Author: Momo Chan

The day before my wedding to Carter Vance. He secretly used the wedding venue I had painstakingly prepared to hold a ceremony with the college girl he was keeping on the side. When I showed up at the venue, Carter didn’t look guilty at all. His tone was completely dismissive: “Daisy said she didn’t want any regrets in this relationship. She kept begging for a wedding. I figured I’d just use this as a dress rehearsal for our wedding tomorrow. Don’t overthink it, Sera. I only had a ceremony with her, we didn’t actually sign any legal papers.” I publicly announced the cancellation of our engagement, turned around, and walked away calmly. He thought I was just throwing a temper tantrum. That was until his arch-rival posted our marriage certificate on Instagram. Carter showed up at my doorstep in the pouring rain, looking utterly pathetic, begging for me to take him back. I leaned against the doorframe, deliberately revealing the fresh, dark hickeys on my collarbone: “Don’t overthink it, Carter. We only signed the marriage papers, we haven’t had the official wedding yet.” Liam Rutherford walked down the stairs wearing nothing but black boxers, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist: “Babe, isn’t it time we set a date for the wedding?” ……

When I pushed open the grand doors of the ballroom, Carter and Daisy were in the middle of a passionate kiss on the stage. The crowd below was cheering wildly. Most of them were Carter’s frat brothers and close friends. My hand gripped the brass door handle so hard my knuckles turned white. Daisy was wearing the wedding dress I was supposed to wear tomorrow—a custom gown I had flown to Italy to get made by a master designer. Carter’s best friend, Brad, was the first to notice me. He gasped in shock: “Sera?” With that single shout, the rowdy room instantly fell dead silent. Just two hours ago, my fiancé, Carter, was still calling me “baby” over FaceTime, sweetly telling me to get some rest for our big day tomorrow. Before going to sleep, I suddenly remembered that the wedding video slideshow hadn’t been uploaded to the hotel’s computer yet. I had rushed over here in a hurry, only to catch my fiancé marrying another woman. Daisy Sterling. I knew exactly who she was—the college girl Carter kept on his payroll. Two months ago, when I first found out about her, Carter had sworn up and down that he would cut all ties with her. He had even blocked her on Snapchat and Instagram right in front of my face. I walked toward the stage. Daisy shrank back, looking terrified, and hid behind Carter. Carter didn’t look even slightly ashamed when he saw me. He shrugged, his voice utterly nonchalant: “Daisy said she didn’t want any regrets in this relationship. She kept begging for a wedding. I figured I’d just use this as a dress rehearsal for our wedding tomorrow. Don’t overthink it, Sera. I only had a ceremony with her, we didn’t actually sign any legal papers.” Carter and I had known each other since we were kids. Our families were prominent business partners, so our engagement was set early on. Carter was incredibly handsome and came from old money. Women were constantly throwing themselves at him. He was a notorious playboy, always rotating through a roster of side chicks. My mom used to comfort me, saying that no rich man in our circle was clean, and that he would settle down once we got married. Every time I caught him, Carter would immediately cut off the girl. Combined with our years of history, I had learned to turn a blind eye. But this was the final straw. I had spent over six months planning this wedding. Every single detail was perfect, and I had poured my heart and soul into it. And now, he had given my dream wedding to his side chick. Did he really think Sera Miller would accept a secondhand wedding? Honestly, I didn’t even want this secondhand man anymore. I didn’t scream or throw a fit. Instead, I calmly raised my middle finger, slid the engagement ring off, and tossed it. “Here’s your ring back.” Carter caught the ring, a playful smirk playing on his lips. He tilted his chin up: “Sera, the wedding is tomorrow. Are you really that impatient to swap out your engagement ring?” “Tomorrow’s wedding is canceled. I am not marrying you. From this moment on, we are completely done.” My voice was ice-cold. There was no hesitation or lingering affection on my face. Carter’s grip tightened around the ring, and his face turned pale with anger: “Sera! What kind of sick joke is this? The wedding is tomorrow, and you’re canceling it now?” I looked at his furious face with absolute calm, mimicking his previous nonchalant attitude: “Well, then you can just marry her again tomorrow.” Carter was a prominent figure in high society. He knew that while he could play around with girls like Daisy, marriage required someone of equal social standing. Besides, the Vance family would never allow their son to bring a girl like Daisy into their family. Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Brad quickly stepped in to play peacemaker: “Sera, don’t be mad. Today was just a joke, it doesn’t count. Carter loves you. You’re the only one who’s going to be Mrs. Vance.” Mrs. Vance? Who cares? Just a minute ago, Brad had been cheering the loudest. Now he had the nerve to smooth things over. I ignored him, turned around, and walked out without looking back. Behind me, I heard Brad’s panicked voice: “Carter, go after her! You need to apologize!” “Let her go,” Carter sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. “She’s spineless. She’ll come crawling back to make up in a couple of days.” “Man, she just canceled the wedding. It looks like you really broke her heart this time. This isn’t going to blow over easily. You should go after her.” Carter stared at my retreating figure, a flicker of worry finally showing in his eyes. Suddenly, Daisy grabbed his arm, looking up at him with innocent, wide eyes: “Carter, babe, we haven’t even exchanged rings yet.”

I spent the rest of the night making phone calls and sending texts to apologize to all the relatives and friends who had received invitations. By the time I was done, it was past midnight. The summer night in the city was stiflingly hot, making me feel incredibly restless. I found a quiet high-end bar. I wasn’t trying to get wasted; I just wanted a drink to celebrate my newfound freedom. But my tolerance was low. After just two glasses, my vision started to get a little blurry. “Sera?” A deep, baritone voice echoed beside me. A tall shadow approached, and it wasn’t until he sat down on the barstool next to mine that I recognized him. Liam Rutherford. Carter’s ultimate arch-rival. They had competed for grades in school and fought over multi-million dollar business contracts at work. I squinted my eyes, leaning my cheek on one hand while swirling my glass with the other. “What are you doing here?” Liam raised an eyebrow, gently sliding my alcohol away and replacing it with a glass of ice water. “I’m a single guy. Is it that weird for me to grab a drink at a bar? But you, Miss Miller… aren’t you getting married tomorrow?” “Not anymore.” If I had been sober, I wouldn’t have missed the flash of pure joy that crossed Liam’s face. “What happened? Had a fight with Carter? Who was it this time? His secretary or some model?” “He literally had a wedding ceremony with another woman today.” “Oh?” I didn’t say anything, just quietly stared at him. Maybe it was the dim, intimate lighting of the bar, but my eyes couldn’t help but drift to Liam’s lips. Liam was incredibly handsome—sharp eyebrows, striking eyes, a high bridge on his nose, and a perfectly chiseled jawline. He was six-foot-three with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Countless women threw themselves at him, but he never gave them a second glance. He had been single for as long as anyone could remember. Carter had once gossiped to me that Liam didn’t touch women because he had performance issues. I took a sip of the ice water, trying to clear my head a bit. “Mr. Rutherford, since we’ve known each other for so many years, let me give you a tip. Carter outbid you for that land in the north valley, right? Don’t sweat it. The city is planning to build a major highway right through it. It can’t be developed.” The north valley had beautiful scenery and was perfect for a luxury resort. I knew Liam and Carter had been fighting tooth and nail for that land. A friend in the city planning department had told me the news a couple of days ago. I had planned to tell Carter, but I forgot because of the wedding prep. Seeing Liam reminded me of it. The corners of Liam’s mouth curved into a faint, teasing smirk: “Giving me such a valuable piece of insider info? You’re quite ruthless to your ex-fiancé.” “I was never a saint. Besides, he’s done plenty to deserve it.” Just then, Liam’s phone rang. He stepped aside to answer it. I stood up, swaying slightly, and decided to head out to catch a cab home. I stood on the curb for ten minutes. No empty cabs were passing by, and my Uber app kept searching without success. Just as I was cursing my bad luck, a sleek Porsche Cayenne pulled up right in front of me. The window rolled down, revealing Liam’s handsome face. “Why did you leave without waiting for me, Miss Miller?” Without a second thought, I hopped into the passenger seat. Liam had undone the top two buttons of his dress shirt, revealing a hint of his toned chest. I could have sworn those buttons were done up a minute ago. Liam drove fast but steady. I dozed off for a bit, and by the time I opened my eyes, we were already parked downstairs at my apartment complex. “I assume things with Carter are going to be hard to explain to your family?” “I didn’t realize the great Liam Rutherford was so interested in family drama.” “I’m not.” Liam leaned in close, his voice a low, husky whisper right by my ear: “I’m only interested in you.” “Oh, really?” I let out a soft laugh, tracing my finger down his open collar in an teasing, intimate gesture. “Is it appropriate for you to say that to a woman who literally just got dumped today, Mr. Rutherford?” I leaned closer, my voice dripping with temptation. “Want to come up to my place for a drink?” In the adult world, some things don’t need to be spelled out. I wasn’t completely out of it. I was sober enough to know that Liam was exactly my type. But remembering the rumors about his “performance issues,” I started to pull my hand back, preparing to say “just kidding.” To my surprise, Liam grabbed my hand in a firm grip: “I’d love to.”

Liam carried me all the way to my bed. The moment my back hit the mattress, his lips crashed onto mine. It was like a tidal wave—fierce, demanding, and utterly consuming. He parted my lips, his tongue taking dominant possession. His technique felt a little unrefined, almost like it was his first time, but fueled by the alcohol, I was instantly turned on. My arms wrapped around his neck, my senses filled with his scent of cedarwood and rain. Our breathing grew hot and heavy. I melted into his touch. *Click.* I unbuckled his belt. Liam froze for a fraction of a second. I let out a soft chuckle, my eyes full of teasing amusement: “Wait… are the rumors true? Is the great Mr. Rutherford actually… incapable?” “You can find out for yourself if I’m capable or not.” Liam’s brow furrowed slightly. He leaned down again, and this time, his kiss was even more wild and possessive. It felt as if he wanted to imprint his mark on every single inch of my skin. His large, cool hands slid under my clothes, sending shivers down my spine as his touch grew deeper and more intense… Once Liam got a taste, he didn’t stop. He took me five times that night. Incapable? He was more than capable. He was a beast. By the end of it, I didn’t have an ounce of strength left. If it weren’t for the obnoxious ringing of my doorbell the next morning, I probably would have slept until 3 PM. I got out of bed and dragged my clothes on, my fingers still trembling slightly. Liam opened his eyes, propping his head up with one hand. He looked incredibly satisfied, his dark eyes locking onto me like a predator. I glared at him. In the vanity mirror, I could see my neck was covered in a constellation of dark purple hickeys. I grabbed a scarf from the closet, wrapped it around my neck, and walked downstairs on shaky legs. It was Carter. I opened the door halfway, leaning against it lazily: “What do you want?” My voice sounded incredibly raspy and hoarse. Carter’s face was dark and angry: “You actually went through with canceling the wedding! Do you have any idea how bad my dad chewed me out? And my mom even called Daisy.” “What does that have to do with me? I told you, we are done.” Carter was about to yell, but suddenly he paused, his eyes narrowing in suspicion: “Why is your voice so hoarse?” “Do I really need to spell it out for you? You’re a man of the world, Carter. You know exactly why.” As an experienced playboy, Carter instantly understood what I meant. The veins on his forehead bulged with rage: “Who did you sleep with? Is that bastard upstairs right now?!” “Mr. Vance, we are no longer together. You have absolutely no right to question me.” I was too exhausted to deal with his drama. I slammed the door shut in his face. Carter kept pounding on the door like a madman, so I simply called apartment security to have him escorted out. …… Later, Carter went out drinking with his frat brothers to blow off steam, calling me shameless. Brad quickly tried to soothe his ego: “Honestly, man, Sera is probably just trying to make you jealous. She’s pretending to be with another guy so you’ll chase after her.” “Yeah, I agree. It’s just a classic hard-to-get game. If she really wanted to leave, she would have left a long time ago. She’s been following you around like a lost puppy for years.” Carter slammed his glass onto the table, downing his drink in one gulp. “You’re right. Sera can’t live without me.” Meanwhile, I went back to my bedroom. Liam was standing by the window, shirtless, with a cigarette between his lips. His handsome features were partially veiled by the drifting smoke. I walked up to him, grabbed the cigarette pack from the table, and put one between my lips. I held his arm, leaned in, and lit mine against the glowing ember of his cigarette. I slowly exhaled a plume of white smoke. Liam curled his lips into a smirk and asked: “So, how was I?” I tilted my chin up, meeting his gaze without blinking, my voice teasing: “Pretty impressive. Though a bit unrefined. I could tell you were a virgin.”

Liam raised his eyebrows, letting out a low laugh: “I didn’t mean that. I meant… how about marrying me?” I froze for a second. Last night was a spontaneous hookup; I hadn’t actually thought about marrying him. “I don’t sleep around, I’m young and successful, I have good genetics, and I can clearly satisfy you in bed. Compared to Carter, I’m a much better option.” Liam stubbed out his cigarette, took mine out of my mouth, and leaned down slightly: “How many people only partner with your company because of your family’s ties to the Vances? Now that you’ve broken up with Carter, those clients are going to hesitate. Besides, your parents will definitely like me better.” I thought about it for three seconds, walked over to my desk, and grabbed my ID and birth certificate. “Let’s do it!” An hour later, I was sitting in the passenger seat of his car, staring at our official marriage certificate in disbelief. I actually got married. And of all people, to Carter’s arch-rival. The very next day, Liam flew me out to Europe for what he called a “spontaneous honeymoon.” I sent a quick text to my parents, requested annual leave from my company, and turned off my phone completely. I wanted to enjoy this trip without any interruptions. I had to hand it to Liam; he had planned every single detail of the honeymoon so perfectly, it felt almost as if he had been planning it for years. When we finally returned to the country and I turned my phone back on, my screen exploded with hundreds of missed calls and texts. Almost all of them were from Carter. Just as I cleared the notifications, Carter called again. The moment I pressed answer, Carter’s furious voice boomed through the speaker: “I’ve called you hundreds of times! Where the hell have you been? I went to your apartment and you weren’t there. Your assistant said you took a leave of absence!” “We’re over, Carter. Where I go is none of your business.” On the other end of the line, Carter scoffed, his tone still incredibly arrogant: “Are you seriously still throwing a tantrum just because I had that little ceremony with Daisy? I told you it was just a joke. Fine, I’ll make it up to you and throw you another wedding. You don’t have to plan a thing. I’ve already hired the planners. The date is set for the 30th of next month.” I rolled my eyes so hard they practically hurt. “Carter, do you not speak English? We are done.” Carter’s voice escalated, turning harsh: “Sera, don’t be ungrateful. I’m giving you a way out here. What else do you want? Why do you have to be so difficult? I’m telling you, if you don’t marry me now, you’ll never get another chance.” Where did this man get his delusions of grandeur? Did he think marrying him was some kind of royal crown? “Go to hell, Carter. Stop harassing me. Go marry whoever you want.” I had completely lost my patience. I hung up the phone. Beside me, Liam leaned in and asked, “Carter?” I nodded, looking disgusted. “Yeah. He set a wedding date for the 30th of next month. What a clown.” Liam’s brow furrowed, his face darkening instantly. “I’ve already started planning our wedding. It’s going to be a million times better than whatever he could put together.” Determined to assert his dominance, Liam immediately dragged me to a high-end jewelry store. He picked out two sets of rings. The diamonds on the wedding band were massive—literally the size of quail eggs, sparkling so bright they were blinding. “Since we’re legally married, wear this one first. We’ll use the other set for the ceremony.” Liam slid the ring onto my ring finger, looking like a victorious king. I found his competitive streak kind of childish, completely different from his usual cold, ruthless billionaire persona. As soon as Chloe found out I was back, she dragged me out for drinks. She was my best friend. When I first told her about the wedding cancellation, she had almost gone to Carter’s house to break his legs. “You vanished for an entire month. Were you really that heartbroken?” Chloe stared at me with concern. I simply opened my purse, pulled out the marriage certificate, and slapped it on the table. “I was on my honeymoon.” Chloe gasped, her jaw dropping so low it almost hit the table. She picked up the certificate: “Is this real?!” “One hundred percent legal.” “Liam Rutherford?! The guy who looks like an untouchable ice prince? Damn, Sera, you are a savage!” Chloe gave me a massive thumbs-up and immediately ordered a bottle of Dom Pérignon to celebrate. “I would pay a million dollars to see the look on Carter’s face when he finds out you married his worst enemy!” After a few glasses, I felt a bit tipsy and went to the restroom. On my way back, I ran right into Brad. If Brad was here, it meant Carter was probably nearby. “Sera? You actually came here to find him?” “Don’t call me that. Carter and I broke up.” Brad scratched his head, completely ignoring my words. “You’re here for Carter, right? Let me go grab him for you.” “Wait, don’t—” Before I could finish, Brad darted off. Afraid he would say something stupid, I followed him. I stopped outside a private VIP lounge. Inside, Carter was throwing a birthday party for Daisy. Through the cracked door, I heard Daisy make a wish: “My wish is for Carter to love me forever.” The crowd cheered, shouting for them to kiss. The two of them immediately locked lips in a passionate, sloppy make-out session. “Uh, Carter…” Brad walked in, looking a bit awkward. “I just saw Sera outside. I think she came to find you.” Before Carter could even speak, one of his friends scoffed: “I knew Sera couldn’t resist. She saw you throwing a party for Daisy and couldn’t handle it.” Brad looked uneasy and tried to persuade Carter: “I stopped her and said I’d get you. I didn’t want her to see this and blow up. This fight has gone on long enough, man. Go talk to her before you push her too far.” Daisy tugged on Carter’s sleeve, her voice dripping with fake sweet innocence: “Carter, you promised you’d spend the whole night with me today…” Carter leaned back on the leather sofa, crossing his legs arrogantly: “Who does she think she is? Canceling the wedding whenever she wants, and expecting me to run to her the second she shows up? She needs to learn her place.” I couldn’t stand his disgusting, arrogant face for another second. I pushed the door wide open and walked in. Everyone gasped, their eyes locking onto me. The lounge was dimly lit, which made the massive, flawless diamond ring on my finger catch the light and sparkle brilliantly. It was impossible to miss. Carter’s eyes locked onto my hand. He lunged forward, grabbing my wrist in a tight grip: “What is that?” I snatched my hand back fiercely, flashing my ring finger with a sweet, mocking smile: “A wedding ring.”

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“This face of yours is an absolute embarrassment.” Julian grabbed the lipstick from my vanity, snapped it in half, and tossed it into the trash can. Then, he unlocked his phone and shoved the screen right into my face. On the screen, a girl with flawless, radiant makeup was smiling sweetly at the camera. “Look at her! That is what a real woman looks like!” His voice was dripping with disgust. “And look at you. You can’t even put on lipstick right.” “My lipstick is fine,” I said, staring at the broken pieces in the trash. “Fine?” He pointed at his phone. “Then do a full face right now! Let’s see if you can look even half as good as her!” I didn’t say another word. He had no idea that I was “Midnight,” a beauty guru with tens of millions of followers. And the girl on his screen, the one he couldn’t stop praising, was just a student I had personally trained three years ago. *** I reached into the trash and picked up the broken lipstick. It was in the shade “Boyfriend Pink.” How ironic. When we first started dating, Julian loved it when I wore this shade. He said it made me look innocent and sweet. Three years ago, I gained over ten million followers by doing makeup transformations on average-looking people. Because I never showed my face on camera, no one knew what I actually looked like. Back then, I made more money in a month than Julian did in a whole year. But to protect his fragile ego, I never told him the truth. After we got married, I stepped away from the spotlight to focus on our home. I wanted to be the supportive wife he asked for. I thought that was love. But now, he was pointing at my former student, telling me *she* was what a real woman looked like. “Say something!” Julian snapped, growing impatient with my silence. “Are you mute? Or just ashamed?” I clutched the broken lipstick in my palm. “I have nothing to say.” “Nothing to say?” He let out a harsh laugh. “Look at yourself, Eve. You’re thirty. No job, no social life, and you don’t even try to look good anymore. I’m embarrassed to tell people you’re my wife!” A sharp pain shot through my chest. So, he had been embarrassed of me this whole time. “Tomorrow night is the Bloom Beauty Annual Gala.” Julian adjusted his tie, looking at me out of the corner of his eye. “Chloe is going to be there. She’s Bloom’s special guest tonight and she’s currently collaborating with my company. Her future is incredibly bright.” Bloom Beauty was the biggest online beauty retailer and community hub in the country. And Chloe Brooks was the girl on his phone screen. My former student. “You’re coming with me,” he ordered. I looked up. “Why?” “Why?” He looked insulted by the question. “I’m doing you a favor by letting you go! It’s a chance for you to get out of the house and learn how Chloe carries herself. Stop moping around like a bitter housewife.” He paused, a calculating glint in his eyes. “Besides, you’re my wife. Having you there makes me look like a stable family man.” I got it. He didn’t want me to “experience the world.” He just wanted a prop to support his perfect-husband image. “Okay. I’ll go,” I said quietly. Julian blinked, surprised by how quickly I agreed. He nodded in satisfaction. “Smart move. Dress up nicely tomorrow. Don’t look like a maid. I have a reputation to protect.” With that, he grabbed his car keys and slammed the door behind him. I slowly opened my hand, looking at the broken lipstick. In the mirror, my bare face looked pale. There were faint lines around my eyes, and my expression was exhausted. I walked over to the hallway and unlocked the door to the spare room at the very end. It was a room I had strictly forbidden Julian from ever entering. I flipped the switch, and the room flooded with bright light. It wasn’t a storage room. It was a state-of-the-art beauty studio. Shelves lined the walls, packed with countless cosmetics—ranging from limited-edition luxury brands to custom formulas I had developed myself. In the center of the room sat a professional vanity, complete with a ring light, a high-definition camera, and a studio microphone. For the past three years, this room had been my only sanctuary. I walked over to a glass cabinet and pulled out a velvet box. Inside was a lipstick. It was the signature shade of my personal brand, *Midnight Beauty*, which I had been about to launch three years ago. The shade was called “The Queen.” But for Julian, I had personally shut down the entire project. My phone buzzed. It was a text from my assistant, Penny. Even though I had stepped back, Penny had stayed with me to handle my old contracts and brand inquiries. Penny: *[Eve, your invitation to the Bloom Gala is confirmed as the VIP Mystery Guest. Are you sure you want to go?]* I replied: *[I’m going.]* — ### Chapter 2 The next evening, Julian came home. He had changed into a brand-new designer suit, looking exceptionally sharp and energized. When he saw me, his eyes swept over me, and his brow instantly furrowed. I was wearing a simple, elegant cream silk dress with very light, natural makeup. “You’re wearing *that*?” His disgust was painfully obvious. “Is something wrong with it?” I asked. “It’s so basic!” he sneered. “Whatever, I guess that’s the best you can do. Just remember, once we get to the venue, keep your mouth shut, smile, and stay close to me. Don’t embarrass me.” I nodded and said nothing. On the drive to the venue, Julian was on his phone the entire time. “Chloe, hey! Where are you? Don’t worry, take your time. I’m almost there.” “Your makeup tonight is going to steal the show! I personally reviewed the concept, didn’t I?” “Haha, of course. My taste is always flawless.” He hung up, whistling happily. Then he glanced at me, as if suddenly remembering something. “Oh, by the way. Be on your best behavior when you see my mom tonight.” “Your mom is going to be there?” I was surprised. “Of course. She’s attending as the mother of a prominent guest.” Julian smirked. “She’s been dying to meet Chloe. She’s already a huge fan of her.” My heart sank a little lower. His mother, Eleanor Vance, had treated me like garbage since the day I married Julian. Our car pulled up at the entrance of the luxury hotel. I took a deep breath and opened the door myself. As soon as I stepped out, a sweet, high-pitched voice echoed nearby. “Julian! You’re finally here!” Chloe, wearing a stunning gown and heavy, glittering makeup, ran over and wrapped her arm tightly around Julian’s. I recognized her makeup instantly. It was the “Starry Sunset” look I had created and popularized two years ago. If I recalled correctly, the theme of tonight’s Bloom Gala was “Original Beauty.” Yet, she had copied my look step-for-step. “Julian, look at my makeup. Do you like it?” “Gorgeous! Absolutely stunning!” Julian’s eyes lit up. He showered her with praise. “Chloe, you are a natural star!” Just then, Eleanor walked over. She was wearing a custom Chanel-style tweed suit and a massive pearl necklace, looking every bit the snobbish matriarch. “Oh, is this Chloe? What a beautiful, sweet girl!” Eleanor took Chloe’s hands, beaming with pride. “Hi, Mrs. Vance!” Chloe said sweetly. “Oh, sweetie, call me Eleanor!” Eleanor laughed. Then she turned to look at me, and her smile instantly vanished. “You knew you were coming to a high-end gala, and you couldn’t even bother to dress up?” Eleanor scoffed. “Absolutely clueless.” I ignored her and walked straight toward the entrance. “Look at her attitude!” Eleanor shrieked behind me. “Julian, look at the woman you married!” Julian hurried to catch up with me, grabbing my wrist and whispering angrily, “Eve, I’m warning you! Keep your head down tonight! Don’t upset my mother, and don’t ruin Chloe’s night!” I stopped and looked him in the eye. “Julian, we are still married, right?” “What’s your point?” “You should at least show your wife some basic respect in public.” Julian’s face flushed. Knowing it would look bad to argue in front of the cameras, he waved his hand dismissively. “Fine, fine! Just get inside. Stop making a scene.” I entered the ballroom. It was a sea of crystal chandeliers, designer gowns, and flashing cameras. The country’s top beauty influencers, brand executives, and media figures were all mingling. When people looked at me, they barely nodded. To them, I was just Julian’s quiet, plain wife. Julian, meanwhile, was busy parading Chloe around, introducing her to every major brand representative he could find. “This is Chloe Brooks, the rising star of my agency. She’s going to be the next big thing!” “Mr. Davis, Chloe’s engagement metrics are insane. She’s literally the next Midnight!” Hearing the name “Midnight” come out of his mouth almost made me laugh out loud. I found a quiet corner and sat down. My phone buzzed. It was Penny: *[Eve, everything is ready. The VIP private suite backstage has been cleared for you.]* I replied: *[On my way.]* Halfway through the gala, the host walked up to the main stage. “Good evening, everyone! Welcome to the annual Bloom Beauty Gala!” “Tonight, besides celebrating our amazing creators, we have a very special announcement. A legendary figure is making a comeback tonight!” — ### Chapter 3 The host’s words sparked a wave of whispers across the ballroom. “She is a legend in the beauty world, a true trendsetter.” “Three years ago, she disappeared from the internet at the peak of her career, leaving behind an unmatched legacy.” “Tonight, she is here to officially announce her return!” The whispering grew louder. “Who is it? That’s a massive buildup!” “A legend from three years ago? No way… is it Midnight?” “No way! Didn’t she get married and retire?” Sitting near my old table, I heard the gossip and let out a small smile. Julian and Chloe heard it too. Chloe’s expression turned slightly uneasy, and she glanced at Julian. Julian just smirked. “They’re just hyping things up. Some washed-up influencer trying to gain clout. If she were actually that good, she wouldn’t have quit in the first place.” Eleanor chimed in, “Exactly! She probably realized she couldn’t compete with our Chloe and ran away.” Chloe forced a smile. “Well, Midnight is still a big name…” My phone buzzed again. Penny: *[Eve, the CEO of Bloom Beauty wants to meet you backstage before you go on.]* I stood up and quietly slipped out through the side doors. Shortly after I left, the host announced the first award of the night. “And the award for Rising Creator of the Year goes to… Chloe Brooks!” The spotlight hit Chloe. She gasped dramatically, covering her mouth as Julian and Eleanor cheered and ushered her onto the stage. “Thank you so much to Bloom, and thank you to Julian…” her voice trembled with fake tears as she began her acceptance speech. Downstage, Julian was clapping proudly. Meanwhile, I had already walked into the VIP backstage suite. Miranda Frost, the sharp, forty-something CEO of Bloom Beauty, immediately stood up to greet me. “Midnight! It is an honor to finally meet you!” She warmly shook my hand. “Thank you, Miranda,” I replied. “We have been waiting three years for this!” Miranda said with genuine emotion. “If you hadn’t retired, the beauty industry would belong to you right now.” I smiled. “It’s not too late.” “Absolutely not!” Miranda agreed. “Our platform is ready to offer you our top-tier promotional package. We are fully backing your return.” “I’m not just here to make a comeback,” I said, speaking slowly. “I’m also launching my personal brand.” Miranda’s eyes lit up. “A brand by Midnight? That will break the internet!” “But before that, I need a favor from you.” I handed her my phone. “What is this?” Miranda looked at the screen, her expression instantly hardening. On the screen was a detailed comparison of Chloe’s videos alongside my tutorials from three years ago. “Is this… plagiarism?” Miranda was shocked. “We specifically emphasized original looks for this gala, and she had the nerve to copy your work?” “It gets worse,” I said, swiping to the next page. “This is the confidential design concept and product list for my brand, *Midnight Beauty*, from three years ago. And this is the ‘original’ brand line Chloe just announced to her private subscriber group.” They weren’t just similar. It was a pixel-for-pixel copy. Miranda’s face turned incredibly cold. “Midnight, I understand. Bloom Beauty will handle this immediately.” — ### Chapter 4 Miranda called her assistant over and whispered a few sharp instructions. By the time I walked back into the ballroom, Chloe had just finished her acceptance speech and was walking off the stage, beaming with pride. Julian and Eleanor immediately rushed to embrace her. “Chloe, you were incredible! I knew you’d win!” Julian’s face was practically glowing. “Our Chloe is so talented!” Eleanor held her hand, smugly looking around the room. When Chloe saw me, a flash of arrogance crossed her eyes before she quickly put on her humble act. “Eve, you’re back. I was so nervous up there, I don’t think I did very well.” “You did fine,” I said flatly. My lack of reaction seemed to bore her, so she turned back to flirt with Julian. As the night went on, the energy in the room reached its peak. Finally, it was time for the mystery guest. “And now, please give a warm welcome to our special mystery guest!” The house lights dimmed, leaving only a single spotlight focused on the center stage elevator. The music swelled. Everyone held their breath. I saw Julian cross his arms, a smirk on his face. Chloe was nervously clutching her gown. The stage elevator slowly rose. Through the theatrical fog, a figure in a stunning black velvet gown appeared. When she turned around to face the crowd— The room fell into dead silence. And then, the crowd erupted into deafening screams and applause! “It’s Midnight! Oh my god, it’s actually her!” “I must be dreaming! She’s really back!” “The Queen is back!” I stood in the shadows backstage, watching the monitor. The woman on stage wasn’t actually me. She was a professional model I had hired, someone with a very similar build to mine. Since I had never revealed my face online, no one knew the difference. Down in the crowd, Julian had completely frozen. His mouth hung open, his eyes wide with utter shock. He pointed at the stage, stammering to Chloe, “How… how is she…” Chloe’s face was completely white, stripped of all color. Eleanor looked around, totally confused. “Who is that? Why is everyone acting like they’ve lost their minds?” “Midnight… that’s Midnight,” Julian whispered, paralyzed. On stage, the model playing “Midnight” held the microphone. Her voice was slightly modulated to sound mysterious. “Hello, everyone. I am Midnight.” “And I’m back.” Those simple words sent another wave of cheers through the crowd. “I returned tonight for two reasons.” “First, my personal brand, *Midnight Beauty*, officially launches tonight.” “And second…” The model paused. “I am here to clean house.” A collective gasp echoed through the room. Suddenly, the massive screens behind her flared to life. On the left was a close-up of Chloe’s “Starry Sunset” makeup from tonight. On the right was my tutorial video from three years ago. The screen compared them frame-by-frame, detail-by-detail. They were identical. Chloe’s face went from pale to a deep, embarrassed red, and then to a hollow gray. Julian looked like he had been slapped. He stared at the screen, then at the trembling Chloe beside him. The “original genius” he was so proud of was nothing but a cheap thief. But the screens weren’t finished. The next slide appeared. On the left were Chloe’s “original” brand designs. On the right were my confidential, copyrighted *Midnight Beauty* files from three years ago. The atmosphere in the room shifted from shock to pure disgust and anger. “Oh my god, that is blatant theft!” “How embarrassing! She even stole unreleased designs!” “How did she win an award? What was Bloom thinking?” Julian’s pride, the star creator he had bragged about, was a fraud. And by association, Julian had become the biggest joke in the room. “Chloe Brooks,” the model on stage called out her name. “Three years ago, you were just a clueless assistant who couldn’t even blend foundation.” “You told me you loved makeup and begged me to teach you.” “Because I saw your dedication, I taught you everything I knew. My techniques, my secrets, without holding anything back.” “I treated you like a student, like a sister.”

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I worked my ass off for the company for an entire year. I closed an $80 million contract, but my year-end bonus was a measly $888. Meanwhile, my boss Richard’s useless nephew, Chase, who did nothing but play video games at his desk all day, received a cash bonus of $880,000. Richard patted my shoulder, smiling like a saint. “Sophia, 888 is an angel number! It represents abundance and financial flow. I’m wishing you endless wealth for next year!” “Money isn’t the point here. What matters is that the company values you!” My coworkers stared at the stacks of cash in Chase’s arms with envy. Then, they looked at me as if I were the biggest idiot on earth. I didn’t make a scene. I just took the thin envelope and walked away. The next morning, I opened my private database. It contained the contact information of clients that made up eighty percent of the company’s revenue. I dialed the number of our biggest competitor’s CEO. “Ms. Vance, is the offer you made me last time still on the table?”

At Harris Advertising’s annual holiday gala, my boss, Richard Harris, stood on the stage, his voice booming through the microphone. “Team! This year, Harris Advertising hit a milestone of one hundred million dollars in revenue!” “This couldn’t have happened without every single one of you!” Out of that hundred million, eighty million was brought in by me alone. “This year, we’re doing bonuses the old-fashioned way! Cold, hard cash!” Richard yelled, and security guards marched onto the stage carrying briefcases. “First, let’s recognize our Head of Marketing, Chase Harris!” “A bonus of $880,000 for Chase!” “Thanks, Uncle! I’ll work even harder next year!” Chase clutched the cash, grinning from ear to ear. Then, Richard’s eyes landed on me. “Next up, our top sales champion, Sophia Miller!” Everyone in the room knew I was the one keeping this company afloat. I walked up to the stage calmly. Richard picked up a pathetic, paper-thin envelope and handed it to me. His voice echoed through the banquet hall. “Sophia has told me many times that she doesn’t work for money. She works to realize her self-worth!” “This noble attitude is something we should all learn from!” “So, the company has decided to give Sophia a very special reward!” He paused, raising his voice. “An $888 bonus! It’s a lucky number! Let’s wish our champion sales star a prosperous new year! What do you all say?” The entire room fell into dead silence. Everyone stared at the light envelope in my hand, then at the mountain of cash next to Chase. A few seconds later, giggles started to spread. Chase laughed the loudest. He made sure to raise his voice. “Wow! $888! Triple eight!” “That’s way luckier than my $880,000! Uncle really loves you, Sophia!” “Haha, mental rewards are the most important, right?” “Sophia is just on another level. She doesn’t care about money, only luck!” The coworkers looked at me with mockery and schadenfreude. This was exactly the reaction Richard wanted. He wanted to make an example out of me. He wanted to show everyone that no matter how capable you are, you are still under his thumb. If he didn’t want to pay me, I wouldn’t get a single dime. He wanted to crush my influence and remind me who the real master of the company was. I didn’t look at anyone. I just held the envelope. Then, I leaned in toward the microphone. My voice easily drowned out the snickers. “Thank you, Richard.” I paused, letting a faint smile slip onto my face. “I actually love this number.” With that, I turned around and walked back to my seat under everyone’s watchful eyes. I wasn’t angry. I didn’t even show any emotion. My absolute calmness made the atmosphere in the hall incredibly bizarre. The smile on Richard’s face froze. He hadn’t expected this reaction. The tears, the questioning, the breakdown he had anticipated—none of it happened. As soon as the party ended, I was the first to leave. Stepping out of the hotel, I took a deep breath of the cold night air. Was I angry? Did I feel humiliated? No. Not at all. I felt relieved. I had given my youth and blood to this company. In return, I got a public humiliation worth $888. Perfect. With that $888, you just bought out the last bit of loyalty I had for you. ### 第二章

I lived in a 1,800-square-foot luxury condo, fully paid off. When I got home, I tossed the envelope onto the hallway table. Then, I took a long, hot bath. I closed my eyes and started reviewing my plan. Three years ago, I joined Richard when he was just starting out. There were only three of us in a tiny, cramped office. Back then, he held my hand and made big promises. “Sophia, you are my co-founder!” “Once the company grows, I’ll give you thirty percent of the shares!” For that promise, I chased clients day and night. I drank with them until my stomach bled just to secure deals. In three years, I dragged his company into the top three of the industry. But once the company started making real money, Richard changed. He began to care about the prestige of being “the boss.” He started hiring his own family. His useless nephew, Chase, was brought in as the Head of Marketing, driving a company car and spending company money. Meanwhile, Richard never mentioned the thirty percent share again. Every time I dropped hints, he brushed it off, saying, “The company is still growing, and changing shares is too complicated right now.” He was terrified that I would take the clients and start my own agency. So, he used this public humiliation to put me in my place. He thought I was a woman who couldn’t survive without his platform. He was so full of himself. I got out of the bath, put on a silk robe, and went into my study. I opened my private laptop and typed in a complex password. An encrypted database opened. It contained detailed profiles of all my core clients from the past three years. Every name, position, and contact info was there. But more than that, it had their personal preferences, family details, their kids’ birthdays, and even their pets’ names. It recorded their pain points in business and their psychological bottom lines during negotiations. This database was the real goldmine. Richard thought all the client data was safe in the company’s CRM system. He didn’t know that the CRM only had the basic, surface-level information. The real key—the reason why these clients only wanted to work with me—was right here on my laptop. In this business, clients don’t care about the company. They care about the person they deal with. I was the one who generated eighty percent of the revenue. I picked up my phone and found a contact I had saved for a long time but never called. The contact name was: **Amanda Vance – Vanguard Media**. Vanguard Media was Harris Advertising’s biggest rival. Its CEO, Amanda Vance, was a powerful woman in her early forties. Six months ago, at an industry summit, she had approached me and said only one thing. “Sophia, a talent like you is wasted at Harris. The VP position at Vanguard is always open for you. Call me whenever you’re ready.” I dialed the number. The phone rang three times before she picked up. “Hello?” Amanda’s voice came through. “Ms. Vance, it’s Sophia Miller,” I said, my voice calm and clear. There was a two-second silence on the other end, followed by a light chuckle. “Sophia, I’ve been waiting for this call for six months.” “I guess you’ve finally made up your mind.” I said quietly, “I have. Is the offer we talked about last time still valid?” Amanda’s voice was filled with excitement. “Absolutely! VP and Sales Director. Name your salary.” “Plus, I’ll give you five percent of Vanguard’s shares.” “I only have one question.” “What is it?” “How many of your major clients can you bring over?” I smiled, feeling entirely confident. “It’s not a question of how many, Ms. Vance.” “They go wherever I go.” ### 第三章

The next morning, I showed up at the office right on time. But my coworkers looked at me differently. They gathered in the break room, whispering in small groups. “See? She still showed up for work. I told you she wouldn’t dare quit.” “Duh, all her clients are registered under the company. If she leaves, she can’t take any of them.” “Without Harris Advertising, she’s nothing.” “Exactly. Richard’s move was brilliant. He really put her in her place. She’ll behave now.” Chase was even more obnoxious. He strutted over to my desk, flashing his phone to show off a photo of a brand-new Porsche. “Hey Sophia, what do you think of this car?” “My $880,000 bonus is just enough for the down payment.” “Sucks that some people only got $888. Can’t even buy a single tire with that.” His lackeys burst into laughter. I didn’t even look up. I kept my eyes on my computer screen and said coldly, “Move. You’re blocking my light.” My complete indifference made Chase feel like his punch had landed on a wall of jello. His face tightened, and he walked away, annoyed. Later, Richard called me into his office. He wore the generous smile of a victor. “Sophia, take a seat.” “Don’t take the gala thing to heart.” He poured me a cup of tea. “I did that to motivate you, and also to balance the dynamics in the office. You have to understand my position.” “I know you feel wronged, but you have to look at the bigger picture.” “The company needs you, and I need you.” He started his usual routine—feeding me empty promises. “Next year, I’m planning to put you in complete charge of the contract renewal for Bloom Cosmetics.” “That deal is worth a hundred million dollars! Once we lock it down, I’ll personally write you a massive bonus check!” Bloom Cosmetics was my biggest client and the main source of income for Harris Advertising. Their contract was expiring in a month. Richard gave me this project because, on one hand, no one else could handle it. On the other hand, he wanted to use this deal to keep me hooked and quiet. I nodded, offering a compliant smile. “Thank you for trusting me, Richard. I’ll do my best.” Richard smiled with deep satisfaction. In his eyes, he had me completely figured out. A capable woman, sure, but ultimately lacking the guts to leave. Give her a slap, then a piece of candy, and she would fall right back into line. I took the project folder and walked out of his office. That afternoon, I left the company under the excuse of “visiting clients to discuss the renewal.” But I didn’t drive to Bloom Cosmetics. Instead, I drove to a private club on the outskirts of the city. In a quiet room, Amanda Vance was already waiting for me. “Sophia, you are even calmer than I thought,” she said, pouring me a cup of Earl Grey. “When dealing with a man like Richard, being calm is the only weapon,” I replied. “Tell me your plan,” Amanda said, getting straight to the point. I took a flash drive out of my bag and placed it on the table. “In here is the data for twenty-four of my core clients, along with my proposal for Vanguard Media.” “These twenty-four clients make up eighty-two percent of Harris’s annual revenue.” “Their contracts are all expiring within the next two months.” Amanda’s eyes lit up. “My plan is simple,” I said, looking her in the eye. “In one month, I will officially resign from Harris.” “Once I leave, I need Vanguard’s legal and sales teams to work with me to seamlessly transition these twenty-four clients.” “I will personally talk to each client and convince them to drop Harris and sign with Vanguard.” “All Vanguard needs to do is offer slightly better rates and guarantee premium service.” Amanda didn’t answer immediately. She fell into deep thought. This was a plan that could instantly bankrupt Harris Advertising, but it also carried huge risks. “How do I know you’re not using me to get leverage for a negotiation with Richard?” she asked the most critical question. I smiled. I reached into my bag, pulled out the thin envelope containing the $888, and placed it on the table. “This was my year-end bonus from Richard.” Amanda looked at the envelope, then at me. Her expression shifted from suspicion to total understanding. She got it. “I see,” Amanda said, picking up the flash drive. “Pleasure doing business with you, Sophia. From this moment on, all of Vanguard’s resources are at your disposal.” “Likewise.” We smiled at each other, knowing the game was already won. ### 第四章

Leaving the club, I drove straight to Bloom Cosmetics. I went to the top floor, right into the Chairman’s office. The Chairman, Arthur Reynolds, was a man in his sixties. He was an old family friend and a mentor to me. “Arthur,” I said, sitting on his couch. “Sophia! What brings you here today? I assume it’s not about the contract renewal.” “You can just talk to my managers about that. I trust you completely,” Arthur said with a warm smile. “Arthur, I might be leaving Harris Advertising next month.” Arthur froze for a second, immediately realizing what was going on. “Did that idiot Richard treat you poorly?” I didn’t say anything, just offered a bitter smile. “I told you long ago that he is a small-minded man. He will never build a real empire,” Arthur said, shaking his head. “So, what’s your plan?” “I’m going to Vanguard Media,” I said directly. “So I came today to ask… if I move to Vanguard, would you prefer to stay with Harris, or… come with me?” Arthur laughed and pointed at me. “You clever girl. You’ve already put it that way, how else can I choose?” “Bloom Cosmetics never partnered with Harris Advertising. We partnered with Sophia Miller.” “Wherever you go, our contract goes.” The heaviest stone in my heart finally lifted. “Thank you, Arthur.” “My dear, don’t mention it.” With the most important client, Bloom Cosmetics, locked in, dealing with the other clients was child’s play. For the next month, I pretended to be the most hardworking employee. Every day, I was “visiting clients” and “discussing renewals.” I wrote detailed, highly optimistic project reports for Richard. Looking at the glowing reports of guaranteed renewals I submitted, Richard was over the moon. He trusted me more than ever. He even praised me publicly in a company-wide meeting. “Look at Sophia! That is what I call ownership spirit!” “Even after a minor misunderstanding, she doesn’t complain. She puts the company first!” But behind his back, I used these “client visits” to hold secret meetings with my core clients, accompanied by Amanda’s team. I showed them Vanguard’s superior capabilities, promised better service and pricing, and finalized all the details for their transition. Every single one of them chose to stand with me without hesitation. Because they knew I never let them down.

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My water broke unexpectedly, way before my due date. Panic-stricken, I shook Brandon awake and urged him to grab the hospital bag and take me to the ER. Just as we reached the front door, my best friend, Chloe, ran out of the guest room barefoot. “Oh wait. Hold on. I haven’t washed my hair yet.” A sharp contraction hit my abdomen. To my shock, Brandon actually stopped in his tracks. “Okay, take your time. Put some shoes on first.” Chloe stood in front of the hallway mirror, combing her hair and pouting. “Scarlett, don’t worry. I wash my hair super fast.” “We agreed that I’m going to be the baby’s godmother and the first one to hold her. I can’t take photos with greasy hair.” With that, she casually bossed Brandon around. “I’m going to wash my hair. Can you clean my white sneakers? I need to wear them later.” Without a second thought, Brandon dropped my hospital bag and started cleaning her shoes. Clutching my stomach in agony, I stared at him. “I’m already dilating, Brandon. If we don’t go now, the baby and I could both be in danger.” Brandon just let out a soft chuckle. “Labor doesn’t happen that fast. Even if we go now, we’ll just be waiting around. Stop being so dramatic.” Dramatic? My water just broke, and he called me dramatic. Watching him meticulously brush the dirt off Chloe’s sneakers, my heart turned cold, little by little. I pulled out my phone and sent a Snapchat message to someone. “You said you wanted me and the baby, right? I’m giving birth in half an hour. If you show up, you’re the father.”

The reply came almost instantly. “?” “Deal. I’ll be there.” In the bathroom, the shower was running. Brandon didn’t rush Chloe at all. Instead, he carefully plugged in the hairdryer for her, setting it to warm. Meanwhile, the dull, heavy pain in my lower abdomen intensified. I slid down the wall and collapsed onto the floor. Our nanny, Nora, couldn’t bear to watch any longer. She helped me lie down on the sofa. “Mr. Miller, you really can’t delay this. Once the water breaks, the baby can suffocate at any moment. She needs to be in the hospital within thirty minutes.” “It takes time to drive there. What if Scarlett has a difficult labor?” My sister-in-law, Amanda, chimed in anxiously. “Scarlett is weeks away from her due date. This is premature rupture of membranes. She has to go to the hospital immediately.” “Even if she can wait, the baby can’t.” Everyone was looking at him with pleading eyes. But Brandon didn’t even look up. He was busy packing Chloe’s skincare products into her bag. “It’s fine. Chloe is just washing her hair.” Then he turned to me with a comforting smile. “Giving birth takes time. Worst case, we’ll just do a C-section. It’s not like you wanted a natural birth anyway.” I looked at him, my voice trembling. “Do you even know how dangerous it is when the water breaks early?” “Yeah, I know.” Brandon turned his head, staring at the bathroom door, giving me a dismissive response. He clearly wasn’t listening to a word I said. I took a deep breath and threw a throw pillow right at his face. “I said, the baby and I could die! I need to go to the hospital right now! Do you hear me?!” Brandon was stunned by my outburst, his eyes instantly filling with impatience. “What is wrong with you lately? Ever since you got pregnant, you think the whole world revolves around you.” “Chloe is just washing her hair, and you can’t even wait for a few minutes? Didn’t you promise she could be the godmother?” The shouting in the living room disturbed Chloe. She ran out of the bathroom with dripping wet hair, wrapping her arms around me to baby-talk her way out of it. “Please, please, Scarlett. Didn’t we promise I’d be Lucy’s godmother?” “This is a major life moment! I can’t look like a greaseball in the pictures. Let me just blow-dry it, it’ll be super quick.” The moment the hairdryer whined to life, Brandon snatched it from her hand. “She dries it too slowly. Let me do it so we can leave sooner.” I watched Brandon gently run his fingers through Chloe’s hair, blow-drying it with utmost care. A bitter pang of envy struck my heart. During my late pregnancy, whenever I asked him to help dry my hair, he always excused himself, saying he was too tired from work. Just then, my abdomen violently cramped. More amniotic fluid leaked out. After helping me clean up, Nora’s face turned pale. “Oh my god, the fluid is turning yellowish.” “This is a sign of fetal distress. We really can’t wait anymore!” The hairdryer was buzzing loudly. Neither of them heard her. Nora walked straight over and yanked the plug out of the wall. “Miss Scarlett must go to the hospital immediately!” Chloe looked at Brandon in shock. “Why is the nanny bossing us around in your own house? I just washed my hair, and she’s making a scene?” Brandon sneered. “I told Scarlett I wanted my mom to come and help, but she insisted on hiring a nanny. What can I do?” He plugged the hairdryer back in. The noise started again. Instead of worrying about me and the baby, they were complaining about me hiring a nanny. Then, the hospital called to press us. “It’s already 10:20. Where is the patient? The delivery room and doctors are ready. She must be here before 11:00. Do not take any chances!” The hairdryer stopped again. This time, I was the one who pulled the plug. I gasped heavily. “11:00. I must be at the hospital.” “Fine, fine. We’re going now, okay? You always make a mountain out of a molehill.” Under my urging, Brandon reluctantly grabbed the hospital bag and walked me out. Just then, my parents and my brother, Logan, arrived. Seeing that we hadn’t left yet, their expressions darkened instantly.

“Why are you guys still here? Let’s go, hurry!” But before we could cross the threshold, Chloe screamed again. She touched her hair in frustration. “Oh my god! I forgot to curl it!” “Can we wait just a little longer? I’ll curl it super fast.” My mom, Mandy, couldn’t help but plead. “How about you stay home and get ready? We will take Scarlett to the hospital first. This is a matter of life and death.” Chloe plugged in her curling iron, her tone relaxed and unbothered. “Don’t worry, Mandy. I’ll be done in a sec. We should all go together.” “I am Lucy’s godmother. I have to look beautiful when I hold her for the first time.” “If you want to go together, hurry up! My sister can’t wait for you to do your makeup!” Logan yelled at Chloe, his patience gone. Chloe’s hand holding the curling iron froze, and her eyes welled up with tears. “Why are you yelling at me? I didn’t do this on purpose. I’m trying to be fast.” “Who knew Scarlett’s water would break today? I didn’t have time to prepare anything either. I’m stressed too!” My mom ignored her, supporting me as we headed for the elevator. Logan and my dad, Arthur, ran down to start the cars. But Brandon, without a second thought, stepped back into the apartment. “It’s okay, Chloe. Take your time. Don’t burn yourself.” Hearing this, Mom gave Brandon a chilling look. The baby in my womb was kicking violently due to the lack of oxygen. I gasped in pain and glared at Brandon. “I need to be at the hospital by 11:00.” “It’s already 10:30. Are you coming or not?” Seeing my pale, sweating face, a hint of guilt flashed across Brandon’s eyes. But he just pushed me gently back onto the couch to comfort me. “Stop throwing a fit, Scarlett. You’re acting like you’re in so much pain just to make me prioritize you over Chloe.” “She’ll be ready soon. Be good.” I was forced to lie back on the sofa. The contractions were no longer just dull aches; they felt like ripping pain. Chloe was still preening in front of the mirror. As our eyes met, cold sweat poured down my forehead. She stuck her tongue out at me. “Well, since my hair is curled, I think I’ll just put on some makeup. It’ll only take a few minutes.” “Brandon, help me choose. Nude or dusty rose for the lipstick?” Amanda, who had been quiet, finally snapped. “Enough is enough! Scarlett is waiting to go to the hospital!” But Chloe walked over and wrapped her arm around Amanda’s, saying in an envious tone: “Scarlett is so lucky. Her whole family shows up just for her giving birth.” “Unlike me, nobody cares about me. I just want to look pretty to welcome Lucy. Scarlett understands, right?” I was in too much pain to speak. She took my silence as consent. Brandon looked at me too. “Just five more minutes. Once she’s done, we leave immediately.” Another wave of contractions hit. I gripped the sofa cushion tightly, waiting for the agonizing pain to pass before I spoke. “Brandon, on the day we went to get our marriage license, she insisted on coming. You insisted on waiting for her. She overslept, City Hall closed, and we never got registered.” “At our rehearsal dinner, she insisted on riding in your car. She got drunk the night before and missed the ceremony.” “Today, I am asking you one last time. Do you choose me and the baby, or do you choose to wait for her?” Brandon’s face darkened completely. “Are you really using childbirth as an excuse to bring up old grudges?” Chloe gasped dramatically, covering her mouth. “Wow, Scarlett. I didn’t know you were so petty. Do pregnant women have nothing better to do than pick fights?” “Whatever, I won’t argue with you. I’m not even done with my makeup.” I looked at her. First, it was washing hair, then makeup, and after this, she’d probably want to pick an outfit. It would take at least another hour. At 10:40, my leaking fluid began to show traces of blood.

I ignored them, biting my lip to keep from screaming in pain. “Take your time. I’m not waiting.” Hearing that I was leaving, Chloe rushed over to block the door. “Oh, come on! It’s just a few minutes. I’m almost done. Do you really want me to look ugly holding my goddaughter? This is going to be a core memory photo!” At 10:45, more fluid ran down my legs. I could barely stand. Logan called to pressure us. “Why aren’t you guys down yet? The hospital is rushing us. If we aren’t there by 11:00, the chances of a safe delivery drop drastically!” “Every minute we delay is another minute of danger!” The contractions were coming in rapid waves. The pain was so intense I couldn’t form words. Amanda snatched my phone and roared into it: “It’s not that we don’t want to leave! It’s because a certain ugly drama queen refuses to step out of the house and won’t let us leave either!” “Hang on, Logan. Dad and I are coming up!” When Dad walked in, Chloe was busy putting on false eyelashes in front of the mirror. Arthur held back his rage and asked Brandon: “Brandon, I’ve always treated you like my own son. When you married my daughter, I paid for your wedding, got you a car, and didn’t ask you for a dime. All I wanted was for you to treat Scarlett right.” “How did you promise me back then?” “Now, you’re delaying my daughter’s emergency medical care just to wait for someone else. Do you think this is acceptable?” Logan clenched his fists. “Brandon, when you were pursuing Scarlett, you swore you’d protect her for the rest of your life. That’s why we trusted you with her.” “We saw how much she suffered during this pregnancy. Now you’re making her wait? Tell me, how does someone ‘wait’ to give birth?!” “But… I’m the baby’s godmother,” Chloe whimpered. “If my hair is greasy, how can we take photos?” “Yeah, Arthur,” Brandon chimed in. “Scarlett agreed to let Chloe be the godmother.” The two of them sang in harmony, making it seem like it was all my fault. Arthur lost his temper completely. He roared: “Godmother? What the hell is a godmother compared to her actual mother?!” “Are you saying Scarlett has to wait for this girl to finish her makeup before she’s allowed to give birth?!” My dad had always been a peacemaker. He was always gentle with Brandon, and whenever Brandon and I had a tiff, he would tell me to swallow my pride. This was the first time I had ever seen him so furious. Brandon lowered his head, speechless. Chloe, having just applied her last eyelash, stood in front of Brandon. “You can’t talk to us like that. What do you mean ‘waiting for me’? Even if we go to the hospital, we’ll just be waiting. Why aren’t you yelling at the doctors?” “And Scarlett, if you hadn’t asked me, I wouldn’t even have bothered to be the godmother. Now everything is my fault.” “Fine! It’s all my fault! I shouldn’t have come!” With a loud sob, she slammed the guest room door behind her. Suddenly, another vicious contraction hit. My vision went black, and my knees buckled. My family immediately rushed to carry me out. But Brandon still blocked the door, his face grim. “Scarlett, are you really in that much of a hurry? What difference does a few minutes make?” “You were the one who wanted her to be the godmother. Now that you’ve caused a scene, go apologize to her.” “Or what? Do you want your baby to be born without her father in the room?” He knew how terrified I was of childbirth. We had agreed that he would accompany me in the delivery room and cut the umbilical cord. Now, he was using his presence as leverage. If Chloe didn’t go, he wouldn’t go either. Fine. I’ll just find my baby a new father. Because ever since I sent that message, my Snapchat had been blowing up. The latest message read: “I’m almost there.”

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When I was a child, Mom told me that I made my sister Chloe deaf by hitting her. Because of that, she said they owed Chloe ninety-nine Favoritism Coupon. On my birthday, Chloe wanted a mango cake. She whipped out one of the cards, and Mom immediately replaced my strawberry cake with mango, even though she knew I was severely allergic to mangoes. When Chloe was caught smoking at school, she used another card. Mom forced me to take the blame for her. The whole school rumored that I was a delinquent. For an entire year, nobody would talk to me. From the time I was eight to eighteen, Chloe used ninety-six cards. And I endured ninety-six cold shoulders. I used to think that once she used up the last three, I would finally get the same love from my parents. Until today, while helping Mom clean the house, I stumbled upon a medical report from eighteen years ago. It read: “Chloe, two-month-old newborn. Diagnosis: Congenital Bilateral Deafness.” A cold shiver ran down my spine, making me tremble uncontrollably. Her deafness was never my fault. It was congenital. My parents’ lack of love for me was the only real thing. There was no point in hoping anymore.

I should have realized long ago that they didn’t love me. After all, Chloe was always the princess of the house. I was just the other daughter, the disposable one. Rubbing my tired eyes, I looked down at my phone. The family group chat on Snapchat was buzzing. As I scrolled up, my finger accidentally tapped a transfer. It was only twenty dollars, sent by Mom with a note: “For Chloe’s smoothie.” My finger froze. My instinct was to send it back. But the money had already been accepted automatically. The next second, Chloe’s voice message popped up, dripping with sarcasm. “Hazel, how can you be so shameless to steal my drink money? Mom clearly sent that to me. You sure are fast with your fingers.” Mom chimed in immediately, her bias showing in every word. “Hazel, send that money back to Chloe right now. Her ears have been hurting lately, and she just wants something sweet to feel better. Don’t fight her over such petty things.” A faint pang of pain went through my heart. Silently, I Venmoed twenty dollars back to Chloe. Just as I locked my phone, Chloe’s whining voice echoed from the living room. She was hugging Mom’s arm, swaying back and forth, saying she needed new clothes for graduation. It was an intimacy I was never allowed to have. Perhaps my gaze was too intense. Mom shot me a sideways glance and snapped. “Hazel, can’t you be more like Chloe? If you want something, just say it. Stop standing there with that miserable face. It looks pathetic.” But “just saying it” was a privilege for the beloved, not for me. Ultimately, Mom dragged me along to the mall. All along the way, Mom held up dresses against Chloe, buying her everything she wanted. At the last store, a dress caught my eye. It was a simple, elegant white dress, a style I had secretly liked for a long time. The size was perfect. I gathered my courage and spoke up. “Mom, can I try this one on?” But Chloe grabbed the hanger, refusing to let go. She pulled a brand-new Favoritism Coupon from her purse and stuffed it into Mom’s hand. “Mom, I like this one too. I’m using my coupon. This dress is mine.” Mom looked slightly hesitant. The sales clerk tried to diffuse the tension, saying to Chloe, “This size might not fit you well, sweetie. We have the latest arrivals over here, why don’t you take a look?” But Chloe remained stubborn. “So what if it doesn’t fit? I like it. Besides, Hazel owes me.” Mom immediately stepped forward and forced my hands off the dress. When she looked at me, her face was cold and hard. “You’re older than her. What does it matter if you have one less dress? Chloe has bad hearing. Any minor irritation makes her ears ring. Just let her have it.” I stood there, my knuckles turning white. Ever since we were kids, clothes, stationery, snacks. As long as Chloe pulled out a coupon, I was always forced to back down. The weight of ninety-six past humiliations rushed over me. Suppressing the bitterness, I asked quietly, “Mom, if I were the one with the hearing loss today, would you make Chloe give in to me for everything?” I couldn’t help but think: What if she only loved Chloe more because of her ears? But when Mom heard this, her eyes flickered. The next second, she raised her voice, full of accusation. “Why do you have to compete with Chloe for everything? It’s just a dress. Is it really worth being so petty over? Chloe’s hearing loss is your fault. Instead of being understanding, you’re always comparing yourself to her. How can you be so narrow-minded.” *Caused by me?* That one casual sentence crushed my last shred of hope. Their guilt was only reserved for Chloe. I was never within the scope of their care. Just then, Chloe walked out of the fitting room wearing the ill-fitting white dress, spinning around triumphantly. She intentionally bumped into my shoulder and whispered mockingly, “That’s what you get for breaking my ears. You owe me. You should give me everything.” I lowered my eyes and quietly looked away, no longer arguing. On the way home, I pulled out my notebook and crossed out the 97th grid: *Give the white dress to Chloe.* Only two empty grids left. I stared at the dark night outside the window. My heart was completely numb. Once the last two coupons were used, I would leave this suffocating town forever and never look back.

I looked closely at the previous grids. Each one felt like a knife scar on my body. The 96th grid read: “She threw away my SAT prep materials.” Suddenly, I remembered how damp and cold the rain was that night. Three months before the SAT, I had organized all my study prep materials, which I had saved up for a whole year to buy, into a canvas backpack. Whenever I had a spare moment, I would study. But Chloe took advantage of the time I was taking a shower and threw all my materials into the trash outside. By the time I realized my books were gone, the sky was completely dark. I was trembling with anxiety. I dragged Chloe to ask where my books were, but she didn’t show a hint of remorse. Instead, she laughed and pulled the 96th Favoritism Coupon from her pocket, handing it to Mom, who had rushed over. “Mom, I’m using my coupon. I just hate seeing Hazel read all day. Those books are gone, so tell her not to yell at me.” Holding the paper coupon, Mom immediately shielded Chloe. She turned around and scolded me harshly. “It’s just a few books! You can just reprint them or copy them again. Why did you have to scare Chloe? Her hearing is already so fragile. You yelled at her so loudly that her head hurts. Can you take responsibility for that?” My eyes burned with tears, my voice shaking. “I spent a year saving up for those materials! There are practice tests in there that you can’t even buy anymore! There are only three months left before the SAT. How am I supposed to start over?” Dad sat on the sofa scrolling through his phone, chiming in casually. “You’re smart. Missing a few books won’t affect your test. Chloe was just being a playful kid. Let it go.” “A coupon is on the table. This matter is settled. Don’t bring it up again.” I ran downstairs to search the bushes. It was pitch black and pouring rain. My legs were scratched and bleeding from the thorns, but I refused to stop. It wasn’t until midnight that I found my materials. They had been soaked into a muddy pulp by the rain. They were completely ruined. I squatted in the thorns, picking up the torn pages one by one. The cold wind whipped my face, mixing with the tears streaming down. But the cold outside was nothing compared to the ice in my heart. A neighbor passing by saw how miserable I looked and kindly helped me. Meanwhile, my parents stood at the entrance of the building, busy comforting a sulking Chloe. They didn’t even bother to come down and look at me. When I got back inside, holding the wet, ruined books, I ignored my feverish and battered body. I tried to negotiate with my parents, asking if they could help me buy new materials. Mom waved her hand impatiently. “Our money is saved for Chloe’s future college fund. Figure out your own problems. Who told you to pick a fight with her anyway?” In the end, I had to stay up until three o’clock every single night, manually reconstructing those materials. Pulling my thoughts back to the present, I traced that line of text. It felt hilarious. Back then, I studied so hard because I wanted to major in pre-med. I wanted to cure Chloe’s ears. I wanted to wash away the “guilt” I supposedly owed her. But it turned out, I never owed her anything. Suddenly, my phone rang. It was my high school counselor. “Hazel, the school offers a special $5,000 Community Merit Grant for outstanding graduating seniors. If you need it, come to the office tomorrow to fill out the form.” I quickly agreed. I knew that to escape this family and go to college, I would need a lot of money. But the moment I hung up and opened my room door, I found Chloe eavesdropping outside. Without a shred of embarrassment, she ordered, “Hazel, give that grant money to me!”

In front of our parents, Chloe threw a massive tantrum. She stomped her feet, tears flowing on command. “I want the latest iPad Pro! Everyone in my class has one for graduation except me! I can’t even play games properly!” As she spoke, she snatched the 98th Favoritism Coupon from her pink wallet and slammed it onto the wooden dining table. The paper made a sharp slap against the wood. She shot me a smug look, as if this was completely natural. “Mom, I’m using this coupon. Make Hazel transfer her grant money to me so I can buy my iPad!” Mom, habitually taking the coupon, looked at me and said, “Hazel, tell your counselor that Chloe needs the grant more. Bring the application materials out and sign them over to Chloe.” Dad put down his phone and chimed in, his tone taking it for granted. “What’s wrong with fulfilling Chloe’s wish for once? Don’t forget her ears are like that because of you. You can’t always be so greedy over a little money.” I clenched the edge of the table, my knuckles turning white. Eighteen years of accumulated resentment finally exploded. “This is my merit grant! The school gave it to me because I work part-time while maintaining top grades! On what grounds do you expect me to just hand it over to her?” I raised my voice, openly defying them for the first time. My parents looked shocked. Even Chloe froze. “Chloe has everything she wants, clothes, jewelry, allowance. I have to work part-time just to afford food, and you’ve never once asked if I was struggling. Why do you always sacrifice me for her?” When she saw me talk back, Chloe cried even harder. She threw herself into Mom’s arms, clutching her sleeve. “Hazel just hates me! She’s doing this on purpose! She broke my ears, and now she won’t even let me have this little thing!” That sentence was the spark that ignited Mom’s fury. She stood up abruptly, rushed over to me, and slapped me hard across the face. SLAP. The sharp sound echoed in the quiet living room. My cheek instantly burned with pain, and my ears rang. My head was whipped to the side. I tasted copper as my teeth cut into my inner lip. “I raised you to eighteen just so you could talk back to us and fight with Chloe?” Mom’s chest heaved with anger, her eyes filled with disgust and disappointment. “Chloe’s ears were ruined by you. You have your health. What’s wrong with letting her have some benefits?” *I’ve let her have everything for eighteen years. Isn’t that enough?* Holding my burning cheek, my eyes welled with tears, but I stubbornly refused to let them fall. No matter how obedient I was, the moment I showed any resistance to Chloe, I would only get blamed. But the selfish, cowardly ones were them. The image of that congenital deafness diagnosis kept flashing in my mind. My heart felt as cold as ice. “I didn’t break her ears,” I whispered, my voice trembling. I was so close to spitting out the truth about the medical report, but I held it in. Revealing it now was pointless. It would only bring more intense accusations. I just needed to quietly take my SAT and leave this place forever. Mom assumed I was just being stubborn. She let out a cold laugh and turned to Dad. “Go to the school tomorrow morning and tell them to transfer Hazel’s grant to Chloe’s name. I’ll get the paperwork.” That night, while I was showering, Mom pried open my desk drawer and took all my application materials. The next day, my counselor called, her voice full of pity and helplessness. “Hazel, your mom insisted that Chloe has health issues and demanded the grant be transferred to her. I couldn’t stop her.” After hanging up, I went back to the living room. Chloe was playing with the used coupon, crumpling it up and tossing it into the trash. My parents were huddled around her, picking out iPad models on Amazon, laughing and chatting. I was always the outsider. Why should I even care? I walked back to my room, picked up my pencil, and firmly crossed out the 98th grid. *Give the grant to Chloe.* Only one coupon left. Once it was gone, my debt to this family would be fully paid. I would apply to a college as far away as possible, and I would never see them again.

On the day the SAT scores were released, my parents gathered around Chloe in the living room to check her score. I sat alone in my room, checking mine on a cheap, laggy secondhand phone they had discarded. The screen kept loading. Outside, I heard Mom’s gentle voice. “Chloe, you did so well! 1000 is an amazing score. I’m so proud of you!” It wasn’t until noon that my screen finally loaded: 1580. I gripped my phone and let out a long breath. I finally had the ticket to escape this place. That evening, Mom asked me casually how much I scored. Before I could answer, Chloe spoke up. “She got a 1580. She’s the top scorer in our school.” At that, Chloe’s eyes welled with tears. “If my ears were fine, I wouldn’t be so stupid. I wouldn’t have scored so low. Mom, should I even be alive?” Mom shot me a look of annoyance, then quickly comforted Chloe. “We don’t care about her score. You will always be our pride.” A sudden ache hit my chest. The beloved child is never blamed even with a terrible score, while the unloved child’s achievements go unnoticed. Even though Chloe couldn’t even get into a decent college. Looking at the two score reports, Mom suddenly took my hand, her tone taking my compliance for granted. “Hazel, your high score is useless anyway. Our family is under tight financial pressure right now. Chloe wants to go to a private university, and the tuition is over thirty thousand a year. That’s more than a hundred thousand for four years.” “You shouldn’t go to college. Go find a job. Send all your monthly paychecks home to support Chloe through her four years.” I snapped my head up. My 1580 score was the future I had traded my sleepless nights for. In their eyes, it wasn’t even worth Chloe’s overpriced private college tuition. “This is my life. I want to go to college too,” my voice shook. Dad agreed from the side. “What’s the use of a girl getting so much education? Chloe has bad hearing. It’ll be hard for her to find a job later. She needs a degree to back her up.” “You’re healthy. It’s your duty to work early and support the family.” “Besides, she’s using her last coupon. Just let her have this last one.” Chloe leaned back on the sofa, speaking nonchalantly. “You’re so smart, you’ll have plenty of chances to study later. This is my only chance to get a bachelor’s degree. Why can’t you just help me out?” The last bit of warmth in my heart evaporated completely. But my face remained calm, pretending to submit. “Fine. I’ll listen to you. I’ll look for a job and skip college.” Seeing me give in, my parents immediately beamed with joy. They turned back to Chloe, planning her college life, completely ignoring me. They never would have guessed that their obedient daughter was lying. I found a summer job and rarely went home. I hid it from everyone and secretly accepted an offer from Columbia University in New York, thousands of miles away. The day the admission letter arrived, I packed a single suitcase and quietly boarded a train to New York. Before the train started moving, I blocked all of their contact info. When my parents finally realized I was gone, they panicked.

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At our wedding, my fiancé Julian’s assistant swapped our carefully prepared romance video for a recording of my sexual assault from six years ago. Amidst the dead silence of the ballroom, Chloe Bennett held my hand down, preventing me from shutting off the giant screen. “Oh, Vivian, don’t get me wrong. I didn’t mean any harm,” Chloe whispered, her voice dripping with fake innocence. “I just wanted to remind everyone how much Julian loves you. He doesn’t care that you’re dirty.” “You must never betray him in the future. Don’t let Julian down.” I scrambled for words, desperately trying to claim it was an AI-generated deepfake, while frantically signaling Julian to shut down the screen. I looked at him, praying he would move. And Julian did. He walked over to the control panel, dragged the progress bar, and zoomed in on my terrified face. My hand froze. I stared at him in pure disbelief. “Julian… what are you doing?” The screen paused on my crying face. Julian stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me in a gentle embrace, but his next words plunged me into a bottomless ice cave. “Vivian, there’s no need to lie about AI. No one here is an idiot.” “As long as you stay faithful to me from now on, I won’t hold your past against you.” With that single sentence, the whispers in the crowd turned venomous. Julian seemed completely oblivious to the damage he had caused. He smiled, pulling out the diamond wedding ring. “Come on, let me put this on you.” I forced back the tears burning my eyes and took a step back. “I don’t need your charity. This wedding is over.”

Julian’s face darkened instantly. “Vivian Vance, do you have any idea what you’re saying?” “Or do you honestly believe,” Julian sneered, gesturing toward the sea of high-society guests, “that there’s another man in this room willing to marry someone with your kind of baggage?” The hall fell into a suffocating silence. Julian smirked, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “You see, Vivian? No one else wants you except me. Stop throwing a tantrum.” His gentle words were like knives, stabbing repeatedly into my chest. Five years ago, I was kidnapped and assaulted. He had found me even before the police did. Back then, he had held me tightly, tears streaming down his face, and sworn: “Vivian, I swear to God, no one else will ever know about this.” “You will always be the proud heiress of the Vance family. You hold all the cards.” I gritted my teeth and slapped his hand away. The ten-million-dollar ring slipped from his fingers and rolled across the floor. Chloe rushed over and snatched it up. She glared at me, pointing an accusing finger. “Vivian! Julian gave you a way out of this embarrassment. How can you be so ungrateful when you’re already damaged goods?” My eyes burned with rage. I raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face. “Who the hell do you think you are to interfere in our relationship?” “Enough!” Julian’s face was thunderous as he pulled Chloe behind his back. He took the ring from her hand and slid it onto her finger. “From this moment on, Chloe is my bride. The only one who doesn’t belong here is you.” I froze. The tears I had been holding back finally spilled over. This wedding—from the imported roses and the silk carpet to the lighting and the music—had been handpicked by him to match my exact tastes. Yet now, the bride standing beside him was someone else. I wiped my face roughly, turned around, and walked away. But before I could take three steps, someone yanked the train of my gown. Chloe smiled innocently. “Vivian, since I’m the bride now, do you mind taking off that dress and giving it to me?” “I mean, everyone in this room has already seen you naked on that screen anyway. It’s not like you have any modesty left to protect.” I instinctively looked at Julian. Julian merely raised an eyebrow. “If you want to keep the dress, fine. Get down on your knees and apologize to Chloe.” “Go to hell!” I gritted my teeth, violently ripping the train of my dress from her grip. As I turned to leave, several notorious wealthy playboys blocked my path. “She used to look down on me at business galas,” one of them sneered, his eyes scanning my bare shoulders. “If I knew she was this easy, I would’ve laid my hands on her a long time ago.” “Right? Who knew the ice queen was actually a rag?” Greasy hands reached out to grab me, dragging me back into the nightmare of that night five years ago. I opened my mouth to scream for help, but then I saw my “hero”—the man who had rescued me back then—whispering softly to another woman. The scream died in my throat. I clamped my mouth shut, grabbing whatever I could reach, scratching, clawing, and fighting like a wild animal. Yet, I couldn’t stop them from tearing at my dress. Despair suffocated me. Just as the last piece of fabric over my chest was about to be ripped away, someone kicked me hard in the stomach. A sharp, agonizing pain shot through my abdomen, and warm blood began to trickle down my thighs. “Holy shit, is she bleeding?” “Hey, I didn’t touch her stomach! It wasn’t me!” The crowd scattered in panic. I clutched my lower abdomen in agony, crying out to the father of my child. “The baby… Julian, please… take me to the hospital!” Julian’s face paled. He took a step toward me, but Chloe let out a sharp laugh. “Vivian, faking a miscarriage with your period blood? Classic. You really will do anything to keep Julian, won’t you?” “If you love that ruined wedding dress so much, keep it. I don’t want it anymore.” Julian stopped in his tracks. He looked down at me, his eyes cold and disgusted. “You’re filthy.” “Just leave. Having you wear that dress near Chloe is bad luck.” The physical pain numbed my mind. Tears streaming down my face, I looked at him and whispered, “Julian, I regret it. I regret ever helping you leave that rundown trailer park.” “I regret teaching you how to run a business, making you the CEO of Montgomery Group, and… falling in love with you.” Julian’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. Ignoring the tearing pain in my abdomen, I grabbed a random coat from a chair, wrapped it around myself, and stood up with great difficulty. I ignored the hand he suddenly tried to offer me. Though I was bleeding, I held my spine perfectly straight. Under the mocking stares of the entire high society, I walked out and caught a cab to the hospital. In the emergency room, the doctor’s face was grim. “If we perform surgery now, we can save your life, but the damage to your body will be severe. Do you want to keep the pregnancy?”

I placed my hand gently over my stomach. After a long silence, I shook my head. Since there was no wedding, this surprise was no longer needed. The surgery was quick. As the anesthesia wore off, I felt as though I had lost not just the pregnancy, but every ounce of love I had ever held for Julian. “Make sure you rest properly when you get home, otherwise your future fertility—” The doctor’s instructions were cut short as Chloe barged into the room. “Vivian! Julian said you were having bad cramps, so I bought you some supplements on the way.” I glanced at the box she tossed onto my bed. The packaging was torn and dirty, looking like some expired clearance item from a dollar store. Julian walked in behind her. He glanced at the medical chart at the foot of my bed and said casually, “Don’t get the wrong idea. Chloe’s appearance is important to her career. I just didn’t want our wedding day to be ruined by a scandal.” Chloe tilted her head at the perfect angle, showing the doctor her slightly red cheek, tears welling in her eyes. Julian didn’t want his wedding with Chloe to be ruined, yet he had willingly used my deepest trauma to destroy mine. Suddenly, Chloe snatched my medical chart. She let out a dramatic gasp. “Vaginal tearing? Oh my god, it wasn’t cramps! No wonder you bled so much, Vivian.” “Did you… did you hire those men to stage another assault?” “Is ruining Julian’s reputation your ultimate goal?” “Chloe, stop it,” Julian said half-heartedly, though his eyes narrowed as he stared at me, waiting for my explanation. My fingernails dug deep into my palms. So, he was just like those other men. He, too, believed the rumors. He believed that six years ago, the young CEO of Vance Enterprises had staged her own assault because she was lonely and wanted attention. I stared back at him defiantly. “Julian, are you really that blind? Look at the chart yourself.” “Vivian, there’s no need for Chloe to lie about something so easily disproven,” Julian said, his voice flat. My vision blurred with tears of anger. To him, I was nothing but a pathological liar. I grabbed the medical chart and threw it directly at his face. “Read it yourself, you coward!” Chloe panicked and tried to grab it, but Julian caught the paper and ripped it to shreds. “I don’t need to read it to know how pathetic you are, Vivian,” he said coldly. “Have some self-respect.” Without another word, he took Chloe’s hand and walked out. The doctor, who had tried to speak up several times but was interrupted, sighed and sat down beside me. “That man… he is the father of the child, right? I can tell he still has feelings for you. Why didn’t you let me explain that it was a miscarriage?” I let out a bitter laugh. “You can’t wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep. He wants to believe her. Nothing I say will change that.” Six years ago, when our rival company spread rumors that I secured contracts by sleeping around, Julian had stormed into their office and beaten the executive senseless. When I was patching him up, his face was swollen and bruised, but he had smiled like a fool. “Vivian, I don’t understand big business, but I believe in you. Always.” He had used his sheer ruthlessness to suppress the rumors and shield me from the world’s cruelty. Back then, I thought he was the sweetest, most reliable man in the world. Now, he chose to believe a cheap liar, throwing the most venomous insults at me without hesitation. My phone rang. I took a deep breath, blinked back my tears, and answered. My secretary’s voice was frantic. “Vivian! The high-definition video from the wedding has leaked online. It’s viral on Twitter and Instagram!” “People are calling for a boycott of our products. Our partners are pulling out of contracts. You need to get back to the office right now!” Still dazed, I asked instinctively, “What about Montgomery Group?” “Montgomery Group—” Sarah’s voice was drowned out by the angry shouting of shareholders in the background, and the call was abruptly disconnected. Thanking the doctor, I ignored the physical pain of my recent miscarriage, got into my car, and drove straight to the office. Montgomery Group was Vance Enterprises’ largest partner. If they pulled out, our entire supply chain would collapse, and we would face bankruptcy within days. The moment I stepped into the office, I grabbed Sarah’s arm. “What did Julian do?”

“Julian terminated all our contracts,” Sarah said, her voice shaking. “Montgomery Group was the first to pull out the moment the video went viral. And… they just announced a new wedding date.” I felt my blood run cold. Julian knew that video wasn’t my fault. He knew Vance Enterprises was the company my mother had literally worked herself to death to build for me. He knew that Montgomery Group pulling out would trigger a domino effect that would destroy my family’s legacy. Yet, he did it anyway, just to make Chloe happy. I leaned against the wall to steady myself, forcing my mind to focus. I had to calm the shareholders first. I had to convince them we could still turn this around. But the moment I walked into the boardroom, one of the major shareholders sneered and shoved his phone into my face. “Turn this around? With what?” “The proprietary AI chip technology you spent six years developing? Montgomery Group just registered the patent and announced its launch!” My mind went completely blank. That chip was our saving grace. I had spent millions hiring top talent and went through hell to develop it. I had only ever shared the core blueprints with Julian. I had even planned to give Montgomery Group exclusive distribution rights as a wedding gift. Now, Julian had stolen it, completely cutting off my only escape route. “I knew we couldn’t trust a woman to run this company,” a bloated shareholder sneered, his eyes scanning me with disgusting suggestiveness. “Who knows how she got this position in the first place?” “Vivian, the video of you is all over Snapchat and Twitter,” another shareholder pressured. “Whether you sell your body or use whatever ‘talents’ you have, you have three days to resolve this crisis. Otherwise, we will vote to replace you as CEO.” These greedy, calculating men were backing me into a corner. This was the company my mother and I had suffered through endless slander to protect. I closed my eyes, clenched my fists, and said, “Fine. Give me three days. I will give you a solution.” I spent the next day visiting our former partners. “Vivian, we’ve known each other for years,” one CEO said, leaning back in his leather chair. “If you’re willing to take a loss on the deal, I might consider helping you.” “But first… why don’t we go to my hotel room and discuss your assets?” Another predator. I didn’t even have the energy to throw my bag at his face. I turned and walked out. Finally, the owner of a smaller company, whom I had helped in the past, gave me a quiet warning. “I’m sorry, Vivian. Montgomery Group is too powerful. Julian put the word out—anyone who helps you is an enemy of Montgomery Group. You have to go see him.” I collapsed over the steering wheel of my car, my body shaking with silent sobs. Promises Julian had made in the past echoed in my mind. Years ago, when I risked my reputation to give a major project to his struggling start-up, he had been so nervous. He had taken my hands and sworn: “Vivian, I won’t fail you. I won’t let those shareholders use me to mock you.” When the project succeeded, he had spun me around in his arms, laughing. “Once Montgomery Group grows big enough, I will be your shield. No one will ever bully you again.” Now, those promises were nothing but dust. I was the only one who remembered. I wiped my tears, touched up my makeup, and drove to Montgomery Group’s headquarters. No one stopped me. I took the private elevator straight to the penthouse suite. The moment I pushed the door open, the sound of muffled moans pierced my ears. Julian looked up from his desk, making no effort to stop what he was doing with Chloe. Chloe looked back at me, licking her lips with a smug grin. “Vivian, Julian is really as good as they say. I honestly don’t know why you felt the need to look for those cheap thugs in the past.” A wave of intense nausea hit me. I turned around and threw up in the trash can by the door. Julian walked over, patting my back gently as if he actually cared. “Can’t even handle this? When you were pinned down by those men, I felt a hundred times more disgusted than you do right now.” Disgusted? My ears rang. If he was so disgusted, why had he grabbed the knife from my hand when I tried to end my life back then? Why had he gotten down on his knees to beg the best prosecutor in the country to put those thugs behind bars? I wanted to scream, to tear his face apart, but looking at his indifferent eyes, I felt utterly defeated. I stood up, my voice hoarse. “Julian… what do you want? What will it take for you to leave Vance Enterprises alone?”

Julian gently stroked my hair, a look of satisfaction in his eyes, as if he had finally tamed a wild animal. “Three days from now, on our original wedding date, Montgomery Group will announce a strategic partnership with Vance Enterprises. The crisis will disappear.” Seeing my confusion, Julian explained with a rare touch of gentleness, “The wedding with Chloe was just to teach you a lesson. The ceremony in three days will still be ours.” Chloe chimed in, her voice filled with envy. “Vivian, Julian is swallowing his pride for you. Don’t be ungrateful this time.” I looked at him, my heart filled with bitter irony. “You’re willing to marry a ‘filthy’ woman?” He smiled, a cruel glint in his eyes. “So now we’re even. Your past is erased. We’ll get married and live a good life.” Seeing that I remained silent, he chuckled. “Take your time. I know you’ll make the right choice.” I walked out of the building like a ghost. My phone was filled with threatening messages from shareholders, harassment from sleazy business partners, and alerts about my father’s illegitimate children trying to claw their way into the company. I sat in my car all night, eventually deciding to surrender. But the next morning, as I stopped by a coffee shop down the street, I saw Chloe sitting by the window. Sitting across from her were the very thugs who had assaulted me six years ago. Weren’t they supposed to be in federal prison? My eyes widened. I crept closer, hiding behind a large decorative pillar. Their conversation drifted clearly to my ears. “For every time you guys ruin her over the next three days, I’ll pay you ten thousand dollars,” Chloe said, pushing an envelope across the table. “I want to see if Julian will still marry a literal street whore.” Chloe slid my photo across the table to confirm her lies. One of the thugs picked up the photo, cleanings his teeth with a toothpick. “Oh, a familiar face.” “Six years ago, we got a hit on her too. Now it’s her again.” “What’s the matter? Do you girls have some kind of blood feud with her?” “What do you mean?” Chloe asked, confused, but she didn’t press further. She whispered a few more instructions and left quickly. But I understood. I ran back to my car as if my life depended on it, locking the doors before letting out a gut-wrenching sob. No wonder Julian had found me faster than the police. No wonder he refused to let me testify in court, claiming he wanted to spare me the trauma. Because he was the one who had hired them in the first place. Those men had never spent a single day in prison. I remembered my mother’s pale, lifeless face on her deathbed. She had died of a stroke brought on by the shock of my assault. “If I hadn’t fought so hard for the company… would my daughter… have been safe?” I remembered Julian kneeling by her bed, promising he would protect me forever. “Vivian, with me around, no one will ever hurt you again.” He had killed my mother, yet he let me believe for years that it was my father’s illegitimate family who did it. I cried in the car until I blacked out. When I finally woke up, my phone was filled with over ninety-nine missed calls and messages from Julian. I had been unconscious for an entire day and night. I scrolled through his texts. [Vivian, don’t be stubborn. Your mother died for that company.] [Vivian, if you give up, there are plenty of women waiting to marry me. But who else will take you?] [Today is the last day.] I curled my lips into a cold smile and dialed his number. “Julian, I agree.” “But this time, I want to invite the guests.” Julian’s voice filled with triumph. “Fine. Invite whoever you want. Just use my name, they’ll show up.” I hung up, started the engine, and drove straight to the police department. On the day of the wedding, I invited every prominent media outlet in the city. Dozens of cameras and flashing lights were aimed at the stage. I wore the exact same wedding dress from that day, while the giant screen behind us projected romantic photos of our past. Julian knelt down before me, holding a ring, looking deeply in love. “Vivian, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” The moment his voice faded, the screen behind him flashed. The sounds of my screams and cries from my assault six years ago echoed through the grand ballroom once more. Julian whipped his head around, his face turning pale. “Who did this? Shut it off! Now!” “I did,” I said calmly into the microphone. Julian spun back to face me, utterly bewildered. “Vivian, what is the meaning of this?” I looked toward the heavy double doors at the back of the hall. “Julian, my special guests are here.” “They said… you aren’t worthy of marrying me.” The blare of police sirens echoed from outside, and a dozen armed officers marched into the hall, escorting the six thugs in handcuffs.

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My boyfriend had a hearing impairment, and he often couldn’t hear what I said clearly. I said I wanted chocolate cake, but he bought strawberry cake. “I heard you wrong, and Chloe loves this flavor, so I’ll take it to her.” I said I didn’t want the diamond ring to be too flashy, but he bought one with a diamond as big as a pigeon egg. “I heard you wrong again, but Chloe likes this, so I’ll give it to her.” Then I carefully planned the design for our future home and asked him to buy a house in South Bay for us. But on the day of the final inspection, he drove all the way to North Hills. When he noticed I had been silent the whole ride, he apologized again. “I really didn’t hear you clearly, and I thought you liked the scenery over here in North Hills, so I bought it without thinking.” But I knew Chloe, his childhood sweetheart, worked for a company nearby. He hadn’t failed to hear me. He had simply never wanted to listen. At that moment, all my strength suddenly drained away, and I spoke with a calm I had never felt before. “Ethan Sterling, let’s break up.”

He looked up in confusion and instinctively touched the hearing aid by his ear. “What did you just say?” “I didn’t hear you.” Every time I spoke, he never paid attention, because he knew I would patiently repeat myself. But this time, I didn’t want to repeat it again and again. “Nothing,” I said, trying to stay calm. “Return the house.” “I said to buy in South Bay, so it should be in South Bay.” In an instant, his face darkened. “A house isn’t like a shirt you can just return whenever you want.” “You drew the design plans, and the renovation was the result of me supervising day and night.” “Now you say you don’t want it, and that’s it?” “Can you stop making a scene?” The atmosphere froze, and just then, the door lock suddenly clicked open. Chloe scanned her fingerprint and walked in as if this were her own home, and the three of us stared at one another. After she realized we were arguing, she bit her lip, her face flushed red. “Please try to understand Ethan.” “He has a hearing impairment, and it’s not like he misheard you on purpose.” “Why don’t I cook something to cheer you both up?” She washed the vegetables, trimmed them, and put them in the pan with practiced ease. She was so familiar with everything that it looked like she was in her own home. When Ethan watched her busy in the kitchen, his eyes were full of tenderness. Then he went over to help her out of habit, and they moved together with warm, effortless chemistry. But they seemed to have forgotten that this was supposed to be our future home. Just as I was about to leave, Ethan jogged over and grabbed my arm. “She’s kindly making you a housewarming dinner, and you’re still giving everyone attitude?” “You’re being way too unreasonable.” Was this really a housewarming dinner for me? In fact, from the moment I walked in, I had noticed that the layout of the entire house was nothing like what I had designed. The guest room that was supposed to be used for hosting friends and family was twice the size of the primary bedroom. To force it bigger, they had even squeezed the walk-in closet I had carefully designed down to the size of a storage room. Even the tiles on the wall were polished tiles I had rejected from the start. Clearly, everything had already been changed according to Chloe’s preferences. I said lightly, “You two eat.” After that, I was about to push the door open and leave, but Chloe blocked me first. She wore a pitiful expression. “Although I don’t know why you’re angry…” “But if you want to blame someone, blame me.” “Ethan has a hearing impairment, and if your voice is too loud, he won’t be able to handle it.” “Please try to understand him.” My nails dug deep into my palm, and the pain shot through me. I had seen her lose her temper at Ethan far too many times. Once, she even slapped away the hearing aid he cared about most. But he only hurried to pick it up and begged her to repeat the insult she had just thrown at him. He was afraid he had missed something important. Yet every time we argued, he would casually take off his hearing aid. Then he would let me break down like a hysterical lunatic. But from now on, I would never make a scene again.

“If she doesn’t want to eat, then forget it.” “Let her go.” Impatience climbed into Ethan’s voice. Looking at the lightning flashing and thunder rolling outside the window, he gave a soft sneer, but it stabbed straight into my heart. “Just don’t come crying later, saying you’re scared of thunder.” When I was abused by my stepfather, I was often shoved out into heavy rain until I lost consciousness. Ever since then, I had been terrified of thunder, and Ethan had always stayed with me through every stormy night without fail. But even though he knew my weakness better than anyone, he still pushed me toward the door out of spite. “Ah!” Chloe’s scream pulled me back to reality. Ethan immediately pulled her back to his side and coaxed her in a low voice. “Don’t be scared.” “I’m right here.” “I’ll finish the rest of the dishes.” “Stay here.” The scene in front of me overlapped with the way we used to be. I turned around, pushed open the door, rushed into the rain without hesitation, and quickly called a cab. That night, my fever nearly reached 104 degrees. Chloe had already posted a huge table of food on Instagram. 【There’s a bedroom that belongs only to me in the new house, and it’s even bigger than the primary bedroom. A certain someone’s housewarming dinner tastes even better now!】 But I clearly remembered that Ethan had sworn he would never go into the kitchen, because he hated the smell of grease and smoke. Yet Chloe still broke through his bottom line. When I came back to my senses, I pulled up a phone number that had been buried at the very bottom of my contacts. “You once said you would always save a place for me.” “Does that still count?” After receiving an excited and certain answer, I took fever medicine and fell asleep in a daze. The next day, I was woken up by a phone call. “Emma Clark, who taught you manners?” “You agreed to come to the family dinner, and now you’re making the entire Sterling family wait for you?” My head burned like it was about to split open. “I have a fever…” “Stop making excuses.” “Get here now.” “Don’t make everyone wait for you.” I dragged my weak body to the Sterling family estate, only to find that Chloe was sitting beside Ethan. Everyone in the family wore different expressions, and Mrs. Sterling in particular looked at me with cold disdain. No matter how many times I explained that I wasn’t marrying Ethan for money, she still called me a gold digger again and again. “You sleep until noon and still say you’re not marrying in just to live the easy life?” “Who would believe that?” No one saw the sweat covering my forehead, and no one saw how weak my legs were. Ethan did not step in to help me like he used to. The waves of accusations pressed down on me until I could barely breathe, so I put down my cutlery. “Mrs. Sterling, I’m not marrying him anymore.” Mrs. Sterling’s expression froze on her face, and Ethan quickly went to soothe her. “Mom, she’s joking with everyone.” “The wedding is already set for the day after tomorrow.” After saying that, he pulled me into a corner. “You can be stubborn, but there has to be a limit.” “You know my mom is desperate for grandchildren, so were those words something you should say to an elder?” I was the one being mocked, and I was also the one being blamed. He lectured me nonstop, not noticing my discomfort at all. Just as I was about to lose my temper, Chloe looked at me pitifully. “The charm on your wrist is really pretty.” “Can you give it to me?” I instinctively tightened my palm, and it felt as if a thorn had lodged in my throat. Ethan had gotten this charm for me from a faraway church after praying for my safety. Back then, when my mother was being abused by my stepfather, he had tied it onto my wrist himself and said he would protect me and keep me safe for the rest of my life. Unwilling to accept it, I looked at him. “What do you think?” He said nothing, but the sorrow in his eyes told me that the person he wanted to protect now was someone else. “Fine.” My decisiveness made Ethan look at me in shock. But I had already taken off the charm and casually stuffed it into Chloe’s hand. If I could give up a seven-year relationship, what did this charm even count for? After leaving the Sterling estate, I received the official job offer and immediately booked a flight out.

After returning to my old place, I started packing my suitcase. I didn’t expect Ethan to come back and see it, and he misunderstood, thinking I was packing for our honeymoon. “You’re starting this early?” “You’re way too impatient.” “Besides, we’re going to Antarctica for our honeymoon.” “Why are you packing summer clothes?” “Do you want to freeze to death?” I froze. A long time ago, we had agreed that after we got married, we would go to Hawaii for our honeymoon, because that was where we first met. He had kissed my forehead and said, “No matter how many times we revisit the same place, at least the person beside me will never change.” That was why I had asked him three days ago to buy the plane tickets. Almost instinctively, I blurted out, “Wasn’t it Hawaii?” Ethan impatiently pulled out two plane tickets, and they were indeed for Antarctica. The next second, another ticket fell out of his pocket, with the same date and destination. He paused, then explained unnaturally. “Maybe I heard you wrong.” “I thought you wanted to go to Antarctica.” “When I was paying, maybe I accidentally clicked the wrong thing and bought one extra.” But on the other ticket, Chloe’s name was written clearly. I suddenly remembered that three days ago, Chloe had posted on Instagram and shared many videos of the aurora in Antarctica. 【How amazing would it be if someone could take me to see the northern lights? I’m making a wish right here.】 Looking at it now, Ethan was the person who had helped her wish come true. My voice had never been heard by him, and I had never truly entered his heart. I lifted my head and forced my tears back. “Refund my ticket.” When Ethan heard that, he completely lost patience with me. “Isn’t traveling anywhere basically the same?” “And with one more person, we’ll have one more person to look out for each other.” “Why do you have to make such a big deal out of this?” “You’re getting more and more dramatic.” I looked up and stared into his eyes. I couldn’t believe those words had come from his mouth. After I escaped the darkness of my stepfather’s abuse, I had suffered from depression for a while. Every time I lost my temper or cried, he would always comfort me unconditionally. He would clumsily wipe away my tears. He would tell me jokes in a terrible accent just to make me laugh. He would never call me “dramatic.” I took a deep breath. “I’m not angry.” “It’s because I’m going to…” Ethan’s special ringtone suddenly rang, and it was Chloe calling. He covered the speaker and hid in the study. With a bang, the door shut my unspoken words outside. I was going to leave. In the middle of the night, I heard him sighing in the study. “She already gives me this much of a headache now.” “After we get married, I’ll suffer even more.” “Back then, I stayed with her until she got over her depression.” “I never said it out loud, but she should know how annoying that was for me.” Every word was clear, and every sentence stabbed my heart. I didn’t know what happened on the other end, but Ethan suddenly tensed up. “You don’t feel well?” “Okay.” “Once she’s asleep, I’ll go to the new house to find you.” Separated by the thick study door, I gave a bitter smile. There was no need to go to such lengths. I would no longer get in their way. Leaning against the door, I heard him call Chloe by her nickname again and again. He had always hated voice messages, but he opened Chloe’s voice notes and listened to them over and over. I stopped listening, returned to the bedroom, and slept deeply for once. I didn’t even know when Ethan left. Early the next morning, bursts of laughter suddenly came from downstairs.

The living room was packed with friends and relatives, all raising glasses and chatting happily. When Ethan saw me wearing wrinkled pajamas, he frowned in displeasure. “Did you forget the wedding rehearsal is today?” “My parents arrived early, and you’re coming downstairs dressed like that?” Everyone’s eyes fell on me, some full of contempt and some full of mockery. It was as if they were all saying, how could Ethan Sterling marry a woman of my class? Ethan felt embarrassed, and he waved his hand impatiently. “Go change into a decent dress before coming down.” “You’re making it look like the Sterling family mistreats you.” Chloe was wearing a white gown styled like a wedding dress, as if she were the bride-to-be. I ignored Ethan’s bossy attitude and was about to formally announce our broken engagement while everyone was there. But Chloe skipped over, grabbed my hand, and pulled me in front of someone. “It’s such a happy day, so I specially invited your father over to make things livelier.” “You won’t blame me for being nosy, will you?” The moment I looked up, my heartbeat stopped. The person in front of me was the stepfather who had beaten my mother to death right in front of my eyes. His voice sounded like a demon beside my ear. “My good girl, how could you not invite me to such a big happy event like your wedding?” “I came to congratulate you too.” In an instant, fear and hatred swept through me like electricity. Chloe suddenly leaned closer and whispered excitedly in my ear. “I heard this man beat your mother to death, and they still haven’t even found the body.” “Tsk, tsk.” “And yet you still have the mood to get married here.” “Besides, how could such a happy moment in your life be missing someone from your family, right?” Looking at the demon who appeared in my nightmares day and night, my eyes turned red. “How do you know about that?” My voice was trembling, and I must have looked terrifyingly crazed. Chloe’s gaze flicked toward Ethan, who knew nothing. “One time, he made me cry, so he told me this story to cheer me up.” “Oh, don’t glare at me like that—” Slap! I raised my hand and struck her across the face. The next second, Ethan shoved me away with full force. “Emma Clark, you ungrateful woman!” “Chloe invited your family here for the wedding rehearsal because she was thinking of you.” “How dare you hit her?” “Apologize right now!” Chloe hid in his arms and provoked me with the posture of a winner. I suddenly laughed, caught off guard by my own laughter, like a madwoman. I had peeled open every hideous scar for him to see, and he had turned around and used it as a joke to comfort another girl. Under his shocked gaze, I said each word clearly. “In.” “Your.” “Dreams.” “Ethan Sterling, we’re done.” Ethan’s face immediately darkened, and disbelief flashed through his eyes. I ignored him, went upstairs, grabbed my suitcase, and left through the back door of the villa. Even a goodbye felt unnecessary. … One hour before the wedding, Ethan irritably knocked on the door of the backstage dressing room. “Emma Clark, that’s enough.” “This isn’t like being at home.” “No one is waiting three hours for you to do your makeup today.” The next second, the door was opened in anger. But the woman who came out was a stranger in a bridal gown. “Why are you knocking like that?” “You’ve got the wrong person.” Just as Ethan froze, the venue manager rushed over, panting. “Mr. Sterling, I forgot to tell you.” “Miss Clark canceled the wedding venue yesterday!”

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I’m a private investigator specializing in catching cheating spouses. I was out on a job with a client, helping her corner her cheating boyfriend. The moment she snapped photos of him with another woman and sent them over, she dialed his number in a raging fury. The next second, my husband’s voice came through the phone. “Baby, don’t be mad, because you’re a mistress too!” His voice was careless, with a hint of amusement. My client froze. “What do you mean?” The voice on the other end was unusually calm. “There are seven mistresses ahead of you, and my wife is only Aria.” Aria was my name. 1 “Besides me, you’re seeing seven other women, and you have a wife, so why did you come after me?” Her hand trembled as she held the phone, and her voice burned with overwhelming rage. Ethan Carter chuckled softly, his cool tone carrying a lazy indifference. “My wife isn’t young anymore, but men will always like something fresh and exciting, and at least you’re young and interesting enough to play with.” “Hah!” When my client heard this, she suddenly laughed from pure fury. “Her name is Aria, right? What do you think will happen if I tell her you have eight women outside? Since you don’t love me, then we’ll go down together.” “Baby, don’t do something that will make both of us unhappy.” “Everyone has the day when they grow old and lose their looks, so why care whether I love you or not? Why not take advantage of your youth and get more money out of me?” His voice carried a bone-chilling coldness, and his tone turned icy almost instantly. My client clenched her phone and said through gritted teeth, “You bastard!” A low laugh came from the phone, and his calm tone held a deep chill. “If my Aria finds out you exist, you will die a very ugly death, and I will shelve you, blacklist you, and from then on, no director will ever use you again.” Her body trembled violently, and unwillingness filled her eyes before she finally forced out one sentence after a long while. “I’m pregnant!” The moment those words fell, my pupils shrank hard, and the other end of the phone seemed to go silent for a long time. She lifted her chin and suddenly threw out another line. “But I’m planning to get rid of it, so let your wife give birth for you!” “She can’t give birth!” Ethan’s voice was terrifyingly cold. “Give birth to the child!” “Then what about my status?” Her eyes were bloodshot. “An illegitimate child?” “I’ll convince her and make her think the child is an orphan, and she’ll agree to adopt it, so she’ll raise this child for you.” Ethan’s tone was as calm as if he were discussing today’s weather. “You can also try to refuse me, and you can give it a try.” My heart sank to the bottom, because my uterus had been destroyed years ago when a female client of his, jealous of me while he was starting his business, drugged me. Back then, blood covered the floor, and I could never have children again. He held my hand, stabbed himself, and cried as he said, “Aria, I’m sorry.” After that, he used that client’s resources to close a contract and climb his way up step by step. When he became a powerful figure capable of turning the entire industry upside down, the first thing he did was ruin that female client until she lost everything and ended up on the streets. Back then, he knelt before me and cried like a child. “Aria, I got revenge for you!” I came back to myself and looked at the woman in front of me, who was a new actress in the entertainment industry, Chloe Bennett. She suddenly let out a cold laugh. “Then between your wife and me, who do you love most? It’s me, right?” “Love you?” Ethan gave a mocking laugh, as if he had heard some kind of joke. “If I loved you, would I not marry you? If I loved you, would I keep you outside like this? If I loved you, would I let you be the other woman?” “So you love your wife more?” Hatred churned in Chloe’s eyes, then quickly turned into a smile. “You’re generous with money and low-maintenance, so I don’t seem to have any reason to leave you, but believe it or not, I’ll make you fall in love with me.” “Do whatever you want, but don’t mess around until my child dies!” After Ethan said that, he hung up directly. I did not know how I said goodbye to my client, and I only returned to the villa Ethan and I shared in a daze. I picked up my phone and sent Ethan a message. “Ethan, do you love me?” He replied almost instantly. Ethan: [Just landed, and I brought my baby a gift, so of course I love you.] Below that were several blowing-kiss stickers, and the gift was the dress I had loved for a long time, the only one in the world, which had been bought by someone else at an auction. I endured the nausea in my heart and sent him another message. “You know I’m a descendant of witches, and before I went down the mountain with you, the clan leader placed a curse on me, so once I know you betrayed me, I will gradually forget every memory related to you.” 2 The next second after the message was sent, the door opened, and Ethan’s handsome face appeared before my eyes. He came over and hugged me, burying his head against the side of my neck. “Baby, I missed you so much.” “Ethan, do you love me?” I looked into his eyes and forced each word out of my throat. He pinched my cheek. “Who else would I love if not you?” “Then what about the other eight?” I looked at him and sneered. “You gave your love to me, so what are they supposed to do?” The air around us seemed to fall into dead silence, and after a long time, he finally lifted his head, the smile in his eyes vanishing instantly. “You know everything?” “Why?” I looked at him, unable to stop my tears from falling. He sat down calmly. “Because you’re old, and you’re no longer young, while men all like young women, so it’s that simple.” “When we got married, you said that if you betrayed me, I could kill you.” My whole body trembled uncontrollably. He stood up, picked up the fruit knife on the table, and calmly handed it to me. “You can stab me as many times as you want, until your anger is gone.” I took the fruit knife, but then it slid weakly from my hand. “Why, because I can’t get pregnant? You said you didn’t mind!” “I really don’t mind!” He reached out and carefully wiped away the tears at the corners of my eyes. “I said that as long as you betrayed me, I would leave you.” I looked at him, and both physically and emotionally, I would leave him. He curled his lips carelessly. “But baby, you’re not young anymore, and I’ve already had you so many times, so no one else will take over.” “Your parents are dead, your clan doesn’t want you, and only by staying with me can you avoid being all alone, so I’m not afraid you’ll leave, because you will definitely come back!” Listening to his words, I felt for the first time that the person before me was so unfamiliar. “But did you forget? I have a curse on me, and if you betray me, I will forget you!” “Then forget the fact that I cheated first!” He helped me up from the floor and covered me with a blanket. Over the years, taking care of me seemed to have become his habit, and he would not forget even when we fought. He rubbed my head. “You’re not a kid anymore, so don’t use that kind of children’s story to fool me!” “With them, I’m just chasing a moment of novelty, and absolutely no woman will ever threaten you!” He kissed my lips. “If any woman dares to come in front of you, I will abandon her without hesitation.” “Then will you abandon Chloe too?” I looked at him. “She’s carrying your child, right?” The smile on his face stopped, and then he stood up and looked down at me. “Are you interrogating me? You can’t give birth, so is it wrong for me to find someone else to have a child?” “Ethan, let’s get divorced.” I looked at him and forced out every word with difficulty. He crouched down, and his gaze turned gentle again. “The one I love is still you, and once I’m tired of playing, I’ll still come back.” “No one will wait for you in the same place!” I stared hard at him. His tone was unconcerned. “But you will, won’t you? Because you have nowhere else to go.” I did not want to look at him anymore, so I turned and left without looking back. That night, I felt my entire body turn frighteningly cold, and I desperately tried to hold on to some memories, but they were still ruthlessly pulled away. The next morning, when I got up, I kept feeling like I had forgotten something, but I could not remember what it was. I walked to the living room, and Ethan was in the kitchen making oatmeal for me, looking at me with a gentle gaze. “The divorce agreement is on the table.” “You want to divorce me?” My gaze froze, and I lifted my head to look at him with trembling eyes. “Why?” He lowered his eyes and looked at me with some amusement. “Forgot?” He nodded as if he understood, then picked up the divorce agreement. “I wasn’t planning to divorce anyway, and since you’ve given me a way out, I’ll take it.” After he said that, he tore up the agreement directly. I looked at him in shock, and he stepped forward, wrapped an arm around my waist, and kissed my lips. “I have something to do on our wedding anniversary today, so later I’ll have my best friend, Ryan, keep you company.” “Where are you going?” I grabbed him. He chuckled. “You know where I’m going, and I’ll make it up to you tomorrow, but today I have to go with her for a prenatal checkup.” I looked at him in confusion, wondering whose prenatal checkup he was going to accompany. 3 He chuckled softly. “See, yesterday you were the one making a fuss about divorce, and now you’re the one who can’t bear to let go, so stop acting up, because once you leave me, you’ll be the first one who can’t take it.” I did not know what he was talking about, and I only knew he called Ryan. “Yeah, we’re not divorcing again, and she’s pretending to have amnesia, so now that she gave me a way out, how could I not take it?” Ryan’s voice came from the other end of the phone. “That curse is just something to fool kids with, and even if she really forgot, I’m also a descendant of witches, so I can just undo it for her, right?” “I actually hope she really forgot!” Ethan placed the dessert in front of me. “Let her love me a little less for now, and when I’ve had enough fun and come back, she can remember me again, and I’ll have a little more freedom too.” Ryan teased him for dreaming too big, asking where in the world there was such a good thing that someone could forget whenever they wanted and remember whenever they wanted. Before Ethan left, he told the housekeeper to put less sugar in my food, because I did not like sweets. Looking at everything in front of me, I seemed to understand that I must have lost a section of my memory. But I would only gradually lose my memory when Ethan no longer loved me. So he had betrayed me. Just as I was thinking, the next second, Ryan pushed the door open and came in. “Aria, I brought you your favorite fruit wine.” I walked downstairs, and he looked at me, always good at reading people and choosing the words I liked to hear. “Back then, when you and Ethan were living under a bridge together, you worked three jobs by yourself for his startup, and whenever you were exhausted, you loved having a sip of fruit wine.” He poured me a glass. “It’s still the old flavor, and the owner of that fruit wine shop had already retired, but Ethan spent three hundred thousand dollars and forced the owner to teach him how to make it.” I took a sip and immediately choked from how harsh it was. “He didn’t retire, did he? His shop probably went bankrupt because he couldn’t sell this stuff!” “What did you say?” Ryan’s gaze suddenly froze, and his eyes widened. “Back then, this fruit wine was your favorite, and you said it could make you remember a lot of old things!” “Also, can you not make me sound like the female lead of some tragic drama?” I glared at him. “Ethan is so rich, so how could we have lived under a bridge before?” This time, his eyes widened even more, and they were full of shock. “You two had no money when you started the business, and Ethan only became rich ten years ago, and the first thing he did after making it was marry you!” “Ethan and I have only been married for five years, so where did ten years come from?” I looked at him and smiled lazily. “All right, I need to go to the hospital.” “No, that’s not right, this isn’t right!” Ryan stopped me. “Aria, you don’t remember.” I changed my shoes and said helplessly, “I remember, I remember everything, okay? I need to go to the hospital for a checkup.” After saying that, I ignored the panic in Ryan’s eyes, got up, and headed to the hospital. I had just gotten into the car when, the next second, my client Chloe sent me a set of photos, showing a man supporting her as she had a fetal checkup outside the maternity room. I was just about to congratulate her when, the next second, I realized those hands looked somewhat familiar. Chloe: [He said you’re like a dead fish in bed, and in the end, you’re old now, so he can’t even get hard when he sees your face.] Chloe: [I heard today is your wedding anniversary, so happy anniversary, but I’m borrowing your husband.] Looking at that message, the blood in my body turned bone-cold, and I ran to the hospital like a madwoman. When I saw that familiar figure, my heart went cold. “Then aren’t you afraid your wife will see this and divorce you?” Chloe nestled in his arms like a docile little wildcat. Ethan took the pen the nurse handed him and wrote his name in the father column. “We’ve been together for twenty years, and we’ve long been used to each other, so where could she go if she left me?” “You’ve loved each other for twenty years, so why did you betray her?” She tugged at his tie, her tone coy. Ethan pinched her face. “Haven’t you heard enough? She’s old, and her looks have faded, so I can’t feel desire when I look at her, but I won’t divorce her, because I still love her!” “Men really do want everything!” Chloe punched his chest lightly. “You want the bright freshness of a young woman, and you also want the long companionship of someone who has been through everything with you!” “So don’t show up in front of her, and that will be good for both of us!” Ethan lightly pecked her lips. Chloe pouted, and he opened his mouth to comfort her, but when he lifted his head, his gaze landed on me, and his expression suddenly froze. “Aria?” “I heard everything.” I looked at him as tears streamed down. “You have a child outside, you cheated with her, and you betrayed me.” Ethan walked toward me in panic and grabbed my hand. “Be good, don’t make a scene!” I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes and shook off his hand. “Ethan, let’s get divorced!” But to my surprise, he was not afraid and instead looked at me calmly with a cold face. “Is this fun?” “What?” I did not understand what he meant. He gradually closed in on me and forced me into the corner. “I’m asking you, is it fun to keep using divorce to threaten me?” He gripped my chin and forced me to lift my head and look up at him. “You’re not young anymore, so stop acting like a child looking for attention, asking me for a divorce today, then regretting it tomorrow and pretending to have amnesia.” “Ethan!” Ryan’s voice suddenly came from behind us, and he anxiously separated us, panting heavily. “Aria, something is wrong with her.” Ethan said nothing and motioned for him to continue. “Aria, she seems to have really forgotten—”

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My cousin, Tiffany, loved hooking up with random guys online and meeting them in person. When she got assaulted, I begged her to call the cops. She refused. When she got pregnant, I told her to get an abortion. She refused that too. But the moment the baby was born, she dumped the blame on me, telling everyone I was the one who slept around and had the baby. The rumors spread like wildfire. I was brutally cyberbullied, and even my own mother took Tiffany’s side. I wanted to get a DNA test, but Tiffany was terrified of being exposed. She pushed me straight off the balcony to silence me. My mother watched it happen, but she lied to the police. She told everyone I committed suicide out of shame. Tiffany got her happy family, and I paid for her lies with my life. Now, I’m back. Facing Tiffany again, I smile and encourage her to chase her “true love.” Let’s see who goes to hell this time. 0 “Chloe, what am I supposed to do?” Tiffany’s trembling, terrified voice rang in my ears. I stared at her. Her clothes were a complete mess, her face flushed with a feverish red. It took me a long time to finally snap out of it. I couldn’t believe it. I had actually gone back in time. I was reborn right at the beginning of everything. Tiffany is my uncle’s daughter—my cousin. She loved flirting with random guys on Snapchat. The second things got hot, she’d run off to meet them in person, completely reckless. She always preached that a physical connection was necessary if their “souls aligned.” But those guys were only there because of the thirsty pictures she posted on Instagram. Yet she insisted it was “destiny.” Whenever she giggled on FaceTime with them, saying things that would make a sailor blush, she’d roll her eyes and mock me. She called me boring and a prude, saying I didn’t know how to enjoy men. She believed girls should sleep around while they were young to experience “different kinds of love.” But if you play with fire, you get burned. At first, it was just guys catfishing her with fake pics, making her feel cheated. Then, she got groped and had her phone and purse stolen. And finally, she got assaulted. In my past life, when she told me what happened, crying and shaking, I was furious. I grabbed her hand to take her to the police station. But she freaked out, pulling back in terror. “No… no! We can’t call the cops…” I tried my best to convince her, but she desperately refused. She even told me it was just “kinky roleplay” between them. Since she was so stubborn, I let it go. Later, she got pregnant. I gently suggested an abortion, but she refused. I wanted to tell the family, but Tiffany literally got on her knees and begged me to wait until the baby was born. So, I kept my mouth shut. I obeyed my mom’s orders to take care of her throughout the pregnancy. But I never expected that once the baby was born and I finished helping her through her postpartum recovery, she would spin a completely different story. Except this time, I was the main character. Suddenly, I was the sl*t who hooked up with random guys online, slept around, and secretly had a baby. Rumors spread instantly. I tried so hard to explain, but no one believed me. Not even my own mother, Helen. She stood right next to Tiffany, glaring at me with pure disgust, calling me a disgrace. I was on the verge of a breakdown. I decided to take the baby for a DNA test, but Tiffany found out. Terrified of being exposed, she pushed me straight off the balcony to silence me. After I died, she took the baby. Everyone praised her for being so kind and responsible. And I was just a shameful girl who killed herself out of guilt. But now that I have a second chance, I’m going to make sure everyone sees who the real trash is. 0

Seeing no response from me, Tiffany rolled her eyes and snapped, “Chloe! Are you listening? What should I do?” In my past life, seeing her bruises and terrified face, I realized that guy had brutally abused her. That’s why I insisted on calling the cops. But she kept saying no. I thought she was just scared, so I kept pushing. Instead, she snapped, slapped me hard across the face, and shrieked: “Who do you think you are, Chloe?!” “I said it was roleplay! Are you deaf?” “A virgin like you has probably never even been touched, so you’re just jealous of my sex life!” Her so-called “roleplay” left her covered in nasty bruises. Now, I just looked at her calmly, my eyes full of mock confusion. “What do you mean, what should you do?” “Didn’t you say Marcus was your soulmate?” I swallowed my hatred, watching her panic. Before they met, she called him “babe” 24/7. He bought her designer bags, sent her flowers, and wired her money on PayPal on every holiday. I knew exactly what Tiffany was thinking. She wanted the luxury, but she didn’t want the pain. But you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Tiffany’s eyes darted around. She quickly denied it. “No, but he didn’t care about my consent…” “Then let’s call the cops!” I cut her off sharply. The moment I mentioned the police, her voice shrank. She stammered, avoiding my gaze, clearly refusing the idea. “Well… he’s actually really good to me…” To put it simply, this was the first time she’d met a guy so generous. At the end of the day, she couldn’t let go of the money. I raised an eyebrow, pretending to understand. “Right. He buys you bags and flowers.” “He treats you so well. You guys should definitely stay together.” “Just don’t involve me in your little kinks.” I smiled and turned to walk away, completely ignoring her pale face. You called it kink, right? Then I’ll make sure you enjoy it to the fullest. “Chloe! Chloe!” Tiffany screamed my name, but I pretended not to hear and walked out. Standing under the sunlight, I took a deep breath. For the first time, I felt truly alive. I immediately called a real estate agent and started looking for apartments that afternoon. When I graduated college, my friend and I got jobs at the same company. I originally wanted to rent a place with her near our office, but my mom, Helen, found out. She demanded that I move in with Tiffany. “You’re going to live with Tiffany so you can look after her.” “Be useful. I shouldn’t have to teach you how to do laundry and cook!” “Just make sure she’s fed, and iron her clothes…” Tiffany’s apartment was miles away from my office. The daily commute took me two hours. Not to mention, I had to wait on Tiffany hand and foot. Of course I hated it. Tiffany was older than me, yet I was responsible for her entire life. She acted like a spoiled princess, and I was her maid. When I refused, Helen threw a massive tantrum, crying and screaming, even threatening to show up at my company to embarrass me. I had to give in. I didn’t know I was stepping into an abyss. But in this life, I won’t make the same mistake. 0

I quickly picked an apartment, signed the lease, and paid the deposit. Right after I walked out, Helen called to scream at me. “Chloe! You think you’re so tough now, bullying Tiffany?!” “Go back right now and apologize to her, or you’ll regret it!” Helen’s voice was so loud it made my ears ring. Anyone listening would think she was Tiffany’s mother and I was some bully. This was my biological mother. She always blindly favored my uncle’s family. I couldn’t even count how much abuse and unfairness I had suffered because of her favoritism. When we were kids, whenever Helen cooked something delicious, it was always for Tiffany. I never got a single bite. Even when she took me out to buy clothes, she would always buy Tiffany a piece first. Once, because I talked back to Tiffany, Helen drove her home on her scooter and left me behind. I had to walk an hour to get home. My dad worked his butt off to make money, but Helen gave it all to her brother’s family. My dad fought with her constantly over this, and eventually, they got a divorce. But she never changed. I used to think she just wanted to help her brother, but that she still loved me. That’s why I always listened to her. But Helen never loved me. Not for a second. In my past life, because of Tiffany’s lies, I was trapped in a nightmare of rumors. I explained everything to Helen, but she chose to believe I was the one who got pregnant and caught an STD, rather than suspecting Tiffany. She even claimed I was mentally sick and trying to ruin “pure, innocent” Tiffany’s reputation. When I finally broke down and decided to get a DNA test, Helen immediately ran and told Tiffany. That’s why Tiffany pushed me off the balcony. As I fell, I saw someone standing behind Tiffany. It was Helen. She watched her niece push her own daughter to her death, and she didn’t say a single word to stop it. She even lied to the police, telling everyone I jumped because of shame. I had always thought she cared about me. After the divorce, she had begged me in tears not to leave with my dad, asking me to stay with her. Seeing her cry, my heart softened. But on the day I died, I finally understood. To her, keeping me was just keeping a free servant to help her support her brother’s family. On the phone, Helen was still screaming, threatening to disown me if I didn’t apologize. I glanced at the awkward agent sitting across from me and said coldly, “If you don’t have anything important to say, I’m hanging up.” I ended the call, cutting off her screeching. The world suddenly became peaceful. Right then, a text message popped up on my phone. [Hey sweetie, Dad wants to see you. How are you doing?] I stared at the screen, tears welling up. In my past life, he had come to find me after my graduation. He wanted to give me another choice, unable to watch me jump into Helen’s trap.

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“I’m sorry, but we received orders from above. You’ve been denied entry.” Brenda Sharpe, the border guard captain, gripped my suitcase with a death-grip. I stared at her coldly, then shifted my gaze to the man who had just been escorted onto the private VIP lane next to us. “On what grounds does he get to skip the line while I, with a valid permit, am being kicked out?” Brenda let out a mocking laugh. “On the grounds that he is Julian Sterling, the Alpha heir of the Moon Shadow Pack! He said an Omega like you doesn’t deserve to set foot on Moon Shadow territory. If he tells you to beat it, you beat it!” Before I could say another word, several werewolf guards grabbed me and dragged me out of the security lane. I watched as the heavy iron gates slammed shut. I almost laughed out loud at the absurdity. That arrogant heir was dying of Wolfsbane poisoning. And I was the top healer his family had spent the last three months begging on their knees to help. Today, I had finally agreed to come and save his life. Since they wanted me gone, fine. I wasn’t saving him anymore.

I dragged my suitcase out of the checkpoint lobby, one heavy step at a time. Behind me, Julian’s lazy, mocking voice echoed. “A filthy Omega thinks she belongs in my territory? What a joke.” I didn’t look back, but his words stung like a whip. I walked to the curb, pulled out my phone, and dialed the Moon Shadow Pack’s headquarters. The moment the call connected, a barrage of angry questions blasted through the speaker. “What is taking you so long?!” “The entry window closed ages ago! I checked the arrivals list, and your name isn’t even on it!” It was Beta Finch. His voice was dripping with arrogance and irritation. “The Moon Shadow Pack went through hell to hire you. We even wired you a massive deposit, and now you’re playing hard to get? Who do you think you are, keeping us waiting?” “If you weren’t somewhat decent with herbs, do you honestly think an Omega like you would ever have the privilege of meeting Julian?” I replied calmly, “If you want to know why I didn’t cross the border, go ask your precious heir, Julian. He personally ordered the guards to throw me out.” There was a dead silence on the other end of the line for two seconds. Then, Beta Finch’s voice grew even more hostile. “Listen to me, Evelyn. Julian’s poisoning is critical. If you don’t show up at the pack’s healing pool before sunset, you will face the full wrath of the Moon Shadow Pack!” “You took our money. If you try to back out now, I’ll make sure you’re blacklisted from every pack in North America!” *Click.* He hung up, leaving the dial tone buzzing in my ear.

My blood boiled. I dialed his number right back. The second he picked up, Finch roared, “What now? Get your ass over here!” “Don’t bother,” I said, my voice ice-cold. “I told you, Julian threw me out. Since he looks down on a ‘filthy Omega,’ I won’t waste my time saving his life. Let him die.” With that, I hung up. I opened my PayPal account, found the three-million-dollar deposit the Moon Shadow Pack had sent me, and refunded it instantly. I attached a four-word note: *Find someone else.* Three million dollars might be a fortune to others, but to me, it wasn’t worth my dignity. I then blocked every single contact number associated with the Moon Shadow Pack. I let out a cold sneer. *Julian, your life is officially over.* I hailed a cab and headed straight back to my clinic. This clinic wasn’t affiliated with any pack; it belonged directly to the Werewolf Elders Council. After graduating from the Academy, I had landed a position here thanks to my rare talent in herbal medicine. The moment I sat down at my desk, my phone started vibrating like crazy. I answered, and Director Harold Vance’s voice erupted like a volcano. “Evelyn Reed! What the hell did you do?!” “The Moon Shadow Pack just called me! They claim you caused a public disturbance at the checkpoint and even tried to assault Julian!” “The guard captain had to forcibly eject you to protect him! Instead of apologizing, you actually refunded their deposit?!” I froze, then burst into a bitter laugh. Brenda’s ability to twist the truth was truly a work of art. Julian was the one who kicked me out, yet in her report, I was the violent instigator. And the Moon Shadow Pack was stupid enough to believe her without even checking the security cameras. “Alpha Sterling himself called,” Harold yelled. “You are to go to their territory immediately, get on your knees, beg Julian for forgiveness, and start the treatment!” “If you refuse, you’re fired!” I didn’t even bother arguing. I pulled out a blank sheet of paper, quickly scribbled a resignation letter, and walked straight upstairs to the director’s office. I pushed the door open. Harold was still clutching his phone, looking flustered. *Smack!* I slammed the resignation letter right onto his mahogany desk. “You don’t have to fire me. I quit.” Harold stared at the paper, his eyes wide. “Are you insane? You think quitting will protect you from them?” I leaned over his desk, looking down at him. “Director Vance, I’m exhausted. I’m going to take a nice, long vacation.” “And if they want to blacklist me? Let them try.” I turned on my heel and walked out. “Stop right there! Evelyn! Get back here!” Harold’s useless, angry screams faded behind me as I left the building. By my calculations, the timing was perfect. Julian’s poisoning was being kept at bay solely by my specialized suppressants. Now that the medicine was gone, and he was out traveling in the wild borderlands… The poison should be kicking in right about now.

Back at my apartment, I turned off my phone, drew the curtains, and slept like a baby. The next morning, the moment I powered my phone on, it was flooded with missed calls from the Moon Shadow Pack. Suddenly, a local, unknown number called. I picked up, and the frantic voice of Brenda, the guard captain, came through. Her arrogant tone from yesterday was completely gone. “Evelyn Reed! Please, you have to come back! Julian collapsed at the border! He’s spitting up black blood!” “The border patrol has approved a VIP express pass for you! We have a private car waiting!” I scoffed. “A VIP pass? Didn’t Julian personally kick me out yesterday? What’s the matter? Now you’re begging me?” “Cut the crap!” she shrieked, still trying to boss me around. “The Moon Shadow Pack is threatening my job! If I get fired because of you, I’ll destroy you! Get over here right now!” I hung up and blocked her number. But less than thirty minutes later, a violent pounding shook my front door. *Thud! Thud! Thud!* Along with the banging came a sharp, toxic smell. “Evelyn Reed! You fraud! Get your ass out here!” I threw the door open. A bucket of thick, wet red paint was splashed all over my wooden door, dripping down the frame. Brenda stood there, flanked by several burly werewolf guards in border patrol uniforms, looking furious. The hallway was already crowded with nosy neighbors, whispering and pointing at me. “Oh my god, she looked like such a nice girl. Who knew she was a killer doctor?” “Exactly! They threw red paint at her door. She must have done something horrible!” Hearing the gossip, Brenda smirked, feeling empowered. “Look at her, everyone! This is the Omega!” “She took a patient’s money and then refused to treat him, leaving him to die!” “Now she’s hiding in her apartment like a coward! This criminal needs to be locked up!” She looked wild, pushed to the brink by the Moon Shadow Pack. She was clearly trying to make me the scapegoat to save her own skin. “You think you can hide? Even if I have to drag your corpse, you’re coming with us!” I stared at the red paint, ready to dial 911, when heavy footsteps echoed from the stairwell. Several large, black-suited werewolf bodyguards pushed the gossiping neighbors aside. Beta Finch walked up, looking down his nose at me. Brenda rushed to him like a loyal dog. “Beta Finch! Look, I found her! She won’t delay Julian’s treatment anymore!” Finch didn’t even spare her a glance. He walked straight up to me. “Evelyn Reed, I assume you’ve thrown your little tantrum?” He pulled out a black credit card, sliding it between his fingers. “Six million dollars. Double the original price.” “Pack your bags and come with me. The Moon Shadow Pack is willing to overlook your little stunt.” I didn’t even look at the card. Two words slipped past my lips. “Not interested.” “Don’t push your luck!” Finch’s face darkened instantly, his polite mask slipping off. “Do you really think you can mess with the Moon Shadow Pack?” He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper. “If you won’t come willingly, I will have you bound and dragged to the healing pool. We have plenty of ways to make you cooperate.” “For instance… I believe your mother, Margaret, is currently staying at the Grey Oak Sanatorium?” I froze. My blood ran cold. Those bastards actually tracked down my mother! “If you touch a single hair on her head, I will kill you,” I hissed, my eyes glaring with pure rage. “We will do whatever it takes to save our heir,” Finch sneered, completely smug. “Be smart, Evelyn. Pack your things.” “Otherwise, I guarantee your mother will be thrown out of that sanatorium and onto the freezing streets by noon!” The bodyguards stepped forward, grabbing my arms. Brenda giggled maliciously from the side. “Hear that? You thought you were so special. You really don’t know when to quit, do you?” Looking at their ugly faces, I suddenly laughed. Finch frowned, irritated. “What the hell are you laughing at?” “I’m laughing at how incredibly stupid you all are.” I stopped laughing and looked directly at Brenda. “You think I’m just refusing to save Julian?” “Even if I go right now, he’s a dead man.” Finch’s face went pale. He grabbed me by my collar. “What do you mean?!”

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