How do you want to play it next?” I opened my phone and pulled up three files. Jax read them and laughed. “I want them,” I said softly, “to kneel and beg for my forgiveness.” The press conference was set for three days later. Jax sent the invitations himself. The title was explosive enough. Grand Vance Group Cooperation & Personal Announcement The venue was packed. As Jax led me onto the stage hand in hand, he announced into the mic: “First, Vance Group will enter a deep strategic partnership with Miss Ava Locke personally.” “Second,” he paused, looking at me sideways, eyes shining, “we are engaged.” Dead silence for a second, then the room exploded. “Mr. Vance! When did you and Miss Locke get together?!” Jax held my waist, smiling arrogantly: “Three years.” “Then Mr. Caleb and Miss Bella…” “Him?” Jax sneered. “Just a blind man who can’t tell a pearl from a fish eye.” Just then, the venue doors were slammed open. Caleb rushed in, suit messy, eyes bloodshot. As Jax led me off stage, passing Caleb, I stopped. “By the way,” I whispered, for his ears only, “the financial hole in your company can never be filled.” His pupils contracted sharply. The day after the evidence was mailed, the city nearly flipped upside down. Headline: “Humble Pie” Reality Show Participant Revealed as Real Illegitimate Child!? The diary stated in black and white: “Bella is Locke’s daughter. I didn’t want her to go back, but the Lockes are rich. Bella needs to acknowledge this father to have a good life…” Mother fainted on the spot seeing the newspaper. Father locked himself in the study for three days. Bella called Caleb like crazy: “Caleb, it’s fake! Someone is trying to harm me!” For the first time, Caleb didn’t believe her. Silence on the phone, then he asked: “Bella, tell me the truth. Are you really Uncle Locke’s illegitimate daughter?” “I…” she broke down crying, “I… I didn’t know about their affairs, but that’s not important, right? I love you, Caleb, isn’t that enough?!” Caleb hung up. The Locke family’s capital chain completely broke. Banks called eight times a day, three key projects halted simultaneously, suppliers blocked the company doors demanding money. Father Locke swallowed his pride to beg my father. My father smiled bitterly: “Old Locke, it’s not that I won’t help, but the one who can save the Locke family now… might be Ava.” “Ava?” “The cooperation with Vance Group is personal to her,” Father sighed. “The resources she holds now are more than the entire Locke Group.” When they found me, I was practicing driving at Jax’s private track. Caleb stood by the car, suit wrinkled, dark circles under his eyes. He lowered his voice: “Ava, help the Locke family.” I took the water Jax handed me, took a sip: “Why should I?” “For the sake of our ten years…” “Ten years you treated me as a backup,” I interrupted, screwing the cap tight. “Now you want me to be a savior?” Father Locke stepped forward, tearful: “Ava, Uncle knows he was wrong. We wronged you before…” “The wrong one is your son,” I looked at Caleb. “Caleb, what do you offer in exchange?” His throat moved: “What do you want? Money? Shares?” “I want you,” I smiled, “to kneel and beg me.” The air solidified. Caleb stared at me, eyes red as blood. His lips moved, but no sound came out. Then, he turned and walked away. But his mother came. At the hospital entrance, Mother Locke knelt down with a thud in front of everyone. “Ava, Auntie begs you… the Locke family can’t fall, it’s generations of blood and sweat…” Onlookers raised their phones to snap photos. I bent down to help her up: “Auntie, whether the Locke family falls depends on your son.” “When he learns how to be a human, I’ll consider helping.”

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The day I was diagnosed with cancer, I ran home, ecstatic, clutching the test results. The front door opened. My parents and brother were, as always, surrounding the fake heiress, coddling her. I rushed in, slammed the report on the table, and said: “Mom, Dad, Ethan, I have stomach cancer. It’s terminal. I won’t live past three months.” They froze. My heart swelled with anticipation, expecting to see their faces twist with regret. I thought, even if they cried and begged on their knees, I wouldn’t forgive them. But the scene I imagined never happened. They passed the diagnosis report around in silence. Finally, Dad spoke, asking me: “What kind of urn do you want?” Mom chimed in too: “Three months from now is Chloe’s debutante ball. So your funeral can’t be too big. It would be bad luck!” There was no dramatic regret, no chasing me to the crematorium. I died alone on the day of Chloe’s debutante ball. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I was first brought home. 1 My stomach still seemed to cramp with phantom pain, but the noise around me suddenly grew loud. I snapped my eyes open, just in time to see Chloe sobbing in Mom’s arms. The next instant, before I could recover from the daze of rebirth, I felt a violent shove. I stumbled and fell to the floor. Looking up, I met Ethan’s hostile gaze. “I’m telling you, I only recognize Chloe as my sister. So anyone or anything that hurts her, I will deal with personally.” My stalled thoughts began to turn. I remembered. This was the day my parents first brought me home. I had been abused for sixteen years. So when my biological parents recognized me and brought me home, I was full of hope, thinking I would finally get family, love, everything I had dreamed of. But I didn’t expect that there was already a fake heiress at home, enjoying everything in my place. So, when Ethan pushed me down, sixteen years of accumulated grievance and unwillingness exploded instantly. Covered in snot and tears, I demanded my parents kick Chloe out. I thought they didn’t know what I had been through, so I ripped open my past wounds myself, every word dripping with blood. “Chloe’s mother did it on purpose! She switched us intentionally! She told me herself!” “My ribs were broken by her mother three times! My right arm dislocated twelve times! My legs and chest have countless burns…” “When I was seven, her mother sold me to a circus! I lived and ate with animals, barking like a dog on stage, mimicking a dog peeing, jumping through rings of fire with zero dignity…” I screamed and cried, tearing at my clothes regardless of propriety. “Mom, Dad, Ethan, look! Look at my scars! It hurt so much back then…” “Please feel sorry for me… send Chloe away, and don’t let her call you Mom, Dad, and Brother anymore, okay?” I looked up, expectant, thinking they would hug me in heartache, gently wipe away my tears. But Mom and Dad looked awkward, and a flash of disgust crossed Ethan’s eyes. He spoke, mocking: “Even if what you say is true, what does that have to do with Chloe?” “She was just a child back then. She knew nothing. She’s innocent.” “Finding out suddenly that she isn’t related to this family, Chloe must be hurting much more than you.” Tears froze on my face. I looked at him in disbelief, realizing he wasn’t joking at all. I turned to my parents, who had brought me home personally. Mom, who had just shed tears of pity for me, was now hugging Chloe, looking troubled. “Yes! Willow, your brother is right. Chloe is innocent after all. Can’t you be more understanding?” Dad spoke up, making a direct decision: “Enough. Both stay. The Vance family can afford to raise both.” “Get up off the floor and change into some decent clothes. Look at yourself, what a mess.” So, in my past life, on the very first day, I stood against everyone. Three years of constant fighting followed. And for 1,095 days, I never won against Chloe, not even once. That’s why, when I got the cancer diagnosis, my first reaction wasn’t fear or sadness, but relief. I hoped my death would punish my biased parents, make my brother who loathed me regret everything. But alas! I bet my life and still lost miserably. On the day of Chloe’s eighteenth birthday debutante ball, my ashes were quietly buried. No memorial hall, no funeral service, and… no one came to see me off. Mom, Dad, and Ethan. In this life, I don’t want your love anymore. Thinking of this, my thoughts returned. I looked up at my angry brother and said: “Master Vance, I never said I wanted to be your sister.” Ethan froze. Even Mom and Dad, who were comforting Chloe, looked over in surprise. 2 Dad frowned, speaking coldly: “Willow Lee, stop making a scene!” “The Vance family is wealthy. Whatever Chloe has, you’ll have too. We won’t mistreat our biological daughter.” Mom looked at my thin frame, a flicker of heartache finally appearing in her eyes. She let go of Chloe, squatted down to help me up, and persuaded: “Willow, stop saying angry words. Besides, you’re not an adult and you have no money.” “If you don’t acknowledge us, do you want to go back to the circus and be a monkey, teased like an animal by the audience?” Even though I had died once and lived again, hearing this still brought a sour sting to my eyes. Look at my biological mother. She actually knew I suffered, knew my dignity was trampled on for sixteen years. Yet, even knowing that, she could still use such casual words to stab me in the heart. But in my past life, I was too desperate for love. So desperate I didn’t see the coldness hidden under her concern. But now… After standing firm, I raised my arm and pushed her hand away. Then, I spoke coldly: “I’m serious.” “Since the public doesn’t know about me yet, you can simply announce you’re sponsoring a poor student from the mountains.” Before they could object, I continued quickly: “Besides, I don’t know any etiquette, can’t taste wine, mix perfume, or arrange flowers…” “I’m afraid if people know who I am, I’ll embarrass the Vance family.” Mom and Dad, who were about to speak, exchanged a look and shut their mouths. Seeing this, I lowered my head, a smile of relieved mockery flashing in my eyes. This was how it was in my last life. Chloe deliberately took me to high-society banquets just to watch me make a fool of myself. And whatever guilt or pity my parents had for me vanished with every embarrassment. Terrified, thinking I wasn’t good enough, I spent sleepless nights learning etiquette and knowledge. Later, at a banquet, I handled myself perfectly, even better than Chloe. I thought Mom and Dad would praise me, that Ethan would change his opinion. But Chloe just shed a single tear, and all my efforts turned to ash. Ethan cut up all my gowns. Mom and Dad fired the teachers they hired for me. Chloe got an extravagantly luxurious solo piano concert. I heard my parents spent nearly ten million on it. Ten million! If I remember correctly, my urn cost just over a thousand dollars. Indeed, I wasn’t sensible enough in my past life. Always feeling wronged, unable to stop fighting and grabbing. Ending up bruised and battered, without a shred of their sympathy. Thinking about it now, what was the point? Willow Lee, what was the point? Fighting until the end, you didn’t even get a decent funeral… “Alright,” Dad said, breaking the silence. “We’ll do as Willow says for now. We’ll find you professional tutors.” “Once you’ve learned everything, we’ll hold a banquet to announce your identity as the Vance family daughter.” I nodded and said politely: “Thank you, Mr. Vance.” Arthur Vance frowned, correcting me: “We’re at home. No need to be so distant. You can call me Dad.” I shook my head, smiling distantly: “No, I’ll stick with Mr. Vance. In case I get used to it and slip up in public.” I turned to Grace Vance and changed my address for her too: “Thank you too, Mrs. Vance. I only need you to support me until I’m eighteen. I won’t bother you for too long.” Mom’s face turned a bit pale. She forced a smile and tried to take my hand again: “Willow, you don’t have to be like this. You are my daughter after all, we…” I dodged Grace’s hand. I felt tired and didn’t want to hear their hypocritical words anymore. So I shouldered my tattered bag and walked toward the guest room on the first floor. Behind me came Chloe’s timid voice: “Sister Willow, I’ve already given up my room. You… you go up. I’ll stay in the guest room!” I paused, replying only once: “No need. After all, right now, you are the legitimate daughter of the Vance family.” Walking a few more steps, I heard Ethan’s angry voice: “Chloe, ignore her.” “Won’t even call us Mom and Dad. Who is she acting pitiful for?” “Since she wants to suffer, let her suffer thoroughly. Don’t even give her the guest room.” “Martha, get the key to the storage room. Let Willow Lee sleep there.” I felt everyone’s eyes land on me instantly. I didn’t turn back or argue. I just followed Martha silently to get the key. 3 I didn’t go out for dinner. I just took some food back to the storage room. Passing the dining room, Chloe was laughing with Mom, Dad, and Ethan. Maybe intentionally, their voices grew louder as I walked by. Ethan practically fed Chloe her food. In my past life, I would have been hurt by this exclusion, made a scene, and upset everyone. But now, I just nodded politely at them and turned away. I have a lot to think about. Checkups, exercise, studying, and… the college entrance exam… So many things. I really don’t have the energy to waste on irrelevant people. It’s August now. One month until school starts. First, I got a full checkup. Seeing that my stomach hadn’t developed cancer yet, I breathed a sigh of relief. Then, I made a strict schedule and asked for a full set of high school textbooks. Every day, before the Vance family woke up, I washed up and went for a run. Then, timing it perfectly, I finished breakfast and went back to my room to study before they came downstairs. Mrs. Vance tried to bring me milk and chat many times, but was blocked by my lukewarm attitude. Gradually, she probably got annoyed too. Her attitude cooled, and Martha started bringing the milk. When my brain was fuzzy from studying, I looked up and saw the milk under the warm lamp. The once warm milk was now cold. The corner of my mouth couldn’t help but curve into an ironic smile. My mother! Say she has no heart, yet she gives me hope in tiny ways. A glass of milk, combing my hair once, making brown sugar ginger tea herself when I had my period… But say she has a heart! She doesn’t know I’m lactose intolerant, doesn’t know I’m allergic to ginger, and always leaves me alone to recover when I break down. In my past life, I was driven crazy by her ambiguous motherly love. Sometimes, I wonder if she didn’t want me back. Did she feel my existence embarrassed her in her social circle? Otherwise, why be so cruel to me? … Time slipped away silently like milk down a drain. When Arthur asked which high school I wanted to attend, I unhesitatingly chose Chloe’s school. Seeing this, Ethan sneered: “Being so quiet for a month, I almost thought you weren’t the competitive type.” “What, can’t hold it in anymore? Going to school to trouble Chloe?” I looked up, unflinching, straight into Ethan’s eyes, and said calmly: “I chose this school because it’s the best in City A, with the best teachers.” “Also, Master Vance, the college entrance exam is very important to me.” “Don’t worry. I won’t ruin my future for the childish reasons you mentioned.” Ethan’s face darkened, but Arthur looked up suddenly, eyeing me thoughtfully. “Sister, don’t say that about Brother. He’s just worried about me.” “Also, Mom, Dad, don’t worry. I know the school well. I’ll take good care of Sister.” The awkward atmosphere was pulled back on track by Chloe. Grace smiled and hugged Chloe: “Truly Mom’s darling, so sensible!” Scenes that stung me repeatedly in my past life now felt like drops of water in the ocean—no ripples at all. My phone dinged. I checked it and smiled. The school approved my dorm application. 4 Getting in the car, Chloe volunteered: “Sister, you and Brother sit in the back! I’ll take the passenger seat.” Before she could take a step, Ethan grabbed her. “What passenger seat? You sit in the back with me. The passenger seat is for outsiders.” Ethan glanced at me while speaking. Unfortunately, I didn’t show the hurt or disappointment he expected. Instead, I breathed a sigh of relief and nodded politely at him. What I desperately wanted in my past life, I now avoided like the plague. The car drove smoothly to school. Unsurprisingly, Chloe and I were in the same class again. During PE, she dragged a group of friends over to introduce me. Of course, it wasn’t out of kindness. In my past life, I suffered a lot because of these friends. I looked up at the familiar faces. In my past life, I desperately wanted to compete with Chloe, so naturally, I wanted to steal her friends too. I poured my heart out, sucking up to each of them like a dog. Later I learned they had a group chat called “Training the Bitch Dog.” They shared photos of my humiliation in the circus and discussed what fun demands to make next. Then, the day before the college entrance exam, they took photos of my degradation and my dignity-less sucking up. They printed them out and used drones to scatter them all over the school. So, despite maintaining the top rank in school for two years… Despite teachers agreeing I was a lock for top universities… I didn’t even take the exam. I ran to question them under everyone’s strange looks. Crying, asking why. Why treat me like this? Was I not good enough to them? Back then, they laughed, grabbing a few flying papers and throwing them in my face, mocking: “Look at your embarrassing state. How do you have the nerve to make friends?” “Just breathing the same air as you makes us sick!” “This is your punishment for making Chloe sad…” My thoughts returned. In front of me, Chloe put on a wronged expression again: “Sister, do you… not like my friends? I didn’t mean anything else, just saw you were lonely…” I stood up, interrupting her. “Play with your friends. Don’t worry about me.” But this time, my cold attitude seemed to pique their interest. All day, they tried to talk to me. Giving me snacks, asking me to lunch, even ignoring Chloe for it. I looked down, smiling mockingly. What a performance! I didn’t want to deal with them in this life, but since they insist on rushing to me… I’ll give them a big gift! Just like in my past life, Chloe didn’t wait for me after school and had the driver take her home. I knew her plan. In my past life, she deliberately got soaked in the rain. When she got home, she just cried without speaking. Later, under questioning from Mom, Dad, and Ethan, she hesitantly told the “truth.” She said she knew I held a grudge. So even though she knew I hired someone to lock her in the bathroom and drench her, she didn’t blame me. Hearing this, my face turned red instantly, and I shouted in anger: “She’s lying! I didn’t…” Unfortunately, what greeted me wasn’t trust, but a hard slap. They didn’t even want to hear my defense before making a final judgment. That night, I was locked out of the house in a torrential downpour. But sadly, this time, no one would be in the mood to care about Chloe’s suffering act. I didn’t take the bus home like last time. After dinner, I studied while waiting for something. Sure enough, near 7 PM, my phone vibrated like crazy. I paused, then answered. On the other end, Mrs. Vance cried incoherently: “Willow, something happened, come quick…”

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My dad hangs a Performance Improvement Plan chart on the living room wall. Last semester, my sister, Chloe, got straight A’s. Dad put a gold star next to her name. I studied until my eyes bled, but still scored three points lower than her. Dad shook his head in disappointment and drew a giant red “X” next to my name. “Lily, do you know how much money you cost this family this month?” He tapped aggressively on his calculator, his face stern. “Tutors, supplements, plus the SAT prep course… total $5,000. The ROI on you is abysmal.” “Next month, your allowance is docked by $200. You’re covering all chores to pay off the debt.” Chloe smirked, her eyes curving with delight. “Lily, per the performance rules, you have to hand-wash my underwear for a year starting today.” I clenched my fists and nodded timidly. That night, hiding in the bathroom, I searched “how to improve grades fast.” A pop-up link for a forum called “Equivalent Exchange” appeared: “Are you willing to trade?” “Give what you have for what you want.” “Click here to start the transaction.” I stared at the forum, my fingertips cold. Give what you have for what you want. But… what did I have? I only had grades that never improved. Debts I couldn’t pay off. Endless chores. And the cold red “X” on the performance chart. Maybe these things couldn’t trade for what I wanted. Just as I hesitated, ready to close the tab, I heard Mom and Dad talking outside. “What happened with Lily this time? Why did she fail again? Is the pressure too much?” Mom’s voice carried her usual exhaustion. She sighed. “Her total score is three points lower than Chloe’s. Her ranking dropped.” “At this rate, getting into a top-tier college is a pipe dream.” Dad scoffed. Then I heard the sharp sound of the calculator clearing to zero. My body jerked reflexively. I knew that sound too well. Dad pressed it every time he calculated my “cost.” It struck a fear deep into my bones. Sure enough, Dad said with disgust: “Do the math. Tutors, prep courses, those supplements… isn’t that all money?” “We dumped nearly five grand into her, and for what? A splash?” “I just told her, her ROI is terrifyingly low!” “She’s a junk stock. Her fundamentals are trash. No matter how much we invest, it’s a loss!” Even though Dad had said these things countless times, my heart still constricted violently. The soap slipped from my hands into the basin. “Should we stop her supplements next month?” Mom lowered her voice. But I still heard it clearly. “Chloe eats them and her grades go up. It works for her.” “Lily eats them and nothing happens. Might as well stop wasting money.” Dad agreed without hesitation. “Cut it.” “Cut the tutors too. It’s throwing money away.” “Resources are limited. Chloe is the blue-chip stock. She’ll bring glory to the family.” “As for Lily… being a maid who does chores is fine too.” My heart sank. Mom and Dad… were they giving up on me? Footsteps approached the bathroom. I frantically shoved my phone into my pajama pocket. Then I plunged my hands into the freezing water, scrubbing Chloe’s underwear hard. To save money, Mom and Dad didn’t let me use hot water for laundry. My hands were covered in chilblains, stinging at the slightest touch. But Mom and Dad turned a blind eye. Yet when Chloe got a hangnail, they screamed and rushed her to the ER, heartbroken. The bathroom door was knocked symbolically twice. Mom raised her voice: “Lily, hurry up! Stop dawdling! Mop the living room when you’re done!” “Your sister has an early competition class tomorrow, don’t wake her.” “Okay…” Hearing my response, Mom left satisfied. I leaned against the cold tiled wall and slid down slowly. The words they just said buzzed in my brain. Junk stock. Waste. Am I really useless? Trembling, I took out my phone and clicked on the forum. My finger hovered over the screen, unable to press down. The bathroom door cracked open. Chloe poked her head in, frowning deeply. “Lily, why does washing underwear take so long?” “That’s my silk pair, it’s expensive. Don’t ruin it.” I hurriedly turned off the screen and lowered my head. “Okay.” Chloe slammed the door and shuffled away in her slippers. The living room was bright, filled with laughter. Mom, Dad, and Chloe were squeezed on the sofa watching a variety show. On the coffee table were the apple slices I had just cut. I carried the water basin, silently walking around them. After hanging the laundry, I had to mop. I struggled to wring out the mop, the chilblains on my hands stinging. Only when no more water came out did I drag the heavy mop to the living room. I mopped twice before Dad frowned at me. “Lily, didn’t you wring it out?” “There are water marks everywhere. What if your sister slips?” Mom glanced over coldly. “Exactly. Always so sloppy.” I lowered my head and dragged the mop back to the balcony. Soaked it again, wrung it with all my strength. But Chloe looked up, annoyed. “Quiet down!” “It’s so noisy, how can I watch TV?” I froze, lightening even my breathing. After finishing, I returned to my cold, damp room. Every room had heating except mine. In winter, it felt like an ice cellar. I curled up on the bed and lit up my phone again. The forum page was still open. On the black background, a single line of white text: [Are you willing to trade?] Below was a small input box, the cursor blinking. What did I have left to trade? If I could trade for just a little warmth, a little approval, I would give anything. I didn’t want to be a waste anymore. With shaking hands, I typed slowly: [I want Mom and Dad to approve of me.] [I want to be number one in the grade, just like my sister.] The screen went dark, then new text appeared: [Assessing wish…] The text pulsed, the result delayed. My heart hung in the air. [Analyzing tradable assets… Exchange successful!] My breathing quickened. [You will receive: Top grades and parental approval!] Just seeing this line made my eyes hot. I dreamed of getting Mom and Dad’s approval. But then, another line appeared: [You must pay the price: Become a true learning machine, devoid of self, devoid of thought.] [Consideration period: 48 hours.] [During this time, as an adaptation, you will gradually lose various senses.] [You may unilaterally terminate the transaction within 48 hours.] [Do you accept the trial?] [Yes / No] I… hesitated for a moment, then clicked Yes. The forum disappeared. The countdown officially began. Deep into the night, the chill seeped through the leaky window. But strangely, the stinging pain from the cold on my body faded significantly. At first, I didn’t pay attention, thinking I was just numb. But early the next morning, when I was cooking breakfast for the family, hot oil splattered on my hand. I hissed and pulled back. But the expected burning pain didn’t come. There was only a dull sensation. I stared blankly at my red finger. So it had begun. But I panicked. The forum said I would become a learning machine. Would I still be me then? Would I still recognize Mom, Dad, and Chloe? So I secretly took the allowance Grandpa gave me and went into a gift shop. I wanted to buy gifts for my family. When I became an emotionless machine… At least these gifts could accompany them in my place. They wouldn’t be too sad, right? I bought a set of matching family mugs. Just then, someone tapped my shoulder lightly. “Lily?” My desk mate, Sam, wearing a black hoodie, scratched his head awkwardly. “It really is you. I watched from outside for a while, didn’t dare to ask.” “Is it your birthday? Is there anything you li—” Before Sam could finish, a cold voice interrupted him. “I wondered why you weren’t home. Hiding here dating early, huh?” I turned around. Chloe was standing at the shop entrance, linking arms with Dad. He stared at Sam’s clothes, his face darkening. I knew Dad had already labeled Sam, who wasn’t in uniform, as a delinquent. My heart tightened. “Dad, I’m not dating…” I tried to hide the gift bag, but Chloe snatched it. “Wow, buying gifts for your little boyfriend?” She unwrapped the mugs I had carefully packed and sneered. “What, using parents’ money to buy gifts for a boy?” “Why don’t you put this effort into studying?” The ceramic mug dangled in her hand. I reached out to grab it back, but she suddenly let go. “No!” Crash. The mug shattered on the floor. “Embarrassing thing. Let’s go home!” “Are you that cheap? Can’t live without a man? What are you staring at? Move!” Dad dragged me out. “Uncle, we just met by chance…” Sam tried to explain, but Dad glared at him viciously. As soon as I was dragged home, Chloe added fuel to the fire and tattled to Mom. Mom was furious, as expected. Heartbroken, she said: “Lily, how did you go bad? Learning to date early?” “Mom, I…” Dad waved his hand, rubbing his temples wearily. “Take her to the bathroom and check if she’s still a virgin.” “If not, sue that kid.” I froze in disbelief. Shame washed over me instantly. I protested violently: “No! I won’t go… I didn’t do anything!” “You’re wronging me! I don’t want to!” I couldn’t even get the words out. Chloe and Mom together couldn’t drag me. So Dad slapped me hard across the face, grabbed my hair, and dragged me into the bathroom. “Now you’re scared? What were you thinking before?” “Hanging out with trash every day, shaming the whole family! Do you have any self-respect?” The bathroom door slammed shut. They stripped my clothes off quickly. Mom and Chloe’s hands were everywhere, prying my legs apart. As if I were an object, they checked me for damage. The shame almost drowned me. Tears spun in my eyes. I don’t know how long it took before they left, throwing my clothes onto my naked body. I put my clothes on numbly. My buttons wouldn’t align with the holes. Just then, my phone screen, which had fallen nearby, lit up faintly. The black forum popped up automatically. [Adaptation period: 24 hours passed.] [Current sensory loss: 37%] [Warning: If transaction continues, you will become a highly efficient learning machine.] [Do you wish to terminate the transaction?] [Yes / No]

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