Author: Momo Chan

Five years into our marriage, I went to the hospital, complaining that the ‘Vitamin C’ Julian insisted I take was making me feel off. The doctor looked at the bottle, then at me. “This isn’t Vitamin C, young lady.” “Doctor, could you say that again?” “I could say it a hundred times, it wouldn’t change,” the doctor pointed to the bottle. “This is Mifepristone, Blair. Taking too much of it can not only cause irreversible sterility but also severe damage to your health.” My throat tightened, a leaden weight settling there. My hand, clutching the bottle, went white. “That’s impossible. Julian, my husband, prepared this for me. He’s Dr. Davies here at this hospital.” The doctor looked up at me, his eyes holding a strange, unreadable expression. Finally, he gave a small, almost pitying smile. “Honey, maybe you should see a psychiatrist. We all know Dr. Davies’ wife. She just had their baby two months ago. You’re young, don’t get carried away with silly notions. There’s no hope for that.” He pulled out his phone and showed me a group photo. In the picture, Julian, in his white coat, was holding a baby. Standing next to him, smiling broadly, was Serena. Serena. The ‘foster sister’ he always mentioned. A sudden *buzz* filled my head. My mind went utterly blank. But the doctor had just called her Julian’s wife, and that was their baby. My breathing grew heavy. I stumbled towards the elevator, needing to reach the fifteenth floor, needing to find Julian and demand answers. The elevator doors had just closed when two familiar voices drifted through. I must have been bundled up too much today, my hat pulled low, because the people in front of me didn’t recognize me. They spoke freely, without any caution. “Julian, aren’t you worried Blair will find out? Why did you even bother begging her to come back? If you’d just married Serena earlier, you wouldn’t have to sneak around to see your kid like this.” It was Cody’s voice. Julian’s voice was cold. “She won’t find out. Cody, watch your mouth. You know what to say and what not to say around Blair.” “I really don’t get you,” Cody scoffed. “Serena was practically raised to be your wife, living in your home since she was five. You were so good to her back then, and then Blair came along and stole you away.” “You sent Serena away for Blair, then went to such lengths to bring her back. Who do you even love?” Julian was silent for a long moment before he spoke. “I love Blair, but I can’t let go of Serena either. The thought of how hard those years abroad were for her… it just messes with my head.” “Blair has the title of my wife. Let Serena have the child. At least it will give her something to lean on.” Cody sighed, then asked, “But what if you and Blair have a child? Will you be able to treat them both equally? Serena is my cousin, after all.” *Ding!* The elevator chimed as it reached a floor. The doors opened, and Julian’s words cut through the air, “That won’t happen.” Cody froze, not sure if he meant they wouldn’t have a child or he wouldn’t show favoritism. He walked out, looking utterly confused. But I understood. He meant *we* wouldn’t have a child. Because he’d already prepared the sterility drug for me, eliminating any “threat” to his child bride. The elevator was packed and stifling, but I felt like I’d plunged into an ice bath, every inch of me freezing. It wasn’t until the elevator reached the first floor again that I gasped for air like a drowning person, coughing violently. My phone vibrated in my pocket. The screen lit up—it was a screenshot of a flight ticket from Julian: [Blair, see you at the track tomorrow. Remember to wear the good luck charm I got you.] Looking at that message, my tumultuous emotions broke like a dam. Tears streamed down my face. Doctors were busy people, but for every single one of my races since we got married, even if it meant a red-eye flight, Julian would always be there, waiting for me at the finish line. He would book a restaurant in advance, buy flowers, and welcome me back victorious. Every single year. I remembered his friends teasing him, saying I was the ‘love of his life,’ the one he practically gave half his soul to get back. To get me back to the country, he’d fought with international clubs for me, sometimes putting himself in dangerous situations. To keep me, he’d invested heavily, hiring a top coaching team and opening a racing club just for me. After we got married, he spoiled me rotten. I once mumbled in my sleep about missing my mother, and he moved mountains in the middle of the night, using all his connections, finding my mother’s keepsakes before dawn. But this same Julian had secretly built another family behind my back. It all clicked. No wonder Serena knew every corner of Julian’s family home better than I did. No wonder someone who’d lived abroad for years could rattle off all his friends’ nicknames. No wonder a “foster sister” could make him cancel six months of surgeries to accompany her to the race track. There was no “foster sister.” She was the girl he’d been practically betrothed to since childhood. Just moments ago, I’d been thinking that if Serena dared to interfere, I wouldn’t tolerate it. Now I understood. I was the interloper. I was the one who needed to leave. A bone-chilling cold crept up from my feet, numbing my limbs. I used to think people broke down with screams and tears, but now I knew. True breakdown was silent. Only the relentless tears and the heart sunk to the abyss told me I was dying inside. That heart felt like it was being squeezed by a giant hand, trying to wring out every last drop of blood from me. My phone vibrated again. It was a family photo from Serena, with a caption: [Sister Blair, stop holding onto a position that doesn’t belong to you. I thought you’d be more self-aware, but I guess you’re just thick-skinned. Julian says the baby looks like him. What do you think?] I only glanced at it before closing the app. She wanted it? She could have it. But I knew Julian too well. When he set his mind on something, even if he didn’t want it anymore, he wouldn’t easily let go. My finger hovered over the dial pad for a long time before finally pressing that number I had almost forgotten. The moment the call connected, I heard my own voice trembling. “Rhys, that bet we made… is it still on?” There was a pause on the other end. Then Rhys’s deep voice came through: “Two weeks from now, the Davies family is moving. I’ll come pick you up.” I froze for half a second, then laughed. I hadn’t said anything yet, but he already knew I wanted to leave. And he was right. “Okay.” With Rhys’s influence, two weeks from now, Julian could turn the whole city upside down, and he still wouldn’t find me. That night, late into the evening, I didn’t reply to any of Julian’s messages. Julian genuinely panicked. He left work early, caught the soonest flight, and burst through the front door, only to stop short. The anxious look in his eyes instantly softened. In the warm yellow glow of the living room, I was sitting on the couch, watching TV. “Blair? You’re back?” He rushed over. “I sent so many messages…” He didn’t finish his sentence, pulling me into a tight embrace, resting his chin on my head and nuzzling me. “Thank goodness you’re okay. I was so scared… Blair, I can’t live without you.” The love in his eyes was real. I knew he truly loved me. But I also knew his love wasn’t exclusively mine. A lump welled up in my throat. I squeezed my palm hard to suppress it. For a moment, I almost spilled everything. But then I extinguished the thought. If I told him, I’d truly be trapped. I gently pulled out of his embrace, trying to keep my voice steady. “The race was postponed. My phone was off, I didn’t see your messages.” Julian didn’t catch the tremor beneath my calm. He smiled, lifted a hand, and playfully tapped my nose. “It’s fine if you didn’t see them. Why the tears? I wouldn’t blame you.” “Hungry?” He rattled his car keys. His crisp shirt and trousers made him look tall and elegant, his jacket casually draped over his arm. “I booked that hot pot place you’ve been talking about. Let’s go, princess. I’ll treat you to all you can eat.” He held out his hand to me, palm up. My gaze fell on that hand, and for a moment, I was lost in thought. That afternoon, when I was eighteen, a boy on the basketball court held out his hand to me the same way. His white T-shirt was drenched in sweat, a basketball tucked under his arm, his smile more carefree than Julian’s was now. “Let’s go, princess! I’ll treat you to all you can eat today!” Back then, his heart held only me. I didn’t want to neglect my hunger, so I followed him into the hot pot restaurant. He was still the same. Julian, who never waited on anyone, now expertly rolled up his sleeves, meticulously picked out food for me. The first bite, perfectly cooked, was always for me. My bowl was piled high like a small mountain when my phone suddenly rang, jolting me back to reality. If not for that persistent ringing, I might have drowned once more in his seemingly endless affection. “Go ahead and answer it.” I lowered my gaze, stirring the sesame paste in my bowl. Julian glanced at his phone, gave me a reassuring look, and got up to take the call outside. When he returned, his eyes were filled with urgency and apology. “Blair, the hospital has an emergency surgery. I need to go quickly. I’m so sorry I can’t finish dinner with you. Tomorrow, I’ll request leave and spend the whole day with you.” I had already seen the caller ID, but I didn’t expose his lie. I just nodded. “Okay, you go.” With my permission, Julian didn’t linger. He turned and left the restaurant. Looking at the empty seat across from me, my heart felt like it was being pricked by needles, a constant ache. I had just composed myself and reached for my forks when a video call from Serena popped up. I hung up, but she called again, and again. After more than a dozen times, I finally answered. Serena’s voice was filled with her usual faux innocence. “Sister Blair, are you eating hot pot? I knew it! Julian came home today smelling of hot pot.” She emphasized the word “home,” and I heard the blatant provocation in her tone. My face went cold. “Serena, you’re being childish.” “Have you forgotten who the legal wife is? What do you think would happen if I sent our chat history to Julian right now? Who do you think he’d choose, you or me?” Serena’s eyes flickered but quickly regained their smile. “Go on, then. Send it. And don’t hang up. Let’s see who’s really childish.” I couldn’t explain why, but I actually didn’t hang up. Soon after, the background in the video shifted, and Julian’s figure appeared in the frame. Serena immediately turned, leaning softly into his arms, perfectly blocking his view of the screen. “Julian, are you still mad at me for running off with someone else back then? If I hadn’t left, would you never have found Sister Blair? Would you have married me instead?” Julian frowned. “Why are there so many ‘if only’s?” “I was just asking…” Serena’s eyes welled up, her voice even softer. “No other meaning…” After a few seconds of silence, I saw Julian open his mouth. His voice was hoarse. “Yes.” That single “Yes” emptied my heart instantly. So, even back then, his heart hadn’t been solely mine. I suddenly remembered our wedding day. Julian held my hand, facing a room full of guests, swearing an oath by his most beloved grandmother: “I, Julian Davies, will love only Blair Davies, now and forever. My body, my fortune, my life—they all belong to her.” “She can be capricious, she can make mistakes, she can even stop loving me, or fall in love with someone else, as long as she doesn’t leave me.” I had cried buckets then, believing I held the truest love in the world. Now I understood. That vow had been a lie from the very beginning. I was never his only one. Not then, not now, and certainly not in the future. I was merely a tool in his fit of pique with Serena, and after spending so much time together, he’d developed *some* feelings, reluctant to discard me. Thinking this, I forced a grotesque smile. As I smiled, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I thought I’d had at least one moment, one taste of that fervent love, but I hadn’t. From beginning to end, I was just a thief, stealing someone else’s place. I lowered my head, clutching the front of my shirt, desperate to catch my breath. But the lump in my throat wouldn’t go down. I could only let the tears fall, one by one, splashing onto the table. Julian didn’t come home that night. But I received a real-time photo of him sleeping, sent by Serena. I stared at his face for a long time, until dawn. My heart felt dead, utterly calm. I picked up my phone and called my lawyer friend, Harper. “Harper, can you draft a divorce agreement for me?” When I woke up, the house was still empty. There was a message from Julian on my phone: [Honey, the hospital was crazy busy today. My day off is canceled. Don’t be mad. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow, no matter how busy I am. I got you a gift. Wait for me.] Below his message was a photo Serena had sent an hour ago. They were together by a hot spring, smiling, their faces an infuriating blur. I gripped my phone, my fingertips burning. I almost called him to ask if he was busy with surgery or busy with his child bride. But remembering my plan, I swallowed my anger and replied, “Okay.” It was better he didn’t come back. It gave me a chance to pack. All the clothes Julian had given me, I packed up, ready to donate. The framed photos on the wall, I took down and shredded. The hundred little wish cards I had written for him, I pulled out and burned to ash on the balcony. I didn’t dare get rid of too much, fearing Julian would notice something was off when he returned. The next day, Julian finally came home. The moment he saw me, he immediately put down the cake he was holding and opened his arms, walking towards me. “I’m so tired, Blair. I need a hug to recharge.” I subtly took a step back, and his embrace landed on empty air. Julian raised an eyebrow. “Still mad? Don’t be. Let me show you the surprise I prepared for you.” Without waiting for me to speak, he took my hand and led me to the car. The car drove all the way to the training track. I was curious, but then he pulled me out of the car. “Do you like it?” Julian gestured to the car in front of us. It was a custom-built race car, its body covered in shimmering pink rhinestones that dazzled the eye. A flicker of surprise crossed my face. The club’s coaches stood nearby, their voices full of envy. “I heard the modifications on this car cost almost a million dollars. He really went all out.” “Expensive? You don’t know the half of it. Our boss painstakingly put every single one of those rhinestones on himself. He almost got corneal inflammation from it.” “Blair, you have to try it! When you’re done, let us take it for a spin. The boss really spoils his wife.” Listening to their words, my initial surprise slowly faded, my eyes stinging. I forced a bitter, self-deprecating smile. Everyone said he spoiled his wife, but who knew who his “wife” truly was in his heart? His love was indeed as passionate as a summer’s day, but that passion never shone on me alone. The emotions I’d suppressed for days finally found an outlet. I slid into the driver’s seat, floored the accelerator, and the race car shot forward like an arrow. I raced around the track, channeling all my grievances, anger, and resentment into the roar of the engine. Julian stood by the track, hands in his pockets, a smile playing on his lips, his eyes fixed on me without blinking. On the fortieth lap, I saw Julian form a heart with his hands for me. Distracted, I lost my grip on the steering wheel, and the race car *thudded* against the track barrier. A sharp pain shot through my toes. Before I could fully react, Julian rushed over, pulled open the door, and scooped me into his arms, carrying me into the lounge. “Does it hurt?” He frowned, carefully lifting my foot. He dipped a cotton swab in iodine and dabbed at the wound. “This is all my fault, for letting you drive for so long.” His touch was as gentle as if he feared I would shatter like glass, and the tenderness in his eyes was thick and undeniable. But all I felt was a chilling cold. Love truly could be acted out so perfectly. My mind wandered as I reached out to touch his hair. Julian, seizing the opportunity, caught my wrist and leaned in to kiss me. “*Bang!*” The lounge door was violently flung open. Julian didn’t even look up. He casually grabbed a water bottle from the table and threw it at the door. “Get out!” I turned my head to look. Standing at the door was Serena. Julian finally saw her, and his expression shifted slightly. “Serena? What are you doing here?” Serena clutched her red forehead, biting her lip and lowering her eyes. Her clothes were splattered with mud, making her look particularly disheveled. “I lost control of the brakes during practice and crashed… I came to get the first aid kit.” Julian was silent for a few seconds, ignoring her. He picked up a bandage and gently applied it to my toe. “Sit here, don’t move. Don’t walk around with that foot injury.” He reached up, brushed a stray strand of hair from my ear, and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I’ll go check on her injury. I’ll be back in a few minutes, right by the door. Call me if you need anything.” He picked up the first aid kit and went out. The lounge suddenly fell silent, so quiet I could hear the wind outside the window. A few minutes passed. I slowly pushed open the door. The doorway was empty. There was no “right by the door.” That flicker of disappointment only lasted a moment before I suppressed it. I should have guessed, shouldn’t I? Leaning against the wall, I limped towards the race car. I really loved that car. The sky was getting dark, threatening rain, and I wanted to put it in the garage. But as I reached the car, I suddenly stopped. The car was gently swaying, accompanied by faint voices leaking from the slightly open window… Two overlapping shadows were cast on the car window, leaving just a finger-width gap. Julian had Serena pressed against the driver’s seat, his fingertips caressing her forehead. “Did that hurt when I threw the bottle?” Serena tilted her head back and pressed her lips to his, her eyes brimming with a fawning smile. “No, it didn’t. I shouldn’t have interrupted you and Sister Blair. I deserved it.” Julian frowned, biting her cheek, not too hard, not too soft. “Stop with that nonsense. You and she are both my treasures.” He squeezed her waist, a hint of roguishness in his voice. “Still got that sassy mouth, huh? Looks like I didn’t hit you hard enough.” Before the words fully left his lips, he used one hand to clamp her waist and the other to cup her jaw, kissing her fiercely. Serena struggled twice, then pushed him away, a hint of bitterness in her voice. “This is the car you gave her. I don’t want to do this here…” “Besides, Sister Blair is still waiting for you in the lounge. You said you’d be back in a few minutes.” Julian pinned her wrist above her head with one hand, while the other slid down her waist. His voice was hoarse and deep. “Still thinking about someone else right now? A few minutes is all I need for you.” Soon after, Serena’s breathing grew shallow and fragmented. She clung to his shoulder. Those intimate sounds drifted out on the wind. I was rooted to the spot, my blood freezing in my veins. My legs went weak, and I almost collapsed. A hole seemed to be brutally gouged out of my chest, the pain so intense that my vision blurred. I suddenly remembered the day the club opened. Julian had waited for my praise like a child asking for candy, but I was too overwhelmed, too busy crying to speak. He simply picked me up and carried me to the back seat of the race car. His breath was hot as he tugged at my clothes. I was equally aroused, but I still gritted my teeth and pushed him away. “Julian, racing is my ultimate dream. I want it to always be pure.” Julian froze then. I thought he would be angry, but he suddenly straightened our clothes, sat up, and held up three fingers, his eyes shining with an astonishing brilliance. “I swear, from now on, this will be my dream too. Forever and ever, I will hold racing in reverence, and I will *never* do anything in this car…” He whispered the last two words into my ear, making my face burn. Because of that promise, I had committed my life to him. But now, he was with another woman in *my* race car, desecrating the thing I held most precious. The pain made it impossible for me to stand. The car key in my hand clattered to the ground. I snapped back to reality, wanting to run, but realizing the people inside the car hadn’t even noticed the commotion outside. I forced a smile, one uglier than a cry, and bit down hard on my knuckles, stifling my sobs in my throat. It was then that the rain started. The window’s narrow gap *clicked* shut. I took one last look at the gently swaying car, bent down, picked up the key, and threw it into the nearby storm drain.

“Dad, didn’t you once mention that my childhood fiancé, the one our families arranged for me years ago, was looking for me? Tell him I’m getting married on the first of next month. I need a groom. Ask him if he’s interested.” The other end of the line went silent. “Aren’t you still insisting on marrying Liam Hayes and getting ready for the wedding? What happened? Did he hurt you?” “Dad, just ask him!” “Alright, if you’ve made up your mind, that’s all that matters. Your happiness is all I care about.” My eyes welled up as I replied, “I will be happy!” Yes, I had once loved Liam Hayes with an intense passion, convinced he was my soulmate, my destiny. Our wedding date was set, and my heart was bursting with joy, waiting to become his bride. But just a moment ago, I received the shock of my life. An hour earlier. I stood in front of the mirror, wearing a pristine white wedding dress. The gown clung to my curves, making me feel more beautiful than ever. “Ms. Adams, Mr. Hayes had this dress custom-made for you. It’s absolutely stunning! You two are truly meant to be.” Despite the sales assistant’s compliments, I couldn’t even manage a smile. My eyes scanned the room until I finally spotted Liam, my soon-to-be husband, in a secluded corner by the window. He was on the phone with someone, his face alight with an adoring smile. The sales assistant, holding a phone, blocked my view. “Ms. Adams, you have a call.” It was from the wedding planning company I’d hired. “Ms. Adams… Mr. Hayes’s team said there was a mistake with the bride’s name and that it needs to be changed to Valerie Sterling. Are you aware of this?” An indescribable wave of grief crashed over me, and tears threatened to spill. I already suspected Liam’s betrayal, but I had underestimated his sheer audacity. A month ago, when Valerie Sterling, his ex-girlfriend from five years ago, made a grand return from abroad, I had a bad feeling. And just yesterday, chasing after Liam to give him a tie, I followed him to a private club. There, I witnessed him on one knee, proposing to Valerie. Someone asked, “Liam, aren’t you marrying Sera soon? What about her, with you and Valerie like this?” Liam answered, utterly unconcerned, “Valerie’s sick, and this is her last wish. As for Sera? As long as you guys keep your mouths shut, she’ll never find out. Even if she does, she loves me too much. She’ll get it. She won’t leave.” Valerie snuggled into Liam’s arms, nodding in agreement. “I’m so sorry to put you in this position, Liam, but I don’t have much time left. This is my last wish. I’m sure the kind Ms. Adams will understand.” The two kissed passionately amidst cheers from their friends. I scrambled away from the doorway, my heart in pieces. “Hello? Ms. Adams? Are you still there? Should we still change the name?” The old Sera would have been devastated, couldn’t have imagined a life without him. But that Sera? She’s dead and gone. “Change it. And while you’re at it, book the hall next door for me too. I’ll PayPal you the deposit in a bit. Just copy everything exactly.” “Oh, and make sure to change the groom’s name for this new booking. I’ll send you the name later.” The person on the other end paused. “So, the wedding date is still the same?” “Still the same.” I took a deep breath and hung up. Just then, Liam walked over, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. “Sera, you look absolutely stunning today.” “Do I?” I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Yes, I was beautiful. But why was the man I’d loved for years, the one I was supposed to marry, abandoning me to marry another woman? “Absolutely beautiful. You’re the most gorgeous woman in the world.” Liam hesitated, then mumbled, “There’s something I need to discuss with you. I have something important on the first of next month. Could we… postpone our wedding?” “Something important?” I scoffed internally. His “something important” was marrying another woman! Not only that, he planned to use the venue I’d chosen, the date I’d picked, and keep me completely in the dark! “Fine. Postpone it.” My answer clearly surprised Liam, and a flicker of unease crossed his face. “I love you, Sera. I promise I’ll marry you. Just wait for me. I swear I’ll love you forever.” “Uh… something just came up at the company. I’ll see you at home.” Watching him rush off, I found his vows utterly laughable. He truly believed I loved him so much that I had no boundaries. That even if I knew he was marrying someone else, I wouldn’t leave him. But this time, he was wrong. I wouldn’t just leave. I would marry on the exact same day. Chapter 2 Back home, I started packing my belongings. I was halfway through when Liam returned. “Sera, I came straight home as soon as I finished up at the office. Miss me?” He pulled out a large bouquet of crimson roses and handed them to me. “I bought these just for you. I’m so sorry I couldn’t stay with you at the bridal shop. Forgive me, my love?” I nearly laughed out loud, seeing the roses already wilting slightly from lack of water. These were clearly the same flowers he’d grabbed from his proposal to Valerie. In his eyes, was I only good enough for his discarded proposal props? “What are you laughing at?” Seeing my smile, Liam looked a little flustered. “Nothing.” I took the bouquet, my gaze flickering, landing on a bright red lipstick stain on his collar. It was so stark, so obvious. I raised a hand and pointed to his collar. “Your shirt’s dirty.” Liam looked down, saw the mark Valerie had left when she kissed him, and his heart clenched. He stammered an explanation. “Oh, it… it must have gotten smudged somehow.” “Hmm.” I didn’t call him out. “Take it off. I’ll wash it for you.” “No, we have housekeepers. I couldn’t ask you to do it yourself.” “The housekeepers just throw things in the wash. I’ll do it properly.” Liam, thinking he’d dodged a bullet, quickly kissed me. “Sera, you’re the best.” I took the shirt, a bitter smile playing on my lips as I looked at the stain. The best? More like the easiest to trick. Perhaps I washed it with too much force, but his shirt ended up ripped. Liam didn’t seem to care. He just hugged me gently and said, “It’s fine, if it’s torn, just toss it. You can just buy me a new one.” He changed his shirt, but the scent of her perfume still lingered. I quirked my lips. “Aren’t some things better when they’re old?” “That’s true.” Liam nodded. “This shirt was really comfortable. Too bad you ruined it, or I could have worn it a few more times. You know, I’m a very loyal person.” He was a very loyal person, alright. So loyal that he still loved the girl he liked five years ago, even after she disappeared for five years and then came back. What about me? What did our five years together mean? Growing up, I never lacked admirers. After college, I applied for a job at Liam’s company. The moment I saw him, my heart was lost. But my pride kept me from making the first move. Somehow, Liam later fell for me and started pursuing me relentlessly. At first, I played hard to get, but then one day, there was a fire at the company. The fire alarm blared, sending everyone scrambling, but I was frozen stiff, paralyzed with fear. It was Liam who turned back, scooped me up, and carried me out of the burning building. In that moment, I knew. I wanted to be with him forever. Five years. Five long years. I’d never forgotten the day we got together. Liam swore to the heavens, “Sera, I promise you, I’ll only ever love you in this life.” Seeing Liam’s earnest face, I cried and said, “Liam Hayes, remember what you said today. If you ever betray me, I’ll marry another man and make you regret it bitterly!” Those vows still echoed in my ears, but his heart had already changed. No, perhaps his heart was never truly mine from the start. A sharp ache rose in my nose. I clutched the torn shirt, and tears I couldn’t hold back slipped down my cheeks. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Seeing my tears, Liam panicked, quickly pulling out tissues to wipe them away. “I’m fine.” Liam was the one who betrayed me first. So I would keep my promise. I would marry another man! Chapter 3 After finally calming me down, Liam, as usual, leaned in to kiss me, but I pushed him away. He awkwardly cleared his throat, released me, and held out his hand for a gift. “Hey, what about that gift you promised me?” I told him to wait, went back to my room, and retrieved the wedding invitations Liam and I had picked out together. I grabbed a pen, crossed out the groom’s name, and wrote my name and Ryder Blackwood’s on it. Then, I put the invitation back in the box. Downstairs, I handed him the box. “What’s this?” Liam was curious and reached to open it, but I stopped him. “Open it on the first of next month.” At that date, Liam’s hand trembled. Wasn’t that the day he was supposed to marry Valerie? “Why?” “Because the first of next month was supposed to be our wedding day, right? A perfect day.” I smiled, taping the box shut. “Now that the wedding’s postponed, I’m giving you a big gift. You’ll be surprised.” “Great, I love surprises.” He playfully poked my nose and pulled me into a hug. “Sera, I’m so happy today.” Happy? The light in my eyes faded, just like those wilting roses he’d given me, silently dying. But Liam didn’t notice. What was he happy about? Probably that he successfully proposed to another woman, assuming I was none the wiser. That evening, Liam went to take a shower. I was sitting on the sofa, scrolling through my phone, when I accidentally saw a post on Ins from one of Liam’s friends. It was a video of Liam’s proposal to Valerie. The caption read: “The love we always envied has finally found its happily ever after. Let’s celebrate tonight at our usual spot.” I froze, about to tap on it, when a comment popped up below. [You actually posted this? Did you block Sera Adams?] The friend replied: [Do you think I’m stupid? Of course, I blocked her.] I looked at the comment, a mocking smile twisting my lips. When Liam and I first started dating, he introduced me to all his best friends. They called me “Liam’s girl” and treated me like family. They’d said, “Hey, Sera, if Liam ever messes with you, just tell me. I’ll beat him up!” “Yeah, Sera, don’t worry, we’ll keep an eye on him. He won’t be fooling around. If he ever finds another woman, we’ll be the first to tell you.” But now? They were all conspiring to help Liam keep the fact that he was marrying someone else a secret! In less than a second, the Ins post was deleted. Soon after, Liam emerged from the bathroom. “Sera, you—” He’d just washed his hair and hadn’t even dried it, rushing out in a panic. “What’s wrong?” I looked up at him, expressionless, as if I hadn’t seen anything. Seeing my lack of reaction, Liam visibly relaxed. “Nothing, just letting you know I’m done.” “Mm.” I got up. Just as I reached the door, I heard Liam on the phone with his friend. “Are you crazy? Delete that post right now! What if Sera sees it? I told you, she absolutely cannot know about this. Are you trying to get yourselves killed?” “Alright, alright, it’s deleted. Sera definitely didn’t see it. Anyway, you’re not coming to your own celebration? Valerie’s already here.” Chapter 4 Liam was still hesitating when I suddenly walked back in. “Who are you on the phone with?” “Oh, just Leo and the guys. They’re calling me out for a few drinks.” “Really? I haven’t seen them in ages. I’ll come along. I could use a drink too.” I wanted to see just how good their secret-keeping would be if I showed up. Liam tried every excuse to stop me, but nothing worked. He just anxiously fiddled with his phone, sending urgent messages to his friends. When we arrived at the bar’s private room, I immediately noticed Liam’s friends. All four men were sitting stiffly, politely sipping their drinks, not even having ordered any escorts. Seeing me, they all stood up in unison. “Evening, Sera! Don’t worry, tonight it’s just us guys. No one else.” I raised an eyebrow. “Meaning, I, a woman, shouldn’t be here?” They all froze, and Liam quickly squeezed my hand. “That’s not what they mean. They just don’t want you to be bored.” “I didn’t mean anything by it either. I just haven’t seen you guys in a while, and I wanted to grab a drink. Since it’s a guys’ night, I’ll just have one and head out.” With that, I picked up a glass from the table, drained it, and, pretending not to notice the fleeting smiles on their faces, turned to leave. Liam feigned reluctance and pulled me into a hug, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Alright, I’ll be home early. If you’re tired, just go to sleep. Don’t wait up for me.” I walked downstairs. I stood in a hidden spot around the corner for a moment, and sure enough, Valerie appeared. She strutted in on high heels, hips swaying, and quickly entered the private room. I stood by the door, able to clearly see everything inside. Valerie immediately settled herself onto Liam’s lap. “Seriously, why did you bring *her*? It meant I had to hide. You owe me that bag you showed me today as an apology.” Liam wrapped an arm around her, laughing. “I’ll buy you two.” Valerie giggled, hugging his strong waist and kissing him on the lips. “Ooh-la-la! You two are going to make us all so jealous! Valerie, you’re making us single guys green with envy!” “Oh, shut up, you guys! What’s there to be jealous of? Don’t you all have a few women around? Call them all! Let’s party!” Soon, they called over more women. Some were escorts, some played drinking games. A lively game of Truth or Dare began. And just my luck, Liam was the first one to get a penalty. A friend teased, “Liam, seriously, between Valerie and Sera, who do you like more?” Hearing the question, Valerie didn’t seem angry. Instead, she looked at him with a wide smile. “Be honest, now. Don’t just say it because I’m sick.” “Sera Adams.” Valerie’s face stiffened. “I’m right here!” Liam shrugged, completely unbothered. “I liked you too, but that was in the past. You were so resolute back then. Marrying you now is just to fulfill your wish because you’re sick. But Sera is the one I’ll spend the rest of my life with. We already agreed on all of this.” “Next time, don’t let this happen. Keep it quiet from Sera.” Sera is observant. If she knew he was messing around with another woman, she’d probably break up with him. But he couldn’t just ignore Valerie. She came back from abroad with a serious illness, and her last wish was to marry him. She was, after all, a woman he had deeply loved once. How could he possibly refuse her? As long as he kept it from Sera, once Valerie passed away, he would still marry Sera and take care of her for the rest of his life. That way, neither of them would get hurt. How perfect. Valerie buried her face in his chest, gritting her teeth, pretending to be nonchalant. “I don’t mind. I was the one who left you first. I’m just happy you’re spending this time with me.” “I love Liam, and I don’t want to hurt his girlfriend, so everyone, please keep this a secret for Liam!” I stood outside the door, utterly stunned, all the color drained from my face. Their words were like sharp blades, cutting into my heart, one after another. My insides felt like they were bleeding, twisted into raw knots of pain. Hearing Liam’s choice, I felt nothing but disgust. I wanted to vomit. I truly hadn’t realized that the man I’d loved for five whole years was rotten to the core! I leaned against the wall, trembling uncontrollably, the pain intense. All the strength drained from my body, and I slowly sank to the floor. It took a long time to recover. I slowly stood up, my eyes vacant, and started walking downstairs. After only a few steps, I couldn’t hold on any longer, passed out, and tumbled down the stairs. Chapter 5 “Help! Someone fell down the stairs!” Voices echoed in my ears, and then, a crowd gathered. Before my eyes closed completely, I saw Liam and his friends. They were leaving the bar, one by one. They glanced indifferently at the commotion and walked away.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298530”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

Everyone in the Special Enforcement Department knew Liam Carter, the most skilled crisis negotiator, could dismantle anyone’s psychological defenses in life-or-death situations. But he was utterly helpless against Anya Vance’s tears. Everyone said he loved Anya Vance to his very core, that he’d give her the stars and the moon. Yet, only Anya Vance knew Liam Carter’s heart belonged to another—the woman he’d always carried a torch for. The day his first love returned to the country, Anya received news of his accident on a stormy night. Rushing out, she suffered a car crash, which led to the miscarriage of her four-month-old child. Liam Carter, fresh from his first love’s welcome party, rushed to her side, his voice trembling: “It was just a drunken fling, how could you take it seriously?” Her body and heart ached, and then she heard his forced calm voice: “Maybe it’s for the best we don’t have a child now… my job creates too many enemies. A child would only make us vulnerable to threats.” Anya’s heart was ripped to shreds, but she couldn’t argue. Ten days after his first love returned, Anya walked in on them in a room together, their gestures intimately close. Liam Carter gripped her hand, his eyes bloodshot as he promised: “Anya, you have to believe me. We’re just colleagues, discussing a case.” She didn’t make a scene. She simply turned and calmly walked away. Sixty days after his first love returned, a kidnapper held a knife to Anya’s throat, grinning maniacally at Liam Carter. “Negotiator Carter, you can only choose one: your wife or your lover!” Liam Carter’s gaze was filled with sorrow, but he spoke each word with chilling clarity: “Seraphina Thorne is a highly skilled professional, a returning scholar. The Department needs her.” Just like that, Anya Vance watched, helpless, as Seraphina Thorne threw herself into Liam Carter’s arms. The deranged kidnapper then stabbed Anya six times. She fell into a coma for two months. The first thing she did upon waking was to take her marriage certificate to the department, applying for a divorce. But she didn’t get the divorce papers; instead, she got a confused look from the clerk. “Ms. Vance, you and Mr. Carter… you were never married. Is this marriage certificate fake?” Anya Vance suspected she’d misheard. Her marriage certificate, cherished for six years—the marriage she’d believed was perfect—was a lie? “That’s impossible, please check again. We’ve been married for six years…” The clerk’s eyes held a complex expression. He checked the system anyway, confirming it repeatedly before he gravely told Anya Vance, “Ma’am, falsifying official documents is a crime. I’ll consider this a joke today.” Anya Vance’s mind went blank. She stared at the photo on the certificate, the two of them leaning together, smiling. It felt utterly absurd! Connecting this with Seraphina’s return, suddenly everything made chilling sense. Liam Carter had lied about their marriage, all to bide his time and cover his tracks, waiting for his first love. She had just returned to the hospital when Liam Carter, a look of worry on his face, walked towards her. “Anya, you’re not fully recovered, why are you running around?” Anya Vance brushed his hand away and walked straight past him. Liam Carter’s gaze froze. “Are you still mad at me? But you know, the moment I chose this profession, the interests of the country and its people came before everything else… Besides, Seraphina even got hurt trying to save you.” Anya Vance looked at the man she’d called her husband. Six years, day in and day out, and he felt like a complete stranger. Of course, she had never truly seen him before. “Yes, she got hurt. She’s a hero. And me? I’m just the ungrateful wretch who can’t appreciate a sacrifice.” Anya Vance tightened her grip on the marriage certificate in her pocket, her eyes stinging. Liam Carter, what was I to you then? Just a placeholder, a way to pass the time while you waited for Seraphina to come back? Anya Vance sidestepped him and returned to her room. She drifted into an exhausted sleep, waking up in the afternoon. Soon after, an officer from Liam Carter’s team brought her a meal. But the officer didn’t leave after placing the tray down. He stammered for a moment, then gritted his teeth: “Anya, you shouldn’t be angry with Liam. You just have a bias against us officers!” Anya Vance didn’t have time to speak before the officer grew agitated. “Even though Ms. Thorne made a major mistake during the rescue operation for your mother, we’re not infallible. We put our lives on the line, but we can’t guarantee 100% safety for hostages!” “You can’t hate her because of that. That’s prejudice! Besides, Ms. Thorne was severely disciplined and reassigned to an overseas post after that. She learned her lesson. She only returned after earning a major commendation.” In that instant, Anya Vance’s mind went blank. Six years ago, during a bank robbery, her mother was taken hostage. During negotiations with the kidnapper, a young female negotiator, letting her emotions get the better of her, enraged the kidnapper, which led to the hostage being killed… Later, Anya Vance heard that the negotiator had been punished, and her family received state compensation. It was after that incident that Liam Carter walked into her life. So… that negotiator was Seraphina Thorne! So, Liam Carter had been there to atone for someone else’s mistake. Anya Vance couldn’t hear anything else, not even when the officer left. She didn’t know how long she sat there in a daze, until she slowly dialed a number. When the other person picked up, she heard her own overly calm voice: “Anya Vance accepts the department’s transfer order. Ready for deployment at any time.” 2. The pungent smell of hospital disinfectant was unbearable for Anya Vance. She ignored the doctor’s advice and checked herself out early. Her phone vibrated wildly. She glanced at it; it was Liam Carter. She had no intention of answering, so she ignored the call and blocked his number. Back home, she searched through the entire house. The engagement ring they’d once exchanged lay in a velvet box. A custom-made music box featured a tiny couple in a suit and wedding gown. A thick diary held every word of their conversations during their courtship, and then there were the wedding photos on the wall… Anya Vance stared at them for a while, then swept them one by one into a box, and finally, tossed the whole box into the trash. It felt as if some old, deep-seated wound had finally been completely stripped away from her. She looked at the intimate photos on her phone, remembering the profound happiness in each one. One showed them in the kitchen, their faces dusted with flour. Another captured them kissing at the highest point of a Ferris wheel. Anya Vance scrolled through them, deleting each one, every swipe feeling like a knife twisting in her heart, repeatedly reminding her how beautiful, and how utterly fake, it had all been. The front door opened with a creak, and the next moment, Liam Carter strode in. His face was grim. The moment he saw Anya Vance, he seemed to let out a sigh of relief. “Anya, why didn’t you answer your phone?” His voice held a hint of menace. “I called you fifty-four times.” Anya Vance paused. She hadn’t answered because he was already blocked; naturally, she wouldn’t receive his calls. “Why did you check out of the hospital?” Liam Carter took a step forward and abruptly seized Anya Vance’s wrist. “Do you know how I felt when I couldn’t find you? I thought you…” He closed his eyes tightly, unable to finish. Anya Vance frowned deeply, her voice turning cold: “Let go of me, you’re hurting me.” But Liam Carter didn’t release her. He glanced at the empty wall, his eyes stormy. “Why did you throw away our wedding photos? I knew you were still angry! Anya, you used to understand me. I wasn’t doing it for myself; I was doing it for the country! We need Seraphina for a crucial operation right now, so nothing can happen to her…” “Enough,” Anya Vance sharply pulled her hand away. “I don’t want to hear your lies anymore.” The fake marriage certificate couldn’t fool anyone, and his concern for Seraphina couldn’t fool anyone either. Anya Vance wasn’t blind! Liam Carter’s eyes were filled with disappointment. “Anya, you’ve changed.” Anya Vance almost laughed. Yes, she had changed. Because she was finally no longer foolish. “But I just want you to understand, you’re the woman I love most. I can’t live without you, I can’t…” Liam Carter’s eyes slowly turned red. He suddenly took a large stride forward, swept Anya Vance into his arms. Ignoring her struggles, he tossed her onto the bed, then pulled out a pair of gleaming silver handcuffs from his pocket and cuffed her to the headboard! Anya Vance’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Liam Carter, are you insane?!” “I was losing my mind when I couldn’t find you!” Liam Carter pressed down on her, then, losing control, kissed her. “Anya, please don’t be angry with me…” The moment her breath was stolen, Anya Vance felt a wave of intense nausea. Using her unrestrained hand, she slapped him across the face— “SLAP!” Liam Carter stopped. Anya Vance gasped for breath, her eyes bloodshot. “Get out! Who gave you permission to touch me!” “I…” Before he could speak, his phone rang insistently. He picked it up, saw the contact, and his expression subtly changed. Liam Carter immediately stood up and hurried out. “Anya, wait for me. I have something urgent, I’ll be right back…” In a flash, he was gone. Only Anya Vance’s ragged breathing filled the room. She struggled, her wrists quickly chafing red against the metal. In her struggle, her unhealed wounds flared with intense pain. It took her a while to recover, then she bit her pale lip and wept silently. Dusk fell. The man who said he’d be right back was nowhere to be heard. Her phone lay on the sofa. Anya Vance tried using a bobby pin to pick the lock, tried dragging the bedpost to move, even tried prying open the headboard, but all failed. Worse, she started feeling dizzy. The pain from her wounds tormented her incessantly, and hunger became her constant companion. She curled up on the bed in agony. Day broke, then evening again. A whole day and night passed, and Liam Carter did not return. 3. In her semiconscious state, Anya Vance seemed to dream of the day Liam Carter proposed to her. Back then, Liam Carter’s eyes were full of tenderness. He looked at her earnestly, saying softly, “The most important rule for a negotiator is to always stay calm, but every day since I met you, I’ve been breaking that rule.” He slid the ring onto her finger, his touch so gentle, his kiss so precious. How could any of it have been fake? A spasm gripped her stomach. She drifted, caught between pain and consciousness, almost believing she was going to die right there… “BANG!” The door was violently flung open, followed by Liam Carter’s panicked voice. “Anya!” The handcuffs rattled several times in his haste before they finally sprang open. He scooped her into his arms and rushed out. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!” Liam Carter’s voice seemed choked with tears. He carried Anya Vance into the car, panicking: “I didn’t mean to forget… Anya, please wake up…” … Anya Vance opened her eyes again, to the stark white lights of a hospital room. Three hospital visits in just a few months, all because of the man she had once deeply loved. He claimed to love her, yet constantly hurt her. Her head was splitting. Her fingers, resting nearby, twitched slightly, and then someone’s hand gripped hers. “Anya?” Liam Carter’s voice was hoarse, filled with worry. “Is there anything else bothering you?” The moment Anya Vance heard Liam Carter’s voice, she sharply pulled her hand away. The abrupt movement tugged at her wounds, and she gasped in pain. “Don’t move!” Liam Carter immediately reached forward and gripped her shoulders. Anya Vance saw his bloodshot eyes. Without thinking, she mustered all her strength and slapped Liam Carter across the face. She was still weak, so the blow was soft. But Liam Carter’s head still snapped to the side. “Good hit.” He turned back, a strange smile on his face, one side of it already red. “I deserved it.” “Hit me a few more times, if it’ll make you feel better…” Anya Vance’s voice was hoarse. “I don’t want to see you again.” Liam Carter’s smile froze. He frantically grabbed her hand, speaking gently: “Sweetheart, don’t say such things… It’s all my fault. An emergency mission came up suddenly, and I was negotiating for a whole day and night… Please forgive me?” Anya Vance closed her eyes. She wanted to say, she knew. Seraphina Thorne had called him. Just one phone call from that woman, and he’d left her, handcuffed to the bed, for a day and a night. How could she forgive him? Anya Vance raised her wrist. The marks from the handcuffs had turned a frightening purplish-blue. Her eyes welled up. “Liam Carter, you never used to treat me like this.” Liam Carter’s face changed. “…Because you’ve been angry with me about Seraphina these past few days. I was scared and angry then.” Anya Vance said softly, “Then why do you keep doing things that make me angry?” This time, he was silent for a long while. When he spoke again, his voice was filled with pain. “Anya, please don’t act on impulse, okay? We’re just colleagues, we have an important mission to execute together…” “Please leave. I want to rest.” “Okay, I’ll stay here with you.” Anya Vance was discharged the next day. Liam Carter remained by her side, never leaving her for a moment. For the following week, he was almost constantly present, personally changing her bandages and feeding her, enduring her coldness without complaint. But Anya Vance still noticed that he constantly snuck out to the balcony to make phone calls, a gentle smile always playing on his lips. She knew who was on the other end, and that made her heart ache even more. But on the third day after her return home from the hospital, Seraphina Thorne moved in, becoming their next-door neighbor. From then on, the meals Liam Carter personally cooked were divided into two portions. The other portion was taken next door, and each time, he would stay there to eat with Seraphina before returning. When he came back to Anya Vance, he always had the same explanation: “It’s an arrangement from the department. We just discussed the mission details.” Anya Vance looked at the happy smile that hadn’t quite faded from his lips, her heart twisting in agony. Liam Carter had always subtly avoided Anya Vance and Seraphina Thorne meeting, but one day, after dressing up, he suddenly announced: “Today is our wedding anniversary. I got tickets for a cruise and prepared a candlelight dinner for us tonight.” Anya Vance wanted to refuse, but he had already pulled her out the door. At the entrance, she saw Seraphina Thorne waiting. “Hi, Anya! You don’t mind me being a third wheel, do you?” She stuck out her tongue, looking lively and playful. Liam Carter smiled, then turned to explain: “Sera also wanted to experience a cruise, and since there was an extra ticket, we decided to all go together. Anya, you… you don’t mind, do you?” Anya Vance let out a mocking laugh. She lowered her eyes. “Of course not.” What right did she have to mind? Their marriage was nothing but a sham, a cruel illusion. 4. The day they boarded the cruise, the weather was clear. Liam Carter and Seraphina Thorne walked side by side, deep in conversation, making Anya Vance feel like an outsider. The cruise ship was decorated lavishly, as if for a grand celebration. In the evening, Liam Carter did indeed prepare a candlelight dinner. Anya Vance sat opposite him, taking a deep breath. “Perfect. Let’s use this opportunity to have a proper talk.” Liam Carter smiled. “Alright. Try this red wine steak; I specifically prepared it for you.” A hint of nostalgia touched his face. “I remember our first date, we had steak. But you didn’t like it medium-rare and made the waiter cook it well-done. I still remember the waiter’s face, haha.” Anya Vance mechanically cut her steak, put a piece in her mouth, her smile strained. She said softly, “Yes, I remember that day. You told me… you’d always protect me, keep me from any harm.” Liam Carter didn’t catch the bitterness in her tone. She quickly composed herself. “I have something to…” But halfway through her sentence, she suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. She saw Liam Carter across from her quickly stand up, catching her, his voice gentle: “Anya, you’re drunk.” Anya Vance’s heart plummeted. The small amount of red wine in the steak wouldn’t be enough to make her drunk. Had Liam Carter put something in it?! But before she could think clearly, she plunged into darkness. Anya Vance struggled to wake up from a daze, her head heavy and confused. As her memory returned, she was filled with an overwhelming rage. Liam Carter dared to drug her! This was a cabin on the cruise ship. Anya Vance took a moment to recover, then stumbled out. As soon as she reached the deck, she heard shouts of celebration. Not far away, under bright lights and candlelight, guests formed a circle. She recognized many familiar faces from the department, all gathered around two people in the center. Behind them, a giant illuminated sign read: “Happy Birthday, Sera.” Anya Vance felt her hands and feet grow cold. The crowd cheered. Liam Carter presented Seraphina with a gift, then they sang “Happy Birthday,” clinking glasses, everyone celebrating joyfully. She clearly read Liam Carter’s lips: “Make a wish, I’ll grant whatever you desire.” Anya Vance stumbled back, her legs weak, icy dread washing over her. So that was it… Liam Carter had booked the entire cruise, not for their anniversary, but to celebrate Seraphina’s birthday! He had even drugged her just to keep her out of the way! Anya Vance listened to the commotion outside until it slowly died down in the late hours of the night. Not long after, there was a knock on the door. She recognized the light footsteps that weren’t Liam Carter’s, so she looked up and saw Seraphina Thorne enter, carrying a slice of cake. “I know you’re awake, I saw you come out.” Seraphina Thorne gave a superior smile, placing the cake on the table. “Have some cake. You must be feeling awful right now, aren’t you?” She wanted to see anger or pain on Anya Vance’s face, but the woman sitting on the bed kept her back straight, her gaze calm and cold. “Take your cake and leave.” Seraphina Thorne’s expression changed. Her face hardened, and she said coldly: “Your husband is throwing such a huge birthday party for me. Don’t you understand what that means?” “What if I do?” Anya Vance made a dismissive gesture. “Don’t bother me. Whatever you two do has nothing to do with me. And you don’t need to come here to stake your claim. Liam Carter and I are already over.” She saw Seraphina Thorne out, whose face was not looking good, then Anya Vance lay back down to sleep. She expected not to sleep, but perhaps the drug was still active, for she quickly fell into a dream. In it, she remembered her first birthday after they got married. Liam Carter had blindfolded her and taken her to an island. He said: “This island is my gift to you. We’ll love each other forever, until the end of time.” Anya Vance shed tears in her dream. Vows were so easy, but truly loving each other, always, was so hard. The next morning, Liam Carter had already prepared breakfast. Roses adorned the table. He saw Anya Vance awake, a perfectly calibrated, helpless smile on his face. “Anya, just a red wine steak made you so drunk, it really scared me then.” Anya Vance said nothing, unable to even force a fake smile. Upon their return, she went to the department and obtained a certificate of single status. Then she went home and packed her bags. The things she could take were pitifully few. Almost every item carried shared memories, and she wanted none of them. While tidying a drawer, she found an old cell phone deep inside, one she’d replaced long ago. The phone actually powered on. She checked it, curious, and then discovered a text message sent from the phone itself. She still remembered the number; it belonged to her brother, whom she hadn’t contacted in years. [Don’t bother me and Liam anymore. Seeing you makes me sick.] Her heart plunged into an icy abyss. She hadn’t sent that. 5. Anya Vance’s father had died when she was very young. She, her mother, and her brother had relied on each other. But ever since her mother passed away and she married Liam Carter, her brother’s contact with her had dwindled. Later, he cut off all communication. Her brother was a detective, and they were often separated. She had asked Liam Carter to inquire about her brother’s whereabouts at the department, but only received one message. Liam Carter said: “Brandon said… Mom’s gone, so the family naturally drifted apart. There’s no need for us to keep in touch.” She resented her brother’s heartlessness, wanting to confront him in person, but she was always blocked, never even seeing his face. But on this phone… she scrolled up and saw several messages her brother had sent. [Anya, please call me back, okay?] [Aren’t you even coming for Mom and Dad’s death anniversary? Just for that Liam Carter?] [I won’t oppose you two anymore. I found some information about that negotiator from back then. Can you meet me?] But each message had received a cold, even abusive, reply from “her.” Anya Vance gripped the phone tightly, her knuckles white. All these years, Liam Carter had been using her name to hurt her brother, severing her last family ties! Anya Vance gritted her teeth, abruptly stood up, grabbed her car keys, and stormed out. She had to find Liam Carter and ask him why he would do such a thing! She found out Liam Carter was at the hospital and drove straight there. But as she reached the entrance, she saw Liam Carter suddenly pick up Seraphina Thorne and spin her around. His face was bright with a joyous smile, and his voice was cheerful. “I’m going to be a dad!” The world seemed to lose its sound in that instant. Anya Vance froze, her legs turning to jelly. Liam Carter’s voice was still painfully clear. “…Boy or girl, I’ll love them both. I’ll protect you two with my life!” Seraphina Thorne cooed playfully, “It’s only three months, you’re too eager.” Three months… that was the day Anya Vance had walked in on them. Every word was like a knife plunging into Anya Vance’s heart. She closed her eyes and let out a laugh that sounded eerily hollow. The exact same vow, she had heard Liam Carter say it the day she found out she was pregnant. But what was the result? The baby was gone, and all he’d said was – *it’s for the best, to avoid threats…* How utterly laughable. She didn’t step forward, didn’t demand answers in anger. She maintained a strange calmness, then turned and left. There was no need to ask. Whatever he said would only be another lie. Back home, Anya Vance wanted to contact her brother directly, but remembering those hurtful messages, her brother might still be very angry with her… She dialed a number, asking for information about her brother. Liam Carter became busier. Anya Vance deliberately avoided him. All she wanted was to see her brother, then wait for her transfer orders and leave. But Seraphina Thorne actively knocked on her door, deliberately showing off a necklace around her neck, and smiled: “Isn’t this necklace pretty? Liam got it for me because I liked it. You’re not going to be petty, are you?” The moment Anya Vance recognized the necklace, her pupils sharply contracted, and her voice suddenly rose: “Who gave you permission to touch that necklace?!” Seraphina Thorne’s challenging expression intensified. She suddenly flashed a radiant smile and deliberately said: “What’s wrong? Is it something your dead mom left you?” Her voice grew sharper. “Speaking of your mom, she really died at the wrong time. If it weren’t for her, why would I have been reprimanded and disciplined…” “You jerk!” Anya Vance, consumed by fury, slapped her across the face. “SLAP!” A crisp sound echoed. Anya Vance, her eyes red, rushed forward, grabbed the necklace, and shouted: “Give it back! That’s mine!” This was the only keepsake her mother had left her. Why was it on Seraphina Thorne?! Seraphina Thorne’s head snapped to the side from the blow, a sinister glint flashing in her eyes. Anya Vance snatched the necklace back, cradling it carefully in her hands, her entire body trembling. That necklace had always been in her jewelry box. Only she and Liam Carter had access to the house, so how it got into Seraphina Thorne’s hands was painfully clear! “You dared to hit me?” Seraphina Thorne shrieked. While Anya Vance was off guard, Seraphina Thorne actually pushed her down the stairs. Seraphina Thorne herself lost her footing and tumbled onto the steps. “Sera!” Anya Vance watched Liam Carter rush over, his face filled with panic, immediately pulling Seraphina Thorne into his arms. Anya Vance fell backward, her forehead hitting with a sharp pain. Warm blood trickled down her cheek. She tightly clutched the necklace in her hand, trembling, and dialed the emergency number. “I need to report an incident. Someone intentionally tried to kill me…” Liam Carter looked at her in disbelief, furious. “What are you doing? Are you trying to ruin Sera?” 6. Anya Vance looked at Liam Carter with cold indifference, as if he were an unreasonable stranger. “Liam Carter, she pushed me down.” Every part of her body ached now, and her vision swam with dizzy spells, yet the sharp pain in her heart kept her lucid. Liam Carter seemed to just then notice her bloodied head, and his face instantly filled with panic.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298529”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

Three years ago, a long-standing rival of the Albright family, seeking to settle an old score, abducted their youngest adopted daughter, Elara, and dragged her deep into the mountains. Her three adoptive brothers offered a reward of hundreds of millions of dollars, sparing no expense to find her. But when she finally escaped and returned home, she found her fiancé, Damon, her second brother, marrying someone else. Julian, her eldest brother, was delivering the best man’s speech, and Rhys, her third brother, the best man, was holding the wedding rings. Turns out, the Albright family had adopted Veronica two years prior. Simply because she bore a striking resemblance to Elara, they poured all their guilt onto Veronica. They explained, “Mom had a complete breakdown and started seeing Veronica as you. We just… went along with it, because it seemed to bring her some peace.” But Elara couldn’t accept it. She forced them to choose between Veronica and herself. After a brief, tense silence, all three unanimously chose Veronica. Yet that very night, their disoriented adoptive mother set the mansion ablaze, dying in the inferno with Veronica. That fire transformed them from family into sworn enemies. They blamed Elara, accusing her of being relentlessly demanding and unable to tolerate Veronica, which they claimed led to them losing their dearest ones forever. Disgust, insults, and beatings became her daily routine. Until Elara began experiencing abnormal and persistent bleeding, which eventually led to a devastating diagnosis: advanced uterine cancer. Clutching that cold “death sentence” in her hand, she walked out of the doctor’s office only to see her supposedly dead adoptive mother accompanying Veronica to a prenatal check-up. Her eldest and third brothers surrounded Veronica protectively, and her fiancé, Damon, his face alight with joy, pressed his ear to Veronica’s belly. Elara’s blood ran cold. Just as she was about to step forward and confront them, Julian’s voice drifted over, chillingly: “After all this, Elara must have learned her lesson. Maybe we should tell her the truth now.” “No!” Rhys immediately objected: “If she knows Veronica is alive and carrying Damon’s child, there’s no telling what kind of trouble she’ll stir up. Better to keep her in line with more ‘lessons’ until the baby is born!” Mrs. Albright, far from looking disoriented, sighed with contentment. “Veronica was there for us during our most painful and desperate time. Now that she’s pregnant, I won’t allow anyone to make her leave.” Even Damon lowered his gaze, saying, “Even though Elara is… tainted, I won’t abandon her. As long as she stays in her place, I’ll give her an explanation.” Elara stood frozen, tears streaming down her face. She yearned to ask the heavens why they were so cruel to her. She was the one who was abducted and abused, yet they showered all their love and guilt upon Veronica. All she wanted was for things to return to how they were, but they had tormented her with a “fake death” lie, leaving her utterly broken. Gazing at Veronica’s visibly pregnant, happy face, Elara’s hand trembled as she instinctively touched her own abdomen. They didn’t know that before she was abducted, she too had been pregnant with Damon’s child, but then a brute violently kicked it out of me. Recalling the doctor’s grim prognosis—that she wouldn’t last another month—Elara offered a tragic smile. What could a dying person possibly fight for against the living? She would give them what they wanted. Elara didn’t step forward to confront them. She simply turned away, dragging her heavy feet, fleeing the hospital as if her life depended on it. Memories flooded her like a surging tide. Ever since that fire, she had considered death countless times. She slit her wrists, and Julian, the forensic brother, stitched her up with a sewing needle, refusing painkillers, slowly savoring her agony. She tried to jump from a building, but Damon, the business tycoon fiancé, sealed off all high-rise structures. Helpless, she jumped from the third floor, suffering full-body fractures that left her in pain for three agonizing months. After her discharge, Rhys, the legal elite third brother, forged her psychiatric records and locked her in a mental asylum, subjecting her to daily electroshock therapy. They wouldn’t allow her to die; they wanted her to live and atone. But they were all living perfectly fine. Atonement for what sin? She stumbled through the front door, her abdomen seized by another bout of agonizing cramps. The diseased uterus caused relentless bleeding, soaking through her light-colored pants and trickling down her leg. Just then, a familiar, icy voice came from behind her. “Disgusting. Can’t you even keep yourself clean?” Julian’s face was stern as he quickly averted his gaze. Rhys pinched his nose, brows furrowed. “That’s utterly revolting. Clean it up, now!” As Elara knelt on the floor, frantically wiping away the mess, Damon carefully helped a woman in, then casually tossed a piece of paper at Elara. “These are instructions for prenatal care. You’ll follow them from now on.” She stared at the densely written paper, her voice hoarse. “What does this mean?” Damon’s brow furrowed. “We found Veronica’s twin sister, Vanessa. She’s pregnant and needs looking after.” He paused, looking down at Elara with disdain. “If you take good care of her, and she delivers the baby safely, we’ll forgive your past mistakes.” Elara’s gaze fell upon the face identical to Veronica’s, her heart as clear as glass. They were still trying to deceive her. Twin sister, indeed! It was merely Damon’s desperate excuse to bring Veronica back home… “Fine, I’ll take care of her.” Elara lowered her head, her voice eerily calm. She wouldn’t live to see the child born. Soon, the suffering would end. Before she could react, Veronica suddenly lunged, snatching Mochi from her arms. “Meow—” A desperate cry, and Mochi’s head was twisted 180 degrees in Veronica’s hand, blood spilling from its mouth. “Mochi!” Elara screamed in despair, struggling to grab her cat back.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298528”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

I was caught up in a minor incident late at night, and ended up at the precinct. That’s when the officer pulled up my records. The officer looked at me, masked, and frowned. “An Ivy League graduate? What are you doing out on the streets at midnight?” It was only then that I saw it—the ID number on the file was mine, but the photo was Ava’s. Turns out, twenty years ago, I got into an Ivy League university! I stumbled home, my mind reeling, only to hear my husband, Julian Ashworth, on the phone: “Ava, I won’t let Lulu bother you. Go abroad, don’t worry about a thing.” It was him! Julian Ashworth helped Ava steal my life! My stomach churned. I turned, ready to expose him and Ava, but Julian grabbed a belt and choked the life out of me. “I’m sorry, Lulu. You can’t stand in the way of Ava’s future…” When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the classroom. Our homeroom teacher was handing out university application forms. This time, I’m taking my life back! “Lulu, decided on a university yet?” My deskmate’s voice snapped me back to reality. One second ago, I was still drowning in the agony of suffocation. I looked at my unfamiliar, youthful deskmate and realized I’d been reborn. “Lulu, what’s wrong?” A thrill of joy surged through me. I shook my head vigorously. The homeroom teacher spoke up: “Fill out these forms first so I can get a sense of your choices.” I stared at him—Mr. Ashworth, Julian’s father. Our exam results had been out for ages. There was no need to fill out forms on paper; we could do it online from home. But Mr. Ashworth made an excuse to get all the students to come in anyway. It was clear he was just hand-picking students to be manipulated for Ava’s benefit. I clenched my fists, remembering my previous life. Julian had started pursuing me right around this time. I stared at the application form, filling it out randomly. Maybe it was my imagination, but I distinctly felt Mr. Ashworth glance at me. Sure enough, after I handed in the form, he said, “Lulu, come to my office.” With that, he walked away with my form. Chloe tugged my arm. “You did so well this time, you’ll definitely get into an Ivy League school!” I scored the highest in our class – 702 points – but I still didn’t get in. I went to Mr. Ashworth multiple times. He told me I was aiming too high, that I’d filled in choices beyond my reach. But hadn’t he suggested that law program himself? I glanced at Julian, who was sleeping in the corner, and nodded at Chloe. Yeah, this time, I wouldn’t make the same mistake. I pushed open the office door. Mr. Ashworth looked at me. “Lulu, you did exceptionally well this time. Why choose these schools?” I had filled in choices for community colleges, several of them. “High employment rates,” I stated, enunciating each word. Mr. Ashworth visibly fell silent, then said earnestly, “You really shouldn’t fill in things randomly. A legal career is a very suitable choice for a young woman.” As he spoke, he opened his computer and pulled up the university application page. I stared at the screen, my gaze full of sarcasm. So, now that I wasn’t cooperating, he was going to force me to fill it out, only for it to be replaced by Ava’s choices later? “No thanks, Mr. Ashworth. I just want to drive a tractor.” With that, I turned to leave and bumped right into Julian, who was walking in. “Lulu, if you have any questions about your application, you can ask me. I’ve always wanted to study law.” Hearing that, a particular sensitivity flared in my heart. So that’s how it was. Both of them were hinting that I should choose a law program. But this time, I wouldn’t let them get their way. I nodded. “Thanks, but no need. I have a major I want to pursue.” Julian lowered his gaze, a smile playing on his lips. “Alright.” I bolted out of the office, seeing Julian instinctively close the door behind him, then turn back and stand outside, eavesdropping. “Dad, Lulu isn’t cooperating. Can’t we pick someone else?” A cold dread washed over me. Julian was trying to ruin another student’s life! Mr. Ashworth’s voice was cold. “Lulu has the best grades; it’s the safest bet. You know we owe Ava this.” I turned and left, a bitter laugh in my heart. They owe Ava, so they’re going to repay her with my life?

In my previous life, after Julian and I started dating, I worked day and night, preparing to re-sit the entrance exams. Julian said he’d register me, but in the end, I wasn’t registered. He insisted it was because retaking the exams wasn’t allowed anymore, that the regulations were strict. I believed him. Later, I wanted to take an adult education exam. He said it was useless even if I passed, but I was determined to take it. However, my alarm didn’t ring that day, and I was late. I confronted Julian, asking if he’d turned it off. He looked innocent, claiming he was worried about disturbing my sleep. I was trembling with anger, but Julian held me, saying, “Lulu, let’s get married. No matter if you pass or not, I’ll always love you.” I cried in his arms for a long time. My dreams were filled with exam questions; how could I give up? Later, Julian claimed he was in massive debt from a work project and couldn’t pay it back. Blinded by love, I worked tirelessly from dawn to dusk, juggling three or four jobs a day. Looking back now, Julian was only with me to control me. He was worried I’d impact Ava’s future. So he constantly stopped me from moving forward. Back in the classroom, I packed my things and left school. When I got home, Chloe sent me a message saying Julian had been looking for me. I replied casually. Looks like he still hadn’t given up. My parents were often working out of town. After hearing my scores, they just wired me some money and ordered a cake, saying they’d be back next month. I understood them. They worked on construction sites; one less day of work meant one less day of pay. I wasn’t in a hurry to fill out my university application; I still had two days. But someone else was in a hurry. That evening, I went for a walk and ran into Julian. Julian smiled at me. “Lulu, what a coincidence.” “I thought you lived on the west side of town.” Julian looked natural. “I had some errands here. Where are you going? I’ll walk with you.” I said coldly, “No need. Stay away from me.” Julian paused, then looked hurt. “You… you hate me that much?” I stared him down. “Yes, I hate you. Just stay away from me.” Julian’s breath hitched. Maybe he couldn’t understand why I hated him so much when he was so popular, the school heartthrob. If it weren’t illegal, I would literally stab him. I wanted him dead and gone. “Lulu, if you hate me, you at least owe me a reason.” Julian’s voice was low, his eyes fixed on me. Julian certainly had good looks; otherwise, how could I have been so infatuated in my past life? Suddenly, a voice from nearby called out, “Julian, what are you doing here?” Ava jogged over and hugged Julian’s arm. I distinctly felt him stiffen. This was the first time I’d seen Ava up close—the person who stole my future in my previous life. “Who are you?” Ava eyed me suspiciously. I smiled. “Lulu. Julian’s classmate.” Ava’s face subtly changed. “Didn’t you say you were going to buy me snacks?” So it really was a coincidence. Julian replied naturally, “I forgot. You go home first; I have something to deal with here.” Ava’s voice rose slightly. “Julian, what do you mean?” Julian pushed Ava away. I don’t know what he said to her, but he came back alone. “Lulu, she’s my mom’s friend’s daughter.” I countered, “Why are you telling me this?” Julian’s tone was serious. “I like you, and I don’t want you to misunderstand.” Hearing that, a wave of nausea washed over me. Here we go again. “I don’t like you. You make me sick just looking at you,” I said coldly. Julian’s face visibly paled. He clenched his fist. “What did I do wrong?” I stared at him. “You’re too ugly.” And too despicable. Julian’s lips parted slightly. I couldn’t be bothered to argue with him and kept walking. “Lulu! I won’t give up!” Julian shouted after me. I sneered inwardly. There are only two days left. What can you possibly do to me? I’ll submit my application at the very last second. They won’t have any chance to swap it.

The next day, when I got home from school, I found many roses arranged by my front door. Julian stood in the hallway, tall and elegant. He stared intently at me. “Lulu, yesterday’s confession was too rushed. I want to be serious about it now.” I said coldly, “No matter how serious you are, I’ll never like you.” “Then who do you like? Is there anyone better looking than me?” Julian’s voice was urgent. I pulled out my keys, ready to go inside, but Julian blocked my way. “Lulu, I truly like you. I want to go to law school with you.” I looked at him strangely. When did I ever say I wanted to study law? I smiled. “Sorry, but your grades aren’t good enough. Give it up, you loser.” Julian’s tone leveled out. “Lulu, can you not be so harsh?” I stared at him, saying nothing. “Since you’ve decided to study law, you should quickly submit your application.” A mischievous thought suddenly sparked in my mind. “I won’t. I want to drive a tractor.” I clearly saw a muscle in Julian’s jaw visibly twitch. I opened my front door, walked in, and firmly shut it, almost hitting Julian’s nose. The next day, I received many messages. The news of the school heartthrob confessing his feelings for me was known by all the students. The news, of course, came from Julian. No doubt about it. Mr. Ashworth called me many times, but I didn’t answer any of them. After a few seconds, he called again. He spoke almost immediately. “Lulu, you’re a good kid. I have no objections to you and Julian dating.” He hadn’t objected in my previous life either. Back then, I was even happy that Mr. Ashworth didn’t look down on me for not getting into university. “My son has always wanted to study law and become an excellent lawyer. I hope you can work hard with him.” I smirked, a glint in my eyes. “Alright.” Mr. Ashworth paused, then his voice brightened with a laugh. “It’s wonderful that you agree!” I hung up, barely suppressing my laughter. Just now, I’d changed my mind. It would be incredibly satisfying to mess with them. I wanted to make sure Ava could never get into university. After all, if not me, I worried there would be another victim. Julian, hearing that I’d agreed to be with him, quickly came to find me. He immediately asked, “Have you submitted your application?” “Not yet. Tomorrow.” Julian visibly relaxed. “Want to hang out with me? My friends are having a get-together.” I nodded. “Sure.” Julian looked at me, still feeling uneasy, not understanding why I’d changed so much. But what did it matter? He was the one running out of time. Ava was there too. When she saw me, she dramatically rolled her eyes. I said bluntly, “Ava, is your eye twitching?” “What?” Ava looked startled. I continued, “Why are you rolling your eyes at me? Do it again, and I’ll poke them out.” Ava shot up, but Julian firmly pushed her back down. “Ava, behave yourself.” Ava’s eyes turned red with anger. “Julian, how can you talk to me like that?!” I raised my hand and smacked her across the face. Everyone present froze. Ava clutched her face, and Julian’s expression clearly changed. “Lulu! How dare you hit me!” Ava lunged at me like a madwoman, but Julian held her back firmly. “Ava, calm down. Just endure it.” Julian’s words slowly brought Ava back to her senses.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298527”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

Mom gave us two choices. Go with her to the Donovan household, where we could attend the best high school with Mr. Donovan’s son, Caleb, but only get into a domestic university. Or stay in our hometown for school, and get to study abroad after high school graduation. My sister, Chloe, spoke first. “Mom, I want to go to the Donovan household with you.” Mom smiled, relieved, then turned to me. “Your sister should get the first pick. If I send her abroad later, then I’ll have fulfilled my duty as a mother.” Seeing Chloe’s expectant face as she clung to Mom’s arm, I knew. She had also been reborn. Too bad, Caleb would never, ever fall for her. “Anya, there’s a lot going on at the Donovans’, so Chloe and I are leaving today. Take good care of yourself at home, okay?” Mom finished packing and left with Chloe. It wasn’t like the last life at all, when she’d stayed an extra ten days just to convince Chloe to go with her to the Donovan household. In my last life, after Mom laid out the two choices, Chloe had also been quick to pick, but she chose to study abroad. After Mom and Dad divorced, I was put into my father’s custody. For ten whole years, Mom never once came to see me, yet I thought about her every single day. It wasn’t until Dad passed away and the authorities brought me to Mom’s place that I finally had her back. When Chloe chose to study abroad, my heart soared. I could finally live with Mom, day in and day out. But Mom wanted to take Chloe even more. She stayed at our house for ten days, constantly trying to persuade Chloe to go with her. Chloe, however, was convinced the grass was greener on the other side, and she never changed her mind, not even when the Donovans pressed Mom to return. And so, Mom and I went to the Donovan household, and that’s where I met Caleb. He was handsome, coolly distinguished, and brilliant in school. He was the dream guy in every girl’s heart. I couldn’t help but fall for him too. I knew we were worlds apart, and I could only bury that love deep in my heart. It wasn’t until after high school graduation, after a party, that Caleb, drunk, pinned me against a wall. “Anya, will you study abroad with me?” I forced myself to look away. “I don’t have the money.” Caleb laughed, and the whole basement seemed to light up. “I’ll pay for you.” In that moment, I finally knew. The boy I’d secretly loved for three years felt the same way about me. A tidal wave of happiness crashed over me. I excitedly told Mom that Caleb wanted to take me to study abroad. What I got in return was a stinging slap across my face. “You’re not going. When you chose to come with me to the Donovan household, you gave up the path of studying abroad. All the money I’ve saved is for Chloe’s overseas studies.” I covered my face and tried to explain. “Caleb said I wouldn’t have to pay; he’d cover my tuition.” Mom scoffed, looking at me with disgust. “How shameless. Trying to sleep your way into his bed for money. You really need to know your place. What is your status, and what is his? “Someone like Caleb would only toy with you; once he’s bored, I’d still be the one paying. “Don’t even think about studying abroad. If you dare disobey me, never call me Mom again. “And you’d better stay far away from Caleb, don’t mess up my job.” Perhaps it was the lifelong lack of maternal love, but losing Mom was my biggest fear. Lost and heartbroken, I rejected Caleb. But Caleb seriously told me. “Distance isn’t an issue; I have money for plane tickets.” After college, we started a long-distance relationship. He would fly back to see me every month, and the sweetness of our love filled me with hope for the future. When Mom found out we were actually dating, she secretly asked Caleb to look after Chloe, who was also studying in the same country. Caleb, unaware of our family situation, foolishly took care of Chloe as if he were her brother-in-law. Then, one day in my senior year, I received a message from Chloe, along with a photo. Chloe was bare-chested, hugging Caleb’s neck, lying on a hotel bed. [Sis, Caleb and I are together now. Stop bothering him.] Caleb and I had been in love for three years. I knew deep down he couldn’t betray me. My first thought was that Caleb had been set up. I angrily called Chloe. But I didn’t notice the oncoming truck. After my soul left my body, I overheard Mom and Chloe’s conversation. “It’s good your sister died. You need to quickly win Caleb’s heart. Soon, you’ll be the mistress of the Donovan household.” Chloe’s smile was triumphant. “Mom, you were so far-sighted, making Caleb look after me abroad. That’s how I got the chance to take that picture when he was drunk. “I originally just wanted Anya to give up, but who knew she’d actually die? It’s truly divine justice. “Once Caleb gets over his grief, I’ll go and offer myself to him.” I had always thought that even if Mom played favorites, she would still treat me like her daughter. I never imagined she wouldn’t even feel a touch of sadness at my death. Heartbroken, I floated to find Caleb. Only to discover Caleb had committed suicide in the bathtub, clutching my photograph. It was then I realized. Caleb’s love for me surpassed his own life. I went mad, using all my strength to trip Chloe as she walked downstairs. Watching Chloe fall to her death at the bottom of the stairs, her neck snapped. Only then did my soul dissipate. I never thought I would return to the day I chose my destiny. Except this time, Chloe chose to go to the Donovan household. She thought that as long as she went to the Donovans’, Caleb would fall for her. Too bad, she was wrong. Caleb would never fall for her. And I would make them pay for everything they did in the last life.

As soon as Mom and Chloe left, Aunt Brenda used the excuse of renovating her room to insist I move into the school dorms early. In the previous life, Mom worked as a housekeeper for the Donovans, so we stayed at Uncle Paul and Aunt Brenda’s house. She used to give Aunt Brenda a monthly allowance. Last life, after Mom and I went to the Donovan household, Mom even increased the allowance, asking them to take good care of Chloe. Chloe had a good life at Uncle Paul’s house. Now, it seemed Mom had stopped the allowance for Aunt Brenda. I didn’t argue. I packed my things and left. Before starting school, I had another place to go. After leaving Aunt Brenda’s house, I went to the bank. Every year on my birthday, Dad would deposit a small sum of money for me. Only I knew about that money. I withdrew the money and took a bus. Arriving at a secluded cemetery. The wind and rain were heavy that day. I huddled in my raincoat behind a tree, waiting. As dusk approached, sixteen-year-old Caleb rushed in through the rain. Several bodyguards followed close behind him. Caleb was drenched, his narrow eyes showing a cold intensity, but his steps were firm. He walked to a grave and frantically dug through the surrounding grass with his bare hands. “Young Mr. Donovan, it’s raining so hard. It must have been washed away. Let’s come back when the rain stops.” Caleb seemed not to hear them. Just as he was exhausted and despairing, I stepped out from behind the tree. “Excuse me, are you looking for this?” I pulled a necklace from my pocket. Caleb’s eyes lit up, and he quickly strode over. Seeing him soaked to the bone, I held my umbrella higher, shielding him from the rain. Caleb tremblingly picked up the necklace, his brows relaxing. “How did you get this?” In my last life, after Caleb and I got together, he once told me his biggest regret. It was losing the necklace he and his mother had made together, that summer when he was sixteen. So, I came to the cemetery. To help him find what he lost, and to meet him. I shrugged, smiling. “The rainwater just washed it down, so I picked it up. Then I saw you searching for so long, and I thought it might be yours.” “Thank you, this necklace means a lot to me. What reward do you want?” Caleb said thanks, but still looked like he was keeping everyone at arm’s length. I shivered and stammered. “Then… will you treat me to some instant noodles? I’m cold and hungry.” Caleb froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. “Okay!” Half an hour later, at my insistence, Caleb and I shared his first-ever cup of instant noodles. “I never knew instant noodles could taste so good.” When we were together before, instant noodles were his favorite. After we finished eating, Caleb asked for my contact information, saying he wanted to thank me properly. I smiled and refused. “If it’s meant to be, we’ll meet again.” The moment I turned away, I couldn’t stop my eyes from welling up. I wanted so badly to rush over and hug him, to tell him everything from our past life. To tell him I missed him so much it was driving me crazy. But that would definitely make him think I was insane. I didn’t leave my contact information because I knew his every move after high school. We would meet again. Caleb would think it was fate. Not a plan.

Finally, school started. High school classes were surprisingly easy. I began to plan my second meeting with Caleb. During the Fall break, I found a part-time job cleaning at an ice hockey rink. On the third morning, Caleb came to practice. I watched him secretly from the back. When he was almost done practicing, I spoke softly. “You should twist your wrist when you pass the puck.” Caleb turned sharply. I couldn’t see his eyes under his helmet, but I could feel his shock. “It’s you! You can spot my weakness?” How could I? He told me himself. I played dumb. “Just a little bit. Do we know each other?” Caleb took off his helmet, his eyes sparkling with surprised delight. I exaggeratedly widened my mouth. “It is you!” We had lunch together. “You’re underage, how are you working here?” “Shh! Don’t let my boss find out. I’m pretending to be older.” “Do you really need money that badly?” “My dad died in a car accident, and Mom took all the money and left with my sister. What else am I supposed to do?” Caleb was silent for a moment. “Later, will you help me practice hockey?” I hesitated. “I still have to sweep.” “Five thousand dollars an hour.” “Alright, Boss!” Caleb laughed again, nearly spitting out his food. After practice that afternoon, Caleb asked me out for dinner again. I was about to agree when I saw Chloe watching from outside the rink. “Let’s reschedule! I have to go now.” When he paid me, we exchanged contact information. After I got back to the hotel, Caleb sent a message. [Did you get home safe?] I couldn’t help but smile. But I only replied with a simple “Yep.”

After the break, I started preparing to sign up for the debate competition. In my last life, Caleb and I knew each other, but at school, he was in the advanced class and I was in the general studies track. At home, he lived on the top floor, and I lived in the basement. We were two people who were completely unlikely to cross paths. It was precisely because of a debate competition that Caleb noticed me. This time, I was going to shine even brighter in the debate competition. But when I had all my materials ready, I found out that my hometown high school had no intention of signing up. I was so furious, I grabbed my bedding and basically set up camp right outside the principal’s front door. The principal finally caved and agreed to help me assemble a team and sign up, but the fees would have to come out of my own pocket. Luckily, there were quite a few students at school who wanted to participate. We prepared and competed together, having a blast. Caleb would sometimes send me messages. Each time, I would stop what I was doing and read every single word several times over. Finally, with practiced patience, I’d reply with just a few words. Before the winter break of freshman year, I led our debate team into the finals. Caleb spotted me right away. “Did you find another part-time job here?” I flashed my school ID. “I’m here for the finals.” Caleb glanced at my ID, and his eyes went wide. “You’re *the* legendary debater from Maple Leaf High?” “Legendary?” Caleb’s expression softened, his gaze burning. “For a school like yours to make it to the finals, it was like you had divine intervention. “Half the audience today is here to see your captain. You should introduce me to your captain later.” Just then, a teammate ran over. “Captain, our spot is over there! Let’s go!” Caleb froze, and the way he looked at me seemed to change. I clenched my fist, smiling confidently. “See you on the stage, Caleb Donovan!” There were four teams in the finals. My team and another school were up first.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298526”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

My best friend and I got married at the same time, both joining the same powerful family. She married the rising media mogul, Noah Hayes. I married the hotshot CEO, Liam Hayes. But as sisters-in-law, our married lives were anything but happy. Her husband, who she’d once saved, was constantly rumored to be secretly bankrolling models and influencers. And my husband? He was a notorious playboy, always surrounded by women. So, Chloe and I just looked at each other. “Divorce!” “Done! Let’s do it together!” Tossing our divorce papers aside, Chloe and I felt utterly liberated. We grabbed a crew of handsome bodyguards and headed out to paint the town red. So they like playing with a constant parade of women? Well, I can play too! Everyone said the two Hayes brothers were seasoned players, keeping up appearances at home while juggling countless affairs on the side. And they were right. For instance, one day I went to see Liam, only to be stopped and humiliated by his assistant, Scarlett. She claimed I was constantly spoiled and arrogant, and that the CEO had long since forbidden me from entering the company. Right after that, Chloe went to see Noah and was blocked at the door by one of his junior models, Mia. Mia went on and on about how Chloe and Noah were totally mismatched, gloating that we should watch how Noah was going to turn her into a top star. I immediately tried to call Liam, again and again, but he never picked up. It was the same for Chloe. Those two really were brothers; they ignored our calls and read our messages without replying. I remembered all the rumors from our circle over the years. People whispered that both brothers already had someone special in their hearts, but because those women weren’t as prominent as Chloe and me, they couldn’t marry into the family. So they married us to fill the void, which was why they’d been so cold to us after the weddings. What’s worse, these rumors were often used by other women to humiliate us, and Liam and Noah knew about it. But they never denied it; instead, they tacitly allowed those women to get away with it. After being humiliated by Mia, Chloe and I coincidentally ran into each other back at the Hayes mansion. We exchanged a look, and the same thought clicked in both our minds. I stated firmly, “I want a divorce!” “Do it! If you’re divorcing, I’m divorcing too!” As a pampered princess who’d been showered with love and attention since childhood, the biggest slights I’d ever endured were after getting married. The attitudes of the people around our husbands reflected exactly how those men truly felt about us. Because they didn’t value us, the people around them felt free to be disrespectful. “There are plenty of fish in the sea, you know. It’s not like we can’t survive without them.” We were fuming, but we hadn’t completely lost our minds. I quietly contacted a lawyer, while Chloe researched travel destinations. For the rest of the time, we laid low, waiting for the perfect moment. That evening, Liam finally came home, carrying a bottle of my favorite perfume. He acted as if nothing was wrong, sticking to me like glue. Every now and then, he’d complain about how exhausting his day at the office had been, how difficult the new hires were… Then his hands moved to my head, gently massaging it. His voice and expression showed no sign of anything amiss. But what he didn’t know was that I knew him too well; whenever he felt guilty, his ears would turn an extra shade of red. He was testing the waters, trying to see if I was angry. If he’d just been direct and explained himself, maybe I wouldn’t have been so mad. But he had to try and cover his tracks, only making it more glaringly obvious. People really do change. Even if we truly loved each other, it changes. No exceptions. That night, listening to his breathing beside me, I couldn’t sleep a wink. In the pitch black, I stared at the silhouette of the chandelier on the ceiling, a bitter ache throbbing in my heart.

Liam and I were college classmates. We were both studying in the business school. Not only were our families equally powerful, but we’d also fallen for each other over time, always competing for the top spot in school. In the end, our relationship blossomed into marriage, forming a true power couple. Even after we graduated, our story became a legend on campus. Everyone said Liam and I were the perfect match. I used to believe that too. But after we got married, I realized I was wrong. He was always surrounded by a constant parade of women: today it was a business partner, yesterday it was his assistant, and the day before that, countless others… Though there was never any “substantive” relationship, he treated them like “confidantes,” and that was enough to make me sick. It wasn’t that I hadn’t confronted him, but every time, he’d address my concerns with a lot of talk, but never actually resolve anything. “They’re just work contacts.” “Don’t overthink it…” “You know, Riley, you’re the only one for me…” “I’m exhausted, let’s not talk about this anymore.” He always had a lot to say, but he never once truly solved the problem. If I wasn’t his only one, then I refused to be just one of many. So, the next morning, Chloe and I started preparing for our planned trip. While we were out shopping for essentials, we ran right into Mia, Noah’s junior model. She was picking out jewelry, and when she saw Chloe and me, her smile was laced with challenge. “Chloe, did you two fight after you went home last time?” “I might have been a bit aggressive with my words last time. Please don’t be angry, big sis. Men are busy building their careers out there, so we women should be more sensible. Otherwise, when we get older and our looks fade, we might just get replaced by someone younger and prettier.” “Especially since Mr. Hayes has so many young models and influencers under his wing.” Her implication was clear: Chloe was old. And there was an even deeper meaning: that “we women” part sounded like she was hinting at some “other” relationship with Noah. That was the last straw! Chloe, with her fiery temper, was ready to jump in and physically confront her the moment Mia finished speaking. But I couldn’t let her do something that would leave a paper trail. I stepped in first, giving Mia a resounding slap across the face. “What? You think being a mistress gives you a superiority complex?” “Daring to provoke the actual wife right to her face – which sugar daddy gave you that much audacity?” I watched her eyes flutter back for a split second, and the tears welling up, and I knew she was hiding something. Sure enough, right after I slapped her, I heard footsteps behind us. Chloe and I turned to see Noah. He didn’t even glance at Chloe. He walked straight to Mia’s side, saw her swollen red cheek, and then turned to look at me, his face filled with anger. “My brother must have spoiled you rotten, making you so lawless.” Chloe, worried I’d clash with him head-on, quickly stepped in front of me. “This isn’t Riley’s fault, she started it, you—” Her words were cut off mid-sentence. “You’re still defending her? Can’t I tell right from wrong myself?” “What’s gotten into both of you? No wonder my brother’s so disappointed.” What’s gotten into us? Hearing his accusing tone, even speaking for Liam’s “disappointment,” my anger flared even more. If I wasn’t so outnumbered, I would’ve gladly slapped him too. Chloe was even angrier than me, and her grip on my hand tightened. “Noah Hayes, if you have eyes and aren’t using them, why don’t you donate them?” “Before we got married, you could tell when I was upset just by looking at me. Now that you’ve got people under your wing, you see me being bullied and just dismiss it as me ‘playing around’!” Noah paused for a moment, his tone softening slightly. “Talk to me properly.” Chloe took a deep breath. She pointed at Mia’s nose. “Fine. Fire her, and I’ll talk to you properly.” “After all, it’d be more convenient for you. You can keep her at home after you fire her, stashing her away like a secret mistress, right—” The next second, a loud smack echoed, stinging my ears. Noah had heavily slapped Chloe’s hand away. “Shut up! Don’t project your filthy thoughts onto others!” Noah hadn’t held back at all, and Chloe’s hand instantly turned red and swollen. He looked at it, his eyes momentarily wide with shock. He started to open his mouth to explain, but then he seemed to think of something and swallowed his words. “If you keep acting this childish, we’ll get a divorce.” “And you, Riley, you’d better listen to my brother.” With that, he left with Mia. Chloe watched their retreating backs, and tears streamed down her face. She buried her face in my shoulder, sobbing, her tears quickly soaking my top. She choked out, “But he wasn’t like this before, was he?” “How could he change so suddenly?” Chloe and Noah had known each other even longer. They were childhood sweethearts. Chloe had even taken a knife for him once. Back in high school, the Hayes family was targeted for revenge, and the attackers went straight for Noah, who was still a student. Chloe felt something was off and insisted on walking with him. Later, on the way, she realized the danger, and quietly called the police. When the police arrived and busted the kidnappers, one of them, unnoticed for a moment, lunged at Noah with a knife. Chloe blocked it, and because of that, her hand could never hold a paintbrush steady again. From then on, Noah became extra clingy with Chloe. He got a little better as they grew up, not openly clinging, but subtly pursuing her. He’d quietly close in. He even secretly stopped boys from confessing their feelings to Chloe. Liam told me all this later. I used to think their relationship would be even more solid than Liam’s and mine. After all, they had a “beauty saves the hero” story with life-or-death stakes. But her love story, just like mine, had rotted away.

I comforted Chloe, and we continued buying our supplies. When we returned to the Hayes mansion, laden with bags, Maria, the housekeeper, curiously asked what we were doing. I brushed her off, saying we were going on a trip. My legal team had already discreetly prepared our divorce agreements. Both Chloe and I wanted a clean break. As for half of the marital assets, we couldn’t care less; we just wanted it over with quickly. Married cleanly, leaving cleanly. Not taking a single thing that made me sick to my stomach. After exchanging a glance, we each called our families, simply explaining the state of our marriages. Chloe and I got along so well, partly because our family backgrounds were similar, and partly because we were both the youngest daughters in our families, showered with immense love. My family had an older brother in addition to me. My brother, Dylan, listened to my reasons for wanting out and exploded with anger. “Liam Hayes, that rotten bastard! Next time I see him, I’ll break his legs. Good for you for divorcing! I support you wholeheartedly.” After hanging up, I signed the divorce papers and left them on the bedroom table. Then, Chloe and I got busy. I packed up all my personal belongings that I could take. Anything I couldn’t pack, I arranged for my family’s driver to pick up. By the time the Hayes housekeeper realized something was amiss, Chloe and I were already walking out the door with our suitcases. Just before boarding our flight to France, my brother called again. “I’ve got a surprise for you, sis! I guarantee you’ll be thrilled!” Hearing his mysterious tone, I was incredibly curious. Later, I found out that Dylan had arranged a team of handsome bodyguards for Chloe and me, and they were all incredibly well-built. Hmm, I was indeed very satisfied! Men like to play with a constant parade of women, right? Well, I can have hot guys travel with me…

The moment Chloe and I landed and turned on our phones, we were bombarded with countless missed calls. Some from Liam, some from his brother. But I ignored them all. I blocked both their numbers, just like they had done to us. After a night’s rest at the hotel, the bodyguard team Dylan arranged arrived. They were indeed the type to make your heart pound! There were the “wolf-dog” types, the “puppy-dog” types, the “aloof and cool” types… Their looks were no worse than the Hayes brothers, and they had something more: They were obedient. Not only were they professional bodyguards, but they could also double as local tour guides. When we went shopping, they’d even carry our bags – a small gesture Liam hadn’t done for me in years. But what truly captivated me was how sweet-talking they were. “Miss Riley, you should try the local cuisine here. If you don’t like it, I can personally cook for you. I’d be happy to prepare your meals for the duration of your trip.” “Miss Chloe, you seem a bit tired recently. I know a little about traditional remedies. If you trust me, I can help you with a regimen.” “Or if you have anything bothering you, please don’t hesitate to tell me…” They were thoughtful and comprehensive in every aspect. So much better than those two useless brothers. While eating at a famous viral restaurant, we even stumbled upon Mia’s livestream. It infuriated Chloe so much she decided right then and there to start her own livestream, create an account, and see what she was missing. After deciding on a title, Chloe found the perfect lighting and, with me by her side, started broadcasting. I have to admit, with a media mogul for a husband, Chloe was quite professional in this area. She brought out a few of the high-value bodyguards, drawing in more and more viewers to the livestream. Since it was a platform popular in our home country, most of the audience were Chinese-speaking viewers. Chloe and I chatted with them, introducing the restaurant’s signature dishes. We were having a great time. Until a few unfriendly foreign users approached us during our meal. They saw Chloe and me, walked straight over, and started to flirt offensively. When we rejected them, they didn’t care what we were doing; they just got angry and rushed towards us. One of them actually reached out and touched my face. Another even tried to slip his hand under my clothes. Their greasy faces suddenly made Liam look handsome. My mood, which had been perfectly fine, was ruined by these jerks. I immediately had Chloe point the livestream camera at them. Then I smiled at them, and replied in English: “I will report this to the embassy. If I don’t receive a proper apology, I will pursue this matter to the fullest extent.” Their faces changed instantly. They tried to threaten us. But they hadn’t even finished the thought before our bodyguards stepped in. The men seemed flustered; they hadn’t expected us to have so many people. And that’s when they finally noticed we were livestreaming. They clearly didn’t want to get into trouble with our country’s embassy, knowing how fiercely protective they are of their citizens. So, they apologized to us. The one who had touched me was even punched by his friends as a lesson. Only then was the matter settled. Back in the livestream, the comments section was even more active. “OMG, these ladies are absolutely owning it abroad!” “Totally! They messed with the wrong women!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298525”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

“Chloe, I step out for a minute, and you’re really living it up, aren’t you?” Liam’s voice on the phone was tight with barely suppressed fury. Having a blast at a bar with my best friend, draped over male escorts, acting like a drunken fool, and then posting it all on SnapChat. What’s it like for your brand-new husband to see that? My family was relentless, practically hounding me to get married. So, I ended up in a marriage of convenience with someone I’d only known for two weeks, a guy I’d met on a blind date. The day after our wedding, Liam left for a business trip, no fixed return date. During his absence, I truly let loose. Maya and I were having a blast at the bar, and in a burst of joy, I just waved my hand and ordered a few male escorts to join us for drinks. Moments later, a whole line-up of drop-dead gorgeous guys stood before me. Broad shoulders, narrow waists, long legs – every single one of them a perfect specimen. And their sweet talk? Calling me ‘honey’ and ‘darling’ had me absolutely beaming. After a few stiff drinks, I was seeing double. I clung to a male escort, acting like a drunken fool, and Maya couldn’t even stop me. Then I pulled out my phone, took a selfie with a guy on each arm, and clicked over to SnapChat to post it. Just a few minutes after I posted, my phone buzzed. That familiar contact name popped up, and it was like a bucket of ice water dumped over my head. I sobered up instantly. It was a message from my husband, the one who’d been on a business trip since our wedding and who I’d barely seen since. “Chloe, I step out for a minute, and you’re really living it up, aren’t you?” Me: …Uh… wait… I can explain… My best friend, Maya, was incredibly sympathetic to my plight, even wondering if Liam was gay or… incapable. Why else would he abandon such a gorgeous wife to practically marry his job? Suddenly, Maya sprang to her feet. “Do you think Liam has someone else on the side? That’s why he just leaves you here, ignoring you?” Liam and I had no real emotional connection. He pursued his career, I indulged in my pleasures. We pretty much lived separate lives. I was perfectly content with the current situation: living the high life, plenty of cash, and no one breathing down my neck. The next second, Liam’s mom, my mother-in-law, called. I paused, frowning in thought. What was going on? “Chloe, I saw your SnapChat post. I know Liam has been too busy to spend time with you lately. I’ve already given him an earful and told him to clear his schedule and spend some quality time with you.” I let out an awkward chuckle. “Mom, no, it wasn’t like that, that was me…” How was I supposed to explain this? Waiting for answers.

Oh, great. I’ve really messed up now. To avoid a complete disaster, I decided to surrender. I quickly deleted the SnapChat post and sent Liam a message. “Sorry, my hand slipped, I posted by mistake.” I didn’t get a reply for ages after sending the message. So, I pulled Maya back into drinking. A few more drinks, and my face was flushed, I was swaying on my feet. “Maya, I’m going to the restroom.” “I’ll go with you.” Maya quickly stood up and steadied me, a worried look on her face. In my state, going alone felt a bit risky. “No, I can manage. I’m not drunk.” After I was done, I splashed some cold water on my face at the sink. The chill instantly brought me back to my senses. I straightened up, only to see an incredibly handsome man suddenly appear behind me. I froze for a good five seconds. He was tall and broad-shouldered, impeccably dressed in a crisp white shirt and dress pants. His features were deep and refined, his eyes calm and distant. His sharp profile looked utterly cold in the dim bar light. Liam stood before me, his brows furrowed as he took in my boozy state, reeking of booze. I tilted my head, confused. “Liam? What are you doing here?” Then I couldn’t help but let out a little burp, my legs giving out slightly as I swayed to the side. Liam quickly reached out and steadied me, as if afraid I’d face-plant. His voice was flat. “The bar owner is a friend of mine. He told me he saw my wife all over other men and asked if our marriage was okay!” “…” Maya, seeing I hadn’t returned, rushed to the restroom to find me. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw me leaning against Liam’s shoulder, safe and sound. Maya nervously cleared her throat and avoided my gaze. “Well, uh, I’ll leave you to it. I’m heading back.” Terrified Liam would hold her accountable for ‘kidnapping’ his wife for a night of wild partying, she grabbed her bag and made a run for it. Liam gave a brief nod, then scooped up my much-too-pliant frame and headed for the exit. But a member of the bar staff suddenly ran over, stopping Liam. “Sir, the male escorts this lady ordered haven’t been paid for yet. Would you like to settle the bill?” Liam looked at the bill, then turned to his assistant. “…” His assistant got the hint immediately and stepped forward to pay.

The next day, bright and early. I woke up from a deep sleep, the hangover from last night was awful. The strong liquor felt like fire searing my throat, accompanied by throbbing headaches. I struggled to push myself up and sit. Seeing my familiar bedroom, my racing heart finally settled. I must have drunk too much, and Maya brought me home. I threw off the covers and went to the living room for water, only to see Liam sitting on the large sofa. I blinked, thinking I was mistaken. He was wearing casual loungewear, his long legs casually crossed. Sleek, gold-rimmed glasses perched on his high nose bridge, and he was intently reading a book. Warm sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft, shimmering halo around him. I was a little stunned, mumbling his name aloud. “Liam?” Liam looked up at the sound. “Awake?” But the memory of yesterday flashed in my mind, and I asked, a little sheepishly, “You… aren’t going to work?” He glanced at me, his voice calm. “My mom said I was always working and not spending time with you. She stopped all my work for this period and told me to focus on you.” “…” Liam set his book aside, then picked up a small piece of paper from the sofa beside him and walked towards me. He held the paper out to me, his gaze deep and unwavering. “Yesterday. Explain yourself.” In the quiet air, Liam’s low, magnetic voice broke through, carrying an almost imperceptible chill, his eyes radiating a dangerous intensity. I looked closer and saw it was the bill for the male escorts I’d ordered last night… I thought he was asking me for money. “I’ll pay you back… Don’t be so petty!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298524”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

Right after summer break started, my husband, Julian—an internationally renowned sculptor—suddenly bailed on me. He claimed a surge of inspiration meant he needed to lock himself away in his studio to create, and therefore, couldn’t attend my art exhibition in Paris. But that very afternoon, I saw Julian post a photo on SnapChat for the first time ever. In the picture, his usual young nude model, Chloe, was straddling something, her eyes hazy, dazed. The shot was taken from below, looking up, incredibly intimate, leaving too much to the imagination… The caption read: “He took this.” I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping me, and commented: “Oh, classic artist, right? So much ‘aesthetic.’” Immediately, the buyers’ collection SnapChat group exploded. Friends among the collectors started screenshotting and reposting, placing bets on when I’d finally lose it. When Julian called, he was still gasping for breath, as if he’d just finished a strenuous workout: “What’s with your passive-aggressive comments? Chloe is my muse, we’re making art!” “Stop thinking such dirty things all the time! This is art! But then again, a mediocre painter like you wouldn’t understand art.” “Go apologize to Chloe right now. I’ll attend your next exhibition with you.” Next time? I sneered and hung up. After this exhibition, the waiting period for my divorce would be over.

Julian probably never imagined I’d dare hang up on him. Immediately, a barrage of calls followed. I blocked and deleted his number. The world was finally quiet. I didn’t even need to think; he must be absolutely furious right now. “Ms. Skylar, you personally orchestrated your husband’s sculpture exhibition, shouldn’t Mr. Julian come up and say a few words…” Looking at the swarm of reporters below the opening ceremony, I offered a faint smile: “He’s dead. Can’t make it. Please feel free to look around.” Ignoring the crowd stunned by the news of his ‘death,’ I stepped down and checked my phone, only to see a new message pop up in the buyers’ group. Julian had invited Chloe into the group chat. Chloe, the ‘muse,’ tagged everyone: “My hand slipped, and I posted something inappropriate on Mr. Julian’s SnapChat. So sorry if it caused any trouble.” Hah. That apology, was it truly sincere? I let out a cold laugh. Julian immediately posted in the group: “We were engaged in normal artistic creation. You don’t need to apologize, only those who don’t understand art would get the wrong idea!” Seeing the man himself openly defending his ‘muse,’ the buyers, who were scrambling for sculptures, stopped lurking and quickly chimed in with support: “Don’t blame yourself, Miss Model, no need to apologize. After all, there’s probably only one petty person in this entire group, no need to pay her any mind.” “Exactly! Thanks to Miss Chloe, we get to see Master Julian in such glorious form!” “Master Julian, why don’t you just sculpt a nude pair of the two of you? I’ll pre-order it, price is negotiable!” Over the past two years, his sculptures had been hyped up to astronomical prices, and not one could be found. The buyers in the group were too busy praising Julian to do anything else, so of course, they sided with Chloe. If putting me down could earn them the master’s favor and a sculpture, they’d happily go all out. Even though more than half the buyers in the group were my connections, they still fawned over Chloe. What could I do? Julian was the sculpting master, and Chloe was his new darling he wanted to promote. And I, a mere art academy teacher and his agent, was, at best, just a glorified, love-blinded assistant. Gritting my teeth, I exhaled slowly, put away my phone, and dutifully surveyed the exhibition hall. I’d only walked a few steps when Chloe FaceTimed me, her tone utterly impolite: “Skylar, Professor Julian said to return home as soon as the exhibition is over to rough-sculpt our new piece.” “Let him sculpt it himself!” I laughed in anger. Every time Julian claimed inspiration, he’d make me rough-sculpt the plaster according to his ideas, and then he’d do the fine carving and polishing. I understood his ‘hard work,’ so I always helped him with those menial tasks. Had he gotten addicted to using me? Chloe’s voice dripped with arrogance: “But Professor Julian and I will both be completely nude models…” My face darkened, and I frowned: “What do you mean?” “It’s that explicit, dual-pose sculpture the buyer in the group pre-ordered. Professor Julian agreed, he said he wants you to sculpt it for us. Skylar, can you come home quickly? The buyer is pushing for it,” Chloe said, her voice dripping with insolence. I felt a wave of powerlessness, like I couldn’t slap her through the screen. Was it the buyer who specifically requested an explicit sculpture, or did Chloe just want to stir something up with her art academy professor? When Julian needed a model, Chloe had shamelessly begged and pleaded with me until I hired her. Out of consideration for her being a student, I even made sure she had some coverings, and to ease her fear, I was always present during Julian’s sculpting sessions. Yet, she just kept shedding more and more, even getting Julian to strip with her. Now she wanted me to sculpt their live explicit art? “Julian didn’t tell me about this. I can’t do that job. Besides, I’m very busy in Paris. If the buyer is in a hurry, tell his assistant to sculpt it for you. His skills are better than mine!” With that, I hung up before she could reply, then blocked her number again. It was laughable. Did Julian even remember I was his wife? Making me watch their live erotic scene? Purely to disgust me. A surge of pent-up frustration with nowhere to vent, I went to the restroom and splashed water on my face. Just as I came out, the venue manager trotted over, holding his phone up: “Ms. Skylar, Mr. Julian is calling you.” That persistent pest… Knowing Julian was bound to explode again, I took the call but didn’t bring it to my ear.

“Is Master Julian calling just to yell at me? Then I’m hanging up.” I dabbed my face with a tissue, my tone flat. “I admit, making excuses and breaking the appointment was wrong, but that’s no reason for you to disrespect Chloe.” “Right now, unblock both of us. Otherwise, our marriage is over.” My fingernails dug deep into my palm. I truly hadn’t expected Julian to be the one to propose divorce first, one day. I was about to agree, but then Chloe’s suggestive voice drifted from the background, as if she’d struck a pose and was asking Julian how it looked. I felt a wave of nausea: “Your muse is calling you, Master Julian. You two go wild with your art. As an outsider, I won’t interfere.” “After all, I’m the only one with a filthy mind, and you two are perfectly pure.” Julian flew into a rage: “We are!” “Chloe is a low-income student. I just want to give her a chance to get exposure and earn money. What’s wrong with me, her professor, helping her out? What are you making a fuss about?” Chloe’s voice grew closer on the phone, her soft, alluring breaths audible: “Professor Julian, what do you think… about this pose?” The next second, Julian seemed to pull the phone away, his tone infatuated: “Yes… that’s the feeling. You lie there, don’t move, I’ll be right there.” Then, he leaned closer to the microphone, his voice suddenly deepening: “I’m giving you two days. Get your ass back from Paris immediately and rough-sculpt for us. Otherwise, whether it’s at home or the Art Academy, I’ll make sure you’re out!” The line went dead. I realized how terribly wrong I had been. Wrong to think that personally organizing an exhibition would somehow reign in his wild ways. I should have guessed the outcome the moment Julian, without even looking, hastily signed our divorce papers. After returning the phone to the manager, I left the exhibition early and, back at the hotel, checked my phone. Countless missed calls and messages flooded in, all inquiring about Julian and Chloe’s two-person sculpture. The group had blown up my mentions, densely packed with people reserving sculptures, some even offering millions, tens of millions, with no upper limit. The buyers were in a frenzy, demanding a definitive answer from me. But I would get my divorce decree tomorrow. What answer was there to give? With a few quick taps, I left the group and immediately sent my resignation to the Art Academy’s HR department. The message showed as ‘read,’ but there was no response. I called, but the line was busy. Puzzled, I started packing my luggage. But just as I finished, the Dean of the Art Academy called. He said the art entrance exam questions had been leaked, and someone had reported me for accepting bribes and compromising the fairness of the exams. At that moment, many parents of students who failed the exams were causing a scene at the school gate. For a second, I thought my mind had just short-circuited. They were sensible words, yet I couldn’t make sense of a single one. “Dean Miller, could the student have reported the wrong person? I’m just a teaching assistant; I’ve never even been assigned to proctor an exam. How could I possibly have the ability to leak exam questions?” But then the Dean sent me a three-page long accusation letter. Reading the contents, my hands trembled with fear. I forgot to check out of my room and frantically bought a ticket back home. When I rushed into the Dean’s office, dusty and disheveled, I immediately demanded to confront the accuser. Dean Miller said nothing, merely bringing out the witness: a close acquaintance of Chloe’s, the student who claimed to have offered the bribe—Maya. “Dean Miller, she’s a close acquaintance of Chloe’s. Chloe and I have deep-seated animosity; it’s possible she’s framing me.” “Enough!” Julian suddenly pushed the door open, storming in and yelling at me without any verification: “Framing? You just hate her and want to drag Chloe down!” “Skylar! I thought you were just overly jealous, but still had professional ethics as a teacher. I never imagined you’d actually be corrupt!” “Do you know how important the fairness of the art exams is? You’re destroying the futures of other candidates! A selfish and greedy person like you doesn’t deserve to be a teacher, and certainly doesn’t deserve to be my wife!” I instantly froze, my heart feeling as if it had been brutally split in half by an axe. After a long moment, I managed to speak, my voice rough: “Julian, in your eyes, am I the kind of person who would accept bribes from students?” Julian stared at me coldly, his gaze filled with murderous hatred: “Otherwise, what? The USB drive with my exam materials from my study is missing.” One sentence sealed everything.

Instantly, everyone in the office looked at me with disgust. “I’ve never seen any USB drive!” I squeezed out my rebuttal through gritted teeth. I did indeed manage Julian’s study, but for nearly a year after Chloe appeared, he had explicitly forbidden me from entering it again. Only Chloe, however, could come and go freely! Unwillingly, I continued to defend myself, but with Professor Julian’s testimony, everything was quickly decided. Dean Miller immediately issued a termination letter, and a group of student parents spat at me. Dejected and downcast, I was just being ushered out of the academy building when an unknown student parent slapped me to the ground with a “smack!” “You shameless bitch! Stripping naked to seduce my son, how can the Art Academy have a slutty teacher like you! Aren’t you afraid of corrupting the students? I’ll tear you apart for acting like a slut!” The woman shrieked, lunging at me, straddling me and furiously beating me. My face stung with pain, and my vision gradually turned red, but I still saw Julian standing on the steps in front of the building. He casually glanced at me, then walked away. Finally, the woman was dragged away by security, but the crowd continued to point and whisper about me. I had just stood up, trying to ask what was happening, when a trending topic on a phone was shoved in my face. The headline read: **【TRENDING# An Art Academy Teacher, Skylar, Publicly Posts Nude Photos on School Forum, Intending to Seduce Male University Students】** Underneath were countless nude photos, all posted on the school forum in my name. The comments section had millions of shares, cursing me, saying I didn’t deserve to be a teacher, and demanding I leave the academy. From beside me, Chloe’s sugary-sweet mockery drifted over: “Professor Skylar, so you’re even trashier than I am?” I suddenly turned my head and saw her glance at the blood on my face, then her gaze fell on the termination letter, and she exclaimed. “Oh dear, have you been kicked out of school?” Wasn’t this all her doing? What’s with the act? Stepping back, I scoffed coldly: “What goes around comes around, Chloe. I just don’t have the evidence yet, but you will pay for what you’ve done!” Did she think everything would be fine just because Julian helped her commit perjury? I only hoped she’d still be smiling so smugly when we got to court. Chloe’s face stiffened, a flicker of guilt flashing in her eyes. But seeing me about to leave, she immediately put on a disdainful, haughty expression and accused me: “Skylar, you openly accepted bribes, corrupted your teacher’s ethics, and ruined the school’s reputation! How dare you just walk away?” “Today, you must get on your knees and apologize to all the teachers, students, and parents! Otherwise, you’re not leaving!” As she shouted, more and more people gathered. I tried to leave, but she held me in a death grip. “Get off me!” I frowned deeply, violently shaking her off, but Chloe, using my momentum, suddenly fell to the ground and shrieked. “Ah—Professor Skylar, don’t hit me!” The next second, someone kicked me away, and I was in such pain my insides felt scrambled. “Skylar! How dare you bully Chloe again!” Julian withdrew his foot, carefully helped Chloe up, his features scrunched up, full of heartache. He was always like this, always blindly taking Chloe’s side, never bothering to understand the truth. The girl nestled in his arms, like a frightened little rabbit, timidly said: “Professor Julian… I’m fine. Professor Skylar, it was just an accident that…” As she spoke, the man opposite grew even angrier, glaring at me as if I were a heinous criminal. “Skylar, are you even human? You openly cheated on me, and you’re always bullying Chloe. How exactly did she offend you?” “Now, apologize to her immediately!” Meeting his cold, almost cruel gaze, I stood my ground fiercely: “You want me to apologize? Fine, then tell everyone right now who went into your study and stole the USB drive?” “You tell me, and I’ll apologize to her immediately.” Hearing this, Julian’s breath caught. He glanced at my battered state, then leaned closer, his tone softening: “Alright, I know you didn’t do it, but the situation has blown up. What do you expect me to do? Chloe is still a student; I can’t ruin her future.” “And what about me! You can just ruin my future!” My eyes narrowed. In that instant, anger, fury, and even a touch of unbelievable grievance and a coldness in my heart, surged through me. I loudly questioned him, questioned this man I had shared a bed with for seven years. Never had my heart felt so utterly cold! Noticing my voice was too loud, drawing eager, prying looks from those around us, Julian panicked slightly. He urgently ordered me to lower my voice. But the next moment, my voice was extremely soft: “Julian, let’s get a divorce.” I thought, since I’d brought up divorce, he would surely take it seriously. But I was wrong… “Alright, don’t use divorce to threaten me. Can you really bear to divorce? I didn’t cheat, Chloe is just work. Stop while you’re ahead, don’t make a fuss!” He wanted to say more, but then Chloe let out a cry of pain. Julian didn’t even make me apologize anymore. He picked her up and ran towards the infirmary, blatantly disregarding the student-teacher boundaries. It was fine. If they didn’t care, then neither did I. I found a random hotel to stay in, and the next day, I headed straight to the courthouse and picked up my long-awaited divorce decree. The last step to sever all ties with Julian was to go home, pack my things, sell the house, and then leave for good. But “Unlock Failed—” My keypad lock suddenly wouldn’t open.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298523”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

My CEO husband, Damian Thorne, promised to take me to the ocean for our wedding anniversary. But then a hurricane hit. I waited for over two agonizing hours in the fierce wind and rain, and he never showed. Finally, a text popped up: *emergency business trip, can’t make it.* Yet, moments later, Chloe Summers, his intern, posted a video on Ins: My usually pampered husband was barefoot, helping local workers transport seafood. Her caption read: “My CEO husband isn’t afraid of a little hard work!” I smiled, then liked and commented: “So diligent, a true role model for us all.” The company WhatsApp group instantly blew up, everyone wondering if I’d finally snap. Damian called, his voice tight with suppressed fury: “Seraphina! What was the meaning of that comment? Were you trying to humiliate Chloe?” “What’s wrong with me helping her family move some fish during a hurricane? You, with your silver spoon, wouldn’t understand real struggles.” “Delete the comment now. I’ll take you to the ocean in a few days.” A wave of nausea washed over me. I commented back: “No thanks. I’m not interested in watching the ocean with someone who’s already been *rolling in the muck with a certain swine*.” Yes, Damian Thorne was tainted. I was done with him.

“Seraphina, are you insane? I’ve been explaining this for ages, can you just stop making a scene?” “No need to say anything else. Let’s get a divorce.” I closed my eyes, my voice flat. “Why are you so jealous again? I told you, we’re just colleagues. During a hurricane, I couldn’t just leave a young girl to work in the rain, could I?” “The ocean isn’t going anywhere, but what if she gets sick from the rain?” He seemed to forget that I was the one who went to meet him. And now I was trapped on an isolated road, stranded by the hurricane. Icy rain, driven by the hurricane, lashed furiously against my face. I cut him off, seething. “I’m still stuck on Oceanfront Road, and the water’s up to my ankles.” Hearing I was in danger, Damian’s voice took on a hint of urgency: “Wait for me, I’m coming to get you right away.” What should have been a thirty-minute drive, Damian made in twenty. He got out, looking disheveled from the rush. The moment he saw me, his eyes filled with concern and worry. He strode forward, scooped up my soaking wet body, and started walking towards his car. But even in the twelve-grade wind, the cheap perfume scent clinging to his clothes wouldn’t dissipate. It stung my nostrils, wave after wave. I was about to speak, but then Damian’s phone rang. It was Chloe’s special ringtone. He almost instinctively dropped me, answering the call. “Oh, Damian, I think I have a cold. My head feels so dizzy.” Damian’s brows furrowed, his eyes filled with worry and concern. He fumbled frantically in his pockets for the car keys. Then he cooed softly to Chloe, a tenderness in his voice I’d never heard: “Sweetheart, wait for me at home, I’ll take you to the hospital.” The arm that had been holding me suddenly released, and I fell back into the mud with a splash. He opened the car door, got in, and without a backward glance, urged me: “Get in, quick!” Gritting my teeth against the searing pain, I struggled to my feet. Just as I was about to get in, the car door slammed shut automatically, catching my clothes. My heart clenched. I immediately pounded on the door, but Damian, desperate to reach Chloe, had completely forgotten I even existed. As the car started, I lost my footing and fell heavily to the ground. The vehicle dragged me, speeding off in the rain. Mud lashed at me like knives, tearing at my skin. The scenery blurred past, and it felt like my insides were being ripped out. The soul-piercing agony made me howl in torment. I was dragged for hundreds of feet until my clothes ripped, and I collapsed in the mud. Looking down, the flesh and blood on my legs mixed with the muddy water, and the pain was so intense I lost consciousness. I lay there on the ground, helpless and desperate, my last shred of illusion about Damian shattered. Later, a kind stranger who passed by drove me home. As soon as I got home, I saw Chloe @everyone in the SnapChat group: “My Ins post today was just a joke, I hope no one misunderstood. Thank you, Mr. Thorne, for not holding it against me and rushing to take me to the hospital.” This wasn’t an explanation; it was a blatant brag. I put my phone down and disinfected my profusely bleeding wounds. Tears streamed down my face, hot and stinging amidst the agonizing pain. “Seraphina, where did you run off to?” Footsteps approached, and Damian walked into the room, his voice accusatory, bringing with him the damp, chilling air. Seeing my bloodied, mangled wounds, his impending lecture died in his throat. He frowned. “How did you get yourself into such a state?” He stepped forward, about to inspect my wounds. I turned away, avoiding him, and sneered, “You really don’t know how I ended up like this?” Who invited me to watch the ocean during a hurricane? Who left me stranded by the sea for Chloe? And who dragged me for hundreds of feet with their car?! Damian nervously touched his nose, yet still adopted a self-righteous, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong’ stance: “I told you, Chloe and I are completely innocent. I just helped her because I felt sorry for a struggling small-town girl trying to make it in the city. If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do!” Seeing I didn’t speak, his voice grew colder, and he questioned me as if I were the one in the wrong: “Seraphina, do you have to pick a fight with me today? And after all I did, preparing an anniversary gift for you.” He said, and with an angry huff, aggressively shoved a soaking wet gift box towards me. The box knocked over the iodine on the table, soaking my freshly bandaged wound. The flood of suppressed hurt and indignation finally broke. I swung the box with all my might, smashing it into Damian’s face: “I don’t want your damn gifts!” Every time he messed up, he’d buy me a gift to placate me, but I later found out they were always Chloe’s discards. Damian’s temple was gashed, and a trickle of blood immediately appeared. He cried out in pain, clutching his eye. I slapped the divorce papers onto the table: “It’s past midnight. Our anniversary is over.” “Our marriage is done.”

“Seraphina! Don’t push your luck!” Damian warned, his voice low and dangerous. I retorted, “*I’m* pushing my luck?” Whether it was the searing pain in my legs or the chilling realization in my heart, large tears streamed down my face. Seeing me cry, Damian’s expression softened: “Let’s not talk about that now. I’ll take you to the hospital.” He started to reach for me, but I instinctively recoiled. My wound hit the table leg, and the bandage instantly turned crimson. “Get out! I don’t need you to take me! Remember this: we’re already divorced!” The moment he abandoned me, gravely injured, to take Chloe, I stopped trusting him completely. Damian’s fists clenched, his body trembling. Then, with a roar of suppressed fury, he slammed the door and left. After Damian left, I drafted my resignation letter and sent it to HR. HR was incredibly shocked, replying with a dozen messages, saying he couldn’t approve it without Damian’s permission. I braced myself for a standoff with Damian. But within a minute, my resignation was approved. It seemed Damian no longer had any feelings for me whatsoever. The next morning, I went to the office to pack my things. All my colleagues were gossiping about my resignation. I ignored them, focusing on my packing. Suddenly, Chloe slammed a half-empty bubble tea down in front of me, her lipstick stain still on the straw: “Seraphina darling, can you print this contract for me? I’ll buy you a bubble tea.” Chloe looked at me with a smirk of provocation. I stood up and immediately splashed the bubble tea onto her face: “I’ve resigned, and I’m divorced. Stop with your roundabout attempts to flaunt that trash Damian and disgust me!” The sticky bubble tea dripped from Chloe’s hair, and she looked pathetic, her eyes welling up. Damian rushed over, his heart aching as he meticulously wiped her face with tissues. His gaze turned icy, sharp as a blade, when he looked at me: “Seraphina, you’ve gone too far! Apologize to Chloe, now!” A flicker of triumph crossed Chloe’s eyes. Then she tugged at Damian’s sleeve, shaking her head: “It’s not Seraphina’s fault, Mr. Thorne. I just wanted to share my favorite bubble tea, but I forgot she’s a sophisticated city girl and, well, *different* from me.” Damian looked at Chloe’s tearful face, veins throbbing in his neck, and raised his voice: “Just because you were born in the city makes you superior? Gives you the right to trample on others’ kindness?” “Drink that bubble tea off the floor!” Hearing his words, the colleagues, who had been openly eavesdropping on the drama, all turned to stare. My eyes reddened as I looked at Damian, backing away step by step. He grabbed my wrist and forced me down onto the floor. The bubble tea on the ground was now a muddy mess. “Apologize!” Damian commanded. I bit my lip hard, shaking my head. Damian suddenly remembered something, his eyes hardening, his voice turning chilling: “Seraphina, why are you always defying me lately?” “If you still refuse to apologize to Chloe… you’ll need to *reflect* on your actions.” He tightened his grip on my wrist and dragged me towards the warehouse. I pulled with all my might to free my hand, but his grip only grew tighter. Damian yanked me into the hot, cramped warehouse. He looked around, then pinned both my hands with one of his, while picking up a dusty rope from the corner. My eyes reddened, and I shook my head, “Damian, you can’t.” Before I could finish, Damian had already tied my hands, securing them with a knot that was impossible to undo. He lightly bit the back of my hand: “Seraphina, you’ve been too spoiled lately. You can stay here and think about what you did wrong…” “I didn’t do anything wrong…” He placed his index finger over my lips, making a shushing gesture: “Shh, think clearly before you speak.” Then, with a sharp *rip*, he tore off a piece of duct tape and sealed my mouth. I twisted, trying to run while he adjusted the tape. But he yanked the rope, pulling me back and pushing me onto a chair. He brutally secured me to the chair, the rope wrapped dozens of times around me. I writhed and struggled, but I couldn’t move. The wounds on my legs bled again. Damian slammed the heavy metal door shut. From beyond the door, his voice, muffled but cutting like an icy blade, drifted in: “You better reflect deeply. You can come out when you realize your mistake!”

I gasped for air, my heart spasmed violently. Damian knew I had a heart condition and that heatstroke could be fatal, yet he deliberately locked me in a 104-degree Fahrenheit (40-degree Celsius) warehouse. My clothes were drenched in sweat, and I was so weak I was on the verge of collapsing. I don’t know how long passed before the warehouse door finally opened. Damian walked in, his expression neutral. He removed the tape from my mouth and untied me: “Seraphina, don’t let it happen again.” I frowned, confused, then saw Chloe leaning against the door, watching me with a taunting smirk: “Seraphina dear, I accept your apology.” I clutched my chest, my voice, dry and frail, was like a ghost’s whisper: “What apology?” As the rope fell to the floor, my body went limp, and I collapsed into Damian’s arms. His voice softened: “I’ll take you back.” My whole body tensed. I used all my strength to slap Damian across the face: “Let go of me!” Damian’s icy gaze pierced me. Seeing my pale face, he clenched his fists and stormed out in a fit of pique. Full of confusion, I leaned against the wall and walked out of the warehouse, only to find all my colleagues looking at me with strange, contemptuous eyes. Some even spat at me with righteous indignation. Moments later, my phone vibrated incessantly. The entire company WhatsApp group was buzzing about the ‘confession letter’ I supposedly wrote: “I was wrong. I apologize to Ms. Chloe Summers. My suspicion, jealousy, and shamelessness have hurt her…” My fists clenched tight. Damian had forged my confession letter, painting me as a shameless, vile wretch! In the past, I would have gone ballistic and confronted Damian. But now I was tired. Nothing mattered more than getting divorced. Ignoring my belongings, I grabbed my bag and left. At the exit, Chloe blocked my way: “Seraphina dear, you’re so pathetic!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298522”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic