Author: Momo Chan

I was just leaving the clinic with my test results when my best friend, Leo, SnapChatted me: “Dude, I just saw your wife at the club. Called her name, but she completely ignored me. Just kept making out with some young hotshot.” My hands trembled as I tapped open the video Leo had sent. The bar pulsed with neon lights, and my wife, Chloe, was locked in a passionate kiss with a young guy, completely oblivious to everything else. From the side, he looked strikingly similar to me. But I knew, that wasn’t me. My heart twisted painfully. Just then, Leo’s call came through. “You and Chloe always had such a great relationship. They were kissing like crazy just now, tons of people cheering and screaming…” I forced a dry laugh, practically yelling into the phone, “Hahaha, jealous, man? I just left the club, didn’t get a chance to say hi. Next time, I’ll make it up to you! Gotta go!” I’ve always been proud and hated to lose face, so I lied to my friend. There I was, in a clinic, but I’d just lied and said I was at the club, pretending that man kissing Chloe was me. After hanging up, I clutched the hopeful medical report, slowly collapsing to the floor. I deeply loved Chloe. We’d been together since we were kids, starting our lives together in a small town and making our way to this bustling metropolis, building FusionTech Group from nothing. The company had just gone public last year. Now I had everything: career, love, luxury cars, a lavish villa… Our only regret was not having children. For years, due to my fertility issues, I’d endured immense pressure and undergone various painful treatments. Ten minutes ago, I’d seen a glimmer of hope for a cure; now, I learned Chloe was cheating on me. It felt like being ripped from heaven and plunged straight into hell. “No, there must be a misunderstanding.” I rushed home, intending to confront Chloe face-to-face. But I sat in the dark until deep into the night before Chloe finally arrived. “Why are the lights off?” Her clear, melodious mezzo-soprano voice cut through the silence. When she flicked on the crystal chandelier, the cascading light illuminated her pretty, slightly flushed face. Chloe was thirty-three, in the prime of her life, with a powerful aura. *Financial Times* had named her the “Most Beautiful CEO” in the tech industry. “Where were you?” I asked, my voice cold. Chloe walked over and sat beside me. “I was discussing a project, but Mr. Zhao insisted we go to a club…” “And you just went because he told you to? And at the club, you were…” Before I could finish, Chloe hugged me tightly. “I’ve been thinking about you all day, darling. I missed you so much, and I’m so upset.” Leaning into her familiar embrace, the bitterness in my heart nearly burst through my chest. “Don’t try to fool me with sweet talk!” Chloe choked out, “My sadness is real. We haven’t had children all this time, and my mom begged you on her knees, Julian, pleaded with you not to let our family line die out…” I choked. Because of my long-term infertility, Chloe’s mother, my mother-in-law Deborah, had grown increasingly critical of me. Just the day before yesterday, she’d even knelt before me, begging me not to waste her daughter’s life. I knew that incident had become a thorn in Chloe’s heart. So, was she just acting out of spite by flirting with another man today? I silently made excuses for Chloe in my mind. I didn’t dare confront her fully, not only because I loved her, but also because FusionTech Group was still on the rise, and a divorce would send our stock plummeting. I swallowed my hurt, letting Chloe hold me. “Darling, tomorrow is my mom’s 60th birthday. Please make a good impression and cheer her up,” Chloe said. I traced the medical report in my pocket and nodded. “Alright, I’ll announce some good news at Mom’s birthday dinner.” I thought, the biggest conflict between Chloe, her family, and me right now was the lack of children. If I announced the good news that I could be cured, all our problems would simply vanish, and Chloe’s heart would surely return completely to our family. However, that night, I received a message from Eleanor, the heiress of the Qin Corporation. “Your wife slept with my boyfriend. Come out, we need to talk.” ### Chapter 2 It was four in the morning, and the entire street was dark, but The Black Pearl restaurant had opened a private dining room just for us. Bright lights glowed from the window, soft classical music drifted from within, and elegant ballroom dancers swayed to the melody. I took a deep breath, putting on a composed smile as I walked in. “Ms. Eleanor, it’s an honor. Hearing about you is one thing, seeing you is another.” Eleanor’s captivating, almond-shaped eyes flicked towards me. “‘An honor’? What reputation do I have? A spoiled heiress, messing around, living a chaotic life?” Eleanor did have a terrible reputation. Outsiders said she was all looks and no brains, purely a prodigal socialite. She was currently making headlines with popular male celebrity Ryder. I continued with a hearty laugh, “Ms. Eleanor, your beauty is divine, it outshines every celebrity in Hollywood! Everyone in the city knows it!” “However, I think you might be mistaken about my wife’s relationship with your boyfriend. We merely… kissed after getting drunk at the club, so…” Eleanor sneered. “Julian, you truly won’t believe it until it slaps you in the face.” She dismissed everyone else from the room, then brought out a tablet and played a video. The video’s backdrop was a hotel lobby corner, where Chloe and Ryder were passionately kissing. “I love you, baby. I’ve been thinking about you so much I’m going crazy!” Chloe panted. Ryder, tall and handsome, held her close, his voice seductive. “But you’re already married.” Chloe didn’t hesitate. “My marriage has been a sham for ages. I have no feelings for him. If it weren’t for the company, I’d divorce him right now…” At that moment, that confession hit me like a ton of bricks. My composure, my dignity, my forced calm… all vanished. My face went pale, as if I’d aged ten years in an instant. It took a long time before I found my voice. “Why are you telling me this? What do you want from me?” I’m a businessman first, a man second. I know that in this world, everyone chases their own interests. Eleanor gazed into my eyes, speaking each word slowly and deliberately. “I want you to divorce Chloe.” “You want to bring down FusionTech Group?” “No, to be precise, I want FusionTech Group to split up.” Eleanor’s eyes were sharp and clear. “FusionTech is a comprehensive new energy group covering lithium batteries, energy storage, and hydrogen energy. It’s on the verge of dominating the industry.” “I need you and Chloe to separate the company. She’d take the lithium-ion battery sector, you’d lead the hydrogen energy division, and then we’d integrate it with Qin Corporation’s wind energy resources to build a closed-loop clean energy system.” My first reaction was to refuse. I didn’t trust Eleanor. Rather than partnering with her, a reckless socialite, I’d rather endure a cheating marriage to ensure FusionTech Group ran smoothly. Eleanor saw my hesitation and played her trump card. “One last warning for you, Julian—Chloe started transferring marital assets a long time ago. Check for yourself. She’s already bought eight villas for Ryder overseas.” ### Chapter 3 I didn’t sleep all night. When I arrived at the office in the morning, Chloe personally brought breakfast to my desk. “Darling, where were you last night? You look so pale, you must not have rested well.” Chloe’s eyes were full of concern that seemed genuine. My heart felt like it was breaking. I wanted to demand why she was cheating with Ryder. I wanted to flip the table, to splash coffee in her face, to smash the plate over her head… But I did nothing. I simply smiled faintly. “Thanks, sweetheart. Could you go to the morning meeting for me? I need to rest in my office.” Chloe gently agreed, then, as if by chance, brought up, “Oh, by the way, the PR department is waiting for us to finalize this year’s new energy vehicle spokesperson. I saw a celebrity named Ryder on our submitted list who seems quite good…” I instantly understood: she wanted to promote Ryder. “No, Ryder became famous through reality TV, he has no real acting credits. He doesn’t align with our brand image.” Chloe said, “Ryder is already excellent. When you were his age, you were still sleeping under bridges…” I couldn’t help but ask, “Do you think he’s better than me?” Chloe replied without thinking, “You can’t compare yourself to me. You’re older… No, what I mean is, I live off my looks, and you live off your brains. There’s no comparison.” I stared intently at the desktop, then let out a bitter laugh. “Women always prefer young and handsome men, don’t they?” Chloe quickly tried to amend, “I don’t know about other women, but I know I love you the most, always…” “Enough.” I interrupted. “It’s time for the meeting. You should head downstairs.” Our office was on the 22nd floor, and the meeting was in the large conference room on the 1st floor. Ten minutes after the meeting began, I secretly ordered the electrician to cut the elevator power, then led an IT expert into Chloe’s empty office. The IT expert spent a long time, finally hacking into Chloe’s computer system and pulling up recent financial data. I read for ten minutes, but it felt like walking alone in a blizzard for ten years, the cold seeping deep into my bones. Chloe had been transferring assets for over a year. She’d registered companies in the Cayman Islands, systematically transferring funds to the U.S., buying luxury cars and mansions there. I searched for those mansions online and saw the main photo showed Ryder, in a high-end suit, elegantly descending a grand staircase, looking every bit the man of the house. At that moment, I knew it was over. My fifteen years with Chloe, all of it, was over. When we were at our poorest, we’d share stale bread, live in a rundown shack with no roof, and huddle under a single raincoat, shivering in the pouring rain. To help Chloe start her business, I poured everything I had into it, even mortgaging our family home. To secure investments for Chloe, I’d drunk myself to stomach bleeding at countless business dinners. At countless employee meetings, Chloe had thanked me with tears in her eyes, saying she wouldn’t be where she was without me, and she swore to repay me with her life. In the end, her repayment was an affair. It felt like a thousand daggers were piercing my heart. I bit down on the back of my hand so hard it drew blood, refusing to shed a single tear. “Copy all the information, install monitoring software on her computer, then let’s go,” I calmly ordered. The IT expert glanced at my bleeding hand, then nervously did as he was told. The moment we restored Chloe’s office to its original state and closed the door, Chloe happened to come running up the stairs, her assistants panted behind her. “The elevator suddenly broke down, and they couldn’t fix it. I was worried you’d be scared alone on the 22nd floor, so I walked up.” Chloe strode towards me, her eyes overflowing with deep affection. The employees around us murmured appreciatively, “Ms. Chloe and Mr. Julian have such a good relationship! A model couple!” I just found it absurd, thinking Chloe was truly addicted to playing the role of the perfect wife. She didn’t love me, she probably wished she could divorce me immediately, yet in front of outsiders, she pretended to be utterly devoted. “Let’s go. Mom’s birthday dinner is about to start.” I dodged Chloe’s embrace, sweeping past her like a cool breeze. I decided not to divorce her yet, but to use Chloe’s infidelity as leverage to gain more control of FusionTech Group and become the new chairman. I was confident I could succeed, because I still held a trump card—the hope of being cured. As long as I could have offspring, Chloe would have to make concessions. We took the same Rolls-Royce to the banquet hall. On the way, Chloe poured me water, covered me with a blanket, and adjusted the air conditioning temperature, meticulously playing the good wife. I smiled in response, mentally rehearsing my plan for later. I’d unleash my trump card, present the evidence of Chloe’s affair, and hit her where it hurt, securing 60% of the company at her most vulnerable moment. But I never imagined I’d see Ryder in the back room of the birthday dinner. Ryder stood behind Deborah, his arm around her shoulders, a triumphant, arrogant smile plastered across his face. “Chloe and I will soon have a child of our own. We’ve already found a surrogate for IVF, and it *has* to be a boy!” ### Chapter 4 I was stunned. What shocked me most was that Chloe was having a baby with another man via surrogacy, behind my back? And even specified the child’s gender—it *had* to be a boy! For ten years, because of my infertility, we hadn’t had children. I’d asked her to get a full check-up too, but Chloe always put it off, citing work. Based on my condition, the doctors believed that while my chances of recovery were slim, it wasn’t impossible. To protect our relationship, I took all the blame, enduring arduous treatments. At this moment, Deborah’s face crinkled into a joyous smile. She patted Ryder’s arm warmly. “Such a good boy, handsome, and he’ll carry on our family line! I’m adopting you as my godson!” With that, Deborah slipped a family signet ring onto Ryder’s finger. “Good boy, come visit us often from now on.” Chloe and I had been married for ten years, and I knew how much my mother-in-law cherished that family signet ring. Normally, she’d only let me look at it, not even touch it. Now she was giving it directly to Ryder! Chloe also looked startled and rushed forward. “Mom, what are you doing? Julian is your son-in-law!” Deborah’s venomous old eyes sliced right through me. “A barren failure like you? Why haven’t you divorced her yet!” I gripped the briefcase containing my medical report, my eyes fixed on Chloe’s face. I wanted to know if Chloe was acting, deliberately orchestrating this “show” today, tacitly allowing Ryder to enter our family, letting her mother play the villain. Chloe’s beautiful face, however, showed nothing but utter helplessness. “I’m sorry, darling. I… I just mistook Ryder for you once when I was drunk… He looks so much like you, I swear I never wanted to divorce you…” “It seems you’ve already considered divorcing me.” At that moment, I understood that the advantage of my report was almost completely gone, because Chloe’s heart had already flown to Ryder. “Darling, please don’t be angry, I still love you…” Chloe tried to hug me. I pushed her away fiercely, my deep-set eyes burning with determined light. “Chloe, you’ve shown me no mercy, so don’t expect any from me!” I stormed out of the banquet hall, immediately arranging a meeting with Eleanor. On the way to the restaurant, my heart ached until it went numb. Memories flashed before my eyes like a carousel. I remembered twelve years ago, working the night shift at the factory. Chloe, worried I hadn’t eaten enough, would climb over the factory wall in the dead of winter to bring me hot sandwiches. Afraid the sandwiches would get cold, she’d tuck them into her clothes, burning a scar onto her chest. And another time, when I went south to open up a new market and got a high fever in the city. Chloe rushed back overnight, enduring the risk of infection to stay by my bedside, crying and saying she’d rather not make money than lose me. … As sweet as it once was, that’s how much it hurt now. I clutched my agonizing chest, biting my tongue until my mouth filled with the taste of blood. Still, I didn’t shed a single tear. My expression was stern as I met Eleanor. “Whose baby is it, the one Ryder and Chloe are having via surrogate?” I asked. Eleanor sprawled casually on the plush sofa opposite me. On anyone else, such a posture would seem frivolous, but Eleanor was so stunning that it had the alluring charm of a femme fatale from a painting. “Ryder’s had plenty of wealthy women bankroll him; it’s hard to tell.” Eleanor’s captivating eyes shimmered, and she watched me with a playful smile. “But Chloe is too proud to admit she’s been fooled, even if she knew. She’s convinced Ryder can give her a child. Julian, what are *you* going to do?” I’d expected Eleanor, having had her boyfriend stolen, to show some anger. But Eleanor was completely relaxed, continuing to tempt me. “Listen to me, spin off FusionTech Group’s hydrogen energy business, and merge it with my Qin Corporation’s wind energy business. We’ll conquer the new energy market together.” I calmly analyzed, “The outside world knows FusionTech Group and Qin Capital are rivals. If we suddenly partner, internally, I’ll struggle to reassure employees, and externally, I’ll struggle to convince clients.” Eleanor said, “It’s simple. You just have to marry me.” “What?!” I doubted my own hearing. Eleanor sat upright, leaning across the tea table to look directly into my eyes. She spoke seriously, “Our marriage is the best way to gain public trust.” ### Chapter 5 I lowered my gaze. “My physical condition… I might not be able to have children.” Eleanor’s expression froze for a moment. After a few seconds of hesitation, she said, “I don’t care. Technology is so advanced, there’s always a way. Even if not, it doesn’t matter.” I thought to myself that the whole Ryder and Chloe baby situation was likely a setup by Eleanor. Chloe would be raising Ryder’s child, so Eleanor didn’t mind that I might not have children. Rich people really know how to play games. I felt utterly disdainful and immediately refused Eleanor. “I’m not willing to marry you. Let’s not bring this up again.” Ever since Ryder appeared at the birthday dinner, Chloe no longer hid her affair; she openly used her capital to promote Ryder. She made Ryder the spokesperson for FusionTech Group’s new energy vehicles. At FusionTech Group’s sponsored annual supercar championship, Chloe attended with Ryder. By this time, the news that Chloe and I were divorcing had started to circulate in a small circle. The PR department advised Chloe to flaunt our affection more at the supercar race to quell negative rumors. However, Chloe seemed utterly consumed by her love for Ryder, completely ignoring me throughout and focusing only on pleasing him. In the VIP box, Ryder looked down at the entire race track, triumphantly telling me, “Chloe said that no matter which car I bet on today, she’d make sure it becomes the champion.” On the asphalt track of the racetrack, eight luxurious supercars were poised for action. After Ryder chose to bet on the sapphire blue Car No. 6, the announcement immediately blared: “FusionTech Group CEO, Ms. Chloe Evans, has placed a one hundred million dollar bet on Car No. 6!” The entire crowd erupted in an instant, because this was a blatant display of affection! Whichever car spokesperson Ryder bet on, the CEO would give that car a hundred-million-dollar bonus! Ryder instantly topped the trending topics. He excitedly turned to me, his face red, and challenged, “Which one are you betting on? Hmph, afraid to lose to me, are you?” I clutched my phone, my knuckles white with hatred. It was a SnapChat from Eleanor, just three simple words: “Choose No. 8.” In my anger, I briefly lost my mind, instinctively trusting Eleanor, and announced, “I’m betting on No. 8, and I’m also putting in a hundred million.” Ryder roared with laughter, leaning against Chloe, and sneered at me from above. “You’re definitely going to lose! Car No. 6’s driver was last year’s Asian Championship winner. Your chosen Car No. 8 has an unknown driver, probably some amateur just making up the numbers.” Just then, the track lights flared, engines roared, tearing through the air, and the eight race cars shot out like arrows. I held my breath, my eyes fixed on the bright pink Car No. 8, glancing at Chloe out of the corner of my eye. She wore a bespoke suit, looking sharp and elegant, pouring champagne for Ryder. I insisted on the divorce. During this time, Chloe and I had separated, each hiring legal teams to discuss asset division. Chloe was furious, transferring all her past affection for me to Ryder. I still hadn’t revealed the news that my condition could be cured. My heart was broken, and I was considering whether to abandon treatment and completely sever ties with the past. Mid-race, Car No. 6 and Car No. 8 took a clear lead, far ahead of the other cars. The two cars entered a turn side-by-side, sparks flying on the track. The crowd screamed and cheered. Ryder excitedly stood up, cheering for Car No. 6. I desperately hoped Car No. 6 would win. In a way, Car No. 6 and Car No. 8 represented Ryder and me. I stood unmoving, but my heart pounded, and I clenched my fists. The two cars battled into the final corner. Car No. 6 took a conservative defensive line, but Car No. 8 risked an outside line, drifting through the corner at full throttle like a pink lightning bolt. At the finish line, my heart rate shot to 180. I watched with my own eyes as Car No. 8 soared over the finish line, winning by a thrilling 0.18 seconds. The entire audience rose, cheering, and pointed their cameras at the driver’s seat of Car No. 8. The car door opened, and a slender, shapely leg, encased in a racing suit, stepped out first. A颯爽 figure stood up gracefully. She took off her helmet, a cascade of wine-red curly hair fell down, sweat glistening like shattered diamonds in the sunlight. She looked like a rose forged in fire, exuding an unstoppable, sharp edge. “Eleanor?!” My eyes widened in shock. I couldn’t believe Car No. 8’s driver was Eleanor. She looked up, her captivating eyes narrowing slightly, sweeping over the stands like a fleeting shadow. When she saw me, a smile suddenly bloomed on her face. Like a hunter spotting her prey. ### Chapter 6 The race used a points system, and Eleanor, driving Car No. 8, was currently in first place. If she maintained her lead in the next endurance race, she would win the championship and the 100 million dollar prize I had promised. I quietly went backstage, intending to encourage Eleanor to give her all and beat Car No. 6. But then I overheard Eleanor’s conversation with someone else in the lounge. “Ms. Eleanor, you have such interesting taste. I’m already a 32-year-old man, and you’re personally racing just to make me happy. This sport is life-threatening, you know…” Eleanor’s lazy voice drifted out, “Hmph, it’s just that his wife stole my boyfriend, so I was annoyed and wanted to return the favor with a ‘hat,’ that’s why I went to seduce Julian.” My hand, reaching to knock on the door, froze. It dropped slowly like a puppet with cut strings. So that was it… This world offered no redemption, only calculations. I immediately turned and left. It started to rain on my way back to the stands. I straightened my back, enduring the internal pain, maintaining a proud demeanor. Until I saw a familiar figure standing on the steps ahead. My gaze slowly traveled upwards, meeting Ryder’s triumphant eyes. “You don’t really think the No. 8 driver likes you, do you? You’re completely wrong! She’s my ex-girlfriend. She wanted to beat No. 6 to get *my* attention.” “As a man, you’re a total failure. Your wife likes me, and all the women around you prefer me…” I snorted. “Is being liked by women an honor? I don’t care about that; I only care about my career.” Ryder let out a short, derisive laugh. He leaned against Chloe, sneering at me from above. “You’re just saying sour grapes! Only ugly men get bogged down with dirty work and careers. Handsome men like me do nothing and get pampered by wealthy women.” At that moment, my disgust for Ryder reached its peak. “Enough. I have nothing to say to you.” I continued up the stairs. As I passed Ryder, I was suddenly elbowed in the chest by an unseen force. In the split second before I tumbled down the steps, I saw the malice in Ryder’s eyes. “Ah—!” My cry of pain was drowned out by Ryder’s shrill scream. Ryder sat down heavily on the ground, clutching his waist and groaning in pain. “Julian, why did you push me? It hurts so bad, my back hurts so much! Oh god, I just had surgery, nothing bad happened, did it…?” Chloe quickly arrived with bodyguards, her face etched with anxious concern. “Ryder, don’t be scared, I’m here.” Ryder, tears streaming, shrank into her embrace. “I don’t know what happened, Mr. Julian suddenly pushed me down the stairs. I didn’t provoke him, I just wanted to offer him an umbrella…” Chloe’s eyes blazed with fury, and she glared at me. “You’re despicable, Julian. You deliberately tried to hurt Ryder so I wouldn’t divorce you, didn’t you?” I was in too much pain to speak. I clutched my leg, feeling a piercing agony. It was probably broken. “I… my leg feels broken. Get me to a clinic…” My face was pale, and I hissed as I gasped for air. Chloe completely disbelieved me. “Stop faking it! You’re a grown man, how much could a fall hurt! I’m taking Ryder to the clinic now; I’ll deal with you when I get back!” She carefully helped Ryder up and, surrounded by bodyguards, swept away. The rain fell harder, drenching me completely. I painfully held onto the railing, trying to pull myself up, but the pain was too intense; I couldn’t find the strength. “Julian!” Eleanor’s voice pierced through the rain. “What happened to you? I’ll take you to the clinic…” Just then, the racetrack’s announcement blared: “The endurance race will begin in ten minutes. Drivers, please take your positions.” I shook my head, refusing Eleanor. “The race is about to start. I don’t want to affect your chances of winning. Go.” “Are you kidding? This is a matter of life and death!” Eleanor quickly called someone to help me into her race car, then swerved the wheel, speeding out of the track and onto the street amidst the astonished cries of thousands. ### Chapter 7 My right leg was fractured. I’d mentally prepared myself, but when I heard the diagnosis, my eyes still welled up. It had been a long time since I felt so vulnerable. I seemed to have lost the ability to cry out in pain, only silently licking my wounds in deserted corners. Eleanor stood by my hospital bed, fidgeting, sitting down and then standing up. She wanted to comfort me but didn’t know how to start. I turned my head away. “You can go. No need for this pretense. Go check on Ryder and that baby of yours.” After a few seconds of tense silence, Eleanor sighed. “The child Chloe and Ryder are having isn’t using my eggs. I have no interest in ruining my body for a filthy man like that. Believe it or not… my reputation for living a wild life was just a smokescreen.” I scoffed. “Spin it, keep spinning.” I didn’t trust Eleanor. Even though two hours earlier, Eleanor had abandoned her chance to win, sacrificing a hundred million dollars, to rush me to the clinic in the pouring rain, speeding down the highway, driving one-handed, the other hand tightly gripping mine, repeatedly telling me not to be scared. Now Eleanor’s face was serious. “I swear, if I lie a single word, I’ll die a miserable death.” “Julian, it’s my fault. I sought your cooperation before you truly understood me, so I understand why you don’t trust me now.” “You must have heard the rumors—that I’m the founder’s illegitimate daughter.” I remained silent. Eleanor continued, “My mother was my father, Mr. Qin’s, first wife. Later, Mr. Qin climbed the ladder by marrying Serena, a high-ranking official’s daughter, and abandoned my mom.” “Serena couldn’t tolerate us. She spread rumors that my mom was a mistress and I was illegitimate. When I was a child, my mom and I often suffered food poisoning. Later, my mom died in a car accident, and I barely survived…” Listening to her calm narration, I felt my heart pound. I couldn’t imagine what a perilous life Eleanor had led—her mother killed by a powerful stepmother, herself frequently subjected to “accidents.” “Serena was afraid I’d get involved in the Qin family business, so I had to pretend to be useless and uneducated.” Eleanor’s gaze was deep and clear, fixed on me. “So, can you understand me, Julian? I’m not a bad person. I need your help, very much.” Three months later, I returned to FusionTech Group. I had fully recovered, back in peak condition. A dark brown suit highlighted my tall frame, exuding a dashing and sharp demeanor. The marble corridor leading to FusionTech Group’s main conference room echoed with the steady sound of my dress shoes. I smiled calmly, nodding to everyone. Everyone stood solemnly at attention, watching me walk to the table opposite Chloe. Chloe gazed at my healthy-looking face, still trying to salvage things. “Why must we divorce? Julian, as long as you promise not to hurt Ryder again, I can still make room for you.” I acted as if I hadn’t heard, turning to let my lawyer lead the meeting. The lawyer unrolled the agreement and read, “…After multiple rounds of negotiation, Ms. Chloe Evans, CEO, retains the Group’s core lithium battery and new energy vehicle businesses.” “Mr. Julian Evans, Vice President, receives the hydrogen energy division, the energy storage research institute, and 28 core patents.” “Both parties share the right to use the FusionTech Group brand until the end of the year, with new brands to be established by each party starting January 1st next year…” Before the lawyer finished, I immediately raised an objection. “Starting tomorrow, the hydrogen energy division I lead will no longer operate under the FusionTech Group brand. Chloe can have exclusive use of this billion-dollar brand. In return, I want her to make concessions on our marital assets.” I ruthlessly seized Chloe’s dozens of villas, both domestic and overseas. Chloe didn’t hesitate much before nodding in agreement. She didn’t want the scandal of marital infidelity to get too big, and more importantly, she believed I had suffered a huge loss in the division of FusionTech Group. Over the past six months, FusionTech Group’s hydrogen energy business had been deteriorating, with very poor returns. My decision to spin off the hydrogen energy business seemed like a thankless task. We negotiated from 8 AM to 3 PM, finally settling the asset division of our 10-year marriage. “Perfect timing.” I smiled faintly. “I booked our divorce appointment at the registry office for 4 PM this afternoon. We can go now.” Chloe was surprised. “So urgent? Today… is my birthday.” My smile deepened. “I know. That’s why, besides the divorce certificate, I’ve prepared a few other important birthday gifts for you.” ### Chapter 8 At 5 PM, Chloe and I walked down the steps of the registry office. Chloe suddenly said, “Your right leg trembles when you walk downstairs. Why?” I paused, then gave a self-mocking smile. Why? It was because of that fall three months ago! Ryder had pushed me, sending me tumbling down the stairs, resulting in a fractured right leg. The pain was bone-deep. Physical wounds heal easily, but emotional ones are harder to mend. Since then, walking downstairs had become somewhat difficult for me. I hadn’t expected Chloe to notice such a detail. “The answer is in this folder.” I pulled a brown envelope from my briefcase and handed it to Chloe. “This is your birthday gift. Open it only after you see Ryder.” With those words, I turned and walked away, my figure tall and straight under the pink and golden sunset. My heart still ached from the betrayal, the false accusations, the disappointment… Those pains clung to my bones like moss in the incessant rain. I didn’t know how long it would take to fully emerge from the shadows. But tonight, I would make Chloe experience overwhelming despair. Chloe silently watched my retreating back, feeling a profound loneliness. Once inside the Rolls-Royce, her assistant enthusiastically described the evening’s plans. “Mr. Ryder personally made a cake for you… He booked a yacht, invited over a hundred VIPs, and there will be a fireworks show…” Chloe found it utterly tasteless. “Enough. I want to rest my eyes now. Leave me.” The assistant immediately fell silent, but then, as Chloe closed her eyes, he suddenly exclaimed, “Ms. Chloe, quickly, look at the trending topics!” Chloe angrily opened her eyes, about to reprimand the assistant, but then she saw the top trending topic: #RyderSeenWithDirectorAndProducerAtNight# Tapping on the trending topic revealed a video with a timeline. Seven months ago, Ryder was filming a romance drama. In the middle of the night, he was seen flirting with the female director outside a hotel, entering a room arm-in-arm. At 3 AM, the female producer also covertly entered the same room. Chloe instantly erupted in fury. She immediately contacted her connections to have the trending topic removed, then rushed home to confront Ryder. “How many women have you been involved with?!” Ryder burst into tears, clinging to Chloe’s leg and wailing, “Those videos are fake! Someone’s deliberately slandering me, trying to ruin our relationship, you have to believe me, Ms. Chloe!” Ten minutes earlier, Chloe had already sent professionals to verify the videos, confirming they weren’t doctored. She recoiled in disgust. “I just want you to tell me the truth. Seven months ago, how many women were you… involved with?” Ryder shook his head frantically. “Only you, I swear, only you! Ms. Chloe, you’re so captivating, how could I look at anyone else…” “Enough!” Chloe didn’t want to hear Ryder’s lies anymore. She coldly instructed her assistant, “Immediately investigate that surrogacy agency. I need to know the DNA source of that embryo!” Ryder shrieked, “No! Ms. Chloe, you can’t do this to me! I can’t give you a child, but *we* can!” Mentioning me, Chloe remembered the birthday gift in the brown envelope. I had told her to open it only after seeing Ryder. Chloe hadn’t been interested in the gift at all, but because I had given it to her, she impatiently tore open the envelope. Two sheets of paper fluttered out. She picked them up, and after seeing the contents of the first sheet, her mind felt like it had been struck by a meteor. It was my medical report, which clearly stated that after long-term treatment, my fertility had a significant chance of returning to normal. Chloe clutched the paper, staring at it in disbelief, checking it again and again, confirming it was real—I could have had my own child. ### Chapter 9 Chloe’s hands trembled as she knelt, fumbling for the other piece of paper. After seeing its contents, her heart plummeted into hell. A bone fracture diagnosis. It was dated three months ago, after that supercar championship, when I had fractured my right leg from a fall down the stairs. In a flash of realization, Chloe understood everything. That day, it was raining. Ryder was sitting at the bottom of the stairs, screaming that I had pushed him. At the time, Chloe was only concerned with taking Ryder to the clinic, not noticing that I, too, was on the ground, my face utterly pale. When I said my leg felt broken, Chloe scoffed, instinctively believing I was lying. Because I was a man, she assumed I should be strong, not so fragile. Now she finally realized what she had missed. She had been anxious about not having children at thirty-three. When she heard Ryder could fulfill her wish, she immediately put him on a pedestal. She knew this would undoubtedly hurt me, but she couldn’t care less; she yearned for a child too desperately. So desperately that she was completely blind, only focused on pampering a philandering young man, losing the man who could have spent his life with her and given them a child who was truly ours. Chloe clutched the two papers tighter and tighter, her fingers piercing through the sheets. She knelt on the floor, letting out a low growl. “Julian—!” “Don’t leave… Don’t go…” Past memories flooded her mind like scattered snowflakes. Their childhood sweethearts days, laughing as they rode bicycles by the sea, working overtime in a scorching factory without AC, crying in each other’s arms after their first business failed… Chloe was drowned in an overwhelming wave of regret. She frantically searched for her phone, yelling at her stunned assistant standing at the door, “Where’s my phone? Call Julian immediately! I need to find him! He’ll understand my difficulties…” The assistant stammered, “Um, but… it’s too late.” “What ‘but’? What’s ‘too late’? I need to see Julian now!” Chloe’s eyes were bloodshot. The assistant recoiled in fear. “You… You should really look at the top trending topic now.” Chloe sneered. “Isn’t it just Ryder’s affair? I already had it taken down.” “Ms. Chloe, after you removed that trending topic, another one immediately soared to the top—‘VastReach Energy Tech Vice President Julian Evans is engaged to Qin Capital Heiress Eleanor Qin!’” ### Chapter 10 I had planned for a low-key second wedding. But Eleanor insisted on a grand affair.

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The seventh day after I was driven to my death by Seraphina’s childhood best friend, she was filled with regret. Everyone praised her unwavering devotion to me. Only I knew that, in this new life, she still let her childhood friend, Damian, replace me as the Principal Musician, a spot I’d fought so hard to earn. “Asher, just wait a little longer. Next time we’re reborn, I’ll make it up to you, okay?” I shook my head, a small smile playing on my lips. “No need.” Later, the imperious CEO Seraphina came to me, her eyes red-rimmed, begging. “Damian and I are over. Asher, can you just look at me one more time?” I still smiled. “No need.” Did just a sliver of the truth drive her to madness? My revenge was only just beginning. … It was deep winter, a time for warm hearths and falling snow. I quietly snuck into the locked Performing Arts Academy, intent on retrieving a mysterious box. From the dressing room, hurried gasps and low moans drifted out—an unsettling sound. Through the slightly ajar window, I saw a sight that would haunt me for two lifetimes! Seraphina and her childhood friend, Damian, were entwined, impossibly close. The sickening sound of their lips grinding and saliva mixing sent shivers of ice through me. But what truly killed any last hope I held was Seraphina’s next words. “I do like Asher, but what I like more is seeing him lose hope again and again, then painstakingly pull himself back together, only to come crawling back to me.” “Don’t worry. In the last life, even though I knew you were always there for me, even closer than Asher, I still stayed in that miserable ten-year marriage with him.” “This time around, all it takes is a small gesture from me, and he’ll come running, desperate.” In that moment, it felt like a truckload of cement poured into my heart, instantly solidifying. My most beloved and I were reborn together in 1987. But even after rebirth, she still betrayed me. She even accelerated her change of heart, moving it from the second year of our marriage to *before* we were even wed. Clutching the long, dark box, I stumbled down the brutally cold street, like a zombie, one foot dragging after the other. Suddenly, a warm, spring-like voice crackled from a loudspeaker. “This is Seraphina, wishing all my colleagues at the Performing Arts Academy a happy Winter Solstice!” That familiar voice pulled my thoughts back ten years, drifting like the falling snow. My mother adopted the orphaned child of a family friend who passed away suddenly, and from then on, I became the most overlooked person in our home. My mother slapped me across the face so hard my ears rang, all because my flute interrupted my brothers’ piano practice. As I waded into the freezing river, step by step, sinking deeper into despair… Someone walked into my life. On a snowy night, the elegant and aloof Seraphina gently extended her hand to me. “Hey there, what’s wrong? Why are you crying so hard?” A child starved of love at home would give their whole heart for even a scrap of kindness from outside. And Seraphina offered not just a scrap, but ten whole years of care. Back in a time when mental health wasn’t widely understood, and people often dismissed depression as “all in your head,” she believed me implicitly. For ten years, she held me close, nurturing me like a precious light, saving me from the darkness. She chose not to inherit her family’s empire, instead taking an external consulting position, just to stay with me in Riverwood. How could I not love her to my very bones? Later, Seraphina started her own company and her heart changed. My depression relapsed, but I clung to the memories of those ten years when she truly cared. She was still my last lifeline, the only thing a drowning man could grab onto. That’s why, when Damian, her childhood friend, intruded on our marriage and ultimately drove me to my death, I was devastated. Seeing her filled with regret, leaving behind two letters, still pierced my heart. *“Seraphina’s only wish in this life is this:* *To sleep by my beloved husband’s side in life, and rest in the same grave in death.* *Through all lives, never again to betray his longing heart.”* I wanted to kill the manipulative CEO Seraphina, not *my* Seraphina. But as CEO Seraphina died, she transformed back into my Seraphina. My Seraphina died. The world praised her, saying a changed woman was worth more than gold. Even as a soul, I thought Seraphina had truly repented, and I gave her a chance to be reborn. Now, I realized how foolish I had been. The new beginning I fought for with my very life only gave her another chance to hurt me! “Meow~” A cat’s cry pulled me back to reality. The Academy’s cats were spoiled; they knew they had a home, that someone would look for them if they got lost, so they often wandered off. But I had no such luck. The person who would search for me in this world, who would wipe away the rain and tears, was gone. Arriving at the performance hall, I immediately spotted the notice that Damian had been temporarily swapped in as the Principal Musician, all under the pitying, sympathetic gazes of the crowd. Seraphina had transferred me here three days ago. The moment I arrived at the Academy, she tried to claim my private practice room. At that time, I had just been reborn and didn’t yet know that Seraphina would betray me again in this life. Filled with hope, I argued my case, refusing to back down. I firmly believed that with her memories of the past life, she would surely ensure fairness for me. But in the end, it was I who lost the practice room and remained silently crushed. Now, the dream was over. Looking at Damian, dressed in his performance attire, his words gentle but his expression overtly provocative, I no longer felt the same old resentment. “Asher, I really didn’t want this, but Seraphina is the Conductor-in-Chief. I couldn’t refuse her.” He saw Seraphina rushing towards us from behind the curtain. “—If you want to hit someone, hit me!” He actually grabbed my hand and slapped himself across the face! **Chapter 2** “SMACK!” The loud slap and Seraphina’s frantic figure arrived simultaneously. Before I could even react, Seraphina was already dotingly helping the seemingly wronged Damian, her anger immediately directed at me. “Asher, why are you still holding a grudge over that practice room?!” “You knew I was leading the performance, yet you injured my face. Your mindset is truly despicable!” “Or is it because I temporarily replaced you as Principal, and you’re taking it out on Damian?” Staring at Seraphina’s taut face, a chill ran through my entire body. She knew I had a deep-seated trauma from being slapped, that I would tremble uncontrollably if I even saw someone get slapped on the street. Yet, she believed him. “I didn’t hit him!” “If you didn’t hit him, did Damian slap himself?” I nodded honestly, “Exactly.” She scoffed, as if I’d told the funniest joke. “Asher, you really just make up lies on the spot, don’t you?” In that moment, my silence was deafening. Seraphina and my wedding was set for next month. Now, Seraphina was defending Damian in front of everyone, addressing me, her fiancé, by my full name, while treating Damian with such concern. How ridiculous. Damian feigned generosity, trying to mediate. “Seraphina, forget it. Let’s not bother with Asher. The performance is more important.” They protected each other, as if *they* were the ones getting married. It made me feel like an out-of-place outsider. Seraphina simply wouldn’t believe my explanation. She supported Damian, her eyes sharpening, her brows furrowed. “I’m all alone, with no one to rely on. Why won’t you just leave me alone?!” “If this happens again, I absolutely won’t forgive you!” Some grievances felt like slaps, rendering me speechless. When had I ever said I wanted to make things difficult for Damian? From beginning to end, I hadn’t even blamed her. In the past, whenever I saw Seraphina favoring Damian, my heart would ache. I couldn’t understand how the Seraphina who doted on me so much could change her heart so suddenly. But after two lifetimes, I suddenly felt a sense of relief. Instead of forcing things, it was better to cut my losses. “It won’t happen again. There won’t be a next time.” “Seraphina, for our wedding next month, I’ll prepare a huge surprise for you.” A grand surprise that would expose the affair between the bride and her lover, condemning her to a pillar of shame in this conservative era, crucified a thousand times over! Seeing my cold expression, and no argument despite her favoritism, Seraphina felt a strange discomfort. But then she reassured herself that I was still the same, always trying to please her out of fear of losing her. The small incident didn’t delay the performance. However, as soon as the ensemble began, I suddenly felt an intense itch all over. Realizing my hives were flaring up, I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to endure and finish the piece. But the moment I stepped off stage, Damian immediately pulled Seraphina aside to complain, claiming I deliberately sabotaged him. “Asher, I know you don’t like me, but how could you be so distracted during such an important performance, making so many mistakes?” He had the nerve to play the victim! If it weren’t for the hives making my playing unsteady and almost ruining the entire performance, why would I risk looking like an amateur in front of so many professional musicians? I rolled up my sleeve, revealing the shocking red rashes on my arm, and defended myself, word by word. “Someone tampered with my performance attire beforehand.” “This person would have to know in advance that the principal position would change, and also know I’m allergic to pollen.” I stepped closer to Damian. I watched as he grew anxious and flustered under my gaze, about to expose himself. But Seraphina, as if blind, pulled Damian behind her, shielding him tightly. She quickly issued a warning to me. “A dirty mind sees dirt everywhere.” “You obviously didn’t take care of your own performance attire. Why are you trying to pin the blame on Damian?” Disappointment felt like a gulp of cold water, chilling me from my stomach to my core. I thought my heart was numb, yet it still twinged slightly at Seraphina’s baseless favoritism. I swallowed a mouthful of bitterness, lowering my gaze, knowing there was no point in explaining further. Damian, however, chose that moment to put a hand on my shoulder, playing the role of the good guy. “Asher, don’t make a scene here and embarrass Seraphina.” **Chapter 3** Seeing Seraphina say nothing, Damian grew bolder. “You can hit me or scold me, but please don’t joke around with Seraphina’s future.” “If you truly care about Seraphina, you should quickly apologize and write a ten or twenty-thousand-word self-criticism to show your sincerity.” “Damian’s right!” Seraphina crossed her arms, turning away in a huff, waiting for me to apologize to her publicly. But this time, she was destined to be disappointed. I shook off Damian’s hand, giving him a cold, mocking glance. “I did nothing wrong. Why should I apologize? You’re the one who should apologize.” The moment the words left my lips, the atmosphere grew tense. Seraphina pursed her lips, her eyes cold. Because I didn’t want to lose the only lifeline that could save me, in the past, whenever she was unhappy, I would immediately apologize and fawn over her, stumbling over myself. To beg her forgiveness, I once waited for her all night outside her door, braving a heavy snowstorm. But each time I sacrificed my dignity, all I received was Seraphina’s increasingly blatant disregard. Until, finally, the love I’d begged for became precarious, leading to my tragic death on the street. So in this life, I wanted none of it. None at all. Damian flinched when I pushed him, frowning as if in pain. “I didn’t realize Asher was so strong for someone so quiet.” As Seraphina looked over with a worried gaze, Damian quickly adopted a wronged, yet magnanimous expression. “It’s fine if Asher hits or scolds me, as long as he calms down, and it doesn’t affect Seraphina.” Those words pierced Seraphina’s heart. Her face darkened several shades. She abruptly grabbed my wrist, pulling me, stumbling, in front of her. “Go to the isolation room and reflect on your actions.” “Don’t come out until you’ve written a twenty-thousand-word self-criticism.” I huddled alone in the freezing isolation room, gazing at the solitary moon. When I was little, if I ever upset my younger brothers, I’d be met with slaps and confined to a dark, endless room. Seraphina once held my hand, telling me with grave sincerity, “Asher, as long as I’m here, no one will ever lock you in a dark room again.” Her promise still echoed in my ears. But the very person who had sworn that oath was now the one pushing me into the darkness. I raised a hand to my face, only to realize, at some point, tears were streaming down my cheeks. I didn’t want to cry. But when my depression flared up, I couldn’t control myself. My body was numb, my mind cold. The only sensation was like slowly, slowly sinking into a cold, buoyant-less pool of stagnant water, my limbs growing heavier, water rising over my mouth and nose, making it hard to breathe, my head feeling like it would explode… But, I was powerless to resist. Just as I, having lost my last lifeline, was about to drown in the boundless abyss of depression, a clear “ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling—” chimed like a saving grace. I looked up. In the interplay of light and shadow, I saw another me, resilient and brave. Reaching out, she pulled me from the darkness, telling me, “Keep moving forward, don’t look back.” The next day, the entire Academy buzzed with talk of Conductor Seraphina’s impartiality, refusing to excuse even her fiancé’s mistakes, making her a true role model. My good friend, Leo, who came to visit me at the infirmary, angrily protested on my behalf. “When I found you this morning, your body was half-frozen!” “She almost killed you, and you’re still so foolish, asking me to spread word of her noble image!” I heard the inspection team was coming soon. Of course, I had to solidify Seraphina’s reputation for integrity before they arrived. Soon after, Seraphina arrived at the infirmary with a bowl of plain porridge. Her tall, slender figure stood by the bed, her eyes dismissive. “You’re quite the actor, faking illness all the way to the infirmary.” I knew Seraphina was waiting. Waiting for me to cry and beg for her forgiveness. Suddenly, my past self seemed so pathetic and laughable, so ignorant as to place my hope for life in one woman. With pale lips, I offered her a faint smile. I didn’t defend myself, only feigned a bit of weakness. “Seraphina, I’m just so scared of losing you.” “Scared you’ll cancel next month’s wedding and marry Damian instead. I felt so desperate, so I—” I lowered my gaze, tears welling up and spilling over. **Chapter 4** In the past, when I felt wronged, I would take advantage of Seraphina’s former affection, causing a huge fuss. Then, I would cautiously try to appease her, begging for her understanding, utterly humble. I would never express my love so directly, so passionately. Seraphina pursed her lips, too embarrassed to reprimand me further, but deep down, she felt a subtle unease at my unpredictable behavior. She instinctively reached for my hand as I got out of bed, but I subtly evaded her touch. I had endured the hardest times on my own; from now on, she was no longer a necessity for me. Seraphina’s face stiffened slightly. She felt as if something incredibly important was slowly, piece by piece, being pulled away. “If you’re truly repentant, the first thing you’ll do after you’re discharged is apologize to a shaken Damian.” I pursed my lips, saying nothing. Perhaps feeling her tone was too harsh, Seraphina softened her voice. “If you behave well from now on, maybe, if I’m in a good mood, I’ll consider taking you to Capitol City.” To go to the Capitol City Conservatory was nothing short of a massive career boost. In the past, I would have been eternally grateful for her charity. But now, looking at that perpetually superior, arrogant face, I just wanted to laugh. Thanks to information from my previous life, Seraphina was scheduled to be officially transferred to be Director of the Capitol City Conservatory next month. But taking family members along was always part of the organization’s arrangement. How did it become *her* charity when it came to me? She must have originally intended to bring Damian. After a day of rest, I went to Director Davies’ office. He was quite surprised to hear I wanted a letter of recommendation to study with Maestro Silas, the master flutist. And that I wanted to sign up for next year’s adult college entrance exams. “If you pass, you’d be living far from Conductor Seraphina, you know.” I nodded bitterly, forcing a self-deprecating smile amidst Director Davies’ sighs of resignation. My public praise of Seraphina might fool others, but not Director Davies, who had watched me grow up. “I just want to be as far away from her as possible. Preferably never see her again.” The words had barely left my mouth when the door was pushed open. Seraphina walked in, her face anxious. “Asher, you’re leaving me?” She clasped my hand, nervously pursing her lips. My heart jolted. I took half a step back, creating a subtle distance between us. “I was just saying that since we’re moving to Capitol City soon, I feel a little sentimental.” Seeing she still looked doubtful, I winked playfully, though I didn’t truly meet her gaze. “You’re the only one who can pull me out of my depression. How could I live without you?” The reason was strong enough; Seraphina had no reason not to believe me. But the faint, unreadable smile on my lips suddenly made her feel utterly unfamiliar. She frowned, letting out an annoyed sigh. “As long as you understand.” Then, she also asked Director Davies for a letter of recommendation for the flute master. “With Damian’s talent, being here at the Academy is truly beneath him.” “I heard Maestro Silas is looking for a talented successor. Damian is the perfect candidate!” Director Davies frowned, reminding her. “But don’t you remember? Asher also plays the flute.” And not just that, he was Maestro Silas’s chosen successor ten years ago. Seraphina froze, as if just remembering this fact. She glanced at me with some difficulty. “It’s fine, Director. Asher can wait. And I’m not that talented; I wouldn’t achieve anything even if I went.” “Damian is different. He’s suffered a lot over the years, and now he finally has an opportunity; he absolutely cannot miss it.” To lend credence to her words, Seraphina pretended to respectfully ask for my opinion. “Asher, you can wait, right?” Under the table, she elbowed me. Director Davies saw everything, shaking his head resignedly. He seemed to understand why my attitude had been so firm just now. My face pale, I simply “hmm-ed” and left the room first. I didn’t see Seraphina reaching out to grab my hand. The person who used to cling to her desperately, who wanted to hold her hand even to the bathroom. Now just walked away without a word. Seraphina awkwardly dropped her hand, suspended in mid-air, feeling a sense of disbelief. Her gaze, complicated, fixated on my straight back. She suddenly realized that I had been unnervingly well-behaved lately. So, at dinner, Seraphina actually pushed a plate of my favorite braised beef in front of me. She said, somewhat awkwardly, that she had specially bought it for me. Everyone around us started teasing. “Spending a week’s salary on beef? Conductor Seraphina sure dotes on her fiancé!” **Chapter 5** I didn’t refuse. Under her expectant gaze, I devoured the dish with gusto. Looking up, I saw a flicker of disappointment cross her face, just as I expected. I pretended not to understand her sadness, that it was because I hadn’t, as usual, shared the meat with her. I picked up my bowl and, in one go, drank every last drop of the soup. As she stared at me with a bewildered expression, I curled my lips into a calm smile and said thank you. Then, I stood up and left. Leaving a dumbfounded Seraphina to stew in the cold. Over the next few days, Seraphina suddenly took Damian on a business trip to Riverbend. Rumors spread that the two had gone on a romantic getaway. I remained unaffected, practicing my flute during the day and reading by lamplight late into the night. A few days later, someone slipped a small note into my locker. It asked me to meet in the back hills tonight at 8:30 PM. The note was signed by Seraphina, and the handwriting looked somewhat like hers. But Seraphina was proud. She could just crook her finger, and I would come. Why would she bother putting in such effort now? Despite my doubts, I still went. Just as I expected, Damian saw me approach and made a shushing gesture. A moment later, hiding in the shadows, I saw Seraphina excitedly jogging over, holding two small books. It was just like in our ten years of mutual torment in the previous life; Seraphina would always call Damian’s name, running to *me* each time. This time was no exception. She threw herself into Damian’s arms, waving the red marriage certificates excitedly. “Damian, we finally got married!” *Got. Married!* Those two words pierced my heart like two hard arrows. Who would have thought that barely half an hour ago, Seraphina had been eagerly discussing our wedding with me! She used her external position to rush into getting married with Damian. It was then I realized: she didn’t *not* want to get married; she just didn’t want to get married *to me*. After I was reborn, I had told Seraphina. If she didn’t want to marry me, she should tell me immediately, and I would respect her choice. But while she strung along my devotion, she was already secretly despising me. A person shouldn’t, at the very least, hurt the same person so shamelessly across two lifetimes! Damian, as if declaring his ownership, kept provoking me. He spoke of how intimate Seraphina and I were in bed, how I left her wanting more. “Seraphina, tell me, who do you like better, Asher or me?” Seraphina’s voice was laced with pure lust as she was teased. “Of course, *you’re* better at teasing, little brother.” “Asher is just a clueless block of wood, so rigid, always insisting we wait until after the wedding.” Words like these were sharp hooks. Each one burrowed into my heart, tearing me open and leaving me bleeding. I never dreamed that Seraphina’s reason for changing her heart was *this*! But it was also *her* who had sworn, kissing my hand, that we would only think of such things on our wedding night. She said we would remain pure together. She said we would save our first time for our wedding night. How could this be? When I discovered their affair, I thought things couldn’t get any worse. But reality kept pushing my boundaries, over and over again. I remember walking back alone. It was dark, and the wind was fierce. But so what? Beyond the flatlands, there are green mountains; chase the wind and moon, do not linger. It was Seraphina who lost me. Not I who lost Seraphina. Shaking off the nightmare, I slept soundly all night. Early the next morning, just as the sky was brightening, I took my tape recorder and went to the terrace for my usual flute practice. Damian emerged from the dim morning light, glaring at me with gritted teeth. “You really have no shame, do you? You know Seraphina and I are married, and you’re still clinging to her. Aren’t you pathetic?” I sneered, tugging at my lip, and immediately shot back. “She’s married to you, yet she’s still dead-set on having a wedding with me, and she’s too scared to even announce you. What do you think you are to her?” “You!” Damian’s face contorted as he lunged to push me, but I, having anticipated it, dodged him. Just then, Seraphina, standing not far away, suddenly yelled. “Asher!” I instinctively turned my head. “What are you doing? Are you trying to hurt Damian again?!” **Chapter 6** Seraphina’s baseless accusations and Damian’s feigned cries of alarm rang out simultaneously. “Asher, don’t push me! I promise I’ll never appear before you two again!” “Ah—” I pretended to be pushed off the terrace by Damian. But just as I was about to fall, I suddenly grabbed his collar and pulled hard! “BANG!” Both of us tumbled down. The terrace was covered in broken glass from the night before, which hadn’t been cleaned up, so I knew how painful the fall would be. Even worse, a piece of glass happened to cut my flute-playing finger. I struggled to crawl towards Seraphina, who was extending a helping hand. But Damian, with a flash of malice in his eyes, quickly got to her first, deftly clinging to her shoulder and groaning in pain. With my finger injured, I could barely hold anything. I could only groan in agony, struggling to beg her to save me. But under Damian’s feigned pitiful cries, Seraphina didn’t even glance at me. She helped Damian up and rushed off without looking back. Amidst the broken mess on the ground, rainwater mixed with the blood dripping from my fingertip. I trembled as I stood up, clutching my injured hand, dragging my exhausted body through the rain to the infirmary. Only to be told by the nurse that the only doctor had been called away by Seraphina to examine Damian. I waited from dawn till dusk. Finally, the nurse managed to rush the doctor back, only to deliver even worse news! Due to the delayed treatment, the nerve in my finger was damaged. Forget being Principal, I might even struggle to play normally ever again. “So, Damian must be even more seriously injured?” The nurse tried to comfort me, but after a long silence, the doctor let out a soft sigh. “Damian? He’s perfectly fine. Just a bit shaken up.” “Conductor Seraphina was worried he’d be upset, so she insisted I stay with him.” The noise faded, leaving only a deathly silence. Seraphina, who had heard the news, came to me with a contrite expression. She told me not to worry, she had been reborn. “If there’s a first rebirth, there will be a second.” “Asher, just wait a little longer. Next time we’re reborn, I’ll make it up to you, okay?” I shook my head, a smile on my face. “No need.” There wouldn’t be a next time. This rebirth was the only chance I had, exchanged for lifetimes of merit. Seraphina, uneasy with her conscience, insisted on staying by my side to care for me. I ignored her, and under the lingering effects of the painkillers, I drifted into a drowsy sleep. Half-awake, I was stirred by a rustling sound. “Damian, you… why are you here?” I feigned sleep, keeping my eyes closed. I heard a faint rustling of clothes, and Seraphina’s voice was laced with a hint of flirtation. “…You’re so bold, just showing up here like this.” Damian chuckled softly, whispering something close to her ear, followed by Seraphina’s urgent protest. “Stop it, not here. It’s not convenient.” “What are you scared of? Asher’s painkillers haven’t worn off. He won’t wake up anytime soon.” “It’s even more exciting here. Don’t you want me?” Seraphina’s breathing quickened: “Then let’s be quick.” Then came the sounds of their suppressed, hurried panting. My chest felt crushed by a huge rock, an intense humiliation choking me. I pretended to unconsciously shift, turning onto my side. My hand, tightly clenched under the covers, brushed against my tape recorder. Gritting my teeth, I pressed record again! After they were done, Damian volunteered to stay and look after me. The moment Seraphina left, he sneered, mocking me. “I really have to admire you, hearing us make out with your own ears and still managing to pretend to be asleep.” “If I were you, I’d just find a quiet place to end it all. What’s the point of living?” “Oh, and that bowl of braised beef? It was my leftovers. Seraphina only gave it to you because I didn’t want it.” Watching his smug face, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. So, even that little bit of care was just Damian’s unwanted scraps. I suppressed the pain in my finger, my gaze cold as I retorted. “Ultimately, you’re just jealous that I get to marry Seraphina openly.” “You’ll always be like a shadow, hidden away, never able to take my place, and she’ll never make your relationship public.” “You!” Stung where it hurt, Damian lunged at me like a madman, grabbing my throat. **Chapter 7** I didn’t get angry; instead, I laughed, my eyes cold like a madman’s. “If you’ve got the guts, kill me right now. Otherwise, the one marrying Seraphina will definitely be me!” The consequence of Damian not daring to kill me was that, at my suggestion, the wedding, originally scheduled for next month, was moved up to the week the inspection team arrived. “Asher, since our wedding is earlier, could you possibly give the recommendation letter to Damian?” Seeing I didn’t speak, Seraphina’s thoughts seemed to drift back in time. “Over ten years ago, Damian and I accidentally performed a flute duet together. His playing amazed me and changed my entire life.” “Unfortunately, I later lost my will amidst hardships and couldn’t play with the same feeling as before.” “I really want—” “Beg me.” My eyes were filled with a wild glint. I thought that someone as arrogant and strong as her always imposed her will on others. But for the sake of recreating that legendary duet from years ago, she actually knelt before me. Her head bowed, her throat moving slightly, she pleaded in a low, subservient voice. “Asher, I beg you.” My eyes held a mocking glint, and I let out a soft chuckle. Then, I whispered, almost imperceptibly, “Okay.” Only after I died in my previous life did I learn Seraphina’s reason for being so fixated on Damian: she mistook him for the young me, with whom she had played a flute duet across the river in her childhood. That day, when I snuck into the hall, my intention was to retrieve that old flute and reconcile with her. I began to anticipate how broken Seraphina would be when she discovered that she had gone through hell and high water for an imposter, while mercilessly pushing away the one person she truly cared for. Using the excuse of going home, I took two days off, but I actually went to Riverbend to retrieve Seraphina’s marriage certificate. “You’re the first person I’ve seen who thought to check if she was married in her hometown *before* the wedding. It’s a pity though…” The clerk pulled up the marriage certificate, his gaze sympathetic and pained. I tried to lighten the mood, joking that the woman had already agreed to divorce and marry me immediately. But the clerk looked terrified. “Comrade, you must be careful! The man she married… he’s not a good one.” Before he could finish, his colleague nudged his arm. I didn’t ask further, discreetly leaving the civil affairs office. —And found a hidden spot by the back door to wait! The next day, I returned to Riverwood with a complex mix of emotions. My good friend, Leo, grabbed me, angrily accusing Damian of going to great lengths to get close to Seraphina during my two-day absence. “He’s shameless! He even tried to interfere with Seraphina getting your wedding suit!” “His calculations were practically hitting me in the face! How can you stand for that? Are you serious? Tonight, we’re going to his dorm and rip him apart!” In the past, I would have certainly made a huge scene. After all, thanks to Damian, my fingers were injured, and I might not even keep my stable job at the Academy. But now, I just looked at the traditional suit, calmly said, “That’s good,” and turned to leave. Forget the suit, anyone who wants to be the groom can be; I don’t care! Leo was practically fuming. “Asher, have you lost your mind? The guy is literally walking all over you, and you’re so weak you can’t even fart back!” I smiled, pulling my friend’s hand. “I’m about to be free. Why would I care about any of this?” I was about to fake my death. Once I did, Damian’s good times would be over. “Free?” Seraphina’s voice reached us even faster than Leo’s shocked exclamation. She was carrying Damian’s jacket, chatting happily as they walked into the Academy. Hearing my words, she rushed over, her gaze slightly nervous as she stared at me. “What do you mean, free?” I remained silent, then suddenly offered a detached smile. “They say marriage is the tomb of love, so isn’t it freedom?” “This…” She frowned deeply. “Asher, you’re not hiding something from me, are you?” *Ha!* I scoffed inwardly. The second day after rebirth, she eagerly used a business trip as an excuse to go rendezvous with Damian! She secretly married someone else behind my back, and she has the nerve to ask *me* if I’m hiding something from *her*! **Chapter 8** My gaze turned cold, and a mocking curve twisted my lips. “That’s what I should be asking *you*. Seraphina, are you hiding something from *me*?” Seraphina’s back went cold. She instinctively looked away. Damian, with no sense of boundaries, tugged on Seraphina’s sleeve, whining. “Seraphina, let’s go. Don’t worry, Asher’s practically locked in. He won’t fly away.” He was probably right. I had long since cut ties with my family and was an introverted man who supposedly couldn’t live without her. Where else could I go but stay obediently by her side? In the following days, I deliberately provoked Damian, preparing for my fake death at the wedding. I spoke endlessly about Seraphina and me as children, how she loved me fiercely. The night before the wedding, I dropped another bombshell. I called Damian on his pager, gloating about how grand the next day’s wedding would be, and how thoughtful Seraphina was to me. —Of course, I didn’t forget to mock him for being a hidden secret. “Believe it or not, if I don’t let go, no matter how much you try to please her in the future, you’ll always live in a despised gutter.” Damian slammed his pager down in a fit of rage, remembering Seraphina saying she made me wait ten whole years in the previous life, only getting recognition after I died. Worried he would never stand proudly by Seraphina’s side, a malicious idea formed in his mind. Without any family attending my wedding, I spent the night talking late with Director Davies. In the lively and festive courtyard early that morning, Someone dressed in a groom’s suit, surrounded by well-wishers, joyfully left the house. Someone else, however, was drugged and left to a woman who had entered his room. An hour later, I, my gaze vacant, walked towards Seraphina’s house. But as I reached the doorstep, I overheard words that chilled me to the bone. Damian, clutching his forehead where it had been smashed, cried and accused. “Seraphina, Asher wouldn’t get out of bed! I just urged him a few times, and he threw a fit, hit me with something, and told me not to meddle!” “It’s my fault for not convincing Asher. Now we’ve missed the auspicious time to pick up the bride, and we’ll have to wait longer.” Seraphina let out a cold, extremely displeased snort. “He’s truly arrogant, isn’t he? Throwing a tantrum, and then having the nerve to say *you’re* useless.” “He’d better just die in bed, die far away where I can’t see him, so he doesn’t dirty my eyes.” Hearing those words, the last glimmer of hope I still held in my heart was extinguished. I turned decisively, tears streaming down my face as I ran wildly into the wind. In utter despair, amidst the biting cold wind, I leaped into the turbulent river without hesitation. Like mountain birds and fish, our paths diverged, Seraphina. May we never meet again. The sky fully brightened. A military vehicle, loaded with goods, passed the wedding procession. **Chapter 9** In the back of the truck, a pair of chilling dark eyes paused, a flicker of disgust passing through them. Using the cover of the military vehicle, I changed out of my wet clothes and left the city undetected. After that woman entered my room, I used the sleeping powder Damian gave me to knock us both out. Then, under Director Davies’ watchful eyes, I tearfully left Seraphina’s house. Even my jump into the river had witnesses. I wanted to fake my death, to make Seraphina feel guilt and self-reproach, to live forever under the shadow of having watched me die without helping! Looking back at the city gates, there was no agonizing defeat in my eyes, nor the calm detachment of one who had seen through love. —Only the determination to strike a decisive blow! Gongs clashed and drums boomed, firecrackers popped and fizzed. Seraphina stood in the courtyard, her posture upright, smiling as she greeted guests. Everyone found it odd that the groom wore a veil, hadn’t said a word since leaving, and that the groom’s best friend, Leo, was nowhere to be seen. No one knew that at this moment, Leo, after drinking a bowl of sweet soup sent by the Academy, had fallen into a deep sleep, unable to be roused. The marriage certificate in the box had also disappeared. The moment Seraphina took the groom’s hand, she realized something was wrong. His fingers lacked calluses; they were definitely not my distinct, practiced hands. She craned her neck, looking around, but couldn’t find the person she longed for. Only as she was led onto the stage with the groom did Seraphina warn him in an ill-tempered tone. “You’re not Asher. Whoever you are, keep your face covered so no one notices.” “Later, quietly swap yourself out with Asher, or I’ll make you regret it!” The groom, in a fit of pique, shook off Seraphina’s hand, letting out a few cold laughs, and spoke in my original voice. “Oh really? If you knew who I was, you’d probably be begging me to come back.” Under the gaze of all, Damian suddenly adjusted his collar, arrogantly announcing to the crowd. “Everyone, Asher ran off with some wild woman to elope, so I, being charitable, am finishing the wedding for him.” “It’s just a change of groom. If I don’t mind, why are you all so surprised?” “Nonsense!” Seraphina showed no joy, trembling with rage. She pulled the smug Damian aside, lowering her voice to warn him. “Don’t slander Asher in front of so many people. He’s mentally fragile and can’t handle stress.” “Now, hurry up and get Asher back here, and I can pretend nothing happened.” “Too late.” Damian slapped the marriage certificate onto her face, his expression twisted. “You’re so determined to marry me, but look what I’ve done! I was already planning how to publicly ruin you!” “Someone saw me run off with that wild woman after we hooked up. How can a man who’d cheat on you like that be worthy of you, Seraphina?” Retrieving the marriage certificate hadn’t impacted Seraphina much, but learning I had eloped with another woman hurt her more than anything. She was so worried about me, yet I turned around and got involved with someone else? What did that make me in her eyes? A joke?! She stood like a puppet on strings, pushed onto the stage by Damian to continue the ceremony. With the witnesses Damian brought, I became the heartless man everyone condemned. At that moment, the doors to the hall were suddenly thrown open. Leo, dragging a woman not yet fully awake from the sleeping drug, burst in, radiating murderous intent. “Shameless Damian! You ruined Asher’s reputation, drove him to ruin, and now you have the nerve to put on an innocent act! You’re disgusting!” I had prepared for this; Leo and I intentionally faked being knocked out to lower Damian’s guard. Seeing the woman, Damian cursed under his breath, his eyes flashing with venom. “Seraphina, don’t believe them! He’s just like Asher, making up crazy stories. They’ll say anything!” He yelled for someone to throw Leo out. “Who dares?!” At the critical moment, Seraphina roared, her face grim. She seemed to sense something was wrong, her eyes bloodshot as she asked Leo what was truly going on. The woman confessed everything: Damian had paid her, telling her a man would be waiting in the room that morning, and to “entertain” him well. So, I hadn’t broken my promise! The affair was forced! Seraphina’s eyes widened in fury, her mind feeling like it would explode. “What happened after that? Where did Asher go?!” “He… he jumped into the river.” **Chapter 10** Seraphina didn’t remember how she frantically ran to the riverbank. Staring at the vast river, her heart sank to its depths. In the biting cold wind, she ripped off her clothes, preparing to jump in.

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My husband drowned saving me. After seven years of widowhood, consumed by despair, I took my own life. On the operating table, I struggled to speak: “I’m donating all my assets and organs to anyone named Gu.” The two surgeons in white coats suddenly pulled down their masks. In that instant, my eyes widened, and a mouthful of blood sprayed out. It was my cousin, Tiffany, and my husband, Leo, who was supposed to be dead! “Thank you, big sis. You’ve made the rest of Leo and my lives perfect.” It dawned on me then. Leo had always loved someone else, which was why he’d faked his death and run away. But it was too late. I watched as they ripped out my heart and lungs, dying in excruciating agony. I never expected to open my eyes again— “Have you decided? Which of the four will you choose to be your husband?” That familiar voice made me snap my head up. My father’s face, etched in my memory, reappeared. “Dad!” Dad pulled me into a hug. “My good girl, what’s wrong?” It took me a while, sniffling, to finally reply, “Nothing. I just… missed you.” I had truly been reborn. Reborn at a time when my father was still alive, before I’d made the decision that would haunt me for a lifetime. Dad gently patted my back, sighing. “Your old man isn’t well. My only wish is to see you settled, with someone to take care of you. Only then can I rest easy.” He thought his daughter was lonely because he’d been hospitalized for days. After all, besides the four young men he’d taken in, raised alongside me, with the unspoken understanding one would become my husband, I had no one else I truly confided in. “Dad, do I have to get married?” “What’s wrong? Weren’t you always clamoring to marry Leo before?” Before I could explain, I glanced down at my father’s aged, yellowed hands, covered in countless needle marks. Dad had liver cancer. He didn’t have much time left. Thinking back, it was only about two weeks until my father’s death in my previous life. If this was his only wish, then I would definitely fulfill it. I shook my head. “I just… don’t want to choose him anymore.” Dad sighed. “What made you change your mind? You don’t have to take my words too seriously…” “No!” I cut him off, quickly making my choice. “I choose him.” I quickly pointed to another photo at random. Dad’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “Good, good, good. He’s the one. Honestly, he’s my favorite too.” Taking a closer look, I almost bit my tongue. The man in the photo had a devilishly charming smile, his eyes impossibly deep—it was Kai Sterling! How could I have randomly chosen my arch-rival? In my previous life, we were constantly at each other’s throats; we couldn’t exchange two words without an argument. Taking a deep breath, and seeing my father’s joyous smile, I finally nodded. After all, in my previous life, Dad never liked Leo. Even on his deathbed, he’d muttered: “My child, I won’t oppose who you love, but I’ve always been uneasy about him.” I knew it too. Anyone with eyes could see Leo wasn’t enthusiastic about me. But in my previous life, I was foolishly trapped. Even after we were married, we were polite strangers. Now, with a second chance at life, I was determined to make sure Dad had no regrets and that I wouldn’t carry any more guilt. Dad’s voice rang out again. “So, when do you plan to get engaged?” I took a deep breath. “Three days from now.”

Leaving my father’s hospital room, my mind was still a jumble. In my hand was the will my father had written in advance, and my heart bled. Around the corner, I pressed the elevator button. The doors opened, revealing my four childhood friends. “Chloe, we heard! Who did you choose?” The liveliest of them, Finn, practically bounced up to me, hooking his arm through mine, practically bursting with curiosity. Owen, beside him, pulled him back. “It’s not like she’d pick you, why even bother?” His confident tone made me momentarily disoriented. Owen was usually the peacemaker, never speaking like that before. Today, he seemed like he’d swallowed a hot coal. Finn pouted, mumbled, “You’re right,” and looked at the other two behind him. Leo, usually so gentle and refined, now looked utterly impatient. Kai leaned lazily against the wall, his gaze on me holding an inexplicable emotion. Finn shrugged off Owen, then put his arm around my shoulder again. “So, Chloe, who did you pick? If you didn’t pick me, I’m totally going to start dating!” I couldn’t help but laugh, ruffling his hair. “You just turned eighteen, what dating? Go focus on your studies first.” Owen scoffed. “Chloe, just tell us. Stop playing games. Don’t let this kid waste his time daydreaming.” I nodded, about to speak, when Leo suddenly stepped forward, bending slightly. “Please forgive me, but I can’t marry you.” In an instant, my heart gave a violent jolt. In my previous life, I had taken my father’s will to Leo, telling him I wanted to marry him, and he had simply smiled and agreed. Now, he was refusing me first. Meeting Leo’s resolute gaze, I understood in a flash: he had also been reborn. So this time, he wasn’t even willing to fake his death; he was rejecting me from the very start. Even though I’d already decided to give up on him, a small, uncontrollable pain still spread through my heart. I forced myself to speak calmly. “How do you know I would have chosen you?” Leo averted his gaze, scoffing. Finn, sensing the tension, laughed nervously. “Who doesn’t know you two were practically joined at the hip back in high school? Leo, stop pretending, you’re going to overdo it and Chloe might actually not marry you.” His intention was to lighten the mood and break the awkward silence, but it backfired spectacularly. Leo stood his ground, instead stating firmly: “I’d rather leave the Sterling family than be forced into a marriage.” Everyone froze at his words. Owen frowned deeply. “All four of us were raised by Mr. Sterling. His kindness is heavier than a mountain. What do you mean by this?” Kai, who had been leaning against the wall, finally spoke, his voice dripping with disdain. “What does he mean? Obviously, he already has someone else in mind, and that person isn’t Miss Sterling.” Looking at Leo’s pained expression, I laughed, furious. Was being with me really so unbearable? I was on the verge of blurting out: I didn’t pick you.

The words caught in my throat. In my previous life, I was depressed for seven years because of him. This time, I at least deserved to make him suffer for a few days. I curved my lips before speaking. “There’s no definite answer yet as to who I’ll marry. I’ll announce it at my birthday party three days from now.” The four men exchanged glances. Finn pouted. “Chloe, you’re being so boring. Everyone knows who you want to marry, right?” Kai leaned against the wall, a cold smirk on his face. “Honestly, he’s already made it clear, and you’re still clinging to him?” Leo’s back was ramrod straight, his gaze towards me filled only with displeasure. Owen, seeing the situation escalating, sighed. “We’ll all be there. We won’t miss your birthday.” “Of course not. Who dares to miss it? I’ll make sure they can’t set foot in this city again!” I said the last sentence with a smile, and everyone’s faces changed. Leo looked at me in disbelief, shouting, “You!” I pushed past them and entered the elevator. Before the elevator doors closed, I caught a glimpse of a dark, brooding gaze. It was Kai. I curved my lips. Actually, this was good. Killing two birds with one stone. I didn’t mind making everyone I disliked squirm this lifetime. Stepping out of the hospital, the sun was bright, cicadas chirped in the summer heat. Everything felt right. But as I reached my parking spot, I saw the person I hated most leaning against my pink Maserati—Tiffany. The woman stood with her neck stiff, clad in a white dress, the epitome of affected innocence. I walked past her, coldly saying, “Move.” Her eyes immediately reddened. “Chloe, I just wanted to ask how Uncle is doing.” I curved my lips. “You want to see my dad? You’re not worthy.” Tiffany was just a distant relative of my father’s, the illegitimate daughter of some obscure cousin. He’d taken her in, but she always clung to me. Back then, I was so naive, I thought I’d found a true friend. It wasn’t until much later that I realized what a fool I’d been. She only ever got close to me because of Leo. Hearing my sarcasm, tears streamed down her face. “Chloe, are you still mad because Leo took me to the hospital the other day? He was just so worried about me, please don’t be angry with him.” At her words, I frowned, racking my brain to remember. Indeed, something like that had happened in my previous life. My father had been hospitalized for days. I hadn’t visited, not because I didn’t miss him, but because I had a severe cold. That night, I suddenly developed a high fever. Struggling, I called Leo, and he promised to pick me up. But by morning, there was no sign of him. Fortunately, Mr. Jenkins found me and rushed me to the emergency room. The doctor said another hour and I might have suffered permanent brain damage from the fever. While I was on an IV drip, I heard a nurse say: “The patient in the next room is so lucky. Her boyfriend was so frantic, rushing her to the hospital in the middle of the night, all because she scraped her leg a little.” “I know, right? And I heard he’s from the Sterling Group. What a catch!” Just then, Leo appeared at the doorway. The two young nurses exchanged glances, whispering: “That’s him.” What was my reaction then? I couldn’t remember. Probably jealousy. But at that time, I hadn’t realized Leo had already been secretly involved with her. Now, facing Tiffany’s provocation, I simply curved my lips. “Whether I’m mad at him or not is none of your business.” My words implied she wasn’t important enough to intercede. Tiffany’s face changed. She suddenly grabbed my sleeve, her expression twisted. “Leo’s heart only belongs to me!” I impatiently shook off her hand. But then, as if struck by a powerful force, I suddenly fell to the ground with a loud “thud.” “What are you doing?!” A furious shout rang out behind me.

A few steps away, Leo rushed over to help Tiffany up. “Why did you push me? This has nothing to do with me!” Tiffany leaned into his arms, on the verge of tears. “I just wanted to explain things to Chloe, but I got so angry.” As she spoke, she held up her hand, and the red scratch instantly filled Leo with concern. His voice was agitated as he yelled at me: “You’re always like this, always bullying others by relying on your family background! How could I ever like you?” His words made me stumble back two steps, stunned. Bullying others? The last time I “bullied someone” was when Leo was being harassed and mocked for being an orphan. I had stepped in to help, pelting the bullies with small stones, even breaking one’s head, and was later punished by my father for it. Now, I was being accused of bullying. If that was the case, I said with a cold laugh, “The other day, you abandoned me to go save *her*. Did you receive your punishment?” Both their faces changed. Leo hadn’t expected that I, who loved him desperately and never let a single finger on him be harmed, would punish him out of jealousy. A strange emotion flickered in Leo’s heart. But Tiffany cried out, “It’s all my fault, it has nothing to do with Leo. If someone needs to be punished, punish me.” After she said that, I fainted. Leo’s face drastically changed. He picked me up and walked off, coldly saying: “I’ll go home and accept my punishment.” I watched their retreating backs and only found it amusing. I unlocked my car, stomping on the gas, and sped towards the racetrack. I desperately needed to vent the anger and frustration bubbling inside me. After a few laps, I pulled over, still feeling restless. As I reached the service area and took off my helmet, a voice came from behind me. “I can’t make it to your birthday party; I have to go out of town for work.” Kai’s voice was cold. He walked up to me, frowned at my sweaty appearance. “Didn’t you just get over a cold? How many laps did you do?” I forced a smile. “Weren’t you watching? Coming to warn me now is a bit fake, isn’t it?” When I first got on the track, I’d seen Kai in the distance, looking displeased. As if my presence at the racetrack, which he managed, was some kind of “defilement.” Kai’s body stiffened at my words. He scoffed. “Who was watching you? I was just worried something might happen on my track. And did you hear what I just said?” I nodded. “I heard you.” Kai turned to leave, but I called out again, “But I don’t agree.” He clenched his fists. “What do you mean? If you’re going to publicly announce you’re marrying Leo, why do you need the rest of us there as mere decorations?” I brushed aside a strand of hair and lit a cigarette. “Who said I’m marrying him? What if I’m marrying you?” Annoying my arch-rival was a pleasure I indulged in. As expected, Kai’s face instantly flushed. He gritted his teeth and said: “You should stop making jokes like that.” I smiled brightly. “I’ll joke all I want. Deal with it. I’m the heiress here.” Kai averted his gaze. “Heiress, want to race? If I win, please allow me to be absent that day.” I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really?” I hadn’t quite gotten my thrill from racing earlier, and a competition was the best way to distract myself and vent my frustration. Still, I hadn’t realized Kai hated me so much. To avoid attending my birthday party, he dared to challenge me to a race.

A red and a black race car idled on the track. A gunshot rang out, followed by a roar. Every time I was about to pull ahead, Kai would overtake me. I had to focus intently, concentrating on the race. On the last lap, I had a comfortable lead. Just as I was about to cross the finish line, Kai suddenly floored the accelerator, but after passing me, he sharply swerved around. My eyes widened. I slammed on the brakes. The two cars’ fronts gently touched. In that instant, a slight vibration passed through, but it felt like an electric current sweeping through my entire body. It was the “death kiss” of racing, supremely romantic. Then Kai rapidly reversed, crossing the finish line. I stayed frozen for a long time before slowly driving my car over. Stepping out, I strode up to Kai. He’d just taken off his helmet and was about to speak. I slapped him across the face, calling him, “Crazy!” A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of Kai’s mouth, but he smiled devilishly, his eyes curving, his gaze seeming to devour me whole. “I won. I won’t be at your birthday party.” I froze. He’d done something so dangerous just to avoid a birthday party. My heart was still trembling. I couldn’t quite explain what I was feeling. Kai wiped the blood from his mouth and continued, “But Miss Sterling’s gift, I’ll still send it. What do you want?” I sneered. “Anything I want, you can give?” Kai also curved his lips. “Of course. Heaven and earth, the stars and the moon, anything I can do, I’ll give.” I took a step closer, pushing him back. Kai frowned, but I grabbed him. I stood on my tiptoes, leaning in, and Kai’s eyes immediately widened. The next second, I whispered in his ear, “Then I want you. Can you give me that?” The man trembled with rage. Just as he was about to push me away, a loud “bang” suddenly echoed from a distance. Both of us looked over—it was Leo. He walked over, his face dark with displeasure. Kai merely frowned, then asked me again, “What did you mean by what you just said?” I curved my lips. “The birthday gift I want is for you to attend my birthday party.” I smiled slyly, though in my heart, I was thinking: *What a joke. If he doesn’t come, how am I going to marry him?* Kai realized, and was about to speak, but I cut him off. “You said you could do anything.” Kai said in a low voice, “You’re so eager for us to come and watch you be humiliated? Don’t you know about Leo and that Tiffany…” His words were cut short as Leo reached us, his face clouded. “What goes on between Tiffany and me is none of your business. But you, playing such a dangerous game with Chloe, isn’t that against the rules?” I impatiently frowned. “Aren’t you supposed to be watching your Tiffany? Why are you meddling in my affairs?” Leo had just settled Tiffany. When he got home and found I wasn’t there, he guessed I’d come to the racetrack. But seeing me and Kai so intimately close, a sudden surge of anger erupted within him. In my previous life, I only had him, and even after a year of marriage, there were no improper actions. Now, suddenly seeing that scene, he couldn’t help but be angry. Perhaps it was a man’s innate possessiveness, Leo convinced himself, and then spoke. “I was going to take you home so I could accept my punishment, but it seems now there’s one more person who needs to be punished.”

In the vast garden, two men knelt, their backs ramrod straight. Mr. Jenkins stood beside me, speaking, “Miss, your father isn’t here. Perhaps I should administer the punishment instead, to save your hands.” I sat on the chaise lounge, taking a sip of coffee, and said lightly, “Alright.” Leo was the first to take off his shirt. Beneath the white fabric was skin as smooth as jade, his abdominal muscles neatly defined. Though lean, he possessed the graceful air of a young gentleman. In my previous life, I loved how he looked when he took off his clothes. In bed, when he got intense, his abs would flush a deep red. Suddenly, a soft cough. Kai was glaring at me, gritting his teeth. I frowned, then realized. It was my fault for agreeing to the race that landed him in this predicament. Though he was my arch-rival, I wouldn’t stoop to such petty tactics. I’d find a way to get him off the hook later. I shot Kai a rare, reassuring glance. Kai averted his gaze, completely misunderstanding, thinking I was hurrying him. He reached out and pulled off his black t-shirt, revealing incredibly toned muscles, subtly gleaming in the sunlight. “Pfft!” I nearly choked on my coffee, my eyes unable to move away. Leo noticed my gaze and subconsciously pressed his lips together. Just then, Tiffany’s voice suddenly rang out: “Chloe, don’t punish Leo!” I looked over, sighing helplessly. “How did she get in?” Mr. Jenkins bowed. “She said she came to retrieve some old clothes.” I scoffed. I remembered now. Tiffany, relying on some distant family connection, had shamelessly lived in our house for a while. Dad, who valued family above all else, never objected. It wasn’t until Dad was hospitalized that I found an opportunity to kick Tiffany out. I didn’t expect her to have a backup plan. Tiffany sobbed, blocking Leo, looking as if she would die for him. Anyone unaware of the situation would think three lashes would kill Leo. At this moment, Leo’s face was filled with tenderness. “Tiffany, this has nothing to do with you.” Then, he turned his anger on me, glaring darkly. Before I could speak, Kai, still kneeling, scoffed mockingly. “By rights, I suppose I should be punished too.” I froze, surprised Kai would speak up for me. Leo sharply turned his head. “What concern is this of yours? Why meddle?” Kai didn’t back down. “We were all raised by the Sterling family, so it naturally concerns me. Are you suggesting you’ll take my punishment too?” I suddenly understood. He wanted Leo to suffer more punishment to get back at him for the racetrack incident. I’d overthought it. But honestly, I was more than happy to watch them butt heads. Sure enough, Leo gritted his teeth and shouted: “Tiffany is innocent. If anyone is to be punished, I’ll take it for her!” Mr. Jenkins spoke softly. “That’s against the rules.” I waved my hand. “Father isn’t here, so my rules are the rules. Since he’s willing, give him a few more lashes.” Leo’s frown deepened at my words. He had expected me to feel sorry for him. In my previous life, I had never punished him, even taking his punishments for him. Why had I changed now? Was it just because he refused to marry me this lifetime? Women truly were the most petty and jealous creatures. Tiffany was pulled aside, and Mr. Jenkins’s whip descended. Leo’s eyes widened. He hadn’t realized how painful this whipping could be. After three lashes, he was already on one hand, staring fixedly at me, waiting for me to call it off. He just couldn’t believe that I wouldn’t feel pity at the sight of him like this. But I merely closed my eyes, resting, listening to the crack of the whip. Until the fourth lash fell, and Tiffany lunged forward. A scream. The tail of the whip snapped across Tiffany’s face, instantly tearing her skin. “No—!” Leo screamed, utterly distraught.

Mr. Jenkins frowned deeply and immediately called for a doctor. A solemn family punishment was interrupted by Tiffany’s accident. I didn’t pay attention to them. I merely looked at Kai, signaling with my eyes that it was over, he didn’t need to be punished. But Kai was stubbornly oblivious. He insisted, “Since the doctor is here, the punishment should continue.” Leo’s furious gaze immediately pierced him. “Have you no heart?! Can’t you see Tiffany’s face is slashed?!” Tiffany, by now, had fainted, her eyes tightly shut. Kai merely raised an eyebrow. “If she threw herself in the way, who’s to blame?” No sooner had he spoken than Leo lunged at him with a punch. Kai dodged but didn’t retaliate. Several bodyguards immediately stepped forward to pull Leo away. He was panting, then looked at me. “Say something! Fine, I’ll marry you, okay?! You did all this, harming Tiffany, just to force me into submission, didn’t you?!” Everyone froze, bowing their heads. I curved my lips, a cold smirk on my face. “Continue the family punishment.” Tiffany had thrown herself in the way; what did that have to do with me? However, this was indeed part of my goal: to make Leo and Tiffany squirm. But seeing them support and comfort each other, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. Mr. Jenkins complied. This time, he put his full strength into it. He had watched Chloe grow up and had never seen her suffer such humiliation. These young men, all adopted by Mr. Sterling from different orphanages, were given the right to choose their own names, wealth, and a top-tier education, raised to be half-heirs of the Sterling family. But if they disrespected Miss Chloe, then he wouldn’t be lenient. Three more lashes fell. This time, Leo was sprawled on the ground, unable to speak. He stared fixedly at me, but then suddenly remembered the scene many years ago when I had shielded him from a whipping. Entering the Sterling family involved many trials, and in the final test, Leo struggled and couldn’t resist cheating. Mr. Sterling picked up the note, frowned, and shouted, “Who wrote this? You can leave now! The Sterling family doesn’t want people like that!” Leo trembled, knowing this was his only chance to change his destiny. He hung his head, not daring to admit it. Just then, I stepped forward. “I wrote it.” It was just an exam, but I insisted on taking it with them. We were only thirteen then. Though I was the family heiress, Mr. Sterling still disciplined me strictly. Hearing his daughter admit it, he merely frowned and sent me to receive the family punishment. One lash per word, seven lashes in total. I was in pain for a week after being hit and could only sleep on my stomach. Leo’s mind churned with these memories, thinking: *Perhaps I should just marry her this time, give her a year of ‘happiness.’* *It would repay her kindness and keep Tiffany safe.* Leo passed out from the pain. Mr. Jenkins had him and Tiffany carried to a room. Next was Kai. Kai had just knelt down. But I suddenly spoke, “I’ll administer his punishment.” Everyone’s eyes widened. Mr. Jenkins muttered, “Miss, please don’t kill him.” Everyone knew Kai and I had the worst relationship. The next second, Kai scoffed, “Whatever.”

I frowned. My original intention was to go easy on him, so Kai wouldn’t get hurt and use it against me later. But it seemed everyone had misunderstood. Looking at Kai’s stubborn gaze, I found it somewhat amusing. I took the whip. Standing behind him, I froze. The man’s back had many whip marks. I couldn’t remember when or who had punished him. His back muscles, glistening with sweat under the sun, didn’t look dirty; instead, they added a touch of raw sex appeal. I averted my gaze, thinking, *Had I been without a man for too long?* I shook my head, and the whip descended. The sound was loud, but I knew the lash wouldn’t hurt. Yet, Kai let out a muffled groan, his body instantly stiffening. I scoffed. *He looks strong, but he’s so delicate.* *He’s probably been hit too many times, and now he’s scared.* For the next two lashes, I perfectly controlled the force. It was less a punishment and more like teasing a cat. Yet Kai reacted as if he were suffering immense torture, hands braced on the ground, sweat pouring down him, his whole body flushed. Finally, he collapsed to the ground, unwilling to get up. I threw down the whip and couldn’t resist nudging him with my foot, whispering, “Are you still faking it?” “Heiress, the punishment is over. You can leave now, can’t you? Or do you want to stay and watch me get dressed?” He truly was my arch-rival; he never missed an opportunity to mock me. I turned and walked away. Everyone present exchanged glances, thinking Miss Chloe was truly ruthless. Only Mr. Jenkins frowned, staring at Kai. After a long moment, he finally spoke, “Young Master Kai, Miss Chloe has left.” Only then did Kai get up, grab his shirt, and leave, his strides so quick he didn’t look injured at all. Everyone was stunned again. But no one expected that shortly after he left, the mansion suddenly caught fire. I, having just had some milk, was napping in my room. It wasn’t until Mr. Jenkins pried open the door that I woke up with a start. “Miss, hurry and get out!” No sooner had he spoken than the door frame suddenly fell, crashing heavily onto Mr. Jenkins. I screamed, not having time to wonder why the fire started, only able to carry the unconscious Mr. Jenkins downstairs. Mr. Jenkins rushed into the fire to save me; I couldn’t let anything happen to him! As I reached the ground floor, I saw Tiffany slumped in front of the sofa. I froze for a second, but still went over to push her. “Wake up! There’s a fire!” Tiffany was limp on the floor, seemingly overcome by the smoke. Just then, someone rushed in. It was Leo. His face was pale, and he still looked very weak. Their eyes met, and Leo froze for a second. Until he saw Tiffany on the ground, his eyes instantly widening. Just then, an explosion erupted from the kitchen not far away. “Boom!” A blast of air rushed towards them, and Leo instinctively shielded Tiffany. Everyone was knocked over. I struggled to get up, but my ankle was twisted, and I fell back to the ground. At that moment, Leo suddenly picked up Tiffany and rushed out, only saying: “I’m sorry. I’ll marry you then, as an apology.” I looked at his resolute back, feeling only sarcasm. If I survived this, I would definitely let Leo know that I would never choose him. The fire spread everywhere. Before I lost consciousness, I vaguely saw someone running towards me. Who was it? I opened my eyes groggily, my whole body aching, but the scene before I lost consciousness kept replaying in my mind. Kai, looking frantic, held me tightly, shouting, “Wake up, don’t sleep!” His eyes were bloodshot, his hands trembling, as if I were his dearest kin.

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To save Liam Sterling’s life, I had to be the one to utterly crush him. Liam hated me for my betrayal. Later, when he made his stunning comeback, the first thing he did was seek revenge. He kept me captive, then brought different women home every day, forcing me to clean up after them and buy their morning-after pills. Even my own sister! He shattered my dignity into a million pieces. But Liam had no idea I had terminal liver cancer, and my days were horribly numbered. I’d already bought my burial plot, arranged my affairs, and prepared myself for death… “Anya, are you sure you want to be reassigned as a war correspondent in Congo-Kinshasa?” “This mission is different. The situation there is highly volatile. Seven war correspondents were sent previously – six died, one was critically injured. The chances of survival are almost zero…” Mr. Peterson laid out all the risks clearly, but I still nodded firmly. Returning to war reporting, I was prepared to die on that land. At least, it wouldn’t be from illness. I could still make some final contributions. The moment I stepped out of the station, I received a SnapChat message from Liam. “The Velvet Club. Pick up two packs.” I immediately hailed a cab and rushed to the club, suppressing a sharp pain in my abdomen. From inside, I could hear a woman’s moans and a man’s teasing voice. “Mmm… ah… you’re so bad~” “You look so damn hot tonight. I’m gonna make sure you’re well-satisfied.” I was used to it. Liam played out this scene almost every day in front of me. A different woman every single day, never the same face twice, and I always had to watch. Liam had an arm wrapped around a woman’s slender body, his hand casually roaming over her, but there was a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. That is, until he saw me push open the door. I’d braced myself mentally. As I walked in, I saw Liam on the sofa with a woman straddling him. A pink camisole, a white lace bra, fishnet stockings, and a bunny tail peeking out from under her mini-skirt. The woman had her back to me, so I couldn’t see her face. But she was probably another young college student. In the year since we’d reconnected, I’d learned his preferences. He liked college girls, innocent yet seductive, just like I was back then. Seeing me, he looked displeased. “What took you so long?” “It’s far. Traffic was bad.” “Then it’s time for a penalty. Three bottles.” He casually pointed to three bottles of Ace of Spades champagne on the table. The pink lighting in the club’s private room couldn’t hide my pale face. I pulled out the two packs, and as I walked over to hand them to him, I finally saw the face of the woman straddling Liam. My eyes widened involuntarily. “You’re not short on women. Why did you choose *her*?” “Why couldn’t I?” Liam sneered. He knew perfectly well that the person I hated most in this life was my half-sister, Chloe Hayes. On the surface, she was pure and sweet, but ever since we were kids, she loved to steal my things, once even stuffing rocks in my backpack, secretly messing with my college applications. She’d tormented me my whole life. The closer someone is, the more they know exactly where to hit to cause the most pain. Liam swirled his glass, lifting his eyes slightly, his cold gaze sweeping over me. His voice was low, hoarse, and laced with boundless hatred. “When I went bankrupt, you got involved with my dear brother, and when I begged you not to leave, you even personally broke my leg!” “You said it yourself, you couldn’t stand useless people. So why couldn’t I be with your sister?” I froze. Those memories flooded back, and my body trembled uncontrollably.

Liam and I were desk partners in middle school. I was the unwelcome extra in my father’s remarried family, and he was the illegitimate son cast out by his family. Two people with dark, troubled lives, we agreed to go to the same high school, the same college, escaping our broken homes to become the only light in each other’s darkness. We thought we’d never be separated, but then Liam was diagnosed with leukemia, and I decisively walked away. Even when he knelt on the ground, begging helplessly for me not to leave, to stay with him through his final days. I didn’t look back. Instead, I linked arms with the man beside me and said coldly: “Liam Sterling, I don’t waste my time with losers. I belong to him now.” Then, as if it were a joke, I had someone break his leg. “Consider that leg a blessing for our relationship.” Every word was a dagger to his soul, driving Liam to the brink of spitting blood. That night, Liam didn’t utter a sound when his leg was broken. The night rain was cool, and I could see the bone-deep hatred in his eyes. When Liam found a successful bone marrow match and was cured of leukemia, he returned to the place he least wanted to be – the powerful, old money Sterling family. He bided his time for three years, consolidating absolute power within the Sterling empire. Even his half-brother, Noah Sterling, was driven out of the country with ruthless efficiency. In three years, the Sterling family saw a complete change of guard. Once in power, Liam immediately found me, now a journalist, and made me pay for what I’d done. Thinking of this, I let out a bitter laugh. It wasn’t that I couldn’t endure hardship, or that I wanted to curry favor with the powerful. It was that when Liam had leukemia, the only match for his bone marrow transplant was his half-brother, Noah Sterling. But Noah hated Liam, the illegitimate son, for shattering his family and claiming a piece of his inheritance. Why would he ever agree to donate bone marrow to save him? To beg Noah to donate bone marrow, I once knelt through a brutal autumn storm all night. The cold seeped into my bones, leaving me with chronic ailments even now. But all that earned me was a single meeting with him. “Liam and his damn mother ruined my family. He’s the original sin! He deserves to die!” However, Noah, looking at me, a stubborn young woman fresh out of college, seemed to find a cruel game in mind. “I can save him, but on one condition.” “He’s starting a company, right? Steal his bid proposals and project plans for me. I want to see him go bankrupt! Leave him with nothing, like a stray dog!” I was strongly against that condition at the time. But Noah’s next words forced me to compromise. “Listen, sweetheart, or should I say, ‘sister-in-law’? Company bankrupt or death for him—you choose!” In utter desperation, I made the deal. Liam, despite his poor health, had an excellent career. His company was thriving in the city. Unfortunately, at the peak of his ambition, he was personally brought to his knees by the person he loved most. Liam’s hand roamed over Chloe Hayes’s chest, but his gaze remained fixed on me. Seeing the tears in my eyes, he scoffed, “Don’t act like you’re some big victim. Getting involved with Noah and helping him get rid of me must have brought you plenty of benefits, didn’t it?” The loud music in the private room drowned out an almost imperceptible tremor in his voice, betraying the intense, suppressed emotion beneath his cold exterior. I opened my mouth, but in the end, said nothing. What good would telling him do? I stole the bid proposals and project plans. I was indeed the culprit who caused his bankruptcy. “No victim here. I did it willingly. Your judgment was just terrible, you picked the wrong guy.” “My judgment was terrible? Yours wasn’t much better, falling for Noah Sterling!” He stared at me, unblinking, then pushed Chloe Hayes aside and lunged, grabbing my neck. “Now the Sterling family is firmly in the hands of the man you personally destroyed, and you, Anya, will pay for your choices!” “This is what you owe me!”

He choked me, and my face flushed crimson. Intense suffocation washed over me, but I didn’t resist. Instead, I closed my eyes, waiting for my fate to be sealed. Seeing me like this, Liam violently shoved me onto the table. Gasping for air, I leaned against the table, coughing. Then, Liam opened the three bottles of champagne and set them before me. “Drink.” Just as I picked up a bottle, preparing to chug it, a dull ache in my abdomen made my hand freeze in mid-air. The smell of alcohol brought a fine sweat to my forehead. In my current condition, I couldn’t drink alcohol at all. “Anya, what are you playing at? Drink it, now!” Chloe Hayes also got up, wrapping her arms around Liam’s waist, constantly whining. “Liam, darling, don’t get angry over someone not worth it.” She rubbed her soft chest against Liam, then stood on tiptoes and kissed him passionately in front of me. After a long moment, Liam held Chloe Hayes and tossed his car keys to me. “Forget it, don’t drink. Drive us home.” I could only obey. In the car, they made no effort to be discreet. Even with the partition raised, I could still clearly hear the sounds from the back. “Baby, you’re so beautiful tonight.” “I love you so much.” “Will you marry me?” I felt a little distant. Liam used to whisper those exact same sweet nothings to me. When I was nineteen, Liam and I took our first taste of forbidden fruit. He promised me then that he would marry me, love me forever. Now, Liam repeated those words to countless pure, lovely women. He wouldn’t even let me keep those once-beautiful memories. In the rearview mirror, their entangled bodies reflected back. “I forgot to grab the condoms earlier. Go find a drugstore and buy me some morning-after pills.” Hearing this, Chloe Hayes pouted, “Liam, darling, don’t you want to have a baby with me?” “Baby, I want to take things step-by-step with you – dating, engagement, marriage, then kids.” As he spoke, Liam tried to catch my expression in the rearview mirror, but I had already opened the car door and was heading towards the drugstore. Inside the drugstore, my body trembled, and I frantically searched for painkillers. Everything in front of me blurred, large beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and the excruciating abdominal pain made me collapse to the floor. The pharmacist, seeing my distress, quickly came over to help me up. “Pain… painkillers, fast-acting, anything…” The pharmacist quickly found some fast-acting painkillers. I snatched them, swallowed them dry, and gasped for breath. A few minutes later, I, clutching the morning-after pills, paid and thanked the pharmacist, then hurried back. My steps halted as I reached the car. The car was rocking. Clearly, the two inside were at it again, seemingly tireless. When I had gotten out earlier, I’d heard their words clearly. Every single word was like a sharp knife, piercing my chest, slicing through my heart, an icy, bone-chilling pain spreading through my entire body. Even the abdominal pain felt insignificant now. In the past, he’d found women, but he’d never offered a marriage promise. Now, he did. And it was to my own sister. The evening breeze was cool. I stood outside the car, not getting in until the rocking stopped. Only then did I open the door and hand the pills to Liam. As I got out, I accidentally dropped the painkillers I’d just bought. I quickly picked them up, clutching them tightly, terrified Liam would notice. “What medicine are you taking?” Liam noticed the bottle was completely different from the morning-after pills and frowned, asking. “Cold medicine.” I tucked the bottle into my pocket. Liam’s gaze lingered on my pocket. Just then, Chloe Hayes let out an ill-timed sneeze, drawing Liam’s attention. “Right, bad weeds never die. What kind of illness could *you* possibly have…” Outside the mansion, Liam took off his jacket, draped it over Chloe Hayes, and said softly, “Be careful, don’t catch a cold.” Chloe Hayes linked her arm through Liam’s, her voice sweet and soft. “Let’s go inside, quickly.” Liam turned to me. “Remember, you still owe me. It’s not over yet.”

The next morning, I went to the hospital for my follow-up appointment and medication. Before I left, Dr. Miller stopped me. “Your current condition isn’t good. The cancer cells are spreading very rapidly. If you don’t undergo chemotherapy promptly, it might…” I understood the doctor’s unspoken words, simply smiling faintly. “Dr. Miller, how much longer do I have?” “Three months. But with timely surgery and treatment, there’s a chance to live a few more years.” I shook my head. It was pointless. No one in this world cared about me, and I cared about no one. After that, I went to the outskirts of the city. “Hello, I need to select a burial plot.” The attendant efficiently took out a pen and notepad. “Miss, are you choosing for an elderly family member? Any specific requirements?” “It’s for myself. A sunny spot, if possible. As for when it’ll be used…” I paused. “Three months from now.” Hearing the date, the attendant stopped writing, looking up, somewhat incredulous. Such a young and beautiful woman, choosing her own burial plot. “Understood, Miss. We’ll do our best to meet your requests.” Truth be told, if I died in Congo-Kinshasa, no one would retrieve my body or bring it back home. So, setting up a headstone for myself in advance, even if my ashes never make it back, at least I’d have a place. That evening, I returned home. Under the dim light, a person stood at my front door. It was Liam. He seemed drunk, his sharp, alluring eyes wet and fixed on me, unblinking. I tried not to look at him. The moment I opened the door, he pulled me inside. My head spun, and then he bit hard into my shoulder. “Anya, I hate you so much!” He tore at me. I tried to pull away, but Liam was crying. I’d seen Liam smile, triumphant and arrogant. I’d seen his bitter, bone-deep laugh. But I’d never seen him cry so heartbrokenly, as if he’d lost something incredibly important. “Anya, this is what you owe me!” It hurt, but I didn’t struggle. I didn’t sleep a wink that night. When I woke up the next day, I only saw Liam’s cold, distant profile. He nonchalantly buttoned his shirt, then tossed the morning-after pills Chloe Hayes had left on the bed. “Remember to take your pills. I was drunk yesterday. You don’t deserve to have my child.” I closed my eyes, letting the tears stream down. Liam seemed to feel that wasn’t enough, smiling as he said, “There’s an auction tonight. I’m officially announcing Chloe Hayes. You should come too.” I instinctively refused. “No, I need to go…” Before I could finish, Liam grabbed my wrist fiercely. His eyes were filled with resentment and furious anger. “Are you really that busy? You still owe me, it’s not repaid!” A faint ache spread through my entire body, and my hand trembled a few times uncontrollably. I swallowed the words, *I don’t have much time left*, and only asked Liam one question: “Do you really like Chloe Hayes that much?” Liam sneered, “After all, *I* was the one by my side when I hit rock bottom.” In a haze, I heard my own voice, bitter and difficult to articulate. “Fine.”

That auction was specifically arranged by Liam for Chloe Hayes. He kept me by his side, introducing Chloe to every acquaintance as his fiancée. I noticed that Liam actually seemed to be treating Chloe Hayes differently. Before, it was always just a game, never serious. This time, he seemed to be truly considering marriage. And Liam liked to let me witness his endless glory, attempting to make me regret the decision I had made to abandon him. So, he gave Chloe Hayes all the spotlight, bidding on countless precious jewelry pieces for her, making her the envy of every woman present. Meanwhile, Liam required me to wear a janitor’s uniform and clean the banquet hall. At the entrance of the banquet hall, Chloe Hayes found me, flaunting her victory. “You’re so jealous of me, aren’t you?” “After all, you were with him for so many years, you spent the darkest days of his life with him, but now he still wants to marry me, right?” “Anya, don’t you want to know why?” I continued sweeping the peanut shells off the floor, remaining silent. “You’ve always been like this, from childhood. At home, no matter what mean things I did to you, you’d act like you didn’t care, but deep down you must have hated me, right?” I fell silent, memories resurfacing. “You’ve always been this way, from childhood. Anything I liked, you had to steal.” Chloe Hayes scoffed. “You’re just an extra. Everything should rightfully be mine. Why should it be shared with you?” “Actually, he only planned to treat me like those other women, give me some money and send me away. But I told Liam that from the first time I saw him in middle school, I had a secret crush on him. I told him the money for his bone marrow transplant surgery was earned by me working multiple jobs, and the matching bone marrow was begged from Noah Sterling!” “I did so much for him silently, while you betrayed him at his peak and abandoned him in his toughest time, leaving him homeless. He hates you even more now!” My eyes widened. Not just because Chloe Hayes had taken credit for my efforts, but more importantly, she knew all the details of what I had done back then! “How do you know…” After I turned adult, my father kicked me out of the house, and I cut off all ties with my family. I certainly wouldn’t have told Chloe Hayes those things. Chloe Hayes leaned close to me, whispering in my ear. “Because, I secretly snuck into your house and took your diary and all the payment receipts from Liam’s hospitalization back then.” “Now all the evidence is with me. Even if you run off and tell him the truth, he won’t believe you. He’ll just think you’re making it up to get his attention.” I quickly regained my composure. The past didn’t matter. Anyway, I wasn’t planning to tell him. It didn’t matter who Liam thought did it. I didn’t want to get involved with her anymore and tried to leave, but Chloe Hayes wasn’t done yet. My eyes darted. Suddenly, she grabbed my hand and placed it on her waist. Then, her body fell backward, crashing into a champagne tower nearby.

The shattering glass of the champagne tower attracted everyone’s attention in the hall. The wine stains on Chloe Hayes’s white dress were strikingly obvious. Not far away, Liam noticed the commotion and rushed over. He knelt down to check if Chloe Hayes was hurt, his face filled with tenderness and concern. He practically checked every inch of her, and only when he found only a slight bruise on her from hitting the table did he finally breathe a sigh of relief. The next moment, Liam stood up and angrily reprimanded me. “Anya, are you sick? How could you lay your hands on her? Apologize to Chloe, right now!” Hearing this, I actually laughed out of anger. I *was* sick. So sick I was almost dead! “Liam Sterling, are you blind?” My words instantly enraged Liam. He raised his hand and slapped my face. The sharp slap echoed through the banquet hall. Chloe Hayes, with red eyes, tugged on Liam’s arm, looking utterly pitiful. “It’s alright, Liam darling, I’m fine. Don’t blame my sister. I didn’t mean it.” But her eyes met mine, full of blatant provocation. The more she acted this way, the angrier Liam became. He embraced Chloe Hayes and said gently, “Don’t be afraid. I’ll take care of this. I’ll make sure the person who bullied you pays!” I frowned, then spoke up in my own defense. “I really didn’t do it.” Liam saw that I refused to apologize and ordered his bodyguards to sweep all the glass shards into one spot. “Kneel on it. Kneel until Chloe is satisfied.” My eyes reddened. My hands instinctively clenched the hem of my dress, desperately trying to hide the tremor in my voice. “You… you truly want me to do this?” I tried to find a flicker of trust in Liam’s eyes. Liam spoke coldly. “You will pay for your mistakes. It was true then, and it’s true now.” My eyes were bloodshot. Liam’s distrust chilled me to the bone. Finally, as if resigned to my fate, I took off my shoes and, barefoot, in front of everyone, knelt on the shattered glass. The tiny shards instantly pierced my skin, blood flowing onto the floor, the red glistening eerily in the reflection of the glass. I don’t know how long I knelt, until my legs were numb and I couldn’t feel the pain, until my blood congealed on the cold floor. This banquet was attended by prominent figures, and their expressions varied as they watched the scene unfold. “Please excuse the scene tonight. Next week will be my engagement party. I hope you all will join us.” Liam scanned the room, then spoke slowly. The banquet hall buzzed with activity again, filled with congratulations from all sides. My numb gaze suddenly flickered. Liam had once promised he would only marry me. But now, he was going to marry someone else. Stubborn Anya finally spoke. “I’m sorry. I was wrong.” A flicker of emotion crossed Liam’s eyes, but it was only for a moment. Chloe Hayes, nestled in Liam’s arms, looked at me with triumph, though her words were, “It’s alright, Liam darling, my sister has already apologized. Don’t blame her. Please get a doctor to clean her wounds. They might get infected.” My seemingly understanding demeanor touched Liam. “No need. I can take care of myself. We don’t need to worry about her.” “Since Chloe has forgiven you, let’s put tonight’s incident behind us.” With Liam’s permission, I finally stood up. But because I had knelt for so long, my legs were numb. The moment I stood, my body swayed uncontrollably, and I fell heavily onto the pile of shattered glass again. The congealed wounds started to bleed afresh, adding many new cuts. Even the bodyguards nearby couldn’t bear to watch and wanted to help me, but Liam stopped them with a stern look. I staggered, forced to grab a table leg to get up, then limped out of the banquet hall, leaning against the wall. All along the way, I left a trail of my blood. Stepping out of the hotel, my phone rang. It was Mr. Peterson. A heavy sigh filled the line. “Anya, your war correspondent application has been approved. It’s scheduled for next week. Use this week to pack up your things and spend some time with your family…” “Everyone acknowledges your capabilities. I hope… you return safely.” “Anya, take care of yourself.”

For me, this was undoubtedly good news. “Thank you, Mr. Peterson. Thank you for your guidance all these years.” I might not come back, but I’d still accept Mr. Peterson’s blessing. The news came so timely that I was so happy, most of the pain in my body disappeared. After a few days of rest, though not fully recovered, I could walk normally. Liam’s phone call soon summoned me back to the mansion. “What? Did you forget what you did? Did you think an apology would fix everything?” Knowing I was about to leave, my mood had improved considerably. Facing Liam’s deliberate provocation, I greeted him with a smile. “Mr. Sterling, what can I do for you?” “Take care of Chloe until we get married.” Hearing the words “get married,” I opened my mouth, but finally only managed one word: “Okay.” After Liam left, I clutched my chest, gasping for breath. I thought I was leaving soon, and whatever Liam and Chloe Hayes did, I could accept it calmly. But hearing “marriage” still made my heart ache terribly. I kept reassuring myself that I didn’t have much time left. Even if the truth came out, and Liam forgave me, it would only cause him more trouble. It was better this way. If I died, Liam wouldn’t be heartbroken. In his earlier life, Liam had suffered enough. Now, he could at least marry, have children, and live a peaceful, stable life. And I could use my remaining time to live life more fully, making some final contributions to the world. “Anya, I want some rich, homemade chicken noodle soup. Go make it.” Chloe Hayes stood on the second floor, ordering me around imperiously. Liam didn’t intervene, which only made Chloe Hayes worse. At dinner, Chloe Hayes deliberately complained the food was too salty, making me cook it again. Every morning, I was responsible for cleaning up the used tissues and wrappers scattered after their passion. Before, I would argue a few times. Now, I accepted everything without a word. Liam watched my submissive behavior, frustrated by my passiveness.

I spent three hazy days at the mansion, dragged by Liam to help Chloe Hayes choose a wedding dress. I didn’t know if Liam was doing it on purpose, but he specifically chose the boutique where we used to custom-order dresses three years ago. The manager, Ms. Evelyn, greeted them warmly. “Mr. Sterling, Ms. Hayes, you two haven’t been here in ages! Come right in.” I politely replied, “This young lady is getting engaged in a few days. We’re here to look at dresses.” Ms. Evelyn winked, and a staff member, Mark, immediately pulled Chloe Hayes inside to look at dresses. Ms. Evelyn invited Liam and me to wait in the tea room outside the changing rooms. While walking, she spoke to me, “Ms. Hayes, the dress Mr. Sterling ordered for you three years ago was never picked up. I thought you’d never come back.” “But we’ve kept it safe for you. I’ll get it out for you to see now.” Before I could say anything, another staff member wheeled out the dress, displaying it before us. The most outstanding feature of the entire dress was its design. A three-year-old design that still looked timeless today. I seemed to recall the days when we attended various formal events together. Back then, Liam would often have custom dresses made for me. My first formal dress was designed by Liam. On the day of the school’s formal dance, the Hayes family had a special dress custom-made for Chloe Hayes. I was completely forgotten, left to watch enviously from the side. Liam, somehow, found out. He drew the sketches himself, searched all over the city for a tailor, who worked overtime for three nights to rush the dress into completion. From then on, every formal dress I wore had Liam’s input. Liam’s eyes were full of love when he looked at me then. “My dear Ms. Anya, it’s truly an honor to invite you as my date.” I would tease him back, smiling, “I think it’s *your* honor.” I looked at the dress, my eyes welling up. “Yes, it’s beautiful.” Ms. Evelyn smiled. “Of course. Mr. Sterling personally drew the design, and we rushed to make it.” I looked at Liam, my heart filled with mixed emotions. Just then, Chloe Hayes, wearing a dress, broke the silence. “Liam darling, let’s try another store. I think the dresses here are just so-so.” Suddenly, Chloe Hayes spotted the dress in Ms. Evelyn’s hand, her eyes lighting up. “Wow! Liam darling, this dress is so gorgeous!” Liam asked, “You like it?” Chloe Hayes nodded. “Yes! I love it! Liam darling, let’s wear this one for our engagement party, okay?” My face was complicated as I looked at Liam. Liam merely glanced at the dress, then dotingly nodded. “Mhm, if you like it.” I couldn’t help but mock myself in my heart. “He’s about to get engaged. Why would he cling to old affections? Anya, don’t be delusional anymore.” Ms. Evelyn’s gaze flitted between Liam and Chloe Hayes, a little confused. I explained, “This young lady will be Mr. Sterling’s fiancée in a few days.” After speaking, I glanced at the calendar on my phone. Four more days. Liam had a major business deal at his company these past two days, so the engagement preparations were left to Chloe Hayes. Aside from the occasional affectionate photos Chloe Hayes sent me, generally, no one bothered me. On the fifth day, Chloe Hayes found me again. “For the engagement, I need a ring. I want that one you’ve kept treasured.”

I was silent for a moment, then shook my head. “I don’t know what ring I have that would be to your liking.” Chloe Hayes knew I was playing dumb and scoffed, “Don’t act foolish, my dear sister. I could guess your ancient password with my eyes closed. I saw it last time I went to your place. It’s the ring Liam darling gave you, right?” “I want that one!” I knew she was talking about that gold ring. Liam had bought that ring for me in college, saving every penny. It was only a little over two grams. It wasn’t worth much, but it had been my only keepsake all these years. “Your engagement ceremony, using my ring for him to propose with—doesn’t that make you sick?” Chloe Hayes curled her lips into a triumphant smile. “It doesn’t make *me* sick. Someone else will be sickened. Anyway, Liam darling said whatever I want, you have to provide. Besides, he’s marrying me now, why would you keep that ring? To pine over your sister’s husband?” I could only compromise. She was right. Since I had decided to leave, I should sever ties completely with the past. “Fine. You can use that ring for the fiancée.” As the engagement date drew closer, I accelerated the process of arranging my final affairs. I placed some of my favorite books and a camera inside my cremation urn. I had already arranged with the cemetery staff to bury these items. Finally, I made one last trip to the hospital to pick up my medication, mostly painkillers, to ensure they wouldn’t interfere with my work. For me, the late-stage cancer cells would spread increasingly fast, so other medications were largely irrelevant. Dr. Miller handed me the medicine. He was my primary physician and knew my condition best. “If you continued treatment, there might still be hope. Going abroad is effectively giving up on life.” I knew his kind intentions. “Thank you.” Watching me leave, seeing my thin figure, Dr. Miller admired my courage. Even with life ticking down, I didn’t immerse myself in sorrow and despair, choosing instead to live life more fully within my limited time. On the day of the engagement ceremony, I was busy for half the day. When the ceremony officially began, I was already at the airport. The grand ceremony was being live-streamed online. At the airport, I watched Liam, holding the jewelry box containing the wedding ring, his loving eyes gazing at Chloe Hayes. “Will you marry me?” Before Chloe Hayes’s answer came, I looked at Liam on the screen and whispered softly: “I do…” After a moment of surrender, I immediately regained my composure and quickly turned off my phone. The airport announcement boomed that my flight was about to depart. I dragged my luggage towards the boarding gate. This time, I would bid farewell to all past happiness and sorrow, heading towards an inevitable end. At the engagement site, Liam casually produced the ring. For him, this engagement was merely a means of revenge against me.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298795”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

Everyone in the West Coast’s most exclusive circles knew I was utterly obsessed with Julian Thorne, the orphan my family had sponsored. I defied my family for him and faced their bitter fury, risking everything I had. I spent a fortune to buy him an island and orchestrated a spectacular city-wide fireworks display to propose to him. But five years into our marriage, at Julian’s birthday party, I strapped our four-year-old son to the deck of the yacht. “Julian, tell me, where have you hidden Caleb?” My voice was low, my gaze fixed on Julian, chilling to the bone. “I don’t know where he is!” Julian was forced to his knees, sweat already soaking his suit. “Ellie, please, can you just unstrap Leo first?” Julian tugged at my dress, his eyes welling up. “Mom… Mommy… Leo… Leo feels sick…” At that moment, our son’s weak voice echoed from the deck. Seeing Leo’s face grow pale, Julian’s voice verged on breaking. “Ellie, that’s our son, the boy you cherished since he was born!” But I, sitting calmly on the sofa, merely put down my drink, then reached out and pinched Julian’s chin, my voice icy. “Where is Caleb?” “I don’t know, I really don’t know…” Julian desperately shook his head, tears streaming down, his voice softening with desperation. “Ellie, I beg you, please give Leo his medicine. He has asthma, you know that.” With that, Julian pulled a bottle of medicine from his pocket, holding it out to me with trembling hands. But I only frowned at the sight of it, waving my hand to knock the bottle to the floor. “Julian, I told you, Caleb and I are just playing around. When I get bored, I’ll come back to you. Why are you so disobedient? Why do you insist on hiding him?” As I spoke, the grip on his chin tightened, my nails digging deep into his skin. “If you keep acting like this, our son will suffer because of your disobedience, you know!” Before Julian could react, I raised my hand, signaling my men to lower the ropes binding Leo further towards the ocean. “No!” Watching our son about to plunge into the sea, Julian screamed in a raw, desperate cry. He couldn’t understand why I, who once cherished him above all else, would do this to him for another man. “Ms. Montgomery, Caleb has been located.” Just then, one of my men approached, handing me a phone. Caleb Blackwood’s voice immediately came through. “Ms. Montgomery, please stop looking for me. I don’t want to be an obstacle between you and Mr. Thorne.” “Caleb, don’t say that. Tell me where you are! You’re not an obstacle, you’re the man I love most in this life!” “Really?” “Of course. I told you, you’re truly the only one I’ve ever loved.” “Then come to the place we first met.” Caleb hung up. Listening to the dial tone, I let out a long breath of relief. My gaze turned to Julian, still kneeling on the floor, and a hint of tenderness entered my eyes. I placed my hand on his head, gently caressing his hair. “Julian, I was wrong to doubt you.” “Don’t worry, Leo is my son too. How could I ever harm him?” “You stay here and enjoy your birthday. I’m going to see Caleb.” With that, I released Julian and walked away without a backward glance, not even sparing a look at our son still dangling precariously above the waves. Watching my retreating back, Julian finally scrambled to the bow of the yacht. He pulled Leo back onto the deck and poured out the remaining medicine from the overturned bottle. “Be a good boy, Leo, open your mouth and take your medicine. You won’t feel sick anymore after this!” He tried to feed the medicine to his son. But no matter how hard he tried, the medicine wouldn’t go in. “Leo, Leo…” Julian repeatedly called out to his son in his arms, but no matter how he cried out, there was no reply. “Help! Please, someone help my son!” Julian cried out to the guests at his birthday party, but without my permission, no one dared to help him. Clutching his son’s rapidly chilling body, Julian could no longer cry. This was the son I carried for ten months, the son I painstakingly gave birth to. Our little prince, born with our hopes and dreams. But now, he was killed by his own mother’s hands. Carrying his son, Julian walked step by painful step towards the funeral home. With each step, his heart grew colder, until all love for me vanished entirely. The moment he held Leo’s urn in his arms, Julian’s trembling hand reached for his phone. “Director, do I still have a chance with the lab?” “Yes, you do, but will I let you go?” “I’ll fake my own death.” “Alright, I’ll arrange a new identity for you and submit your资料 (documents) to the lab. I’ll have someone pick you up in a week.” “Thank you, Director!” Julian was about to hang up when he heard the Director’s regretful sigh on the other end. “Ah, I told you back then not to trust the affections of the wealthy, but you wouldn’t believe me…” Julian hung up before the Director finished. Yes, the Director had pleaded with him for so long, but at that time, he loved me, he believed in me. He just never imagined that it would lead to such a devastating end. If that was the case, then he didn’t want me anymore either! Thinking this, Julian tightened his grip on the urn and walked away. But the next second, his vision went black, and he collapsed heavily to the ground. 2 I woke up in a hospital, the pungent smell of disinfectant making me frown. “Oh, you’re finally awake!” A nurse on rounds walked over. She checked me carefully, and only after confirming I was truly alright did the nurse visibly relax. “You’ve been unconscious for a day and a night. The funeral home brought you in, and we couldn’t reach your family. You should call them to let them know you’re safe!” The nurse turned to leave, but I suddenly remembered something and urgently called out to her. “My… my things?” “What things?” The nurse looked at me, puzzled. “It’s… it’s…” I opened my mouth, but the word caught in my throat, I couldn’t say it. My son, my beloved son. “Oh, you must mean this!” The nurse picked up the urn from the bedside table and handed it to me. “You were clutching it so tightly when you arrived, it took us a lot of effort to pry it from your grasp.” The nurse paused, her eyes filled with sympathy. “I don’t know who’s inside, but I hope you find peace!” With that, the nurse left the room. Holding the urn, my eyes welled up again. I pulled out my phone, instinctively about to call Eleanor, but the moment I opened it, a flood of messages poured in. They were all provocative messages from Caleb Blackwood. There were photos of his hands intertwined with mine, photos of me shyly nestled in his arms, photos of us deeply kissing, and even photos of used condoms after our intimate moments. Looking at these photos, I suddenly let out a bitter laugh. What was I still hoping for? Eleanor always said Caleb and she were just playing around, that she’d come back to me when she got bored. But her repeated hurts, her constant favoritism, had pierced my heart again and again, leaving it riddled with holes. This time, I wouldn’t wait for her anymore. Clutching Leo’s urn tightly, I checked myself out of the hospital. Looking at the dazzling sunlight outside, I didn’t know where to go. I was an orphan, only able to attend college because of the Montgomery family’s sponsorship. I had no father, no mother, no home. I once believed that anywhere Eleanor was, that was my home. But now, it seemed it was only my wishful thinking. In the end, I was still left with nothing. Watching the bustling street, I eventually turned my steps toward the mansion. Back at the mansion, the moment I opened the door, I heard Eleanor’s gasps. “Caleb, you’re so good!” “Caleb, you’re amazing!” “Caleb, I love you so much!” … Eleanor’s loving words echoed in my ears, but my heart was utterly devoid of any ripple. I glanced indifferently at the two in the living room and walked upstairs. I gently placed Leo’s urn on the table, changed my clothes, and was about to lie down for some much-needed rest when Eleanor walked in from the bedroom. “Where were you yesterday? Why didn’t you come home? And where’s Leo?” Hearing her barrage of questions, I had no desire to answer. I got into bed and pulled the covers over my head. I didn’t even want to look at her anymore. But Eleanor, standing at the doorway, frowned deeply. She yanked the covers off, pulling me up from the bed. “Are you deaf when I speak?” Seeing my somewhat pale face, she paused, then raised her hand, her fingertips tracing my cheek. The cold touch made me involuntarily flinch. 3 Seeing my reaction, Eleanor merely offered a faint smile. “Look at you, I’m not some man-eating monster, why are you so nervous?” “Did Leo go to daycare?” She hooked her finger under my chin, forcing me to meet her gaze. “You know, if you were just a good boy, nothing like this would happen.” She paused, then continued. “By the way, I want Caleb to move into the mansion with me for a while, so you and Leo will have to make do with the staff quarters for now. He’ll leave once I get bored.” Her eyes were gentle, but every word she spoke pierced my heart. I froze. I never imagined she would relegate me and our son to the staff quarters for another man. “Julian, I’ll only ever love you.” “Out of a thousand loves, you’re the only one for me!” The vows of yesteryear still echoed in my ears, yet in the end, her love was not solely for me. My gaze drifted to the urn on the table. After a long silence, I finally uttered the word. “Okay.” “Good, that’s my sweet boy!” Eleanor said, gently ruffling my hair, a satisfied smile on her face. “Julian, trust me, you’re still the one I love most. The Montgomery family’s esteemed son-in-law position will always be yours!” She smiled faintly, turning to leave, then, as if remembering something, turned back to me. “Caleb is new to the mansion, so you’ll have to take care of a lot of things.” “He loves spicy food but hates cilantro, and he’s allergic to milk. You need to remember all of this!” A flicker of a familiar tenderness passed through Eleanor’s eyes, a tenderness that no longer belonged to me. “Okay.” I replied. Satisfied with my answer, Eleanor nodded and went downstairs. Watching her leave, I finally collapsed onto the bed. No gut-wrenching sobs, no gushing tears; only a heart as cold as death. She once treated me the same way. She remembered all my favorites, remembered what I was allergic to, and what I disliked. But now, she remembered nothing about me. She said she would love me for a lifetime, but it turned out her lifetime was just a few short years. I got up and moved my belongings, along with Leo’s urn, to the staff quarters. “Julian, you really have it rough!” I had just finished organizing my things when Caleb Blackwood stood at the doorway. He waved a hand dismissively under his nose, looking around the room with distaste. “This room is really small!” Then, he sauntered over to me, looking directly into my eyes. “Actually, I didn’t really want to bother you guys, but Ellie said she can’t live without me, so what can I do?” “Julian, you should know, Ellie can be quite willful.” Caleb’s eyes, as he spoke, were full of blatant provocation. “Whether you’re willful or not, it has nothing to do with me.” I glared at Caleb, then turned towards the bed. All I wanted now was a good night’s sleep. But then, Caleb seemed to notice something, walking straight to the urn on the table. “Oh? What’s this?” “Give it back!” Watching Caleb pick up the urn, I was a step too late. “What is this? Julian, don’t be so stingy, let me see.” Caleb raised his hand, intending to open the box. “Don’t touch it!” At the same time, I lunged forward in a panic. “Ah…” “No…” I tackled Caleb to the ground, both of us crying out simultaneously. 4 “What happened?” Eleanor’s voice called out from the doorway as she walked in. Seeing the messy room and the two of us on the floor, she frowned. She quickly walked over and helped Caleb up. “Caleb, are you okay?” Eleanor looked at Caleb with concern, her eyes filled with worry. “Ellie, my stomach… I think I hit my stomach earlier…” Caleb clutched his stomach, leaning painfully against Eleanor’s shoulder. “Julian Thorne, I told you to take good care of Caleb, and this is how you do it?” Eleanor’s face darkened as she looked at me, still on the floor. But I seemed not to hear her, just kneeling, desperately scooping the white ash from the floor into my arms. “Don’t be afraid, Leo, Daddy’s here. Daddy will protect you.” I murmured, kneeling on the floor, my voice too soft for Eleanor to hear clearly. “Julian Thorne, I’m talking to you.” Eleanor’s voice grew colder. Her eyes narrowed, giving off a dangerous, oppressive aura. But I still ignored her, as if possessed, continuing to scoop the white ash into my arms. “Julian Thorne…” “Ellie…” My chilling words were interrupted by Caleb. Sweat beaded on his forehead. “Ellie, I… I’m in so much pain!” His weak voice echoed again, and Eleanor’s frown deepened. “Okay, I’ll take you to the hospital now.” She lowered her head, softly comforting Caleb, but the moment she looked up, her eyes were filled with disgust for me. “Julian Thorne, you are too disobedient.” With that, she took a step forward, deliberately stepping on the white ash. “You pushed Caleb down, just for this thing?” “It seems I’ve spoiled you too much!” She pressed down with her foot, grinding it over the white ash several times. “No!” Seeing her foot, I rushed forward and wrapped my arms around it. “Please, please don’t! This is…” “Nothing is more important than Caleb!” Eleanor coldly cut me off. “Julian Thorne, I want you to remember, if you’re obedient, you’ll always be the Montgomery family’s son-in-law. If you’re not, I have many ways to torment you.” With that, she kicked hard, sending me sprawling to the floor again. Watching Eleanor support Caleb and walk away, I trembled, curling myself into a ball. Blood flowed steadily from my hands, injured by the broken urn, but the pain in my palms was nothing compared to the pain in my heart. After crying for an unknown length of time, I finally got up and placed Leo’s ashes into another box. Clutching the box tightly, I fell into a deep sleep on the bed. It was deep into the night when the staff quarters door was suddenly burst open. I startled awake. Before I could react, I was already being pressed into a car by several bodyguards. The car sped to the hospital. When I came to my senses, I was already being held down in front of Eleanor. “Caleb suffered a major hemorrhage because of your push. He’s still in surgery now.” Eleanor paused, her voice growing even colder. “This is because of your disobedience. You need to atone.” Her gaze on me was dark and ominous, the prelude to a furious outburst from someone in power. “No! I… I didn’t push him, he fell on his own!” I struggled desperately, but the men holding me were too strong; my struggles were useless. “I… I really didn’t! You can’t do this to me…” My resistance continued, but Eleanor had already waved her hand, summoning someone. They pressed me onto a table, instructing a nurse to draw my blood. Watching the blood flow out through the long tube, I finally stopped struggling. Once, if I merely pricked a finger, she would lovingly summon the best doctors in the city. But now, she was drawing my blood for another man. As the bright red blood was drawn drop by drop, my consciousness gradually blurred. The last thing I remembered before fading was Eleanor anxiously rushing towards the doctor who had just emerged from the operating room. 5 Again, I woke up in a hospital, again to the pungent smell of disinfectant. Listening to the steady beeps of the heart monitor, my heart was silent, like death. Just then, the door to the ward suddenly opened, and Caleb Blackwood, his face pale, walked in, leaning against the wall with each slow step. “What are you doing here?” I merely glanced at him indifferently and turned my face away. “Mr. Thorne, I’ve come to thank you.” Caleb walked over and sat down in front of my bed. “Mr. Thorne, thank you for donating blood to me. Without you, I might have died on the operating table!” As he spoke, Caleb was already by my bedside. “I don’t need your thanks.” I closed my eyes. I didn’t want to see Caleb anymore. “Don’t be like that, Mr. Thorne, I sincerely want to thank you!” Caleb turned, picked up the glass from the table, poured some water, and offered it to me. “Mr. Thorne, I heard… Leo passed away, didn’t he?” Caleb’s words were barely out before my eyes snapped open. “That black box, that was Leo, right?” Caleb held the glass, a mocking smile playing on his lips, a glimmer of cunning flashing in his eyes. “It truly was…” Caleb paused, and the glass in his hand began to tilt. “It truly was, what he deserved!” With that, the scalding water from the glass poured out entirely. “Ah!” The hot water spilled all over my hand. I quickly pulled my hand back, pushing Caleb away. “Caleb Blackwood, what are you doing?” Seeing my reddened, scalded hand, Caleb sat on the floor and burst into laughter. “Hahahaha, Julian Thorne, someone like you actually thinks you’re worthy of Eleanor? You’re delusional!” Caleb then raised his hand and waved something in front of my eyes. “You should be very familiar with this, shouldn’t you?” “Ellie gave this to me. I told her I want to have many more children with her in the future.” Looking at the locket in Caleb’s hand, my eyes widened in shock. That was the locket Eleanor personally placed on Leo’s neck the day he was born, saying it would protect him for a long and healthy life. Later, because it was so precious, I put it away. I never imagined she would give it to Caleb. Remembering the day Leo died, and how Eleanor didn’t even spare him a glance, my heart instantly sank to rock bottom. I used all my strength to push myself up from the hospital bed. I had to get back what belonged to Leo. “What are you two doing?” Just as I struggled to get out of bed, Eleanor’s icy voice cut through the air from the doorway. “Ellie… Eleanor…” Seeing her appear at the door, Caleb instantly changed his expression. His eyes reddened, and his voice choked. “Eleanor, I… I just wanted to come thank Mr. Thorne for donating blood, but he wouldn’t accept my thanks and even tried to take the locket you gave me.” As he spoke, tears sparkled in Caleb’s eyes. “Eleanor, this is the locket you gave for our future children. I don’t want Mr. Thorne to have it.” “Eleanor, could you please ask Mr. Thorne not to take my locket…” Frowning, Eleanor quickly walked over to Caleb, who was still sitting on the floor, and helped him up. After making sure Caleb was steady, she turned to me. “Julian, is what he said true?” 6 Her voice was icy, but not as cold as my heart. I looked up, meeting her dark, furious gaze, my voice horribly hoarse. “Eleanor, that was *your* gift to Leo! How could you give it to this man?” “Sigh, still haven’t learned your lesson.” Hearing my accusation, Eleanor didn’t get angry; she just shook her head helplessly, then turned to Caleb, whom she was still holding. “And you, why are you so naughty too? I told you to stay in your room, why are you running around?” She gently tapped Caleb’s nose, her eyes filled with tenderness. “I just…” “Alright, don’t say anything else.” She gently cut Caleb off, reaching out to affectionately ruffle his hair. “There’s no turning back once I’ve given something away, is there?” “Since I gave it to you, it’s yours. No one, not even the Montgomery family’s son-in-law, can take it from you.” She glanced indifferently at me, still sitting on the hospital bed, then turned back to Caleb, her voice laced with intimacy. “If you don’t listen to me again, I might have to punish you, you know!” As she spoke, her eyes involuntarily drifted lower. “Eleanor, Mr. Thorne is still here!” Caleb’s gaze swept over me, his eyes full of provocation. “What does he matter? Come on, I’ll take you back to your room.” With that, Eleanor gently helped Caleb and left the ward. Watching their intimate backs, my heart was utterly still. Sitting weakly on the hospital bed, looking at my scalded, bright red hands, and remembering Eleanor personally placing the locket around Leo’s neck, I found I couldn’t even shed a single tear. It turned out that when a person reached the pinnacle of sorrow, there truly were no tears left. Staring blankly at my hands, after an unknown amount of time, the ward door opened again, and Eleanor walked in, her face grim. “Julian, why still can’t you learn to be obedient?” She came up to me, reached out, hooked my chin, and looked at me with chilling eyes. “If you like lockets, I’ll have someone buy you another one. Why do you have to fight with Caleb?” “I already told you, once I get bored, I’ll naturally come back to you. And the locket is no different.” As she spoke, her grip on my chin tightened. She forced me to meet her gaze, a helpless curve to her lips. “Julian, you’re making things very difficult for me!” “I don’t want anything to happen to Leo, but if you keep being so willful, I can’t guarantee that something won’t happen to him!” Seeing the sudden fear in my eyes, she released me, satisfied. “Julian, I’m giving you one last chance. If you bully Caleb again, don’t blame me for disregarding our marriage!” With that, she cast one more glance at me, then turned and left the ward. Eleanor didn’t notice the blood seeping from my tightly clenched hands at my sides. *Eleanor, don’t you know? Leo is gone. Our Leo died by your hands.* For several days after that, Eleanor didn’t visit me again. Even my discharge was something I handled alone. Looking at the mottled tree shadows outside the hospital, my grip on my phone tightened. Today was the day I was supposed to leave. Director Davies had sent me the address of my rendezvous. I just needed to go home, pick up Leo, and disappear from Eleanor’s life forever. 7 Back at the mansion, the moment I opened the door, I saw Caleb Blackwood lounging on the sofa, and Eleanor was feeding him medicine. “Ellie, this medicine is so bitter!” Caleb frowned at the medicine in front of him, then looked up at Eleanor. “Be a good boy, sweetie, good medicine tastes bitter!” Eleanor gently pushed the medicine closer to Caleb, coaxing him softly. “I won’t, unless…” Caleb paused, then suddenly leaned closer to Eleanor. “Unless you feed it to me with your mouth!” Looking at the man before her, Eleanor chuckled softly. “Okay, I’ll feed you!” She took a sip from the bowl, then leaned in, covering Caleb’s lips with hers. Caleb, being kissed, let his eyes wander to me, standing at the doorway, his eyes full of unconcealed pride and triumph. Watching the scene unfold, I suddenly remembered four years ago, when I was sick, the doctor also prescribed medicine for me. That medicine was too bitter, I really couldn’t drink it. Eleanor also coaxed me to finish it in the same way. At that time, she looked at me with such tenderness, saying she would never let me suffer again in this life. I never imagined that later, all the suffering would be brought to me by her. Not wanting to see the intimate pair on the sofa any longer, I turned to go back to the staff quarters, but then Eleanor’s low voice reached me. “You’re back?” She got up from Caleb’s side and walked over to me. “Have some water!” “Your health isn’t great to begin with, and you donated blood to Caleb, so you must still be very weak.” She picked up a glass of water from the table and offered it to me. I looked at the glass in her hand, then looked up at her, my eyes utterly cold. “No need.” Her concern, I didn’t need it anymore. With that, I turned to go back to my room, but the next second, I was restrained by her men. “Julian, how many times do I have to tell you? You need to be good, to be obedient. That’s how I’ll love you, that’s how Leo won’t suffer.” Before I could resist, she pinched my cheeks and forced the cup of water down my throat. Only when the water entered my throat did I realize it wasn’t her concern for me at all, but her mockery. “Cough, cough, cough…” The burning chili water made me cough uncontrollably. But seeing me in such a pathetic state, Eleanor, standing before me, and Caleb, sitting on the sofa, both burst into uncontrollable laughter. “Are you feeling better now?” Eleanor turned to Caleb, her eyes full of pampering. “Much better!” Caleb walked over and wrapped his arms around Eleanor. “But Ellie, you promised me, from now on, you’ll only love me!” “Yes, I’ll only love you from now on.” Eleanor looked up and kissed Caleb’s lips again. Then, she looked at me with cold indifference. “Don’t blame me, Caleb was injured because of you. This is just a punishment for your disobedience!” With that, she waved a hand, and I was released. Looking at Eleanor, who seemed like a demon before me, I glared at her fiercely, then turned and went back to my room. Watching my retreating back, Eleanor frowned. She didn’t know why, but that look in my eyes made her incredibly uneasy. “Ellie, what’s wrong?” Seeing her staring blankly at my retreating back, Caleb’s lips proactively sought hers again. Wrapping my arms around the man in front of me, I closed my eyes in satisfaction. Back in my room, I began to pack, but I couldn’t find Leo’s urn anywhere. Caleb’s words in the hospital suddenly flashed through my mind. In an instant, a terrible premonition surged in my heart. Without thinking further, I quickly got up and rushed to the living room. 8 The two in the living room were still entwined, but my unease only grew. I pulled them apart, and before either could react, I punched Caleb in the face. “Caleb Blackwood, where are my things?” “Wh-what things?” The desire in Caleb’s eyes hadn’t faded yet. Taken by surprise by the punch, he froze. “Where’s my box?” I looked at Caleb, tears almost spilling from my eyes in desperation. “Oh, you mean that white ash!” Caleb seemed to remember something, his eyes filled with disgust. “Mr. Thorne, where did you find that stuff? It’s… it’s not clean…” “I asked you, where are my things?” Before Caleb could finish, I grabbed the lapels of his half-open shirt. “I… I threw it away.” “Threw it away?” “Yeah, that stuff was what hurt me, and what made you have to donate blood to me. It wasn’t clean, so I threw…” Caleb tried to say more, but he was silenced by my furious gaze. “Where did you throw it?” “Just… just in the trash can…” Before Caleb could finish, I quickly got up and ran out. I frantically searched through trash can after trash can, but I couldn’t find Leo’s ashes anywhere. Watching me, frantically rummaging through trash cans like a madman, Eleanor frowned. She quickly walked over to me, grabbing me forcefully. “Julian Thorne, that’s enough!” She roared. “Look at yourself! What kind of state are you in? Where’s the dignity of the Montgomery family’s son-in-law?” “Dignity? Montgomery family’s son-in-law?” Hearing her words, I suddenly laughed. “Hahahaha, Eleanor, don’t you know? He, Caleb Blackwood, threw Leo away!” “You… what?” Hearing my words, Eleanor’s frown deepened. “Eleanor, that box, it was our Leo! It was Leo!” I grabbed her arm, screaming in near-collapse, but the next second, a stinging pain erupted on my face. Looking at me, finally silenced by her slap, Eleanor’s expression was terrifyingly dark. “Julian Thorne, how dare you curse Leo? That’s your son!” “Caleb already told me he sent Leo to my mother’s place. You’re busy taking care of him, so you couldn’t manage, and my mom’s taking care of him for now.” “Julian Thorne, I’m warning you, if you dare to curse Leo again, I think Leo should get a new daddy!” “Your mother?” Hearing her words, I laughed even harder. “Hahahaha, Eleanor, your mother never liked Leo. Do you really think she’d agree to take care of him?” “Eleanor, the one who killed Leo wasn’t me, it was *you*!” With that, I pushed Eleanor away and ran towards the sea. “Julian Thorne, where are you going?” Watching my figure disappear into the distance, Eleanor suddenly panicked. She quickly chased after me, but in the end, she was still too late. “Julian, come back, I’ll take you to pick up Leo!” She looked at me, standing at the edge of the cliff, a ominous premonition suddenly filling her heart. She slowly approached me, but the next second, I stopped her. “Eleanor, Leo is gone. He can’t be brought back!” “I watched his body being cremated with my own eyes. I collected his ashes myself. Eleanor, our Leo is dead.” Hearing the word “dead,” Eleanor’s heart suddenly clenched. She reached out to me, her voice anxious. “Julian, don’t say foolish things. We’ll go get Leo back right now!” “It’s too late. Eleanor, everything is too late!” I looked at her, despair filling my eyes. “Eleanor, the biggest regret of my life was falling in love with you.” “If there’s a next life, I never want to love you again!” With that, I turned and jumped into the sea without hesitation. “No!” Eleanor rushed forward, but she only managed to touch a corner of my clothes. The waves roared, and in this world, Julian Thorne was no more. 9 “Have they found him?” Inside the mansion, I lay semi-recumbent on the bed, my pale face devoid of any color. It had been three days since Julian jumped into the sea.

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“What did you say? A sperm donation?” My mind went blank as I stared at Summer Davies’ tear-streaked face. “Yes, the baby I’m carrying… it’s Julian Vance’s.” Summer dabbed at her eyes, timidly turning to Julian Vance, who stood beside her. “Julian, surely you haven’t forgotten? Five years ago, when we were studying abroad together, you volunteered for a local sperm donation program…” “I just never imagined that the seed you left behind would… germinate inside me.” Summer’s tears streamed down, her voice choked with sobs. I sat opposite her, numb, Summer’s words a lightning bolt striking my ears. I never imagined that after so many years of heartfelt prayers, my husband, Julian Vance, would finally be blessed with a child. Except, I wasn’t the one carrying it. I don’t remember how I got home. All I could see was Summer’s tear-stained, crumpled face. The steam in the bathroom was thick, almost suffocating. Unconsciously, I had been in there for two hours. Julian’s pacing silhouette was visible through the frosted glass door. Clutching my chest, I spoke first, “Is everything handled?” “Mmm.” Outside the bathroom, Julian’s head was bowed as he softly hummed a reply. His mind was a tangled mess, unsure how to explain the situation to his wife. “Are you sure it’s—” I finally mustered the courage to ask, “—your child?” “I’m so sorry, Willow. I didn’t know it was an unscrupulous little clinic back then. Now, they’ve sold all the donor information just to make a quick buck…” My heart clenched sharply, and I squeezed my eyes shut. “So, what are you going to do?” Julian, who had been quick to explain moments before, suddenly fell silent. He sighed heavily, words catching in his throat, unable to be spoken. The longer the silence stretched, the faster my heart pounded. “Willow! I want to keep this child.” I already knew the answer in my heart, yet the moment Julian’s voice reached me, tears gushed out. My fingers traced the long scar on my lower abdomen, pressing hard enough for the tips to sink deep into my skin. Three years ago, it was this scar that had brought me into Julian’s heart. Back then, I was just a junior stunt performer in his crew. Driven by a love that had blossomed since childhood, I’d silently dedicated myself to him for a decade. For ten years, I’d abandoned a comfortable, respectable job to work as a stunt double in Julian’s film crew. Soaking in icy lake water night after night for retakes in winter, a wire rig malfunctioned, and I nearly fell from a rooftop… I’d lost count of how many injuries I’d sustained. But witnessing Julian’s journey from an industry newcomer to a well-known director brought me genuine happiness. I had never thought Julian and I would have a deeper connection. Until that time, when a large-scale explosion scene was being filmed for a movie Julian was directing. Due to an oversight by the props team, there was a miscalculation with the explosion point. When the flames erupted near Julian, I instinctively dove forward without a second thought. When I woke again, staring at the sterile white hospital ceiling, the tearing pain in my abdomen made it almost impossible to breathe. “The patient’s uterus was severely damaged. Whether she can conceive in the future depends on her recovery.” The doctor’s conversation with Julian outside the door echoed clearly in my ears, word for word. He had only suffered minor scratches, but I had thrown myself over him to protect him, landing on sharp construction materials used for the set. A piece of jagged metal had pierced my abdomen. Lying alone in the hospital bed, silently crying at night, it was Julian who held my icy hands, his eyes full of pain. He said it was his turn to protect me. He promised to protect me for a lifetime. Now, I braced myself against the bathroom wall, barely standing, recalling Julian’s vows from the day we got married. Because of the scar on my stomach, I had once refused Julian’s proposal. But Julian had promised again and again: “Willow, I don’t care if we have children or not. I’ve seen all your sacrifices over the years. I love you, and this scar will only be a testament to our love!” But now, precisely because of that scar, I couldn’t refuse Julian’s request to keep the child. The doctor had said that if I couldn’t get pregnant within three years, I would never have children. Now, the three-year mark was almost here, and my womb remained silent. Julian loved children so much. How could I bear to watch him give up this hard-won baby? I choked back a sob, forcing the words out of my throat as if it took all my strength. “Okay.” ### 2 Julian’s head shot up at my answer, his voice laced with unconcealed joy. “Thank you, Willow.” I watched the man’s retreating figure leave the bathroom, and I could no longer stand. My legs gave out, and I slid to the floor, tears silently falling. Julian was going to have a baby. This was what I had dreamed of for three years. I should have been happy. But right now, my heart ached, so deeply, so terribly. After Julian and I got married, to aid my recovery, I took a job as an instructor at a nearby children’s equestrian club. Sometimes, when his crew filmed period dramas, they would borrow horses from the club. I was happy to act as a liaison between the crew and the club. “Willow! Willow!” A few pats on my back startled me, and I realized my colleague, Brenda, had called me many times. Brenda took the comb from my hand, grooming the horse while sizing me up. “What’s wrong with you? You’ve been so distracted lately.” I lowered my head, sighing quietly. Julian hadn’t been home for days, busy taking care of Summer. All of it agitated me, but who could I tell? I forced a smile, swallowing my grievances. “Nothing, maybe just a little low blood sugar.” “Low blood sugar? You need to be more careful then!” Brenda playfully patted my back, joking, “If anything happened to you, your husband would blame me for not looking after you properly.” To outsiders, we were a loving couple. Julian treated me like his most precious possession, instructing everyone to take care of me, and I was often teased about it. But now, those words felt like sharp thorns, pricking at my uneasy heart. “Oh, by the way, the crew just called. The saddle is broken; can you take a new one over?” Brenda handed me the items and arranged for a driver to take me. Watching the scenery flash past the car window, I was flooded with emotions. In these three years of marriage, I couldn’t point to a single flaw in Julian. Even when he worked until midnight, he’d send a goodnight message in advance. This was the first time in three years he’d gone days without a word. “Maybe Julian really is too busy,” I told myself, rubbing my temples, trying to find comfort. I had just finished unloading the items when I saw my best friend, Natalie, walking out of the actors’ entrance, looking utterly dejected. “Nat? Are you getting off early today?” I checked my phone; it was only three o’clock. Natalie should still be filming. She was the second female lead in this show, with a lot of screen time. “Off early? What job do I even have anymore? My role was recast.” Natalie’s voice suddenly choked, her red-rimmed eyes welling with tears. I froze. “Recast? No way!” Natalie had auditioned herself back then, and the entire production team thought she was the perfect fit for the second female lead. It was I who had brought her the good news from Julian and witnessed her sign the acting contract. Ignoring the items in my hands, I rushed into the crew’s makeup room. At that moment, Summer was sitting in front of the mirror, trying on a costume, laughing and talking with Julian. I recognized it instantly; it was Natalie’s character’s makeup and outfit. “So, you’re the one who replaced Natalie?” “Willow!” Julian nervously stepped in front of Summer. The moment our eyes met, his smile faded. “It has nothing to do with Summer. It was entirely my decision.” I looked at my now-stern husband, my eyes filled with shock. As a director, Julian couldn’t possibly be unaware of how desperately Natalie wanted this hard-won opportunity. She had auditioned day and night, finally securing this role. And just like that, Julian dismissed it with a casual remark. “What about Natalie?” I clutched the hem of my shirt. “You know how much she was looking forward to this show.” “I’m willing to offer Natalie double compensation.” Julian’s face was grim, his answer indifferent. The atmosphere grew tense. Summer, who had been shrinking behind Julian, suddenly cautiously tugged my arm. Her eyes were red, looking utterly pathetic, her voice tinged with a sob. “Sister Willow, please don’t be angry with Julian. It’s all my fault. I didn’t know Natalie was your friend. Julian just wanted to find something for me to do. I won’t act, just please don’t argue because of me…” Tears silently slid down her cheeks, her aggrieved look making it seem as if I were the unreasonable one. But these tears clearly struck a chord with Julian. His tone became irritable. “Summer just returned from abroad and hasn’t adapted to the work environment here yet. She also likes acting, and crew work is the most suitable.” “Natalie always said you were understanding, so why are you arguing with Summer over such a small matter?” “She’s pregnant; where else do you want her to suffer?” With that, he let out a long sigh, took Summer by the hand, and left the makeup room. I stood there stunned, Julian’s words like a rope twisting tightly around my heart. I was certain now; it seemed that the day Summer appeared, something had fractured. ### 3 “So, who is the second female lead after all?” “Definitely not Sister Summer. I heard the previous actress brought her friend to cause a scene, so Sister Summer gave way.” “Sister Summer is so nice, I still hope she acts.” “Yes, yes, she even brought me coffee this morning…” “I think Director Vance really likes her too!” I stood in the corner, quietly listening to the chattering extras. Following their gaze, Summer was bent over, helping the crew move props. Her sleeves were half-rolled, revealing a slender, pale forearm. Behind her, Julian stood, his eyes full of concern, following her every move. The moment Summer lifted a box, he suddenly turned his back, hastily lowering his head, and a few tears silently fell. I took it all in, a wave of bitterness rising in my heart. Because of Natalie’s role, it felt like a thick wall had risen between Julian and me. We hadn’t spoken for days. “Maybe Julian is just worried about the baby,” I thought, feeling a little better, and turned to slip into the stable in the corner. Mike was munching on the hay from the ranch. Seeing me enter, he obediently lowered his head and nudged me. This horse had been with me since I first joined the club. Strong and well-built, he was a good prospect, but unfortunately, he had injured his front leg and could no longer compete in equestrian events. Luckily, Mike had good looks and was noticed by the crew, so it was a good place for him. “Sister Willow!” A sweet gasp suddenly came from behind me; it was Summer. “I heard this is your horse?” She slapped Mike’s back twice with force. Mike was visibly startled, nervously stepping backward into the stable. Seeing her heavy-handedness, I kindly warned, “Summer, you’re pregnant; it’s better not to get too close to Mike. You might get hurt…” “Sister, you’re so petty. It’s just a horse; you won’t even let me touch it? Your husband, Julian, even…” Summer’s words trailed off. She seemed to have suddenly remembered something and smiled shyly at me. Her innocent, pure face clearly held a hint of defiance. My fingers trembled slightly, instinctively clenching. Of course, I understood what Summer meant. It was fine. Once Summer had the baby, she would have no further ties to the Vance family. Julian had said that once the child was born, he would entrust its upbringing to me. I took a deep breath, suppressing my emotions, and ignored her. “Little white horse, Julian said you love carrots the most. You like me too, right?” Summer picked up a few carrots, hopefully offering them to Mike’s mouth. But Mike didn’t even turn his head, simply munching indifferently on the hay I had just given him. Summer looked a little flustered and moved closer. This time, Mike impatiently shook his head, snorting at her. “Where did you get such a temper, you ungrateful horse?” Summer raised the carrots in her hand and swung them, intending to hit Mike. “No!” I frantically shielded Mike. But Summer, in her anger, swung her hand wildly, striking Mike’s injured front leg hard. A sharp, pained whinny filled the air, and Mike’s front hooves buckled in pain. He nervously spun in place, hooves flailing, and the stable instantly became chaotic. I tried to grab Mike but was thrown to the ground by the panicked horse. “Ah—” A piercing shriek echoed across the entire film set. Summer was violently kicked in the chest by Mike and fell to the ground with a thud. “Quick, someone! This horse has gone mad!” The crew also noticed the situation in the stable and rushed over in a panic. A tall, upright figure suddenly pushed through the crowd. I recognized him immediately: it was Julian. I suppressed the dizziness in front of my eyes, wanting to stand up, not wanting him to worry. But Julian, without even a glance in my direction, knelt beside Summer! He was so nervous his face was pale, his hands trembling. “Summer, we’re going to the hospital right now!” Julian scooped Summer into his arms and turned to leave. “Julian, I—” My voice trembled, and I reached out, grabbing the hem of his jacket. “I—!” Julian cut me off, his gaze icy cold. “How could you let her come to such a dangerous place? Why didn’t you protect her?” My body stiffened, and I numbly released my grip, watching their figures grow smaller and smaller. A dull ache swept through my heart. My lips trembled as I softly uttered the rest of my sentence: “—My stomach hurts so much too, I think I’m bleeding…” ### 4 “Boss, can’t you make an exception? Mike has always been very gentle…” I tried to explain, my back drenched in cold sweat. But the club owner just shook his head impatiently. “I’ve already told you, if word gets out that this horse injured someone, who would send their kids here to learn riding?” “Is there really no other way? Mike has been with me since he was little.” My eyes teared up, my voice hoarse. Seeing my distress, the owner sighed. “Willow, this is a last resort. The stable needs to make a profit. Selling him to the scenic area is the best arrangement.” He handed me the car keys. “How about this? Since he’s your horse, you can take him there.” I gripped the keys, standing in the scorching sun for a long time before starting the car and driving Mike to the exchange location. The buyer was a well-known horse dealer from the scenic area. He circled Mike a few times, looking very satisfied. “This horse is indeed good. Good-looking horses are more popular in scenic spots; they can earn a lot. Come with me!” Listening to these words, my heart was a mix of emotions. I looked back at Mike; he was still obediently following me, full of trust. As we reached the foot of the mountain, a team of horses carrying cargo descended from above. Their thin backs were laden with mountain-like bundles, their legs trembling. I could tell these horses were exhausted. The man seemed to read my thoughts and quickly chimed in, “Don’t worry, the ones that pull cargo are the ugly ones. Your horse has good looks; he’ll be taking guests for photos up ahead. That’s much easier.” I nodded. This was as far as I could take Mike. Mike lowered his head and gently nudged my chest. It was our secret signal, Mike asking for his owner’s touch. I instinctively raised my hand but stopped in mid-air, my throat completely choked with bitterness. “Mike needs to get used to it. There won’t be an owner’s touch anymore.” I lowered my hands, but my gaze lingered on Mike with tender affection, my heart pulled by an invisible chain, unable to let go. Not getting a response from his owner, Mike suddenly became agitated and nudged me again. This time, I simply turned away. I heard Mike’s hurried hoofbeats behind me. He whinnied softly a couple of times, as if he had realized something. I didn’t dare look back, quietly listening as the sound faded further and further away. Ahead, a few people were leading a white horse, dressed in the same uniforms as the man who had taken Mike. They were clearly from the same group. They cursed at the white horse, “This damn horse! Threw a customer off, made me pay so much money!” *Smack!* The whip in hand fiercely struck the horse’s back. A shocking red welt immediately appeared on the horse’s white back, beads of blood seeping into its fur, staining it red. The horse cowered in the corner, silent, its eyes filled with terror. As the whip was about to fall again, another person intervened. “How can it take customers if it has scars? Two days without food, and it’ll behave.” A wave of panic washed over me, my heart feeling torn. I pulled out my phone, looking at the dozen uncalled numbers on the screen, then tremblingly dialed Summer’s number. The call connected, and Summer’s sweet voice came through, “Sister Willow, what’s up?” “Summer, can you let Julian answer the phone?” I choked, “I can’t reach him.” A moment of silence. “What’s wrong?” The moment I heard Julian’s voice, my tears broke free completely. For three years of marriage, Julian had been like my salvation. In every crisis, his presence brought comfort. “Julian, can Mike stay with the crew? I don’t want him to suffer at the scenic spot.” A cold laugh suddenly came from the other end. “I thought you were calling to apologize to Summer.” Listening to Julian’s reply, a chill instantly spread through my body. “Don’t you like Mike too?” “Willow, what’s more important, a person or a horse? I can’t risk Summer’s safety.” “Julian, I want some fruit,” Summer’s voice drifted through from the other end. “Okay, I’ll wash some for you.” “If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now. Summer’s still shaken and needs rest.” The moment the call was disconnected, my heart felt like ashes. I used the nearby rock to stand up, my mind hazy, the workers’ curses buzzing incessantly in my ears. A voice in my heart told me I couldn’t lose Mike again. I turned around and ran frantically, screaming with all my might, my voice tearing. “Mike! Mike!” Down the mountain path, a white horse whinnied, its steady, powerful hoofbeats thundering. Mike galloped forward, head held high, like a whirlwind rushing toward me. I hugged Mike tightly, sobbing uncontrollably. Mike whinnied softly, constantly nudging and licking me with his head, his dark, shiny eyes filled with glistening liquid, as if scolding his owner for being so heartless. I gently wiped away his tears. “In this world, you’re the only one who cares about me. My little horse, we’ll never be separated again…” ### 5 “Sister Willow, these are Summer’s things. Can you take them back for her?” I took the bag of items handed to me by the crew member and immediately spotted the familiar pair of knitted gloves. I asked, puzzled, “Are you sure these are all Summer’s?” The crew member nodded. “Can’t be mistaken. They were all found in her belongings box. Director Vance said Summer won’t be coming to work on set anymore, and asked me to sort her things.” I didn’t ask further and took the bag home. The empty room was silent. Julian still hadn’t returned today. I lay on the bed, staring at the moonlight filtering through the window, tossing and turning. Finally, I couldn’t resist getting up. I pulled the gloves from the bag and examined them closely under the lamp. On the faded wash tag inside the glove’s cuff, there was a worn red heart. I was certain. These were the very gloves I had given Julian when we were in school. Memories flooded back, and I saw again the cold, slender silhouette of the boy cycling. In my freshman year of high school, my mother passed away unexpectedly, and my father remarried, quickly starting a new family. I was like the extra piece, tacitly ignored by everyone. I rented an old apartment, going to school, eating, and living alone. But walking through the dark alleyways by myself, I couldn’t help but cry from fear. After school, I always lingered, waiting for classmates going my way. Eventually, I realized that Julian Vance, from my class, had a similar route. Julian rode a bike, and to keep up with him, I always ran, arriving home drenched in sweat every time. Somewhere along the way, Julian seemed to deliberately slow down, and I no longer had to run to keep pace. One of the class brown-nosers heard that Julian’s family was well-off and asked him why he didn’t ride in their luxury car. I listened quietly from the side, feeling a gaze on me that quickly shifted away. “I just like cycling, it’s refreshing,” Julian replied nonchalantly. “Pfft!” I heard a sneering laugh from behind a classmate. “What a show-off. Cycling is ‘refreshing’ in winter?” I blushed in the corner. I saved three months’ worth of pocket money and bought the most expensive pair of gloves at the convenience store, secretly slipping them into Julian’s desk drawer. During my loneliest three years, Julian’s cycling silhouette was like a beacon in a long, dark alley. But why did his figure seem to get further and further away, no matter how hard I tried to catch up? “Julian, wait for me! Julian!” I jolted awake from a nightmare, my forehead covered in a fine layer of cold sweat. “Just a dream, thankfully.” I clutched my chest, surprised I had fallen asleep like that. Perhaps I had been truly exhausted lately. I had bought Mike myself but struggled to find a place for him. Running around these past few days had left me feeling worn out. I touched my slightly aching stomach, deciding to find something to eat. Opening the fridge, I found only a few wilted mini cabbages. Julian and I were both busy with work, often needing to work late, so Mrs. Vance usually bought groceries and stocked the fridge. I stared blankly at the empty fridge, realizing I hadn’t seen Mrs. Vance in a long time. *Buzz—* My phone vibrated, snapping me back to reality. It was Julian. I quickly answered. “Willow, Sam said you took Summer’s things?” “Yes.” “Then make sure to keep them safe. Summer’s documents are in there.” Summer, Summer, Summer. Always about Summer. I swallowed my disappointment and softly agreed. “Julian, come here and help Summer with this form!” Mrs. Vance’s voice suddenly came through the phone. I was a bit startled. “Is Mom there too? Does Mom know about the baby?” “Yes, it’s more reassuring with her looking after Summer.” Julian sounded a bit impatient, wanting to hang up. “Julian,” I called out, clutching the gloves in my hand. “Do you remember where the gloves I gave you are? I can’t find them.” There was a long silence on the other end. Julian’s voice was cold: “I don’t remember. It’s nothing valuable; just buy another pair…” My eyelids drooped, and a few silent tears traced lines down my cheeks. It turned out some things meant nothing to Julian, whether it was Mike or me. ### 6 “Willow, your husband isn’t here to watch the competition this time?” Brenda handed me my riding boots, muttering, “Didn’t he always come before?” “Maybe the crew is too busy,” I forced a bitter smile. I opened my phone and scrolled to Julian’s chat, the screen still showing the message I had sent him. [Julian, I have an equestrian competition this weekend. Are you coming to watch?] The competition was only 15 minutes away, and Julian still hadn’t replied. “Just focus on the competition. You’ve got a good foundation; you’ll be fine!” Brenda patted my shoulder. I turned off my phone, my face pale. In truth, I hadn’t been feeling well lately and hadn’t wanted to participate in this competition. But the owner said if I signed up, he would agree to let Mike stay at the stable for a while. I gazed blankly at the audience area, a sliver of hope still lingering in my heart. A familiar figure suddenly flashed through the crowd, and my eyes lit up instantly. It was Julian! He really came! I waved my hands frantically to greet him, but in the next second, following Julian’s gaze, I saw another familiar face. Summer was here too. The crowd surged, and Summer, like a docile rabbit, was cradled in Julian’s arms. I slowly lowered my hand, my eyes dimming, tinged with self-mockery. “Quick, it’s your turn to enter.” Brenda hurriedly urged the team participants. I had no time to react, mounted my horse, and entered the arena. This horse was competing for the first time and was particularly excited. We hadn’t had time to acclimate, and I already felt a struggle as the competition began. The atmosphere grew tense. Some spectators yelled excitedly. My palms were sweaty. Despite the surrounding noise, my heart seemed to remain fixed on Julian and Summer. The view from horseback was especially open. I saw Summer lean into Julian’s embrace. “Watch out!” A gasp from a teammate behind me snapped me back to reality. My mind went blank. I realized I had given the wrong command. The horse beneath me crashed wildly through the obstacle ahead, galloping frantically across the arena. Screams erupted around me. I felt the world spin, and boundless fear, like a suffocating net, enveloped me. *Thud!* I fell heavily from the horse’s back. Confused hooves trampled over me, and pain, like sharp steel needles, mercilessly pierced my nerves. Medical personnel rushed over in a panic, forming a circle. With a last shred of consciousness, I opened my eyes and looked towards the audience section. Julian’s face was pale, shouting hoarsely through the crowd, “Medics! Where are the medics?!” He seemed terrified, but his gaze never once turned towards the arena. In his arms was Summer, who had fainted from heatstroke. My eyes, filled with desolate pain, watched Julian’s retreating back, an agonizing ache piercing my very core. “Julian!” I screamed silently in my heart, “Just one glance! Even if just one glance…” ### 7 I awoke to the strong smell of disinfectant in the hospital room. I couldn’t help but cough, but every breath seemed to pull at every painful sensation, making my body involuntarily curl up. But I was so thirsty. I struggled to raise my hand to reach for the glass on the table, my face contorted in pain. “Oh my gosh, Willow! You have to be careful!” Caleb Vance rushed into the room from outside, handing me the glass of water. “See? It’s great having a cousin who works at the hospital.” I glanced at the empty room and gave a self-deprecating laugh. Caleb busied himself, his mouth chattering nonstop. “Willow, I’ve warned you countless times; you shouldn’t do such dangerous work. Do you know your spine was almost fractured by that horse?” “And you shouldn’t have told Sister Summer about the competition, or she wouldn’t have insisted on going. Then Julian, that busy man, wouldn’t have had to take time to accompany her.” “Look at you two now, both in the hospital. One’s his wife, the other’s his childhood sweetheart. One on the first floor, the other on the sixth. Julian has to run back and forth between you two…” Caleb’s words came too fast, and I couldn’t process them all at once. My room was on the first floor; that meant Summer was on the sixth. “You mean Julian is at the hospital?” I interrupted him. Caleb was a bit puzzled by the sudden question. “Yes, Julian and the others are all in Sister Summer’s room right now. Didn’t he come to see you first before going up?” I froze, a bitter taste rising in my throat. My husband wouldn’t even visit me when he was on his way, preferring to climb directly to the sixth floor. If Summer hadn’t demanded it, he wouldn’t even have come to the competition. After Caleb left, I, knowing everything, could no longer hold back. I hid under the covers and sobbed uncontrollably, desperately muffling my mouth, not wanting anyone to hear. A knock sounded at the door. A nurse came in, carrying a report. “Ms. Hayes, I regret to inform you that the tests show fetal demise. For your health, we recommend a D&C as soon as possible.” “What did you say?” I threw back the covers and sat up abruptly. “Fetal demise?” “Yes, didn’t you know you were pregnant? Your injury this time was too severe; the baby couldn’t be saved.” My head buzzed, my thoughts completely stalled. The door opened, and Julian, seeing the nurse, his face grim, said, “Please excuse us for a moment. I need to speak with her.” The nurse said nothing more and left. I still hadn’t recovered from the shock. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. Julian, however, suddenly pulled out a few sheets of paper from behind his back and handed them to me. The words “DIVORCE AGREEMENT” stared back at me. “Willow, I’m sorry. To better protect the child, I need to marry Summer and get the baby a proper birth certificate. You don’t want my child to be branded as illegitimate, do you?” Listening to his words, I felt as if my entire being had been frozen. I couldn’t feel any emotion anymore. Should I be happy that I could get pregnant? Sad that the baby was lost? Or angry about the divorce? I didn’t know. The heart in my chest felt as if it had stopped beating, utterly cold. “Willow,” Julian hugged me, “don’t worry. I’ll divorce Summer as soon as the baby is born. The child will live with us, and we’ll be a happy family of three!” I held the pen, my fingertips trembling. My voice was hoarse, my expression blank as I asked, “Julian, what if we had a child?” Julian shook his head. “Willow, we can’t have children.” “Right,” my heart felt like ashes, and I forced a bitter smile. “We don’t have a baby anymore.” I lowered my head, my eyelashes fluttering, my handwriting messy. “Thank you, Willow! I’ll go arrange the paperwork immediately!” Julian took the signed agreement and quickly left. I sat there numbly, unable to cry, unable to speak, as if all strength had been drained from my body. My knuckles, gripping my phone, turned white. Finally, I sent that message. [Leo, I’ve decided. I’m leaving the country with you.] ### 10 “Don’t hurt my baby! No!” I awoke from a nightmare, sitting up abruptly, drenched in sweat. Before I could recover from the fear, the unfamiliar decor around me made me disoriented for a moment.

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I was trying to book a male escort online, but somehow I accidentally texted a hitman. Me: “How much per session?” Hitman: “How many people.” Whoa, group rates? Awesome! I hesitated, a blush creeping up, and typed my name. “O-only one person. Any chance of a discount?” It was the tenth day since the breakup, and my hormones were acting up again, just like every month, making me restless. I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. So, in the middle of the night, I turned to the internet, looking for something to help me unwind. Clicking around, a powerfully striking photo suddenly scrolled across my screen. In my view, the man wore a dark helmet and mask, with only a pair of broad, strong hands, gripping a weapon, visible. His knuckles were sharply defined, veins bulging. The oversized weapon looked small and effortless in those palms. I couldn’t help but imagine his long fingers pulling the trigger. What if his fingertips weren’t on a trigger, but on… I instinctively covered my tingling nose. I instantly clicked into his profile, desperate for more eye candy. But most of the account’s content was hidden, requiring a paid subscription to unlock direct messages. Underneath, a flood of anonymous five-star reviews. “Totally worth it.” “Excellent and professional service!” “Clean, on point, no regrets.” I thought for a second and understood — It had to be OnlyFans! I did a quick mental calculation of the price and hissed through my teeth. It wasn’t cheap. This male model was truly expensive. Normally, I’d just drool for a bit and move on. But I was still furious about my cheating ex and desperately needed some good stuff to soothe my soul. We independent women deserve to treat ourselves. Money comes and goes, but I’d never again, in the prime of my twenties, alone, miss out on a masked, buff ‘daddy’ fantasy. I immediately splurged on the most expensive tier. Sure enough, a private message arrived quickly. “What service do you require.” His tone was as steady and cold as he was. I could almost picture him, stoic, giving me a sharp, knife-like glance. I touched my rapidly beating heart and bravely asked him. “How much for you to come out once?” He replied quickly: “How many people.” Whoa, group activities too? I was momentarily stunned by his wide range of services. Ugh, with the economy in the dumps, even us sugar mamas are feeling the pinch. My spirit animal must be a rusty old sponge – its flower language is pure, unadulterated suffering. I sighed for a moment: “Just one person.” I thought for a moment and then asked: “Any discounts?” The other side was silent for a moment, seemingly not expecting my question. After a brief pause, four bolded words popped up. “NO BARGAINING.” So cool and aloof. Business must be booming. He probably realized his tone was a bit stiff. A moment later, another message came. “Any special requests.” Me: ! Was the service *that* good? Paying definitely made a difference, making my mind race with naughty thoughts. My face flushed crimson, my brain like a wild horse, replaying every comic, video, and story I’d ever seen. It took me a long time to timidly type out my reply. “Anything goes?” The other side fell into a deep silence again, longer than before. Finally, after a long pause, two concise words appeared. “Extra charge.” …My inner fangirl suddenly keeled over. I instantly became pure and desireless: “Oh, then never mind.” After sending him my name, birthday, and a photo as requested, I casually asked. “What’s your name?” The cool guy’s reply was just as cool. “No need to know. Once the transaction is complete, we won’t be in touch again.” Wow, this is that legendary cold, hard cash transaction, isn’t it? Adulting is really something else. Me: “I need something to call you. A stage name?” He seemed to ponder, typing for a moment, then slowly replied. “Codename, Phoenix.”

On the appointed day. Excited, I grabbed my bag and rushed to the agreed-upon meeting spot. In the coffee shop, I couldn’t help my anxiety, checking the clock again and again. But after a long wait, he still didn’t show up. As the agreed time passed and no one appeared, my heart felt like a receding tide, slowly becoming dry and empty. Could I have been stood up? Before leaving in disappointment, I made one last desperate attempt, craning my neck to glance at the entrance. Both inside the coffee shop and right outside the door, there was no one. The road outside was also sparsely populated. Unwilling to give up, I repeatedly scanned my surroundings. Until my gaze landed on a tall figure in the shade of a distant tree across the street. Suddenly, my eyes lit up. The man had a slender build. Even the top button of his shirt was perfectly fastened, and he wore dark sunglasses and a mask, his entire body meticulously covered. Only a pair of distinctly jointed hands were the sole bright spot in the picture. Normally, without seeing a face, one couldn’t identify a person. But was I a normal person? I’m a seasoned connoisseur, capable of navigating countless websites and creating multiple accounts just to find the *really good stuff*! My instincts are never wrong! Damn it, those hands *had* to belong to my muscular god. I quickly ran over. Up close, I noticed he was even more robust, easily standing at six-foot-three. His pants pocket was bulging, making me wonder what treasures he might be hiding. That chest. Those legs. That absolute unit of a physique. My mouth watered, and my long wait’s annoyance significantly diminished. Maybe he got the location wrong? I tapped his shoulder: “What are you doing standing here? Why didn’t you come over?” The cool guy stiffened when I touched him. He looked bewildered for a second, then cautiously stepped back, eyeing me coldly. “You’ve got the wrong person.” I couldn’t help but rub my ear. His voice was amazing too, like the low thrum of a cello, every note scraped a delicious itch in my soul. Too bad it was so cold. I tried to explain again: “No, I haven’t. I’ve been waiting for you for ages. Since you didn’t come, I had to find you.” He was silent for a few seconds, his voice still distant. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I instantly felt a little annoyed, putting my hands on my hips, huffing. “What’s wrong with you?! You got paid, didn’t you? Don’t tell me you’re backing out now, it’s too late!” The man was silent for a moment, his chest rising and falling as if he let out a long breath. He gave up and took off his sunglasses and mask, revealing a handsome face. One hand slid into his slightly bulging pants pocket, and he took a step closer to me. His narrow eyes flickered toward me, as if assessing my intentions. “Since you already know, what do you want?” Such a captivating beauty was now so close. I instantly forgot my anger. Shyly, I lowered my gaze, my eyes darting around. “I, um… booked a hotel room. We can talk inside.” I cleared my throat, gesturing around us. “There are too many people coming and going on the street, it’s not suitable for… business.” He didn’t move for a while. Afraid he might misunderstand, I quickly waved my hands in explanation. “Don’t worry, I don’t actually intend to *do* anything to you. It’s just, well, I just wanted to meet and talk.” My voice got softer and softer as I spoke. “As for other things, unless you’re willing…” He suddenly stepped forward and leaned over me. Suddenly, I was enveloped in his shadow. Compared to his strong, tall physique, I felt like a fragile doll that could break with a touch. I unconsciously held my breath. Seeing my reaction, a short smile flitted across his lips. For a moment, the ice melted. Revealing deep waters, dangerous and alluring. His low, magnetic male voice penetrated my eardrums. “I’m not worried. On the contrary, *you* should be worried about what *I* might do to you.” With that, he turned and walked towards the hotel. Leaving me standing there stunned. It took a long while for me to let out a little “Awooo” and cover my burning cheeks. Did I just get reverse-flirted? Is this the power of a professional male model? Terrifying!

On the big bed in the hotel room. Kaelen and I sat side by side, the atmosphere very silent. To liven things up, I had to find a random topic. “Why did you get into this line of work?” “Couldn’t do anything else.” I instantly imagined the classic tragic trope: a poor young man dropping out, losing his job, and finally ending up in the escort business. I tried to offer polite comfort. “Hey, this isn’t so bad either. It’s a long-standing profession with a rich history, you shouldn’t feel ashamed.” Kaelen seemed disinclined to talk about his job, frowning. “Let’s get to the point. What do you want to do?” Straight to business, huh? Wasn’t that a bit fast? I shyly rubbed my hands: “O-Okay. What can we do? Can we… get intimate?” His frown deepened: “*I* ‘intimate’ *you*?” Huh? What else? I asked confused: “Or, should *I* ‘intimate’ *you*?” “No.” “Then can I, uh, touch your… gun?” “No.” “How about just looking?” “No.” “Touching your pecs must be okay, right?” “Absolutely not!!” Kaelen’s suddenly raised voice startled me. I stared blankly at the man who had suddenly moved a step away, his ears flushed. Why so agitated? My previous requests weren’t any less scandalous, so perhaps his chest was a sensitive spot? I thought for a moment, then just asked directly: “You’re all about show, no… other services?” He thought for a moment: “Yes.” *What a chaste man*. Looks like tonight would be pure conversation under the covers. I yawned bored: “Alright, I’m going to take a shower. Make yourself at home.” He didn’t move, seemingly indifferent. When I came out wrapped in a towel. I saw Kaelen sitting on the bed, looking through my phone. “Hey! Don’t you have any professional ethics?!” I angrily pounced, trying to snatch it back. The man was tall with long legs, and with one arm raised, he easily evaded me, leaving his phone out of my reach even on tiptoes. Instead, it looked like I was throwing myself into his arms, rubbing and touching him. Several times, my face almost buried itself in his bulging chest. Kaelen pressed his lips tightly together, grabbing my wrists and pinning them to the headboard, immobilizing me. His voice was a little strained and hoarse. “You’re my client?” I froze for a moment, then suddenly understood. He had been looking through our chat history. Did he think someone else had booked the male model for me? What’s wrong with a woman booking a male model for herself? The Dark Ages are over, you old-fashioned conservative. I glared at him in dissatisfaction. “Yes, so what?!” The grip on my wrists loosened slightly. Kaelen frowned, looking at me sharply for a moment. His expression seemed to hold a hint of disappointment. He chastised me in a low voice: “So young, why are you so reckless?” I was startled by his scolding. When I came to my senses, I grew even more indignant— I was right! This guy was a total old-fashioned conservative!

“I’m not taking this job.” The man coldly tossed out the words, releasing me. I stared blankly as he turned and strode out. What did he mean? Was he looking down on me? A male model, daring to choose his clients. This was outrageous! How dare he choose his clients! I was going to leave him a five-hundred-word scathing review! Furious, I sprang from the bed. I threw on my clothes and chased him out, yelling. “If you won’t do it, plenty of others will! I’ll buy even better ones in a bit! Ten of them!” The figure ahead in the hallway suddenly paused. The man turned his head, his expression complex. “If I refuse, you’ll just buy someone else?” He crossed the distance between us in a few steps. His tone was almost heartbroken. “Can’t you think of something better? Give up that idea, do you *have* to… do *that*?” Why couldn’t I have some worldly desires? Men aren’t the only ones with needs, you know. Just as I was about to argue with him. A familiar, irritating voice suddenly sounded behind me. Someone called out with a smile: “Zara Campbell, what are you doing here?” I turned back, annoyed. Sure enough, I saw a handsome but utterly repulsive face – my ex-boyfriend, Bryce Coleman. Bryce’s silk robe was loosely tied. A trail of vivid red hickeys snaked from his neck down to his collarbone. Several ambiguous scratch marks were half-hidden beneath the fabric on his chest. Who knew whose bed he’d just gotten out of. Not long ago, I discovered he was frequently hooking up with other people. When I caught him in the act, he casually zipped up his trousers, leaned against the hotel headboard, and lit a cigar. He exhaled a perfectly formed smoke ring, smiling faintly at my furious questions. “It’s just for fun, don’t worry.” He reached out to take my hand, his voice almost gentle. “You’re my only real girlfriend.” It was like ice-cold water poured directly onto the magma of my surging anger. In that moment, I suddenly calmed down. Bryce might have looked human, just like me, but the chasm in our beliefs was wider than the gap between species. You can’t reason with a dog, and there was no point in arguing further. I pulled my hand away from his touch and slapped him hard across the face. “Not anymore.” As I left, I saw him standing there stunned. The cigar, which he’d been holding leisurely, fell to the carpet, burning small, irreparable black marks. I closed my eyes, trying to suppress the unpleasant memories that rose in my mind. But the dog across from me wouldn’t stop barking. Bryce eyed me, idly stroking his chin with interest. “Are you here to check up on me? You just said you wanted to break up, but you’re already regretting it?” He chuckled: “You little hypocrite.” …Oh my god! If I had committed a crime, the law should punish me, not put me through this torture by disgust. I felt so sick I wanted to throw up. Then I thought, I shouldn’t be the only one suffering. I looked around, grabbed Kaelen by the arm, and intimately linked mine with his. “Don’t say such silly things. My boyfriend will get mad.” Bryce was incredibly self-absorbed. He believed his little ex-girlfriend would be pining for him, so me quickly finding someone new was another slap in the face. Hearing my words, Bryce’s expression indeed stiffened. A moment later, a malicious smile suddenly appeared on his face. “Oh really? Well, then he should call me ‘senior.’ “After all, he’s just playing with my sloppy seconds.” “…!” I felt a chill run through my body. The next instant, my hand was suddenly enveloped in a warm grip. Kaelen took half a step forward, blocking Bryce’s slimy gaze from me. He coldly swept his eyes over the suggestive marks on Bryce’s body. “Are you calling yourself even sloppier?” Society taught women to be ashamed of their sexual experiences, but men boasted about how many women they’d slept with. Bryce probably never expected Kaelen, another man, to break that unspoken rule and judge him by the very standards society imposed on women. Bryce gaped for a long moment. Finally, unable to maintain his civilized facade, anger filled his eyes: “You…” “Want to fight?” Kaelen cut him off, stepping forward until he was right in front of Bryce. His six-foot-three frame and imposing, muscular build instantly made Bryce look like a scrawny stick. Bryce stared at him darkly. After a long pause, his gaze went past Kaelen’s shoulder and landed on me. The intensity in his eyes seemed to want to flay me alive. “Fine. I’ll remember this.”

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After graduation, my niece’s diary, titled “The Agony of Living Under Someone Else’s Roof,” went viral. She moved in with us right before her senior year. To make her feel comfortable, I’d occasionally ask her to help with some light chores. When graduation came, both she and my daughter got into Harvard University. News stations were clamoring to report on our story, asking how I managed to raise two straight-A students. Just as I was cheerfully sharing my parenting tips, my niece pulled out a diary. Its content: The Agony of Living Under Someone Else’s Roof. My niece became an internet sensation, while I was cyberbullied and doxxed by furious netizens. “Auntie, my parents sent you money for my expenses every month. So why did I have to live like a mouse in your house, tiptoeing around? You deserve everything that’s coming to you.” Ultimately, thanks to my niece’s “accidental” location reveal, “righteous” netizens pushed me into a river, and I drowned. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the moment my husband’s brother dropped his daughter off at our house. Heh, the pain of being a dependent, huh? This time, you’ll get to experience what *real* dependency feels like.

“Eleanor, I really appreciate your help. Skylar’s the same age as your Mia, and taking care of one kid is the same as taking care of two, right? I’ll transfer the living expenses to your account every month, so please bear with us.” Looking at the familiar SnapChat message from my husband’s brother, David, and the $100 deposit notification in my banking app, I finally confirmed I’d been reborn. I couldn’t help but chuckle at that $100. They really had it all figured out. Because my daughter was in her senior year, and I’m a freelance writer with a flexible schedule, I’d rented an apartment near the school so Mia could commute. David and his wife, Brenda, found out and used the excuse of going out of state for work to send Skylar to live with me. Then they said they’d give me $100 a month for her living expenses. I knew that $100 wasn’t even enough for her food. Not to mention all the extra expenses a teenage girl has. But she was family, a child I’d watched grow up since she was tiny. Could I really have refused? And just like that, Skylar moved in. Fearing the young girl would overthink things, I told her that her parents sent me money for her living expenses every month—though I didn’t tell her how much—and encouraged her to treat this place like her own home. And anything my daughter had, I’d buy one for her too. From small things like a single pen or school supply, to larger expenses like pocket money and tutoring classes. I never once treated her poorly just because she wasn’t my biological daughter. At first, when she volunteered to do chores, I’d even refuse. But later, I worried she’d feel useless and hurt her pride, so I agreed to let her do some light, quick tasks. Ultimately, both girls got into Harvard, and I was incredibly proud. I felt all the effort I’d put into caring for them both had paid off. But I never imagined it was all one-sided, my own wishful thinking. And that I’d raised an ungrateful viper. The memory of being cyberbullied and dying a terrible death in my previous life flashed through my mind. This time, I wouldn’t go soft on her again.

“Auntie, what did my dad tell you?” Skylar stretched her neck, craning closer to me. She was clearly trying to read my SnapChat conversation with her dad. In my last life, to keep her from finding out her heartless parents had dumped her on me with only $100, I quickly closed my phone, hiding the message. But she misinterpreted it, thinking I didn’t want her to know how much money her parents had given me. She believed I intended to pocket the money for Mia and myself. It wasn’t until after graduation, when our families completely fell apart, that I learned from Mia that Skylar often called her parents, crying about how terrible her life was here. And her parents would get furious on the other end, cursing me out and saying how I was supposedly treating their daughter so harshly despite receiving living expenses—but they never told Skylar that the “living expenses” were only $100. After yelling at me, they’d tell Skylar that this was just how it was when you lived at someone else’s house, and to “just bear with it until graduation.” Recalling all that, this time I simply handed her my phone, letting her see exactly what kind of parents she had. “Here, your parents said you could live at my house, but they only gave $100, which isn’t even enough for your rent.” Yes, $100 wasn’t even enough for *her* rent. Because it was an apartment in a highly-rated school district, rent was roughly three thousand dollars a month. If you divided it by person, it should be at least a thousand dollars a month. Yet, she lived here for three years for free and never appreciated it, showing no gratitude in the end. Then, I sighed dramatically. “This school district rent is so expensive, it’s about three thousand a month. I have no idea what your parents were thinking; $100 isn’t even enough for your food.” She was still a young girl, and her face instantly flushed red. “Auntie, I don’t eat much.” Mia, behind me, tugged quietly at my sleeve, signaling that maybe I was being too harsh. I patted Mia’s hand, then turned back to Skylar. “Anyway, I’m still your aunt. So, I won’t ask you for rent. Every month, you’ll eat with us; whatever we eat, you eat. But don’t expect anything extra.” “I understand, Auntie.” Seeing Skylar lower her head, looking pitiful, I almost felt soft again, to be honest. But wasn’t it exactly this innocent act that fooled me in my last life? Indeed, academic achievement doesn’t equal good character. Even if she got into the best university, it wouldn’t change the rotten core inside her.

After school started, It wasn’t long before the first act of me being the biggest fool in my last life came around. Both in my last life and this one, I still couldn’t understand. How could parents not even pay their child’s tuition? Were they really just expecting others to raise their kid? In my last life, I paid for Mia’s tuition on my phone. I had no idea Skylar’s tuition hadn’t been paid. Not until Skylar’s homeroom teacher called and asked me to come to school. That’s when I found out. Yes, David and Brenda had directly put *my* information in the child’s guardian contact section. When I arrived at school, I saw Skylar standing in the office, head down. It was clearly her parents’ fault, but she looked as if she’d committed some terrible mistake, and it broke my heart. I quickly paid her tuition. Then I told her to go back to class and study hard. “Auntie, why didn’t Mia’s homeroom teacher call you?” Looking at Skylar’s pitiful expression, How could I say: “I already paid my daughter’s tuition, who knew your parents simply don’t care about you?” Fearing she might resent her parents later, I suppressed my anger towards David and Brenda and patiently explained: “This is all Auntie’s fault. I paid Mia’s tuition a long time ago. Your parents just transferred your tuition to me yesterday, and I was so busy with you two starting school that I completely forgot!” Yet, later, in her public diary, she wrote this: “My parents clearly transferred my tuition and living expenses to Auntie a long time ago, but Auntie refused to pay my tuition until I was called out by the teacher in front of the whole class. Only then did she reluctantly pay the tuition that should have been settled before school even started. This small incident, however, became an unforgettable scar for me throughout my senior year.” After the second time I hung up on Skylar’s homeroom teacher, My phone once again showed a missed call notification. I finally picked it up, exasperated. “Hello, is this Skylar’s guardian?” “What’s wrong?” “It’s like this, we need you to come to school for a moment.” “I understand.” Although it was still unavoidable to go to their school, this time I wasn’t so flustered. I carefully tidied myself up. Then I went to a local bakery and bought a strawberry cake Mia liked, and ordered her a bubble tea. High school is stressful, and eating some favorite desserts can relieve it. But in the last life, because I had to raise two children, and when buying anything, I always had to buy two copies. Plus various tutoring fees, rent, etc., Mark and I were also under considerable financial pressure. So I rarely bought these non-essential treats for the kids. But this time I wouldn’t treat Skylar equally. So there was no need to save this little snack.

After leisurely taking care of all that, I arrived at Ms. Davison’s office about an hour and a half later. As soon as I stepped into the office, Skylar and the teacher’s eyes both turned to me. I casually placed the items I was holding on a nearby shelf before walking over. “Sorry, Ms. Davison, I’m a little late. Is there something wrong?” Perhaps because I was so slow, Ms. Davison seemed a bit impatient, and even though she maintained a polite facade, her tone was quite cold. “It’s like this, Skylar’s guardian. Classes officially started today, but we haven’t received the child’s tuition yet. Did you perhaps get too busy with work and forget to pay it?” “Oh?” I covered my mouth with both hands, feigning great surprise. My gasp made the other teachers in the office turn their heads to look at us. “Skylar hasn’t paid tuition?” “That’s right, Skylar’s guardian. This isn’t good for the school or for the child.” “Oh, Ms. Davison, I’m really not too clear about this. Her parents just dropped her off at my doorstep and then took off for out of state. They only gave me $100 for her living expenses; they didn’t transfer any other money, so I had no idea about this tuition. By the way, Ms. Davison, I’m not Skylar’s guardian, I’m just her aunt. My daughter is actually in your first-period class.” This school assigned classes based on entrance exam scores. My daughter, Mia, who I’d raised since she was little, ranked among the top ten in the entire city on her entrance exams, so she naturally got into the top class. Her grades had always been consistently excellent, never dropping out of the top tier, even by her senior year. Skylar, while not terrible, was in the fifth class, certainly not considered top-tier. In my last life, to improve her grades, watching her slowly climb from the fifth class to the first, I put in so much effort. I even often asked Mia to sacrifice her own study time to explain problems to Skylar. When Ms. Davison heard I was just a relative, not the parent, and that my own child was in their top class, her tone immediately softened considerably. “Is that so? I saw your contact information filled out in the child’s guardian section, so I naturally called you.” “Alright, Ms. Davison, I’ll call her parents right now.” I had just taken out my phone. Skylar suddenly tugged at my sleeve. “Auntie, did my parents not transfer my tuition to you?” “What nonsense are you talking about, child? Didn’t you see my SnapChat conversation with your dad yesterday? He only transferred $100, which isn’t even enough for food. How could it possibly cover tuition?” Perhaps the gazes of the surrounding teachers and the occasional student walking in were too intense. My niece’s face turned completely red. “How about you pay it for me first, Auntie? I’ll have my parents pay you back when I get home.” “Skylar, what are you saying? Tuition for the year is twelve thousand dollars! I just paid Mia’s tuition, plus rent and utilities. Rent alone is thirty-six thousand a year! I’m completely broke right now; all I have left is the $100 your parents transferred yesterday. How about I just give this $100 to Ms. Davison?” Ms. Davison saw what was happening. She pushed up her glasses and said to me, “How about you give her parents a call?” “Alright, Ms. Davison, I was just about to.” With that, I gently pulled Skylar’s hand away from mine, called David, and put him on speakerphone. “Hello, Eleanor.” “David, did you and Brenda get too busy and forget to pay Skylar’s tuition?” “Huh? Eleanor, isn’t Skylar living with you now?” Hearing that, I really wanted to peel off his face and see how thick his skin was. “Yes, she is! You two just drop her off without a word, and then expect me to cover everything. I’m her aunt, so I won’t charge for rent and utilities, but $100 a month? What kind of food can a child eat on that? I won’t even mention all that, but how could you forget something as important as tuition? I’m in the teacher’s office right now; you can explain it to her yourself.” He clearly hadn’t expected me to directly confront him and even bring up the $100. Ms. Davison greeted him several times with “Hello, parent,” before he finally reacted. “Oh, oh, hello, Ms. Davison. Um, well, my wife and I are out of state right now. We’ve entrusted Skylar’s care to her aunt. So, maybe…” Hearing that, I interjected. “David, even though Skylar isn’t my biological child, she’s family, I watched her grow up. I’d love to pay her tuition, but I just paid Mia’s tuition, and with rent and utilities, I’ve already spent over fifty thousand dollars. I genuinely don’t have any money left. “If you two can’t come up with it, maybe you should try borrowing from other relatives?” Ms. Davison also spoke up sternly. “Parent, according to school regulations, if tuition isn’t paid, the child may need to go home for self-study until the tuition is settled before returning to school.” “Alright, alright, I’ll transfer the tuition to her aunt right away, okay? Ms. Davison, please let Skylar take the phone.” Skylar tremblingly took the phone from Ms. Davison’s hand and carefully called out, “Dad.” “You little brat, always spending my money! You’ve cost me so much since you were little! I’m telling you, you better get into a good university after graduation, or you won’t be worthy of me or your mom.” After cursing her out, he hung up. And as soon as I received the tuition transfer from David, I didn’t waste a single second, immediately transferring it to Ms. Davison.

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My grandma was 50 when she found out she was the true heiress of a powerful family. My whole family buzzed with excitement, already plotting how to cash in on Grandma’s newfound status. Grandpa dreamed of using the money to find a younger woman to dote on him. Uncle Shane calculated how to land a cushy executive position where he could line his pockets. Even my cousin, Kevin, just seven years old, was demanding a sprawling mansion in the most exclusive part of the city. Grandma, as always, agreed to everything. She smiled, looking at me, “Lily, what do *you* want?” But a cold dread washed over me. Because I saw it clearly. A flicker of murderous intent in Grandma’s eyes. When we found out Grandma was Eleanor Albright, the long-lost daughter of the Albright Group’s founder, our entire family went wild. Grandpa immediately started scheming: “Audrey’s back with the rich folks, and as her husband, I’m certainly coming along. I don’t need much over there, just a dedicated driver and a few nannies to cater to my every whim. No problem, right?” “Dad, that’s nothing!” Uncle Shane chuckled, puffing out his chest with ambitious pride. “Mom is the Albright Group CEO’s own daughter! Me, as her only son, I should at least be made a Vice President, shouldn’t I? And Kevin, he *has* to go to the best private school!” Kevin is my cousin, seven years old this year, and the only male heir in our generation. Right now, he was tugging on Grandma’s sleeve, yelling at the top of his lungs: “Old hag, a mansion! Buy me a mansion in the city center!” No one objected to this address. Because that’s exactly how they’d called Grandma for years. “Alright, whatever you want.” Grandma smiled, agreeing to every request. Everyone was ecstatic, imagining their lives were about to take off, like a sudden lottery win for the whole family. Only I stood silently in the corner, saying nothing. “Lily, is there anything you want?” Grandma asked me directly. I shook my head, only asking: “Grandma, two months ago, how did you survive?” The moment I spoke, my family’s faces instantly changed.

Two months ago, Grandma fell ill. But no one in the family paid any attention. Just like before, when Grandma was sick, they’d accuse her of faking illnesses to get out of chores. “She’s just an old woman, so what if she’s sick?” “She can tough it out herself, why waste money on a doctor?” There was always farm work to be done, the pigs were squealing from hunger, and a large family was still waiting to be fed. Grandma had no choice but to endure, and keep busy. Only I would help Grandma shoulder some of the burden. I often snuck to the back woods to gather wild herbs, which Grandma would chew and swallow. It eased the pain. But it was a temporary fix, never a real cure. Until two months ago— Kevin fell from a tree and was injured, needing a blood transfusion. Uncle Shane and Aunt Brenda were too stingy to buy blood from the blood bank, so they directly pushed Grandma forward. “Take hers, she’s tough as nails! She can handle it!” Grandma was already very weak then. But she was still pushed out like livestock. Blood was slowly drawn from her frail, withered arms. And it also drained Grandma’s last bit of strength. Grandma suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. She collapsed like a helpless reed, swaying before it finally collapsed. “Worthless old woman!” “We were counting on you to take care of Kevin, and now you’re just being lazy again!” Even at this point, Uncle Shane and Aunt Brenda still refused to spend a single dime on Grandma’s medical care. They crowded around Kevin, showering him with concern. They left Grandma on the cold ground, left to her own devices. Ten days later, when Uncle Shane and Aunt Brenda returned from the county clinic, I found Grandma gone. “Where’s Grandma?” I asked them. “Don’t know, probably dead.” Aunt Brenda said indifferently. “She was coughing all the time, I was worried she’d infect Kevin.” Grandpa, upon hearing this, did show a flicker of concern. “If the old woman’s dead, who’ll feed the pigs? Who’ll cook? Who’ll take care of me?” Everyone’s eyes turned to me. “Daisy can do it. We’ve raised this good-for-nothing burden for so long, it’s time she did more work.” They all called me “Daisy.” Only Grandma called me “Lily.” She said I was a child they wished for. But in truth, no one wished for me, except her. My mother didn’t wish for me. Because she gave birth to a girl, she was constantly mocked in the village. She died in childbirth trying for a second baby. My father didn’t wish for me. After Mom died, he quickly remarried, dumping me on Grandma like unwanted baggage. Grandpa didn’t wish for me. He called me a good-for-nothing burden, wishing he could have just thrown me into the back woods to perish in the wilderness, like the other baby girls Grandma had given birth to. Uncle Shane and Aunt Brenda wished for me even less. Especially after Aunt Brenda gave birth to Kevin, I, this “superfluous” girl, wasn’t even fit to tie Kevin’s shoelaces in their eyes. Only Grandma truly wished for me and treated me well. I ignored my family’s curses, running out with my worn-out shoes. Gasping for breath, I ran for half a day. Finally, late at night, I reached the county clinic. I asked them if they had seen my Grandma. “A few days ago, an old woman did collapse here,” A nurse said. “Her family refused to pay for treatment. After she woke up, she walked off towards the mountains.” My heart sank. Some old people in the village, when they knew their end was near, would go into the mountains to wait for death. Was Grandma doing the same? “When did you last see her?” My voice trembled uncontrollably. “Roughly… seven or eight days ago.” Seven or eight days. If Grandma had had the strength, she would have returned home long ago. It was hard to imagine how she, penniless and severely ill, could have survived. I was filled with despair, believing I’d never see Grandma again. But unexpectedly, two months passed. Grandma not only returned. But also became Eleanor Albright, the true heiress of the Albright Group.

“Silly child, your Grandma has a strong will to live.” Facing my tearful questions, Grandma simply stroked my head calmly. She slowly explained— That day, she truly believed she wouldn’t make it, so she wanted to go into the mountains, to find a quiet place to lie down. But she hadn’t walked far before she was rescued. “The people who rescued me were sent by the Albright family. They said I left a record when my blood was drawn at the county clinic – something called Rh-negative blood, which is very rare. My biological parents’ genealogical agency had been searching for women with this blood type for years.” Subsequently, an emergency DNA comparison confirmed that Grandma was indeed the Albright Group CEO’s biological daughter, lost for fifty years. This experience left everyone gasping. Aunt Brenda’s eyes darted around, then she let out a sharp, fawning laugh, slapping her thigh in realization: “Oh my! So Mom being recognized by the wealthy family is all thanks to our Kevin, then! If it wasn’t for giving Kevin a blood transfusion, Mom would never have had the chance to leave a blood type record!” “Exactly!” Uncle Shane immediately puffed out his chest, as if he had performed a monumental service. “Mom was even hesitant about the blood draw! If we hadn’t been decisive and insisted on it, this staggering fortune would have been missed!” “That’s right, Audrey.” Grandpa knocked his pipe against the sole of his shoe, concluding self-righteously: “People shouldn’t forget their roots. Ultimately, our family was the reason you could return to a wealthy background, wasn’t it? You should really repay us well!” I couldn’t stand it anymore: “That’s nonsense! You never let Grandma see a doctor, otherwise, how could she have waited until she was 50 to be found? She was discovered the moment her blood was drawn, which means the Albright family had been looking for her all along! You’re the ones who held her back!” “You good-for-nothing brat, what do you know?!” Aunt Brenda immediately put her hands on her hips, spittle practically flying in my face. “Which woman in the village didn’t go through the same? Get a headache or fever and lie down like a lady? Who doesn’t just grab some wild herbs to deal with it? It’s still all thanks to Kevin! Otherwise, her?” She sneered, glancing dismissively at Grandma. “She could rot in some forgotten ditch and no one would even care!” I was shaking with anger. But Grandma gently raised a hand, stopping the argument. “Alright, alright, we’re family, let’s not fight.” She paused, her gaze slowly sweeping across their greedy faces. “The Albright family said that to thank you for taking care of me all these years, they specially booked a banquet at an exclusive restaurant in the city, and want our whole family to come.” The moment her words fell, the four pairs of eyes opposite her lit up instantly. “Go! Of course, we’ll go!” Uncle Shane rubbed his hands excitedly. “This is an invitation from the Albright Group!” Grandpa slapped his thigh: “Let’s go! Let the whole village see, our family is about to become rich and powerful!” Aunt Brenda was already planning what to wear. Even Kevin shook his head, clamoring to eat lobster. I looked at their ecstatic, greedy faces, and then at Grandma, calm as still water. Suddenly, I felt something was off. The Grandma who returned seemed different from before. Her eyes were no longer that numb, murky dead water. Instead, they were like a bottomless ancient well. Calm, yet holding a chilling, deep coldness.

That afternoon, the Albright family’s motorcade arrived on time. Three black Rolls-Royces lined up in front of our dilapidated village entrance. Half the village ran out to watch the spectacle. “Wow, this car must be worth tens of thousands!” “More than that! Look at the emblem, it’s easily over a million!” The chauffeur, impeccably dressed in a suit, respectfully opened the car door. Grandpa was the first to scramble in, flopping onto the leather seat, his hands running over the armrest: “This leather is softer than our cowhide!” He turned and shouted at the chauffeur: “Young man, how much is this car? Get me one too!” The chauffeur smiled politely: “Sir, this is a custom model, globally limited edition.” “Limited is good!” Grandpa laughed. “The more limited, the more prestigious! It matches my status!” Uncle Shane pulled Kevin into the second car and immediately pulled out his phone for a selfie: “Come on, Kevin, smile! This will be our standard ride from now on!” Kevin pressed his face against the window, showing off to the kids outside: “See? Luxury car pick-up! It’s all mine!” Aunt Brenda rummaged through the car’s mini-fridge, gasping in surprise: “Champagne! Imported chocolates! Oh my god, one bottle of this wine is enough for our family’s entire year’s expenses!” She unceremoniously opened a bottle and gulped down a few mouthfuls. “Drink slowly,” Uncle Shane pretended to caution her, but then reached out and grabbed a handful of chocolates, stuffing them into his pocket. Grandma and I sat in the third car. The car was quiet. Grandma closed her eyes, resting, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. “Grandma,” I whispered, “Are you really… taking them back to the city?” She opened her eyes, her gaze calmly falling on my face. “Lily,” she said, “Have you ever seen a monkey show?” I shook my head. “The monkeys jump and prance on stage, and the more delighted and ridiculous they are, the happier the audience becomes.” She paused, the light and shadows from outside the window flickering across her face. “They are performing a show now. We just need to watch carefully.”

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Caleb Thorne, the cold CEO, pressed me against the mirror, his grip tight around my neck. He was lost in a haze of desire, his endearments, “babe,” growing more impassioned with each whisper. Before I met Caleb, I never imagined I had such a wild side. We’d been everywhere – his office desk in the CEO’s suite, in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows at art exhibitions, by the railings of a yacht… Whenever Caleb wanted me, I’d succumb to his every whim. But this time, after it was over, I felt like a discarded rag, carelessly tossed aside. Looking at my disheveled reflection in the mirror, I let out a self-deprecating laugh. Then, I dialed Mr. Blackwood. “That disabled heir from the Hayes family? I’ll marry him.” … “Really?” His voice on the other end of the line was barely able to contain his excitement. “That’s my girl! You always were my good daughter, you…” “Don’t get ahead of yourself.” I cut him off. “I have conditions.” Mr. Blackwood was visibly stunned, a forced smile finally creeping onto his face a moment later. “Of course, darling. Name them, your father will agree to anything.” “We’ll discuss it when I get back.” With that, I hung up. I couldn’t stand to hear that sickening voice a second longer. “Who were you talking to just now?” Caleb walked out, towel-drying his hair, his tone lazy. “My best friend.” My indifferent reply made a flicker of surprise flash in Caleb’s eyes. But he quickly dismissed it. Perhaps I was just having a minor tantrum, and he could easily smooth it over with a few sweet words. But right now, he didn’t have time. “I’m heading out for a bit. Be a good girl and wait for me. I’ll bring you back some gourmet macarons.” Caleb buttoned the last button on his shirt, ready to leave. I let out a cold laugh. “Are you off for ‘business,’ or a date?” “What?” Caleb was busy replying to a message on his phone, a small smile playing on his lips every now and then. He wasn’t even listening to me. “Nothing. Drive safe. Don’t get hit by a car.” I kicked aside the shredded dress and changed into a more appropriate outfit. He looked up, seeing me give him a playful look, and chuckled. “Don’t be silly. I’ll make it up to you when I get back.” As I watched his back disappear, my eyes hardened. Just five hours earlier, at a banquet. I stepped onto the balcony to get some air when I was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace. “Caleb, what are you…” Before I could finish, his hand was already inside my dress. His hot breath on my face made me tremble uncontrollably. “This… this isn’t a good place…” I pleaded, shame coloring my cheeks, but he only intensified his movements. “Sweetheart, if you don’t want anyone to find us, and you don’t want me to ruin your dress, then be a good girl and listen.” The next second, I gave up all resistance, lost in his passionate kiss. The way I whispered “Caleb” in my passion only added to my allure. After it ended. I hugged him, cautiously asking, “Caleb, I’ll be twenty-eight next month. Are you going to marry me?” His body stiffened, his eyes regaining their usual calm and distant look. “Just a little longer, it’ll be soon.” “I’ve already picked out the wedding ring.” He finished, then kissed my forehead. Watching his figure disappear around the corner, a hint of joy spread across my face. I stumbled as I put my scattered clothes back on, then walked briskly towards the private room. But at the door, I heard laughter spilling out from inside. “I never would’ve thought Aria Blackwood was such a slut!” “How else could she be Caleb’s practice dummy?” I gasped, clamping a hand over my mouth, frozen in place. The voices from inside continued. “Thorne, it’s been long enough. You must have perfected your technique by now, right?” “In high school, you liked that girl, and we all offered to help you pursue her, but you insisted on finding someone to ‘practice’ with first, to give her the perfect romance experience.” “Now your first love is coming back. Isn’t it time for Aria Blackwood to make her exit?” Outside the door, my fingertips dug into my palms, I was so tense I didn’t even feel the pain. I was waiting for Caleb’s answer. But the private room remained silent for a long time, until someone couldn’t help but ask: “Thorne, you haven’t actually fallen for Aria Blackwood, have you?” “You’re not getting soft?” Caleb swirled his drink, the emotion in his eyes dark and unreadable. “She’s nothing but a tool I can discard anytime. Does she even deserve me to feel soft?” I felt like a heavy hammer had just struck my heart. I covered my ears, turned, and fled, returning home to bury my face in my pillow and sob. When Caleb came back, he didn’t ask why I was crying. He just forcibly pulled me up, saying he had to punish me severely for leaving without a word. I drove, following Caleb to the airport. I watched him escort a girl in a white dress into a car, the tenderness in his eyes enough to burn anyone who saw it. Finally, he put his arm around her waist and walked into a hotel. Watching his retreating back, my thoughts drifted back to the past. When I first met Caleb, he was a student three years my junior. I was the problem student my professor was desperate to get rid of, while he was the star student my professor adored. My professor introduced us. My first impression of him was simply that he was handsome. But beyond that, I had no other thoughts. Our paths crossed more often because our professor took a hands-off approach. After I graduated, our contact lessened. Until one time, I was heavily drunk, and I felt like I’d been drugged. My head was spinning fiercely. In a panic, I ran into the nearest hotel and unexpectedly bumped into Caleb. That night, as I was about to pass out, that innocent-looking young man became my antidote. The next morning, I woke up and looked at him sleeping, my cheeks burning crimson. It wasn’t shyness; it was guilt. I wanted to pretend nothing had happened and sneak away. But Caleb opened his eyes. “Hey, Professor, you slept with me and now you want to run? That’s irresponsible, isn’t it?” After that, I avoided him. But he, as if he’d discovered a new fascination, pursued me relentlessly. Finally, on a rainy night, he cornered me, his eyes serious: “Aria Blackwood, let’s give us a try?” I hesitated for a long time, but eventually couldn’t resist his wronged yet expectant gaze, and I nodded. We started dating, the kind everyone gossiped about. In our first year, his friends teased, “You two are so in love, when are you getting married?” Caleb replied indifferently, “No rush.” The second year, someone asked again, and he still said, “No rush.” The third year, when asked again, he remained silent. I didn’t care; I could wait. I waited and waited, until I uncovered this truth. Caleb had never intended for us to have a future. The person he truly loved wasn’t me. From beginning to end, I was just a practice dummy. My thoughts dispersed, I’d been waiting outside the hotel for two hours. My hands trembled as I dialed Caleb’s number, wanting to confront him, wanting an answer, but the call never connected. After a long time. I received an unfamiliar text message. [Caleb is too tired, he’s already asleep. Stop calling him.] The sender seemed to fear I wouldn’t believe them, so they also sent a picture of Caleb sleeping. I suddenly laughed out loud, my laughter sounding particularly harsh in the confined car. As I laughed, tears silently streamed down my face. I thought I was loved, and I’d been secretly happy for a long time. But it was all fake. In this vast world, love had only gifted me with hollow joy. From now on, I wouldn’t love anymore. I drove back to the Blackwood family home. Mr. Blackwood rushed to greet me, a wide, uncontrollable smile on his face. “Aria, did you really agree to marry Julian Hayes?” I glanced at Selena Reed, my father’s mistress, sitting on the sofa. I hated that homewrecker who had destroyed my parents’ relationship. But Selena just smiled at me, greed flickering in her eyes. “I told you, I have conditions.” “If you don’t agree, I won’t marry him.” After I spoke, Mr. Blackwood and Selena exchanged a look. Then he eagerly asked, “What conditions? Tell me!” I spoke each word clearly: “I want to sever all ties with the Blackwood family.” Mr. Blackwood’s pupils constricted. “And, I want half a billion dollars as my settlement.” The living room fell into a dead silence. The color drained from Mr. Blackwood’s face. He looked at me in disbelief: “You… what did you say?” “Are you insane?! Aria Blackwood! I’m your biological father!” “Do you think by cutting ties, you’re no longer my daughter?!” I scoffed. “Father?” “Have you ever fulfilled a father’s responsibilities?!” Mr. Blackwood choked. I swept a cold gaze over him: “When you, for the sake of this mistress, forced my mother to cut her wrists and die right in front of me, did you ever think you were my father?” “When you’re forcing me to marry that disabled man from the Hayes family, did you ever think you were my father?!” “What, now that you know my marriage to the Hayes family will bring you immense profit, you suddenly decide to act like a father?” “Don’t you think it’s a little too late?!” “Or, aren’t you afraid I might offend the Hayes family, incur their wrath, and drag you down with me?” I finished, crossing my arms, looking at him with scorn. Mr. Blackwood trembled with rage: “Fine! Sever ties, then! Fine!” “But that half a billion? You can forget about it!” “Alright, then I won’t get married.” I spread my hands, utterly unconcerned. Mr. Blackwood’s expression froze. He finally gritted his teeth and said: “I’ll give it to you!” “But the Hayes family said you have to marry him in two weeks!” I gave a casual nod and started heading upstairs. Selena seized the opportunity and suddenly spoke: “Darling, since Aria is getting married, can my niece move in?” “You know my niece; she lost her parents when she was little, and I’m her only family left.” “She just came back from overseas today and didn’t want to bother me, so she’s staying in a hotel.” Mr. Blackwood stared at my retreating back, raising his voice a few notches: “Is that so?” “Since Aria Blackwood no longer acknowledges me as her father, then let her move out tomorrow, and let your niece move in.” “That way your niece can keep you company.” I paused, my heart aching almost to the point of suffocation. “Perfect. Only a scumbag like you could abandon your own daughter to raise someone else’s child.” I continued upstairs, but Selena hypocritically grabbed my arm, feigning concern: “Aria, how can you talk to your father like that?” “We’re family, isn’t there anything we can’t overcome? If you don’t have the Blackwood family behind you…” I sharply yanked my hand away, looking at her coldly. “What? Do you think just because I’m getting married, you can finally marry this scumbag?” “Let me tell you, don’t dream about it.” “You’ll never escape the title of mistress your entire life!” “You’ll die as nothing more than Mr. Blackwood’s kept woman, never his legitimate wife!” Selena’s face instantly went ashen, and she stumbled back a few steps. She instinctively retorted, “Impossible…” I swept a dismissive glance over her. “Oh really? I’ll be watching.” I turned and walked away, each step feeling like it took all my strength. Only after I slammed the door shut did all my energy drain, my legs giving out as I slid onto the cold floor, burying my face in my knees, letting silent tears soak my arms. The next day, around noon. A cacophony of noise erupted outside my room. “What the hell is going on?” Annoyed, I threw open the door. “What are you doing, all of you! Can’t you keep it down?!” “You must be Aria, right?” “I’m so sorry, Aria, I’ll tell them to be quieter.” Daisy Miller blinked her eyes, feigning innocence, and spoke softly. I froze, my entire body stiffening, unable to move. I hadn’t expected that Selena’s niece, mentioned last night, would turn out to be Caleb Thorne’s beloved first love. This coincidence was truly laughable. “Nice to meet you, Aria. I’m Daisy Miller.” Daisy extended her hand, a sweet smile on her face. I glanced at her hand, scoffed, and turned to slam the door shut. “Aria Blackwood! Have you lost all your manners?!” Mr. Blackwood twisted the doorknob, found the door locked, and angrily pounded on the panel. “Get out! You said you’re cutting ties with me, so what are you still doing clinging on here?!” My nails dug deeply into my palms. I turned, grabbed my jacket from the sofa, pulled out my bank card from a drawer, and haphazardly stuffed them into my suitcase. Daisy’s soft, sweet voice suddenly squeezed through the door crack: “Uncle, is Aria angry?” Mr. Blackwood’s voice immediately softened: “Don’t mind her. I spoiled her growing up; she has no manners, unlike you, who’s so sensible.” “I… moving in so suddenly, it’s only natural for Aria to be angry… It’s just… I’m afraid she’ll resent me forever.” Daisy’s voice carried a hint of grievance. “She wouldn’t dare!” Mr. Blackwood’s voice suddenly rose, then quickly lowered. “Don’t worry, she’s getting married and moving to Northmont City soon. This house will be rid of her.” The suitcase zipper clicked shut. I dragged my luggage towards the door. “Move. Don’t block my way.” My voice was as cold as ice. Daisy seemed startled, instinctively stepping back a few paces, giving me enough room to leave. “Ungrateful daughter!” “Where do you think you’re going?!” “Don’t forget what you promised!” Mr. Blackwood roared. “The moment the money’s in my account, I’ll book my flight to Northmont City,” I replied without looking back. As I passed Daisy, I gave her a fleeting glance, catching a flicker of suppressed triumph in her eyes. Just as I suspected, she and her aunt were two of a kind. Caleb Thorne must be blind to cherish someone like her. News of me being kicked out of the Blackwood home quickly spread. Meanwhile, I was sitting in the most luxurious presidential suite in South City, pouring myself glass after glass of red wine. When I was ten, Mr. Blackwood had an affair, and my mother discovered it. My mother, who loved him deeply, was hysterical, sobbing until she almost fainted. But Mr. Blackwood showed no remorse, openly bringing Selena Reed in and out of the Blackwood mansion. For three whole years, they flaunted their affection shamelessly in front of my mother, deliberately provoking her. Finally, my mother, unable to bear it any longer, took her own life in front of thirteen-year-old me. From that day on, I hated Mr. Blackwood, and I hated Selena Reed. I even almost tried to kill my own father. But I was caught. I was forced to move out of the Blackwood home, attending school alone, eating alone, growing up alone. It wasn’t until I met Caleb Thorne that my loneliness ended. Though it was only for a short year, it left an indelible mark on my heart. I never dared to hope for Caleb, but he had once given me hope. It was only for a brief year, but it was enough to stir a ripple in my heart. I had never harbored wild fantasies about Caleb Thorne, but he had given me hope. The doorbell rang abruptly. I sat on the sofa, my eyes vacant. Hearing the sound, I paused slightly, struggled to my feet, my steps unsteady, and went to open the door. Standing outside was Caleb Thorne. A trace of imperceptible anxiety flickered in his brows, his gaze lingering on my slightly disheveled clothes and swollen eyes for a moment. “Caleb Thorne, you’re here.” I spoke softly, my voice hoarse from crying. Caleb didn’t immediately enter, instead taking in my state, his eyes complex. “Argued with your father again?” His voice was deep. “Got kicked out? What, still didn’t think to come to me?” His words made my nose sting, and my eyes instantly welled up. In the past, whenever I argued with Mr. Blackwood, Caleb would always be the first to find me, take me away from that suffocating environment, and bring me to his place. He would always say, “Aria, why are you trying to tough it out alone again? Why didn’t you come to me?” Back then, I always thought Caleb must be madly in love with me. Although he never said “I love you,” he was always silently by my side, doing many things only someone who loved me would do. Now that I think about it— Love that couldn’t be spoken, was it truly love? He clearly harbored feelings for Daisy Miller, and he was never short of other women. What did that make me? My eyes red, my pent-up emotions exploded. I raised my hand and slapped Caleb Thorne, hard and fast. Caleb clearly hadn’t expected me to act out like that. The crisp sound echoed as my hand connected with his cheek. He frowned, a flash of hurt and anger quickly crossing his face, but he suppressed it the next second. He didn’t hit back, nor did he speak. Instead, he simply wrapped one arm around my waist, lifting me into his arms. I struggled in shock, yelling, “Let me go! Get away from me, you damn scumbag!” Caleb carried me, letting me kick and hit him, and walked straight to the hotel’s large bed. The next day. I opened my eyes with a groan of discomfort. Suddenly, Caleb’s voice, thick with sleep but brooking no argument, resonated in my ears: “Sweetheart, come home with me.” I curled my hands, my eyes lowered, my voice still a little hoarse: “No need.” “Your place… isn’t my home.” “Besides, I’m only staying at this hotel for two weeks.” *In two weeks, I’ll be gone.* I left those words unsaid. Caleb’s brows instantly furrowed, a surge of inexplicable anger rising within him, as if I’d not only refused his kindness but something more. He suppressed the irritation and said lazily: “Suit yourself.” “I was only offering to take you in temporarily because you’re homeless now, out of pity.” Pity me? His words cut like a knife, and my heart gave a sharp pang. An inexplicable cold war began between us. It wasn’t until three days later that Caleb reached out to me, trying to mend things. “Sweetheart…” He had just started speaking when his phone rang with a special notification sound. Caleb immediately pulled out his phone to check it. I caught a glimpse of the contact name: Daisy. [Caleb, it’s been a while. Let’s have dinner together.] After reading the message, he turned and left without a word. As if he remembered something, he left me with a phrase: “Sweetheart, I have some things to take care of. I’ll come find you later.” I watched his eager back disappear, and let out a self-deprecating laugh. Late at night. I drifted off to sleep, but my hands were clutched to my stomach. My stomach was wracked with intense, cramping pain. Cold sweat beaded on my forehead, and my consciousness began to fade. I felt as though I was seeing flashbacks of our time together. Caleb would buy me priceless necklaces and personally put them on me, promising to buy me diamonds for a lifetime. Caleb would light fireworks across the city for three days and nights to celebrate my birthday, smiling as he said he would give me all he had, without reservation. Caleb would make a wish during a rare meteor shower, saying he would stay with me until the end of time, never letting go… His vows still echoed in my ears, but those words were just empty promises he used to appease me. He had never intended for us to grow old together. When Caleb arrived, he saw my pale face. “What’s wrong with you? You look awful!” He rushed forward, helping me up, a hint of panic in his voice. I weakly said, “My stomach… it hurts so much.” “Did you skip meals again?” He frowned, his voice carrying a hint of reproach. I looked at him, the stomach pain making it almost impossible to speak. “Never mind, I’ll take you to the hospital.” With that, Caleb picked me up on his back and started walking out. Halfway there, his phone rang again. Caleb saw it was Daisy calling, and answered without thinking. Immediately, sobs came from the other end. “Caleb, my… my aunt fainted… Uncle isn’t home… I don’t know what to do, can you please come help me?” Daisy’s voice clearly reached my ears. Caleb hung up, his eyes flickering with apology: “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry… something came up with the company… I have to go deal with it right away.” “Can you take a taxi to the hospital? I’ll come find you as soon as I’m done, okay?” “I’ll call a cab for you, it’ll be here right away.” Rain mixed with cold sweat, dripping from my forehead. I watched his car disappear into the rainy night, forcing a bitter smile. The icy rain instantly soaked my clothes, chilling my heart. I waited a long time, but the cab Caleb said he’d called never arrived. I struggled to pull out my phone to call one myself, but my hands were shaking too much to operate it. The intense stomach pain made it almost impossible to breathe; I could only gasp for air. Before I completely lost consciousness, I vaguely mumbled: “It’s a good thing I decided not to love you anymore, Caleb Thorne…” When I regained consciousness, I found myself in a hospital. A nurse informed me that a kind passerby had found me collapsed on the street and brought me in. Just then, Daisy’s voice, thick with suppressed sobs, came from outside the door: “It’s all my fault, I panicked in a crisis and instinctively called for your help, and as a result… Aria… she fainted outside…” “Caleb, how could you come help me first?” “Aria will be so angry when she finds out…” “She already doesn’t approve of me living at the Blackwood family home, now this…” Caleb’s warm fingers gently wiped away her tears. “It’s not your fault.” “Don’t be scared. If she bullies you, I’ll protect you.” His voice was exceptionally gentle, a warmth I had never felt from him. “If I had another chance, I’d still help you.” He murmured, “Who told her she couldn’t even take care of herself? Consider this a punishment.” I clutched my heart on the hospital bed. Just a little longer, and I’d be able to let go completely. One day, I wouldn’t love Caleb Thorne anymore. “You’ve been running around so much, you must be tired.” “Go back and rest.” Caleb softly coaxed her. After a long while, Daisy left with a hint of awkwardness. Once the hospital room door closed again, Caleb finally noticed that I was awake on the bed, staring intently at him. There was no trace of guilt on his face, and he asked as usual, “You’re awake? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?” My face was pale, and I shook my head slightly. In the past, learning the truth of him abandoning me would have sent me into a rage, throwing things and chasing him out. But now, I was exceptionally calm, neither crying nor making a scene. Caleb frowned slightly, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. “Are you angry?” He asked tentatively. I replied expressionlessly: “No.” As if the matter was truly over. I quietly recovered in the hospital, no longer trying to be close to him as before. Caleb, meanwhile, came to see me every day after work. On the day of my discharge, Mr. Blackwood suddenly called. “The money’s transferred to you, and I’ve booked your flight.” His voice was filled with suppressed anger. “Don’t forget what you promised!” A cold smile played on my lips: “Understood.” “Don’t be too upset.” I added lightly, “When I marry, the Hayes family’s betrothal gift is a staggering billion dollars. You’re not losing out.” Mr. Blackwood remained silent, simply hanging up the phone in a huff. When Caleb came to pick me up, he said to me, unprompted: “Aria, I know you’re still angry.” “I’ll take you somewhere fun; maybe that’ll cheer you up?” I frowned, just about to refuse, when he pulled me into the car. The club lights were dim and hazy. Entering suddenly, I felt a little disoriented. “Aria, you’re here!” “Caleb said there was an exciting show, so he invited me along.” Daisy suddenly appeared in front of me, affectionately linking her arm in mine. I paused, a mocking smile twisting my lips. *How ridiculous.* With Daisy here, how could he genuinely try to make *me* happy? But my heart, it seemed, didn’t ache as much as it used to. “Aria…” Daisy’s affected voice interrupted my thoughts. I frowned slightly, then forcefully shook off her hand. “Who’s your sister? Don’t try to claim kinship!” Daisy looked at Caleb with a wronged expression, biting her lip as she explained, “My aunt is your father’s wife, so naturally, you’re my older sister.” I let out a cold laugh: “Your aunt is Mr. Blackwood’s mistress, or rather, his homewrecker. But she certainly isn’t his wife!” “A mistress’s niece, where do you get off calling me your sister?” “It’s laughable!” Caleb saw Daisy’s pitiful expression and couldn’t help but snap: “Enough! Aria Blackwood!” “It’s just a title. Why be so petty?” I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, said nothing, and walked straight to a seat. The two of them sat down beside me. Suddenly, a scream erupted from the stage. Staff pushed out an iron cage, where two adult Tibetan Mastiffs paced restlessly inside. “The special show is about to begin!” the excited host yelled. “Little Chili versus Big Dragon! Who do you think will win?” I frowned deeply. Such bloody fighting and betting shows were common at this club, but I always detested them. Just as I was about to leave, Daisy grabbed me: “Don’t you like watching, Aria?” “I absolutely love it.” I was about to retort when something suddenly went wrong. The latch on the iron cage holding the two Tibetan Mastiffs suddenly came loose. The two mastiffs crashed through the cage door and immediately lunged at the nearest person. The host was the first victim. The scene descended into chaos. I watched Caleb directly bypass me, grab Daisy’s hand, and shield her entirely in his embrace as he headed for the emergency exit. Meanwhile, I stood closest to one of the mastiffs, able to clearly see the drool dripping from its fangs. My eyes filled with terror, and I unconsciously cried out, “Caleb… save me…” Caleb, hearing my plea, merely shot a cold glance over his shoulder, then unhesitatingly protected Daisy and quickly left. The next second, the two mastiffs pounced on me, who was frozen in place. “Ah—!” Excruciating pain tore through me instantly. In a daze, I felt as though I was about to be devoured by the two beasts. “Bang! Bang!” Two gunshots pierced the deadly silence, and the two mastiffs collapsed to the ground. When I woke again, the pungent smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils, and I was back in a hospital bed. The first person I saw was Daisy Miller. “Aria, you’re finally awake.” Daisy feigned concern. “You scared me to death.” I scoffed, propped myself up, my gaze like a knife: “Daisy Miller, Caleb’s not here. Can you really keep up this act? It’s sickening.” Daisy’s lips twitched, and she instantly dropped her pretense: “Aria Blackwood, what are you so proud of?” “Caleb Thorne doesn’t care about you, and you can’t go back to the Blackwood family home. Who are you trying to impress?” “It must hurt, watching him protect me first, right?” She leaned closer, her voice laced with glee: “Too bad those beasts didn’t finish you off.” My eyes suddenly turned cold and sharp as I stared directly at her: “You’re the one who ordered those two mastiffs to be released, aren’t you?” Daisy met my gaze without flinching, a smile playing on her lips: “I did. What are you going to do about it?” “I want you dead. What can you do to stop me?” I slowly raised my eyelids and let out a scoff: “Daisy Miller, you dare to mess with me without checking my background?” “I’m the kind of person who would kill my own father.” Before I finished speaking, I moved suddenly, grabbing Daisy’s head and slamming it against the wall behind her. “Ah—!” Daisy let out a bloodcurdling scream. When Caleb Thorne returned to the hospital room, he saw Daisy lying on the ground, barely conscious. Seeing the situation, he immediately slapped me across the face, his expression livid: “Aria Blackwood! Are you crazy?!” “Just because I saved her first, you tried to kill her?” My eyes were bloodshot, and I forced down the metallic taste in my mouth, hissing, “She tried to kill me with those mastiffs!” “Even so, you can’t kill her!” Caleb roared. His words were like a poisoned knife, piercing my heart. I suddenly let out a desolate laugh. “Since I’ve already done it, Mr. Thorne, how do you plan to deal with me?” “A leg.” Caleb’s voice was as cold as ice. “Then I won’t pursue this matter any further.” I abruptly looked up, my eyes filled with disbelief. For Daisy Miller, he wanted to break my leg? I struggled desperately. But Caleb had already motioned for his bodyguards to step forward and restrain me tightly. “Sweetheart, this is what you owe Daisy.” Caleb’s voice was devoid of warmth. He finished, then picked up Daisy, his eyes filled with anxiety. I stared at his disappearing back, my eyes filled with despair. The rubber baton in the bodyguard’s hand suddenly fell, striking my knee heavily. Excruciating pain instantly spread through my entire body. My vision went black, and I almost fainted. I curled up on the ground, large tears mixing with cold sweat as they rolled down my face. Caleb Thorne was truly ruthless. When I woke again, my leg was in a cast. But I still felt an immense amount of pain. “Have you learned your lesson this time?” Caleb stood by the bed, his voice devoid of any emotion. I kept my lips tightly sealed, ignoring him completely. Caleb frowned deeply, and his lips moved as if to speak. But a nurse suddenly pushed the door open and announced, “Mr. Thorne, Ms. Miller is awake.” He glanced at me. “Wait for me to come back.” With that, he left without looking back. Watching his hurried retreating figure, I softly said: “Caleb Thorne, I won’t wait anymore.” Two hours later. Pushed in a wheelchair by a bodyguard, I arrived at the airport. After sending Caleb Thorne a breakup text, I tossed my phone into a trash can the moment the screen went dark. Then, resolutely, I boarded the flight to Northmont City.

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