Author: Momo Chan

My older brother, Julian, desperate for the family inheritance, framed me for plagiarizing his jewelry design. I was expelled from school, disowned by my parents, and left to fend for myself on the streets. After graduation, Julian smoothly secured the inheritance. He then broke up with Caleb Sterling, the head of the powerful Sterling family, and moved abroad. “My younger brother likes you, and as an older brother, I shouldn’t take what my younger brother wants, so… I’m giving you back to him.” Julian used me as his excuse for the breakup. He even told Caleb that I had always been in love with him. Caleb hated me. He forced me to marry him, treating me like a stand-in, a plaything, unleashing all his rage on me. Under his prolonged torment, my scent gland was severely damaged, but he didn’t care. My parents acted as if I didn’t exist. Not until I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Then, they begged me not to forget them. In the two years I was married to Caleb, I managed my heats solely with suppressants. But his ruts? He always sought me out to vent his frustrations. Julian wanted to break up with Caleb but didn’t want to offend the Sterling family. So he used me as a shield. He said, “My younger brother likes you, and as an older brother, I shouldn’t take what my younger brother wants, so… I’m giving you back to him.” That’s why Caleb believed I had meticulously planned their breakup. He forced me to marry him, tormenting me day and night. This torment happened countless times, yet I could never get used to it. I cried, tears blurring my vision, begging him to be gentler. But he sneered, humiliating me viciously, “Does it hurt? When you plagiarized Julian’s jewelry design, when you made Julian break up with me, did you ever imagine this day would come? And you still have the nerve to cry? That’s f***ing disgusting!” “I didn’t! It hurts so much…” I shook my head. I didn’t plagiarize Julian Blackwood’s jewelry design; it was *my* own design. I didn’t force him to break up with you either! None of this was my doing! I had explained it countless times, but Caleb Sterling never believed me… During my junior year of college, the school held a jewelry design competition. My parents declared that whoever, my brother or I, won the competition would inherit the family estate. To outsiders, it seemed like fair competition, but only I knew that my parents favored my brother. Since I was a child, barely forming my first memories, Mom always said I was just an accident, that she only ever planned to have Julian. If it weren’t for that accident, I would never have been born into this world. They favored Julian in everything, never considering my feelings. If Julian got even a minor scratch, they’d panic and rush him to the hospital. But if I scraped my knee and cried in pain, they’d just casually tell me, “Don’t be such a baby.” At Julian’s birthday parties, the outpouring of well wishes and the room full of gifts were things I could only dream of. … Bathed in their love and attention, Julian excelled academically and grew more outgoing. Meanwhile, due to my parents’ utter neglect, I gradually became silent and insecure, turning into what teachers and my parents called a troublemaker. Later, after Julian displayed an extraordinary talent for playing the piano, he forever became my parents’ pride and joy. In college, Caleb Sterling, the Alpha I’d loved for eight years, confessed his feelings to my brother. It seemed everything I cherished always ended up belonging to Julian. I only felt a pang of wistful admiration, never jealousy.

The day of the jewelry design competition, I didn’t even want to participate. But Julian approached me, urging me to join, saying it would be a fair competition. I gave in to his wishes and participated in the competition that would decide my future. But an accident happened. During the jewelry design presentation, my work and Julian’s were identical, even the name was the same: “Deep Sea Pearl.” I never expected Julian had already stolen my design sketches, just waiting for this moment. He threw the sketches into public view, accusing me of plagiarizing his work. My heart plummeted into an icy abyss. Countless mocking stares fell upon me. I was utterly humiliated in front of all the teachers, students, and my parents, losing the competition amidst their laughter. On the distant podium, Julian looked down at me, his lips forming a clear, silent word: “You lost.” Yes, I lost, losing everything. I wanted to run, but before I could even take a step, a bucket of icy water came splashing down from above. It was Julian’s friends. “A plagiarizing scum like him thinks he can compete? Noah Blackwood, don’t you have any shame?” Laughter erupted from the third-floor balcony. I looked up at their hypocritical smiles, feeling utterly sickened. Julian Blackwood would betray and frame his own brother just to get the family inheritance. This was the “brother” I’d called mine for twenty years. How utterly pathetic… I let out a cold, hollow laugh, my body trembling with sorrow.

After the competition, I stumbled home, utterly humiliated, only to be met with a barrage of curses from my parents. “Our Blackwood family has been in the jewelry business for generations, and we value integrity above all else!” “You actually plagiarized in the competition, and it was your own brother’s design! Aren’t you utterly mortified?!” Integrity? Who was really lacking integrity? I thought with a bitter laugh. “Mom, it wasn’t me…” I tried desperately to explain. “Julian copied *my* design, it was *him*! Not me!” “You still dare to argue! Julian has always been sensible, pure-hearted, how could he possibly do such a thing?” Dad, who had been silent, grabbed the ashtray from the table and hurled it at me. I dodged it, narrowly. I watched them comfort Julian, and suddenly I didn’t want to explain anymore. It was pointless; they wouldn’t believe me anyway. They only believed Julian. “We truly regret ever having you as a son!” Mom shrieked, pointing towards the front door. “Get out! Get out of here right now!” I said nothing more, turning to leave this suffocating place without hesitation, desperate to escape. As I stepped out the front door, I heard Julian fake-cry, “Mom, Dad, please don’t send Noah away. Maybe he was just confused for a moment…” “What nonsense are you talking about? He should have left ages ago,” Mom’s voice softened instantly. “My darling won the competition, what do you want to eat tonight? Mom will cook it for you.” Watching the ‘happy family’ of three, my heart began to ache. That didn’t belong to me. It never had. The school expelled me. My life, just like that, was ruined. A sharp sting. Caleb Sterling released me after he was done venting. The room was a disaster zone. I curled up on the bed, trembling uncontrollably. “Disgusting,” he sneered, looking at me with cold disdain. “Your scent is getting more and more repulsive!” My face was pale with pain. I just lay there, silently crying. He let go of me, dressed, and left. My scent gland was severely damaged. The doctor had warned me last month that if I kept using suppressants without an Alpha’s pheromones, I would completely lose all sense of pheromones. The final outcome would be a surgical removal of my scent gland, leaving me permanently disabled. I begged Caleb for just a little of his pheromones, even a tiny bit, but he said it was what I deserved. He also said he wouldn’t mark an Omega he didn’t love. I didn’t know how much longer my scent gland could hold out…

I showered and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. How did I end up in the Sterling family? After I was kicked out of my home and expelled from school, with no diploma, the only job I could find was working as a dishwasher at a diner. Being an Omega, and having a delicate appearance, I was constantly harassed. The head chef was a sleazy Alpha who always tried to grope me when no one was around. I chose to endure it, swallowing all my grievances, because I needed money, I needed to survive, and I needed to keep my newly opened jewelry design studio afloat. But one day, the chef got drunk and cornered me in the kitchen. He reached out and tore at my clothes. I fought back with all my might but was brutally slapped. My ears rang. The next day, the owner heard about my fight with the chef. He sided with the chef, gave me a month’s pay, and fired me. I used the money to see a doctor about my ear. The doctor told me my left ear was completely deaf. I didn’t care. As long as the other ear could hear, it was fine. The doctor also told me I had early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. “It’s quite rare for someone your age, but with consistent treatment, we might be able to slow its progression.” “Long-term psychological stress… can damage the hippocampus… increasing the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s…” The doctor’s words echoed in my mind. I looked at the treatment sheet with words like “cognitive impairment” and “memory loss,” then tore the paper to shreds and threw it in the trash. Maybe forgetting everyone would be a blessing. Maybe then it wouldn’t hurt so much. When I left the hospital, I ran into Caleb Sterling. Julian Blackwood had smoothly secured the inheritance after graduation, broke up with Caleb, and moved abroad. Julian wanted to get rid of Caleb but didn’t want to offend the Sterling family. So he used me as an excuse, making himself look completely innocent. He even told Caleb that I had always been in love with him. “You said you loved me, didn’t you?” He grabbed my chin, his fingers digging in. “Then I’ll grant your wish.” I was forcibly married into the Sterling family. Every night, he would degrade me, over and over again. I don’t know how I endured those nights. I struggled, I tried to escape, but all it ever earned me was even harsher torment. To make things easier on myself, I had to obey him. I shifted my gaze from the ceiling, turned off the bedside lamp, and lay on my side, forcing myself to stop thinking about it all… In our two years of marriage, Caleb Sterling never knew my left ear was deaf, and I never intended to tell him. Telling him would probably just lead to another round of mockery…

Caleb Sterling didn’t hire a housekeeper for me, so I had to buy groceries and cook every day. The next day, on my way home from the studio with groceries, a necklace in a display window caught my eye. The plaque below it read: “Deep Sea Pearl,” Designer: Julian Blackwood. My breath hitched. That was *my* “Deep Sea Pearl” design from college. My fingers trembled as I pressed them against the glass. “Well, well, if it isn’t the Blackwood family’s outcast son?” “Hit rock bottom, have you? Looking at Julian’s designs, are we?” I turned around to see a few of Julian Blackwood’s Alpha friends walking towards me. They blocked my path. “Get lost,” I said, my gaze icy. “A plagiarizing scum still acting tough?” The moment he spoke, the group, without another word, grabbed me and started dragging me towards the restroom. I struggled with all my might, but an Omega’s strength is no match for an Alpha’s, especially when it’s several Alphas. In the chaos, my gaze fell upon a black Maybach parked by the roadside. The window was half-down, and Caleb Sterling was sitting inside, watching everything with a cold, expressionless face. I looked to him for help, but he simply rolled up the window. Of course. He didn’t love me. Why would he save me? They dragged me into the restroom, and the door slammed shut. They stripped me naked. They recorded me from every humiliating angle. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they had their fill and left. I cleaned myself up in the restroom before coming out. The Maybach was gone. I returned home. Laughter drifted from the living room. Caleb Sterling was having a party with friends. He truly didn’t care that I had been abused. I didn’t dare look up at Caleb Sterling. I just wanted to escape to my room as quickly as possible. Just as I was about to go upstairs, I heard a pained yet familiar sound from behind me. I turned to look. An Alpha was holding up his phone, and the flashing images on the screen made me tremble.

The video on the screen was of me, stripped naked… And sitting on the sofa right now were the same Alphas who had humiliated me in the restroom just two hours ago. It hit me then: Julian Blackwood’s friends were naturally Caleb Sterling’s friends too. They were all in on it together… “Haha, look at this angle!” Zack, the red-haired Alpha, laughed, his finger swiping across the screen. “Young Master Blackwood’s face is even more ‘expressive’ than during his heats!” “Mr. Sterling really got himself a *prize*!” “Pretty, isn’t it?” Only when the video finished playing did Caleb Sterling look up at me. “Noah Blackwood, you brought this all upon yourself.” I stood there, speechless, because I had no idea what to say. “What’s wrong, cat got your tongue?” Caleb Sterling’s gaze was like ice. I didn’t answer him, instead biting my lower lip until I tasted blood. My nose started to sting. No, I couldn’t cry. Definitely not in front of these people. But the traitorous tears still fell. Caleb Sterling walked closer, reaching out to touch my face. “Crying?” He wiped away my tears with his thumb. “Get lost!” I slapped his hand away and stumbled, almost falling, as I ran up the stairs. Caleb Sterling’s enraged shouts echoed behind me, but I didn’t care to hear it. Sometimes I wished I were deaf in both ears. If I were completely deaf, I wouldn’t have to listen to their insults anymore. I burst into the bedroom, locked the door, and slid down onto the floor. Another sharp sting flared from the scent gland on my neck, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. Noah Blackwood, you’re so pathetic. No one loves you… I sobbed uncontrollably. Caleb Sterling, the Alpha I had loved for eight years, maybe I truly loved the wrong Alpha. The one he loved had always been Julian Blackwood. He could humiliate me over and over again for Julian. Completely disregarding my feelings… Everyone loved Julian Blackwood, and in their eyes, I was nothing more than an insignificant insect. When will this miserable life finally end…

After my scent gland re-examination at the hospital, I circled the villa complex again and again. I couldn’t find the Sterling family villa… I realized my memory was truly fading, bit by bit. I ran the route through my mind countless times, but I couldn’t remember how to get there. I could only keep running forward, unable to stop myself. At a turn, I was surrounded by a group of Alphas. I never imagined Caleb Sterling would post my video in the Alpha Hunting Club’s SnapChat group. How could he be so utterly heartless? A cocktail of Alpha pheromones assaulted me, and my scent gland couldn’t bear the intensity. I struggled to reach for my medicine, but an Alpha snatched it away. “Scent gland repair medicine? Guess Mr. Sterling’s Omega is a defective model after all.” My face was pale. I reached out, trying to grab it back. The Alpha sneered, then casually tossed the medicine bottle to his companion behind him. “Scent gland damaged? Need a few Alphas to help you out?” He finished, then reached out and ripped off the cotton gauze from the back of my neck, exposing my swollen, red scent gland. “No! Let go!” I struggled, desperate. Just as he was about to bite down on my scent gland, Caleb Sterling walked right into view. The Alpha froze. Caleb Sterling’s gaze coldly swept over my disheveled self. “Beg me. Just ask, and I’ll save you, and I’ll pull the video.” I bit down on my teeth, glaring at him, saying nothing. I looked at his face, feeling it was both familiar and strange. For a moment, I couldn’t remember who he was. Could I trust him? Could I ask him for help? “Unwilling?” Caleb Sterling chuckled softly. “Then stay here. Who knows, maybe more Alphas will come to enjoy watching you lose control.” A shiver ran through me. I desperately wanted to go to him. He was *my* Alpha, but he didn’t love me. He loved my brother. And for his sake, he tormented me every single day. He loved, absolutely *loved*, seeing me grovel and beg. I knew I had no other choice now. “Please…” I grabbed his coat sleeve, pleading, “Please, take me away.”

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On Valentine’s Day, my best friend Cassidy and I decided to do something absurd: rummage through public bins by the waterfront. I didn’t expect to find anything, but then, my fingers closed around a platinum diamond ring. Staring at the ring, an exact replica of the one on my own left ring finger, I immediately FaceTimed my husband, Benjamin. “Where’s your ring? Let me see it.” Ben’s expression faltered for a second, then he raised his left hand, a helpless smile playing on his lips. “Alice, this is our wedding ring. Do you honestly think I’d lose it? See? It’s right here, safe and sound on my finger.” I smiled and ended the call, then glanced at the inside of the ring I held. Our initials, along with our wedding date, were still clearly engraved there. Clutching the ring tightly, I drove straight to Ben’s office. … The university where Ben worked was a top-tier institution. His private office was right next to his lab. I’d visited him there a few times before. But this time, he wasn’t there. Inside, a young woman with a ponytail was sitting at his desk. Seraphina Hayes, one of Ben’s students. She looked startled when she saw me, but the next second, a sweet, gentle smile replaced her surprise. “Dr. Sterling, are you looking for Professor Carter? He’s already gone home.” I looked around the room, getting straight to the point. “If he’s not here, how did you get in?” Seraphina remained calm, explaining frankly, “Professor Carter allowed it.” “Our team has been rushing a research project in the lab lately. He said anyone who didn’t have time to go home could come here to rest. It just so happens that I’m the only one here today.” What a perfectly convenient “coincidence.” Her seemingly innocent composure only made me feel like the paranoid one for even asking. It wasn’t that I was overly suspicious; it was that I knew Ben too well. He never allowed anyone to step foot into his private space. When he wasn’t there, even I wasn’t allowed in that office. Now, someone had become an exception. Seeing me standing still, Seraphina reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Dr. Sterling, why don’t you give Professor Carter a call and see where he is?” The ring on her left ring finger caught my eye. A few small white diamonds framed a brilliant blue diamond, making it sparkle with a unique light. Back when I was trying to convince Ben to wear a wedding ring, I chose the most basic, simple design. But I still wanted the ring to have a special touch, so I specifically replaced one of the white diamonds with a blue one. Blue was Ben’s lucky color. This ring was my custom design. I held my hand up to her, “What a coincidence, our rings are identical.” Her hand flinched, and she subconsciously used her other hand to cover the ring. I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Did you get yours custom-made too?” Her face went pale. She lowered her gaze, biting her lip, and didn’t utter a sound. Her reaction told me everything I needed to know. Any more talk would be a waste of time. I turned and walked out. Back in my car, I took a deep breath to calm myself before calling Cassidy. She answered immediately, asking, “So, what happened? Did he lose his ring and not dare to tell you, then order a new custom one?” I thought I was calm enough, but my voice still trembled uncontrollably. “Cassidy, I need your help. Look into Benjamin’s student, Seraphina Hayes, and Benjamin’s movements for the past three months.” As the best investigative journalist in the business, she understood immediately what was happening. “That scumbag! Alice, wait for my call. I’ll expose him down to his very core.” On the drive home, I imagined a thousand different scenarios of what might happen next. What I didn’t expect was to find Ben waiting for me with a table full of food. He was busy in the kitchen, wearing an apron. When he saw me, he smiled gently. “Honey, you’re home? Go wash up, dinner’s ready.” In seven years of marriage, Ben had only cooked for me once, during our honeymoon phase. Before, seeing this table laden with all my favorite dishes might have touched me. But now, my stomach churned, and I just felt sick. He didn’t notice my icy expression. With his back to me, he spoke casually, “Did you come to the office looking for me earlier? Why didn’t you call? You wouldn’t have wasted a trip.” A cold, sarcastic smile touched my lips. They’d obviously coordinated their stories. Suppressing the nausea, I sat at the table and asked him, my voice flat, “What made you decide to cook tonight?” “It’s Valentine’s Day. I wanted to celebrate with my wife. No need for complicated reasons. Everywhere else would be crowded, so I thought we could have a quiet night in.” No sooner had he finished speaking than his phone, lying on the table, lit up silently. A message with a peach emoji avatar. I subtly tapped to open the photo. It was Seraphina, in Ben’s office, wearing a bunny girl lingerie set, posing suggestively. The next message immediately followed: “Your little peach is ready and waiting for you, hubby.” My fingers tightened around my phone. I looked at the contact listed simply as “Collaborator” and couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Ben finally finished, and going through the motions, he poured me some red wine. “Happy Valentine’s Day, honey!” His eyes kept glancing at his phone. Finally, he couldn’t resist picking it up to check. I expressionlessly picked at the food in front of me, looking at the ring on his hand, feeling only mockery. Suddenly, he abruptly stood up, saying to me in a rushed, anxious voice, “Honey, something came up at the lab. I might have to go check it out.” “You go ahead and eat. Don’t wait for me.” Before I could react, he leaned down, kissed my cheek, and hurried out. I scoffed at his retreating back. To sneak off for his little ‘rendezvous,’ he’d become a professional actor. I was just pulling out a disinfecting wipe to vigorously scrub my face when Cassidy’s message came through. “Those rotten cheaters! Alice, get ready to file for divorce. I’ll dig up more evidence for you. We’re going to completely ruin those two bastards.” She sent me their travel records for the past three months, hotel booking confirmations, and all of Seraphina’s social media accounts. Seraphina’s Twitter account had only been created three months ago, named “Mr. C’s Little Peach.” The first photo and text post, dated June 14th, was a set of exquisite wedding photos. The caption read, “To forever with Mr. C.” Among the few comments, someone asked why the groom’s face was blurred. She coyly replied that her husband preferred to keep a low profile and didn’t like being in the spotlight. Even with his face blurred, I recognized Ben’s physique at a glance. So, the wedding photos I’d always asked him to retake with me? He’d already taken them — with someone else. Swallowing the nausea rising in my throat, I clicked open each post, one by one. The subsequent posts documented their honeymoon trip. The time was mid-June, and the location was Tahiti, a place I had already meticulously planned to visit with Ben. They checked off every single spot I had planned to visit, and tried surfing, windsurfing, and snorkeling – all the activities I had intended for us. In the photos, Seraphina was wearing a bikini, smiling brightly. “Thank you, Mr. C, for fully planning this honeymoon trip for me. Your little peach is so happy.” At that time, Ben had told me he was attending a seminar with a collaborator. I let out a cold laugh. So *this* was the kind of collaborator he meant. I was stunned by their shamelessness. Just then, Seraphina posted an update in real-time. The photo showed two hands, adorned with diamond rings, intertwined. “Getting our custom wedding rings today, on Valentine’s Day. So, Mr. C, I guess we truly are destined.” Even though I had mentally prepared myself, each post was like a sharp knife, slicing open my heart and leaving it bleeding. Immediately, someone commented below the post: “OMG, so cute! Manifesting this for myself one day!”

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On my fifth wedding anniversary, the gift I received was a phone call from a law firm. “Hello, is this Mrs. Vance? This is Sterling Legal. We have a client filing a complaint, alleging your husband, Aaron Vance, is involved in the unlawful detention of a young woman. We need you to come in and help us clarify the situation.” My heart sank, my fingers instantly turning to ice. I had a dreadful suspicion of what this was about, but I still grabbed my scarf and hurried out the door. The law office was brightly lit, and my eyes immediately found the young woman surrounded by people. The girl pouted, her face a mask of indignation. “What’s wrong with you all? Why haven’t you sued him and had him arrested yet? He held me captive in the presidential suite of a hotel for seven days and seven nights! I couldn’t even get out of bed! What else would you call that besides unlawful detention?” The girl’s voice was sugary sweet, laced with a clear, coquettish whine and… a distinct hint of bragging. The senior lawyers nearby exchanged weary glances, a collective ‘Here we go again’ etched on their faces. A new intern lawyer, clearly taking her seriously, looked indignant. “This, this is simply outrageous! Team Leader, shouldn’t we file a lawsuit immediately?” An older lawyer quickly pulled him aside, lowering his voice. “What are you talking about?! That’s Aaron Vance! Aaron Vance, one of the wealthiest men in the city!” “So what if he’s rich? Does that mean he’s above the law?” The intern lawyer stubbornly retorted. “Above the law, my foot!” The old lawyer practically wanted to clap a hand over his mouth. “It’s just Mr. Vance and Seraphina’s little game! Their playful charade, understand? This Seraphina, she’s here every other week. Last time, she claimed Mr. Vance bought her so many diamond necklaces worth millions she couldn’t wear them all, and it kept her awake at night with stress. The time before that, she said he booked out an entire rose garden just for her, which gave her a terrible pollen allergy… This isn’t a complaint; it’s just her twisted way of flaunting their relationship!” The intern lawyer stared, wide-eyed and dumbfounded, taking a long moment to find his voice. “But, but Mr. Vance isn’t single, is he? I just notified his wife…” At his words, the other lawyers’ faces instantly morphed into an indescribably complex expression. The old lawyer was about to speak when a sudden, palpable shift in the atmosphere rippled through the room, followed by a low murmur of commotion near the entrance. Everyone looked over— Aaron Vance had arrived. Bodyguards in dark suits cleared the path, and he walked in the center, clad in a perfectly tailored designer suit that accentuated his tall, imposing figure. His eyes were cold and sharp, and he exuded a powerful aura that warned everyone to keep their distance. But the moment he saw the girl who’d filed the complaint, his gaze softened instantly. He walked over in a few swift steps, then shockingly, knelt directly in front of Seraphina, looking up at her with a low, doting voice. “My queen, what are you causing trouble about now?” Seeing him, Seraphina’s eyes reddened. She pounded her small fists on his shoulder, wailing and accusing, “You know perfectly well what I’m causing trouble about! You… you wanted me for a whole seven days! I kept saying no, no, but you wouldn’t let me go… *sobs*…” The surrounding lawyers awkwardly averted their gazes. Aaron sighed, a sound of indulgent resignation. He reached out, gently wiping away Seraphina’s tears with his thumb. “My fault, my queen. I just… I like you too much to control myself. But Seraphina, you weren’t exactly complaining, were you?” Seraphina’s face instantly flushed crimson, a mix of embarrassment and indignant fury. “You… you can’t say that!” “Alright, alright, I won’t say it.” Aaron chuckled, coaxing her. As if by magic, he produced a velvet box from behind his back. “Look, do you like it?” Seraphina opened the box, her eyes instantly lighting up. It was the ‘Tears of the Deep Sea’ blue diamond necklace, the one I had longed for, frighteningly expensive. She gasped, covering her mouth in surprise. “Oh my god! How did you know I wanted this?” “Is there anything about you I don’t know?” Aaron said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world for him to remember her every preference. A flash of triumph flickered in Seraphina’s eyes, but she quickly remembered she was supposed to be “angry.” She snorted and turned her head. “Don’t think that just because of this, I’ll forgive you!” Aaron, ever so patient, asked, “Then what will it take for my little queen to stop being angry? Or… should I really go to jail for a few days?” With that, he actually stood up, making as if to walk towards the lawyers. Seraphina immediately panicked, throwing her arms around his waist. “No! You’re not going!” I buried my face in his chest, my voice muffled and tearful. “How can you be so good to me… I was going to have you arrested, and you’re still spoiling me like this… *sniffles*…” Aaron gently stroked my hair, his voice unbelievably tender. “Because I like you, my little queen.” Seraphina broke into a smile through her tears, looking up to kiss his chin. “I won’t make trouble anymore. Let’s go home.” “Good, let’s go home.” He took my hand and turned. It was in that very moment of turning that his gaze swept across the corner of the room, then suddenly froze. I stood there, my face ashen. Aaron’s eyes subtly darkened, a flicker of an emotion I couldn’t quite decipher, but it quickly settled back into calm. “Why are you here?” Seraphina interjected quickly, “I asked the lawyers to call me. You’re not mad at me, are you?” Aaron glanced at me, then said blandly, “No.” The old lawyer beside him patted the intern’s shoulder, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, but perfectly audible to everyone. “See? So what if she’s his wife? Everyone knows Mrs. Vance is nothing more than a trophy wife.” The words “trophy wife” felt like two poisoned daggers, savagely plunging into my heart, then cruelly twisting. Yes, for five years, I had been nothing but a prop, a pathetic bystander witnessing how deeply he loved another. But who remembered that five years ago, Aaron Vance had also held me in the palm of his hand? Back then, I was Chloe Vance’s best friend, Aaron’s sister. I practically lived at the Vance estate. Aaron Vance was the undisputed top tier of high society—brilliant, aloof, and impossibly elegant. He kept everyone at arm’s length. At first, I was terrified of him, always feeling like a scared rabbit whenever I saw him. But then I discovered that ice-cold CEO seemed to treat me differently, as if I held some special key to his guarded world. He would remember my favorite desserts and have the house staff prepare them in advance; when I accidentally shattered his antique vase, his first reaction was to check if my hand was cut; when I had a fever, he canceled important meetings and stayed by my side all night. I, in my foolishness, told Chloe, “Your brother isn’t so scary after all.” Chloe laughed at me. “You idiot, my brother likes you! He doesn’t even bother to look at anyone else.” I was shocked and flustered, but soon after, Aaron began a passionate yet gentle pursuit of me. A man like him, once he put his heart into it, was almost impossible for any woman to resist, especially since I had already fallen for him without realizing it. For three years, he spoiled me rotten. The whole world knew that Aaron Vance, the golden boy of the Vance family, had a darling, and that darling was me. It was only natural that we married. At our wedding, he held my hand and swore to Father Michael, “I will love only her for the rest of my life.” I thought we would be happy forever. Until shortly after our wedding, Chloe and I went out, and we encountered a few drunken thugs. Chloe shoved me behind her, her voice urgent, “Aria, run! Go get help! I’ll hold them off!” I refused, but Chloe pushed me hard. I ran desperately, thinking I needed to find someone to come back and save her quickly. But the more I ran, the tighter my chest felt. A sudden, metallic taste flooded my mouth. Without warning, I coughed up a mouthful of blood, then my vision blurred to black. I knew nothing else. I woke up in a hospital, receiving two pieces of devastating news: First, the doctor told me I had cancer. Second, the police informed me that Chloe had been… assaulted and murdered by those thugs. Her body was found the next morning, in a horrific state. My world instantly crumbled. And Aaron Vance’s world crumbled too. He had lost his beloved sister. After immense grief came endless rage and hatred. His eyes red, he demanded, his voice trembling and desperate, “Why? Why did you leave her and run first? Why didn’t you go find help after you ran? Do you know how horribly Chloe died?! Aria, tell me why!” I looked at his tormented face, my heart twisting in agony. I wanted to explain, to say I had collapsed from vomiting blood, that it wasn’t intentional. But what good would an explanation do? Chloe wouldn’t come back. If he knew his beloved wife was also dying, losing two loved ones in one night, would he completely fall apart? So, I chose silence, swallowing all explanations and grievances. And my silence, in Aaron’s eyes, became an admission, a cold-blooded act, proof of my cowardly escape. He plummeted from heaven to hell, all his love instantly transforming into bone-deep hatred. To torment me, he stopped coming home, treating me with icy disdain. Finally, he even brought Seraphina Hayes into our lives, a college student who bore a seven or eight-tenths resemblance to me. He showered Seraphina with all the affection, tenderness, and indulgence he had once given me, but tenfold. I knew he was doing it on purpose. He wanted me to witness, day after day, how he transferred every ounce of his love, without reservation, to another woman who was merely a poor imitation of me. He wanted me to suffer an agonizing torment, like a slow death by a thousand cuts. I was indeed in excruciating pain. But he didn’t know these days were almost over for me. Not long ago, I went for a follow-up check-up alone. The doctor looked at the report and said gravely, “The tumor has spread comprehensively… Ms. Miller, you have, at most, two weeks left.” Soon, I would leave him completely, to join Chloe. *** I walked out of the law office in a daze. Just then, a familiar black Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of me. The window rolled down, revealing Seraphina’s pretty face and Aaron’s stern profile. “Ms. Miller, it’s quite remote here, you won’t find a taxi. Get in, we’ll give you a ride home.” Seraphina’s tone was warm, but a subtle hint of triumph gleamed in her eyes. I shook my head, refusing. “No, thank you…” “I told you to get in, so get in.” Aaron’s icy voice cut me off. “Are you deaf? Did you not hear me?” His cutting words were like an ice pick piercing my heart. I clenched my fingers, but in the end, I silently pulled open the car door and got into the back seat. Seraphina volunteered, “Aaron, I just got my driver’s license. Let me drive for a bit, please? Pretty please?” Aaron raised an eyebrow, his voice indulgent. “Alright, but be careful.” He personally fastened her seatbelt, then sat in the front passenger seat. The car started, Seraphina driving a little awkwardly. Aaron showed no impatience at all, patiently guiding her the entire time, his gaze so tender it could drown a person. “Oh, this brake feels a bit stiff…” Seraphina complained coyly. “Really? Let me see.” Aaron even leaned over to check, his profile almost brushing Seraphina’s leg. Sitting in the back seat, I watched the dazzling scene unfold before me, my heart felt like it was tightly gripped by an invisible hand, hurting so much I couldn’t breathe. Once, all his tenderness and attention had been exclusively mine. Just then, a stray cat suddenly darted out in front of the car! “Ah!” Seraphina screamed in fright. In her panic, she mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, flooring it! The car, like a runaway train, suddenly accelerated, violently crashing through the guardrail by the roadside and plunging directly towards the river below! The sensation of falling overwhelmed me! “Seraphina!” In that split second, I clearly saw Aaron’s first reaction: he lunged towards the driver’s seat, shielding Seraphina with his entire body! He didn’t even… turn to look at me once. Icy river water rushed into the car from all sides, a suffocating embrace that swallowed me whole. My heart, in that moment, hurt to its extreme, and grew utterly cold. Before, whenever danger struck, he would always rush to me first. But now… Before darkness swallowed my consciousness, the last thing I saw was his back, tightly clutching Seraphina, as they struggled to surface. When I regained consciousness, it was to the pungent smell of disinfectant in a hospital. I heard Aaron’s voice, thick with suppressed anger, from outside the room. He seemed to be questioning Dr. Miller. “I just fell into the water! Why has she been unconscious for so long without waking up? Do you even know how to treat patients?!” Dr. Miller cautiously replied, “Mr. Vance, please calm down. Ms. Miller’s unconsciousness isn’t solely due to drowning… According to the comprehensive report we just received… she has late-stage malignant…” Mid-sentence, a nurse rushed over. “Mr. Vance, Seraphina is awake and has been asking for you.” Aaron was about to speak, but the next second, his eyes met mine on the hospital bed. The concern that had briefly flickered on his face due to my prolonged unconsciousness instantly froze, vanishing without a trace. He grunted, not even sparing me another glance, turning resolutely and striding towards the other end of the corridor. I watched his determined back, my heart felt like a piece had been carved out, and icy winds howled through the emptiness. It was better that he didn’t know about my impending death. With the hatred he held for me now, even if he knew I was dying, he would probably only scoff and call it karma. The day I was discharged, the sun was blindingly bright. Aaron, of course, didn’t come to pick me up. He was with a startled Seraphina, vacationing at a private island resort. Returning to the cold, empty mansion that was supposed to be “home,” I silently began to prepare for my passing. I first went to a vintage photo studio. “Miss, are you… sure you want to take a portrait for your funeral?” The old photographer pushed his spectacles up, confirming three times, his eyes full of disbelief and regret. I nodded calmly, forcing a faint smile. “Yes, I’m sure.” The lens captured my pale, yet still delicate face. But the eyes that once sparkled with starlight now held only the dead ashes of despair. Next, I went to choose an urn. There was a dazzling array of urns, made of various materials, all quite expensive. I finally chose the simplest, most unadorned white ceramic jar. Its smooth, cool touch felt just like my heart at that moment. Finally, I went to Evergreen Cemetery. I wanted to be buried next to Chloe. We used to joke that when we grew old, we’d live in a nursing home together, dance in the park, and even after death, we’d be neighbors, still playing mahjong underground. I found Chloe Vance’s tombstone. The girl in the photo smiled like a blossoming flower, forever frozen in her prime. I slowly knelt, my fingertips gently wiping away the dust from the photo, a lump forming in my throat.

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“are you certain you wish to inherit your father’s badge number and follow in his footsteps as an undercover officer?” Beneath the solemn national emblem, I nodded firmly. “I am.” Becoming an undercover officer meant, first and foremost, erasing every trace of my former life. My name would vanish from this world entirely. So, the agency would arrange my fake death, after which I would live again as someone else. Back from the precinct, I hadn’t even reached my bedroom door when I heard a woman’s soft voice from inside. My expression numb, I stared at the wide-open door, mentally counting how many women Julian Thorne had brought home this time. Three years of marriage, and every single day he brought home a woman who looked just like me. He’d leave the door wide open, making love without a shred of discretion, right in front of my face. All to get back at me for abandoning him years ago. But this time, when the woman inside spoke, I froze. Lost in thought, the two inside had already finished. Julian, wrapped in a bath towel, walked out. He looked at me, his eyes cold. “Perfect timing. We’re out of protection. Go out and buy a few boxes.” With that, he pulled a thick wad of cash from a nearby drawer and tossed it directly at my face. “Consider the rest your payment, your little bonus. Isn’t money all you crave?” My face stung from the impact of the cash. I didn’t bother picking up the bills scattered on the floor. Instead, I looked at him, my eyes red-rimmed. “You’ve slept with so many women over the years, Julian, why couldn’t you even spare Cassie Bell?” Even in revenge, there’s a line you don’t cross. He knew Cassie was my best friend. Julian’s narrow eyes gleamed with a cold light. He sneered, “Did you spare me, all those years ago?” A sharp pang went through my heart. Those memories came crashing back, a tidal wave of pain and regret. Julian and I fell in love when we were young. She was the campus queen, he was the golden boy – the school’s most famous IT couple. They had promised to marry once they were old enough, but at the peak of our love, I suddenly broke up with him and left the country with a rich kid, Bryce Miller. The day I broke up with him, he chased after my car, his eyes red and swollen. He, such a proud man, begged me over and over not to leave him, swore he’d make something of himself one day. He pleaded with me not to rush, to wait for him, pleaded with me not to fall for anyone else. But I was so cold, refusing to say even a single word to him. I even watched him get into a car accident while chasing my car, and I never looked back. The accident was severe. He ruptured a kidney and needed a transplant to survive. He lay on the operating table, covered in blood, yet he insisted on climbing up to call me. But the calls he made, desperately, were all hung up. Love, when deepest, turns into the most profound hatred. From that day on, Julian hated me with every fiber of his being. It took him four years to reach the pinnacle of the business world, becoming a formidable billionaire. And the first thing he did after achieving success was to leverage his immense power to force me into marriage. Then, he brought one woman after another home, solely to humiliate me. But only I knew that our separation back then wasn’t because I stopped loving him, nor because I was a gold-digger. It was out of sheer necessity. My father was an undercover police officer. His mission failed, his identity exposed to the drug lord. After killing my father, the criminal organization began retaliating against his family. Upon receiving the news, we fled our home. To avoid implicating Julian, I had no choice but to break up with him. Midway, I learned about his car accident. I risked my life, rushed to the hospital, and donated my kidney to him. I couldn’t even wait for him to wake up before hurrying home. But I never imagined that all four of our elderly relatives, along with my mother and sister, would be brutally murdered by the drug traffickers. Only I, by some twisted stroke of luck, escaped with my life. Thinking of my family’s horrific deaths, my eyes involuntarily turned bloodshot. Seeing the redness in my eyes, Julian spoke, his voice ice-cold, though a hint of expectation flickered within his gaze. “What, are you going to say you had a reason back then?” Snapping out of my thoughts, I simply shook my head firmly. “No reason. You weren’t wrong. I was just a greedy, status-obsessed woman.” I couldn’t tell him the truth back then, and I certainly couldn’t now. I carried the weight of my family’s brutal murders, and there was no future for Julian and me in this lifetime. These past years felt like borrowed time. Now, I was determined to inherit my father’s badge number. This mission was a one-way ticket, a life-or-death gamble. I would likely be reuniting with my family very soon. Seeing my resolve, Julian’s face darkened further. He stared at me, his voice laced with anger. “If you have nothing to say, then get out and buy those condoms.” I said nothing, picked up the money from the floor, and walked out. After buying the items, I placed the bag by the door and then returned to my own room, locking the door behind me. That night, the sounds from the next room never ceased. As if to deliberately spite me, Julian, while in bed, tenderly whispered sweet nothings to Cassie. “Baby, you smell so good. I love you so much.” “Promise you’ll always love me, always stay with me, okay?” These were the same endearments he used to whisper to me when we were together. Back then, we didn’t have much. We lived in a tiny apartment, barely twenty square feet, but our love was boundless. I had fantasized countless times about growing old with Julian, having a son and a daughter, and living happily ever after. But those memories were nothing more than a beautiful illusion, forever beyond my grasp. I cried all night, waking up to a pillow soaked with tears. I told myself this was the last time I would cry for him. When I went downstairs, they were both awake. All the other women he’d brought home before never stayed the night. Cassie was the first, and only, to eat breakfast here. The house staff seemed busier than usual. I soon learned it was Cassie’s birthday today, and Julian was throwing a grand birthday party for her at the house. When the party began, the room filled with familiar faces from their circle. They all warmly greeted Cassie as if *she* were the lady of the house. Julian certainly gave her his full attention, holding her hand as they accepted toasts from everyone. After Cassie blew out the candles and made her wish, he spared no expense, gifting her a diamond necklace valued at millions. Lost in the moment, they shared a deep, passionate kiss for all to see. Thunderous applause erupted, and the pity in everyone’s eyes was impossible to ignore. “To be a wife treated like this, it’s truly pathetic.” “Everyone knows she’s the laughingstock of the entire social circle. If I were her, I’d just crawl into a hole and disappear.” “But she acts like nothing’s wrong, completely unfazed.” I managed a bitter, strained smile. I had suffered too much pain already; this level of torment was nothing. Midway through the party, Cassie found me in a secluded spot. “It’s been a day. Aren’t you going to ask me why?” I shook my head faintly. “There’s no need to know.” Cassie was my best friend, so I knew what had happened all those years ago. Over the years, I’d witnessed my own agony. Countless times, I’d found myself weeping, red-eyed, over the intimate photos Julian sent. My heart would ache so much that I’d almost call him, desperate to tell him the truth. But it was *I* who stopped myself, knowing that nothing I did could change our ultimate fate. Now, Cassie looked at me, her eyes red-rimmed, concealing a myriad of emotions I couldn’t decipher. “Sera, you know I hate it when you act like nothing bothers you. You don’t know anything, so you wouldn’t know that I’ve secretly loved Julian for many years.” “But his heart was only ever for you. I know you’ve been heartbroken for him all these years, but do you know what kind of life *he* lived after you left?” “He drank himself to oblivion every day because of you, drinking until he coughed up blood. He’d stay alone in your old rented apartment, sometimes all night. The photos you left him stayed in his wallet for years. Once, he was mugged, and he’d rather take multiple stab wounds than let them steal that wallet, just to protect the only memory you left him. He even married you after he became successful, bringing all those women home, only hoping you’d soften, hoping you’d just say you still loved him. If you had, he would have dropped everything and reconciled with you instantly.” “Sera, he’s such a proud man, yet he humbled himself to that extent for you. He hated you, but he loved you more.” She paused, then continued, “And you know what? I hate you too. I hate that even after everything you did to him, he still couldn’t let you go.” “Actually, Julian never intended to keep me. All the women he brought back over the years looked like you, but I don’t look like you at all. Yet, I’ll be the woman who stays by his side the longest.” “Do you know why? Because I lied to him. I told him that the kidney he received back then, *I* was the one who donated it.” I listened silently, not saying a word. Seeing my continued silence, Cassie’s breathing grew ragged. After a long moment, she spoke again. “Sera, you haven’t given me a birthday present this year, but there’s only one thing I want. I want you to give Julian to me.” I remained silent for a long time. Just as Cassie thought I wouldn’t answer, I finally spoke. “Okay.” Cassie smiled, tears in her eyes. “If you’re going to give him up, then do it completely. Make sure there’s absolutely nothing left of you in his heart.” The words hung in the air. I let go of the banister, closed my eyes, and fell backward, plunging into the dark abyss. The loud crash startled everyone. Julian’s face turned as dark as thunder when he saw Cassie lying on the floor, covered in blood. “Sera! You’re trying to die!” He scooped Cassie into his arms and rushed out the door.

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It was the third year of my marriage to Julian Blackwood when my marriage certificate, a faded old paper, accidentally got drenched in coffee. I barely noticed it until I went to the County Clerk’s office to get a new copy. The clerk behind the computer typed for a few seconds, then looked up at me, a strange expression on her face. “Ma’am, your marital status shows as single.” I froze, thinking I’d misheard. “That’s impossible. My husband and I got married right here three years ago.” She checked again, her expression turning even stranger. “The system confirms you’re unmarried. But Mr. Julian Blackwood… he’s marked as married.” I blinked. “His spouse is listed as another lady, Seraphina Hayes. Do you know who I am?” My mind went blank, a deafening ringing in my ears. Everyone knew I was his first love, his “dream girl,” the one he’d protected so fiercely since childhood. And Seraphina Hayes? She was just a stand-in, a replacement he found when I was abroad, because he supposedly missed me so much. … I clutched the coffee-stained, fake marriage certificate, my mind a hazy mess as I got into my car. My phone suddenly buzzed twice. A message from Julian popped up. “Babe, I blew off a multi-billion dollar deal and bought your favorite roses and strawberry cupcakes. Just wanted to come home early to you. I miss you so much. Do you miss me?” I stared at the message, then suddenly burst out laughing. Laughter turned to tears, streaming down my face. For three years, he’d asked me that every day, showering me with affection. But all this time… he’d secretly been legally married to someone else. I remembered when we were kids. Julian once climbed a ten-foot tree to get my kite down, fell, broke his right arm, but still smiled, handing me the kite. “Don’t cry, baby. It doesn’t hurt.” I remembered my fifteenth birthday. He stood outside my house all night in the pouring rain, just so he could be the first to wish me “Happy Birthday” when I woke up. I remembered my eighteenth birthday. He booked an entire amusement park, and under a sky full of fireworks, he knelt on one knee and asked, “Aubrey, when I turn twenty-two, will you marry me?” I remembered when I left for college abroad. He pinned me against the airport wall, his eyes red, voice trembling. “Two years. I’m only giving you two years. The moment it’s up, I’m coming to drag you back.” Those two years overseas, he’d video call me almost every day. Once, I was swamped with a paper and didn’t answer for three days. When I finally called back, I found out he’d drunk himself into the hospital. His eyes were bloodshot on the screen. “Babe, I can’t live without you.” I’d always soothe him. “I’ll be back soon, just wait a little longer.” The day I returned home, I didn’t tell Julian, wanting to surprise him. But when I pushed open the door to a private club suite, I saw him passionately kissing a girl. Her profile was a striking resemblance to mine. My bag **clattered** to the floor. I turned and walked out. Julian chased after me like a madman. I wouldn’t answer his calls, so he kept sending SnapChat messages. I wouldn’t see him, so he stood outside my house in the rain, explaining over and over. “It’s not what you think!” “You wouldn’t let me visit you all these years, I missed you too much, that’s why I found a stand-in…” “I swear, it was just hugging and kissing. Nothing else!” “Aubrey, I messed up, but I really loved you to the point of madness…” Finally, after he stood in the rain for three days and nights, collapsed with high fever and pneumonia, and refused to leave the hospital, my heart softened, and I forgave him. After that, he was as good to me as he’d always been. Until after we got married, when I found out his new assistant was Seraphina Hayes. The “stand-in” he said he’d sent away. He explained again, “Her parents weren’t well and had trouble adjusting to life away from the city. They cried and begged her to come back.” “I had no idea it was her when I interviewed for the assistant role.” “She’s good at her job, went through all the selections. I can’t just fire her.” So I tolerated it again. And I kept tolerating it, until I became the biggest joke of all. By the time my car pulled into the gated community, my tears had dried. I took a deep breath, about to push the door open, when I heard Julian and his friend talking in the living room. “I just went to the hospital. Seraphina’s fine, just a scratch. You can relax here with me.” Julian leaned back on the sofa, two buttons of his black shirt undone, his long legs crossed. He frowned and extinguished the cigarette in his friend’s hand. His voice was low and cold. “How many times have I told you? No smoking in my house. Aubrey hates the smell of smoke.” “Alright, alright, you big softie,” his friend teased, laughing. “But I really don’t get it. You clearly love Aubrey so much, why did you have to marry Seraphina back then? Honestly, wasn’t she more than just a stand-in?” The air was silent for a few seconds. Then, Julian’s low voice drifted through— “What if she was?” “I used to think she was just a stand-in, that I wouldn’t need her once Aubrey came back.” “But after I sent her away, I dreamt of her almost every night.” “Eventually, I couldn’t stand not having her around, so I brought her back as my assistant.” “I can’t live without Aubrey, but Seraphina… I can’t let her go either.” “Aubrey gets my open affection, Seraphina can only be in the shadows. What’s wrong with giving her a name, a status, as compensation?” His friend sighed. “Aren’t you afraid Aubrey finds out? Knowing her, if she ever did, she wouldn’t look back even if you died in front of her.” Julian paused, his throat bobbing. “Then she’ll never know.” I stood outside the door, my blood turning to ice. I thought I’d collapse in tears, but not a single one would fall. This was what true agony felt like. My heart felt like a piece had been brutally carved out, yet it still had to beat.

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I was twenty when I married Asher Blackwood, a man who was almost like a brother to my father, despite their age difference. He was eight years my senior, a notorious, ice-cold magnate in our circles. Ruthless in business, famously aloof with women, yet with me, he was impossibly gentle. He’d give orders to deliver multi-million-dollar jewels to me the very next day, just because I’d casually mentioned, “That necklace is pretty.” He’d drop multi-million-dollar deals to personally brew me ginger tea when my period cramps had me curled up in bed, patiently spoon-feeding it to me until it was all gone. In moments of passion, he’d grip my waist, his voice husky as he called me ‘baby,’ whispering how ‘good’ I was, how I drove him wild. Even all his social media handles were ‘For Elise.’ I always thought it was in memory of that day we first met, when I played that very piece on the piano. Until the day I found an old photo album in his study. The album was filled with pictures of the same girl, who looked seven parts like me, smiling by a piano. On the back of the photos, it read— “For Elise, my dearest Seraphina.” … After discovering the truth, I did only two things. First, I underwent an abortion for the five-month-old baby I carried. A five-month-old baby, who had already begun to kick inside me. On the operating table, I clenched my jaw, fighting back the tears, but when the nurse asked, “Would you like to see the baby?” I collapsed, shaking my head violently. Second, I drafted a divorce agreement. Then, I called Asher Blackwood. Before, he would answer my calls instantly, his voice soft as he asked, “What’s wrong, baby?” But this time, I had to call twenty-three times before he finally picked up. A cacophony of voices erupted from the other end, followed by his friends’ teasing: “How potent is a first love, really? The moment Seraphina came back, Asher just dumped his five-month pregnant wife at home.” “Well, what do you expect? She’s just a stand-in! You should’ve seen how much Asher loved Seraphina back then. He almost drank himself to death after they broke up and never forgot her. He just sweet-talked a young woman into being a replacement.” “And the girl was still clueless, clinging to Asher constantly. Last time I saw him kissing her, her clinginess was so intense it was almost sickeningly sweet. If I had a sweet, gentle woman like that at home, I’d have forgotten Seraphina long ago.” “Ugh, who knew Asher, cold as he seems, is actually a hopeless romantic? He only ever loved Seraphina. Look, Seraphina just casually complained her feet hurt in heels, and he’s already carrying her to buy flats…” I clutched my phone, tears silently streaming down my face. Then, the other end of the line suddenly fell silent. “Who picked up my call?” Asher Blackwood’s voice cut through the air. “Huh? No idea, probably pressed by accident…” Footsteps echoed from the other end, and soon the background noise returned to quiet. When he spoke again, Asher Blackwood’s dangerously gentle voice, the one I had drowned in, flowed through the receiver: “What’s wrong, baby? Can’t sleep because of the thunder?” “Daddy has a business dinner, I’ll be back later to tuck you and baby in, okay?” I took a deep breath: “I’m calling to ask you to sign the div—” Before I could finish, a woman’s voice chimed in: “Asher, my feet hurt…” He paused, then quickly said to me, “Be a good girl, go to sleep. Daddy will be back to be with you later.” Then, the call disconnected. I laughed, wiping away all my tears, and looked up at the table. Two “gifts” lay there, both for Asher Blackwood. A divorce agreement, and a gift box containing the baby they’d induced. Those who break honest hearts deserve to feel every shard of pain. I might be young, but I wouldn’t stand for such deceit. I would never keep someone who betrayed me. I love with my whole heart, and I can walk away when it’s broken. I don’t know how long I sat there, but I finally stood up, placing the gift box with the baby inside the refrigerator. Just then, sounds echoed from the villa’s main entrance. “Baby, why aren’t you asleep yet?” Asher Blackwood walked in, taking off his suit jacket, his tie loosely around his neck. “Looking for something in the fridge? Hungry?” I didn’t answer, just watched him silently. He seemed unaccustomed to my coldness. He pulled out an exquisite bento box from behind him, his eyes softening. “I scoured the entire city for these. Haven’t you been craving them lately?” He carefully arranged the pastries, one by one. They were all my favorites during my morning sickness these past few months. Before, I would have thrown myself into his arms and kissed him. But now, I only felt a bitter irony. “Why are you standing there silently? Is the baby bothering you again?” As he spoke, his hand reached for my stomach. I blocked his hand, offering him a document: “Sign it.” He froze, about to open it, when his phone suddenly rang. I saw the caller ID: Seraphina. He answered. After a few words from the other end, his expression subtly changed. He hung up the phone without another glance at me, quickly signing the document. Then, he grabbed his car keys, ready to leave. “Baby, I have an urgent matter to handle. Get some sleep.” At the door, he added gently, “From now on, just buy whatever you want directly. No need to ask me to sign. We’re husband and wife; what’s mine is yours.” I clutched the signed divorce agreement, a faint, bitter smile touching my lips. “Asher Blackwood, we won’t be husband and wife for much longer.” That night, I had a very long dream. In it, I was seeing Asher Blackwood for the first time. I was eighteen that year, accompanying my father to the Blackwood family’s gala. He stood by the piano in a crisp black suit, long fingers holding a champagne flute, his features etched like a painting. It was love at first sight. Later, I boldly stole a kiss. He paused, then chuckled softly. “Little girl, that’s not how you kiss.” Then he cupped the back of my head, showing me what a real kiss felt like. That kiss was so long, so utterly consuming, that I couldn’t breathe. Even now, remembering it felt like a fleeting, beautiful dream. When I woke up, my pillow was soaked. Daylight had broken. After a long while, I picked up my phone and called my dad. “Dad, I’m divorced,” my voice was hoarse. “Once I get the divorce certificate, I’ll come abroad to be with you and Mom.” “Did Asher Blackwood bully you?” My dad’s voice immediately rose. “No,” I gazed out at the brightening sky. “I just don’t love him anymore.” In truth, Asher Blackwood never loved me. And I, I wouldn’t love him anymore either. I didn’t voice that thought, feeling like I’d swallowed a piece of shattered glass, letting it carve through my heart until it bled. After hanging up, a friend request popped up on SnapChat. On a whim, I accepted. The person immediately sent a video. In the clip, Asher Blackwood was dozing on a sofa, his brows furrowed, murmuring a name: “Seraphina…” Following the video, a long message arrived: “I’m Seraphina, Asher’s first love. I can’t believe that after all these years, even after he got married, he still hasn’t forgotten me. When I came back today, I noticed he still has my nickname tattooed on his inner wrist. All our old photos, his diaries, they’re perfectly preserved. See, he’s still calling my name in his sleep, probably dreaming of our past. After all, those were his unforgettable first love memories.” I stared at the long message, my heart aching to the point of numbness. I only replied with one sentence: “What do you want?” It took a long time for her to reply: “Nothing. Just want to take back what’s mine. He’s about to wake up. Don’t you believe me? If I just say I had a nightmare, he’ll stay with me for the next five days and won’t contact you once?” I didn’t reply again. Ten minutes later, Asher Blackwood’s message came through: “Baby, I have an urgent project that requires a five-day business trip. My assistant will stay with you; call him if you need anything. Take good care of yourself and the baby.” I stared at the screen and suddenly laughed. I laughed and laughed until tears splashed onto my phone screen. For the next five days, Asher Blackwood was indeed out of contact. But Seraphina’s messages kept coming. Asher Blackwood walking with her on the beach, taking her to watch the sunset from a mountaintop, driving her around the countryside… Seraphina messaged: “These are all places we used to visit when we were dating.” I read every single message, and then I suddenly remembered Asher Blackwood had taken me to those same places. Back then, I thought he was being romantic. Now I understood he was just revisiting old haunts, seeing another woman through my reflection. On the evening of the fifth day, I started packing. The jewelry Asher Blackwood had given me, the bags, the clothes… Everything connected to him was packed into cardboard boxes and tossed into the storage room. When Asher Blackwood finally rushed home, dusty and tired, he saw a wardrobe half empty. He visibly froze. “Baby, what are you doing?” I didn’t even look up. “Nothing. Just throwing away some useless things.” Asher Blackwood didn’t think much of it, just smiled and handed me a gift—a limited-edition illustrated book set. Last month, I’d casually mentioned wanting to collect them; I hadn’t expected him to remember. “Baby,” he naturally pulled me into his arms, his large hand stroking my belly. “Are your morning sickness symptoms still severe? Tomorrow’s your prenatal check-up, I’ll go with you.” “No need,” I pulled away from his embrace. “No need, ever again.” Asher Blackwood finally sensed something was wrong. “What do you mean, no need? Are you feeling unwell lately?” A maid interjected, “Madam hasn’t had much appetite these past few days, she’s barely eaten anything.” Asher Blackwood immediately loosened his tie. “I’ll go buy groceries and cook for you. All your favorites. Come on, sweetie, you have to eat a little.” As he turned, he didn’t forget to instruct, “Make sure to take good care of my wife. Don’t let anything happen to her.” The maids whispered enviously, “Sir is so good to Madam…” “You should find a husband who’s older and knows how to dote on you…” I listened quietly, a flicker of self-mockery in my eyes. I once believed I had found the best love in the world. But now I understood it was nothing more than a meticulously crafted stand-in game. No sooner had Asher Blackwood left than the doorbell rang. I opened the door to find a woman standing there, holding an exquisite pastry box. “Hello, I’m Seraphina, the Seraphina who sent you messages.” Seraphina smiled, a gentle yet challenging glint in her eyes. “Asher has been taking such good care of me lately, so I made some pastries to thank him. A guest at your door, surely you wouldn’t turn me away?” Before I could answer, she walked in uninvited and began to tour the house. Passing through the garden, Seraphina stopped. “These roses are all my favorite varieties. I can’t believe Asher is still growing them.” My fingertips trembled. I remembered Asher Blackwood personally tending to these flowers every morning, never letting anyone else touch them. I had once thought it was his charming eccentricity. By the pond, several turtles basked lazily in the sun. “Oh, they’re still alive!” Seraphina exclaimed, surprised. “I raised these when I was little. I left them when I went abroad and thought they’d be long dead by now.” I remembered Asher Blackwood’s unwavering routine of feeding those turtles like clockwork, and my chest tightened. In the living room, Seraphina’s gaze swept over the dolls in the display cabinet. “These are all my favorite collectibles.” Then she looked around. “The furniture style is also my preferred Scandinavian minimalist.” I followed behind her, each step feeling like I was walking on razor blades. This house, where I had lived for two years, suddenly felt utterly foreign. In the bedroom, Seraphina ran her hand over the suits and ties in the closet. “These were all gifts from me. He’s kept them so perfectly.” I remembered ironing these clothes with my own hands every day, and my throat felt like it was blocked. It turned out he never let me touch them, not because he was a neat freak, but because they were all Seraphina’s memories. Finally, Seraphina stopped in front of our wedding photos. “What a coincidence,” she said, tilting her head with a smile. “Asher and I used to talk about taking three themed sets: desert, ocean, forest. I can’t believe you chose those three too.” My face instantly went pale. During our wedding shoot, Asher Blackwood had insisted on these three themes. I had thought it was because he loved the romance of nature. “What are you doing here?” Asher Blackwood’s voice suddenly came from the doorway. He strode in quickly, his expression displeased. Seraphina immediately put on a sweet smile. “I made some pastries and came to bring you some. Your lovely wife so enthusiastically invited me in as a guest and even said she’d keep me for dinner.” Asher Blackwood’s brow relaxed slightly. He turned to me. “This is Seraphina, my childhood neighbor, we grew up like siblings. I was abroad before, and she just returned recently, so you haven’t met her.” I watched him silently. Childhood neighbor? Like siblings? He had kept their relationship so well hidden. And Seraphina played along. “Yes, Asher always looked after me since we were little. When I was a picky eater, he specifically learned to cook for me. His legendary beef wellington, the exquisite seafood risotto, the perfectly roasted lamb… all my absolute favorites.” My fingers dug into my palms. These were all the dishes Asher Blackwood cooked most often. I had naively believed it was because I liked them. I couldn’t force a smile, so I excused myself, claiming to feel unwell, and went upstairs. But soon after, Seraphina knocked, holding a bowl of medicine. “Asher brewed this prenatal tonic and asked me to bring it up,” she said with an innocent smile. “Drink it while it’s warm.” I took the bowl. The herbal smell was pungent. “Oh, by the way…” Seraphina suddenly asked, “Are your baby’s names also, by chance, Jashua for a boy and Nia for a girl? Those are the names Asher and I had decided on before.” My hand trembled, nearly spilling the bowl. Those were the exact names Asher Blackwood had chosen when I first got pregnant. So, even our child was to be a remembrance for Seraphina? My heart suddenly gave a violent wrench. Before I could even react— “Oops!” Seraphina suddenly “accidentally” knocked over the bowl. The scalding liquid splashed onto my arm, instantly turning it red and blistering. I gasped in pain, ignoring Seraphina’s apologies, my face pale as I prepared to go downstairs for ointment. But as I passed the staircase, I was suddenly shoved hard from behind. “Ah!” I tumbled down the stairs, landing heavily on the first-floor landing. Blood spread from beneath me, staining the beige carpet. The next second, Seraphina tumbled down after me. In the kitchen, Asher Blackwood was just about to open the refrigerator. Hearing the noise, he immediately rushed out. Seeing the scene, his pupils instantly constricted. “Seraphina!” He flew to catch the stumbling Seraphina, anxiously checking her ankle. “Are you okay?” “I… I’m fine,” Seraphina said weakly. “Quick, check on Willow…” Asher Blackwood finally looked at me, lying in a pool of blood, but Seraphina suddenly “fainted” in his arms. “Seraphina!” His usually steady voice was laced with frantic urgency. He scooped Seraphina up, striding quickly out, not even sparing me another glance. I watched their retreating figures, my consciousness gradually blurring. In the last moment before darkness consumed me, I thought I saw the refrigerator door slightly ajar, revealing a corner of the “gift” box inside… When I woke again, the harsh white light made me squint uncomfortably. A doctor was examining me. Asher Blackwood stood beside her, his expression grim. “How’s the baby?” he asked the doctor. The doctor looked up, surprised. “Baby? Ms. Hayes’s baby wasn’t… wasn’t it aborted already?” I quickly knocked over the water glass on the bedside table. The sound of shattering glass instantly drew Asher Blackwood’s attention. He ignored the doctor, hurrying to my bedside, his brows etched with worry and tenderness. “Baby, you’re awake? Are you hurting anywhere?” I gently shook my head, my gaze flicking over his shoulder to see the doctor’s hesitant expression. Asher Blackwood finally relaxed, then turned to the doctor. “Doctor, what did you just say? I didn’t hear you clearly.” He felt as though he had missed something important. The doctor was about to speak, but I gave a barely perceptible shake of my head. The doctor understood, sighing and simply saying, “The patient needs more rest,” before leaving the VIP room. Suddenly, only Asher Blackwood and I remained in the VIP room. Asher Blackwood’s eyes were full of heartache. He reached out to touch my face, but I turned my head away. He seemed to understand, immediately coaxing and apologizing. “I’m so sorry, Willow. It’s my fault. I didn’t realize you also fell down the stairs. I thought…” “Thank goodness you and the baby are both okay. Otherwise, I would never forgive myself.” “I promise this will never happen again. Please don’t be mad at me, okay, hmm?” I looked into his eyes, and they held what appeared to be genuine remorse. In that moment, I found it incredibly ironic. Every word he spoke was so sweet, but which of them was true, and which a lie? “I’m tired.” I pulled my hand away, closing my eyes, unwilling to play this tiresome game with him. During my hospitalization, Asher Blackwood stayed by my side constantly. He personally炖汤 (stewed soup) for me, spoon-feeding me every mouthful; he accompanied me to every check-up, noting every one of the doctor’s instructions; if I stirred slightly in the night, he would immediately wake to ask what I needed. Even the nurses said they’d never seen such a caring husband. But I remained silent, often staring out the window in a daze. Asher Blackwood thought it was prenatal hormone changes causing my low mood and became even more meticulous in his care. On the day I was discharged, Asher Blackwood had prepared a grand surprise. He took me to the most exclusive restaurant, booking out an entire floor just so I could dine in peace. After dinner, he accompanied me to every luxury store. Anything I glanced at for too long, he immediately bought. As night fell, brilliant fireworks suddenly erupted over the river, forming the words “I LOVE YOU.” “Do you like it?” Asher Blackwood wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my head. “I prepared this especially for you.” Gazing at the fireworks painting the sky, I was momentarily transported back to how things used to be. Back then, Asher Blackwood would also go to such lengths to make me happy, making me feel like the most fortunate person in the world. But as my hand unconsciously brushed my flat stomach, all illusions shattered instantly. “What’s wrong?” Asher Blackwood sensed my stiffness and turned me to face him. “You’ve been unhappy lately, and I’m worried.” He cupped my face, his thumb gently stroking my cheek. “Should we get a therapist to see you? Prenatal depression is common; you don’t have to carry this alone. You can tell me anything on your mind.” I looked into his sincere eyes and suddenly asked, “If I’m willing to be completely honest with you, can you be one hundred percent honest with me?” Asher Blackwood paused, then chuckled. “Of course, baby. We’re husband and wife; honesty is natural between us.” I took a deep breath. “Then tell me, I heard you had a first love you really adored, and you never really got over her for many years after you broke up.” I stared directly into his eyes: “Have you let her go now?” Asher Blackwood’s expression instantly froze. His fingers tightened, knuckles turning white, but in an instant, he recovered, offering me a gentle smile. “I let her go ages ago. We cut off contact after the breakup, and we won’t be seeing each other again.” A bitter taste filled my mouth. He lied so skillfully, without even a flicker in his expression. He reached out to touch my face, and I instinctively turned my head away. The gesture made his brows furrow slightly. This wasn’t the first time I’d refused his touch. “Who told you all this?” His tone suddenly grew serious. “Is this why you’ve been unhappy lately?” I was about to speak when his phone’s piercing ringtone suddenly sounded. Asher Blackwood glanced at the caller ID, paused for a few seconds, then still chose to answer. As soon as he picked up, Seraphina’s tearful voice came through the receiver: “Asher! There are some thugs following me, I’m so scared…” Asher Blackwood’s face drastically changed. “Send me your location.” He grabbed his jacket, ready to leave, without even a glance at me. “Baby, something important at work came up. You can take a taxi home later.” I didn’t go home. On a whim, I hailed a taxi and followed him. In a dimly lit alley, I saw Asher Blackwood shielding Seraphina behind him, facing four or five thugs armed with sticks alone. He was like a changed man, striking fiercely, every punch landing hard, completely unlike his usual composed and restrained demeanor. One thug, bleeding from his head, suddenly pulled out a knife and lunged at Seraphina— “Seraphina!” Asher Blackwood lunged forward without hesitation, using his body to shield Seraphina. The blade plunged into his chest, blood instantly staining his white shirt. “Asher!” Seraphina clung to him as he fell, crying hysterically. “Don’t be scared…” he whispered weakly but gently in Seraphina’s arms. “I promised… I’d protect you forever… I meant it…” I stood at the alley entrance, my heart feeling as if a piece had been brutally carved out. Outside the operating room, Seraphina was crying her eyes out, a picture of absolute devastation. “He used to be like this… he almost died racing for me once… when I got into a car accident, he gave me so much blood he passed out…” I leaned against the wall, listening silently. So, a man as calm and steady as Asher Blackwood could also go mad for love, to the point of risking his life. It just was never for me. “The knife was just a millimeter away from his heart,” the nurse said, pushing open the door. “Is Ms. Seraphina here? We need a family member to sign for the surgery.” Seraphina shook her head, crying. “I’m not family… his wife is over there.” The nurse looked at me in surprise. “But the patient kept calling ‘Seraphina.’ And when he dictated his will just now, he said all his assets should go to Ms. Seraphina…” The nurse realized her slip and stopped awkwardly. I smiled. Under the nurse’s pitying gaze, I signed the papers and turned to leave.

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My husband’s kept woman was in a car accident and desperately needed a liver transplant. The only match? My own mother. The day Declan Hayes forced my mother onto the operating table, I knelt, sobbing uncontrollably, my forehead bleeding from hitting the ground, begging him. But he had me locked away in solitary confinement. Three days later, the surgery was a success. Declan stood before me, impeccably dressed in a suit, his eyes as cold as if I were a stranger. “The surgery went well. I’ve arranged for someone to look after your mother.” “I’ll be at the hospital with Serena these next few days. I won’t be coming home.” I gazed at the man who once would have gone through hell and high water for me, all my tears dried up. Before he turned away, I finally managed to ask, my voice raspy, “Declan, you used to love me so much. Why did you suddenly stop?” He paused, his back still to me. “We’re just in a marriage of convenience. When did I ever love you?” The moment the door clicked shut, I slid down the wall to the floor, my tears gushing uncontrollably. Never loved me? How could he have never loved me? In my previous life, he had loved me to death. That’s right, I’d been reborn. In my last life, the Davies and Hayes families had an arranged marriage, and I married Declan Hayes. Back then, he adored me, indulging my every whim. If I wanted the stars, he wouldn’t just offer the moon. If I casually mentioned I liked a million-dollar piece of jewelry, it would appear on my vanity the very next day. When I was sick, he’d stay awake all night, sitting by my bedside… But I detested him. Because the man I loved was my childhood sweetheart, Julian Vance. Forced by my parents to marry Declan, I resisted the marriage to an extreme. I refused to share a bed with him, wouldn’t accompany him to banquets, and even frequented clubs, seeking out male models, deliberately trying to embarrass him. Finally, manipulated by Julian, I eloped with him. But I never expected… Julian didn’t love me at all. His elaborate efforts to win my heart were only because the Vance family had a long-standing feud with the Hayes family. He’d long seen that Declan secretly loved me and concocted a plan to control Declan using me. He kidnapped me, threatening Declan with my life. “Declan Hayes, send me one of your fingers every day, or I’ll kill her.” Declan said nothing, but every day he cut off a finger and sent it to Julian. On the tenth day, when the last bloody finger, still bearing his wedding ring, arrived, I broke. Unwilling to let Declan continue his foolish sacrifice, I took my own life, biting through my tongue. After I died, my soul floated in the air. I watched as Declan, usually so dignified and composed, went mad upon seeing my lifeless body. He rushed to avenge me, personally breaking every single one of Julian Vance’s bones. Listening to Julian’s screams, Declan’s eyes held only a dead emptiness. Finally, he abandoned his billions in fortune, abandoned the entire Hayes Corporation, and perished in a blaze, clutching my corpse. Amidst the raging flames, he reverently and passionately kissed my lips, whispering, “Clara, if there’s a next life… would you just love me once?” As the fire consumed him, I floated in the air, crying my heart out. In that moment, I finally glimpsed the full depth of his devotion. I opened my eyes again and found myself reborn, in the first year of my marriage to Declan. I was overjoyed, tears streaming down my face. This time, I swore I would truly love Declan. So, I deleted all of Julian Vance’s contact information, made breakfast for Declan every day, waited up for him until late at night, my entire world revolving around him. But he had changed. He was no longer gentle with me, no longer came home every day. He was distant and cold, and he even had a kept woman on the side. Now, he was even forcibly putting my mother on the operating table to save that woman’s life. After Declan left, I slumped onto the cold floor, my tears completely spent. Fine! If he no longer loved me in this life, then I would let go and set him free completely. I stumbled to my feet, dragging my exhausted body to the hospital. When I pushed open the door, my mother was still in a deep sleep, her face terrifyingly pale. Her breathing beneath the oxygen mask was faint but even. I stood by the bed, looking at her frail body, wrapped in a patient gown, my throat feeling as if something was lodged there. “Clara.” I spun around abruptly, seeing my father, Mr. Davies, standing at the doorway, looking disheveled. His suit jacket was crumpled, his tie askew, clearly having rushed back from abroad. “Dad…” My voice choked. My knees buckled, and I sank to the floor. “I’m so sorry… it’s all because of me…” Mr. Davies rushed over, pulling me up immediately. “Nonsense! The floor’s so cold, why are you kneeling?!” His hands were rough and warm, but trembling slightly. “It’s not your fault. How could this be your fault?” I lowered my head, tears splashing onto the floor. Mr. Davies sighed, gently patting my back. “Declan was the one who actively proposed, saying he’d secretly loved you for years…” His voice was filled with confusion. “How did things suddenly turn out like this?” Yes, everyone knew he loved me. But in this life, why had he suddenly changed? “Dad,” I took a deep breath. “I’ve made up my mind. I want a divorce from Declan.” “Our family business is gradually shifting abroad anyway. If that’s the case… let’s all leave this place.” Mr. Davies fell silent. His gaze shifted between me and my mother on the hospital bed. After a long moment, he finally spoke. “Do you truly no longer love him?” My nails dug deep into my palms, blood seeping from between my fingers, yet I felt no pain. “The way he treated Mom…” My voice was as light as a falling leaf, trembling and breaking in the air. “How can I… continue to love him?” Mr. Davies was silent for another moment, then let out a heavy sigh, as if making a difficult decision. “If that’s what you want, we’ll leave.” He patted my shoulder. “Go and handle the paperwork. I’ll take care of things here.” My eyes red, I nodded and turned to leave the hospital room. The immigration procedures went smoothly. As I walked out the main doors, the sunlight stung my eyes. I stood by the roadside, a sense of unreality washing over me. It was finally coming to an end. Just then, I heard the screech of tires. “Look out—!” Before I could even turn around, a massive impact sent me flying. I woke up to a sharp, searing pain. The moment I opened my eyes, Declan’s stern face was inches from mine. He looked down at me, his disgust unconcealed. “Clara, are you doing this on purpose?” “You saw Serena get into a car accident, and now you’re copying her?” He sneered, his voice as if it were laced with ice. “Let me tell you, we’re just in a marriage of convenience. We have no feelings for each other. No matter how much you try to imitate her, it’s futile. I don’t have time to look after you.” I opened my mouth, about to explain, when the hospital room door suddenly burst open. “Mr. Hayes, the porridge you requested.” His assistant respectfully handed him a takeout container. Declan took it casually, lifted the lid, and his brow instantly furrowed. “Why is it seafood porridge?” His voice carried obvious displeasure. “I’m allergic to seafood. Go buy another one.” That sentence was like a thunderbolt, striking me right in the brain. Seafood allergy… In my previous life, it was in their second year of marriage that I accidentally ate seafood and almost went into shock, and that was how he found out. But now… They had only been married for one year. I recalled his strange behavior recently— His sudden aloofness, his inexplicable favoritism towards Serena, and that cold statement, “When did I ever love you?”… A preposterous thought suddenly surged, and I trembled all over. “Declan Hayes…” My voice was barely a whisper. “Are you… also reborn?” Declan frowned. “Reborn? What are you talking about?” I stared into his eyes. “Then how do you know I’m allergic to seafood?” “Your parents came to see me a while ago,” he said, his expression completely normal, not even a flutter of his eyelashes. “They asked me to treat you better. They also gave me a notebook with your preferences and dietary restrictions. I glanced through it before I threw it out.” His explanation was watertight, and it stung my heart. Was I overthinking it? The nurse suddenly pushed the door open. “Mr. Hayes, Miss Serena is awake and looking for you.” Hearing this, Declan left without a backward glance, not even sparing me a look.

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Liam and I had been engaged for three years, and in that time, we’d tried to have our wedding 99 times. Every single one of them ended up getting canceled. Every time he arrived at the venue, his childhood friend, Seraphina, was guaranteed to stir up some drama. She’d threaten self-harm, stage dramatic accidents like jumping from a bridge, throwing herself in front of a car… It was painfully obvious to anyone with eyes that she deliberately didn’t want us to get married. Yet, Liam fell for it every single time. He’d always fall for it, rushing to her side without a second thought. On our 99th wedding day, Sera’s tearful call came in. “Liam, I’m trapped in a bar by a bunch of drunk, rowdy guys…” Liam’s face went absolutely white as he got the call. He threw down my bouquet and bolted. “Liam.” I grabbed his arm, my face devoid of all emotion. “I’m only going to ask you this once, and it’s the last time. Are you absolutely sure you want to leave?” Liam roughly yanked his arm free, annoyance clouding his features. “Skylar, how can you be so selfish? Our wedding can happen another time, but Sera’s life… she only gets one. She’s stuck with a bunch of drunk troublemakers right now; it’s dangerous! I have to go save her!” A laugh bubbled up from somewhere deep inside me. I let go of his arm. “Then go.” Liam gave me a grateful look. “Skylar, I knew you’d understand me.” “Next time, I promise, I’ll give you an even *more* unforgettable wedding.” There wouldn’t be a next time. After him bailing on our wedding so many times, even the guests around us were used to it. Even Mom and Dad just sighed, already looking at the calendar for the next available date. “Skylar, which day looks good for the next wedding?” “No need.” I shook my head. “I’m not getting married.” My words made everyone in the room turn their heads, their eyes wide with shock. Ashton’s parents went utterly pale, rushing forward in a panic to reason with me. “Elara, please don’t let that jerk get to you.” “You two have been dating for ten years, engaged for three. You were practically family already, please don’t do anything rash…” Mrs. Hayes gripped my hand, trying to be comforting. “I’m not being rash.” I pulled my hand away, my expression blank, and smiled. “Mrs. Hayes, you’ve seen it yourselves. Ashton always cares more about others. He even ran away from our wedding, a huge event like this.” “Since he’s not truly committed to marrying me, I don’t need to chase after him or be his doormat.” “Let’s just call off this wedding.” Once I changed out of my wedding dress, most of the guests had already left. Mrs. Hayes was on the phone, absolutely fuming. “You rotten kid, get back here right now!” “Even if Brooke dies out there today, it has nothing to do with you…” Mrs. Hayes had him on speakerphone. A loud commotion erupted on the other end, and Ashton’s voice, raw from yelling, barely cut through. “Mom, what are you saying…? I can’t hear you!” “Ugh, we’ll talk later. I’m busy right now.” But I clearly heard the thumping beat of a club, mixed with Brooke’s excited giggles. “Ashton, I knew you wouldn’t want me to be sad! You even ran from your wedding for me. Girls, count how many times this is now?” A few girls giggled, playing along. “Seriously, who in this whole scene doesn’t know Ashton dotes on you the most?” “If you’d just said yes to being his girlfriend, Elara wouldn’t even be in the picture!” “Brooke, you’re such a player! Just stringing him along like this, do you just enjoy the flirty vibe?” “Mrs. Hayes, I’m leaving.” My sudden voice startled her. She quickly covered the phone’s speaker and turned to look at me. “Elara, I’m so sorry about today. It’s all that conniving snake Brooke’s fault!” Mrs. Hayes still thought I was just sulking. “Sweetheart, I know you’re a good girl. This time, Ashton really messed up.” “I’ll make him get down on his knees and beg for your forgiveness another day.” I shook my head, my face serious. “Honestly, Mrs. Hayes, you don’t have to.” “You can’t force something that’s not meant to be. Just let him be with Brooke.” Seeing that I was serious, my parents finally stopped talking and drove me away from the hotel. Actually, I had already seen it when I first stepped out of the changing room. Just like the 98 previous wedding escapes. Each time he got away with it, Brooke would update her Ins story. This time was no different. Two photos: one of a man’s and woman’s hands, fingers intertwined. The other, Ashton pulling a delicate-looking Brooke into his arms. “I told you I’d always be his favorite.” “I just made one call, and he ran from his wedding to find me again, lol. He’s escaped his wedding 99 times for me. One more, and I’ll hit my target, then I’m all my childhood sweetheart’s!” “But seriously, his chest feels so safe.” After reading it, I casually tapped ‘like’. And commented: “Congrats.” On the drive home, my mom looked worried, holding my hand with a furrowed brow. “Elara, what are you going to do? When you said you weren’t getting married, was that just anger talking, or are you serious?” My mom couldn’t believe it either. After all, Ashton and I had been together for nearly ten years. Everyone thought we’d smoothly walk down the aisle and finally become family. We hadn’t broken up even during our toughest times. But everything changed the moment Brooke came back to town. I lowered my head and smiled. “Mom, I’ve never been more serious.” “To be honest, with each of his escapes, I’ve finally realized… I don’t really like Ashton that much anymore.” “As for a new husband—” I looked at my mom earnestly. “Didn’t you say Mrs. Miller’s son is coming back home these days?” “If he’s still single, I wouldn’t mind going out with him to see how it goes.” My mom’s face lit up with surprise at my words. “Elara, you’ve finally come to your senses??” “I always said Julian, Mrs. Miller’s son, is handsome and excellent. And he’s practically your childhood sweetheart! Yesterday, Mrs. Miller just told me he’s back home. We’ll set up a meeting for you two soon, you can get reacquainted.” I smiled and nodded, not saying much more. That afternoon, I booked a flight, ready for a trip to the Maldives. As I was boarding, Ashton called. I didn’t answer. By the time I landed in the Maldives, the missed calls had piled up to over thirty. I just swiped them away. After having my fill of fun, I posted some beautiful photos on Ins that night. Ashton was the first to completely lose it. “Elara, didn’t we say we’d go to the Maldives together? For our honeymoon, to take wedding photos? Why did you go by yourself?” “And you haven’t answered my calls or texts for two days. What’s wrong with you? Did I give you permission to ignore me like this?” Ashton called, full of accusations. I just felt a wave of irritation. If I hadn’t accidentally swiped and answered, how could I have picked up his call? Sure enough, before I could even open my mouth, Ashton jumped to his own conclusions. “Alright, alright, you’re just mad I ran from the wedding that day, right? It’s not the first time, why are you being so dramatic?” “Just have your fun and come back soon. It’s not safe by yourself in a foreign country. How are you going to manage all by yourself without a guy around?” “Okay, okay, I have to go. Text me when you’re back, alright? I’ll take you shopping for a new bag, treat you to a fancy dinner.” The call abruptly ended. If before his flimsy excuses would have broken my heart, now I felt absolutely nothing. Each time he made me angry, he used the same tired tricks to appease me. Like eating the same bland meal three times a day—anyone would get sick of it. I was just about to block him. Then a video notification popped up. It was from Brooke. In the video, Ashton, egged on by the crowd, took a sip of a drink and then shared it, mouth-to-mouth, with Brooke. Brooke deliberately licked his lips a few times, teasing him like a little wildcat. Finally, it ignited Ashton’s competitive streak. The next second, he pulled Brooke’s head close and bit her lip hard. “Ashton, are you a dog? You bit me, ow…” Brooke playfully hit his arm, feigning annoyance. The crowd around them egged them on. “Oh, what’s so special about that? These two have practically French kissed themselves senseless. Let’s play something more exciting!” “How about Truth or Dare?” Brooke stepped forward, grabbing Ashton’s tie, and asked the first question. “Have you ever slept with your fiancée?” Everyone leaned in, laughing, their eyes glinting with malicious amusement as they stared at Ashton. Ashton paused, his gaze softening as it fell on Brooke. “Silly girl, why would you ask that?” “No matter what I say, you’ll get jealous.” But Brooke wouldn’t back down. “So, what’s it gonna be? You and Elara have been together for almost ten years. No way you haven’t. Tell me the truth. And also, when you have a wet dream, do you dream about me more, or about Elara?” The crowd’s cheers grew louder and louder. Ashton, being flattered and unable to back down, finally gave in. “It’s you, Brooke.” “Elara has no curves, no spark in bed. How could she compare to someone as alluring as you?” As he spoke, Ashton’s hand provocatively reached for Brooke’s spaghetti strap top. The video abruptly cut off. Immediately after, Brooke sent another message. “Elara, I’m so sorry, but your boyfriend was ‘borrowed’ by me for another night.” “But I guess you’re so generous, always clinging to Ashton like a leech even after he’s run from the wedding so many times. You probably don’t mind, right?” I don’t know what I felt seeing all that. Ten years of sweet affection, all rotten in an instant. I stood up immediately and sent a message to Julian. “Send me a pic of your abs.” Julian paused for a minute before replying, “??” “What do you want to do?” Then he sent a voice message, his voice deep and magnetic. I just forwarded the provocative video Brooke had sent me. “What do you think? I need help getting revenge.” Julian actually sent me an abs picture. I frowned when I saw it. “Pull your waistband down a bit, make it more daring.” Julian hesitated for a good five minutes before finally sending another perfect abs picture. I was very satisfied. I added a caption and sent it to Brooke. “Sorry, I was busy sleeping with a man.” “Oh, you said you’re sleeping with Ashton again, right? No worries, I’m generous enough. That kind of man only lasts two minutes anyway, you can have him.” “Because, girl, I’m kinda busy right now. Don’t bother me, okay?” Brooke replied instantly with a shocked emoji. Still not satisfied, I decided to take it up a notch. I adopted Brooke’s fake innocent tone and posted on Ins. “My childhood sweetheart came with me to the Maldives, and he lets me touch his abs all I want. Turns out, if you just throw away your good girl image, you get to enjoy the good stuff. So happy—” Within minutes, the likes poured in. My friends commented like crazy: “Elara, why are you suddenly talking like a ‘green tea’? What happened to you?” “Abs?! Where did you get those? They’re not just a stock photo, are they?” My ego took a hit. Did they really not trust me? Did they think I couldn’t have a *real* childhood sweetheart with actual abs? Of course, there were also many congratulating me, saying I’d finally figured things out and started enjoying life. Only one comment stood out. “?? Elara, are you crazy?” It was Ashton. He started spamming my phone with calls. When I didn’t answer, he tried to find me on every social media account and shopping app he could, sending me messages. “Elara, what are you doing? Why is there another man next to you? Who is that jerk?” “I knew it, why did you suddenly go to the Maldives? Did that guy ask you out?” “I’m telling you, don’t easily trust other men. Guys out there are no good, they’re just trying to trick you…” “Elara, if you dare to cheat on me, I’m not letting this go!” I accepted his video call. I intentionally showed him my arm, wearing a sleep top, and only filmed a corner of the hotel room. Ashton’s face instantly darkened, and he roared. “Elara!” “Send me your location. Which hotel are you in right now?” “Tell me who that man is! I’ll kill him!” I thoroughly enjoyed watching his frustrated rage. So this is how satisfying it felt to easily manipulate someone’s emotions. Before, he had always been the one with the upper hand in our relationship. Watching me worry over him, get emotional for him, and feel jealous for him. He must have been enjoying that thrill. But sorry, it’s my turn now. Watching Ashton’s furious expression, all the frustration I’d felt before just melted away. “Ashton, stop pretending. What reason do you have to be angry?” “When you left me at the altar over and over, you put more than just one ‘green hat’ on my head.” “Even now, you’re still getting hot and heavy with your little childhood sweetheart. What right do you have to say anything to me?” “Besides, I’ve already broken up with you. You have no right to question anything I do.” Lying in my hotel room, listening to music, I was about to order some room service. Suddenly, Julian’s video call came through. “Elara, when did I go to the Maldives with you?” Oops. Caught in the act, my little Ins story lie had been found out by the actual person. I was about to make an excuse when my gaze slowly dropped, and the words caught in my throat. He wasn’t wearing a shirt in the video. His tempting abs were on full display. I casually reached for my teacup and took a sip, but I’d grabbed the wrong one. It was red wine. The next second, my cheeks burned, and I stared directly at him. “So… are you coming now?” Julian paused, then smiled. “You’re going to be the death of me.” “Wait for me.” Before, I’d only heard my mom say that Mrs. Miller’s son was incredibly accomplished, buying villas and driving luxury cars abroad. But I never expected him to be *this* accomplished. He told me to wait. I thought I’d be waiting a day or more. But two hours later, he arrived in a helicopter. I stood at the hotel entrance, stunned, staring at him. “You… are you some kind of top-secret government talent?” Julian smiled, looking incredibly handsome. “What? Can’t a guy fly a helicopter using his own savings?” He flicked my forehead. “Looks like you’re still as silly as you were as a kid.” Julian made himself right at home, pulling his suitcase directly into my hotel room. “Hey, Julian, can’t you just get another room?” “Why would I need another room?” Julian turned back, looking genuinely surprised. “Didn’t you invite me over?” He took a step closer. His handsome face was inches from mine. My cheeks flushed even hotter. “My mom told me you’re willing to date me, so you should be my girlfriend now, right?” “I was worried my girlfriend might get snatched away, so I rushed here immediately. Gotta keep an eye on my girlfriend.” Julian’s eyes crinkled in a smile as he said this. He didn’t hold back at all, picking up my wine glass and taking a drink. All the words I was about to say simply died in my throat. Alright, he really hasn’t changed since we were kids. “I bought a ticket for tomorrow, but I guess that’s not necessary anymore.” I looked enviously at the helicopter parked outside the hotel. Julian chuckled softly. “Cancel it, Elara. Marry me, and this helicopter is yours.” Of course, in my excitement, I got completely wasted. I finally woke up late the next morning. I was sprawled out across the bed. Julian unconsciously had an arm around my waist, his breathing even. I, however, acutely noticed the faint, familiar scent on him. He was still as quiet as he was when we were kids. I woke up a bit early, so I mindlessly scrolled through my phone. Suddenly, I saw Brooke had updated her Ins story. “My stomach hurt so bad last night. Went to the clinic and found out I’m pregnant…!” “That rotten childhood sweetheart really took things too far, so I had to go to the clinic for an abortion.” She also posted a picture: a small specimen jar with the contents pixelated, but you could still faintly make out what it was. “But I’ll keep this little ‘gift’ as a souvenir for him. Later, at his wedding, I’ll show it to his wife. She’ll have to thank me properly, right…?” I felt a wave of nausea and immediately blocked her. Two days later, I was back home. Julian dropped me off. As I was getting out of the car, a man grabbed me from behind. “Elara…” It was Ashton, reeking of alcohol. Feeling my body stiffen, he forcibly spun me around to face him. “Elara, where have you been? You’re not just getting back from the Maldives, are you?” He looked at me with a pained expression, but his eyes were fierce, like a wolf’s. He tried to check me for… marks, just like he used to, but I coldly pushed him away. “Ashton, we broke up a long time ago.” I am my own person, not his property. Besides, I had never checked up on him, always giving him my complete trust. But he had treated me like a fool. “Elara, stop being ridiculous. I know those pictures were just stock photos you downloaded from the internet to provoke me.” Ashton, acting like I was being unreasonable, frowned. “I told you, Brooke and I are just friends, it’s not what you think.” “And we’ve been together for 10 years, you’re destined to be my wife.” I couldn’t help but sneer. “The one you said had no spark in bed?” Ashton frowned. “Why are you being so nasty?” “Stop dreaming. I’m never marrying you.” Ashton lowered his head and chuckled, but his eyes gleamed with confidence. He said that if I didn’t marry him, I wouldn’t get my share of the profits from the company we’d invested in together. I looked at him coldly. “Are you trying to cheat me?” Ashton scoffed softly. “How is this cheating? It was all in black and white when we signed the contract. Don’t believe me? Take a look.” I glanced down, and sure enough, it was true. It stated that the profit share could only be received if we were married. But I definitely didn’t remember agreeing to such a predatory clause. Ashton looked smug. “Elara, what other choice do you have now besides marrying me?” “If you want that money, you’ll marry me whether you like it or not.” “So just wait. When I’m in a good mood, I’ll plan the wedding. Then, even my money will be yours.” But I just sneered. “No need. You can have that money or not, I don’t care. I guess it’ll just be your funeral fund.” After all, Julian and I had already planned to settle abroad after we got married. Our businesses here wouldn’t be as necessary. With that, I turned and walked upstairs, ignoring his shouts. The next morning, I went to the company to handle my resignation. Ashton finally looked grim, realizing I was serious. “Elara, are you really leaving? You poured ten years of your heart into this place. Can you really give it up?” I ignored him. Just then, the door opened. Julian walked in, holding some bridal gown designs for me to choose from. “Take a look at this one, what do you think?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298776”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

When I got to Liam’s place, he opened the door, yawning widely. I just stood there, right at his doorstep, and said, “We’re over.” Liam froze, a confused look on his face. “Baby, what did I do wrong this time?” “You didn’t answer my calls,” I stated, my voice flat. He chuckled, reaching for my hand like he always did. “I was up too late playing games with the guys yesterday, so I slept in a bit today. Didn’t even hear my phone ring. To make it up to you, how about I get ready and we go to that restaurant you’ve been dying to try?” Liam and I had been together for seven years, and he clearly thought I was just being dramatic again. I pulled my hand away coldly. “No, thanks. I’m leaving.” He never truly took my words seriously. And if that’s the case, then I don’t need him. “Just because I missed your call this morning?” Liam grabbed my wrist, “Baby, seriously, stop being difficult, okay?” “I really didn’t mean to. I just bought a new game yesterday, played a little late, and I told you that.” I pulled my hand away, my voice cold, “I don’t want to say anything more. Let go.” Liam persisted, “You don’t like Thai food? Then let’s go for European? There’s a trendy new European place downtown, how about we go there together? I just bought a Fujifilm…” I looked at Liam. “I don’t like it anymore.” Liam froze. Just then, Chloe, wearing a loose-fitting pajama top, walked out of the guest room behind him. “What’s going on, Liam? You guys woke me up in the guest room.” I looked at a sleepy Chloe, and a sudden laugh escaped me. Oh, right. Liam’s ‘best friend.’ The one who’s a girl. And it was her who sent me a really suggestive photo, making me believe Liam had slept with her. Chloe walked up to me, grinning. “Audrey, what happened?” Liam rubbed his temples. “Missed her call, she’s throwing a fit.” Chloe’s eyes widened, and she quickly came over, linking her arm through mine. Her tone was overly familiar, “Audrey, Liam and I pulled an all-nighter playing games last night. He really didn’t miss your call on purpose! The game just launched, and I got really into it, so I kinda dragged Liam into an all-nighter. Please don’t be mad at him, he really didn’t mean it…” “We’re not that chummy, Chloe.” I pulled my arm away, looking at Liam. “Did you change the password?” Liam frowned, clearly confused. I repeated myself, “Liam, the door code to your apartment has been changed. I can’t get in.” Liam denied it, “How could that be? My door code has always been our anniversary…” I turned my gaze to Chloe beside me. Sure enough, she spoke up, “Liam, a few days ago, you had the guys over for a party, and most of them don’t know Audrey, so I just went ahead and changed the door code. It’s no big deal, right? You can just change it back. Audrey, you’re being a bit uptight about it…” Liam sighed, looking at Chloe. “Chloe, Audrey isn’t as laid-back as you. She’s sensitive, and it’s totally normal for her to care about these things. Just apologize to her, okay?” He rubbed his temples, his voice tired. I chuckled sarcastically, taking a step back. “No, thanks. I can’t be as ‘generous’ as your ‘best friend.’ Your buddies may not know me, but they sure know how close you and Chloe are. Chloe shows up at your place with a game, you let her in, even stay over. She even changed your door code. So, Liam, why don’t you two just move in together, get married, and I’ll be there to raise a toast to your happy union, how about that?” “Audrey, that’s too much.” Liam frowned, taking a step forward, unconsciously shielding Chloe behind him. “Chloe and I go way back If anything was going to happen, it would have happened already. What are you being so unreasonable about now? And we played games so late yesterday, I couldn’t just send a girl home, could I? Besides, she stayed in the guest room last night. Don’t be so aggressive, Audrey. Chloe’s right, it’s just a code, you can just change it back.” “If anything was going to happen, it would have happened already,” he says. I choked back the bitter taste in my throat, staring intensely at Liam. “So, you *do* realize Chloe is a girl.” Liam flinched. I turned and walked away without hesitation. Chloe’s voice drifted from behind me, “Liam, Audrey’s so mad, aren’t you going to go after her?” “It’s fine. We’re almost engaged. She’s just throwing a tantrum, she’ll get over it, it’s no big deal.” Liam’s voice wasn’t loud, but it pierced my ears. But he didn’t know I was already preparing my documents to study abroad. I wouldn’t be turning back.

Back in my shared apartment, I packed my luggage. “Audrey, are you moving in with your boyfriend already?” Mia, my roommate, came out of her room, hearing the commotion. “Ugh, you’re really not renewing the lease? Wish you two all the happiness!” I had a moment of disorientation. It was true, Liam and I were the poster couple of our university, and I’d told Mia I’d move in with him once my lease was up. Everyone thought we’d tie the knot. The thought made my hands pause. I offered an explanation. “No, we broke up.” Mia blinked. “What? But you and Liam were the poster couple of our university. What happened?” “I just fell out of love,” I replied succinctly. Mia looked confused. “That doesn’t make sense. Liam’s handsome, and he was so good to you. He went out of his way to remember everything you liked, he took you to concerts and art exhibitions, practically anything you asked for. One time you got your period and I wasn’t there, he came rushing over in the pouring rain at like, 3 AM, just to take care of you… He was just asking me if you’d liked anything recently. How could you suddenly fall out of love?” How could I suddenly fall out of love? Perhaps she was talking about the Liam of the past. The boy who held me in his palm, who shielded me from everything. Not the boyfriend who would now accuse me of being aggressive, all because of a ‘best friend.’ It was that simple. I forced a bitter laugh. “Maybe… it’s just because he didn’t pick up my call this morning.” Seeing that I didn’t want to elaborate, Mia sighed and didn’t press further. A while later, she shook her phone, asking cautiously, “Is it because of Chloe?” She opened Ins. It was a new post from Chloe, a grid of nine photos of her and Liam playing games. The center photo was them, heads practically touching, Chloe’s head almost on Liam’s shoulder. They were both holding controllers, laughing like crazy. The other photos were all screenshots of their high scores, their names topping the server leaderboards. Clearly, they’d been playing well. The comments section was filled with Liam’s buddies’ praise: “Damn, Chloe, you’re a beast! That clear speed is insane!” “Only Liam can actually keep up with Chloe’s skill. I still haven’t even beaten the first boss. Chloe, when are you gonna ‘carry’ me? Or get Liam to ‘carry’ me, that works too!” “Is it just me, or do Chloe and Liam both look amazing? Talk about a power couple!” Anyone who didn’t know would think Chloe and Liam were the couple who’d been together for seven years and were about to get engaged. I finished packing my suitcase. Before I could say anything, Mia looked at the comments and started ranting, “No, seriously, is Liam completely clueless? How can he not realize how suggestive these photos she’s posting are? And his ‘bros’? It’s obvious they’re rooting for him and Chloe! Where do you even fit in?” “The gaming console they’re playing on was my birthday gift to Liam,” I added calmly. “And the night before last, he just promised me he wouldn’t cross any lines.” “I get it.” Mia looked at me with concern, then gently hugged me. “Audrey, we don’t need a guy like that. We just don’t. But your lease is up, where are you going to live now?” “I’ll crash at my aunt’s place for a bit. It works out, I can quit my job and go overseas for advanced studies.” I looked at Mia, smiling. “Don’t worry about me. With my qualifications, I can get any job I want.” Mia sighed. “You’re right. I mean, you only joined this company because Liam was involved. We all thought you’d keep going with your studies, everyone knows how brilliant you are in research. But promise me you’ll take good care of yourself. Call me if you need anything, your ride-or-die always has your back.” “I will!” I nodded. Just then, Liam sent me a SnapChat message: “Baby, are you feeling better? I ordered you fried chicken and bubble tea. Please don’t be mad at me, okay? [puppy eyes emoji]” I stared at that message for a long time, then blocked and deleted all his contact information.

After a quick greeting with my aunt and dropping off my luggage, I took a cab back to the university. I was there to pick up my official English and Chinese transcripts, and to say goodbye. I walked along the newly renovated track, listening to the cheerful laughter of the younger students around me, when I ran straight into the last people I wanted to see. Liam and Chloe. Chloe was intimately linked arm-in-arm with Liam. The moment she saw me, a bright smile spread across her face. “Audrey, you’re here too?” Liam hurried over. “Why are you back at school? I was just about to call you. The delivery guy told me you didn’t pick up your stuff?” I gave him a cold glance, my eyes lingering on Chloe’s arm linked with his. Liam finally registered it, awkwardly pulling his arm away. “Chloe said she wanted to see my alma mater, so I brought her for a walk.” “Yep, I always regretted not seeing Liam’s university,” Chloe chirped, sidling closer . “Liam and I are total bros. We’ve been like this for years, it’s just how we are. You don’t mind, do you, Audrey?” I was so disgusted, I turned to leave. But Liam grabbed me, his voice tinged with a hint of grievance, “Audrey, are you still mad? I know you won’t calm down that quickly. I bought you your favorite bag. Please don’t be mad, forgive me, okay? I promise I’ll never miss your call again!” He pulled out an exquisite gift box from his backpack. It was a designer bag from a luxury brand, the latest model—exactly the one I’d mentioned liking on Ins a while back. Memories flooded back. Liam in college was always like this. He would remember every casual preference I mentioned, and he’d especially keep track of my period. Every time he made me angry, he’d send me essay-long apologies, coaxing me until late into the night. He was also generous, buying me flowers and gifts. I often overslept and missed breakfast, so he’d wake up early to bring me food, saying he needed to take care of my stomach. When I was down and stayed up late, he’d chat with me, keeping me company. When I asked if he shouldn’t be telling me to sleep, he’d say my feelings came first. His thoughtfulness and tenderness had completely captivated me. And that’s why, time and again, I softened after Chloe appeared. Chloe suddenly chimed in, “Liam put so much effort into this bag! We went to so many stores!” She patted Liam’s shoulder proudly. “In the end, I was the one who helped him pick this color. It really suits Audrey, doesn’t it?” I snapped my head up. “You picked it?” Liam smiled and nodded. “Yeah, Chloe always has great taste.” Chloe looped her arm around Liam’s neck. “Well, duh! What do you expect? My taste is legendary!” Liam naturally put his arm around her waist, both of them laughing without a care in the world. The sight felt like a needle twisting in my gut. “Liam.” My voice began to tremble. “Do you remember what you said on our first date?” He paused. “What?” “You said, ‘Audrey’s gifts have to be picked out by me, and only me, because I’m the only one who truly knows what she loves.’” I hurled the gift box at him. “And now?” The packaging scattered on the ground, revealing the exquisite bag inside. “I…” Chloe’s face changed . “Audrey, what’s that supposed to mean? I was trying to help, and I messed up?” “Shut up!” I cut her off. “I’m talking to Liam. It’s not your place to interrupt!” Liam frowned. “Audrey, don’t be like this. Chloe’s my best friend. Give her some respect.” “Best friend?” I scoffed. “Since Chloe came back, how many times has she tracked you down using the excuse of ‘it’s been ages’? Last time we were on a date, you left me alone in the restaurant after she called. This time, you let her stay over at your place again. I’ll say it again: if you two get married, don’t send me an invitation. I’d rather not deal with that.” People around us had already stopped to stare. “Last time, I pulled some serious strings to get front-row tickets to Liam’s favorite esports tournament, and our other buddies were there too!” Chloe pouted, arguing back. “Liam, I even told you to buy flowers then! Didn’t you say it was all sorted?” “The flowers then… were also chosen by you?” I trembled all over. That night, I threw a huge fit. It was the first time I’d questioned my feelings for him so deeply. But Liam came back, apologized profusely, and brought a huge bouquet of fresh flowers, coaxing me until the middle of the night. I also knew that his favorite player was in that tournament, so I forgave him. “What else?” Chloe said smugly. “Do you really think Liam, Mr. Oblivious, would have figured that out? Audrey, since I came back, all your gifts? I helped Liam pick them out.” I stared at Liam in disbelief. “I saw that you really liked what Chloe picked, so I didn’t interfere,” Liam awkwardly turned his head away, reaching out to grab my hand. “Audrey, let’s find somewhere to talk properly. There are too many people here.” “No need.” I slapped his hand away, taking a deep breath. “Liam, you disgust me!” The early winter wind stung my face, but I felt no cold, only kept walking forward. Liam didn’t follow.

I don’t know how long I walked until a gentle voice called from behind me. “Audrey?” I turned. Julian Hayes. Liam’s college roommate. We were in the same student club when we first started university. Since we both loved literature, we were pretty good friends. But after I started dating Liam, Julian and I deliberately kept our distance, and we gradually lost touch. “It really is you.” He hurried down the steps. “Long time no see.” “I remember you, Liam’s college roommate,” I habitually tied him to Liam’s name, avoiding eye contact. “What are you doing here?” “I’m an assistant professor in the Economics department now.” He lowered his gaze. “You? Back to pick up documents?” I nodded, suddenly feeling a lump in my throat. Julian subtly noticed my emotions but didn’t ask further. He glanced at his watch. “Want to grab a coffee?” I hesitated. “Okay.” “I heard you’re going abroad for advanced studies?” he asked directly. I was surprised. “How did you know?” “Professor Davies mentioned it.” He pushed up his glasses. “He regretted that you were leaving, said you could have stayed to do your PhD here.” I looked down, stirring my coffee. “Some things… I need a change of scenery.” Julian didn’t press. Instead, he took a folder from his bag. “Here’s some information I compiled on a few schools. Considering your research focus, I think these might suit you.” I opened the folder. Inside were not just detailed introductions to the universities, but also the strengths of each economics department, professor information, and even estimated living costs in those areas. “This… this is so thorough.” I looked up at him. “When did you prepare all this?” “I started gathering it when I heard you were going abroad,” he said calmly. “After all, I spent a few years overseas, so I have some experience to share.” We talked for a long time. Julian didn’t ask a single question about Liam. He just meticulously analyzed the pros and cons of each university, even mentioning a few projects that I’d never considered but were perfect for me. “If you need a letter of recommendation,” he said as we were leaving, “I’d be happy to help.” I hesitated. “Can I… get your contact information?” Julian took a business card from his pocket. “This is my work email and phone number. Feel free to contact me anytime if you have questions.” “My name is Julian Hayes.” His manner was polite and restrained, maintaining just the right amount of distance. I nodded, not mentioning that I actually remembered his name. “Got it.” By the time we left the coffee shop, it was already dark. “Audrey,” Julian suddenly called out to me. “No matter what you decide, remember to live for yourself.” I knew he’d seen it. He’d seen Liam and me. “I know.” My reply was soft, almost lost in the wind.

I didn’t rush to leave. If I left now, who knew when I’d be back. I walked aimlessly, unconsciously finding myself in front of the economics faculty building. The lecture hall on the third floor was still lit. It was where Liam and I first met. During freshman microeconomics, Liam was late, rushing into the classroom and bumping into me in the front row. He awkwardly helped me pick up my scattered books, then looked up with an apologetic smile. “Excuse me, sorry about that.” His eyes were so bright back then, as if full of starlight. Later, he told me he’d actually noticed me earlier that day and deliberately bumped into me to strike up a conversation. I laughed, calling him manipulative, but he just said seriously, “Because the moment I saw you, I knew I had to get to know you.” I kept walking, reaching the small garden behind the library. There was a bench there, a place where we often went on dates. Liam always loved reading me his poems there. They weren’t very good, but his ears would flush bright red every time. “Audrey,” he suddenly put down his notebook one time, taking my hand. “I promise I’ll give you the best life someday.” His palm was warm, and his eyes were so firm I believed that promise would surely come true. Around the corner was the cafeteria. In our sophomore year, I had a high fever. Liam skipped class and waited in line for half an hour to buy me my favorite congee. When he delivered it to my dorm, the congee was still piping hot, but he was shivering from the cold. “Eat it while it’s hot,” he said, pressing the congee into my hands. “I specifically asked the auntie to add extra ginger.” These memories flashed through my mind like a carousel, each scene as vivid as yesterday. Liam truly once gave me his whole heart; those meticulous acts of care weren’t fake. But when did it change? Probably after Chloe came back. Chloe was Liam’s high school classmate, who’d returned from overseas last year. The first time we met, she casually put her arm around Liam’s shoulder. “Liam, your dad missed you!” Liam laughed, playfully punching her arm. “Get lost, who’s your son?” I stood by awkwardly. Liam then remembered to introduce me. “This is my girlfriend, Audrey.” “Hi, Audrey!” Chloe grinned, extending her hand to me. “Liam and I were always like this in high school, so don’t mind us, okay?” I managed a strained smile and shook her hand. That night, Liam reassured me, “Chloe just has a really laid-back personality. We were in the same class in high school, and we’re super close. Don’t overthink it.” I nodded, not saying much. But later, Chloe’s appearances became more and more frequent. She would always call Liam away under the guise of “buddies’ night out,” sometimes even during our dates. “Audrey,” Liam would look at me apologetically. “Chloe says it’s urgent…” “Go ahead,” I’d say every time, not wanting to seem petty. Last month, we were celebrating our anniversary at a restaurant. Chloe called, saying she’d gotten tickets to Liam’s favorite esports tournament. “It’s tonight!” Her voice on the phone was excitedly piercing. “Liam, hurry! The other guys are already there!” Liam’s eyes instantly lit up, and he looked at me expectantly. I put down my knife and fork. “Go ahead.” “Audrey’s the best!” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll make it up to you tomorrow!” That night, I ate the double-portion meal alone. When I got home, I saw a message from Liam: “Chloe’s amazing! We’re in the front row! [photo]” In the photo, Chloe was practically plastered against Liam, flashing a victory sign. I turned off my phone, spending a sleepless night. The next day, when Liam returned, he brought a large bouquet of roses and a necklace. “Don’t be mad anymore,” he said coaxingly. “I brought you flowers and a gift.” I should have realized the problem then—but I still chose to forgive him. The cold wind made me shiver, and I realized I’d unconsciously walked to the campus gates. My phone buzzed. It was a message from Julian: “Thought about it? Do you need me to contact professors for you?” I took a deep breath and replied, “Thanks, I want to go to the London School of Economics. It would be great if you could introduce me to Professor Davies’ former mentor.” After sending that message, I took one last look at the campus, then turned and headed for the subway station.

Actually, I had given Liam one last chance. That year, because of Chloe and his lack of boundaries, I was angry and hurt countless times. During all the times my feelings for him wavered, and all the times I softened and forgave him, I always said one thing: “Liam, I hope you’ll keep some distance from Chloe.” He then said he’d take me to his buddies’ gathering so they’d all understand my importance to him. I looked into his eyes then and nodded. There were about seven or eight people in the private room. Chloe was there too, leaning against Liam, scrolling on her phone. As soon as I sat down, I heard a guy opposite me mutter under his breath, “Who’s this…?” The atmosphere in the room immediately became awkward. Liam tried to lighten the mood, raising his glass. “Today, I brought everyone together mainly to formally introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Audrey.” Everyone raised their glasses half-heartedly. Chloe, meanwhile, openly rolled her eyes. After a few rounds, the conversation gradually turned to games and basketball. I was completely excluded, forced to look down at my phone. “Liam, water.” Chloe suddenly held an opened bottle of water to Liam’s lips. Liam instinctively took a sip from her hand, then realized and awkwardly glanced at me. “Chloe, my girlfriend’s here…” “Oh, come on, we always used to do this, didn’t we?” Chloe said indifferently. “Audrey, you’re being a bit too controlling.” Liam awkwardly changed the subject. My stomach lurched, and I stood up to go to the restroom. When I returned, I heard laughter coming from the private room in the hallway. Through the half-open door, I saw Chloe wrapping her arm around Liam’s neck, playfully chiding him, “I said it was a buddies’ night, why’d you bring a plus-one?” “Exactly,” another guy chimed in. “I feel a bit awkward with Audrey here.” Liam laughed, gently pushing Chloe away. “Stop it, Audrey will be upset.” I pushed the door open. The laughter in the room instantly died again. I didn’t stay any longer. That night, back home, Liam tried to explain, “Chloe just loves to joke around, don’t take it to heart.” I looked at him for a long time. Finally, I told him to keep his distance from Chloe. He agreed. That night, for the first time, he didn’t reply to Chloe’s messages. He also bought me a bouquet of flowers and apologized sincerely. I thought he finally understood. Until the next day, Chloe sent me suggestive photos of her and Liam, with a message telling me that my boyfriend was sleeping sweetly beside her. I called Liam, but he never picked up. I took a cab to his place, and then discovered that the door code had been changed. This time, I was truly exhausted.

The day my study abroad approval came through, Julian sent me a message, saying he wanted to celebrate. “Just as a farewell among friends,” he said on the phone. “I know a good Cantonese restaurant.” I hesitated, thinking of his help, and finally agreed. “Okay, thank you.” Julian chose a window seat. When I arrived, he stood up and pulled out a chair for me. “Congratulations.” He handed me an exquisite gift box. “Just a small gift.” Inside the box was a fountain pen, with my name and “Future full of promise” engraved on it. I was about to say something when a commotion erupted behind me. “Liam, I’ve wanted to try this place for ages!” A familiar voice pierced my ears. “I heard their roasted goose is incredibly authentic!” I froze, knowing without turning who it was. Julian subtly noticed my reaction. His gaze went over my shoulder, and his brow furrowed. “Want to change places?” he asked quietly. Before I could answer, footsteps approached. “Audrey,” Liam’s voice was filled with disbelief. “What are you doing here?” I took a deep breath and turned around. Liam stood a few steps away, Chloe by his side, followed by a few of his buddies. They looked like they’d just come from a gathering, Liam’s face flushed with a slight tipsy glow. “Eating,” I replied curtly. Liam’s gaze darted between me and Julian, finally settling on the fountain pen. His expression slowly darkened. “You already found your rebound, huh?” he sneered. “No wonder you were so eager to break up.” I felt a wave of dizziness, my fingers unconsciously clutching the napkin. “Liam,” Julian suddenly spoke. “Watch your tone.” “What’s it to you?” Liam’s voice rose sharply. “My girlfriend and I’s business is none of your concern!” “Ex-girlfriend,” I corrected him, my voice surprisingly calm. “We’ve already broken up.” Chloe suddenly cut in, her gaze at me challenging. “Liam, don’t be like that. Audrey… I mean, Ms. Su, is free to eat with whoever she wants.” Liam pushed Chloe’s hand away and strode up to me. “Just because I didn’t answer your call? Just because Chloe stayed at my place? You were that desperate to hook up with Julian? He had a crush on you in college, did you think I didn’t know?” I looked at his distorted face, suddenly feeling utterly alien. This was the man I’d loved for seven years. “Slap!” A crisp slap echoed through the restaurant. Liam’s head was turned, a red mark quickly appearing on his face. “That slap,” my voice trembled but was exceptionally clear, “is for slandering me and Julian. When you were all over Chloe, how come you didn’t see anything wrong with that?” Chloe shrieked and rushed forward. “How dare you hit Liam!” She reached out to push me, but Julian swiftly blocked her. “Get lost!” I slapped Chloe back. “That slap is for constantly trying to drive a wedge between us.” Chloe clutched her face, staring at me in disbelief. Liam finally reacted, pulling Chloe behind him. “Audrey, are you crazy?” he roared. “What’s gotten into you?” “What’s gotten into me?” I laughed, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face. “Liam, think about it. Who pushed me to this point? It was you, choosing Chloe again and again. It was you, trampling on my boundaries again and again!” The restaurant manager hurried over. Julian whispered a few words to him. The manager nodded, then turned to Liam and his group. “Guests, please leave.” Liam’s buddies exchanged glances. One of them murmured, “Liam, maybe we should just go…” Liam flung away the hand trying to pull him, staring fixedly at me. “Fine, whatever. Audrey, you want to break up and be with Julian? Forget about it!” He turned and stormed out. Chloe scurried after him, not forgetting to shoot me a venomous glare over her shoulder. The restaurant fell silent, all eyes on us. My legs suddenly felt weak, and I almost collapsed. Julian quickly caught me and led me back to our table. “Drink some water,” he offered a glass of warm water. “Do you need to go to the hospital?” I shook my head, cupping the water glass with trembling hands. “I’m sorry, I ruined your celebration.” I forced a smile. Julian shook his head. “It’s not your fault. ” He hesitated, then asked, “Are you canceling your study abroad plans?” “No.” I wiped away my tears. “I’m definitely going.”

Outside, Liam and his group stood by the road, waiting for a car. “Liam, Audrey was too much today,” Chloe said. “In front of all those people…” “Shut up,” Liam pushed her away irritably. “Isn’t this because you insisted on coming?” “I was just worried about you!” Chloe whined. “And was I wrong? She’s always been like this, trying to control everything, even you playing games with your friends…” Liam suddenly erupted, “What do you know! If it weren’t for you—” “Liam,” Julian stood by the restaurant entrance at some point, a lit cigarette between his fingers. “Seven years, and you still don’t understand why she left?” Liam turned to Julian. “What’s it to you?” He sneered, “Don’t think I don’t know, in college you—” “Yes, I liked her.” Julian calmly cut him off. “But I never crossed any lines.” He exhaled a puff of smoke, his gaze sweeping over Chloe’s arm linked with Liam’s. “Unlike some people, who clearly have a girlfriend, but are still all over their ‘best friend’.” Chloe’s face changed. “We were just—” “Just what?” Julian chuckled. “Good friends?” He looked at Liam. “Then how come she has one meal with me, and you freak out?” Liam’s face was ashen. “She won’t come back,” Julian stubbed out his cigarette. “This time is different.” Liam suddenly laughed. “What are you putting on an act for?” He pointed at me inside the restaurant. “We’ve been together for seven years. Don’t I know her temper? This is just a bigger tantrum than usual…” His voice gradually faded, as if trying to convince himself, “Once she calms down…” Julian shook his head, his eyes almost pitying. “You simply don’t deserve her seven years of love.” A taxi arrived. Julian turned to leave, but Liam suddenly called out to him. “Aren’t you leaving to pursue your PhD soon?” His tone was maliciously certain. “She won’t go with you.” Julian paused, then smiled without looking back. “We’ll see.” An inexplicable panic surged through Liam. He suddenly wanted to go back into the restaurant and apologize for his words, but Chloe held him back. “If you go now, Audrey will just yell at you again. Girls are all the same, just ignore her for a few days, she’ll realize how good you are, and she’ll come crawling back to you. Come on, we were going to the internet cafe, weren’t we?” Liam took a deep breath, casting one last look at my retreating figure. “Okay.”

It wasn’t until I boarded my flight, when Liam saw that I hadn’t softened my stance and had blocked all his contact information, that he finally panicked. “He came running to ask me where you went!” Mia said, huffing, on the phone. “I told him you went overseas for advanced studies, quit your job! Gone! Never coming back! And I chewed him out! Don’t worry, I didn’t tell him you just left today. I had no idea you went through so much! Ugh, I take back all my ‘he’s a good boyfriend’ ratings! Him and Chloe should just be locked together, the boundary-less guy and the manipulative faux-tomboy!” I gazed at the clouds outside the airplane window, softly humming in response. Truthfully, as the one involved, I felt neither sorrow nor joy anymore. “Oh, right,” Mia suddenly lowered her voice. “Is Julian with you? His lab assistant said he was supposed to leave last week…” My eyes unconsciously fell on the seat in front of me—Julian was looking down, reading a book. “Audrey,” Mia chuckled mischievously. “Are you two…” “No,” I interrupted her. “Just friends.” After hanging up, Julian suddenly turned around. “Want a blanket?” He handed me a soft wool blanket. “It’s a ten-hour flight, easy to catch a chill.” I took the blanket, then suddenly asked, “Why did you rebook your flight?” The cabin was quiet. His eyelashes cast a small shadow beneath his eyes. “I told you.” “The lab documents?” Julian closed his book, looking directly into my eyes. “I wanted to be with you.” “I know you don’t want to talk about this right now,” his voice was soft, “but Audrey, it’s been seven years. This time, I want to fight for myself.” I clutched the blanket, my throat tight. “You don’t have to answer now.” He smiled, opening his book again. “We have plenty of time.” I turned my head away, saying nothing. The plane passed through the clouds, and sunlight suddenly streamed in. In a daze, I remembered many years ago, Liam reaching out to me in the sunlight: “Excuse me, your book.” Back then, we both thought we’d be together forever. Now, I was about to start my life anew.

Chloe’s messages came even faster than Liam’s attempts to reach me. I had just finished class when my phone started vibrating wildly. Unknown numbers flashed on the screen, followed by over a dozen unread message notifications. “Audrey, what the hell did you say to Liam?!” “He won’t even pick up my calls now! He’s just looking for you all the time!” “Why are you acting so high and mighty? You think you’ve won?” I emotionlessly swiped the screen open. The latest message was a voice note. I tapped it, and Chloe’s hysterical voice was piercingly loud in the quiet hallway: “Do you know how many years Liam and I have known each other? Just because of a petty woman like you, he won’t even invite me to buddies’ gatherings anymore! Are you happy now?” I scoffed, ready to block her, when the next message popped up: “You think Julian Hayes is some good guy? He had a crush on you in college, and now he’s just taking advantage! And you’re just accepting it, aren’t you?!” My finger paused. Chloe’s message reminded me of that day in the restaurant when Liam had questioned my relationship with Julian with the same malicious tone. I opened the reply box, typed a few words, then deleted them. Finally, I just replied: “Liam and I have broken up. Your affairs have nothing to do with me.” After sending that message, I decisively blocked the number. My phone finally fell silent. I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of the academic building, watching the sycamore leaves drift outside. When did the love I once fiercely defended turn into something so ugly? Another small memory surfaced. That time, Liam and I had planned to go to the movies. Right before we left, Chloe called, saying her computer was broken and asking Liam to fix it. Liam agreed without a second thought, not even asking me if we could reschedule our movie. That day, I waited at the movie theater for two hours, and then watched the film alone. When I got home, Liam still righteously said, “Chloe had project files on her computer, it was really urgent.” With such a grandiose excuse, any further complaint from me would make me seem unthoughtful. The most ridiculous part was that whenever I expressed dissatisfaction, Liam would say, “Why are you so petty? Chloe just has a laid-back personality, she doesn’t mean anything by it.” And now, he finally realized the problem? Too late, unfortunately. My phone vibrated. It was a message from Julian: “Are you going to the alumni reunion?” A little over a month into the semester, returning to academia felt like a sponge soaking in water, eagerly absorbing knowledge. “No.” “I’m going back to the States next week; my advisor has a collaborative project that needs to be discussed in person.” His next message popped up. “They’re pushing me to attend the reunion.” I understood. “Then go ahead. Remember to say hi to our old professor for me.” “Okay.” He paused, then sent another message. “Liam will probably be there.” “Doesn’t concern me.” Walking into the lab, I pushed all trivial matters out of my mind. I had more important things to do now: new data to analyze, a seminar to prepare for next week, and a paper from my advisor still waiting to be written. My life had its own clear path forward. I only regretted how much I let myself be constrained by love before. 10. Two weeks later, I was organizing data in the lab when Julian’s video call request suddenly popped up. I wiped my hands and answered. The background on the other end of the screen was a restaurant in the US. “Alumni reunion?” I raised an eyebrow. “Yeah,” he nodded, the camera shaking slightly. ” There’s something I think you should know.” I put down the test tube in my hand. “What is it?” “Chloe’s here,” his voice was very low. “She wasn’t invited, but she managed to sneak in with someone else.” I frowned. “And?” Julian’s camera suddenly panned towards the main hall. Through the screen, I saw Chloe grabbing Liam’s arm, refusing to let go. Liam’s face was very grim, he tried to shake her off several times, but Chloe clung to him like superglue. “Liam, what do you mean?” Chloe’s voice was sharp enough to be heard even through the screen. “Just because of one word from Audrey, you’re abandoning your friends?” The surrounding classmates stopped their conversations, awkwardly watching the scene unfold. Liam’s face went from red to white. He violently shook off Chloe’s hand. “That’s enough!” Chloe stumbled, her eyes wide with disbelief. “You’re yelling at me?” “I should have yelled at you a long time ago!” Liam’s voice carried a suppressed fury. “It’s because you don’t know your boundaries that Audrey left me!” The entire hall fell silent instantly. Chloe’s face paled. “Liam, you bastard! How many years have we known each other? All for some woman—” “She’s not ‘some woman’!” Liam almost roared. “She was my girlfriend for seven years! If it weren’t for you constantly crossing lines, we never would have broken up!” Chloe’s tears suddenly welled up. “Me crossing lines? We always used to interact like this, didn’t we? Why didn’t you say I was crossing lines then?” “Because I was stupid!” Liam’s voice suddenly dropped, filled with deep self-reproach. “I was stupid enough not to realize your intentions, stupid enough to hurt Audrey again and again…” Chloe abruptly grabbed a wine glass from the table and splashed it at Liam. “Screw you! Liam, do you think Audrey will ever come back? She’s already with Julian—” The scene descended into chaos. Julian quickly turned the camera back to himself, his expression somewhat complex. “That’s how it is.” I was surprisingly calm. “I see. What a ridiculous farce.” I paused, then asked, “What happened next?” “Chloe ran off crying. Liam chased after her to apologize, saying he spoke too harshly, but he hoped she’d understand they really needed to keep their distance,” Julian pushed up his glasses. “But judging by Chloe’s reaction, their relationship is probably completely over.” I softly hummed, unsure how I felt. “Audrey.” His gaze through the screen met mine directly. “Liam has changed a lot these past few months you’ve been abroad.” I lowered my eyes. “People change.” Just like he suddenly fell out of love, and then suddenly fell deeply in love again.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298775”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

Julian, who I’d been in a cold war with, posted an Ins story. “A hundred likes and we’re done!” Within minutes, it already had ninety-nine hearts. I knew Julian was waiting for me to cave, to sweet-talk him, admit I was wrong, apologize, and win him back – just like I’d done the eight times before. But this time, I was genuinely exhausted. Quietly, I tapped the heart icon, bringing the count to a full 100, finally granting Julian his breakup wish. From that day on, I stopped checking his Ins. Instead, I focused entirely on avoiding any contact with him. Ten days later, Julian’s friend, Sam, messaged me. “Julian’s been waiting for you to come around. It’s his birthday tomorrow. If you buy him a gift and go celebrate with him, you two can make up!” I simply replied with two blunt words: “Can’t make it.” And I really couldn’t. My flight to start classes at the University of London was taking off tomorrow. Julian, as you wished, we’ll never see each other again. Julian allowed Sera, the scholarship student sponsored by his family, to change my college applications. When I found out, I absolutely lost it on him. Julian didn’t see anything wrong with it. Instead, he thought I was being dramatic and overreacting to a harmless prank. “It was just a prank, not like it couldn’t be undone. Sera was having a bad day, and I was just trying to cheer her up.” “She’s not mad anymore, so just change it back, okay?” My voice trembled, shaking with disbelief at Julian’s utterly dismissive attitude. “So, she gets to mess with someone else’s college applications just because she’s in a bad mood? Do you even realize this is a serious offense? I could totally press charges!” “I told you I told her to do it! The responsibility is mine! If you want to sue, sue me!” “It’s a tiny issue! We found out, so just change it back, right? You’re being so immature! Chloe, if you keep being so dramatic about this, I’ll have to reconsider our relationship.” Julian knew I couldn’t live without him. He always threatened to break up with me whenever we argued. Before Sera came along, Julian and I had a perfectly harmonious relationship. But ever since Sera appeared, we’d been constantly fighting because of her. This was the ninth time we’d argued over Sera. The previous eight times, Julian had always used the threat of a breakup. And I, spineless as ever, had always caved, backing down and swallowing my pride. This time, he was just as confident I’d give in because I loved him. He waited for me to offer an olive branch, to apologize and beg him to reconcile after his threat. But I didn’t back down like the previous eight times. Just now, watching Julian impatiently scolding me while smiling down at his phone, texting Sera back… I suddenly felt utterly meaningless. I had no intention of apologizing. I just stood there, my face tight, saying nothing. Julian waited for a moment. When he saw no signs of me backing down, apologizing, or admitting fault, he clicked his tongue, picked up his phone, and walked away. I sat alone in the chair, staring blankly at the computer screen. I don’t know how long I sat there, lost in thought, when my phone rang. A few voice messages came through. I tapped to listen, and it was Sera’s sweet, saccharine voice: “Is Chloe mad because of my prank? Maybe you should call her, have her come over, and I’ll apologize to her in person?” Then Julian’s impatient voice: “No need! If she wants to be mad, let her. I’m not her dad, I can’t keep coddling her!” “Oh, Julian, you really shouldn’t talk like that. Girls need to be pampered, you know. You’ll just make Chloe misunderstand and push her further away.” “I don’t have time to coddle her, let her do what she wants! She thinks too highly of herself. If it wasn’t for my grandpa forcing me, I wouldn’t have bothered with Chloe. She’s so clingy and always crying. I’ve been sick of her for years!” “That’s true, Chloe is such a crybaby, always bursting into tears over nothing. I’ve never seen such a dramatic girl.” This was Liam, Julian’s friend. “Exactly, she’s such a drama queen, always making a scene. Every time I mention breaking up, she just cries and apologizes, begging me to stay. It’s been exhausting for years! I wish she’d just leave me alone. Then I could finally get rid of her!” Liam laughed nearby: “Getting rid of Chloe? That’s impossible. She’s a stage-five clinger. I bet if you don’t go home tonight, she’ll come crying to you tomorrow, apologizing and begging for forgiveness.” “Come on, come on! Let’s make a bet, whoever loses buys dinner!” 2 Julian didn’t come home that night. And I didn’t bombard his phone with calls asking for his whereabouts like before. After my parents passed away, Mr. Hayes took me into his home, and Julian and I grew up together, attending the same schools. Julian always looked out for me. If I was ever bullied at school, he was the first to stand up for me. Julian and I were always in the same school from elementary to middle to high school. I moved into the Hayes’ home when I was eight, spending ten years, day in and day out, with Julian. He remembered my period cycle, and he’d brew me ginger-brown sugar tea when I had cramps. He’d even buy my tampons for me. We were inseparable, as if we were one person. Because of this, everyone always joked I was Julian’s future wife, practically raised for him, and Julian never denied it. It’s safe to say that after ten years of constant companionship, I had grown accustomed to Julian being an integral part of my life. I truly believed I couldn’t live without him. I had always dreamed of a future with Julian: we’d get into the same university, graduate together, get married, and have children. I always thought Julian and I would never have any real rifts between us. It was a shame our peaceful harmony changed with the arrival of Sera, the scholarship student sponsored by the Hayes family. Sera approached the Hayes family in her sophomore year of high school. Her mother was ill and needed a staggering million dollars for medical treatment. Sera pleaded with the Hayes family, kneeling before Mr. Hayes and kowtowing repeatedly, begging him to save her mother. A million dollars was nothing to the Hayes family, and Mr. Hayes was a very kind man. He agreed to help Sera, and her mother received the necessary treatment. Seeing Sera’s pitiful situation, her diligence, and her filial piety, Mr. Hayes even arranged for her to transfer to our school. He also provided a house for Sera and her mother to live in, rent-free. Julian and I both knew Sera’s story and felt immense sympathy for her. We would go together to visit her mother in the hospital. We would also help Sera with her studies. The three of us had been harmonious until that day. I went to deliver some chicken soup our housekeeper, Mrs. Davis, had made for Sera’s mother. At the hospital room door, I overheard Sera and her mother’s conversation. Sera’s mother, Vivian, asked Sera, “Has your relationship with Julian progressed?” “Yes, Julian really likes me. It’s just that Chloe is clinging to him like a leech, so it’ll take some time to separate them.” “Well, hurry it up then! The Hayes family is the richest in Northwood City. If you can snag their son, your chance to change your destiny will come. We’ll live in a big mansion, drive luxury cars, and never have to live this cheap, poor life again.” “Don’t worry, Mom, I’ll definitely get Julian!” I never expected to hear such words. Shocked and disbelieving, I made a small noise, and then Sera and her mother discovered me standing at the door. 3 Both their faces flashed with panic. A knot formed in my stomach. Knowing that Sera and her mother might be faking their pitiful situation to gain the Hayes family’s sympathy, I debated whether to tell Julian everything. But before I could even tell Julian, Sera beat me to it and gave me a chilling preview of her tactics. She arranged to meet me and tearfully explained that it was all her mother’s idea. Her mother was sick and thought she didn’t have much time left, so she just wanted to find a good match for Sera. It was her mother’s wishful thinking, and Sera was only reluctantly playing along to humor her. She even kowtowed to me, begging me not to tell Julian. I believed Sera and reached out to help her up. Instead, she grabbed my hand, and we both tumbled into the park lake. I knew how to swim and frantically climbed ashore, shouting for help. Sera, however, couldn’t swim and almost drowned. She’d inhaled too much water and spent several days in the hospital before waking up. When she woke up, Sera accused me of pushing her into the lake, claiming I tried to murder her. She also said I was jealous of Julian helping her and that’s why I attacked her. Of course, I denied Sera’s accusations. I told Julian that Sera had deliberately pulled me into the water. I thought Julian would believe me and take my side. But I was terribly mistaken. Julian frowned at me. “Chloe, just tell me how our relationship was at that moment, don’t lie to me!” “I’m not, everything I said is true, Sera deliberately pulled me in.” “Chloe, Sera can’t swim at all, and you can.” Julian thought since I could swim and Sera was a “land duck,” Sera wouldn’t possibly risk her life to frame me. “She knew I’d call for help! Julian, Sera and her mother are plotting to seduce you to live a better life…” I had no choice but to reveal Sera and her mother’s plan for him. Julian sighed, “Chloe, what can I say? Even if you like me, you can’t just frame other girls, can you? I really don’t like it when you do that!” Julian didn’t believe a single word of my explanation. He told me that just a few days ago, Sera had proactively approached him, saying I disliked her. And Sera’s mother, Vivian, not wanting to affect my relationship with Julian, had already approached Mr. Hayes, proposing they move out of the house the Hayes family provided. The mother and daughter had already rented a tiny, run-down apartment elsewhere. Mr. Hayes asked Vivian why she wanted to leave, and Vivian stammered, saying she didn’t want Sera’s presence to cause misunderstandings between Julian and me. Vivian’s words subtly implied that I was secretly bullying Sera because of Julian. Sera and Vivian voluntarily moving out seemed to prove their innocence. And my words at that moment, exposing Sera and Vivian’s plan, were seen by Julian as jealousy, an attempt to frame them and drive them away. Julian didn’t believe me. In the end, because of Sera’s self-orchestrated drama, he had Sera and Vivian move back into their original house from their dilapidated apartment. Julian said this was compensation to them for the harm I had caused Sera. I was utterly unable to defend myself, becoming seen as a cunning, heartless person in this whole affair. I never imagined I’d be manipulated by Sera and Vivian. I was indignant and desperately tried to prove myself, to show that Sera was two-faced. But Sera and her mother were too cunning. Not only did I fail to expose their ulterior motives, but I was also manipulated by them time and time again. 4 Sera was found bullied and locked in the restroom, and she claimed I was the mastermind. She had an upset stomach during an exam and accused me of giving her milk laced with laxatives. I, being naive, was no match for a calculating schemer like Sera. Her tactics were vicious and endless. No matter what I said, Julian wouldn’t believe me. Later, Sera deliberately stole and tore up my parents’ old photographs, provoking me into slapping her. She made sure Julian witnessed it, solidifying his belief that I had truly been bullying her. Julian’s disappointment in me reached its peak. He brought up breaking up time and time again because of Sera. And I, time and time again, swallowed my pride, begging to reconcile, hoping to find a flaw in Sera’s story. Sera’s game was just too strong; I truly couldn’t beat her. She found out about Julian and my university pact and even came up with the wicked idea of destroying my admission ticket. She followed Julian to his home, secretly entered my room, stole my admission ticket, and destroyed it. Fortunately, I discovered it in time and got a replacement, preventing a major catastrophe. Sera was despicable and shameless, using countless underhanded tactics against me in private, yet appearing the picture of innocence on the surface. She would cry on cue, bringing up her tragic background, her sickly mother who still struggled to live by picking up trash. I didn’t know if Julian genuinely liked her and had fallen for someone new, or if he just pitied her. All I knew was that Julian hurt me again and again for Sera, and I, in my desperation, humiliated myself time and time again to win him back. I genuinely couldn’t bear to let go of my relationship with Julian. I was also truly desperate to make Julian see the real face of that conniving, two-faced Sera. Unfortunately, my efforts never succeeded. Instead, I pushed Julian further and further away. Ten years of Julian’s care and affection—he had become an irreplaceable part of my life. Cutting him out would be agonizing. So, when Julian frowned at me and proposed breaking up because of Sera, I chose to retreat and apologize time and time again. But this time, hearing Julian’s impatient and indifferent tone in Sera’s voice messages from last night, I finally saw how pathetic and foolish I had been. It turned out Julian didn’t believe me not because Sera’s methods were brilliant, but because Julian had actually grown tired of me in his heart. He was standing against me all this time just to get rid of me. Fine, Julian, as you wish. I won’t grovel for reconciliation this time! And the university application you let Sera modify for me? I won’t change it back!

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