Author: Momo Chan

I was at dinner with my fiancé-to-be when my arch-nemesis decided to crash the party. As if stealing my contracts wasn’t enough, now he was ruining my date. “Getting married after just one week? I never took you for someone who’s into beanpoles, Vivian,” he sneered, his voice a low rumble. “You could do better. Or is he the best you could find?” His chest, his abs, his biceps—they were all practically flexing in my face, making my head spin. I couldn’t make out the rest of his taunts over the buzzing in my ears. Drunk and utterly annoyed, all I could think was how much better life would be if he were mute. On a dizzying impulse, I stood on my toes and kissed him. And just like that, the world went silent. 1 I was having dinner with Richard Murray, the man I was supposed to marry. My interest was lukewarm at best; his politeness was impeccable. Richard was the optimal solution, the result of a cold, hard cost-benefit analysis. Marrying him would satisfy my parents, which meant the family fortune wouldn’t fall into the hands of my good-for-nothing older brother, Tyler. Sometimes, the unfairness of it all was suffocating. Just because he was born with the right equipment, why did everything I worked for count for less than his mere existence? It was infuriating. I threw back a few glasses of whiskey, the burn a welcome distraction. My phone lit up. A message from my nemesis, Leo Rowling. [Well, well. Enjoying dinner?] Attached was a photo of Richard and me, right at this very table. Another one of his spies, no doubt, lurking in some shadowy corner. I fired back without hesitation. [You’re hilarious. Should I be eating scraps like you instead? And next time you have me stalked, tell your guy to use a beauty filter.] Leo: [That was taken out in the open. You’re in my restaurant. Who’s the guy across from you?] Oh, right. I’d forgotten. Leo had bought this place last week, right after snatching that massive contract that should have been mine. I replied: [My new boyfriend. We’re getting engaged next week.] A flood of over a dozen messages poured in, as if I’d stomped on a dog’s tail. [What new boyfriend? My mom said your mom was just setting you up on dates last week.] [Don’t you hate blind dates?] [Engaged?] [To that beanpole sitting across from you?] [Are you just trying to mess with me?] [For real?] Then, as if talking to himself, he concluded: [Impossible.] [You hate men.] I drained another glass, the frustration boiling inside me. I typed back: [I hate you. I hate dogs.] Heh. He doesn’t believe me? My fingers flew across the screen. [Who sent you that picture? Tell him to wipe his lens and watch closely. I’ll give him a real show.] 2 Of course, I was just trying to piss Leo off. There was no way I was actually going to kiss Richard. He sat across from me, as elegant as a prince, radiating an almost ethereal sense of detachment. We’d only known each other for a week, but he was, without a doubt, the most handsome of all the candidates my parents had paraded before me. When I’d presented him with my absurd proposal—”engaged next week, married next month”—he had simply smiled and said, “Whatever makes you happy.” I couldn’t bring myself to assault a genuinely nice guy. But when I get agitated, my drinking knows no bounds. Richard politely warned me a few times about the toll it would take, but I just waved him off. He really was the perfect gentleman. Even on a date, his posture was ramrod straight. He cut his steak without making a sound. And me? Half a bottle of whiskey down, I was slumped in my chair like a rag doll. Considering all that, I was lucky Richard wasn’t completely repulsed by me. With his family’s standing, he could have his pick of high-society debutantes. What was I? If I had to pick one redeeming quality, it was that I was a straightforward drinker who didn’t play games. With that thought, I went to pour another glass. My hand trembled, spilling some of the amber liquid on the table. “Vivian, you’ve had enough. It’s not good for you,” Richard said softly, his hand gently covering mine. I just shook my head with a weak smile, ready to down it anyway, when the bottle was snatched from my grasp. I looked up. Leo was standing there, panting, his chest heaving. “That’s not how you stop her! You’ve got to be kidding me,” he scoffed at Richard. “Watch and learn.” With that, he tilted his head back and chugged the remaining half of the bottle. Before I could even react, he plucked the glass from my hand and drained that too. Excuse me? Was stealing my business deals not enough? Now he had to come all the way here to steal my alcohol? “Leo Rowling, I’m going to kill you!” I lunged at him, grabbing the collar of his shirt. Richard quickly stood up to restrain me. “Vivian, calm down.” Leo let me claw at him, sneering at Richard. “Who gave you the right to call her Vivian?” Then his gaze snapped back to me. “You’ve known him a week and you let him call you that?” “It’s none of your damn business!” I shot back. “Tomorrow I’ll be calling him ‘honey’!” A faint blush crept up Richard’s cheeks. Leo’s face darkened into a thundercloud. He grabbed my arm. “You’re drunk. I’m taking you home.” Richard took my other arm. “That won’t be necessary, Mr. Rowling. I’ll see Vivian home.” Both of them, wanting to take me home. Did neither of them realize that home was the last place on earth I wanted to be right now? I drunkenly pointed a finger at Leo. “Your family owns hotels, right? Get me a room. The most expensive one you have!” Then I swung around to face Richard. “Let’s go. We’re getting a room!” 3 Somehow, I ended up being hauled into a car by Leo. Richard was driving. He was the only one of the three of us who hadn’t been drinking. The moment I was in the car, I passed out. When I woke up again, the first thing I saw was the face of the person I despised most in the world. “Here. Hangover cure.” Leo held a bowl out to me. “Honey, apple, and pear. I had the chef make it specially.” I turned my head away. “I don’t want it! I, Vivian Lin, do not accept charity!” It was only then that I realized I was, in fact, in the presidential suite of one of Leo’s hotels. The living room was big enough to host a track meet. My head was pounding, the alcohol making my vision swim. Everything seemed to have a double. “Why are you still here? I’ll have my fiancé wire you the money for the room. Hey, where is he anyway?” Leo suddenly leaned in close, pinching my cheeks together and forcing the bowl to my lips. “Just drink it. You’ll thank me tomorrow when your head isn’t splitting open,” he muttered. “And stop talking. I haven’t liked a single thing you’ve said tonight.” I choked, sputtering, and swatted the bowl away, sending its contents splashing all over his shirt. “Get away from me!” Alcohol has a way of turning up the volume on emotions, and a wave of raw misery washed over me. This was supposed to be Leo’s moment of triumph, wasn’t it? Last week, he’d swooped in and snatched a major government contract right out from under me. Because of that, I was now fighting a war on two fronts. My father, convinced that a woman could never truly run the company, was demanding I hand over my executive powers to my brother, Tyler—that useless parasite who knew nothing but partying. If I wanted to stay at Lin Corp, my only option was to play nice and secure a strategic marriage. I couldn’t let years of my hard work go up in smoke. So yes, I was willing to gamble my own marriage to win this fight. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. And the source of all my misfortune was standing right in front of me. My words came out in a drunken slur. “I hate you! You’re the person I hate most in this entire world! You sabotage me, you steal my clients, and you love watching me fail! Are you satisfied now? I’m about to get engaged to a man I’ve known for a week. Are you happy?” I grabbed a throw pillow from the sofa and hurled it at him. “Get out! Just get out!” Having spent the last of my energy, my body gave out. I collapsed onto the sofa and fell back into a deep, dreamless sleep. Well, not entirely dreamless. I’m pretty sure I murdered Leo Rowling at least eight hundred times. 4 From a distance, I could hear the faint sound of running water. I rubbed my temples, trying to clear the fog from my head. I had no idea how long I’d been asleep, but I felt a little more clear-headed. Someone had draped a blanket over me. I pushed it off and stood up, but before I could take two steps, I collided with Leo as he walked out of the bathroom. He was bare-chested, a single white towel slung low on his hips. Seeing my shocked expression, a slow, lazy grin spread across his face. “You’re awake.” My eyes widened. “Were you taking a shower in here?!” He shrugged, completely unfazed. “I paid for the room. Why can’t I shower in it?” As infuriating as always. “I told you I’d pay you back!” “Do I look like I need the money?” I was speechless. There was no one on this planet more insufferable than him. “You’re a pervert!” I seethed. He tilted his head, shaking a drop of water from his ear as if he hadn’t heard me. “No good deed goes unpunished. I try to give you a hangover cure, you dump it all over me. I had to wash it off before I could leave.” I had no memory of that. I just rolled my eyes at him. “What hangover cure? Where’s Richard?” Leo let out a sharp “tsk” and began to close the distance between us. “You wake up and the first person you ask for is him? You really care about him, huh?” I stumbled backward as he advanced, my heart starting to pound for no reason at all. The sudden proximity was unnerving. Luckily, my mouth was as stubborn as ever. “Of course! Should I be asking about you instead?” He continued his slow, predatory approach until my back hit the wall. I was trapped. “I never knew you were into beanpoles,” he murmured, his voice low. “Why are you blushing?” 5 I swallowed hard, forcing my gaze away from the chiseled torso that was mere inches from my face. “I am not!” I retorted, my voice betraying my confidence. A low chuckle rumbled in Leo’s chest. He reached out and pinched my cheek. “You totally are. Raise your standards a little, Viv. You should find someone who actually fits your tastes. Or is that the problem? You can’t find anyone?” He clicked his tongue. “Then again, I guess a bookworm like him is all you can get.” I shut my eyes, silently chanting a mantra. Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. This is just a trick from the enemy. He’s using his ridiculously good body to mess with me. Beneath those eight-pack abs lies a heart full of pure evil. Leo leaned in, bracing his hands on the wall on either side of my head. “Cat got your tongue? Did I hit a nerve? Don’t go crying into your pillow later.” The alcohol still swirling in my system made my head feel like it was floating. He was so close I could smell the fresh, clean scent of his body wash. And he just wouldn’t stop talking. God, it was so annoying. “You bastard…” I muttered under my breath. His voice was a deep vibration right above me. “Such a filthy mouth. I can’t imagine who would ever marry you.” He kept murmuring something, but the words were a jumbled mess in my buzzing brain. But his body… Damn it, his body was undeniably perfect. How could someone so infuriating be blessed with a face—and a body—like that? The universe had made a grave mistake. Leo was still talking, his lips moving, forming words I couldn’t process. They were… surprisingly sensual. If only he were a mute. That thought was the final spark. My brain short-circuited. I surged up on my toes, grabbed his face with both hands, and smashed my lips against his. It was the quickest way I could think of to finally shut him up. 6 Just as things were getting heated, Leo pulled me off him. “Vivian,” he said, his voice strained. “Do you know who I am?” Being interrupted at a moment like this was beyond frustrating. Who in their right mind stops to talk? “You talk too much…” I grumbled. He watched me intently, a nervous energy about him. “You don’t think I’m Richard, do you?” “Do I look blind to you? You’re Leo Rowling.” The mood was instantly shattered. I gave him a shove. “Never mind. If you’re not into it, then get off.” The next thing I knew, I was being pulled into a powerful embrace. In a fluid motion, our positions were reversed. He was now pinning me, his eyes glowing with the intensity of a predator in the night. Just when I expected another barrage of insults, his lips crashed down on mine. … I think I might have gone to war in my dreams. When I woke up, every single muscle in my body ached. As I shifted, I realized I was being held in someone’s arms. I turned my head in a panic and came face-to-face with a man whose features were as handsome as they were infuriating. Then it all came flooding back. I remembered how I had silenced him, and how he, in turn, had made sure I couldn’t get out of bed. If I wasn’t so afraid of waking him, I would have slapped myself silly. Damn my weakness for attractive men. If I was going to have a one-night stand, couldn’t I have picked someone—anyone—else? But now wasn’t the time for self-flagellation. What was done was done. The immediate priority was to execute Operation: Great Escape. I stealthily gathered my clothes from the floor and, after a frantic search, located my purse in the living room. There was no time to find my shoes. I slipped on a pair of hotel slippers and bolted. 7 I had an appointment with Richard today to pick out our engagement outfits. Thankfully, the night of debauchery hadn’t ruined my sleep. I woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed, without a hint of a hangover. After a quick shower and a change of clothes at home, I headed out to meet him. I was trying on the second wedding dress when Leo’s call came through. Normally, I would have ignored it, but today, a tiny bit of guilt gnawed at me. I slipped outside the shop to answer. The fury on the other end of the line was practically melting my phone. “Vivian Lin, what the hell is the meaning of the two hundred dollars on the nightstand?!” I held the phone a little farther from my ear and forced a laugh. “Hey, don’t take it the wrong way. I just thought you… put in a lot of effort last night. It’s for, you know, nutritional expenses. It was all the cash I had on me. I’m not really sure what the going rate is, so if it’s not enough, I can wire you the rest.” Before leaving, I had emptied my wallet onto the nightstand. I’d hoped he would appreciate the gesture of my sincere apology. Clearly, he did not. Then again, for a face and body like that, maybe I had lowballed him. There was a moment of stunned silence on his end, followed by a voice seething with rage. “Are… you… treating me… like a gigolo?!” I glanced nervously back into the shop. Richard was still patiently browsing the racks, oblivious. I lowered my voice. “Those are your words, not mine.” Leo must have noticed my hushed tone. “Where are you right now?” he demanded. “Oh, I’m trying on wedding dresses,” I blurted out without thinking. The line went dead quiet. For a second, I thought the call had dropped. Then, Leo’s voice came back, low and menacing. “Send me your location. Now.” A shiver went down my spine. But then his tone softened slightly. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I just wanted to return the shoes you left behind.” I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “Oh. Well, that’s thoughtful of you. Thanks.” Fifteen minutes after I hung up, a sports car screeched to a halt in front of the bridal shop. The sound was impossible to ignore. I gave Richard an apologetic smile and hurried outside. Leo looked like he hadn’t slept a wink. His face was so dark he could have been mining coal. “Wow, that was fast. Did you fly here?” My awkward attempt at a joke fell flat. He just glared at me, his expression stony, as if I owed him a fortune. I wasn’t in the mood to coddle the big baby. I held out my hand. “So, the shoes? Give them to me so you can get going.” He glanced down at my outstretched hand, then back up at me, his eyes cold. “You sleep with me one night and you’re trying on wedding dresses the next. You’ve got some nerve, Vivian.” “It’s for the engagement party,” I corrected, then immediately regretted it. Why was I even explaining myself? What happened last night was a drunken mistake. That’s an understanding all adults should have, right? I pressed on. “The shoes?” “Is there anything else you want to say to me?” “Uh… thanks for last night?” That seemed to be the last straw. “Vivian!” he roared. I desperately wanted to clamp a hand over his mouth. I shot a panicked look back at the shop and saw Richard walking toward us. My heart leaped into my throat. I yanked Leo’s arm. “Keep your voice down! Are you trying to advertise this?” 8 Richard reached my side and calmly extended a hand to Leo. “Mr. Rowling, thank you for arranging the room for Vivian last night. If you don’t mind, I’d like to add you as a contact so I can reimburse you for the expense.” The ice on Leo’s face seemed to thicken. “Not convenient,” he grunted. I was mortified, my eyes darting between them. Leo was a loose cannon. If he decided to spill the beans right here, right now, I was completely screwed. Sure enough, Leo opened his mouth, a malicious glint in his eye. “Oh, the trouble she caused me last night involved more than just booking a room…” “Ah!” I shrieked, cutting him off. “Leo is my best friend! My gay best friend!” Both men stared at me, dumbfounded. I pressed on, digging my hole deeper. “He’s just here to help me pick a dress! You know, a gay man’s eye for fashion is… sharper.” Leo was frozen in place, utterly stunned by my declaration. It was Richard who recovered first, a gentle smile playing on his lips. “Is that so? Well then, please, come inside and help us choose. Vivian’s friend Chloe couldn’t make it today, so your input would be greatly appreciated, Mr. Rowling.”

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I sent a selfie to my boyfriend. “Am I pretty? Can you post a picture of me on your story?” He never replied. But five minutes later, his best friend posted my picture to his own Instagram story with the caption: “Goddamn beautiful.” 1 Jax is my boyfriend Caleb’s best friend, and we share a lot of mutual friends. So, the long string of question marks in the comments section was my first clue. This wasn’t some private joke meant only for me to see. It was public. … I don’t know Jax very well. Most of what I know comes from Caleb or other classmates. He’s from a wealthy family, incredibly smart, and that combination has given him the confidence to be arrogant, impulsive, and to do whatever he wants. But that doesn’t mean I have to tolerate this kind of nonsense. As Caleb’s girlfriend, I’ve always maintained a polite but distant relationship with his friends. I was sure I’d never done anything to offend Jax. So why was he publicly humiliating me like this? And how did he get a photo that I sent privately to Caleb? A storm of questions brewed inside me as my trembling fingers opened my chat with Jax and hit the call button. No answer. I frowned, and just as I was putting my phone down, a call from my best friend, Christina, burst onto the screen. “Ava! You need to get to The Brew & Bookmark on campus, now! Caleb and Jax are fighting! It’s brutal! Hurry!” 2 When I got to the cafe, classes were in session, but a massive crowd was still gathered outside, packed three deep. The moment they saw me, the buzz of conversation died down. The crowd parted like the Red Sea, creating a path for me as all eyes followed my every move. I ignored their strange looks and pushed my way into the cafe. Inside, the elegant space was a disaster zone of overturned tables and chairs. It was obvious a violent brawl had just taken place. The two responsible for the chaos, Caleb and Jax, had matching bruises and cuts, but both appeared unnervingly calm. In fact, amidst the wreckage, they were both methodically straightening their clothes. It was hard to say who had won the fight. Judging by his more severe injuries, Caleb had lost. But he had a delicate-looking girl by his side, which felt like a win of its own. She was wearing a white dress, and tears streamed from her wide, innocent eyes like broken strings of pearls. She was carefully dabbing at the blood on Caleb’s face with a tissue. Of course, I recognized her. She was Lily, the star of our university’s dance department. And Caleb’s childhood friend. The first time I became aware of her was when I saw that Caleb had a single red heart emoji as her contact name. When I asked him about it, he explained that her last name was Hart, and that all her friends saved her contact that way as an inside joke. He said it wasn’t a big deal, just a small thing to make his friend happy. I’d chosen to believe him, though not without a sliver of doubt. Now, seeing her crouched so intimately beside him, weeping, I knew my trust had been misplaced. … Lily’s animosity towards me was palpable. Her eyes were practically dripping venom as she ran up to me, jabbing a finger in my face and launching into a tirade from her self-appointed moral high ground. “Ava, how can you even show your face here? You have Caleb, so why can’t you just appreciate him? Does it make you feel special, playing with two men at once? Does it excite you? Jax and Caleb are best friends!” Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, but the words spilling from her pretty mouth were sharp enough to cut. Her voice was so shrill it made my ears ring. I rubbed my ear and calmly pushed her hand away from my face. “Did no one ever teach you any manners?” “You think you’re so high and mighty? A woman who messes around with her boyfriend’s best friend has no right to talk about manners.” Her anger escalated, and she raised her other hand to slap me. I narrowed my eyes, catching her wrist in a firm grip and flinging it away. What was this, some kind of drama? The fragile damsel bravely defending her man against the two-timing villainess? “Are you a dancer or a chef? Because you seem to have a real talent for stirring up drama,” I said, my voice dripping with scorn. I’d pushed her harder than I intended, and she stumbled back, her eyes welling up with fresh tears. “Caleb, did you see that? She…” I rolled my eyes. From the sidelines, Jax, who had been calmly fixing his collar, let out an ill-timed, soft chuckle. My head snapped in his direction. He had already composed himself, back to his usual suave, almost villainous charm. He walked over slowly, his presence like a physical weight, and stood behind me like a mountain. Jax’s voice was lazy, but when he looked at Caleb, it was laced with steel. “Caleb, are you just going to let your girl run wild like this?” Lily, ever the opportunist, softened her tone considerably when she turned to Jax. “Jax, what has this woman done to you? Why are you still defending her? You and Caleb have been friends for years. Is that worth less than some girl? I always thought you were different from her, that you were at least reasonable!” She was a master at the art of putting one person down to lift another up. Unfortunately for her, she’d picked the wrong target. Jax took a deliberate step back, a look of disgust on his face, as if he were afraid of being hit by her spittle. The move made Lily flush with embarrassment and awkwardly wipe her mouth. He was completely unmoved by her attempt at moral blackmail. “Don’t try that with me. Every dog in a five-mile radius of my house knows I don’t play by the rules. You’re wasting your breath talking about being ‘reasonable.’ “This mess is on us. Ava didn’t do anything. If we’re talking about who’s in the right here, it’s her. And let’s be real. You get to run crying to Caleb, so why can’t I be here to back Ava up? Let me make it crystal clear: whether or not I’m ‘reasonable’ with you depends entirely on her. Today, my only job is to be on her side, whether she’s being reasonable or not. Got it?” He spoke quickly, but his logic was sharp and his tone was absolute, leaving no room for argument. Caleb looked over, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. I guessed he had no idea when Jax and I had become so close. To be honest, neither did I. In my confusion, a strange warmth spread through me. After my parents died, I lived with my uncle, and I was forced to grow up faster than other kids my age. I was used to facing things alone. But to have someone so unapologetically in my corner… Even though I didn’t know why, my heart trembled. … Without a word, Caleb stood up, grabbed Lily’s slender wrist, and pulled her behind him, completely ignoring my presence. His actions were a silent confirmation that Lily was, indeed, “his girl.” He rubbed his temples, his voice weary. “Lily, stop it. Ava isn’t the kind of person you’re making her out to be.” One was an intimate “Lily,” the other was a formal “Ava.” In a single sentence, Caleb had drawn a clear line between us. Suddenly, my earlier concern that Jax’s actions might embarrass him felt foolish. Through the glass window, I could see the crowd of students still watching, some even taking pictures with their phones. I didn’t have to guess what would happen next. Soon, the story of how Caleb, the star of the law school, protected his childhood sweetheart in front of his girlfriend would be all over the campus social media pages. Had he even considered my feelings at all? 3 I took two deep breaths, trying to keep my composure as I walked over to Caleb. He sat in a chair, his back perfectly straight, still projecting that image of cool detachment. He wouldn’t look at me. But I needed an explanation. “Caleb, the Instagram story, and what I just saw… do you have anything to say to me?” A ten-second silence stretched between us. “What you saw is what you saw,” he finally said. “I have nothing to explain.” His tone was completely dismissive. The subtext was clear: Take it or leave it. If you can handle it, we can stay together. If not, get lost. So much for the idea that a girl’s pursuit is always successful. The truth is, in any relationship, if the girl is the one who initiates everything, it’s bound to end in disaster. My chest heaved with a breath I couldn’t control. “Nothing to explain?” The words caught in my throat, and a bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Then let’s break up.” “Fine. Whatever you want.” His voice was devoid of any emotion. It reminded me of the day I confessed my feelings to him. I had rehearsed what I was going to say for three days straight, and I was so nervous I could barely speak. In the end, all I got was a lukewarm, “Okay, let’s give it a try.” I stared at the top of his head for three long seconds. Then, I turned and walked away. 4 As I stepped out of the cafe, a breeze seemed to follow me, drying the unshed tears at the corners of my eyes. Jax jogged up to my side, a playful smile on his face. He tugged on the corner of my sleeve as if we were old friends. “Hey, let’s walk together.” I was certain he knew exactly how handsome he was and was deliberately flaunting it. Like right now. He had meticulously straightened his clothes, but he’d left the smear of dried blood at the corner of his mouth untouched. Paired with the slight redness around his eyes, it gave him a rugged, “beautifully broken” kind of look. My feelings toward the instigator of this whole mess were complicated. I wasn’t an idiot. The moment I walked in and saw Lily at Caleb’s side, I understood. Caleb was too busy with his “friend” to reply to my message, and Jax, seeing this, decided to give me a heads-up in his own chaotic way. His methods were bizarre, but his intentions seemed to be good. It was a rare thing to find someone with a conscience in Caleb’s circle. “Where are we going?” I asked. “Nowhere. Just walking for a bit?” “Okay.” His smile widened, and he fell into step behind me, looking pleased with himself. … Walking away from that disaster scene with the notoriously popular Jax Sterling at my side meant we were turning heads everywhere we went. The stares were starting to annoy me, but they also reminded me of something. “By the way, you should delete that story.” “Can I not?” “You can, but then I’ll have to slap you.” Faced with my unwavering resolve, he reluctantly pulled out his phone and deleted the post. He was nearly six-foot-three, but with his slumped shoulders and pout, he looked like a dejected puppy. It reminded me of my grandmother’s big golden retriever, chained to the gate and whining because he couldn’t get to the table scraps. He’s like a big dog, the strange thought flitted through my mind before I pushed it away. When we reached the campus gate, I turned to him. “Well, I’m heading home. Thanks for everything today, really.” It was a polite, almost perfunctory thank you, but his convoluted mind managed to turn it into something more. “Why are you thanking me? It was my duty.” 5 It took just over an hour. Screenshots of Jax’s story, videos of the fight in the cafe, and photos of Caleb shielding Lily in front of me flooded the campus forums. The threads exploded with comments. Headlines like “The Ultimate Love Quadrangle: A Saga of Unrequited Love” were popping up everywhere. It was absurd. So, the first thing my gossip-loving best friend, Christina, said when she got back to our apartment was: “Ava, have you seen the forums? Those people are ruthless. The paparazzi could learn a thing or two from them.” I scoffed, turning my attention back to my listening comprehension exercises. “A bunch of psychos.” Just before I put my headphones back on, I saw Christina give me a thumbs-up, her voice filled with genuine admiration. “I was totally prepared to skip my 8 a.m. class tomorrow to take you out for a night of drunken debauchery, or to help you hunt down that cheating bastard and his side piece. But here you are, studying like nothing even happened… Ava, you’re a true career-driven queen. Seriously impressive.” She paused. “But, girl, you’re acting way too calm. Is it possible that you never really liked Caleb in the first place?” My pen froze. … Caleb was my first love. It was love at first sight, or something close to it. I met him during my freshman orientation week when I injured myself and had to go to the campus health center. The nurse on duty was clearly jaded from seeing countless minor injuries. She was rough with the antiseptic and her tone was sharp. When she was cleaning my wound, I flinched from the pain, and she immediately launched into a lecture. “I’m trying to treat you, what are you pulling away for? You girls are all the same, spoiled by your parents before you get to college. You’re too delicate. Let me tell you, no one’s going to coddle you here!” She had no way of knowing. My parents died when I was very young. There were no parents to coddle me. I was simply afraid of pain. Losing your parents shouldn’t mean you lose the right to feel pain, should it? Being scolded like that on my third day in a new city, thinking about my mom and dad… a wave of misery washed over me. But my past was a wound I never showed to anyone. This time was no different. I bit my lip, turned my head away, and swallowed the tears and the pain. That’s when I saw him. Caleb was standing nearby, a volunteer for the week. He wore a simple white t-shirt and had an air of quiet confidence about him. He looked at me with calm, indifferent eyes. Then he walked over. “Excuse me, ma’am,” he said to the nurse. “Her cut does look pretty deep. If you could, maybe be a little more gentle.” He paused. “It’s not easy for anyone, leaving home for the first time.” At the time, Caleb was only a year older than me, but he had a maturity that was rare in our peers. He spoke calmly and considerately, never sounding accusatory, and his words had a way of making you listen. The nurse actually blushed a little. As I felt her touch become gentler, I looked up at Caleb, grateful. The fluorescent lights of the clinic softened the sharp, handsome lines of his face. He offered me a small, polite smile. In that moment, a strange feeling filled my chest. I think that’s when I fell for him. … That night, before we went to sleep, Christina and I had our usual late-night chat. She grilled me about Jax, then sighed. “Caleb seemed like such a great guy. How did he change so fast?” I thought for a moment, then laughed softly. “He didn’t. I did.” 6 The next morning was our 8 a.m. elective, a uniquely popular course at our university: “The Theory and Practice of Modern Relationships.” I only got into the class thanks to Christina’s lightning-fast reflexes and kind heart. When I arrived, right on time, the large lecture hall was already packed. The class was so popular that many students audited it, and latecomers usually ended up sitting on the steps. Resigned to my fate, I was about to find a spot on the floor when I saw a hand wave lazily at me from the back row. It was Jax. My eyes lit up, and without a moment’s hesitation, I made my way towards him. Only a fool would turn down an open seat just to avoid rumors. I had barely sat down and dropped my bag when the professor called his name. “Jax Sterling.” “Here.” The professor looked surprised. “Well, this is a rare sight. What brings you to class today, Mr. Sterling? Didn’t you say you could ace this course without ever showing up?” Jax was handsome, smart, and well-liked on campus. Even the professors had a soft spot for him. He chuckled, a lazy, carefree sound, and shot back without missing a beat, “I missed you, professor.” The professor laughed, her eyes scanning the room. “I think you missed one of the pretty girls in this class more than you missed me.” The entire class erupted in a wave of whoops and whistles, and all heads turned towards the back row. Naturally, all eyes landed on me as well. I ignored their curious stares and calmly took out my vocabulary notebook. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him flash a devil-may-care smile. “Yeah, I did. That’s why I’m here. We’re aiming for a perfect score on the final project together.” 7 I could pretend I didn’t hear his flirty comments. But I couldn’t ignore the way he spent the entire class with his head propped on his hand, his bright eyes fixed on me. Halfway through the lecture, I couldn’t take it anymore. I snapped my notebook shut and hissed, “Have you seen enough?” “Nope. I could look at you all day.” I was speechless. “So, what’s your deal? The Instagram story, saving me a seat… Are you doing this because you feel sorry for me, or what?” “What do you mean, ‘or what’?” he said, finishing the thought I’d left hanging. “Of course, I’m trying to win you over.” He held up a notebook to shield us from the professor’s view and leaned closer, his eyes wide and earnest. “I thought I was being pretty obvious. Was it that hard to guess?” I subtly scooted away. “I just broke up with your best friend yesterday. Don’t you think it’s a little twisted for you to be hitting on me today?” “Is it? I thought your ‘single’ status was effective immediately. The fact that I waited a whole day to tell you how I feel shows incredible self-restraint, don’t you think?”

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We’d agreed to finally swap photos. So when my online boyfriend sent me a picture from a magazine interview with the billionaire tycoon Alexander Sterling, I had to laugh. I shot back a professionally shot photo of a famous actress. [Dumbass, if you’re going to use a fake pic, at least pick someone less famous.] Then, I blocked and deleted him without a second thought. That night, the tycoon himself posted on his official social media account, launching a nationwide search. [My girlfriend blocked me. Can anyone help me explain?] The attached screenshot was of my final message, followed by a string of red exclamation points where his replies had failed to send. My world tilted on its axis. 1 After breakfast, I sat by the window and did my makeup, waiting for the perfect light. Today was the day. The day my online boyfriend and I had agreed to finally see each other. [Babe, you ready?] his message popped up. I quickly typed back: [I’m a little nervous, babe.] We clicked on every level. We could talk for hours about anything and everything. But there was one thing I hadn’t told him: I was a celebrity. A somewhat infamous one, but still, I was moderately successful. I was worried he wouldn’t believe me, so my plan was to video call him after the photo swap. I couldn’t wait to see his reaction. He replied almost instantly. [I’m nervous too. I’m scared you’ll think I’m ugly.] [Babe, I tried my best to pick the most flattering picture I have.] [You won’t hate me, will you, babe?] He’d expressed his insecurities to me more than once. But after years in the entertainment industry, I’d met every type of person imaginable. Looks really didn’t matter to me. [Of course not. As long as you don’t send me a fake photo, I’ll like you no matter what you look like.] [Good. Kisses, babe QAQ.] [Kisses.] He was clingy, and I found it endearing. He went quiet for a few minutes, probably building up his courage. Then, a photo appeared. A man in a sharp suit, surrounded by a sea of microphones, his gaze piercing and his presence commanding. I recognized him instantly. It was Alexander Sterling, the notoriously private billionaire tycoon. His interviews were rare, but his looks were so legendary that every single one produced a viral photo. This was his most famous one. A new message followed. [Babe, this is me. What do you think?] [nervouslyfidgeting.jpg] I stared at the screen, stunned. I’d always thought my online boyfriend was smart, principled, and refreshingly down-to-earth. We connected on a level I’d never experienced before. But what the hell was this? Was he trying to tell me that the billionaire Alexander Sterling was spending his nights chatting with strangers online? Was I dreaming, or was he? And I had explicitly told him not to send a fake photo! Did I really seem that naive? That easy to fool? If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s being lied to. A hot flash of anger surged through me. I found an obscure promotional photo of myself from a few years back and fired it off to him. [Dumbass, if you’re going to use a fake pic, at least pick someone less famous.] Before he could reply, I blocked him. 2 We had met playing a video game. I went into the game and unfriended him, deleting the character with whom I had a maxed-out “Intimacy” score. Now there was no way for him to contact me. I tossed my phone aside, wiped off the makeup I’d spent all morning applying, and curled up on the sofa to stew in my anger. All those pictures he’d sent me before—the abs, the V-cut—they were probably all stolen from the internet too. And to think I’d genuinely admired and complimented his physique! Fucking liar! Fuming, I buried my face in a cushion and fell into a fitful sleep. That evening, a call from my agent woke me. Her voice was strange. “Ava, have you seen what’s trending?” “What is it?” I mumbled, forcing my eyes open and tapping into my social media app. A hashtag was exploding. #EvenBillionairesGetCatfished A jolt of alarm shot through me, waking me up completely. This couldn’t be what I thought it was, could it? I cautiously clicked on the tag. Alexander Sterling, who hadn’t posted on his personal account in years, had just published a new status. [My girlfriend blocked me. Can anyone help me explain?] The attached screenshot looked disturbingly familiar. It was the last conversation I’d had with my online boyfriend. But his version had a series of red exclamation points next to messages that never went through. [Huh?] [It’s not a fake pic, babe. That’s really me.] [Babe?] [Why did you delete me? Can you at least let me explain?] [Babe… #crying#] The internet was losing its mind. [What? The Alexander Sterling is dating someone he met online?] [Who is this girl?? Did she save a galaxy in a past life to land Alexander Sterling in a random chat?] [But she thought he was fake, LMAO. I’m dying.] [Honestly, that’s fair. If it were me, I’d assume it was a troll too, hahaha.] [So he’s basically asking the internet to help find her? Does anyone know who this girl is?] [If you know her, please say something! The man is so desperate he’s posting on his public socials!] … I scrolled through the comments, my eyes wide with disbelief. So, my online boyfriend… wasn’t a liar? He really was Alexander Sterling. As I was reeling from the shock, a new hashtag started trending. #TheBillionaireAndTheStarlet My heart leaped into my throat. No, they couldn’t have found me that fast, could they? I nervously tapped on it. It led to a new post from Isabelle Thorne, one of the most popular young actresses right now. [No need for anyone to explain, it was all just a misunderstanding~] The implication was so strong, she might as well have quote-tweeted Alexander’s post directly. The internet went wild. [The power of the internet! Found her in minutes!] [So his online girlfriend is Isabelle Thorne?! OMG! A starlet and a tycoon, this is the most epic online romance ever!] [Isabelle is so cute. Even as a celebrity herself, she didn’t believe a tycoon would be dating someone online, hahaha.] [OMG, they’re a perfect match. Isabelle is about to marry into one of the most powerful families in the country!] 3 My agent’s voice crackled through the phone again. “See it now? I was about to get you a spot on that new cooking show to boost your public image, but now with this news about Isabelle and the tycoon, all the buzz is going to be about her. This could ruin you!” I paused. My cooking skills were one of my few universally liked traits, and we had specifically chosen a laid-back, lifestyle cooking show to try and salvage my disastrous public reputation. The show was set to start filming tomorrow. Now, with all the attention on Isabelle, I was just going to be the bitter, washed-up side character again. I gritted my teeth. “What if… what if I’m the one he was dating?” I had used a private, anonymous account for my online life, completely separate from my professional one. Not even my agent knew. I explained the whole story to her. She was stunned. “Isabelle would dare to impersonate her? Is she insane?” Everyone knew Alexander Sterling wasn’t just ruthless; he was vindictive. Nobody crossed him, and nobody lied to him. Even I, knowing I was the real girl, was too scared to come forward and admit it. Not only had I blocked him, I had called him a dumbass. My agent and I stayed up all night, brainstorming, but we couldn’t come up with a single foolproof plan. The next morning, running on fumes and a hastily applied layer of makeup, I was shoved into a car and sent to the studio. When I arrived, a small crowd had already formed around Isabelle. “Isabelle! What’s it like to date a tycoon you met online?” “You’re a master at this!” “What’s he like in private?” “So, now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, have you unblocked him yet?” The barrage of questions made Isabelle blush. She covered her mouth with her hand. “He hasn’t found me on his own yet, so the block list… I think he’ll stay there for now.” It was an answer no one expected. “What? You haven’t unblocked him yet?!” “You might be the only person in the world who would dare to do that to Alexander Sterling!” “I can’t even imagine how much he must spoil you!” … Isabelle just smiled demurely. “Oh, stop it, you guys.” Everyone was swooning. Only I was frowning. He’s still on the block list because he’s on my block list, you idiot. My expression was immediately captured by the cameras and dissected by the online audience. [What is Ava doing? What’s with that look on her face?] [She’s probably just insanely jealous that Isabelle is dating the tycoon. She can’t even hide it!] [LOL, some people just don’t have Isabelle’s luck.] [Why did they even cast her on this show? To watch her scowl the whole time?] … Isabelle saw me and approached with a bright smile. “Ava, you’re finally here! The host said they have a huge surprise for us as soon as everyone arrived. We were just waiting for you.” I glanced at the time. Filming was scheduled to start at 8:30. It was just past 8:00. Because of the whole Alexander situation, I’d only gotten to sleep at 5 a.m. I wasn’t early, but I wasn’t late either. But the online audience had already made up their minds. [So Ava still hasn’t kicked her habit of acting like a diva?] [The entire cast and crew waiting for her. The nerve!] [Only our sweet Isabelle would still be able to smile at her after all that waiting!] [Ugh, get Ava off this show. She’s so annoying.] 4 I desperately wanted to roll my eyes at her. But I restrained myself. “What’s the big surprise?” I asked the host. The host gave me a mysterious smile. The large screen behind him flickered to life, displaying a screenshot of a social media post. It was from Alexander Sterling, posted just three minutes ago. Seven simple words: [Going where you are.] The accompanying image was the logo for our show. The host announced, “That’s right! Our show is honored to welcome a very special guest—the CEO of Sterling Industries, Mr. Alexander Sterling himself!” The internet exploded. [Going where you are? He’s chasing his girlfriend all the way to a reality show set!] [Remember what Isabelle just said? That he hadn’t found her yet, so she was keeping him blocked? And now he’s literally showing up on her show to win her back! This is SO romantic!] [This is a man who schedules his interviews months in advance, and he’s just dropping everything to be on a reality show. If that’s not true love, I don’t know what is!] [I can’t even imagine how sweet it’s going to be when he actually gets here!] [Can I please have Isabelle’s life in my next reincarnation?] Isabelle’s reaction was a masterclass in feigned surprise. Her eyes widened, her hand flew to her mouth, and she lowered her head in a display of shy disbelief. Someone immediately teased her. “Isabelle, the man is chasing you all the way here. I think it’s time to unblock him, don’t you?” She covered her face, embarrassed. “Oh, stop! We’ll see how he behaves when he gets here~” This, of course, led to another round of excited squeals from the cast. I was utterly baffled. Did Alexander really believe Isabelle was the one? So much so that he was willing to come on a reality show for her? I couldn’t help but remember my online chats with him. Whenever he made me mad, he would wire me money. If I ignored him, he’d send me pictures of his abs. If I kept ignoring him, the waistband of his sweatpants would get progressively lower in each photo. He was definitely a charmer. But he was charming me. How had he become this puppet that Isabelle could so easily manipulate? I couldn’t stop myself. I looked directly at Isabelle. “And if he behaves, are you sure you’ll be able to unblock him?” Isabelle froze for a second, then quickly nodded. “Of course.” Another cast member, confused, turned to me. “Ava, why would you ask that?” I didn’t answer right away. If I said, Because I’m the one he was dating, would I be torn to shreds? The online audience was already starting. [What is wrong with Ava? Why would she say something so weird?] [Her jealousy is literally pouring out of the screen. She’s probably never experienced a man being that devoted to her.] [Seriously, what is there to question? Alexander is coming on the show for Isabelle!] [She’s so rude. But don’t worry, everyone. As soon as Mr. Sterling gets here, he’ll put her in her place! He’ll get her kicked off the show!] Isabelle, seeing my hesitation, seemed to regain her confidence. She straightened her back and frowned at me. “Yes, what do you mean by that? If I can’t, are you saying you can?” Her tone was challenging, her eyes glinting with defiance. “Ava, are you…” She left the sentence hanging, but the insinuation was clear. Are you jealous? Are you envious? Are you just trying to stir up trouble? Everyone turned to stare at me. The pressure was mounting, and my patience finally snapped. “Yeah, I can,” I said, my voice dangerously calm. “He’s on my block list right now. Want to see?”

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My fiancé’s adopted sister has a talent for pushing me to my breaking point. I like my water ice-cold. She once swapped it for boiling water, leaving my mouth a landscape of swollen blisters. I was rushing to a crucial meeting. She slashed my tires, making me miss the appointment and lose the contract. … This time, at the wedding I had dreamed of, she replaced our wedding march with a funeral dirge, then pouted with a look of feigned innocence. “Oh, my silly brain,” she simpered. “I mixed them up. Which one was it again?” The mournful music looped for half an hour. Before I could even scream at her, my fiancé, Terence, was already soothing her. “It’s not a big deal. We’ll just push the ceremony back a bit. Take your time, Bonnie. It’s your first time managing an event this big, it’s normal for things to go wrong.” I was left standing on the altar alone, my white wedding gown feeling like a funeral shroud. Finally, Bonnie found the right song. Then, the rings went missing. After that, she managed to “trip” and drench me in tea. My expression turned to ice. That was it. I wasn’t marrying him. No man was worth this kind of humiliation. 1 Terence frantically dabbed at my dress with a napkin, trying to make light of the situation for the guests. “It’s nothing, everyone, just a little hiccup! Please be understanding, it’s Bonnie’s first time helping with a wedding.” He then turned to my stony face, his tone teasing. “You’re not going to throw a tantrum over a little thing like this, are you? Look, it’s all clean now.” I looked down. A prominent brown stain marred the front of my gown. It was hideous. Filthy. This dress was my creation. I had poured my heart into it, collaborating with the designer on every single detail. I’d even driven through a rainstorm just to argue over the placement of a single pearl. The boutique staff had grown weary of my perfectionism. “Miss Reed, it’s flawless. You’re going to be the most beautiful bride.” And now… Bonnie grabbed my arm, her eyes red-rimmed. “Autumn, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.” It was always like this. I would endure, and endure, and a flimsy apology was supposed to make it all go away. Not anymore. The guests were murmuring amongst themselves, the air thick with awkwardness. Terence’s grandfather struck the floor with his cane, then produced a small, ornate box. “Autumn, this jade ring belonged to Terence’s grandmother. I was going to give it to you after your first child was born, but consider it a wedding gift.” He gave Terence a pointed look. Terence grabbed my hand, forcefully pulling me back onto the stage. As the officiant tried to smooth things over, a semblance of festivity returned. Terence gazed at me, his eyes full of what was supposed to pass for love, waiting for me to recite my vows. I just stared back at him and said, my voice cold and clear, “I don’t.” The thorn in my heart was lodged too deep. The smile on Terence’s face froze. He leaned in, hissing, “What are you doing? My grandfather just gave you Grandma’s ring. Don’t blow this out of proportion over a few little mistakes.” Little mistakes. He had no idea how many times I’d listened to our wedding song to ensure it was perfect. He had no idea how many sleepless nights I’d spent poring over every detail of this day, all while juggling my demanding job. I had invested every ounce of my being into this, wanting to give myself the perfect beginning. I had spent a small fortune to fly my family here, to finally show the people who’d always looked down on me that I had made it. Instead, I had become a laughingstock. My stepmother and stepsister were whispering, their smirks venomous. “I knew it. As if she could ever marry into a family like this. We flew business class for this?” I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood, willing myself not to cry. Terence caught my gaze, and the rebuke on his lips died. He took the ring, trying to force it onto my finger, but the size was wrong. It squeezed my knuckle painfully. “How can that be?” I yanked my hand back. “It’s meant for a ring finger after the vows. Of course it won’t fit a middle finger during them.” The jade ring clattered to the floor. Bonnie immediately dove for it. I walked over to her, ripped the veil from my hair, and crowned her with it. “Congratulations.” 2 I ran. The wedding was, of course, canceled. Terence gave me the silent treatment for days, until Bonnie was finally “punished” by the family. See? They thought I was just some girl from a lower-class background who wouldn’t dare make a fuss. Only when they saw I was serious did they make a token gesture of disciplining her. This relationship, with me always on the bottom rung, was exhausting. Terence finally tracked me down, his face a thundercloud. “Bonnie is being punished because of you. I need you to go to my grandfather and ask him to forgive her so we can move on. What’s the point of dragging this out? She’s my sister, not some stranger.” I wrenched my hand from his grasp. “Not my problem.” His patience snapped. He shoved me toward his car, forcing me inside. “You’re the one who started this mess! My family barely agreed to let me marry you in the first place, and now you pull this?” A chilling cold spread through my chest. It was true. I had worked so hard to be accepted by his prejudiced family. But I had dignity. I was a person, not a doormat. If that’s how it was, then it was time to make things crystal clear. At the Vance estate, Terence took all the blame, which was really just another way of protecting Bonnie. “Bonnie is still young,” he told his grandfather. “Ultimately, it was Autumn who didn’t explain things clearly enough. It wasn’t her fault. It was mine, too. You can punish me instead.” The old man ignored him, his sharp eyes fixed on me. Seeing my cold, unyielding expression, he barked, “Bonnie, apologize!” Bonnie was reluctant, but one look at her grandfather’s stern face and she bowed her head. “I’m sorry, Autumn. It was my fault. I’m just so clumsy, I’m always messing things up.” As she raised a hand to wipe away a crocodile tear, the ancestral jade ring flashed on her finger. I took a deep breath. “We’re broken up. The wedding is off. It has nothing to do with anyone else. I’m the one who doesn’t want to continue.” Terence’s face darkened, his body trembling with disbelief, as if he couldn’t comprehend that those words had come from my mouth. His grandfather gave me a few days to “reconsider.” I walked out without another word. To my surprise, Terence ignored Bonnie’s calls and ran after me. “Autumn, let me drive you home. What did you mean back there? What do you mean we’re broken up? I didn’t agree to it.” It was late and hard to find a cab, so I got in his car. On the way, he rambled on, explaining and justifying, but I tuned him out, staring blankly at the cityscape rushing by. Terence was about to say something else when his phone rang. His expression shifted instantly. “She has a fever? Okay, I’m on my way back right now.” He slammed on the brakes and pulled me out of the car. “Autumn, you’ll have to get a cab from here. Something’s happened to Bonnie. She must have gotten sick from being so upset about her punishment tonight.” The car sped away, leaving me alone in the biting wind. Of course, there were no cabs. I walked the whole way home in a daze, my hands frozen stiff. I couldn’t help but think about how we started. I met Terence one night years ago. After my father remarried, I became the family punching bag. Terence found me crying on a park bench, and after hearing my story, he stormed into my house with a wooden bat and smashed a coffee table to pieces. “Don’t you ever touch Autumn again,” he’d roared at my family, “or you’ll have to go through me.” He was the light that guided me forward. Until his adopted sister returned from overseas. Suddenly, I wasn’t the center of his universe anymore. I couldn’t be carefree, couldn’t be his priority. I was always second place. I decided then and there to refocus my life. My future would belong to my career. 3 When Terence finally came back to our apartment, I had already taken down most of the red “Double Happiness” decorations. He frowned, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. “Still angry? You’re the one who put all this up. You’ll just have to put it back later. What a hassle.” He still thought I was just throwing a tantrum. I looked at him calmly. “That won’t be necessary.” He didn’t hear me. He was busy typing on his phone, a bright, carefree smile on his face, just like when we first started dating. “What did you say?” The will to fight had left me. I silently slipped out of his embrace. The next day, I was stopped at the entrance of my office. Our biggest client was inside, screaming. As he stormed out, he threw a contract at me. “You brought me a plagiarized proposal! Do you have any idea the kind of legal trouble you almost got our company into?” My heart plummeted. The proposal was entirely my own work. I had the creation logs to prove it. My boss looked at me with weary resignation. “We all know you’re capable, Autumn. The accusation comes from a small startup, from a new hire. See if it’s someone you know. But for now… we have to let you go.” His words echoed in the sudden silence. “No, you can’t. I gave everything to this job. The early mornings, the late nights… you know how hard I’ve worked…” But the look in his eyes didn’t change. I knew he was already being lenient by not suing me for the damages to the company. I walked home in a stupor. A text from my stepsister arrived, dripping with scorn. “You worked so hard for a decade to get into a good university, and for what? Look at you now, with nothing. You were supposed to be such a role model.” A lump formed in my throat. My fingers went numb. I had no words to fight back. When I opened the door to my apartment, I found Terence and Bonnie celebrating her new full-time job. I couldn’t contain my rage any longer. I stormed up to her. “Did you steal my proposal? Did you?!” Bonnie’s eyes filled with tears. “I didn’t know! I thought it was just some old drafts. Terence said it was okay.” That was the last straw. I slapped her across the face and tried to drag her out the door to go clear my name. Terence grabbed my wrist, his grip like iron. “If you do this, you’ll ruin Bonnie’s future! She just started her career. You slapped her. Isn’t that enough to make you feel better?” My voice was a raw, broken scream. “Do you have any idea that if she doesn’t go, my future is ruined? Everything I’ve worked for all these years, gone! You think a single slap is a fair trade for my entire life, Terence? How dare you even suggest that?” Tears streamed down my face. Terence flinched under my gaze but stubbornly held his ground. “If you lose your job, fine. I’ll take care of you. You won’t have to work.” My tears felt like a sick joke. The words made me want to vomit. “I don’t want you to take care of me! I want my name cleared! I want justice!” Terence grabbed my shoulders, his voice rising in frustration. “So you’d rather destroy Bonnie’s life instead?” So, once again, I was the one who had to be sacrificed. Bonnie, playing the victim, covered her face and ran from the room, deliberately shoving me as she passed. I stumbled backward, my lower back slamming into the sharp corner of a bookshelf. The pain was so intense I crumpled to the floor. Terence gave me a single glance before chasing after her. Between me and Bonnie, I would always, always be second. I went to the hospital alone. My back was a canvas of deep, ugly bruises. The pain brought fresh tears to my eyes. There was no one to rush through the paperwork for me anymore. No one to gently blow on my injuries, whispering words of comfort. I shut down my emotions and began to gather evidence. I would get my justice. I couldn’t rely on anyone else. From now on, I was my own staunchest ally. 4 I pulled security footage, backend server logs, every digital crumb I could find, and posted it all online. Then I filed a police report. It didn’t take long for Terence to find me. He was holding a tube of ointment, but he didn’t even ask about my injury. “Just let this go. Can you please stop making a scene?” He demanded I take down my posts and withdraw the police report. Bonnie was threatening suicide. He had to leave to be with her, but not before delivering an ultimatum. “Autumn, don’t push me. I’m giving you one hour to take everything down.” I didn’t understand what he meant at first. The story was exploding online. People were rallying to my side. Even my old boss called and promised that once things were cleared up, my job would be waiting for me. A genuine smile touched my lips. I felt a surge of energy. But it was short-lived. Terence turned all the evidence against me. He issued a public statement claiming the laptop, and therefore the original idea, was his. He had the receipts to prove it—it had been a promotion gift from him to me. That gift had just become the sharpest knife in his arsenal. My smile dissolved into a cloud of despair. He was a major player in our industry. And he was the person closest to me. His word was enough to turn the tide of public opinion. “She’s the real thief! This is a criminal offense! Boycott Autumn Reed!” I was doxxed. My personal information was plastered online. My assets were frozen to prepare for the “reputational damages” I owed Bonnie. I became a pariah overnight. The only place I could find a moment of peace was at the cemetery. I looked at my mother’s photograph on the headstone and broke down completely. “Mom, I wanted to build a good life. I wanted to prove to everyone that I was worthy. But it’s all gone. Everything I worked so hard to build has been destroyed.” “I’m so tired. I can’t get back up.” Just a few days ago, before the wedding, Terence had knelt in this very spot and promised he would give me a home. He promised he would make my mother proud. I slumped against the cold marble and drifted off. In my dreams, I was an outcast, with no job, no money… nothing. I awoke to find Terence standing over me, holding an umbrella to shield me from the sun. “I know you’re hurting,” he said softly. “This is the last time, I promise. Bonnie didn’t mean for it to go this far. You have so many other options, other paths you can take.” I didn’t even have the energy to slap him. “Paths? My love, my career, my future… they’re all gone. What paths are you talking about?” His phone rang. He hesitated for a second before answering. It was Bonnie, sobbing on the other end. “Autumn hired bots to attack me online!” Terence spent a few moments placating her, promising he would handle it, before hanging up. I laughed, a pale, brittle sound in the bright sunlight. He looked uncomfortable and tried to help me up. “Once we’re married, everything I have is yours. You don’t need a career to define your self-worth.” The wedding ring wasn’t even mine, and he thought his possessions were? I pushed myself to my feet. “I don’t want your things. I want my life.” He didn’t understand. His frustration boiled over. “Isn’t it a good thing? You won’t have to work at all! What more could you want? We’ll have a few kids… it’ll be a better life than the one you came from. You should be grateful. You were fine with it before, why not now?” The broken window effect… once a boundary is crossed, it’s easier to cross it again and again. I was done. We were never on the same path. As Terence’s face grew darker, I let go of my last restraint. There was one thing that was truly equal for everyone: life itself. “Terence,” I said, my voice dangerously calm, “if you keep pushing me, I will drag you both down to hell with me. You can be the pallbearers at my life’s funeral.”

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On Valentine’s Day, my mother-in-law died unexpectedly at the hospital. And my husband, Matthew Cleese, one of the city’s top surgeons, personally signed the organ donation consent form. Then he scrubbed in and harvested her heart himself. I stormed into the hospital, ready to tear him apart, but he just coolly pulled off his surgical gloves and spoke. “Clara’s mother has been waiting for this heart for three years. She saved my life once. This is the only way I can repay her.” “Clara only has her mother left in this world. Can’t you be a little more generous? I’ll bring her to lay flowers at your mother’s grave, and we’ll put this behind us.” I stared at the shrouded body on the operating table, then at the fresh bloodstains on his white coat, and fought the urge to laugh. He still doesn’t know. The heart belonged to his mother. 1 Clara White, a vision of innocence in a white dress, hid behind Matthew, looking fragile and pitiable. Matthew pursed his lips, avoiding my gaze. His voice was low and strained. “Three years ago, I was doing volunteer medical work when I was caught in a landslide. Clara and her mother risked their own lives to dig me out.” “They never asked for anything in return… Now her mother is sick. I can’t just let her die.” He paused, then added, “Your mother was old. She didn’t have much time left anyway. It’s better that she served a final purpose.” I stared at him in disbelief. This man, who had shared my bed for five years, was suddenly a stranger, and the coldness emanating from him was terrifying. How could a doctor, a healer, say something so callous? He hadn’t even visited his mother once since she’d been admitted. He’d just cut out her heart and handed it over to Clara White’s mother. I had thought he was ruthless enough to sacrifice his own mother for a debt of gratitude. I never imagined he thought he was sacrificing mine. The absurdity of it was almost laughable. “Matthew!” My nails dug into my palms. “My mother has never done anything to wrong you. How could you do this?” “And the person who saved you back then, it was—” Before I could finish, I was cut off. Clara’s eyes reddened. “Miss Reed, I know a simple country girl like me can’t compare to a lady like you.” “You have so many people in your life, but I only have my mother. If you’re really that unhappy, you can take it out on me.” She raised her hand and began slapping her own face, one sharp crack after another. Matthew grabbed her wrist, his voice softening. “Clara, stop. You don’t need to apologize. This has nothing to do with you.” He turned on me, his voice sharp with accusation. “I never knew you could be so vicious.” “Clara isn’t a monster like you. She’s kind. Even after her mother’s surgery was a success, she was worried about others. She begged me to donate the rest of your mother’s organs to people in need. Why can’t you be more like her?” My voice was shrill. “Matthew, what gives you the right to make that decision?” His eyes were like chips of ice. “I’ve already signed the consent forms. The body has already been taken away.” I looked into those cold, indifferent eyes and felt a chill seep into my bones. A sharp pain lanced through my heart. I felt a wave of injustice, not for myself, but for his mother. After Matthew’s father had an affair, it was his mother who walked away with nothing but him. She raised him alone, working herself to the bone to give him a future. And this was her reward. I straightened my back, my gaze locking with his. I spoke each word with deliberate clarity. “Matthew, you will regret this.” 2 My mother-in-law had treated me like her own daughter from the moment I married into the family. I couldn’t let her suffer such an indignity. But Matthew was now a celebrated expert, a titan in the city’s medical community. People were falling over themselves to do his bidding. How could an ordinary person like me possibly stand against him? I tried contacting the media, but every outlet gave me the same canned response: “Ma’am, we can’t run this story.” With no other options, I posted the truth online. The post lasted less than a minute before my account was banned. It was Matthew, of course. “Don’t waste your energy. You can’t win against me.” The voice came from behind me. I turned to see him standing there, a look of weary condescension on his face. “Autumn, can’t you just let this go?” I clenched my fists, my nails breaking the skin of my palms. “Never.” I had already looked into it. My mother-in-law’s condition hadn’t been serious. It was a minor procedure, one that should never have been fatal. Matthew had killed his own mother. And he wouldn’t even leave her body intact. If I let this go, I would be betraying the years of kindness she had shown me. Matthew’s face darkened. “Do you have any idea how many people in this city are begging me for a surgery slot? With a single nod, I have people who will eliminate any ‘problem’ for me.” He sneered. “Do you really think you stand a chance?” I met his gaze, my voice calm. “Let’s find out.” A vein throbbed in his temple before he turned and stormed away. He wasn’t always like this. He used to be the very picture of a compassionate doctor. He’d been scammed several times by people faking injuries on the street, but the next time he saw someone collapsed on the pavement, he would still rush to help without hesitation. I had once warned him against being too trusting. He had held me and said, “If everyone just stood by and did nothing, what kind of world would this be?” “I’m not afraid of being scammed. I’m afraid that one day, there will be someone who genuinely needs help, and my hesitation will cost them their life. I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.” I don’t know when he changed. It wasn’t just because of Clara. He had become addicted to the power and control his status gave him. He had started to look down on ordinary people. I saw him again three days later. He walked in with Clara in tow, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Clara’s mother needs care. It’s more convenient for her to stay with us. I’ve already agreed.” I sat on the sofa, watching them in silence. Matthew suddenly exploded. “Autumn Reed, she is the woman who saved my life! Who do you think you’re scowling at?” I rose slowly, my voice devoid of emotion. “It’s your house. You can let whoever you want live in it.” I knew the calm wouldn’t last, but I didn’t expect the frame-up to come so quickly. I had just gotten back from meeting with a lawyer. Before I could even turn off the engine, my car door was yanked open. Matthew dragged me out, and I fell hard onto the pavement. Before I could get up, his icy voice rained down on me. “Autumn Reed, I never thought you could sink this low.” “Hiring men to assault Clara? Are you even human?” The disgust in his eyes was a physical blow, a knife twisting in my chest. “You make me sick.” 3 I knew Matthew could be cruel, but I never imagined this. He fabricated the entire story and posted it online, painting me as a jealous monster who couldn’t stand her husband’s savior and had resorted to violence. The post included a video from that day at the hospital, showing Clara on her knees, slapping herself. The internet went into a frenzy. 【My God, what a toxic monster. This is disgusting.】 【She’s jealous of the woman who saved her husband’s life? I can’t even with this.】 【How can people like this exist? Go to hell.】 A tidal wave of hate crashed over me. My inbox was flooded with messages telling me to die. My personal information, including my home address, was leaked. Matthew moved out with Clara, leaving me alone in the house. Every night was a new terror. Banging on the door that lasted for hours. People throwing venomous snakes into my yard. In just three days, I lost ten pounds. I was too afraid to go outside, huddling in a corner of the house. Eventually, I ran out of food. I put on a mask and a hat and slipped out, hoping to go unnoticed. The moment I stepped into the supermarket, a man with bloodshot eyes charged at me. “You bitch! You monster! Die!” I dodged instinctively. There was a hiss of acrid white smoke as a searing pain erupted on my left arm. The fabric of my sleeve instantly corroded, turning black. “You ungrateful snake! Women like you should be drowned!” Security guards tackled him, but he continued to struggle and scream. In the next moment, a tall figure stepped in front of me. “I’m sorry, everyone. I know this is my wife’s fault. And mine.” It was Matthew. His voice was gentle as he pulled me out from behind him, forcefully ripping off my mask and hat. Someone in the crowd recognized me. “It’s her! The monster from the internet!” “I can’t believe I’m seeing her in person. Get out of here! I feel sick just being near you!” I don’t know who threw the first one, but soon eggs and rotting vegetables were flying through the air, splattering against me. Matthew, standing in front of me, was not spared. A flicker of revulsion crossed his face, but he maintained his mask of a devoted, pained husband. “I know everyone is angry, and I’m not here to make excuses for my wife.” “But I hope you can give her a chance to make amends for her mistakes. We will be holding a public apology tomorrow in the main square.” He dragged me back home. I yanked my arm away, my voice like ice. “An apology? What apology?” Matthew wasn’t angry. “You were in the wrong this time. You owe Clara an apology. I’ve already arranged it with her. As long as you apologize tomorrow, she’ll agree to let this go.” I looked at his face and found it utterly laughable. He was the one who had put me in this hell, and now he was offering me a chance at forgiveness? “I will not apologize,” I said coldly. He just smiled and took out his phone. “Your mother’s organs were donated, but there are still some ashes left. It’s your choice. You can either show up and apologize, or you can say goodbye to what’s left of your mother.” I stared at the crude jar he was showing me on the screen. A cold sneer touched my lips. “Matthew, those are your mother’s ashes. Not mine.” 4 At my words, the color drained from Matthew’s face. “Autumn Reed, I’ve tried to be civil with you, but you keep pushing it.” “My mother treated you so well, and you have the nerve to wish death upon her? I won’t let you get away with this!” He grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the house. When we reached the main square, he kicked the back of my knees, forcing me to the ground. A crowd quickly gathered. He stood over me, his voice ringing with self-righteousness. “I’m sure you’ve all seen the news lately. I failed to control my wife, and she has done something terrible.” “I have brought her here today so that you can all witness her apology.” Clara appeared right on cue. She glanced at me timidly. “Matthew, maybe we should just let it go. It was my fault for getting too close to you. It’s only natural that Autumn would be upset.” “Miss White, you’re too kind! Good people always get taken advantage of. She needs to be taught a lesson!” someone from the crowd shouted. “Yeah! She should get on her knees and beg for your forgiveness! Everyone knows what she did!” “We support you! Make her apologize!” The roar of the crowd was deafening. My face was pale, my hands trembling. Matthew sighed dramatically. “Clara, you’re too good for this world. I worry people will take advantage of you.” “Since you’re too kind to punish her, as her husband, I will make her apologize to you.” He grabbed a fistful of my hair and slammed my head against the pavement. Crimson bloomed on my forehead, dripping down and blurring my vision. My strength seemed to drain away with the blood. “Autumn Reed,” Matthew commanded. “Do you admit you were wrong?” I bit my lip, my voice a raw whisper. “I did nothing wrong. I will not apologize.” He seemed shocked that I still had the will to defy him. His grip tightened, and he slammed my head down again. “Admit it! Do you admit you were wrong?” The pain was all-consuming. I was close to breaking. I bit down on my tongue. The sharp, metallic taste of blood cleared my head for a moment. “I. Did. Nothing. Wrong.” If I admitted guilt here, in front of everyone, no amount of evidence would ever clear my name later. I would not give in. Matthew sneered. “If you won’t admit your mistake, then you leave me no choice.” He ordered someone to bring a bucket of cold water. “As your husband, I can’t stand by while you walk down the wrong path.” My whole body trembled at the sight of the water. “Let… let go of me!” He held me fast, forcing my head down toward the bucket. Just as my consciousness began to fade, as despair took hold, a voice cut through the noise. “Let go of my daughter.” My mother burst through the crowd and threw her arms around me. Matthew stared at her, his face a mask of pure white shock. “How… How are you here?”

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The day before our engagement, my fiancé Connor, heir to Summit Corp., was distant as we walked downtown. I bought some street food and offered him a bite. He slapped it away, furious. “Sophie,” he snapped, “my family needs a classy matriarch. This cheap stuff is embarrassing. How will my parents accept you?” Humiliated, I threw the food away and nodded. “Whatever you say.” But at our party the next day, Lillian stood by his side. He pulled me aside, pleading, “She tried to kill herself over us. I have to do this. I’ll come back for you once she’s stable.” Again, I nodded. “Fine by me,” and walked away. Four years later, he appeared at my door with a ring. “Sophie, Lillian agreed to the divorce! We can be together now!” I frowned, pushing him toward the door. “Move. You’ll make me late to pick up my son.” 1 Connor trailed after me. “I’ve had this place watched, Sophie. No man has set foot in here for four years. What son are you talking about?” He softened his tone, trying to sound reasonable. “I know you’re angry. It’s okay. I’ll take you home with me right now. I know your family is poor, just scraping by with that little chicken farm, but I’ve finally convinced my parents. They won’t look down on you anymore.” I turned, my brow furrowed in irritation. “I told you before, my family’s farm covers several hills.” Connor scoffed. “Hills or not, it’s still just chickens. Please, whatever you do, don’t mention it in front of my parents. It’s so… provincial.” I gave up. There was no getting through to this city slicker. He couldn’t possibly grasp the value of truly organic, free-range chickens raised over acres of rolling hills. That little “provincial” farm had made my family wealthy long ago. I picked up my pace. If I was any later, my little boy would be the last one left waiting. Connor kept up, his voice a persistent buzz in my ear. “We can go back to the manor right now. It’s huge. Lillian hasn’t moved out yet, but there’s more than enough room for you.” He paused, then added, “You’ll have to be nice to her, though. She’s… sensitive. Just let her have her way. We can’t risk upsetting her.” “What the hell?” I spun around, staring at him in disbelief. “You’re not even divorced, and you’re asking me to move in with you and your wife?” “What do you think I am? Your mistress? Are you insane?” I yanked my car door open and slid inside, desperate to put some distance between us. But he was too quick. He smoothly opened the passenger door and settled into the seat beside me. “I always told you,” he chided gently, “lock your doors the second you get in the car. For safety. Still so careless after all these years.” His tone was so familiar, so possessive, as if the last four years had never happened. A hot flash of fury shot through me. “Get. Out.” Instead, he clicked his seatbelt into place, a smug, triumphant look on his face. “You said you were picking up your son, right? Better get going. You don’t want to be late.” I glanced at the clock. He was right. I was running out of time. My son would be heartbroken if he was the last one there. I slammed my foot on the gas, peeling out of the driveway. “Don’t you dare say a word when you see my son,” I warned, my knuckles white on the steering wheel. Connor just shrugged, utterly unconcerned. “Sure, I’ll keep my mouth shut. You’ve really committed to this, haven’t you? I can’t wait to see where you pull this imaginary son from.” As I drove, I forced myself to take deep, calming breaths. We stopped at a red light, the traffic ahead a tangled mess. “Connor,” I said, my voice low and heavy, “why did you assume I’d still be waiting for you after four years?” My tone must have finally gotten through to him, because for a split second, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his face. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by his usual unshakable arrogance. “Once you’ve been with me, Sophie, who else could possibly measure up? What kind of men do you even meet? Who else would you find? Of course you’d wait for me.” A long, weary sigh escaped my lips. So that was it. In his mind, I wasn’t worthy of anyone better. That’s why he could leave me without a second thought and come back four years later, expecting me to fall right back into his arms. The light turned green. I pressed the accelerator. As we crossed the intersection, I said softly, “Connor, I’m not kidding. I’m married. I have a child.” “Pull over after this, and please, just go. I don’t want you disrupting the life I have now.” He frowned. “Sophie, do you really think a lie like that will work on me?” “I know you’re hurting. You can throw any tantrum you want. I’ll be right here with you, until you’ve gotten it all out of your system and you’re ready to come home.” 2 If he wouldn’t believe my words, he would have to believe his own eyes. “Mommy! You’re late today!” A little boy with bright eyes and a sweet smile ran toward me, his arms outstretched. “I’m so sorry, sweetie. Mommy had to pick something up from the old house. I’ll make it up to you with some fries later, okay?” “Okay!” My son, Leo, chirped happily, hugging me tight. Connor stood frozen, his face a mask of shock. He never expected to see a real child. His expression hardened. “Sophie, this joke has gone far enough. You can’t just grab some random kid off the street!” “This is serious! It’s kidnapping! You could go to jail for this. Take him back right now.” He strode forward, his hand reaching for Leo’s arm to drag him away. I slapped his hand away and pulled Leo into my arms protectively. “What do you think you’re doing?” Just then, one of the kindergarten teachers walked over, a friendly smile on her face. “Oh, you must be Leo’s dad! We’ve only ever met his mom. It’s so wonderful to finally meet you.” Connor’s jaw dropped. He stared at me, then at the teacher, utterly stunned. “He’s… he’s really your son?” “Of course.” I was about to turn and leave, but he grabbed my arm, stopping me. His eyes were locked on the teacher. “How old is the boy?” “Leo just turned three,” she said cheerfully. Three. The word hung in the air. Connor’s grip on my arm tightened painfully. “Sophie… he’s my son, isn’t he? You were pregnant, and you never told me?” I looked at him, my expression unreadable. “If I had been pregnant with your child back then, would you have chosen me over Lillian?” “I…” He faltered, then looked down, his brow creased. “Lillian would have died.” A cold, bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Then it’s a good thing he’s not your son.” “Sophie, I’m taking you and our son home. Right now.” “My parents have been hoping for a grandchild for years. If you come back with our son, they won’t care about our families’ status difference anymore.” I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. “Who wants to go with you? I told you, he’s not your son. Are you deaf?” “Stop this nonsense, Sophie. I will not allow Connor blood to be raised out here in the world, all alone.” He glared around him with disdain. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? How could you let our son attend a school like this? This place is a dump. He’ll never get a proper education here.” I glanced at the beautiful, sprawling campus of the kindergarten, then back at Connor. This was a top-tier prep school, a direct feeder into the Ivy Leagues. Did he have any idea what that meant? It was worlds better than the so-called elite academy he attended, where rich kids went to waste time. I had specifically asked Alex to get Leo in here so he wouldn’t pick up the arrogant, entitled attitude of kids like Connor. To hear him belittle it… I was suddenly so grateful I’d never married this short-sighted man. “Stay away from us,” I said, my voice dangerously low. “This has nothing to do with you.” “If he’s not my son, then whose is he?” Connor demanded, turning back to the teacher. “You! Check the records. Who is listed as the father?” To protect our privacy, we had left the father’s information blank on the school forms. The teacher, flustered, admitted she didn’t know. Hearing that the father’s name was missing only solidified Connor’s delusion. “Sophie, it must have been so hard for you, being a single mother all these years. You’ve been stubborn long enough. Come home with me.” Leo, sensing the tension, whispered in my ear, “Mommy, what about my fries?” Connor overheard and exploded. “Sophie! How can you feed my son that junk?” he roared. “You and your disgusting street food! First that cheap chicken, and now you’re feeding our son this greasy garbage? What if he gets sick? Can you take responsibility for that? He’s the only heir to the Connor family!” My son’s fries are homemade by our chef with organic potatoes. How is that garbage? I ignored him, turning to carry Leo to the car. But Connor blocked the door. “Don’t put him in this piece of junk. It’s not safe for my son.” My car was a modest but reliable sedan, chosen specifically to avoid drawing attention. The back seat, however, was custom-fitted with the latest and safest child-proofing technology. If Connor had bothered to look inside for even a second, he would have seen that I had a child and that I took damn good care of him. But he never cared about the details of my life. He only cared about himself. He gestured grandly toward his gleaming Mercedes. “Only I can give you the life you deserve.” As if on cue, Lillian appeared, dressed in a stunning evening gown that looked completely out of place on the busy afternoon street. She picked her way delicately across the pavement, a frown on her face. “Connor, darling, I thought you were picking up Sophie. What’s taking so long? We have to meet that mysterious new CEO of the Alexander Corporation, you know.” Connor’s expression instantly softened at the sight of her. “I remember, Lillian, don’t worry. I never forget what’s important to you.” He turned to me. “Sophie’s being a little difficult, but I’ll handle it. I’ll be right with you to meet Mr. Alexander. You look so beautiful today, he’ll be absolutely charmed. You’ll be the perfect Mrs. Alexander.” He leaned in conspiratorially. “The Alexanders are the most powerful family in Crestwood, far more influential than us. You deserve that happiness, Lillian. Just give me a minute to sort this out, okay?” I stared at them, my mind reeling. Did I hear that right? Lillian was supporting Connor’s reunion with his ex-girlfriend, while Connor was actively trying to set his wife up with another man? And this Mr. Alexander… they couldn’t possibly be talking about my husband, could they? 3 My gaze shifted to Lillian with a complicated mix of disbelief and annoyance. This woman was my polar opposite in every conceivable way. “I suppose I am just that captivating,” Lillian said with a smug little smile. Then her eyes fell on the child in my arms, and she let out a piercing shriek. “Sophie! That child… is he?” Connor rushed to explain. “He’s my son, Lillian. Let me explain.” Lillian clutched her chest, looking as if she’d been mortally wounded. “Connor… you had a child with her behind my back? You could have refused to marry me, but why… why did you have to betray me?” Her voice cracked. “Is that why you would never touch me? Because of them?” Connor immediately went to her side. “Lillian, it’s not what you think. This was before we were married.” He shot me a venomous glare. “She was desperate not to lose me, so she had this baby to trap me. I only just found out today. Don’t lower yourself to her level, please.” Lillian pointed a trembling finger at me, her face a mask of tragic betrayal. “Sophie, how could you be so shameless? To secretly have Connor’s son… do you have no decency?” Leo didn’t understand the words, but he knew she was attacking me. He pointed his little finger right back at her. “You’re a mean lady! Why are you yelling at my mommy? You’re bad!” Lillian’s face contorted with rage, and she raised her hand to strike him. I moved in a flash, spinning on my heel while still holding Leo with one arm, and caught her wrist in a vice-like grip. “You lay one finger on my son, and I swear you’ll regret it.” “Sophie, let her go!” Connor grabbed my arm. “She didn’t mean it! This is your fault! If you hadn’t hidden the child from me, none of this would have happened!” He could say what he wanted about me, but they were not touching my son. I released Lillian’s wrist and, using the momentum, swung my hand across Connor’s face. The crack of the slap echoed in the sudden silence. “Control your wife,” I snarled. “If she ever tries to hurt my son again, I will make her pay a thousand times over.” “You hit him!” Lillian shrieked. “Connor is the CEO of Summit Corp! He could crush you with a snap of his fingers! Don’t think having his son gives you any power. The Connors will never accept you!” She sneered. “Even if I leave, the next Mrs. Connor won’t be you.” I let out a short, cold laugh. Only Lillian cared about that title. “Please. The only one who would want to be Mrs. Connor is a bitch.” “You… you called me a bitch?” Lillian clung to Connor’s arm, her eyes, now cold and sharp, fixed on my son. “Connor, look at her. What kind of influence will she be on the boy? You need to bring him back to the Connor estate immediately, where he can be raised properly.” Connor’s brow furrowed. “Lillian’s right. Give me my son, Sophie. I can give him the best life imaginable.” “In your dreams!” Seeing them both preparing to lunge for Leo, I clutched him tighter and bolted back towards the school grounds. As I ran, I fumbled for my phone and dialed Alex. “Alex! Someone’s trying to take our son! I’m at the kindergarten entrance! Get here now! Right now!” Connor was right behind me. “Sophie, he’s my son too! He belongs with me, at home!”

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To marry the heir to the Astor dynasty, I reinvented my adoptive parents, turning street beggars into respected academics. Then, using my platform as a top financial news anchor, I helped my selectively mute husband seize control of his family’s empire. On our wedding day, he pressed the deed to our villa into my hands and kissed me again and again. But today, on a business trip, I overheard him confess his love to his old flame, his voice perfectly clear and steady. “Rosalind, you’re finally back. I faked this condition and married that grifter just to get my parents to finally accept us.” “Now, all I have to do is expose the truth about her fake high-society background, and you can finally marry me.” A chill washed over me, colder than any winter ice. So, he wasn’t mute. He knew I was lying from the very beginning. And he married me only to pave the way for his one true love to become the next Mrs. Astor. 1 The airport terminal was a river of people, but I felt utterly alone, frozen in place. Rosalind was wrapped in my husband’s arms, her voice thick with staged tears. “Julian, it’s all my fault. If I hadn’t gotten pregnant back then, your parents would never have been so against us.” “To think you pretended to be mute for all these years, just for me… you’ve sacrificed so much.” My husband, Julian Astor, stroked her hair with a tenderness I had once believed was mine. “It was nothing. For you and our child, it was all worth it.” His voice dropped, a low, intimate rumble. “How is he? Our Leo?” “He’s wonderful. He’s officially living with my parents, and he calls me his big sister in public, but he knows the truth,” she whispered. “You know how it is. I had to follow my parents’ plan if I wanted my inheritance.” His tone darkened. “But that’s all over now. Tia helped me secure the company. The succession is in a few days. After that, it’s just the three of us. A real family.” No wonder Leo looked at me with such hatred every time he saw me, his words always dripping with venom. He never once called me by my name. I’d always thought it was just a boy’s jealousy, angry that I had stolen his beloved uncle’s attention. Now I knew the truth. He hated me for taking his mother’s place. A blade of ice seemed to plunge into my chest, leaving a gaping, frozen wound. Just then, a look of faux concern crossed Rosalind’s beautiful face. “You deliberately made Tia fall in love with you. For three years, she’s worked herself to the bone for you.” “She’ll be heartbroken when she finds out the truth. Can you really be so cruel as to cast her aside?” Julian’s eyes flickered for a second, then he let out a cold, dismissive laugh. “Tia? A gold-digging liar raised by beggars? She was never worthy of being an Astor. Besides, I’ve given her more than she ever deserved. What right does she have to be heartbroken?” A gold-digging liar. So that’s all I was to him. A bitter smile twisted my lips, and the last of the color drained from my face. For three years, I had leveraged my career, my reputation, my everything for him. I had humbled myself, begging for his sake. I’d entertained his clients until I was vomiting blood, worked on his documents until I collapsed from exhaustion and ended up in the hospital. And I never complained. Not once. Because I truly loved him. All I wanted was to see him happy. Every night, he would bring me water, massage my tired feet, his eyes filled with what I thought was genuine concern for the toll my work was taking. I was so lost in the sweetness of it all, I never saw the truth. It was all a lie. That banquet two years ago… when that investor groped me, Julian’s face had turned to stone, but he did nothing. I thought he was enduring the humiliation for the sake of the deal. Now I realized he simply didn’t think a gold digger like me was worth offending a powerful man over. My lips trembled. I fought back the searing pain in my heart and turned to leave. But Rosalind’s voice, sharp with surprise, cut through the air. “Tia? What a coincidence. You’re at the airport too.” 2 Julian whipped his head around. When his eyes met mine, a flicker of panic crossed his handsome face. A moment later, my phone buzzed with a series of texts. What are you doing here? Are you following me? Go home. Now. Before I lose my temper. I stared at the messages popping up on the screen, a wave of bitter absurdity washing over me. For years, whenever his “selective mutism” flared up, this was how we communicated. He would point to his phone, and I would read his words. Three years. Tens of thousands of messages. My phone’s memory had filled up again and again, but I could never bring myself to delete them. I thought they were our special memories, a testament to our love. Now I saw them for what they were: proof he had never loved me at all. I pressed the power button, and the screen went dark. Something inside me went dark with it. I looked up at them, my voice surprisingly steady. “Since you can speak, why bother texting? Today was the day I was flying to Singapore to close that ten-billion-dollar deal. I wasn’t following you.” I paused, letting my next words land with the weight they deserved. “I heard everything. I’m not feeling well. I won’t be closing any deals today.” Rosalind’s face tightened with alarm. She rushed forward and grabbed my hand. “Tia, I know I’m Julian’s ex, but you’re his wife now. What you heard… we were just joking around. Don’t misunderstand.” I yanked my hand away. She stumbled back dramatically, nearly falling. Her eyes welled with tears as she looked at me, her voice trembling. “Tia, I was just trying to explain. Why did you have to push me so hard?” It was a pathetic, transparent lie. But Julian reacted instantly. His hand flew out, and the sharp crack of his palm against my cheek echoed in the terminal. His face was a thunderous mask as he glared at me. “Who gave you the right to touch her?” My cheek burned. I looked up to see Julian shielding Rosalind, his eyes filled with a murderous rage directed entirely at me. My heart felt like it was being twisted by a serrated knife. For some reason, my mind flashed back to my first year at the Astor Media network. I was being hazed by the senior staff, and it was Julian who stepped in to save me. He gave me resources, mentored me, and championed my rise to lead anchor. When I was hurt, he was always there. When he was humiliated by the board and forced to face his father’s wrath in the family study, I had thrown myself in front of him, taking the eighteen lashes from his father’s cane that were meant for him. I still have the scars on my back. That was the first time I ever saw him cry. He held me so tightly. “Tia,” he had whispered into my hair, “you’re my woman. I’m supposed to protect you.” “Don’t you ever do that again. You’re more important than anything.” I had been so weak I couldn’t move, but I hadn’t felt the pain. I was drowning in the sweetness of his love. Now, this one slap from him was a pain beyond endurance, a disappointment so profound it shattered me completely. I closed my eyes. “Julian, I’m done being your fool.” “Since you love someone else, let’s get a divorce.” 3 His face was a canvas of shock, which quickly melted into a sneer. “Don’t play the victim, Tia. Of all the gold diggers out there, I chose you to be Mrs. Astor.” He took a step closer, his voice dripping with condescension. “I made you. From a nobody to the most famous financial anchor in the city. I gave you money, power, access. You got everything you ever wanted. So how exactly are you a fool?” “And divorce?” He scoffed. “I decide when this is over. You don’t have the right to even suggest it.” His arrogance was a physical blow, shattering what was left of my heart into dust. I stared at him, forcing back the tears that burned my eyes. “I really did love you, Julian.” “You think I faked my background because I’m a gold digger desperate to climb the social ladder. But I only did it so I could marry you.” The resources he gave me were just opportunities. I was the one who worked myself to the bone to seize them, not just for myself, but to help him, to make him happy. But the truth didn’t matter anymore. A desolate smile touched my lips. “I’m willing to step aside. Just make it a clean break.” A flash of triumph lit Rosalind’s eyes. Julian, however, looked as if he’d been struck. His pupils constricted, and his lips twisted into a cruel smirk. “Feelings, Tia? Does a gold digger even have those? Still spewing lies at a time like this. It’s pathetic.” “Don’t worry,” he added, his voice like ice. “We’ll be divorced in three days. At most.” I didn’t argue. I went straight back to the Astor mansion. For three years, my in-laws had been nothing but kind to me, and I had deceived them. The guilt was crushing. I confessed everything. “Mr. and Mrs. Astor, I’m so sorry. My parents aren’t university professors. They’re just ordinary people. My high-society identity was a lie from the very beginning. Scold me, punish me… I’ll accept whatever you decide.” Mrs. Astor simply stared for a moment, then took my hand in hers, her grip firm and warm. “Silly girl,” she said softly. “We knew you were faking it from the day we met you.” “Then why…?” I choked, unable to finish the sentence. Mr. Astor spoke, his voice calm and steady. “Because aside from your background, you were flawless.” “It’s true,” his wife added. “We saw how you cared for Julian, how you dedicated yourself to this family. We saw your kindness, your brilliance. In these three years, we’ve come to think of you as our own daughter. Do you really think we care where you came from?” Tears streamed down my face. I tried to smile through them. “But… Julian has never loved me. Rosalind is back, and he’s going to marry her. I’ve already agreed to the divorce. I’ll pack my things tonight and be gone.” The warmth drained from their faces, but they didn’t try to stop me. “Child,” Mr. Astor said, his voice grave, “we know our son. If he has made a terrible mistake, do not spare him on our account. You teach him the lesson he deserves. And remember this: we can live without a son, but we cannot live without you.” I cried in their arms for a long time before finally going up to my room. My eyes fell on our wedding photos, on all the relics of our “sweet” past, and my mind drifted. Just then, Leo walked in with a glass of orange juice. “Grandma and Grandpa said you were sad today. I brought this to cheer you up.” I looked at the five-year-old boy. He was the spitting image of Rosalind. How had I never seen it before? Still, I had helped raise him for years. It would be rude to refuse his farewell gift. “You should be happy more often,” he said, his tone oddly adult. “Don’t always look so serious.” I took the glass and drank. The taste was… wrong. Suddenly, Leo burst out laughing, a triumphant, ugly sound. “How does dog piss taste, you bitch? You think you can seduce my dad just because you’re pretty? Shameless!” His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Don’t think I don’t know Julian is my real dad! Now my mom is back, and you can get the hell out!” My stomach heaved. I scrambled to the bathroom and retched until there was nothing left. When I stumbled out, Leo was waiting by the door. He shoved me, hard. Caught off guard, I tumbled backward down the grand staircase. My head cracked against a marble step, and a warm rush of blood instantly matted my hair. “You stupid bitch,” he sneered, “I’ll make Grandpa and Grandma hate you. Then they’ll have to love my mom.” Pain exploded through my body. Through a blurry haze, I saw Leo smear my blood on his own forehead and then start screaming at the top of his lungs. “Help! Tia’s hitting me! She’s hitting me!” “Tia!” Julian was suddenly there, I don’t know when he’d returned. He scooped Leo into his arms. His eyes were terrifyingly sharp. “You’d take your anger out on a child? When did you become so vicious?” I lay on the floor, the pool of my own blood spreading around me, unable to move. “I… didn’t.” Leo’s wails grew louder. “She started picking on me the second she got home! She said she hates me! Uncle Julian, it hurts!” “It’s okay, Leo, I’ve got you. I’m taking you to the hospital.” Julian soothed the boy, then shot me a look of pure disgust. “You’re a grown woman. Can’t you get up on your own? Or is this another pity play to win my forgiveness?” With that, he turned and rushed out the door with Leo in his arms. I watched him go, the pain in my heart eclipsing the pain in my head. A few years ago, when I had collapsed from exhaustion, he had raced me to the hospital, terrified I wouldn’t be okay. Now, I was lying in a pool of my own blood, and he didn’t care. He thought I was acting. So this is what it feels like when your heart dies. 4 When I regained consciousness, Julian was on the phone. His voice was soft. “Rosalind, don’t worry. Leo’s fine.” Rosalind’s voice was shrill even through the receiver. “I’ll make Tia pay for this!” Julian sighed. “Let it go. She was hurt badly. She was unconscious for a whole day.” He lowered his voice. “The succession gala is the day after tomorrow. That’s when I’ll do it. I’ll bring her beggar parents on stage and expose her for the fraud she is. Once she and her trash family are gone, the three of us can finally be together. So don’t be angry, okay?” He hung up and reached out to touch my forehead, his eyes softening with a flicker of something that looked like gentleness. I opened my eyes and jerked my head away. He froze. There were dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn’t slept, but his handsome face quickly settled back into its familiar, cold mask. “You’re awake. The doctor said you have a fracture. Rest for the next two days. You need to accompany me to the gala. You can’t be absent.” I closed my eyes. I had already agreed to a divorce. Why did he still need to use me as a stepping stone? To humiliate me further, to continue paving the way for his true love? The one who falls in love first always loses. Seeing that I wasn’t responding, he left without another word. That afternoon, Rosalind paid me a visit. Her eyes were filled with contempt. “You’re tough, I’ll give you that. My son pushes you down a flight of stairs, and all you get is a fracture. I guess beggars are built to last.” The pain from my injuries was a dull, constant throb. I didn’t have the strength to fight back. I remained silent. “I know all about the stupid things you did to win him over,” she continued, her voice dripping with condescension. “Staying up all night embroidering his favorite cartoon character on a pillow just to coax him into taking his cold medicine. Pathetic. And for what? He only loves me.” When I still didn’t speak, a flicker of annoyance crossed her face. She pulled a thick stack of papers from her designer handbag and threw them onto my bed. “It’s not just my son who loves me. Julian loves me more than anything. Every single night, after you were asleep, he was on a video call with me.” “This,” she said, gesturing to the papers, “is our chat history. Eight hundred pages. From the day you got married, he has never missed a single night of telling me, ‘Goodnight, I love you, wifey’.” “For three years, he never once thought of you as his wife! You were always just a pawn.” I stared at the pages scattered across the white bedsheets. Even though my heart was already dead, even though I knew our three-year dream was a lie, I never imagined this. That they had never lost contact. A single glance at the pages revealed the depth of his devotion to her. I felt like I was submerged in ice water, the cold and pain making it impossible to breathe. Rosalind seemed pleased with my reaction. She pressed her advantage. “Surprised? He loves me so much he was willing to fake an illness for three years. He loves me so much he was willing to touch you, a disgusting beggar girl!” Her voice turned venomous. “He told me every time he touched you, he had to shower for hours afterward just to feel clean enough to sleep.” “Enough!” I shrieked, my body shaking uncontrollably. I screamed for the nurse to get her out. “Worthless beggar,” Rosalind sneered as she was escorted out. “On the day of the succession, you and your whole family can go crawl back to the gutter where you belong.” She turned, her heels clicking smartly on the polished floor as she left. I collapsed back onto the pillows, closing my eyes in despair. A few seconds later, I picked up my phone and dialed my secretary. “On the day of the Astor succession gala,” I said, my voice cold and clear, “initiate a full short sale on Astor Corp.” I had been weak because I loved Julian Astor. But he had forgotten who I was. I was the woman who had clawed her way out of the slums. I was no fragile flower, easily crushed. He didn’t want a peaceful separation. Fine. Then I would make sure he knew nothing but pain. 5 On the night of the gala, my parents arrived, dressed in elegant, well-fitting clothes, their movements hesitant and cautious. “Look,” a socialite sneered to her friend, “there they are. Tia’s fake ‘professor’ parents. They’re actually just beggars.” A wave of suppressed laughter rippled through the crowd. “Look at their hands. So wrinkled and rough. You can tell they’ve spent their lives in filth.” “They don’t even know how to stand properly. I can smell the poverty from here.” “I can’t believe Mr. Astor put up with it for three years. He told us all to be here tonight to give them a proper humiliation and welcome Ms. Wright. When he arrives, we really have to put on a show!” My parents must have overheard some of the whispers. Their faces grew tighter with shame, but they tried not to show it. My father, trying to imitate the other guests, reached for a glass of champagne. But his hands, covered in calluses and cracked skin, were a stark, jarring contrast to the delicate, crystal flute. The waiter’s disdainful glance was like a physical burn, and he snatched his hand back. My mother’s eyes lingered on the exquisite pastries on the buffet table, and she swallowed unconsciously. The gesture immediately drew a sharp laugh from a nearby heiress. “Has she been reincarnated from a starving ghost? It’s like she hasn’t eaten in a century. I feel like I’m catching the stench of poverty just by being in the same room.” My mother’s face flushed a deep crimson. She looked down at the floor like a scolded child. Watching them, I felt as if a thousand needles were being driven into my heart, over and over again. My parents had lived a life of hardship, but they had always given me their best. And now, because of my foolish pursuit of a lie, they were being flayed alive in this glittering palace of cruelty. They didn’t understand the rules of this world, but they remembered the roles I had asked them to play, and they were trying so desperately to protect their daughter’s fragile dignity. My fists clenched. Finally, Julian arrived, with Rosalind on his arm, the picture of a king and his queen. I walked straight through the sea of mocking eyes and stopped in front of him. He gave me a cold look, and just as he was about to speak, I threw two documents at his chest. “Sign the divorce papers. After this, you and I are done.” One was our divorce agreement. The other was a paternity test. It proved, conclusively, that Julian Astor and Leo had no biological relationship. The room erupted in shocked gasps. As Julian stared at the papers, his face a mask of disbelief, I turned, took my parents and his own parents by the arm, and walked out of that disgusting hall with my head held high. “Tia! What is the meaning of this? Stop right there!” Julian’s face was dark with fury. He started to follow, but his phone began to ring, then ring again, a frantic, incessant sound that stopped him in his tracks. He answered it, roaring, “What?” The voice on the other end was hysterical. “Mr. Astor, it’s a catastrophe! The company’s stock is in freefall! Someone initiated a massive short sale! We’re about to go bankrupt!” “And the one who did it… it was your wife, Ms. Tia Wright!”

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I saw the new transfer student slip a box of extra-thin condoms into my childhood best friend’s pocket. She saw me looking and covered her mouth in mock surprise. “Oh, don’t get the wrong idea, sweetie. These aren’t for me and your man.” Leo chimed in, his voice already laced with annoyance. “We ran out of the rubber membranes for the lab experiment. These are just a substitute. Don’t overthink it.” He thought I was going to throw a fit, like I always did. But I just looked down and went back to my textbook. Leo didn’t know that the day I saw him sharing an ice cream cone with her, I had already decided to transfer to a school abroad. As far as I was concerned, he was already out of the picture. 1 “We’re just using them for an experiment, Hailey. Stop being so irrational.” I hadn’t even said a word, but Leo was already on the defensive, rubbing his temples like he was bracing for a fight. Honestly, I hadn’t even been paying attention to them. I only looked up because they were being loud and I was trying to do a listening exercise for my French class. I rewound the audio and put my headphones back on. Leo seemed taken aback by my silence. The new girl, Chloe, nudged him. “Looks like your little girlfriend has a new strategy. She knows being pushy doesn’t work, so now she’s playing hard to get. You’d better go comfort her before she gives you the silent treatment for real.” “Comfort her?” Leo scoffed. “She’s not my wife. You go comfort her if you want.” “Ouch. Careful, or she might actually stop talking to you for good.” I felt his eyes on me, but I didn’t look up. “I’d pray for it,” he said, his voice cold. Chloe just giggled. “You’re so mean to her.” The classroom started to fill up, and their voices faded into the general buzz. I finished my French exercise just as my family’s butler called. “Miss, all the arrangements have been made. You’ll be leaving in seven days. I’ve also sent the information regarding Mr. Leo to your mother.” “Okay,” I said, my eyes drifting to where Leo and Chloe were whispering together. She slipped her hand under the collar of his shirt, and he didn’t pull away. I looked away, my voice flat. “After my mother has reviewed it, please inform her that I am breaking off my engagement to Leo, and that all joint projects with his family’s company are to be terminated.” 2 When I came out of the principal’s office, having confirmed that the donation my family had promised for a new computer lab would still go through even after I left, he was practically bowing to me. As I turned the corner, I ran into Leo and Chloe. “Leo, your little fiancée was just in the principal’s office,” Chloe said, her voice dripping with fake concern. “You don’t think she was telling on us, do you?” She put on a pathetic, frightened face and reached for my hand. “Please, don’t get the wrong idea. We really were just using those for a science experiment. We didn’t break any rules.” I pulled my hand away, a wave of disgust washing over me. “I don’t know you. Please call me by my name, Hailey.” Chloe’s eyes welled up with tears. “I… I was just trying to be friendly. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have tried to get close to someone like you. Please, Hailey, don’t tell the principal. I’ll stay away from Leo from now on, I promise!” Leo stepped in front of her, his expression a mixture of anger and frustration. “Hailey, this is a school. Stop acting like a spoiled princess.” He glared at me. “You’re going to go back in there and tell the principal that you were just joking, that Chloe and I are just friends.” “It’s okay, Leo,” Chloe said, peeking out from behind him. “Everyone knows you and Hailey are inseparable. It was my fault for even thinking I could be friends with you.” She turned to leave, her shoulders slumped in defeat. Leo grabbed her arm, his eyes locked on mine. “You know, Hailey, you’re really disgusting. I’m a person, too. Why do I have to be tied to you all the time? I can’t even have my own friends! Did you buy me or something?” They went on like this, a perfectly rehearsed scene. When they finally paused for breath, I looked at Leo, at the undisguised loathing in his eyes, and said softly, “Didn’t I?” 3 I’ve always had trouble connecting with people. Besides my parents, I’ve never been close to anyone. When I was five, I was kidnapped by one of my father’s business rivals. I managed to escape, but they almost caught me again. Leo, who was just a little boy himself, stood in front of me, protecting me, and got two of his ribs broken for his trouble. In his hospital room, I, the girl who had never shown any interest in other children, told my parents I wanted to be friends with him. They were stunned. It was the first time I had ever expressed a desire for a friend. After a thorough background check, they agreed. And Leo’s parents… their eyes lit up with a greedy, triumphant light. My mother came from an old, established New York family. My father was the head of a massive Hong Kong conglomerate. For their son to befriend me, to be connected to my family… it was the opportunity of a lifetime. From then on, they were always at our house, always encouraging us to spend time together, always hinting at a future between us. My mother, worried about my social isolation, asked me if I would be okay with being with just Leo. I didn’t really have strong feelings about it, but seeing the concern in her eyes, I just nodded. I didn’t want to be a burden to them. So, the next time Leo’s mother brought up what a perfect couple we were, my mother made a verbal promise of engagement. That one, informal promise was enough to catapult Leo’s family into the upper echelons of New York society. His parents were ecstatic. They pushed Leo to be with me constantly, to keep me happy, to make sure I never changed my mind. But as Leo got older, he started to resent it. The boy who had once patiently read to me, who had always known how to make me smile, was replaced by a sullen, resentful teenager. He hated it when people called us a couple. And then Chloe arrived. The first time I saw her, she was sitting at my desk, rummaging through my things. “Leo, is your deskmate really a girl? All her stuff is so ugly. She has the worst taste.” Leo was leaning against my desk, a lazy smile on his face. “She’s not like you, all pink and girly.” “I am not girly!” Chloe pouted, and in her dramatic protest, she knocked my water bottle to the floor, where it shattered. When he saw me standing there, his smile vanished. “Chloe’s new here. She didn’t mean it. Just let it go.” I just looked at Chloe. “That was an eight hundred dollar water bottle. You have three days to pay me back.” She gasped. “Eight hundred dollars for a water bottle? Who do you think you are, a princess?” Someone behind her whispered, “She kind of is. Her family donated the new science wing.” Chloe’s face went from pale to beet red. “It was an accident! Why should I have to pay for it?” She tugged on Leo’s sleeve. “She’s just a rich snob.” “Hailey, come on,” Leo said, his voice full of a weary frustration. “It was an accident. And it’s not like eight hundred dollars is a lot of money to you. Just drop it. Don’t be so aggressive.” “Fine,” I said. “You pay for it. Eight hundred dollars. Venmo me now.” His face darkened. “Are you serious? Over eight hundred dollars?” “Yes,” I said. “My family’s money didn’t grow on trees.” The whole class was watching. Mortified, he pulled out his phone and sent me the money. Then he started packing up his books. “Chloe, you said you needed help with calculus, right? I’ll be your new deskmate.” He said it to her, but he was looking at me, waiting for me to object, to beg him to stay. I just stepped aside to give him room to move his things. He glared at me, then slammed his books down on the desk next to Chloe. In that moment, I knew I had to talk to my parents. I was fine on my own. I had their love. I didn’t need any friends. 4 The principal was on his way out when he saw us standing in the hallway. “Leo,” he said with a smile, “are you leaving early today, too?” Leo looked at me, confused. “Too? Where are you going?” “A math competition,” I said, my voice flat. The principal looked surprised for a second, then he seemed to understand. He just wished me luck and left. Back in class, our teacher was announcing the winners of the “Most Improved” scholarship. It was a scholarship my family had established to help students who were struggling but showing progress. As the teacher was talking, I heard Chloe whisper to Leo, “Thanks for all your help. As soon as I get the scholarship money, I’m taking you out to dinner.” “No problem,” he said with a smirk. But then the teacher called out a different name: “And the winner of the Most Improved scholarship is… Tiffany Liu!” Chloe shot up from her seat. “What? It should be me!” The teacher frowned. “If you have a problem, you can see me after class. Don’t disrupt the lesson.” As soon as the bell rang, Chloe chased after the teacher. She came back a few minutes later and collapsed onto her desk, sobbing. “Just because you’re rich, you think you can do whatever you want!” Everyone gathered around her, asking what the teacher had said. She stood up and marched over to my desk. “I know this scholarship is from your family, Hailey. But you can’t just abuse your power like that. Just because I’m friends with Leo, you’re jealous, so you took my name off the list? How could you be so cruel?” The whole class was stunned, their eyes now on me. I looked up from my book. “Did the teacher tell you that?” Chloe’s eyes darted away. “Do you think I’m lying? Everyone knows Leo can’t stand you anymore. You have that stupid engagement, so of course you hate me. You don’t know what it’s like to be poor. I really need that money. Please, I’ll give you back your precious Leo, just give me the scholarship.” Leo, who had just come back into the room, saw Chloe crying in front of me and his face hardened. “Hailey, if you have a problem with me, take it up with me. Don’t bully a girl.” *A girl?* I felt a new level of disgust. “First of all, your ‘little girl’ is a year older than us. She’s repeating a grade. Second…” I looked at Chloe and held up my phone, which was recording. “Everything you just said is slander. I could sue you for it.” Chloe went pale and hid behind Leo. “Fine. I can’t fight you. I’ll just let Tiffany have the scholarship. It’s a good lesson for me. The world is a cruel place.” Leo’s eyes filled with a pained sympathy for her. “Hailey, Chloe improved her score by a hundred points. Don’t take your anger at me out on her. We’re not your pawns!” Just then, Tiffany, a quiet, introverted girl who rarely spoke, stood up from her desk in the corner. She was trembling, her eyes red. She walked over to us, her voice shaking but firm. “Hailey didn’t abuse her power. I deserved that scholarship. My parents are dead, and my grandmother is paralyzed. We live on a small disability check. When Hailey found out, she was the one who convinced her family’s foundation to create this scholarship.” “But even though it was created for me, my grades were so bad, I never qualified. Until this semester. I improved my score by 109 points, and my class rank went up by 305 places. I worked hard for this. I deserve this. And Hailey… Hailey doesn’t deserve to be slandered like this!” By the time she finished, she was crying. 5 The classroom was silent. Then, a few whispers. “Hailey can be a little cold, but she’s never been a bully.” “Yeah, she’s never looked down on anyone.” “And that scholarship is a lot of money. Her family is really generous.” “Tiffany really did improve a lot. She deserved it.” The tide of opinion had turned. Chloe’s face was a mixture of white and red. She couldn’t take it anymore and ran out of the room, sobbing. Leo just looked at me, his expression complicated. “Even if you didn’t rig it, did you have to embarrass her like that? We’re all classmates.” I finally looked up at him, a flicker of real anger in my eyes. “Leo, you have some nerve.” I had never spoken to him like that before. He was my only friend, and as long as he didn’t cross a line, I was willing to keep him around, if only to appease my parents. He was stunned, then a flush of shame and anger spread across his face. “You’re being irrational,” he spat, and stormed out of the room. Chloe didn’t come back for the rest of the day. And for the first time ever, Leo skipped class. My mother, being in a different time zone, hadn’t yet been informed of the broken engagement. That night, I was reading in bed when I got a text from an unknown number. It was a picture of several opened condom wrappers. The text underneath read: **”You stole my scholarship, so I stole your man. You really thought we were just using them for an experiment? Idiot.”** Even though I had expected it, seeing the proof still made my stomach turn. I didn’t reply. I just screenshotted the picture and the text and sent it to my butler. **”Include this with the announcement of the broken engagement.”

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Three years into my marriage with Caleb Hayes, I was knocked off my bike by a car. My knee was bleeding, but I gritted my teeth and didn’t even think about calling him. He’s a Commander in the Navy SEALs. Special clearance, sensitive work. He can’t take personal calls on the job. That’s what I’d always been told. The woman who hit me was already on the phone, her voice thick with tears as she grabbed my arm. “My boyfriend’s on his way, he’s coming right now. Just wait, okay? I promise we’ll give you whatever you need to make this right.” But when a blacked-out government SUV with official plates pulled up behind her, my entire body went rigid. Caleb stepped out. He immediately wrapped his jacket around the crying woman’s shoulders, his voice low and urgent. “I got here as soon as I could. Are you okay?” And in that moment, it hit me. It wasn’t that Caleb couldn’t take calls at work. It was that his emergency contact wasn’t me. It was his first love, his old flame. His brow furrowed when he saw my bleeding knee, and his eyes stayed locked on it for a long, silent moment. The woman, his old flame, looked from him to me, a flicker of confusion in her teary eyes. “Do you two… know each other?” Caleb’s jaw tightened, but before he could say a word, I cut in. “No. We don’t.” After all, the very first clause in the marriage contract he’d given me three years ago was secrecy. Total, complete anonymity. And with our three-year agreement about to expire, I was just about out the door anyway. 1. I always knew Caleb had someone else—the one that got away. I just never imagined it would be the woman who’d just sent me sprawling onto the pavement. When Caleb arrived, for a split second, a stupid, hopeful part of me thought he was there for me. But the woman, Ava, was already running to him, burying her face in his chest. “Caleb, I’m so sorry, I hit someone,” she sobbed. He pulled off his jacket and draped it over her. His voice was steady, calm. “I’ll handle it.” I slowly looked away, down at the raw, bloody scrape on my knee. The reason Caleb hadn’t been home much lately suddenly made a gut-wrenching kind of sense. His old flame, Ava Sterling, was back in the country. She pulled away from him, turning to face me with a smile that was both apologetic and ridiculously happy. “My boyfriend’s here now. Just tell his aide what you need for compensation, and he’ll take care of it.” She gestured vaguely towards the man who’d been driving. “I’m so, so sorry about this, for making you late and for you getting hurt. Please, don’t hesitate to ask for anything. My boyfriend is… very capable. He’ll make it right!” “Thanks,” I mumbled. Caleb’s aide, Jake, looked mortified. He was one of the few people who knew about our arrangement. “Ma’am…” he started, then corrected himself. “Uh, Miss, that’s still bleeding pretty badly. It’s been half an hour. Do you… have a clotting disorder or something?” “It’s just a mild one,” I said quietly. Caleb’s head snapped towards me, his voice suddenly sharp. “A clotting disorder?” Ava looked confused. “What is it?” He didn’t seem to hear her. His gaze was fixed on my knee, his brow deeply creased. Ava finally sensed the tension hanging in the air. She looked back and forth between us. “Do you two know each other?” Caleb’s expression was unreadable, but I didn’t wait for his answer. “No,” I said again, my voice firm. He seemed satisfied with my discretion. He took Ava’s hand and started leading her away, tossing a command over his shoulder to his aide. “Get her to a hospital.” As their figures receded down the street, I pushed down the familiar ache in my chest. The contract was up in two months. It was time to start planning my exit. 2. The arrangement with Caleb was brutally simple. I needed money for grad school. A discreet inquiry through his family’s lawyer led to me, somehow, becoming Caleb Hayes’s wife. There was no wedding, no ceremony. Just a contract. He needed a marriage on paper to get his family off his back. The term was three years. The key conditions were to keep the marriage a secret from the public and to occasionally play the role of the dutiful wife at family gatherings. We wouldn’t have a real marriage, we weren’t responsible for each other’s lives, and I was even free to date, as long as it never caused a scandal that reached his family. For this, I received five thousand dollars a month. When the contract ended, I would receive a final payment of three million dollars. A severance package and a gag order, all in one. At the time, Ava was living in Europe. I didn’t even know she existed. There was no reason in the world for me to turn down a job like that. After we signed the papers, Caleb kept me close. He taught me things. How to navigate the shark-infested waters of D.C. fundraisers, how to pick out his suits, how to handle the leering advances of powerful men. I remember once, at a charity gala, some smarmy lobbyist got a little too handsy. Caleb, who was usually impossible to read, walked over and kicked the man squarely in the kneecap. Then he grabbed a heavy wine bottle from a nearby table, pressed it into my hand, and leaned in close, his body a shield behind mine. His breath was warm against my ear. “Do you know what today’s lesson is, Chloe?” I was surrounded by the cool, woody scent of his cologne, trying desperately to keep my composure. “You’re teaching me… how to push back, to seize the initiative…” He chuckled, his hand closing over mine, raising the bottle. “Good student, but this isn’t a test. It’s not that complicated.” He broke off, his voice dropping to a whisper. “It’s just a fight.” A dull thud echoed as the bottle connected with the man’s head. My palm vibrated from the impact. Caleb coolly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat from my hand. “Don’t forget this again,” he said softly. “I’m the only backup you’ll ever need. Don’t let anyone push you around again.” I snatched my hand back and ran off with a mumbled, “Got it.” Any longer and he would have seen the adoration blooming in my eyes. Maybe it was because it was my first time falling for someone, or maybe it was those rare moments of indulgence from him that made me reckless. I moved into the villa he owned, and the highlight of my day became waiting for him to come home from work. We’d eat together, talk. Sometimes we’d watch a movie or go for a walk. Then one night, he came home drunk from a celebration dinner, propped up by a female subordinate, their bodies pressed close together. “Ma’am, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get Commander Hayes inside,” the woman said, her tone dripping with disdain. I didn’t move. I just held out my hand. “I’ll take my husband now.” As I was about to close the door, the woman smirked. “You know, being the Commander’s wife requires a certain… broad-mindedness. If you get jealous this easily, you’ll just make yourself sick trying to get rid of all the women who want him.” I didn’t realize Caleb was still lucid enough to hear everything. Or that he’d finally noticed how I truly felt about him. Later, after I’d made him some tea, I found him on the sofa, his eyes sharp and clear, watching me. I put the mug on the coffee table. “You’re awake. Drink this, it’ll help.” He ignored the tea, his gaze intense. “Do you know why I’ve never let you in my study?” All my earlier anger vanished, replaced by curiosity. I shook my head. He stood, waving off my attempt to help him, and led me to the study door. When he pushed it open, my breath caught. A massive painting dominated the room. It was of a girl, maybe sixteen or seventeen, standing in a field of flowers, her head bowed as she smelled a blossom, only half her face visible. It was years later, after the accident, that I would recognize that face as Ava’s. Caleb leaned against the doorframe and lit a cigarette. “I’ve loved her since I was seventeen. It’s been ten years.” His voice was casual, but every word was a hammer blow against my heart. “If we hadn’t fought, if she hadn’t left for Europe in a fit of anger, she would be the one I’m married to right now.” Before I could even process that, he cut right to the chase. “I can’t give you what you want, Chloe. So don’t even start wanting it.” He paused, his voice taking on the cold, transactional tone he used in negotiations. “I’m adding a clause to our agreement. If you can’t manage your emotions, if you cross the line and interfere in my personal life, you’ll be in breach of contract. Not only will you forfeit the final payment, but you’ll owe me for damages.” The study was dark, with only a sliver of light from the hallway stretching across the floor. I watched my own shadow, frozen in place, and remembered something I’d overheard his father say about him once. Caleb had been talking about greedy business partners: *“They’re always probing the boundaries, testing the limits. Their desperate grasping is just… distasteful.”* That night, I became the distasteful one. I don’t know when Caleb left. I just stood there until the sun came up, the hollow feeling in my chest finally going numb. After that, I managed myself perfectly. I never let a single inappropriate emotion show. I was calm, polite, respectful. That was all I ever gave him. And after a while, it almost felt like I didn’t love him at all anymore. 3. Snapping back to the present, I found a walk-in clinic to get my knee patched up, called my boss to take the day off, and went straight to the hospital to see my mom. She has a tumor in a tricky spot in her brain. There are maybe two surgeons in the entire country who can operate on it. She’s always talking about checking out to save money. I popped a piece of pear into her mouth. “Absolutely not. You fainted last time you tried to walk down to the third floor for a test. Besides, I heard that Dr. Matthews, the best neurosurgeon for this, is going to be doing rounds here soon.” My mom’s doctor promised he’d get us a consultation the second he got confirmation. The thought of my mom finally getting better made my steps feel lighter as I went to the cafeteria for lunch. But the head nurse stopped me on my way. “Chloe, honey, I’m so sorry. The VIP room we had reserved for your mom… a new patient came in. A girl with serious connections. They gave it to her mother instead.” The nurse sighed. “I heard her boyfriend is a big shot in the military… name’s Hayes, or something…” At that exact moment, I saw a flash of a white dress disappear around the corner of the stairwell. It was the same one Ava had been wearing this morning. I forced a smile. “It’s okay, thank you for trying, Maria. A VIP room isn’t important. I just want my mom to get her surgery.” That afternoon, I got home to find Caleb sitting on the living room sofa. I was surprised he wasn’t with Ava. I gave him a slight nod. “Commander Hayes.” I was about to head to my room when he spoke. “How’s the knee?” “I put some ointment on it. It’s fine,” I replied. He set down his coffee and glanced at his watch. “I need you to come to my parents’ for dinner tonight. Are you free?” According to the contract, it didn’t matter if I was free. I nodded. “Yes.” I picked out a designer outfit, did my makeup, put on the jewelry and perfume—the whole routine to look the part of the polished, perfect wife. At his parents’ front door, I linked my arm through his, a familiar, practiced gesture. Inside, I smiled and greeted every family member. During dinner, Caleb’s mother suddenly asked, “So, are you two trying for a baby yet?” I was sipping my soup and choked. Caleb handed me a napkin and patted my back gently. “Mom, Chloe’s still young.” “Twenty-five isn’t that young,” she countered. “It’s time to start thinking about these things, you know.” I managed to swallow. “I know, Mom. We will.” A heavy thunderstorm started that night, so we had to stay over. One king bed, two separate comforters. It was a routine we were used to, not even awkward anymore. I came out of the bathroom in my pajamas and sat on the sofa to put more cream on my knee. Caleb looked over. “Sorry I couldn’t take you to the hospital myself today.” He looked like he was trying to figure out how to explain his relationship with Ava. I saved him the trouble. “It’s okay, Commander. The contract doesn’t obligate you to take care of me. Don’t worry about it.” I kept my voice even. “And I won’t ask about you and Ms. Sterling. I’ll keep playing my part until the two months are up.” He looked up. “Two months?” He’d forgotten the expiration date. “Yes,” I confirmed. “In two months, the contract is up, and we can get a divorce and end this arrangement.” He picked up his glass of wine, his expression unreadable. “You’ve been counting the days.” He tossed out the flat comment and then disappeared into the bathroom. 4. A few days later, my mom’s doctor called. He’d managed to secure a consultation for my mom with Dr. Matthews. For the next two weeks, I went straight to the hospital after work every day. One evening, I got into the elevator, and just before the doors closed, they were held open. Caleb and Ava stepped inside. Ava didn’t even recognize me; her eyes slid right past. Caleb paused for a fraction of a second when he saw me, but he said nothing. As the elevator ascended, Ava clung to his arm. “Thank you, thank you, my amazing boyfriend, for arranging everything for my mom. Now all we have to do is wait for the results.” She beamed up at him. “How can I possibly thank you? I guess I could let you take me to dinner…” I stared at the glowing floor numbers. After a few seconds, I heard Caleb’s low voice. “What do you want to eat?” “Let’s go to your place,” she chirped. “I’m craving your carbonara!” The elevator dinged at my floor. As I stepped out, I didn’t hear Caleb say no. Looks like I wouldn’t be going home tonight. I’d have to find a hotel. After having dinner with my mom, I checked into a nearby hotel, showered, and collapsed into bed. I was drifting in a hazy sleep when my phone rang. It was Caleb. “Hello?” I mumbled into my pillow. “When are you coming home?” his voice came through the line. “I made dinner. I’m waiting for you.” My face was half-buried in the pillow. “But… aren’t you with Ava? I didn’t want to walk in on you two… I can’t explain that… so I just got a room for the night…” Caleb’s voice deepened. “Stop worrying about things you don’t need to. Give me the hotel address. I’ll come pick you up.” I was too tired to be diplomatic. I rolled over in the blankets. “No, Caleb. I’m already in bed. Don’t bother me.” He was silent for a few seconds. When he spoke again, his tone was surprisingly soft, almost teasing. “Such a grump when you’re woken up, huh?” In my drowsy state, I wasn’t as intimidated by him. I made an annoyed sound. Through the haze of sleep, I thought I heard a quiet laugh. “Okay, you sleep. I won’t bother you.” The line clicked, and I fell back into a deep sleep. The next day, I’d mostly forgotten the conversation, except for the bold way I’d used his first name. When he called again, I braced myself for a reprimand, my voice cautious. “Is there something you need, Commander Hayes?” There was a pause on the other end before he answered, his tone flat. “Nothing. I just forgot to ask you yesterday what you were doing at the hospital.” “My mom’s a patient there,” I said, keeping it vague. “It’s nothing major. She should be out soon.” “If you need any help, contact my direct aide,” he said after a moment. I thanked him politely but had no intention of taking him up on the offer. His work was too important; I couldn’t bother his staff with my personal problems. The addendum to our contract had conditioned me to keep my distance. Asking him for help was crossing the line. I couldn’t do it. He didn’t hang up. “Commander,” I asked, “was there anything else?” I could hear the faint, rhythmic tapping of his fingers against a desk, a habit he had on the phone. “I was just wondering what time you usually take a nap,” he said casually. I was stunned into silence. Before I could respond, he added, “I’ll make sure to call you around that time from now on.” I had no idea what to make of that. Was he trying to tease me? Or was this just some new, strange way for a man in his position to mess with someone? Dr. Matthews was scheduled to be at the hospital on the 17th, with only a three-hour window for consultations. We had the last appointment. Caleb had been away on a field inspection for four days and wasn’t due back for another week. In that time, I’d seen Ava at the hospital, but she was always alone. On the morning of the 17th, I saw her chatting with the nurses at their station, looking relaxed as she munched on an apple. “My mom’s test results are only partially back,” she was saying, “but the hospital administrator told me not to worry, it’s probably nothing serious.” A nurse, busy sorting files, smiled up at her. “That’s great news. Why don’t you go for a walk? We’re a little busy preparing for Dr. Matthews’s visit this afternoon.” Ava latched onto the name. “Doctor? What doctor?” “He’s a top expert in neuro-oncology,” the nurse explained. “All his consultation slots are filled.” Then she added, “But your mother’s situation is different. She doesn’t need to see a specialist like him.” Ava took another bite of her apple, a thoughtful look on her face. “Is that so…” A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach. Ava’s mom didn’t have a serious condition, and it wasn’t even Dr. Matthews’s specialty. Surely she wouldn’t try to take our appointment. But I was wrong. At two o’clock that afternoon, my mom’s doctor pulled me out of her room, his expression grave. “The appointment is gone.” The words hit me like a physical blow. My ears started ringing. “It was taken by Commander Hayes’s girlfriend. She has military family priority.” The doctor’s brow was furrowed in frustration. “I told her that her mother’s case is something I can easily handle, but she insisted. She said seeing the top professor would give her more peace of mind.” I leaned against the wall to steady myself. “Can’t he just add one more slot?” “There’s no time. Dr. Matthews has a flight to an international conference at five.” I dug my nails into my palms, the sharp pain grounding me. I pulled out my phone and tried to call Caleb. Just like always, the call wouldn’t go through to his personal line. Just a cold, busy signal. There was no time to waste. I rushed home in a cab, grabbed my marriage certificate, and raced back to the hospital. By the time I returned, two hours had passed. My doctor took me to the hospital administrator’s office. Before I could speak, the administrator held up a hand. “There’s no point. You can’t win this. You don’t have the connections.” I pushed the marriage certificate across his desk, breathing heavily. “I am Caleb Hayes’s wife. You can verify the authenticity of this document.” My voice was shaking, but firm. “I’m not here to steal anyone’s appointment. I’m here to take back what was originally mine.” I got the appointment back. After confirming the surgery schedule with Dr. Matthews, I finally felt like I could breathe again. I asked the doctor and the administrator to keep my identity a secret, but I underestimated Ava’s persistence. As I was leaving the hospital that evening, she blocked my path, staring at me until a slow, knowing smile spread across her face. “I remember you. You’re the girl I hit with my car. No wonder Caleb was so concerned when he heard you had a clotting disorder.” “I wouldn’t have done this if you hadn’t taken my appointment,” I said, looking down. “My relationship with him… it’s not what you think. I can explain.” She wasn’t interested. She just held out her hand. “I want to see the marriage certificate.” Her voice was laced with a threat. “Because if you don’t show it to me, I swear I will make such a scene in this hospital that your mother won’t get a moment’s peace, let alone a major surgery.” I had no choice. I showed it to her. Ava smiled the entire time. She nodded, handed it back, and immediately dialed Caleb’s number. The call connected almost instantly. Her eyes, now filled with tears, were locked on me as she spoke into the phone. “Caleb… you have a wife?” A moment later, I could hear the faint sound of his voice. “Who told you that?” “How could you do this to me?” Ava’s voice broke into a sob. “We’re done.” She hung up, turned, and walked away. My lips were pressed into a thin line. I took one step to follow her, but she spoke without turning back. “I wouldn’t follow me if I were you. You’re pathetic, letting your husband cheat on you. Don’t make me get violent right here in the hospital parking lot.” 5. After that, I tried calling Caleb a dozen times. Every call was rejected. I sent texts explaining what had happened. No response. He was scheduled to return from his trip on the 20th, but he didn’t show up at the villa until the 25th. Those five days, I knew, were spent placating Ava. The night before he came back, I saw her post on Instagram. It was a picture of her in a hospital bed, with Caleb in the frame, carefully picking bones out of a bowl of chicken soup for her. The caption read: *The one who’s not loved is the other woman.* Today, he was finally ready to settle the score with me. I braced myself for his anger, but when he walked in, Caleb didn’t even look at me. He just tossed his coat aside and sat on the sofa with a stack of files. A moment later, his phone rang. He answered, his voice calm, but carrying the weight of command that made the room feel heavy and cold. “Do you remember the instructions I gave you before I left?” The person on the other end was the private security guard Caleb had hired for Ava. “You told me to take care of Ms. Sterling, sir.” “Right,” Caleb said. “And you failed.” I could faintly hear the guard’s muffled apologies. “You’re fired,” Caleb stated, his tone completely flat. I stared in disbelief. I rushed over to him. “Commander, it has nothing to do with him! I’m the one who broke the contract. Don’t punish innocent people.” Only then did he finally acknowledge my presence, his eyes lifting to meet mine. “Punish innocent people?” he repeated slowly. He paused. “If you had considered that before you exposed our marriage, maybe none of this would have happened.” “That’s not it!” I argued desperately. “It was because Ava stole my mother’s appointment with the surgeon. Her doctor said we can’t delay it any longer, and he’s the only one in the country who can do this surgery…” He cut me off, his voice smooth and deliberate. “And what does your mother have to do with me?” 6. Caleb’s words were like a shard of ice, plunging straight into the softest part of my heart. I froze, staring at the undisguised coldness in his eyes. Suddenly, the past three years felt like a ridiculous, pathetic joke. I took a deep breath, forcing down the lump in my throat, and spoke, enunciating every single word. “You’re right. She has nothing to do with you.” I held his gaze. “And from now on, neither do I.”

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My husband’s “girl bro” brought over a batch of her homemade granola bars. I saw the little green specks of mold in the oat clusters and immediately told my husband not to eat them. That just made his friend, Gina, roar with laughter. “God, you’re so high-strung. It’s a granola bar, not poison. Your husband’s eaten way worse. Hell, he’s practically licked my boots clean on a dare before.” I was so angry I threw the whole tray in the trash. Leo, my husband, thought I’d embarrassed him. He gave me a hard shove. I wasn’t ready for it. The back of my head hit the corner of the counter with a sickening crack. I felt a warm wetness and the world started to tilt. It was intracranial bleeding. Gina just stood over me, looking down her nose. She pursed her lips. “See? This is why I don’t hang with girls. You breathe on them wrong and they act like they’re dying. So dramatic.” And then, ignoring my wide, pleading eyes, she grabbed Leo’s hand and dragged him out for a night of bar-hopping. Because they didn’t call for help in time, I was left paralyzed. Eventually, I died. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on that same day. The day he got the moldy granola bars. This time, I pretended I didn’t see the mold at all. *** **1** “What are you staring at? It’s not every day I grace you mortals with my baking skills. The least you could do is gobble it down and thank me.” That was Gina, her voice a sharp prod in the quiet room. Leo’s ears went red, and he had a weird, flustered look on his face. Me? I was still in a daze, sitting there like a statue, my mind struggling to catch up. “Maya, you gonna stare a hole through it, or are you going to eat one? What, you think my cooking is beneath you?” I balled my fists in my lap, looking down to hide the hatred burning in my eyes. The silence got awkward. Leo finally spoke up to defend me. “Hey, lay off her. Maya’s been sick the last couple of days, just picking fights over nothing. It’s been driving me nuts.” Gina let out a sharp curse, then leaned in so close I could feel her breath on my face. “Wait, you guys haven’t been fighting about… me, have you?” she asked, a smirk playing on her lips. “We’re just bros. God, she’s so insecure. I can’t.” I shot up from the couch, tossed the granola bar I was holding onto the coffee table, and fled to the bathroom. The cold water felt like a shock against my skin. I looked in the mirror and pinched my cheek, hard. It hurt. A lot. It wasn’t a dream. I was really back. And this time, I wouldn’t stop a single damn soul on their way to hell. **2** I splashed more cold water on my face, forcing myself to calm down. From the living room, I could hear Gina’s teasing voice. “Alright, spill it. What did your wifey get all worked up about this time? Tell your big sister Gina, I’ll teach you how to handle her.” Leo’s voice was muffled as he explained our fight from a few days ago. “I told her a million times, I only changed my profile pic to your photo because I lost a bet. She won’t believe me. You really screwed me over with that one.” Gina just howled with laughter. When I came out of the bathroom, she was sprawled all over him on the couch, her body pressed against his, no space between them. She didn’t move when she saw me. But Leo tensed up, pushing her away and quickly grabbing a throw pillow to cover his lap. He gave me a weak, forced smile. “Honey, you okay? What happened?” I shook my head. My eyes flicked to the now-empty plate on the table. “Did you eat all the granola bars?” I asked, as if I was just making conversation. Leo practically tripped over himself to explain. “Yeah, I had to. Gina’s such a tomboy, she hardly ever sets foot in a kitchen. I had to show some support, you know?” Gina’s lips curved into a smug grin as she shot me a challenging look. Then she slung an arm around Leo’s neck. “That’s right, buddy. You ate my food, now you owe me. We’re going out drinking tonight, and we’re not coming back ‘til sunrise.” She turned to me. “Sorry, Maya. It’s a bros-only night. No girlfriends allowed. Don’t take it personally.” “Oh,” I said. Then I asked, “So, are you a man or a woman?” Gina rolled her eyes with an exaggerated sigh, then stood up and literally dropped her pants for a second. Three seconds later, she pulled them back up with a smirk. “See? Happy now? I’m basically a dude who got born in the wrong body. None of the guys see me as a girl. If you’ve got a problem, just say it. Don’t play these passive-aggressive games.” I nodded. “You’re right. If there was anything between you two, you would’ve gotten together ages ago. There’d be no room for me.” The smile on Gina’s face froze. Leo looked like he was about to jump to her defense, but I beat him to it. “In that case, I’ve got nothing to worry about. You guys go have fun.” “Just don’t drink too much. And try to come home at a reasonable hour.” Gina shot me a massive eye-roll and yanked Leo towards the door by his collar. **3** I watched them leave. The second the door clicked shut, I bolted to the kitchen, grabbed the biggest knife I could find, and started hacking away at everything in the fridge. I didn’t stop until I was panting, exhausted, and collapsed on the floor. Lying there, staring at the ceiling, I finally felt a moment of release. I bit my lip, silent tears streaming down my face. The last time. The last time, I was lying just like this, my body numb. My consciousness faded in and out as I desperately tried to move, to call for help. But it wasn’t until the next afternoon, after he’d sobered up, that Leo came home and finally took me to the hospital. It was too late. The doctor’s words echoed in my memory: “The intracranial bleeding is extensive and has affected critical areas of the brain. It’s highly likely she’ll have severe conscious impairment. The family needs to prepare for the worst.” Even though my eyes were closed, I was aware. I heard everything. I heard Leo’s broken sobs. I felt him collapse next to my bed, whispering his apologies. “I’m so sorry, honey, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have done that. Please, wake up. If you just wake up, I’ll never make you angry again.” But as the days turned into weeks, the doctor’s tone changed. “Your wife has likely entered a persistent vegetative state. The chances of her waking up are now significantly lower. If she doesn’t regain consciousness within a month, the prognosis is very poor. You need to be prepared.” This time, Leo seemed to accept the news much faster. That very night, I heard Gina’s voice by my bedside. “Dude, are you really gonna waste your life on her? Think about it. You’ll be her free nurse, wiping her ass, changing her diapers. You won’t be able to hang out with me anymore.” Leo’s laugh was bitter. “We owe her this. I’ll be the one to pay the price.” “What do you mean, *we* owe her?” Gina snapped. “If you ask me, she’d be better off dead. It’d be a relief. If you’re gonna blame me for this, fine. I’ll leave. I’ll get out of your life right now.” I heard her angry footsteps stomp away, then stop. A moment later, someone yanked the privacy curtain around my bed. And then, I heard the sound of their tangled breaths, their soft murmurs, right next to my ear. My heart shattered. **4** During the four years I was a vegetable, Leo and Gina were constantly intimate by my bedside. After being heartbroken countless times, I just went numb. When I heard them discussing stopping my life support, planning to announce their engagement to our friends, the numbness turned to hate. I wanted, more than anything, to wake up and tear their smiling faces to shreds, to make them pay. But the reality was, I was trapped. I couldn’t live, and I couldn’t die. Not until Gina got pregnant. That’s when Leo finally made his decision. In the middle of the night, he quietly pressed a pillow over my face… **5** Once I got some strength back, I sat down on the couch. I checked the date on my phone: 2021. I suddenly remembered something from my time in the hospital bed. I’d overheard a news report on another patient’s radio: “Breaking news, gold prices have hit another record high, now topping over $2,000 an ounce…” The people in the room started talking about it. One woman’s voice was particularly smug. “I got my wedding jewelry back in ‘21. Back then, it was only about $1,700 an ounce. The price has skyrocketed. I’m almost tempted to sell my gold bracelet.” I looked down at the date again. It *was* 2021. Forgetting all about the two scumbags partying at some bar, I felt a surge of excitement for the future. I immediately bought a bus ticket to the city, packed two changes of clothes, and left. In the city’s jewelry district, I spent every cent I had on gold. I didn’t even have enough left for a ticket back. As I was standing on the street corner, wondering what to do next, my phone rang. It was Gina. “Hey. Your husband is wasted. You need to get back here and take care of him.” Her voice was slurred. “It’s so weird, he didn’t even drink that much last night, but he just puked all over me. I’m not gonna bother going home, so I’m just gonna take a shower at your place. And don’t get your panties in a twist. I’ll borrow one of your T-shirts, but I’m not interested in your husband’s fifteen-minute performance.” “Gina, you shut your damn mouth or I’ll show you what a performance really looks like!” Leo’s voice, angry and loud, suddenly cut in. But before he could say more, the line went dead. I smiled to myself. Gee, I wonder. Was he sick from the booze… or from food poisoning? Suddenly, I wasn’t in any hurry to go back. I’d stay away for a while. If I saw their disgusting faces right now, I was afraid I’d grab a knife and ruin my own future. I put my phone away, hoisted the heavy black backpack onto my shoulders, and walked towards a cheap motel down the street. **6** The city had a lot of warehouses that were always hiring temps during the busy season. I found a job with daily pay pretty quickly. After my first shift on the assembly line, I checked my phone. Dozens of missed calls and texts. [Honey, why aren’t you back yet?] [Where did you go?] [I miss you, come home.] [Babe, my stomach really hurts. Where’s that medicine you bought for me last time?] Before I could even finish reading, Leo called again. “Honey, when are you coming home? I feel awful. I think I’m gonna throw up again.” His voice was weak. Weak from being sick, or weak from guilt? Who knew. I sent him my location. “I went out for a bit, but I lost my wallet and my phone. I’m stuck out of town and can’t get back.” I could hear him take a sharp breath. Then he exploded. “Maya, are you an idiot? How do you lose something that important? Did you lose your brain, too? Just taking off like that without a word, who are you trying to scare?” I held the phone away from my ear. When I hung up, I blocked his number. I gave it a day. The next evening, after getting paid and treating myself to some decent takeout, I got a call from an unknown number. It was him. “Honey, can you please stop this?” His voice was pleading. “I feel really, really sick. Please, I’m begging you, just come home.” I took a slow bite of my food. “Isn’t Gina there to take care of you?” I asked innocently. “You guys are best friends, after all.” “Is that what this is about? Her? I told you, we’re just friends! You’re my wife! I paid for that whole damn wedding, shouldn’t you be the one taking care of me?” He was losing his patience. “I’m giving you 12 hours to show up here. Or else…” He hung up, trying to sound tough. I felt nothing. I finished my dinner and went back to my room for a good night’s sleep. On the third day, I handed in my phone at the start of my shift and got back to work. When I got paid for the three days, I realized I had enough to buy another gram of gold. But I resisted the urge. Instead, I bought a bus ticket home. **7** After a few hours on a bus with rock-hard seats, I was home. I pushed open the bedroom door. Leo was still in bed. And as I got closer, I saw there was someone else in there with him. I took out my phone, snapped a quick picture of the two of them, and posted it to my social media. Caption: [So grateful to Gina for taking such good care of my husband while I was gone these past three days. You’re a true friend 🙏.] No one liked the post. I took the groceries I’d bought on the way home and went to the kitchen. I was on the second dish when Gina wandered in, drawn by the sounds of cooking. “Whoa, look who’s back. Leo was about to lose his mind looking for you. That whole ‘running away from home’ trick was pretty good. Which novel did you get that from?” I kept my eyes on the sizzling beef in the pan and smiled sweetly. “It’s fine. Leo loves my cooking. Once he eats, he’ll probably forget he was ever mad.” I turned my head just in time to see the thoughtful, calculating look on her face. **8** When the food was on the table, Leo finally got out of bed. He was clutching his stomach, glaring at me from across the room. “What are you even doing back here?” I went to the medicine cabinet and got him an ibuprofen. He took it, and a few minutes later, the tense lines on his forehead started to relax. “You always know what to do,” he said, his tone softening. “Alright, I’ll let it slide this time. But if you ever pull a stunt like that again, I won’t forgive you so easily.” I smiled, my eyes flicking over to Gina. I put a piece of beef on Leo’s plate. “I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I was just so angry that day. Here, try some of your favorite cilantro beef.” Now that his stomach felt better, Leo dug in with gusto. This, apparently, was too much for Gina to watch. She suddenly made a series of loud spitting noises, hacking up a piece of chewed beef onto the table. “Dude, I’m not trying to be a bitch, but you could do better. I could make something better than this with my feet.” An awkward expression flashed across Leo’s face. He shook his head at me and pointed to his own temple, mouthing the word “crazy.” I just smiled at him. Gina saw our silent exchange and it was the last straw. She flew into a rage and tried to flip the dining room table. But the table was solid wood and didn’t budge. Flushed with embarrassment, she stormed towards the door. “Fine, fine! You both think I’m crazy, right? I’ll go! I’ll disappear! Is that what you want?” The words sounded familiar. I turned and saw my husband rush after her, grabbing her hand. A sharp pain stabbed me in the chest. I remembered now. This little act—playing the victim, turning the tables, leaving in a huff only to be begged to stay—was the exact move that had sealed their “special friendship” the last time around. Calling it a friendship, while doing things that screamed affair. Kissing by the bedside of his comatose wife. The irony was sickening. **9** By the time I tuned back in, Leo had already dragged Gina back to her seat. After a barrage of soothing words from him, she lifted her chin again, arrogant as ever. “Look, I’m not bragging, but your wife’s cooking is average at best. This weekend is your birthday. I’ll cook for you. Then you’ll see what real food tastes like.” Leo laughed and agreed immediately. Gina looked at me triumphantly. “In that case, we’ll just have the party at my place. Maya, you can come over early and be my assistant.” I shook my head. “No, that’s okay. You guys should just celebrate. I’d just be a third wheel.” Gina clicked her tongue, her tone aggressive. “You can just leave after you’re done helping in the kitchen. Don’t you even care about your own husband’s birthday? Seriously, what did my boy ever see in you?” I lowered my eyes. Under the table, my thumb ran over the new gold beads on my bracelet. After a moment, I decided to fully support their get-together. In fact, I wanted as many people as possible to witness their very special… friendship. **10** After Gina left, I texted her a long list of dishes I knew Leo liked. She replied with a sticker that said, “Women are so extra.” On the day of the party, Leo got all dressed up. He used gel in his hair, put on a crisp white shirt, and even used some breath spray. Before he left, he asked me one more time. “Are you sure you don’t want to come? They got a two-layer cake. I thought you loved the frosting.” I shook my head again. “It’s just going to be a bunch of guys. I don’t really have anything to talk about with them.” Leo smiled and nodded. “Yeah, you’re probably right.” He was already halfway out the door. “I wonder what Gina got me this year. She said it’s something I’m gonna love. She’s so confident.” “Anyway, I’m heading out. I’ll send you a video later so you can see her amazing cooking.” He turned and walked, almost bouncing, into the dim hallway. About two hours later, he sent me a video. The sound was deafening. Gina, wearing a sheer purple top, had her face smeared with cake frosting. She was laughing and swearing at the camera. “You sons of bitches! It took me two hours to do my makeup and you ruined it before I could even get a selfie! Now you all have to lick it off!” For Gina’s punishments, her “bros” were always eager to comply. I switched over to my social media feed and kept refreshing. Sure enough, another one of Leo’s close friends had just posted a new video. In this one, Gina was leaning back on the couch, swearing a blue streak, her arms crossed over her chest, which pushed up her cleavage. Leo, as the birthday boy, was being teased mercilessly by his friends, his face flushed red. At the end of the video, only a thin layer of frosting was left on Gina’s face. She glared at the camera. “Are you guys trying to kill me? If you’ve got so much energy, why don’t you go have a stamina contest with Leo?” The guys around her whooped and hollered. “How do we do that? You gonna test us all out?” “Damn, Gina! You’re not playing fair! You didn’t get us a gift this big on our birthdays!” “Gina’s a legend! Look at Leo, he’s about to explode! Hahahaha!” “Dude, you guys better chill. Leo’s a married man. Maya would freak if she saw this.” The group of friends just laughed and used the chaos as an excuse to grope at Gina. I saved the video and watched it a few times. I paused it at the 0:56 mark and zoomed in on the food on the table. A cold cucumber salad, cilantro beef, BBQ chicken wings, braised ribs, and a pork rib soup. Everything looked… fine. Totally average. A slow smile spread across my face. I called Leo immediately. “Wow, Gina’s cooking actually looks pretty good. You should eat a lot. Don’t let your best friend’s hard work go to waste.” It took him a few minutes to answer. He mumbled a few words and hung up in less than ten seconds. **11** The next morning, I was making coffee when the girlfriend of one of Leo’s friends suddenly contacted me. “Hey, Maya? It’s Megan. Is my boyfriend, Kevin, still at your place?” I paused for a second. “No, he’s not here. They had the birthday party at Gina’s place last night. My husband, Leo, isn’t home yet either.” “That damn Gina again!” Megan sounded furious. “Kevin told me he was going to your house! Of course he went to see *her*. A dog will always go back to its own vomit.” I thought for a moment, then added her as a contact. I sent her the video from the party last night. A few minutes later, Megan added me to a group chat. A few other people joined after me. When there were six of us in the chat, Megan forwarded the two videos and tagged everyone. [@all Who’s free to go bust some cheaters with me right now?] The message was immediately met with a few question marks. But then two other women quickly agreed. Megan dropped Gina’s address in the chat and told everyone to meet at the apartment complex gate in an hour. Something this good? Of course I wasn’t going to miss it. **12** An hour later, I met Megan in person. She had a sharp black bob, a simple black t-shirt, and tight jeans. When she saw me pull up, her eyes narrowed. “You here for Gina?” I nodded. “I’m Maya. Leo’s my husband.” The suspicion in Megan’s eyes faded, and she immediately launched into a rant about Gina. “Remember that stupid ‘three best friends’ challenge on TikTok? She posted a video and tagged my boyfriend and a bunch of other guys, talking about how her ‘bros’ are closer than family. How they all slept crammed into one room for six months when they were broke. How it’s been ten years, and even though they all have girlfriends or are married, she just has to say the word and they’ll all come running.” Megan let out a bitter laugh. “And I was the idiot who didn’t see the massive red flag waving in my face.” She looked at me with a sort of pity in her eyes. “I’m going up there and dumping Kevin’s ass. What about you, Maya?” I managed a weak, sad smile. “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll see how it goes.” Megan looked like she wanted to say something else, opening her mouth a few times, but then she just shook her head. She was probably going to tell me to get a divorce. But divorce means paperwork. A waiting period. It’s so much trouble. And besides, there might be a better way. **13** Once the other two women arrived, our little group went up and started knocking on Gina’s door. No one answered. Finally, Megan found a spare key under the doormat and we let ourselves in. The second we opened the door, we were hit with a wall of stale smoke and booze. Three or four guys were passed out on the floor and couches in the living room. Megan walked over to her boyfriend and stared down at him like he was something she’d scraped off her shoe. “Kevin. Are you dead? Get your ass up. Now.” The other women went to find their own boyfriends, their faces grim. I didn’t see Leo in the living room. I was about to check the master bedroom when someone behind me let out a piercing scream. “Ah!” I spun around. One of the women, the one in a yellow jacket, was clutching Megan in terror. Megan looked completely bewildered. “What? What’s wrong?” The woman in yellow was shaking uncontrollably. “He’s… he’s dead.”

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