Author: Momo Chan

The day my billionaire parents found me, I was gutting a fish in the local market. After they brought me home, the “Fake Heiress” tried to play mind games with me, dropping passive-aggressive hints left and right. Unfortunately for her, I barely went to school, so I didn’t understand a word of her subtle shade. My biological brother couldn’t stand watching it anymore, so he gave me a copy of The Mean Girl Survival Guide. I became a self-taught master. Later, I smiled innocently at the Fake Heiress and said: “Haha, trying to mess with me? Jokes on you, it’s like kicking a cotton ball~” She was so mad she literally ended up in the hospital. 1 When my biological parents found me, I was passionately chopping fish. It was a scorching summer day. I was wearing a waterproof apron, my cleaver thudding rhythmically against the cutting board. I smelled like a mix of fish guts and old blood. I looked at them blankly. Their faces were completely unfamiliar. I asked them dumbly, “You want a carp?” The man ignored the stench and pulled me into a hug. “Lily, you are our daughter. Mom and Dad are taking you home now, okay?” Seeing how sincere he was, I nodded and agreed, but I insisted on bringing my mutt, Lucky. I couldn’t read the complex emotions in their eyes. Dad patted my head. “Lily, we can buy you a new dog when we get home, okay? A Poodle, a Maltese, whatever you want.” I shook my head and hugged Lucky tight, climbing into their luxury car. Mom kept staring at me, telling me not to get the car dirty. I nodded and hugged Lucky tighter. “Mom, I’m very good, and so is Lucky.” Mom finally turned away and stopped looking at me. 2 I rode in their car to a massive estate. A girl about my age was waiting at the door. She was wearing a pristine white dress with a flower in her hair. She looked beautiful. Mom went over and hugged her, stroking her back. “Bella, Mom is home.” I hugged my dog, Lucky, and hid behind Dad. I was so dirty. I didn’t want to stain that white dress. Dad pulled me out from behind him. I looked awkwardly at the mother and daughter hugging. The girl turned to hug Dad but hesitated when she saw me. I wisely stepped aside, but Dad pulled me back. “This is your sister. Even though she’s adopted, we’ve raised her as our own for years, so she is your sister.” I nodded, wiped my hands on my apron again and again, and reached out. “Hi, sister!” She looked at me in horror, then looked at Mom. “Does sister think I’m dirty?” I asked Dad. Dad’s eyes filled with tears. He grabbed my outstretched hand. “Lily isn’t dirty.” Mom realized her mistake and looked at me with guilt, ordering the housekeeper to take me upstairs to clean up. Actually, I really wasn’t that dirty. I showered every day after selling fish. I soaked in a bathtub for the first time. It was amazing. The housekeeper, Mrs. Higgins, was washing Lucky. It turned out Lucky wasn’t a yellow dog, but a white one. I was a little embarrassed. 3 I was enjoying my bath when Mom came in. She brought me a dress. “This is one of Bella’s old dresses… I’ll take you to buy new ones when I have time…” Before she could finish, I stood up, eyes sparkling, smiling foolishly at her. “A dress! I’ve never worn a dress before. It’s so pretty.” Mom looked at me and suddenly started crying. Did I scare her? She hugged me tightly, heartbroken. “Lily, why do you have so many scars?” I looked at my arms, legs, and shoulders. Some scars were fading; others were freshly scabbed. “Some are from gutting fish. I wasn’t good at it at first and kept chopping myself. Some are from my old dad hitting me. He hit people whenever he got drunk,” I said nonchalantly. “But later I got really good at gutting fish, and I never cut myself again! Mom, aren’t I awesome?” I looked at her, waiting for praise. But Mom just hugged me tighter and sobbed uncontrollably. Mom put the dress on me, but it was a bit too big. Then I didn’t understand why she cried even louder. Her crying summoned Dad. Dad asked Mom what was wrong. Mom said I was too skinny, looking nothing like a girl who was almost sixteen. Oh, so that was it. I sighed in relief. I thought I looked so ugly in Bella’s dress that I made Mom cry. I was wearing a dress for the first time, spinning around in circles. I kept asking Dad if I looked good. Then I ran into a pillar. Why is there a pillar in the middle of the living room? Turns out it was my brother, Ethan. He looked at me with disgust. “Where did this skinny monkey come from?” Then he got smacked by Dad. I blew on his arm, saying “blow it and it won’t hurt,” and he looked like he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. 4 Now, only Bella was afraid to get close to me. But I was clean now. She looked at me and cried too. I felt like I had a magic power that made everyone who saw me cry. Bella hugged Mom and wouldn’t let go. “Mommy, I don’t want to go gut fish.” Why not? Gutting fish is great. For every fish I gutted, my adoptive father gave me a dollar. I had saved almost a thousand dollars. A thousand dollars! Mom looked at Dad pleadingly. Dad looked at me. “Why does sister have to go gut fish?” I asked, confused. “Because Bella is your adoptive parents’ biological daughter. After you got lost, we found her and thought it was fate, so we adopted her,” Dad explained. No wonder Bella looked familiar. She looked like my adoptive mother. What a coincidence. I am my parents’ daughter, got lost, and was adopted by my adoptive parents. Bella is my adoptive parents’ daughter, got lost, and was adopted by my parents. Dad asked me, “Lily, how about we don’t send Bella back?” “If the family has three thousand dollars a month, sure,” I answered with a smile. “Why three thousand?” “Because I only use five hundred a month. Three kids would need about fifteen hundred, plus Mom, Dad, and Mrs. Higgins, so six people need three thousand,” I calculated on my fingers. Dad’s eyes turned red again. Sigh, when will my magic power to make people cry wear off? I stopped crying when I was five, and they are grown-ups and still crying. “Lily, you can spend five thousand a month if you want. Mom and Dad are very rich. Look, we live in a huge house.” “Five thousand dollars?!” I was shocked. If Mom and Dad are that rich, of course we can keep Bella. We could keep lots and lots of Bellas. 5 Bella looked at me timidly. “Sister, can you please not kick me out? I don’t want to leave Mom and Dad.” “Of course.” Mom let out a sigh of relief and immediately hugged Bella. Watching them hug, tears welled up in my eyes. Weird. What is going on today? Why did I cry right after saying they love to cry? Dad looked at Mom and coughed. I sniffled and asked Dad if he was sick. Dad bent down and hugged me. Now it’s fair. One kid each, I thought. Wait, not fair! I broke free from Dad’s hug. Under Dad’s confused gaze, I hugged Ethan. And threw Lucky to Dad. Yeah… now it’s fair. Mrs. Higgins saw us huddled together and smilingly called us for dinner. We went to the dining room. I had never seen such a fancy dinner in my life. Ethan called me a country bumpkin. I ignored him. Bella put food in my bowl. I held up my bowl to receive it. Mom looked at this harmonious scene and laughed. “Oops, sister… do you still hate me?” For some reason, the food Bella was passing to me fell onto the floor. I had held my bowl out perfectly. I didn’t hear what Bella said. My eyes were fixed on the fallen food. I picked up the eggplant with my hand and ate it. Mom looked at me like I was a monster. I explained in a panic, “Five-second rule! I always eat like this…” Besides, the floor in this house was polished so clean, it wasn’t dirty at all. I saw a flash of shock in Bella’s eyes, but she quickly recovered and whispered, “Sister, it’s my fault, I didn’t hold it tight…” “It’s okay, sister, I’ll get it myself.” “Sister really hates me, doesn’t she?” Bella looked like she was about to cry again. “Ah… no… oh dear, I just wanted to try every dish and was afraid you’d get tired,” I blurted out, embarrassed. I really wanted to crawl under the table. So I did. Ethan laughed so loud. I didn’t dare come out. Finally, Mom pulled me out and put a little of every dish in my bowl. I had never eaten such delicious food! I was happy again. 6 “Sister, did you just leave your old home like that? Don’t you miss your adoptive parents? I can’t imagine leaving Mom and Dad,” Bella asked curiously. “Hmm… I do miss them a bit. Gutting fish is tiring, but a dollar a fish, I saved a thousand dollars in two years! And although my adoptive dad beat me, he always avoided my face so I could still sell fish.” “Also, also, the kids around there told me school is super tiring, so my adoptive parents didn’t let me go to school,” I answered cheerfully. Bella was stunned. I thought she must be envious of my life. “If you want to experience it, I can take you! I have experience! I can train you, and we can dominate the fish market!” “Mom… Sister is threatening me again, boo hoo hoo.” She cried again and hugged Mom. “Huh? Sister, I didn’t… I just thought your biological parents would be happy to see you because Mom and Dad were happy to see me.” “Sister, don’t cry. I’m clumsy with words and can’t comfort people. I’ll give you all my money.” I untied the cloth bag hanging around my neck, the one I never took off even in the shower. Inside was the thousand dollars I saved over two years, stacked neatly. I heartbrokenly handed the money to Bella. She didn’t take it. The money fell all over the floor. “Does sister… still think I’m dirty?” I sadly picked up the scattered bills alone. Dad squatted down and helped me pick them up. After collecting them, he put the money away and handed me a bank card. “Dad put the money away for you. This card is for you. There is lots and lots of money in it. Lily, spend it however you like.” Dad, my real Dad. I took the card and touched it carefully. This card was different from the ones I’d seen. It was black. But I finally had a bank card! The kids at the fish market said you have to deposit lots of money to get a card. Bella stared at Dad in disbelief. “Dad… isn’t that my birthday present?” “Huh? What is a birthday present?” I asked abruptly. In my memory, I only had a birthday when I was very, very little. But I couldn’t remember clearly. I didn’t have a birthday. My adoptive father told me every time the year changed, I grew a year older. I always calculated my age like that. The guilt in Dad’s eyes couldn’t be hidden anymore. He looked sternly at Bella. “Lily just came back. You should share with your sister. Dad will give you one later.” Then Dad told me May 17th was my birthday. I was so happy. I finally had a birthday like everyone else.

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One year after my divorce, I announced my retirement from Hollywood. Everyone said I had gone insane after being dumped by Scarlett Vance. Then one day, a wish-granting vlogger’s video went viral. My video series was divided into seven episodes. They were the fragments of my life flashing before my eyes. The title of the first episode was: [By the time you see this, I will already be dead.] 1 I was bundled up tight, only my eyes visible. Suddenly, someone blocked my path. “Hi, I’m a vlogger who helps people grant their wishes. Can I interview you?” It had been three months since I retired. I thought I’d been recognized by the paparazzi, so I waved him off immediately. But the guy in front of me kept trying to persuade me. “Do you have any unfulfilled wishes? I can help you, no charge.” I turned to leave, but I heard him chasing after me, trying to show me his phone screen. “I’m not a scammer, I have a TikTok account! Look!” I thought he was rude, but what he said was true. He was clearly a newbie. He had barely any videos, and his view count was pitiful. Looking at his earnest face, I suddenly remembered when I first entered the entertainment industry. Back then, I was full of ambition but kept hitting walls. I suddenly felt a pang of compassion. “What kind of wishes can you grant?” The naive kid just scratched his head. “It depends on what you want. To be honest, you’re the seventeenth person I’ve asked today. No one believes me. Like, do you have someone you want to see? A place you want to go? Tell me your story, and I’ll arrange it.” I teased him a little, afraid I might scare him off. “What if… I want you to document the end of my life? Would you be willing? “The condition is, these videos cannot be released before I die. “If I don’t die, these videos are void. Do you dare to take that bet?” 2 The wish-granting vlogger’s name was Evan. He was tall and skinny. He sat in front of me. He looked extremely awkward. No, actually, he looked like he was about to cry. “Liam… I didn’t expect it to be you. Are you really…” His eyes were red, as if he couldn’t accept it. “I really loved your movies.” “Yeah. You could say I’m pretty impressive in every aspect. I don’t get sick often, but when I do, it’s a big one. I have several types of cancer in my body.” I pulled out a tissue and handed it to him. “The doctor says I have about six months left.” He held his phone up to me. “So, this is the real reason you retired?” “Yeah, I can’t film anymore. Constant chemotherapy drains all my energy. And…” I smiled. “Too many tabloids posted proof that I’m going bald.” This was the first time I took off my wig in front of a camera. Underneath the wig, there were only sparse patches of hair. My scalp was clearly visible. I looked like a ghoul. “You know I’m pretty vain. If I keep getting papped like this, where’s my dignity? “I’m greedy. I want seven wishes from you. You make seven episodes. Deal?” 3 May 2, 2024 – May 8, 2024 Episode 1 (Part 1) [By the time you see this, I will already be dead.] “Film my left side more. Fans always say my left profile looks better.” Evan was much calmer than a week ago, but he told me he cried at home for days after finding out and lost three pounds. “I’ll definitely make you look handsome.” He rubbed his eyes. “Liam, what’s your first wish?” “I want to try circumambulating Mount Kailash.” He nodded immediately. “No problem, I’ll book the tickets now. But can I ask why you want to go there?” I couldn’t smile at the camera. “Scarlett Vance and I once promised we’d go together. Now that the chance is gone, I want to see it for myself. They say it cleanses the soul, right?” Tibet is far, but not unreachable. After getting off the plane, the high altitude made me sick. It took two days of travel to reach Darchen, the starting point for the trek. On the way, Evan kept worrying about my health, nagging me with precautions. I teased him with a smile. “I asked the doctor. He said since I don’t have much time left anyway, I can go wherever I want.” One sentence made the kid’s eyes red again. He asked cautiously, “Liam, did you and Miss Vance break up amicably?” I knew he was asking politely. Actually, my divorce with Scarlett was messy and ugly. But in these final moments before leaving the world, I finally had the courage to speak up. “In her eyes, it definitely wasn’t amicable. She, like everyone else, thinks I cheated.” “So you really didn’t cheat, right?” The kid’s eyes lit up. “I knew I didn’t judge you wrong.” I nodded with a smile. “Yeah, I loved that woman to death. How could I look at anyone else?” New vloggers have one flaw: their emotions are too volatile. He started crying buckets right in front of the camera. He sobbed, “The media scolded you so badly back then. How dared they?” I had to comfort him on camera. Finally, I had to admit: “Forget it. I’ll tell you. I staged the whole thing.” 4 May 2, 2024 – May 8, 2024 Episode 1 (Part 2) [By the time you see this, I will already be dead.] “Six months before the divorce, I was diagnosed with cancer. Back then, it was only one type. The doctor told me if I cooperated with treatment, there was hope for survival. “Later I learned that most doctors are kind-hearted, but sometimes they lie. “I got my childhood best friend to act with me, just to get rid of Scarlett faster. “Don’t let her CEO title fool you. She’s decisive in business, but with me, she’s stubborn as a mule.” I didn’t say anymore. Everyone understood. Evan asked with a sad face, “Bro, why didn’t you tell her the truth about your illness?” “The process of dying is painful. Why drag someone else into it?” Evan suddenly said, “Recent news says Ms. Vance has a new boyfriend.” “Really? Then I genuinely congratulate her.” I meant it. “She deserves better.” I endured the nausea caused by the bumpy road. “I’m not acting here. When you’re about to die, you can let go of anything. “I used to joke with Scarlett that if she found another man, I’d break her legs. But look, didn’t I let go easily?” The guide suddenly spoke up. “Rest tonight. The rest of the journey is on foot. 32 miles total. But I have to warn you, the altitude is high. It feels much longer than 32 miles.” On the first day of the trek, our destination was Dirapuk Monastery. That’s where you can see the Golden Mountain at sunrise. “I suddenly feel like it’s unfair to drag you on this life-threatening trek for my own selfish desire.” Evan shook his head. “Liam, I know my body. If I can’t hold on, I won’t force it. Besides, you said you prepared for months.” Luckily, neither of us had severe altitude sickness. And we were lucky. The morning after staying at Dirapuk Monastery, I saw the sun hit the golden peaks. I copied the pose I saw online, arms wide open for a photo. I shouted, “If possible, I hope you all forget me!” I thought for a moment and shouted again, “Scarlett, I came for you! You don’t have to come anymore!” Along the way, we met many devout pilgrims prostrating themselves. We saw hail. The food was terrible. We slept in simple, uncomfortable beds. It took three days to complete the trek. I summarized the episode to the camera. “What I didn’t tell you is that when I first planned this, I wanted to come with Scarlett. Later, when I decided to come alone, I thought about killing myself here.” Evan was so scared he grabbed my hand. I patted his hand and continued. “Back then I thought, I can’t be cured anyway. I’ll die in a lake, on a snowy mountain, or just on the journey. “But later, I suddenly didn’t want to die. I wanted to live well in my final moments, to make this life worthwhile.” Evan suddenly asked, “Any regrets about this first trip?” I nodded. Thinking about it still scared me. “My parents spoil me rotten, but I lied to them. I didn’t tell them I was sick. “I even lied that I started acting again, filming a movie in Tibet. “I’m sorry. I was wrong. I ended up being an unfilial son.” 5 June 4, 2024 Episode 2 (Part 1) After returning from Tibet, it took me a full month to recover from the altitude and exhaustion before I contacted Evan again. I had a chemo session in between. Each time, it felt harder to get out of bed than the last, as if my strength was being drained, bringing me one step closer to death. I wasn’t sure if I could trust this kid I’d only met once. If he released my first video now, he could go viral instantly. I was gambling. Gambling that people generally have a bit more conscience when facing a dying man. “Liam, what’s your second wish?” “I want people to get to know me more. And I want to revisit the paths I used to walk.” Evan looked worriedly at the camera. “With your health, we can take it slow.” “It’s okay. I rested enough before calling you. In the final moments of life, people become greedy, wanting to fulfill more and more wishes.” “Your look today is great. Reminds me of your breakout role in Do You Remember Me Today?” In that drama, I played a fresh college grad with short hair who got entangled with the CEO of his internship company. I smiled and touched my head. “I can change hairstyles at will now. Handsome, right?” “But you’re getting thinner. Has no one around you noticed?” I looked down, embarrassed. “I divorced Scarlett, so we don’t meet. Since getting sick, I see my parents less and less. But they are parents, so we video call. Guess what I said? I said I’m method acting a terminally ill patient.” I only dared to tell the truth through lies. He rubbed his eyes in front of me. “So where do you want to go for this episode?” “Back to where I grew up.” Just a two-hour drive, and I arrived at my childhood hometown. “Liam, where is that assistant of yours?” My assistant, Sam, was a loyal guy. Sometimes his appearances with me created iconic moments. “Oh, Sam? I told him not to follow me.” “So he knows about your condition?” “Hahaha.” I laughed at myself. “Guess what excuse I used? He’s been with me so long, how could he not notice something was wrong?” I sat calmly in front of the camera. “I lied again. I said I loved Scarlett too much, and the cheating scandal and separation made me depressed. I wanted to retire to treat my depression.” “He believed it?” “How could he? He and my agent, Lee, dragged me crying, saying they’d take me to a doctor. I said give me some time, I’ll see a doctor myself. I’ll travel for a while and come back.” “Could they have already guessed?” “My hair falling out couldn’t be hidden. I made up these excuses, thinking I was smart. But one day Lee said he didn’t want me to make money anymore, he just wanted me to live well.” Saying this, I started crying. I wiped the corners of my eyes. “Probably no one dared to bring up these sad things in front of me, so they didn’t say how much they knew. “Sam, that kid, bought me ten wigs out of his own pocket, saying it was a gift for my trip.” I stopped talking. I was wearing a mask and hat, dressed simply in a hoodie and jeans, carrying a canvas bag. Passersby just saw me as another passerby. I pulled a thermos out of my bag and drank. “This is my elementary school.” “Bro, you went to First Experimental?” I nodded, pointing to a big tree on the playground. “Back then I competed with others on guts. I climbed up there and couldn’t get down. I was so scared I peed my pants crying in the tree.” “Liam, school is in session. The guard probably won’t let us in.” “Not going in. Just looking. Don’t disturb them. I’m just taking one last look. After I drink Meng Po’s soup (soup of forgetfulness), I won’t remember anything. “Hey, why are you such a crybaby? Directors should cast you for crying scenes.” I pointed to an alley not far from the school. “Let’s go. I’ll take you to see my old home. I haven’t been back in years.” But when I walked in, I was stunned. I stood frozen in the wind. I couldn’t help laughing. “Oh boy, it’s been demolished.” The camera facing me shook a little. “What now? Seems like my old home is gone?” I turned back to the camera. The audience probably couldn’t see my expression. To be honest, I was a little disappointed. But I couldn’t say it. “Walk forward a bit. I’ll introduce it based on my memory. “This used to be an old street. The media always says I’m a rich kid. I explained at events, but no one believed me. “Borrowing this chance, I’ll show you. I grew up here. The houses were all old bungalows. My deepest memory is teasing a dog and getting chased. It bit my butt.” “Huh?” “Luckily it was winter. I lived with my grandparents, and they dressed me in layers of pants. It bit a hole and pulled out cotton, but didn’t break the skin.” It sounded funny. At least Evan laughed hard. “Liam, I really can’t imagine you being chased by a dog.” After laughing, I said, “Let’s go. I’ll take you to see my high school. It’s not far.” I paused. “It’s also where I met Scarlett.”

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“The apocalypse is coming, Ava. You need to come home!” “Mom, this is the 32nd excuse you’ve invented to trick me into coming home for a blind date. Your creativity is flowing better than the plumbing in this old apartment.” I hung up on my mother helplessly and slumped back onto the sofa, half-watching TV while scrolling through Reddit. A thread popped up on my feed: “February 14, 2028: New infectious disease case found in Seattle. Potential for extreme aggression.” I clicked on it. — This content has been removed by moderators. 1 “Meow!” A sharp, urgent cry pierced the night, ripping me from my sleep. I opened my eyes to see Lucky, my fat orange tabby, facing off against my vibrating phone. I scooped up the bristling cat to comfort him. Lucky was stressed. He leaped from my arms, arching his back and scratching anxiously at the concrete floor, making a teeth-grinding sound. I was about to check on him when the phone grabbed my attention. The video I had clicked on earlier was no longer blocked. It was playing on a loop. It was grainy surveillance footage. A hulking man, face obscured, was on all fours, lunging and biting into a crowd of people. Suddenly, a “Loading…” buffer wheel spun on the screen. I glanced at the top right corner. The Wi-Fi signal had a big red ‘X’ over it. “Garbage internet.” I lived in a cheap studio in the old part of the city. The wiring was ancient, and the router failed constantly. I dialed my landlord, Mr. Henderson, hoping to get it fixed. After several attempts, he finally picked up. The background noise on his end was chaotic—a static-filled mess of shouting and screaming. Mr. Henderson didn’t even say hello. He was yelling hoarsely, “Quit shoving! If you keep pushing, nobody gets any groceries!” Then came a string of panicked muttering I couldn’t quite catch. Something about… “…madness… biting… can’t run…” My stomach tightened. When the noise subsided slightly, he finally addressed me. “Ava? What’s going on?” I explained the internet issue. “Ava, it’s not the wiring. The signal is down across the whole downtown area. The tenant group chat is blowing up about it.” “I’ll add you to the group.” “People are organizing bulk buys. Get in on it. Stock up on food.” Mr. Henderson was rambling, but I froze. “Is Seattle going into lockdown again?” Before he could answer, a piercing scream cut through the line, followed by the sickening thud of a heavy object hitting the ground. I instinctively pulled the phone away from my ear. In that brief silence, a faint voice came through the receiver. I pressed the phone close again. I only caught two words: “Run. Fast.” … The signal cut out completely. I tried redialing multiple times with no luck. I tried calling 911. While waiting, I typed keywords into my notes app: “Apocalypse,” “Madness,” “Biting,” “Panic Buying,” “Run.” None of these were good words. The emergency line was busy. My heart sank. Combining my mom’s warning with Mr. Henderson’s chaos, it seemed Seattle had an outbreak. Something far more aggressive than the flu. I had to go home. If the world was ending, I might be just another casualty, but I had to be with my family. I didn’t want to die alone in a rented box. 2 Priority one: Don’t get infected on the way. I raided the kitchen for plastic wrap. I wrapped it around my limbs to ensure no skin was exposed. Then came the layers: a heavy windbreaker, thick pants, boots, a beanie, a face mask, a scarf, and gloves. I even stitched the gaps between the fabrics with a needle and thread. I looked ridiculous, like a paranoid marshmallow, but I was sealed tight. I checked the airline app. Plenty of tickets available. It was 10:00 PM. To be safe, I selected a 2:00 AM flight to my hometown, Portland. But the payment screen kept spinning. Loading… I closed the app and retried. Nothing. I called the airline hotline. Busy signal. The automated system said there were 487 callers ahead of me. Was I trapped? My hands started shaking. I pinched my thigh hard, using the pain to force myself to focus. Optimistic view: Maybe the cell towers were just jammed. I couldn’t sit and wait. I decided to head to the airport. At worst, I could get information from the counter. I didn’t pack clothes. I shoved Lucky into his carrier, stuffed two bottles of water and some energy bars into the side pockets, and left. The subway was too crowded; too risky. I flagged down a taxi. The driver gave my weird outfit a second look but didn’t say anything. As we drove toward the outskirts, the signal improved. Before I could dial, my mom called. “Thank God! Ava, you have to stay away from crowds. Don’t let anyone bite you.” “I swear on my life, I’m not joking. Those things are eating people!” “Your dad and I are packing the truck. We’re driving to get you. In my last life… Seattle was the first to fall. I won’t let you die this time!” “Mom…” My eyes welled up. Last life? Was she having a premonition? “Mom, Dad, don’t be impulsive.” “It’s an eight-hour drive from Portland to Seattle. If the city is ground zero, you’re driving into a death trap.” “I’m heading to the airport. If all goes well, I’ll be home by morning. Use this time to buy supplies.” “In times like this, food and weapons are the only currency.” With the driver listening, I couldn’t say much more. I hung up after calming them down. I checked the GPS. The highway to the airport was a solid red line. Ten miles. Estimated time: three hours. The airtight suit was suffocating. I pulled down my mask, took a deep breath, and sealed it back up. The air smelled faintly of rot. While stuck in traffic, I made two lists on my phone. List A: High-calorie, shelf-stable food and essential medicine. List B: Tools, hardware, and defensive gear. I sent List A to my parents. These items make you a target; they had to buy them personally. For List B, I contacted a delivery courier service in Portland. I had used them before to send gifts home. I paid an extra $1,500 for a rush order, demanding delivery to my parents’ house by 10:00 AM tomorrow. Shortly after sending the list, Dad texted: [Ava, we’re at Costco. Buying everything.] [Text us the second you land. We’ll be waiting.] I replied in the family group chat: [If we hoard this much, the neighbors will notice. The apartment isn’t safe.] [We should move to the old Lighthouse. Dad still has the keys, right?] We all agreed. The Lighthouse was isolated, sturdy, and defensible. [Mom, Dad, I ordered tools. Sign for them tomorrow morning, but wait until no one is looking to load the truck.] I remembered reading survival novels. Never expose your stash. I looked up. The line of cars stretched endlessly. The red taillights looked like hundreds of eyes watching me from the abyss. Something was wrong. Lucky poked his head out of the carrier, scratching frantically at the plastic mesh. He hadn’t made a sound since we left the apartment. Now he was hissing. I realized what was wrong. The traffic toward the airport was gridlocked. The lanes heading back to the city were empty. Aside from cars making illegal U-turns, no one was coming back from the airport. The airport had likely already fallen. Before I could process this, the driver pulled over on the shoulder. “Miss, I can’t take you any further.” “Don’t blame me. The driver group chat says the airport is a slaughterhouse. I need to get home to my family.” … He dumped me on the side of the overpass. No matter how much cash I offered, no one would stop. For three hours, I watched cars U-turn and flee back to the city. I refused to give up. I started running along the highway shoulder toward the airport. Maybe a plane would take off. Maybe there was a chance. I ran until my lungs burned. The outline of the airport terminal came into view. I watched a plane taxi down the runway, lift off, and then—nose dive straight into the tarmac. BOOM. The shockwave nearly ruptured my eardrums. I stood frozen, watching the flames turn the night sky blood red. “Hello? Mom,” I called, voice trembling. Mom sounded out of breath. “We split up. Your dad got the food. We used our savings to get everything on the list. We even managed to get two compound crossbows.” She kept talking about picking me up. I listened quietly, waiting for her to finish. “Mom, I decided not to come back.” “I’m staying with Ethan. He has a villa in the suburbs, fully stocked. It’s safe.” “You know Ethan, he’s a doctor. He has resources.” My voice sounded calm, even cheerful. “I transferred $40,000 to Dad’s account. Buy more supplies.” “Protect yourselves.” Suddenly, a hand snatched the phone away. I whipped around, terrified. A man was leaning against the guardrail, phone pressed to his ear, looking at me with a smirk. “Yes, Auntie, this is Ethan.” “As much as I’d love for Ava to stay in my villa…” “It wouldn’t be right to keep her from you.” “I promise, I will bring her home safely.” Ethan hung up. His warm hand brushed over my eyes, wiping away tears I didn’t know were there. “I’m late.” I realized I was crying uncontrollably. “Not late. Just in time to see your ex-girlfriend make a fool of herself.” I turned my face away. Dealing with an ex during the apocalypse was awkward. He didn’t argue, his tone softening. “Still got the sharp tongue. Good. You’re not in shock.” “Hey! Ethan! Stop flirting with the sister-in-law, we gotta move!” A voice shouted from above. I looked up in shock. A rescue helicopter was hovering just overhead. The rotors were deafening. I had been so overwhelmed I hadn’t even noticed it. 3 Almost no cars were left on the road. Ethan set up flares to block the lane. He took Lucky’s carrier and slung it over his shoulder. He pulled a climbing harness from his bag, strapped himself in, and then strapped me to his chest. We were pressed tightly together. I looked away. “Scared?” he asked, checking the buckles. I shook my head. The helicopter lowered a rope ladder. He held me as we climbed. Inside the chopper, there were three men in camo gear and helmets. One took off his helmet and grinned. “Sister-in-law! When we got the call about Seattle, Ethan went crazy.” It was Leo, the guy who shouted earlier. “Leo!” Ethan barked. Leo shut up. Ethan handed me a hazmat suit identical to theirs. “How did you find me?” I asked. “You never turned off your location sharing from when we dated. I saw you were near our flight path.” “We’re heading to Sea-Tac Airport for extraction. Saving you was just a detour.” He placed the cat carrier on an empty seat and sat opposite me, avoiding eye contact. Back to the “business only” attitude. Fine. I examined the suit. It had a peculiar pouch near the waist. I leaned in to sniff it. A wave of rotting stench hit me. I gagged, covering my mouth. “Heh.” Ethan chuckled. “It masks your scent. The chemicals inside evaporate quickly, so it only lasts thirty minutes.” “Open it only if you’re in immediate danger.” “Otherwise… don’t be curious.” Before I could retort, a roar echoed from below. Like wild beasts. The smell of blood filled the air. I looked out the window. A full moon illuminated the airport sign: Welcome to Sea-Tac. Beneath it, the ground was painted red. The moonlight was too bright. I could clearly see the “Zombies”—mangled, bloody figures—tearing into the remains of the crashed plane survivors. The helicopter noise drew their attention. One by one, dozens, then hundreds of heads snapped up. They began to converge, forming a massive circle below us. One of them looked straight at me with hollow, leaking eyes. I recoiled. The pilot kept the chopper hovering just outside the perimeter. Are we bait? I noticed many zombies wearing shredded military uniforms. “The first responders are already dead,” I whispered. “If we’re bait, there must be survivors inside.” “Medical Team Alpha, ready for insertion!” Ethan stood up. They were all gearing up to jump. He paused, looking at me. “The pilot will take you to the port. I have people there who will get you on a boat to Portland.” A sense of powerlessness washed over me. Ten years. Five years as a couple, five years as strangers. We graduated med school together. I became a vet; he became a surgeon. We were intersecting lines that had drifted apart. “Ethan, listen to me!” I unbuckled my seatbelt and grabbed his collar, forcing him to look at me. “Don’t come back into my life if you don’t care.” “We haven’t settled our score yet. You are not allowed to die quietly.” “Or I will haunt you.” Ethan didn’t push me away. When my tears hit his face, I heard him sigh. “Okay.” “Neither of us dies first.” I wiped my eyes and helped him buckle his helmet. … The rest of the trip was a blur. They rappelled down to the terminal roof. The helicopter drew the horde away, buying time for the ground team. The pilot dropped me at the Port of Tacoma, where I boarded a private cargo ship headed for Portland. 4 6:00 AM. Arrival. The port security was intense. I filled out a form: Origin – Seattle. The moment I wrote it, I was pulled aside by hazmat-clad officers. They inspected every inch of my skin for bites or scratches. Then, I was locked in a quarantine room for three hours. The room was white and sterile, reminding me of the tiny apartment I rented when I followed Ethan to grad school. I texted him. Delivered. No reply. Three hours later, I was released. I had to wear a GPS ankle monitor and quarantine at home for 14 days. Compared to the alternative, this was freedom. My parents were waiting at the dock. Mom cried the moment she saw me. Dad took the cat carrier. “You’re back. That’s all that matters.” We drove straight to the Lighthouse. It was built on a cliff, surrounded by ocean on three sides. Solid stone walls. It was the perfect fortress. We unloaded the trucks. Mom went back to the city to get the tools I ordered. Dad went for one last supply run. I was left to clean and organize. The lighthouse had seven floors. The ground floor was spacious, about 400 square feet, getting smaller as it went up. The top floor was the lamp room, surrounded by a glass enclosure and a narrow balcony. There were two high-powered binoculars mounted there. I cleaned the lenses and looked out. I could see the highway entrance clearly. I sketched a map, marking blind spots, and installed micro-cameras in those areas. I checked my phone. Food delivery apps were all “Temporarily Closed.” I called a local agricultural supplier. I paid triple for three heavy-lift agricultural drones, ten LED grow lights, and boxes of vegetable seeds. I designated the 4th floor for hydroponics and water purification. We had stored water, but we needed a renewable source. The drones could haul buckets of seawater up to the tower for desalination. The plants would provide food and oxygen. Waste management? Cat litter. It absorbs moisture and odor. The main ingredient is silica. Sand is silica. We were surrounded by a beach. I grabbed a shovel and spent hours hauling sand to the first floor. I ordered 20 barrels of waterproof cement from a local factory. I called Dad. “Get liquid nitrogen and dry ice.” I organized the supplies. Heavy items on floors 1-3. Sand on 1. Tools on 2. Canned food on 3.

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The year my son was diagnosed with a serious illness, facing huge medical bills. My husband Dominic was paralyzed in a car accident and lost his job. I divorced him, abandoned them, and only took away my six-year-old healthy daughter. Five years later, my genius son graduated from university and was exceptionally admitted by MIT. At that time, Dominic, who had become a new noble in the business world, accompanied him to an academic lecture. In the conference hall, a professor greeted and joked: “With such achievements today, who do you hope to be seen by most?” The seventeen-year-old son, with a cold and mature expression: “The disgusting so-called biological mother, and the ungrateful sister like her.” Dominic chuckled lightly, eyes hiding the same uncontrollable hate. Until later, they received a Piggy Bank from the daughter. The first note inside, was written in childish handwriting with phonetics: “Mom said, when the piggy bank is full, Maisy can leave the hospital.” The last note, was the elegant handwriting Dominic was most familiar with: “Goodbye, I’m going to accompany my Maisy.” … Chapter 1 The night they received the piggy bank. Dominic and son Caleb just came out of the conference hall. On his left ring finger, the wedding ring with me had been removed, replaced by a new diamond ring. The young woman held by his hand was probably his new wife. The self-made business upstart and the seventeen-year-old genius boy were both attention-grabbing existences. The media cameras following behind and a crowd of conversationalists took a long time to disperse. Dominic stayed away from the crowd, under the street lamp, lowered his eyes and just lit a cigarette. Not far away in the dim light, a girl in her early twenties hesitated for a long time before finally running over. She carefully handed over the piggy bank in her hand: “Are you… Mr. Dominic?” Dominic looked at the person in front of him through the smoke, then looked at the piggy bank in her hand, his expression quickly turned cold. A note was pasted on the piggy bank, with my handwriting on it: “Maisy’s discharge countdown.” Across the long river of five years, the note had begun to turn yellow. After a very brief stun, Dominic sneered: “What trick is Lily playing, just say it.” The young and gentle son Caleb also showed disgust on his face: “Disappeared for five years, thought they could really hide for a lifetime and not come out.” The little girl’s eyes turned red, voice trembling: “They… have both passed away for many years. “These years, I have been working hard to find the Dominic and brother Caleb in their writings. “Until today, finally saw you on the news.” Dominic laughed hearing this. Probably choked by smoke, making his eyes red from laughing: “Oh, turns out they passed away miserably five years ago. “How unspeakable is the hardship? “Want me and Caleb to pay how big a sum to express grief?” The little girl looked in disbelief at the father and son who were always gentle and considerate in mine and daughter Maisy’s writings. Then looked at the woman standing beside Dominic. Now, it has become like this. Her eyes turned red, expression sorrowful and angry, hugged the piggy bank back into her arms: “Since you don’t want it, then forget it. “I will bury it with their ashes.” Dominic’s eyes were full of sarcasm, reached out, and snatched the piggy bank over. His voice mocking: “Since the play is rehearsed, isn’t it a pity if the audience doesn’t watch?” Saying that, he took out the first note from the piggy bank. Unfolded it, reading the childish handwriting on it expressionlessly. Chapter 2 “December 18th “Going to a new city for hospitalization. “Mom said, when the piggy bank is full, Maisy can leave the hospital. “First time writing a diary, luckily learned a lot of spelling and words from the world’s most awesome brother. “Luckily, the one sick is Maisy, not the world’s most awesome brother!” Very short sentences mixed with many phonetics and typos. A photo was printed at the bottom. It was six-year-old Maisy sitting on the train, hands clenched in fists raised, posing like a superman. Small face showing pale, but smiling with curved eyes. On the back of the paper, was my handwriting left hiding in the fire escape. … Maisy had a nosebleed and went to the hospital. Caleb held her, even tears fell down. He loved his sister most, even anxious to vomit. So followed Maisy, blood drawn for check together. Diagnosis result came out, Maisy was fine. Caleb was actually diagnosed with leukemia, could only hope for bone marrow transplant. Even if matching bone marrow can be found, transplant cost, at least forty to fifty thousand dollars. We were far from being able to afford it. Caleb said, he won’t treat it. Maisy anxiously hugged his arm crying. Dominic had a mental breakdown. He hid from me went out to borrow money, ate countless closed doors. Halfway mental trance, had a tragic car accident in heavy rain. After overnight rescue, whole body and organs left multiple serious injuries. Paralyzed in bed, couldn’t even get out of bed. When I cried to almost out of breath, suddenly informed by doctor, Caleb’s diagnosis sheet was wrong. Like a surprise from heaven and survival after disaster, next second, threw me thoroughly into hell. “That blood sample diagnosed with leukemia, is… your daughter Maisy’s.” I froze in doctor’s office, instinctively looked back uneasily. Saw Maisy standing at the door, eyes red, small hands anxiously grabbing clothes corner. At night, Maisy suddenly disappeared. She left me a note saying: “Mom, Maisy left. “Mom and Dad and Brother, want to be happy every day.” I was anxious crazy. Until late night, found Maisy in train station staff room. She wanted to learn from adults, take train alone to far place. I squatted down tightly hugged her, heart pain bone eroding. She guiltily wiped my tears saying: “Brother sick said not treat, said better leave money for me to study. “So, I also want to leave money, for Brother to study. “Brother is genius, next year can take SATs. “Kids in school, all envy me most.” Caleb is the best brother. In times when me and Dominic work most busy, most no time care for them siblings. Carefully took care of sister, taught out most obedient most sensible Maisy. I hugged Maisy, body uncontrollable trembling, heart full of despair. Maisy learned from adults, gently patted my back. Early winter street side, coldness bone piercing. I looked at foggy long street, couldn’t see hope. Maisy’s childish voice, still in my ear: “Maisy knows, family money all take out, also not enough to treat my illness. “So Mom, let Brother continue study, let Dad treat injury well, okay?” My long silence, looked at her again: “Then Mom, accompany you go together okay?” “Money leave to Dad and Brother. “We play a game of hide and seek with Dad and Brother. “Wait… wait Maisy cured, we come back.” Maisy thought for a long time. Long time later, heavily nodded: “Mn!” … First note read finish. Caleb aside, seemed really couldn’t listen down. He sneered: “So want to say Maisy got leukemia?” Dominic also light scoff: “After all person been a screenwriter, wrote like real model.” Saying that, face cold, somewhat impatient flipped to next page. Chapter 3 “December 20th Took Maisy to hospital.” Before leaving for Florida, I forced Dominic sign divorce agreement. He lay on bed, whole body still wrapped in bandages everywhere, voice full of despair: “Lily, I said I will think of way. “You can’t… can’t be this cruel.” I didn’t waver, still divorced him. I took Maisy leave. Caleb chased up, blocked our way. His eyes red, voice trembling: “I said, I won’t treat, I won’t treat. “Rest assured, I won’t drag your life.” He reached out, trying to grab my hand. But I dodged. When we entered elevator, Caleb trembling voice behind: “Maisy, then you?” “These years Mom Dad busy, I took care of you time compare Mom, even longer, even more. “Just because I sick, you want follow her, also leave Dad and Brother ma?” Maisy face, already full of tears. But she just more forcefully, used small hand grabbed tight my hand, count as silent answer. Behind, Caleb finally hiss voice laughed: “Good, hahaha, good…” On train south, Maisy shrank in my arms. Always crying, always crying. I also want cry. But I can’t cry, I still want coax my daughter. I sold bracelet, that was my mom before death left me heirloom. Quite unfilial. When she alive, I also didn’t filial her much. I again sold things on body can sell, wedding ring, necklace, all sold clean. All add up, also less than five thousand dollars. But finally enough, short term hospitalization fee. Wish, wish, heaven can pity, my Maisy, can survive. Wish, our family, still can have reunion day. … Second note words, end here. Dominic cold eye read finish, emotion still no fluctuation. His voice still sniff disdain: “Made up so much, isn’t just want sell things for money?” But cigarette in left hand, already burned to fingertip, he seemed didn’t notice. He seemed, no longer his surface, that calm. Mouth disgusted. But he still flipped open, next note. Chapter 4 “January 1st “Mom said, bone marrow match result came out. “I don’t understand, Mom said, just means my illness going to be cured. “She can donate bone marrow to me, wait donate finish, we can go home, return to Dad and Brother side. “Mom happy dropped tears, hugging me said: ‘Maisy don’t fear, half month fine, won’t very pain.’ “I a bit afraid. “But I more want know, Mom donate bone marrow to me, will she pain? “Bit miss Dad and Brother. “If Dad and Brother here, then when I change bone marrow sleep, they can protect Mom.” Under twisting words because body rapid weak, I still took photo for her. She still smiling, towards lens made a “V” sign. But somewhat blurred photo, still can’t hide, her start blue start swollen hand back. Because chemo, her beautiful long hair, already shaved bald. Left hand somewhat shyly, subconscious pulled her new bought hat. Patient gown specially took small size, still loose almost hang on her body. Short half month, her whole body, almost only left skin wrap bone. Dominic holding that note, sight fall on photo, half day didn’t move. Sarcastic mocking words, seem moment also can’t say out again. Caleb look not care appearance, side eye also looked that photo. Expression instant stunned, good a while, then recover mind sneer. But don’t know if weather cold wind blow cause, his voice inside, carried fine a trace tremble. “Photoshop quite like, put on hat, hair also really all covered. “Also can only wear hat, Maisy how treasure her hair, where bear really shave?” Standing in front of them girl, already full eyes tears: “Not Photoshop, all real, Maisy for chemo, hair shaved bald. “Originally, originally… they thought really can survive.” She saying, voice already start choke. Dominic seem endure not bear, brows eyes only left impatient anger: “Enough! “Brewed so big a play, now me and Caleb all saw. “Lily acting skill very great, also taught out best acting good daughter. “Enough ma, satisfied ma?!” Little girl angry extreme, reach hand want take piggy bank back: “Return me, you guys simply not Lily sister and Maisy pen under, forever gentle considerate father son!” Dominic seem thoroughly exhausted patience, backhand want throw piggy bank, into trash can. Caleb reached out, took piggy bank over. Boy eye bottom all hate, face more and more cold: “Seems this careful written script, we not finish reading, they won’t give up. “I instead suddenly also start curious, that kind cold blood person, exactly can still make up, how miserable ridiculous story?” Dominic already thorough black face, straight threw cigarette butt. He no longer willing stay more, only throw little girl a sentence: “Want money let Lily self come, don’t count on story can exchange money, I here not accept screenwriter script.” He finished, looked still stand in place Caleb: “You love read, self slowly read.” He took young woman got on car, straight left, no more hesitate. Soul can’t blow wind. But I float in mid-air, looking at his back in night, still can’t help red eyes. Five years, his once broad back, always most can let me and daughter peace mind. Now, side clearly already have new person, figure but seem more and more thin. I take back already sour unbearable sight. Saw Caleb, flipped open next note.

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Reborn to the day I chose a husband with my sister. I discovered I could hear other people’s inner voices. I heard my sister say: “This time, I must grab the good husband in advance.” Then, she anxiously pulled away the gentle husband I married in my previous life. And left the domestic violence man who beat her every day in the previous life to me. I smiled. Does she think the person I married before had good character? … Chapter 1 I was reborn to the day I chose a husband with my sister. Sitting opposite the dining table were two men of similar age. One is Dominic, the eldest son of the Vance family, cold personality. One is Caleb Vance, the youngest son of the Vance family, but an illegitimate son, gentle personality. [This time, I must grab the good husband in advance.] A female voice transmitted into my ears. It was my sister Scarlett’s voice. I looked at her, but she didn’t speak. Her eyes were just staring straight at Caleb. [Later I must snatch you away.] Her voice transmitted out again. I then discovered, I not only reborn, but also can hear other people’s inner voices. And from these two sentences of my sister, she also reborn. Otherwise she couldn’t say such things. Sure enough, next second she walked over and sat next to Caleb, looking at him shyly. “Hello, I am Scarlett, I like you.” Beside me my dad suddenly spoke: “Serena, since your sister already chose Caleb, then you marry Dominic.” As soon as this was said, my sister’s eyes were full of pride, she said in her heart: [In this life, you go get beaten for me.] Chapter 2 In previous life, my sister married Dominic. Dominic has strong business ability, busy with work all day, and heard he is also cold… Sister looked for him three times five times, but every time was kicked out of room with bruised nose and swollen face. Finally, because she never pregnant, was judged by Grandma Vance as having physical problem, kicked out of Vance family. And Caleb I married, although no power in Vance family, but enough let me eat full wear warm. He accompanied me every day, accompany me shopping eat date, spoiled me to bones. Vance family up and down knew, our relationship very good. And later, Dominic suddenly died of poisoning, Caleb inherited family company. My status in Vance family soared instantly. Sister jealous of me, took advantage when I went out shopping, drove car hit me, perished together with me. Chapter 3 “Okay, Dad, I happen to also quite like Dominic.” I responded with a smile, walked over and sat beside Dominic. Have to say, this man’s aura is indeed strong, sitting there only felt a burst of cold air wrapped me, making people dare not speak. No wonder sister was beaten so miserably by him in previous life. I tried to listen to his inner voice, but he didn’t say a word in his heart. However when Caleb smiled and looked at sister, I heard him say a sentence. [Really a beautiful little baby.] Hearing this, I shivered all over. Subconsciously held Dominic’s hand. Although his personality is cold, but hand is quite warm. Because of my action, he glanced over. I hurriedly let go hand holding him, he then didn’t speak. Although this man looks scary. But I feel following him, is better than following Caleb that poisonous snake. In this life, I must change my original tragic life. I want earn big money, independent, rely on no one. Chapter 4 Me and sister held wedding together. Previous life we also held at this time. That time, Dominic didn’t come to attend wedding on the day, instead Caleb came early in morning. Everyone said he this husband more considerate. Sure enough, this life also same. Caleb wore white suit, hurriedly came up and carried sister away. Passing by me, sister looked at me proudly: “Sister, why Dominic didn’t come pick you ah.” I just smiled: “No need sister worry, you manage yourself well.” She was choked by my words face sank down. [Laugh ba, I see you later be beaten, still can laugh out or not.] She finished saying in heart, and went downstairs with Caleb. But now say these words still too early, who will laugh to end, not certain yet. Dominic didn’t come attend wedding, let me and sister like previous life, suffered many discussions and strange eyes at wedding. Sister happier, can’t wait say to Caleb: “I love you, Caleb.” Then kissed his lips, after kiss, full mouth saliva stare at me. I know, she wants see me embarrassed look. But I not stupid, won’t be like previous life her, angry directly leave scene. That let everyone present and Vance family have handle. I remember that time all said sister not steady, not worthy be Vance family eldest daughter-in-law. So that after marriage, Grandma Vance never gave her good face, let her suffer enough bitterness in Vance family. Chapter 5 I held microphone smiled generously to people below stage. “Today Dominic has a very important business need talk, later toast, will be me replace Dominic together, hope everyone don’t laugh.” This word out, people below stage stopped discussion. Grandma Vance sitting in main seat, cast me a look of new respect. Vance family big business big family, most care face and others opinion. So at this time, as daughter-in-law more can’t panic, must take out hostess style. Sister also saw Grandma Vance’s gaze, eyes flashed a trace anger. [Really f*cking disgusting, later toast tea time, must make you ugly!] Actually I feel can hear inner voice really is a good thing. More a golden finger, do anything convenient much. Arrived toast tea link, I calmly lifted dress walk towards Grandma Vance. Sister always tightly staring me, in heart silent count [One, two, three.] Next second, I directly side body dodge go take tea. And sister fiercely fell on ground, tea water also wet whole body. “Okay right.” Caleb hurriedly go help her. In heart but scold: [Really a idiot!] Everyone looking this way. Grandma Vance full face anger. “Rash, still have a bit Vance family second daughter-in-law look?” “So… sorry Mom, I not intentional.” Sister hurriedly apologize, eye bottom but unwilling. If I were her, this life I won’t make trouble again, just peaceful live days. But she not want let me pass good, I naturally also won’t swallow anger. Chapter 6 Because sister made fool, wedding hastily ended. Grandma Vance from start to end didn’t give her a good face. But when look me, eyes inside are gratified. Also pulled my hand say: “Serena, tonight I let Dominic must come back accompany you, compensate you.” Sure enough, night Dominic really came back. He opened door, just untying tie, face full exhausted. I hurriedly go over take clothes for him. “Dominic, tired today right.” He just looked me one eye, didn’t ignore me. Previous life, I heard servant said, wedding night Dominic didn’t come back. Sister empty guard new room, watched joke by everyone. She go find Grandma Vance complain, instead suffered a scold, said she herself no ability, can’t hold man heart. When Dominic shower, I made bed for him, brewed tea. Then, I myself tidied sofa a bit, prepare alone sleep here. When Dominic came out, saw this scene, eyes flashed a trace surprise. I hurriedly say: “You sleep bed, I sleep sofa.” “Serena, are you playing hard to get?” He slightly narrowed eyes staring me, because wearing bathrobe, chest slightly exposed, still some water drops attach on top. Have to say, his figure indeed good. I hurriedly move away eyes. “No, we two before no feeling, sleep together to you me both awkward.” “If can, I want cooperate with you.” “What meaning?” “After all we just commercial marriage, many this kind couples private are each pass each, surface act a act just fine, I marry you also just want food clothing worry free pass a life, feeling I not extravagant hope.” Hearing my words, he suddenly hooked lip smile: “You very smart.” “Just right I also want like this, I can agree you.” I just a ordinary person, no that big ability and assurance, can hold a man’s heart. After all in Vance family, his attitude to me, depends on Grandma Vance attitude to me. I don’t want be like sister previous life, mix until targeted by everyone. That to me no any benefit. And previous life he also domestic violence sister. I also don’t want go provoke him, then also be beaten. So I choose live in peace with him just fine. This life, I only want take money open own company, then self rely self fly yellow arrive! Chapter 7 I let Dominic post our ten fingers tight lock photo in Moments. And caption: [Happy Wedding.] Reason is let everyone feel we two feeling no problem. Besides this, I also found his Moments very clean, except this Moments, no longer posted Moments. He such person daily life must very boring. When sleep, he really slept big bed, let me alone sleep sofa. Really not understand pity fragrance cherish jade, fine, I should satisfy. Next morning early, I was woken by Dominic. He early morning want while listen music, while do push-ups exercise body. Heard sex cold men, are all thin dogs. But his that eight pack abs, strong calf meat, look just full of power. Better than Caleb figure too many times! “Don’t look, I not interested in you.” He suddenly voice out, climb up from ground. “Wear good clothes, follow me go eat breakfast.” Subconscious is telling me, like this everyone will feel our feeling good. Actually I feel he quite good talk ah, why previous life would beat sister? After tidying myself, I went out with Dominic. Just go out, I saw sister and Caleb ten fingers tight lock walk over. Sister wearing tube top dress, collarbone and shoulder place all hickeys, also deliberate lean close give me look. She full face all proud, from head to end sized me up a round. [Wrapped so tight, must be beaten, deliberate cover wound.] She voice out in heart, then proudly smiled. “Sister, how new wedding night pass ah?” I today wear is a set decent long sleeve dress. Sister seem forgot, Grandma Vance most dislike low vulgar wear match appear in Vance family. And makeup also can’t heavy makeup. But I don’t want remind her. I just smile. “Sister, in Vance family according seniority, you should call me Sister-in-law, not Sister.” Her face instantly some ugly, unconvinced bite teeth: “People Dominic didn’t say so call, you base on what require me?” Then she look towards Dominic. “Dominic, you stand out say a word.” I can feel beside Dominic, whole body aura bit by bit cold up. Caleb in heart scold: [F*cking idiot, see father night not fix you!] Then pulled sister hand, signal her don’t speak again. But she still unaware seriousness of matter.

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I broke up with my boyfriend in his poorest year. One year later, he achieved fame and success, married a “America’s Sweetheart” more beautiful and lively than me. On a talk show, the host asked him, having swept the Grammys at such a young age, if he still had regrets. He held Stella’s waist: “I want to know, after breaking up with me, how is she doing?” Host paused: “She… is doing very badly.” Julian Vance finally revealed a smile: “Then I’m relieved.” “But Ms. Mia left a videotape before she died.” Julian’s smile froze. Inside the videotape, were my days and nights from leaving him to dying of illness. … Chapter 1 “Before died?” Julian’s hand on Stella’s waist paused. Turned to a disdainful smile: “Is this your show effect?” Host shook head. On the big screen behind, appeared my smile. “Hello everyone, I am Mia, today I broke up~ “Huh? You ask me if I’m sad kicking a promising handsome Golden Retriever Boyfriend?” In the picture, the girl with shaved head was picking a wig for herself. Hearing this looked at camera, smiled: “Not sad, letting him see me like this now would be sad haha~ “Eh? What are you shaking for? Can’t film well.” I supported best friend Nora’s trembling hand. Nora choked with sobs: “I don’t want to film… I will cry to death, I don’t want to film anymore…” “That won’t do, you promised me, record my every day before death.” Nora voice carried crying tone: “Can’t I go back on my word?” “No!” I pouted: “This lady’s perfect curtain call, can’t be handed to others.” Seeing her still crying, I grabbed her clothes corner and shook: “Good Nora, I only have you in this world~” Crying sound more obvious: “Knew it knew it, I film okay…” Chapter 2 [Goodbye World, 2023.4.17, 9:34 AM —— Take It All] After many years, I returned to the old house in Texas. Nora held phone walking behind me, I led a big yellow dog walking on field path, laughter came from the ridge: “I said why Julian’s Instagram just updated a song, turns out because you took Yellow away!” I turned head: “What song? After breakup I blocked him.” “Adele, ‘Someone Like You’.” Me and Nora looked at each other for a moment, suddenly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Never mind, I’ll find someone like you. “I wish nothing but the best for you too. “Don’t forget me, I beg…” Nora laughed out tears: “He wants nothing, just wants the dog, result you want nothing, only took the dog hahaha!” Sky edge came our laughter. Gradually mixed with weeping. Chapter 3 [Goodbye World, 2023.4.17, 10:08 AM —— Does puppy also know you are leaving?] Old wooden door pushed open, I waved away spider web: “I tell you, since me and Julian went to New York for school, rarely came back home. “After mom and dad left me and Julian took Yellow away, this is first time bringing him back.” Lens turned, became me holding camera: “Hello hello, Mia takes everyone immersive cleaning old house!” Nora wearing apron holding broom frowned: “Clearly is me cleaning! My big miss!” “I am patient~ let me okay~” After a burst of laughter, I walked out of kitchen face covered in ash. Nora black face took spatula: “I said don’t cook don’t cook! Don’t you know your own level! Go out sit!” I while coughing while smiling sat down. Wait Nora entered kitchen, my smile disappeared from face, phone put on table edge support, uncontrollably panting heavily. Trembling hand inhaled few mouths oxygen, I then smiled to camera: “Sorry ah, recently breathing problem times more and more… “Cough cough! Actually I very good at cooking, really. “Watch me brave kitchen again!” Saying picked up phone, foot side but more a furry thing. Lens down, Yellow right drooping eyelids lying on my foot. “Hungry?” I handed sausage over, he put at mouth side, continue lying on my foot back not move. “Good Yellow, I want go kitchen see Nora, get up.” He not move. “What wrong, today how so clingy?” I touched his already dry fur: “I know, Yellow also old咯~ lazy to move right? “Okay, today accompany you more a while~” I leaned on sofa: “Later also no chance accompany you.” Yellow low whined a sound. Chapter 4 [Goodbye World, 2023.4.17, 11:21 AM —— Is home still home without people] When I woke up from sofa, Nora right squatting at my feet. Hearing my voice, looked up, tears flowed full face: “Mia, heard dog can feel owner want leave, will go next life wait her in advance, is it true?” My lens almost shook off. Hurriedly touched Yellow. No breath. He lay at my feet, when I tired entered dreamland, quietly left me. I smiled uglier than crying: “Saying what, Yellow ten years old, arrived age of natural death that’s all.” Lens open again time, I right earthing up beside small mound in back mountain. Breath rapid, face pale, wipe sweat on forehead, pointed home direction: “Here straight go is home, million don’t go wrong direction, if walk to Julian…” I abrupt stop. Smiled, took hand back: “Don’t go back, there soon no people. “Wait I go down, we form a home with mom and dad below.” Sobbing sound accompanied lens shaking, I looked up, smiling pointed behind lens: “Doing what you, lens hold not steady.” Nora cried louder: “You are! Saying what you!” I laughed out sound, waved hand: “Look your look, go la, go home eat rice you made~” “Mia! You again like this I ignore you!” I grinning stepped forward, embraced her shoulder: “You rest assured, your Sister Mia, invincible under heaven! “Little cancer, easy peasy! “Hahahahahahahahaha!” Chapter 5 [Goodbye World, 2023.4.18, 8:27 AM —— I occasionally also forget I am a patient] “Mia! Mia you open door ah!” Nora crazy patting door. Lens set aside, Nora even didn’t have time adjust position, can only see her lower body. Inside room, I roaring crying: “Roll! I let you roll! Roll away!!” Immediately following is severe vomiting sound. Nora about to cry: “Mia you again like this I want hit door ah! Exactly happened what! You let me see!” “Roll! Let me alone stay!” Tear heart crack lung crying shout penetrate screen. Nora fiercely hit on door, old wooden door answered sound open. Inside room, I knelt beside trash can, hair strand stuck on face by vomit, a face of embarrassment. Slightly can’t see yesterday laughing singing look. I despair looked up, eye orbit red: “Nora…” “Mia.” She knelt down, ignore my full body dirty, a hug held me. I trembling hand hugged her, chin against her shoulder, tears soaked her clothes: “Sorry, I shouldn’t fierce you… “But I always will trance when wake up, thought I still normal Mia… “Then stare ceiling look long time, realize I sick… “I sick… I sick Nora…” I wept不成声 (choked with sobs). Nora held me tighter: “Mn, it’s okay, it’s okay Mia, you can survive, you can… “You are… “You are Mia ah…” Chapter 6 [Goodbye World, 2024.4.21, 4:34 PM —— Sometimes forgetting is instead comfort to the dead] I lay on Nora shoulder, under rolled up sleeve arm blue a piece purple a piece. My voice hoarse: “What to do ah Nora, again like this going to no place stick needle, so pain ah.” “Yo, now know pain, not you last night stay up late grab ticket time?” I pouted: “I always have to see ex-boyfriend big fire after first concert right? “Long time no see, see if his singing skill improved not.” Nora fell into silence. Long time after touched me: “You said back then break up reason is not want drag him, if he now to you still have feeling, will you find him help?” “No!” I cut nail chop iron (decisive). “But he now one song can break ten million, he now definitely have ability help you treat illness.” “That also no! You also not allowed tell him!” “But, you now…” I hands on hips, indwelling needle on hand left blue mark on skin: “I now good good ah, besides, he most poor time I kicked him, he just achieve fame I go back find him say I sick, that count what? “Rest assured, I am Mia ah! “Little cancer, easy peasy!” I index finger and thumb touch, made a “pinch” gesture. Nora looked me a while, sighed. I waved hand: “Go la, my this disease spend money also not certain can cure, might as well use limited money on last enjoyment. “Quick go quick go, night not still appointed amusement park ma? Before this, I found a BBQ… “Ah!” I head bumped into a person arms. Just crazy apologize, looked up see clear other face, immediately back retreat good few steps. Nora suck a mouth cold air: “Julian Vance?” Although he wearing mask, cover strict strict, but lover just rely a pair eyes can recognize each other. “Mia?” His good looking peach blossom eyes carried some shock. Turn is anger, blame. Think also didn’t think, I turn head just run. Lens crazy shake, Nora also follow me all way wild run. A cancer patient ran out steps faster than healthy time. After severe panting sound, someone loud calling my name: “Mia! You just so hate me ma?!”

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My best friend became an overnight billionaire and tossed me a limited-edition Louis Vuitton bag like she was throwing a bone to a stray dog. I took it and used it to haul rotting trash from the dumpster behind the cafeteria. Why? Because I’ve died before. In my past life, Bella Sterling bound herself to a parasitic entity—a supernatural curse that allowed her to siphon off every ounce of my luck through the objects she gifted me. She became the untouchable “It Girl,” the natural-born genius who went viral with a single makeup-free selfie and signed million-dollar contracts before graduation. Meanwhile, I spiraled. I developed a severe metabolic disorder, flunked every class, and eventually died from cardiac arrest during the gym class mile run, my body giving out under the weight of a stolen life. But I’m back. I’ve been reborn. And if she wants to trade lives, I’m going to make sure she gets exactly what she paid for. Chapter 1 I was walking back from the water fountain during passing period when I saw a crowd gathered around my desk. “Harper! Oh my god, you’re finally back! Look what I brought you from the shoot!” Bella Sterling spotted me and waved enthusiastically. Her smile was dazzling, the kind that stopped traffic. Every movement she made was calculated perfection. I walked over. Sitting on my desk, basking in a sunbeam like a holy relic, was a pristine Louis Vuitton Capucines bag. The leather shimmered under the fluorescent lights. The surrounding classmates let out a collective gasp of envy. “No way. That’s a legit LV. Bella is literally the best friend ever. Harper Vance must have saved a country in her past life to deserve her.” “Please. Look at Harper. She’s a total mess. She looks like a bloated tick. A bag like that on her? It’s like putting lipstick on a pig.” “Seriously. If I had a friend like Bella, I’d be on my knees thanking her right now.” Bella heard every word. She tilted her chin up slightly, soaking in the praise, before turning her “concerned” gaze to me. “Harper, are you in shock? Come on, swap your stuff over! That old backpack you’re carrying is falling apart. It’s practically leaking pens.” It was almost funny. A long time ago, Bella was the poor, insecure, overweight girl. I was the one who bought her lunch, who helped her study. Then came my sixteenth birthday. Bella gave me a bag she had “hand-stitched” herself. That was the moment my perfect life shattered. Bella had bound the Curse to me. That handmade bag was her extraction tool. If I put a mirror in it, she stole my beauty. If I put my textbooks in it, she drained my intelligence. I remembered the time I caught the flu. I carried my medicine in that bag to school. The next day, I could barely walk without wheezing, while the historically sickly Bella suddenly ran a six-minute mile. I had spent years in a spiral of self-hatred, while Bella quietly encouraged the school to isolate the “weird, fat girl.” Staring at the designer leather, I let out a cold laugh and looked up. “Bella, didn’t you hear everyone? Someone like me makes a bag like this look like trash. Honestly, my old backpack matches my vibe way better.” I paused, scanning the room. “But I’d hate to waste your generosity. So, I’ll pay it forward. Does anyone else want a free Louis Vuitton? First come, first served.” The room exploded. The classmates who had just been mocking me lost their minds. “Me! I want it!” “Back off! I need that bag!” “Move, losers!” A girl named Roxy—tall, broad-shouldered, and mean—used her linebacker build to shove everyone aside. She slammed her hand on the desk, glaring at the crowd. “Anyone who touches this bag gets a black eye!” Bella’s face went pale. The air of superiority vanished, replaced by sheer panic. She shrieked, “No! You can’t! That was a gift for Harper!” “But she said she didn’t want it,” Roxy sneered, clutching the leather handle. “Besides, look at her. She’d probably just get mugged for it in five minutes anyway.” Bella looked like she was choking. She watched Roxy claim the bag with a mix of urgency and terror, her entire body trembling with rejection. Watching her panic, a thought crossed my mind. If the bag holds someone else’s belongings… does the extraction spell work on them instead? Chapter 2 “Harper, I hand-picked that for you! You can refuse it, but why do you have to trample on my feelings like this?” Bella’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. The switch was flipped; she was now the tragic heroine in a soap opera. “I treat you like my sister, and you just toss my gift to a stranger? That is so incredibly cold-hearted!” She suddenly clutched her chest, stumbled backward, and collapsed gracefully onto the linoleum floor. Roxy freaked out. She yelped and threw the LV bag back onto my desk like it was a live grenade. Chaos erupted. The boys in the class surged forward, eager to play the hero for the fallen princess, but hesitating to actually touch her. Suddenly, a voice cut through the noise like a whip. “The bell rang two minutes ago. What is going on in here?” Standing in the doorway were the Hall Monitors—specifically, the Student Council Disciplinary Board. At the front was Chase Montgomery. Tall, leaning against the doorframe with an air of bored aristocracy, he had pale skin and dark, intense eyes that seemed to analyze everything they touched. The guy behind him, holding a clipboard, scowled and scribbled something down before handing it to Chase. “President. Room 302. Disorderly conduct during study hall. Minus ten points.” The class went dead silent. You could hear a pin drop. Even Bella, currently staging a faint on the floor, cracked one eye open. It wasn’t just about the points. It was about Chase Montgomery. He was the Golden Boy. His father was a Senator, his mother was a tech mogul who owned half the prime real estate in the city. And Chase? He was a prodigy, already scouted by USC’s School of Cinematic Arts for directing. Chase took the pen, his expression unreadable, and signed the violation slip. Just as the group turned to leave, Bella “miraculously” found the strength to stand up. “Chase! Wait! This isn’t the class’s fault. It’s all my responsibility!” In full view of everyone, she pushed through the crowd and stood before him, looking up with wide, teary eyes. Silence stretched for a few seconds. Chase instinctively took a step back, turning his face slightly away. His voice was low, almost raspy. “Reason?” Bella took a breath, ready for her close-up. “I fainted because of a personal shock. The class was just trying to help me. The noise was… unavoidable.” Chapter 3 Bella blinked her watery, doe-like eyes, speaking in a soft, trembling voice. “I gave my best friend a Louis Vuitton bag. She didn’t want it, which is fine, but she tried to give it away to humiliate me. I couldn’t stop her…” Bella choked back a sob. Seeing her act so righteously, the rest of the class jumped in to defend their queen: “Yeah! It’s Harper Vance! She’s trying to start drama. Bella was just being nice!” “That fat loser’s backpack is literally falling apart, and she still acted stuck up. I think she’s trying to frame us!” “Harper’s just jealous because she’s ugly and broke. She’s always sabotaging Bella.” “She’s a sociopath! She bullies people all the time behind the teachers’ backs!” “Bella fainted from the stress! Please, President, put all the penalty points on Harper Vance!” They piled on, throwing every insult they could think of, dumping all the blame squarely on my shoulders. No one noticed that Bella had inched closer to Chase. She reached out, her fingers lightly grazing the hem of his blazer—a calculated move of vulnerability. “President, please,” she whispered. “Don’t punish the class. Our homeroom teacher will kill us.” Chase looked down at her. His cold, indifferent gaze seemed to soften. The tips of his ears turned a faint shade of pink. “Where is this Harper Vance?” “Right there!” Without warning, someone shoved me hard from behind. I stumbled, unable to catch my balance, and face-planted right at Chase Montgomery’s feet in a pathetic sprawl. Cruel, sharp laughter erupted around the room. I gasped in pain, feeling the skin on my palms scrape raw against the floor. “Oops! Wow, Harper, so clumsy. Why are you crawling on the floor? You’re embarrassing the whole class.” I gritted my teeth and scrambled up, ready to defend myself. But Chase had already made his judgment. He lifted his pen, writing as he spoke, his voice dripping with disdain. “Harper Vance. Bullying classmates. Disruption of order. Twenty points deducted from your personal record. You are barred from all merit awards until graduation.” He didn’t even look at me. “If you have an objection,” he added coldly, “bring the security footage to the Dean’s office.” Chapter 4 Chase didn’t give me a single second to explain. He turned and walked away with his entourage without looking back. The class exploded into laughter. Someone sneered, “Everyone knows the cameras are just for show. They only turn them on during finals. Suck it up, Harper.” Rage boiled in my chest. I spun around, grabbing the collar of the boy who had shoved me—the one laughing the hardest. I put my entire weight into it and slapped him across the face. Smack! The sound echoed through the room. “Harper, are you crazy?! You hit me!” He widened his eyes, raising a fist to strike back. But I weighed 180 pounds. Weight moves weight. His skinny frame was no match for my adrenaline-fueled mass. “You said I was bullying classmates, right? You already deducted the points. So, I might as well earn the title!” I shoved him back into his chair. The class, usually so comfortable tormenting me, went silent. They looked terrified. Bella, the architect of this misery, smiled at me with fake sympathy, assuming I was too stupid to catch her drift. “I’m so sorry, Harper. I really wanted to take the blame, but the President wrote your name down… We’re still besties, right? You won’t hold a grudge?” I looked at her, and the corners of my mouth curled up slowly. “Of course not,” I said. “My. Best. Friend.” Right in front of her, I picked up the Louis Vuitton bag, shoved it into my desk cubby, and sat down to study. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her let out a breath of relief. She thought she had won. Chapter 5 After school, I grabbed the bag and sprinted out of the classroom, running straight to a back alley a few blocks away. There was a recycler there—an old woman who sat on the ground every day at 4 PM, sorting through trash. The sun was brutal. The woman wiped sweat from the deep wrinkles on her face as she organized aluminum cans. “Ma’am, I want to buy your stuff.” I pulled a handful of cash from my pocket. Tens, twenties, mostly ones—my lunch money for the month. I gritted my teeth and handed her a twenty. The woman looked up, her weather-beaten face full of shock. She stood up, wiping her dirty hands on her pants. “I want to buy the trash you’ve collected. Or the garbage you have piled up at home. Just give me twenty dollars’ worth. I’ll be back for more.” She had never seen a student try to buy trash before. She hesitated, eyeing my school uniform, but the cash was real. Half an hour later, I was hauling the Louis Vuitton bag back to the dorms. It was stuffed to the brim with crushed plastic bottles, greasy ramen wrappers, and bags of rotting food scraps. My heart was pounding like a drum. In the past, I avoided mirrors. I hated my reflection. But this time, I walked straight to the full-length mirror in the hallway and looked up. It wasn’t a hallucination. My face was smaller. Where my neck used to merge directly into my jaw, there was now the hint of a jawline. Even my eyes, usually buried in puffiness, looked wider, brighter. The reverse curse worked. To ensure I had enough money to keep buying trash from the recycler, I didn’t sleep during lunch. I spent the time doing homework for the rich kids who were too lazy to do it themselves. My brain, usually foggy and slow because of the drain, felt clearer. But it was still hard work. When I got back to the classroom, the place was buzzing. “Holy crap, Bella, you’re legendary! I saw Chase Montgomery walking you to class!” “They just met this morning! That is insane progress. He’s ignored every girl for three years!” “I know! He’s always alone with his camera on weekends. He barely speaks.” Someone sighed dreamily. “Well, it makes sense. Bella is the Queen Bee. She’s already modeling. The King and Queen belong together.” I rolled my eyes. A heartless psychopath and a blind idiot. A match made in hell. “Chase just thought I was too innocent,” Bella said loudly, making sure everyone heard. “He said he was worried I’d get bullied again. Oh, and he said I speak very elegantly. He thinks I read a lot.” Bella walked past my desk, her smile barely containing her triumph. “Don’t spread rumors, guys. We aren’t dating… yet.” She leaned against my desk, turning her back to me. “By the way, have you heard? That reality show, Finding America’s Sweetheart, is coming to scout high schools. The winner gets a lead role in a blockbuster movie.” She lowered her voice, but kept it loud enough for the room. “Modeling is fine, but I want Hollywood. I want to be a star. Then, when I’m with Chase, no one will be surprised. They’ll just say he has good taste.” It was a great speech. Very “Main Character energy.” Too bad she was building her castle on my bones. She hadn’t read a book in years; she just stole my intellect. Bella, I thought, staring at her profile. Your double chin is showing. Chapter 6 The final bell rang. The class stampeded toward the cafeteria. I stayed behind, finishing a calculus problem set for a junior in another class. Bella stood at the front of the room, frowning into her compact mirror. She kicked the chair in front of her. “What the hell? Why does my face look puffy? Is that cow not dieting anymore?” She muttered to herself, glancing suspiciously at my desk. When she saw the bulging Louis Vuitton bag stuffed in my cubby, she relaxed. “Harper! You’re doing the right thing. Study hard!” She beamed at me, looking at me like I was a useful farm animal. “Skip dinner, okay? Look at how big you’re getting. You really need to fast. One meal a day is plenty for you.” I didn’t even look up. Bella sashayed out of the room, heading to the cafeteria to gorge herself. She didn’t know that every bit of effort I exerted now was solely for me. Once she was gone, I counted my earnings. Twenty-three dollars. Perfect. I grabbed the bag and ran out the school gates. This time, I bought a stack of old, yellowed newspapers the recycler used for insulation. I stuffed them into the LV bag until the seams groaned, then skipped back to school. At the main gate, a crowd had formed. A boy in a black shirt and a baseball cap was cleaning a camera lens. Behind him, a gaggle of girls clutched their dinner, whispering and squealing. “God, he’s so hot. Chase Montgomery.” “He’s already accepted to USC. He just comes to school to mess around with his camera.” “Is that girl his girlfriend? I’m so jealous. It’s like a movie scene.” I walked closer. It was Chase. And his lens was pointed directly under the school’s archway, at a posing, “candid” Bella Sterling. He bent down, focused, and click. “Chase! Let me see!” Bella bounced over to him. Standing close, they looked like a magazine cover. I clenched my fists, a bitter acid rising in my throat. That was my life. That was the stolen potential she had ripped out of me. I swallowed the hate and tried to walk past them into the school, but Bella spotted me. “Harper! Come here! Let’s take a picture together!” Chapter 7 Bella grabbed my arm, digging her nails in, and dragged me into the frame. “Chase, shoot it! I want a picture with my BFF!” Chase looked at me with open disgust, but he adjusted the focus—keeping it sharp on Bella, leaving me in the blur. The crowd watched, eating their sandwiches and laughing. “She looks like a mountain next to Bella. So embarrassing.” “If I were her, I’d hide. It’s humiliating.” “Comparison is the thief of joy, but wow, that’s a brutal contrast. Beauty and the Beast.” Bella looked ethereal next to my bulk. I stiffened, resisting with every muscle fiber. I knew exactly what this was. She needed a prop to make herself shine brighter. “Just a few more! These are memories, Harper!” “Smile! Come on, I’ll stand in front to make your face look smaller. Don’t move!” She wrapped her arm around my neck in a chokehold masked as a hug. I snapped. I shoved her away with both hands. “Enough! Are you deaf?!” “I said no! Get off me!” The onlookers jumped. My voice was raw, screaming with years of suppressed rage. Bella stumbled back and fell onto the pavement, looking up at me with wide, shocked eyes. Chase was there in a second, helping her up. He turned his glare on me, his eyes cold as ice. “Harper Vance. What is wrong with you? Apologize to Bella. Now. Or else.” He looked ready to destroy me. Around us, phones went up, recording the “crazy fat girl” losing her mind. “Apologize? Why the hell should I apologize? She dragged me!” I didn’t care anymore. My hair was a mess, I was sweating, and I was screaming. “Why does everyone ignore the facts just to target me? Is it just because I’m ugly? Does that make it okay to treat me like an animal?” “You people are sick! And you’re all going to pay for it!”

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My childhood friend suffers from severe insomnia. For years, my voice was the only thing that could lull him to sleep. That was until he met the new “It Girl,” and suddenly, he was cured. For her, he fought with paparazzi, blacklisted her rivals, wrote hit songs for her, and shipped me—the girl he found annoying—off to a political marriage. Rumor had it my fiancé was a ruthless, elderly tycoon with one foot in the grave. I ran to my friend, crying, holding a knife to my throat, threatening to end it all. Liam Sterling just scoffed. “Grow up, Chloe. Are you still playing these games?” “If you want to die, hurry up. Do you think everyone has as much free time as you?” “You’re not a child anymore. Sure, he’s a bit older, but for someone like you? It’s more than you deserve.” Suddenly, a stream of holographic text—like a livestream chat—scrolled across my vision: 【Don’t listen to him, girl! Your fiancé is a dark, obsessive Merman! A total tragic villain!】 【He’s been in love with you for centuries! He’s drop-dead gorgeous, loyal to a fault, cries actual pearls when he’s sad, and his biggest dream is to start a family with you!】 I silently lowered the knife. “Um, excuse me. Can we move the wedding date up?” I don’t have any ulterior motives. I just really, really like seafood. Chapter 1 When I pressed the cold blade against my neck, my eyes were filled with absolute despair. Then, the floating text appeared, bombarding my vision. 【Don’t do it! If you die now, no one will even care!】 【Plus, the heroine will inherit your magical voice, and Liam will love her even more!】 Mia Thorne stood behind Liam, shielded from my glare. Her almond eyes were brimming with tears, looking pathetic and fragile as she tugged at the hem of Liam’s designer jacket. “I’m so sorry, Chloe. I didn’t know you hated me this much. I truly just want to be with Liam.” “If you don’t want to see me, I promise I’ll disappear. You and Liam have known each other for fifteen years… you’re his dearest little sister. I don’t want you to get hurt.” She sobbed in hiccups. Liam, seeing this, tenderly wiped her tears away. “Let her throw her tantrum. It’s not the first time.” “Everyone knows she’s terrified of pain. Suicide? Please. She’s just seeking attention.” “You’re too innocent, Mia. That’s why she always bullies you.” He glanced at me with impatience. “Haven’t you had enough? Your arm must be tired holding that knife up.” “Everyone is watching. If you’re going to do it, make it quick.” The boy who once hugged me and refused to let go was now telling me to die for another woman. Chapter 2 Liam Sterling has chronic insomnia. He needs the sound of my voice to fall asleep. My parents died when I was young, leaving me alone. When the Sterlings discovered my voice was the only cure for their son, they adopted me. From the age of eight, I lived under the same roof as Liam. He was clingy. If I left his sight for a moment, he’d panic. Before me, he lived on sleeping pills. After he met me, he never took another pill. Every night, I sang him a lullaby. Growing up, Liam always let me win. Whenever I made him angry, he was the one who apologized, claiming that seeing me cry broke his heart. On his eighteenth birthday, in front of the entire socialite circle of New York, Liam declared he would never marry anyone but Chloe Vance. I thought we would be together forever. Junior year of college, we had a fight. I ran off to Joshua Tree to paint. He drove through the night to find my tent, wrapping me in a blanket under the starlight. Hot tears ran down my neck as he choked out, “Chloe, take me with you next time, okay? Without you, I can’t sleep. My heart feels empty.” I was defeated by his tears. “Shh, didn’t I leave you a recording?” I wanted to say more, but a line of text floated in the air. 【Tragic, isn’t it? Who would have thought the puppy-dog boy who ‘couldn’t live without Chloe’ would drive her to suicide for another woman two years later?】 I thought the altitude was making me hallucinate. I didn’t know then that the man in my arms was the Protagonist of this world. And I was just the fleeting, villainous side character. Chapter 3 After graduation, I became a director at Sterling Entertainment. When Liam came to find me, I was supervising a girl group rehearsal. Mia Thorne was bubbly and cute, but her singing was off-key and her dancing was a disaster. The manager scolded her. Mia blinked, pouted, and instantly dropped a few perfect tears. I turned around and saw Liam staring at her, entranced. A smile played on his lips. Perhaps that was the moment the gears of fate began to turn. I saw the strange “Chat” again. 【Love at first sight! Classic trope check.】 【Mia is so cute, the male lead’s heart just melted. Look, he can’t even blink.】 【The heroine is clumsy, but adorable. No wonder he’s moving on.】 【What? The side character (Chloe) is way prettier!】 【Pretty doesn’t matter. The plot demands he dumps her for the heroine.】 From those comments, I realized I was living in a romance novel. Mia was the “Sweetheart Heroine,” and Liam was her destined “CEO.” I didn’t want to believe it. But from that day on, Mia and Liam grew closer. He came to the studio to “see me,” but ended up laughing with her. She even hitched a ride home in his car every night. I felt panicked, like someone had licked the frosting off my cupcake. I told Liam to stop coming. If he wanted to see me, I’d go to him. He frowned but agreed. One day, I was heading to the Sterling estate with Liam. It wasn’t on Mia’s way. I whispered, “Liam, the ice cream I bought is melting. Can we call Mia an Uber?” Liam thought for a second, then smiled. “Whatever you want.” Halfway there, Mia called. She was crying. “Liam… I think someone is following me… I’m scared…” Liam immediately U-turned. “Don’t be scared. Stay on the line. I’m coming!” When we arrived, Liam jumped out. Mia threw herself into his arms. He stroked her back, his face full of pain. “I’ll protect you. I’ll drive you home every day from now on, okay?” And so, “Drive Mia Home” became a permanent fixture in his schedule. I became invisible. Eventually, I realized Liam could sleep without me. I had been replaced. Even when I fainted from cramps and asked him to take me to the hospital, he was indifferent. “Chloe, stop being dramatic. I called you a car.” “Mia needs me right now. Just hold on. I’ll send my assistant to sit with you.” Later, I found out the stalker was a former employee of Mia’s father. Her family had run a factory into the ground, embezzled the funds, and fled the country, leaving workers unpaid. The stalker, a man named Frank, needed wages for his daughter’s leukemia surgery. When he confronted Mia, Liam beat him half to death. Liam kicked the man until he was unconscious. When the police arrived, Liam’s face was scratched. I tried to clean the wound, but he shoved me aside. He knelt before the terrified Mia, hugging her tight. “I’m sorry I let you get scared.” I was standing right there, but I didn’t exist in his world anymore. Liam knew I was terrified of pain. But when he shoved me, I hit a pile of exposed bricks. My shin was bleeding profusely. But I didn’t cry. Because Liam was wiping Mia’s tears, his face full of adoration. At that moment, I realized it didn’t matter if I hurt or cried. Liam didn’t care. Later, Frank went to jail. Liam made Mia quit the idol group and become his personal assistant. At galas, I was no longer his plus-one. At business dinners, he drank for her and held her waist. The handmade storybook I made him? He gave it to Mia. Worse, he moved Mia into the house. I came back from a business trip to find my room gone. “Chloe, Mia needs to sleep next to my room. I moved your stuff to the attic.” In the attic, my things were scattered. Broken glass, torn photos. Downstairs, the Sterling parents were laughing with Mia. Mia was a master manipulator. Even Liam’s stoic father was smiling. His mother, who suffered from migraines, loved Mia’s massages and gave her an heirloom bracelet. I finally believed it. The world revolved around her. I planned to move abroad. To escape this “Sweetheart Center.” But the Sterlings told me I was to be married off to Silas Hale in Seattle. Silas Hale. Rumor had it he was an arms dealer or a mob boss. Over fifty. Brutal looking. I was terrified. I ran to Liam’s room. “Liam, please. Tell them no. I don’t want an arranged marriage.” Liam pulled my hand away, sipping his tea. “Chloe, you’re not a kid. He’s older, sure, but for you? It’s more than enough.” I felt my heart turn to ash. I grabbed a fruit knife. When I aimed the sharp blade at my neck, Liam didn’t even flinch. Two years ago, if a mosquito bit me, he’d freak out. Now, he watched me prepare to die with boredom. Suddenly, Mia screamed, startling me. The knife nicked my skin. Green text flashed before my eyes: 【Poor side character. The chandelier is about to fall on the knife. She won’t die, but her vocal cords will be severed. She’ll be mute.】 【She thinks Liam and his parents will feel guilty? Nope. They’ll just sigh and move on.】 【By the way, Mia gets her magical voice. Liam sleeps even better.】 【The parents are so touched by Mia that they let her marry Liam immediately.】 【I remember their wedding rings were made from the inheritance left by Chloe’s parents.】 【Yeah, the ‘Mermaid’s Tear’ diamond. Worth millions.】 I went cold. Why? Just because she’s the protagonist? Then, a huge, bold comment appeared: 【Girl, stop crying! Your fiancé isn’t an old man! He’s a tragic, beautiful Merman!】 【That gloomy fish is obsessed with you! When he heard you almost committed suicide, he cried all night. He kissed your wounds!】 【He’s super hot, totally loyal, and—most importantly—he’s rich and obedient. He literally dreams of carrying your babies!】 Chapter 4 I froze. Huh? A Merman? The chat was going wild. 【He’s loved Chloe since he was a fry! He fought his way onto land just to find her.】 【When she loses her voice, he acts out both sides of the conversation. He says the dirtiest things to make her blush.】 【Chloe is tiny, so when the giant Merman hugs her, her feet rest right on his… sensitive scales. He turns bright red.】 【He loves water. When she showers or swims, he gets… naughty.】 【CEO romances are fine, but a possessive, wet, pathetic Merman? Yes please!】 My face flushed. Why didn’t you guys say so sooner? I’m a total monster-lover! If that’s the plot, who wants to die? In the living room, people were still surrounding Liam. “Chloe listens to you, Liam. Tell her to stop!” Liam looked annoyed. He knew I was afraid of pain. I was bluffing to stay in the house. “Chloe, put the knife down! Does it have to be this ugly?” “Mom and Dad are doing this for you. If you don’t want to marry, fine. Stay. But no more bullying Mia.” Before he finished, I dropped the knife. I ran to the Sterling parents. “So, when is the wedding? Can we move it up?” Silence. Liam grabbed my arm. “Chloe, there’s a limit to your jokes.” I rolled my eyes. “Who’s joking with you?” Mrs. Sterling recovered. “If you’re okay with Mr. Hale… next month?” “No problem,” I said. Crash! The chandelier fell exactly where I had been standing. Mia glared at me, hateful that I wasn’t hurt. The chat said she stole my voice “buff” after I got hurt. Not today. “Mia, you look disappointed. Sad I didn’t get crushed?” Mia immediately switched to victim mode, hugging Liam. “No… I was just scared.” Liam glared at me. “Chloe! Where are your manners? Apologize.” In the past, I would have cried. Now, I laughed. “You’re right. I should apologize. Sorry for interrupting the family dinner. Don’t worry, I’m getting married. You won’t see me much longer.” Liam sneered. “Playing hard to get? Chloe, I’ll say it once: Stop playing games.” Mia suddenly whimpered. “Liam… my hand… it’s scratched.” A microscopic scratch. Liam panicked, yelling for the first aid kit. But he paused, glancing back at me. He felt a sudden emptiness, as if I really was leaving his world. “Liam! It hurts!” Mia cried. He turned back. I was just jealous, he told himself. I’d never actually leave him.

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On New Year’s Eve, right in the middle of a live broadcast, my sister called me. I spoke first: “Peace, joy, and a long, long life.” My sister let out a cold laugh on the other end of the line. “But I don’t want you to have peace or a long life. “I hope you suffer for the rest of your miserable existence.” I had cut ties with my sister years ago, back when she was at rock bottom. Now, she was on top of the world, a Fortune 500 CEO. Her first order of business was revenge. My tone remained steady, unchanged. “Peace, joy, and a long, long life.” She snapped, her voice dripping with impatience. “Enough. I will never bless you. “If you want a wish, then I wish you eternal pain.” The talk show host hesitated for a second, his earpiece buzzing, before he interrupted her. “Ms. Vance… I’m sorry to interrupt, but that was a pre-recorded message from Mr. Vance. “When he passed away, it was… just as you wished. Very painful.” 1 “Passed away?” Scarlett Vance froze, then scoffed. “I hope you mean he’s dead.” The host paused, looking uncomfortable, and pointed behind her. On the massive Jumbotron in Times Square behind her, my face appeared. In the footage, I was slapping the camera lens away. Rain plastered my hair and cheap dress shirt to my skin. I looked pathetic. My voice was thick with annoyance. “Stop filming. I didn’t sign a release.” A sweet, earnest voice spoke from behind the camera. “I’m not a scammer, I swear. I’m a content creator documenting life on the streets. I can help you.” I turned away from the dumpster I was digging through and pressed my face right up to the lens. “Really? Can you cure Stage 4 cancer?” The girl behind the camera froze. I smirked, a jagged, tired expression. “Don’t waste your breath. Go find a stray cat to save.” “Wait… maybe I can try!” She grabbed my sleeve as I tried to walk away. I looked her up and down, laughing as I pointed at her outfit item by item. “Shirt, twenty bucks. Belt, sixty. Pants, forty. Shoes, fifty. “Oh, and this camera? Pawn shop find, right? “Do you have any idea how much American healthcare costs?” I held up five fingers to the lens. “Five hundred thousand. Minimum. Cash.” The girl’s breath hitched. I turned and walked into the rain, bending over the next trash can. “Shadow? Shadow, where are you, buddy?” She followed me. “What are you looking for?” “A dog.” “Is he yours?” “No. I passed out earlier. He licked my face until I woke up.” The girl went silent. I looked up at the grey sky. “If you’ve got nothing to do, go home. There are plenty of people in this city you can save. Don’t waste your time on me.” My hand covered the lens. The screen went black. 2 【 The Afterlife Series – Oct 11, 2023, 9:32 AM – The Vance family doesn’t take handouts 】 “You’re Julian Vance. Scarlett Vance’s brother, right?” I was sweeping the back alley of a coffee shop. I frowned. “You again?” The girl’s voice came from behind the camera. “The internet says you’re a traitor who abandoned his family, but they don’t know you have terminal cancer. I want to film a documentary series about you. Is that okay?” I shook my head. “Let them think I’m a traitor. It took me years to build that reputation. You want to ruin it now?” “Wait!” She grabbed my arm again. “But you’re broke. How are you paying for meds? I have some savings. Let me help.” I turned, a mocking smile on my face. “You know why I cut ties with my sister?” She hesitated. I yanked my arm back and waved her off. “I have a job. I don’t need your charity. Beat it.” “I asked the manager. You make ten bucks an hour under the table.” “That’s enough.” I turned my back to her, throwing a grin over my shoulder. “The Vances don’t take handouts.” The moment the words left my mouth, my knees gave out. I hit the pavement hard. “Julian!” The camera shook violently. On the concrete, a pool of bright red blood began to spread. “Oh my god!” Maya’s voice trembled. The camera was discarded on the ground, pointing askew. I could see a slender girl trying to haul me up. “Come on, I’m taking you to the ER!” I shoved her away with the last of my strength. I grabbed a dirty rag from my belt, wiped the blood off the concrete, and smeared the red from my mouth with the back of my hand. “No hospitals.” I walked to the slop sink and washed the blood off my face. Maya’s voice broke. “Please. Just let me help you, okay?” I scrubbed the last spot of blood from my chin, turned, and looked straight into the lens. “The Vances. Do not. Need. Help.” Then I walked out of the frame. 3 【 The Afterlife Series – Nov 15, 2023, 3:21 PM – Dogs don’t know they’re dying, they just know they’re home 】 “What do you mean?” I stared at the vet in shock. The vet sighed and shook his head. “The previous owner probably dumped him because they didn’t want to pay the bills. “This little guy has been starving, beaten by other strays… his organs are failing.” I forced a smile. “I know that look. You’re going to tell me he doesn’t have long, right?” The vet hesitated, then nodded. It was the exact same look my oncologist gave me. Maya frowned from behind the camera. “Is there really nothing we can do?” “…Just keep him comfortable. Give him whatever he wants to eat.” Silence filled the small exam room. I petted the scruffy black dog’s head. “No wonder we found each other.” Shadow’s tail thumped against the metal table. He leaned into my hand, panting, his dark eyes shining with adoration. Maya smiled sadly. “He thinks you’re his owner.” I paused. “Is that something to be happy about?” Maya nodded, reaching out to touch the dog’s ear. “Dogs don’t know they’re dying. He just knows he finally has a home.” I went quiet. I patted his head again. “I’ll call you Shadow.” Shadow let out a weak woof. Carrying Shadow out of the clinic, I turned to face the lens. “You found him for me. As repayment… I agree to the documentary.” 4 【 The Afterlife Series – Dec 31, 2023, 9:00 PM – Long Live the Queen (Part 1) 】 “Where did you get this?” I stared at the VCR Maya had dragged in, frowning. She waved a VHS tape with a grin. “A good director does her research.” She popped the tape in. On the grainy screen of the TV provided by my landlord, a boy in a bespoke suit bowed to the camera. Back then, my eyes still held a spark of hope. “Hello, hello! Happy New Year 2015! Wishing everyone peace, joy, and success!” “You were so energetic back then,” Maya said, sitting on the floor beside the couch. Her eyes crinkled with a smile as she watched. I leaned back on the torn upholstery of the sofa. “Did you dig up every archived post on my old social media?” “I thought it was interesting.” I didn’t answer. On the screen, Past Julian sat amidst a mountain of gifts. A familiar voice rang out. “Don’t rush, let me help you open them.” Scarlett walked into the frame, sitting beside me. I held up a hand. “Stop! Sis. Vances are self-made, remember?” The camera cut. Scarlett was fastening a luxury watch around my wrist. “Happy New Year, Julian.” Click. The video froze on my massive grin. Then, laughter. Scarlett’s face was smeared with cake frosting. She paused, then raised a threatening hand, laughing. “Come here! Just because it’s your birthday doesn’t mean I won’t kick your ass!” The video was full of joy. Watching it, I let out a sudden laugh. I wiped the corner of my eye. My sigh trembled. “After Mom and Dad died, everyone pitied me. “But actually… I wasn’t pitiful at all. “I had my sister. I had friends…” A draft whistled through the leaky window frame. I pulled the thin blanket tighter. Tears slid silently down my face. Two warm hands covered my freezing ones. Maya looked at me seriously. “I saved up some money. Let’s go to the hospital tomorrow. Get some treatment.” I sniffled and laughed. “Your account has less than a hundred followers. You eat cup noodles with me every day. How much money could you possibly have?” Her pale hands clenched against her faded jeans. “It… it would help a little.” “No need. I have good news. I saved up two grand. I can afford a round of meds.” Maya froze. Then she smiled. “Is it enough? I can give you more.” I shook my head stubbornly. “No. Vances don’t take handouts.” I lifted my chin arrogantly. “Relax. My income covers my bills. Look, I bought these with my own paycheck.” I grabbed a handful of colorful pills and dry-swallowed them all at once. I frowned, swallowing hard, and sat in silence for a long time until the pain subsided. I exhaled, clutching my chest. I looked up. Maya was watching me, her eyes red. I grinned. “Swallowing a handful dry. Pretty badass, right?” Maya looked down, her smile bitter. “Yeah.” 5 【 The Afterlife Series – Dec 31, 2023, 11:45 PM – Long Live the Queen (Part 2) 】 On screen, we were slumped on the couch, full from a meager dinner, waiting for the ball drop. Maya looked at me. “Is that really all you’re eating?” I looked exhausted. “Stomach hurts. If I eat more, I’ll throw it up.” Maya was silent for a moment, then spoke softly. “Ms. Vance… she did it. Her new IPO hit a billion-dollar valuation.” I closed my eyes. “I know.” “Go back to her. She has the money now. She can save you.” I shook my head. “Why? Do you want to die?” “Do you think I had any illusions of living when I cut her off?” Maya choked on her words. Her voice trembled. “Why did you cut ties? Wouldn’t it be better to face it together?” I laughed. “Mom and Dad always said the Vance kids don’t need help. But the Vance family helped every relative we had. “But when Scarlett went bankrupt? Not a single one of those relatives lifted a finger. “Do you know what it felt like watching my sister beg those people for my tuition money?” My breath hitched. I gritted my teeth. “Scarlett never begged. Never. But after the relatives slammed the door in our faces, she took me to a tiny apartment, smaller than this one. “She said, ‘Even alone, I will get us back to the top.’ “That’s the sister I admired. Even with nothing, she had ambition. “But…” I smiled, looking at Maya. “Guess what would happen if she knew I was sick back then?” Maya couldn’t answer. “She would have gotten on her knees for those relatives.” My heart ached just saying it. “She almost did it for my tuition. I had to physically stop her. Haha…” I wiped a tear. “When I left, she and her partner were just starting to get traction. “Do you think investors would dump money into a startup if the founder had a dying, money-pit brother?” Maya’s voice shook. “Julian…” I held up a hand. “Cancer will take my life. But half a million dollars of debt? That would have taken her life.” Maya clenched her fists. I sighed, a smile playing on my lips. “The day I left, I destroyed her. I called her worthless. “I told her she was a failure, that she was ruining Mom and Dad’s legacy. I told her if she had any love for me, she’d let me go find my own happiness.” “And then… she let go.” The countdown on the TV hit zero. Fireworks exploded on the screen. I wiped the tears from my face.

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Nobody thought Julian Thorne and I made sense together. He was the campus god—sculpted features, brilliant mind, full scholarship. I was just Harper Vance—plain, average, and cursed with a stutter. But Julian gave me the kind of respect and love I’d only ever read about in books. So, I treasured him. I worshipped the ground he walked on. That was, until I walked into a café and saw my father sliding a black Amex card across the table to him. “Thank you for taking care of her these past two years. Harper has become much more confident. This bonus is what we agreed upon.” Julian took the card without hesitation. He smiled, a cold, calculated smile I’d never seen before. “I’m raising my rates this year, Mr. Vance. You know how it is—she’s demanding more and more of my emotional labor these days.” In that moment, I realized that “love” could indeed be a performance art. I didn’t storm in. I didn’t scream. I continued to date him, pretending nothing had changed. In fact, I “loved” him even harder than before. Because before I left for grad school in London, I wanted to see if I could play the game too. I wanted to see if I could become the hunter. 1 In the dimly lit corner of the café, I froze. I had ghosted into a booth partially hidden by a decorative partition, purely by instinct. I shouldn’t have been there, but seeing my father and my boyfriend sitting together was too bizarre to ignore. “Thank you for taking care of her these past two years. Harper has become much more confident. This bonus is what we agreed upon.” I stared blankly at them. My mind was a hurricane of confusion. Thoughts swirled like autumn leaves in a gale, impossible to catch. My father’s voice continued. “She’s been insecure since she was a little girl. I didn’t have any other choice but to find you.” Julian smiled, his fingers deftly sliding the black card into his palm. He rubbed the surface of the card thoughtfully. “I’ve always been curious, sir. Why me?” Dad hesitated, then sighed. “I saw a photo of you giving the freshman orientation speech on her lock screen. I looked into you—you were brilliant, popular, dazzling. She liked you.” “I didn’t want to see Harper trapped in her shell forever. So, I came up with this… arrangement. I hired you to date her. I wanted her to feel a pure love, one untethered by family obligation or pity.” Julian lowered his lashes, masking his eyes. Dad watched him carefully, then asked tentatively, “Julian… after two years, what do you actually think of her?” Julian laughed. But the laughter didn’t reach his eyes. It sent a chill down my spine. “Mr. Vance, let’s be real. What exists between Harper and me is a transaction maintained by currency. Since it’s business, let’s not complicate it with sentiment, shall we?” Dad’s face fell. “I see. I overstepped.” “By the way.” Julian tapped the card on the mahogany table. Click. “I’m raising my fee this year. You know how it is. She’s getting clingy. She eats up a lot of my private time and demands a lot of emotional value.” … I sat there, paralyzed. Julian’s voice slithered into my ears like a viper. I watched his elegant fingers playing with the bank card—fingers that had warmed my hands just last night. Now, they were putting a price tag on my heart. They were negotiating the cost of loving me like they were buying a used car. The café buzz faded into white noise. All I felt was a piercing, suffocating humiliation. I wanted to run, but my legs were lead. Every ounce of strength drained from my body, leaving behind a hollow shell. Our relationship had always been a mismatch. He was the golden boy of Whitmore University. I was the rich girl with the stutter. I barely spoke in public. I was terrified of judgment. When Julian first approached me, I was terrified. But he encouraged me. He was patient. When he confessed his love, I thought I was dreaming. I often wondered: Why? Why would a god look at a mortal like me? Why did he rarely kiss me, rarely touch me beyond holding hands? Now I had my answer. 2 Sitting opposite my father, Julian was a stranger. His expression was indifferent, detached. He had two faces. I couldn’t help but think of yesterday. It was ironic. Yesterday was Julian’s birthday. I had spent nights learning to bake. I wasted pounds of flour and sugar, failing over and over until I got it right. I stood in the freezing wind outside his dorm for two hours, holding the perfect cake, until he finally rushed back from his “tutoring gig.” Under the streetlights, he ran to me. He stopped, breathless. “It’s freezing. Why didn’t you wait inside?” He rubbed my cold hands, glancing at the box. “What’s this?” I flushed. “It… It’s a c-cake. I m-made it.” He looked genuinely surprised. “You made this? By yourself?” The frosting had melted slightly, but the strawberry heart was still bright red. “Yeah.” My palms were sweating despite the cold. Julian cupped my frozen face in his warm hands, looking at me like I was the most precious thing in the world. “Thank you.” I felt my face burn. My stutter flared up. “Julian, H-Happy… B-Birthday.” He smiled. Not mocking, just gentle. “It’s okay. Take your time, Harper. Say it again?” I hesitated. “I want to hear it,” he whispered. “Can you say it for me?” His gaze was intense. He seemed to glow. I took a breath and forced the words out, one by one. “Julian. Happy. Birthday. I hope… you are always… happy.” He looked down at me, his long lashes casting shadows over his eyes. Then he pulled me into a hug. His heart was racing. “Thank you,” he rasped, wiping a tear from my cheek. “Why are you crying?” I hadn’t realized I was. He kissed the tear away. But when he leaned in toward my lips, he tilted his head at the last second, kissing my cheek instead. He’d done it a thousand times. I thought it was respect. Now I knew. A hunter doesn’t kiss the prey. He never loved me. He was just a method actor. And God, he deserved an Oscar. 3 I clenched my jaw, trying to hold back the scream building in my chest. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the hem of my coat. Dad and Julian left the café separately. I sat there until a waitress touched my shoulder. “Miss? Are you okay?” I realized my face was wet. “I’m fine.” I wiped the tears away and walked out. When I got home, Dad was wearing an apron, cooking. To the world, he was a shark. At home, he was just a dad. Mom died when I was little, and he never remarried. He loved me. He bullied the school board when I was teased. He bought me extravagant gifts. He tried to understand my generation. And he hired someone to love me because he wanted me to be confident. He was wrong. But I couldn’t hate him. “Harper, you’re home!” Dad turned, spatula in hand. “I made your favorite—sweet and sour ribs.” I sat at the table, staring at the feast. My eyes burned. “Dad.” He sat down. “What’s wrong, honey?” “That offer… to send me to grad school in London. Is it still on the table?” Dad froze. He looked at me in disbelief. “I thought you refused to go?” I smiled at him. It was a broken, jagged smile. “Dad. I saw you this afternoon. At the café.” 4 We talked until midnight. Dad took off his glasses, looking suddenly old and defeated. “I’m sorry, Harper. I just wanted you to be happy.” “But Dad, fake love expires. It can’t withstand reality. I don’t need that kind of charity.” He was silent for a long time, then he hugged me. “Okay. You’re going to London. What about Julian?” “I’ll handle him.” … Julian lied to me, but my father had paved the road for him. I planned to break up with him cleanly. But then I walked past a lecture hall and saw him with a girl. She looked young, maybe sixteen. She looked exactly like him. “Jade, why are you here?” “Bro, are you still dating that rich girl?” the girl demanded. Julian leaned against a desk, looking out the window. I couldn’t see his face, but I heard the sneer. “Yeah. Her dad pays well.” Jade eyed him suspiciously. “You didn’t actually fall for her, did you?” “Are you kidding?” Julian turned, his face twisted in annoyance. “Good,” Jade huffed. “The Vance family’s construction company built that site where Dad died. If it wasn’t for the settlement money, we’d have starved, but it wasn’t enough! I hate rich people like them.” Julian was silent. Jade sat on the desk. “You said you were going to make her fall in love with you and then dump her brutally. How’s that going?” Julian laughed. It was a dark, mocking sound. “She’s already obsessed with me. She sits with me while I study, brings me coffee… she even baked me a lopsided cake for my birthday.” Jade burst out laughing. “A billionaire’s daughter begging for your attention? Bro, you’re a legend! What’s the use of money if she’s pathetic?” Julian picked up a piece of chalk and crushed it against the desk. Snap. “She’s just an annoying little stutterer that nobody wants.” 5 I don’t remember walking out of that building. The sunlight hit my face, but I felt cold. The conversation played on a loop in my head. I thought Julian just didn’t love me. I was wrong. He loathed me. He was planning to destroy me. He wanted to watch me fall apart. The sadness evaporated, replaced by a cold, hard rage. I wanted revenge. I wanted to treat him exactly the way he treated me. … I took a day to compose myself. When I saw Julian again, I was the same shy, adoring girlfriend. He handed me a thermos. “You didn’t text all day. Are you sick?” I smiled. “J-Just tired. I’m b-better now.” He felt my forehead. I swatted his hand playfully. “Don’t you trust me?” He laughed. “My bad.” I tugged his sleeve. “No class this afternoon. Let’s go shopping?” “Sure.” The mall was crowded. We were heading for a boba shop when a man blocked our path. He glared at Julian. “It is you! You’re the little gigolo messing with my wife!” Julian shielded me. “Excuse me?” “Don’t play dumb! You tutor my son, but I saw the ring cam footage! You and my wife, all over each other at the door!” The man lunged for Julian’s collar. I shoved the man back. “Stop! My boyfriend w-would never!” The man stumbled, enraged. He swung his hand without looking. Smack. He slapped me. Hard. My chin throbbed instantly. Julian froze. He pulled me behind him, staring at the red mark on my face. His eyes were filled with panic and guilt. I watched him closely. God, he should really be in Hollywood. Julian clenched his fist, ready to fight. Passersby started yelling, threatening to call the cops. The man panicked and ran off into the crowd. Julian wanted to chase him. I grabbed his wrist. “Julian, it hurts.”

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