Author: Momo Chan

CHAPTER “Gabriel, my heart hurts. Can you take me to the hospital?” My voice was weak as I spoke into the phone, my fingers tightening around it. A tired sigh filtered through the speaker. “Julia, I have a meeting with some clients. Can you go on your own? I’ll come find you later.” I swallowed down the lump in my throat. “Okay. Don’t overwork yourself.” Hanging up, I hailed a taxi to the hospital, pressing a hand to my chest as the pain pulsed beneath my ribs. It was bearable—because Gabriel was working hard for our future. Or so I thought. — Test results in hand, I stepped out of the doctor’s office—only to freeze in place. A familiar silhouette walked past the hospital corridor. My heart lurched. Gabriel. He… came after all? A flicker of warmth bloomed in my chest. Maybe he had finished his meeting early. Maybe he had rushed here the moment he could— The thought died the second I saw her. A delicate woman was tucked under his arm, her small hands gripping his coat like she belonged there. Gabriel wasn’t just standing next to her—he was looking at her. Not with duty. Not with indifference. But with tenderness. Love. A kind of love I had never seen from him. A kind of love that was never meant for me. I didn’t think. My body moved before my mind could catch up. “Gabriel Hall!” My voice cracked through the air as I marched toward them. His expression flickered with shock before settling into something unreadable. “Julia? What are you doing here?” My nails dug into my palm. “I told you I wasn’t feeling well. You said you were busy with work, but now you’re here?” My voice wavered, the betrayal stinging sharper than my aching heart. He sighed, as if I was being unreasonable. “I just finished up and came to accompany Harper. She’s been feeling unwell.” I turned my gaze to the woman pressed against his side. She smiled sweetly at me, but I didn’t miss the flicker of hatred that flashed in her eyes before she masked it. “I’m not your sister-in-law,” Harper murmured, her voice soft and fragile, yet laced with something deliberate. “Just Harper Jenkins. Gabriel and I grew up together.” A childhood sweetheart. I forced myself to breathe. “Gabriel, do you even hear yourself? It’s not that you have a childhood friend that bothers me— “It’s how you treat us differently.” His expression faltered. “You say she’s just a friend. But the way you look at her? The way you hold her?” I let out a bitter laugh. “You never looked at me like that.” For the first time, Gabriel had nothing to say. — Back at home, he helped me onto the couch, rubbing small circles on my back. “Are you jealous?” He teased, like this was some kind of joke. I lifted my head, searching his gaze for a single ounce of regret. I found none. I forced a smile. “I’ll go take a bath.” Turning away, I swallowed down the lump in my throat. But as I stepped into the bathroom, the pain in my chest flared up again. Was it my illness? Or was it him? — That night, my phone rang. “Julia, you better come tomorrow night. If you ditch me again, I swear you’ll regret it,” my best friend, Sophia Patel, huffed over the line. I tried to sound normal. “Alright, I’ll be there.” A pause. “Julia… something’s off. What’s wrong?” I hesitated, then exhaled. “I’m just a little sick.” Her tone immediately turned sharp. “Sick? Where’s Gabriel? Tell him to bring you water and medicine.” The words struck something deep inside me. Because in five years of marriage… Every time I was sick, every time I needed him— Gabriel always had an excuse. Always had something more important to do. And yet, for her, for Harper Jenkins— He always had time. The thought sat heavy in my chest, suffocating and undeniable. Maybe I had been blind for too long. Maybe love had been nothing but an illusion. *********** CHAPTER

The bar pulsed with energy, a mix of neon lights and deep bass vibrating through the air. The scent of alcohol, sweat, and desperation lingered, thick enough to choke on. Bodies moved together on the dance floor, strangers clinging to each other as if the night would never end. I pushed through the crowd, my gaze sweeping the room until I spotted Sophia at the bar. Her red dress clung to her curves in all the right places, her dark hair cascading down her back as she swirled her drink with a lazy smirk. Her eyes were sharp, scanning the room like a predator searching for its next conquest. “Julia, over here!” she called, waving me over. Sliding onto the stool beside her, I exhaled. Sophia grinned. “Look around, babe. So many handsome men, and you’re wasting your time on Gabriel. Pick one, and I’ll go get him for you.” I laughed, shaking my head. “Sophia!” She rolled her eyes. “I’m serious. Why are you still hung up on that bastard? What’s so great about him?” I tensed at the question. Sophia sighed dramatically. “I swear, I should just set you up with someone. Maybe then you’d finally realize how shitty he is.” “I need to use the bathroom,” I muttered, avoiding her gaze. Slipping off the stool, I made my way through the bar, the dim lighting and flashing strobes making it difficult to see clearly. But as I walked past a private VIP lounge, a familiar voice stopped me cold. Gabriel. Heart hammering, I edged closer, peering through the small crack in the door. What I saw made my stomach lurch. Harper was perched on Gabriel’s lap, her delicate arms draped around his neck, her lips curled in satisfaction. His friends lounged around them, laughing, drinking—egging them on. “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” someone chanted. Gabriel smirked. And then he leaned in. Bile rose in my throat. My fingers curled into fists, nails biting into my palms as rage and heartbreak warred inside me. As if sensing my gaze, Harper suddenly turned—and smiled. A slow, smug, knowing smile. Like she had won. “When are you divorcing Julia?” Lucas Ross, one of Gabriel’s closest friends, asked, swirling the liquor in his glass. Gabriel chuckled, his voice dripping with amusement. “Divorce her? Please. You think I ever loved her?” Something inside me snapped. “She was just a means to an end.” My breath hitched. “If it weren’t for her family’s company, I wouldn’t have even looked at her.” The room erupted into laughter. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. “I used to hate the way she looked down on me,” Gabriel continued, his tone darkening. “Thinking she was better than me. I wanted to tear her down, make her beg for my mercy.” Lucas whistled. “Damn, so she was just a pawn?” Gabriel smirked. “She’s been under my control for years.” I staggered back, my chest tightening like a vise had wrapped around my ribs. Five years. Three years of marriage. It was all a lie. I turned, shoving past the crowd, my vision blurring as I rushed out of the bar. The cool night air slapped me in the face, but it wasn’t enough to ground me. I stumbled forward, my breaths coming out sharp and uneven. Above me, the sky loomed dark and endless. And then, as if mocking my pain— It started to rain. Cold droplets soaked through my clothes, drenching me to the bone. But I barely noticed. I was too busy trying to hold together the pieces of my shattered heart. *********** CHAPTER

I stepped into the apartment—the same place Gabriel and I had shared for three years. The warm, inviting home I had painstakingly decorated now felt like nothing more than an illusion. The walls, once filled with laughter and love, now mocked me with their silence. I had designed this place to be a home—for both of us. But in the end, I had just built a gilded cage for myself. A bitter laugh escaped my lips as I collapsed onto the couch, exhaustion pulling me under. — When I woke up, the apartment was still empty. Gabriel hadn’t come home. Not even a text. What was I expecting? I let out a sharp breath, shaking off the weight in my chest. After making myself a simple breakfast, I decided to head to the office. But the moment I stepped out of the building, I froze. Gabriel was standing there—with Harper. I met his gaze, my expression unreadable. “Gabriel, have you sunk so low that you’re actually bringing your mistress home now?” Gabriel sighed, looking bored. “Harper has nowhere to stay. What kind of man would I be if I left her on the streets?” Harper clutched his arm, her eyes welling up with crocodile tears. “Maybe… maybe I should find somewhere else to live. I don’t want to cause problems between you two.” Her trembling voice was laced with just the right amount of pity. Gabriel’s expression softened instantly. “No, you’re staying with us. Julia has no right to refuse.” I arched an eyebrow, amusement flickering in my eyes. “No right to refuse?” I repeated, crossing my arms. “Gabriel, do you need a reminder? This apartment was bought with my money. You don’t get to decide who lives here.” His jaw tensed, and before I could react, he lifted his hand. As if he was actually going to slap me. I didn’t even flinch. I met his gaze, unshaken. “Go ahead. Hit me. I dare you.” Gabriel hesitated. But before anything else could happen, Harper grabbed my hand, her delicate fingers trembling. “Julia, please don’t fight with Gabriel because of me,” she whimpered, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I’ll leave. I’ll go somewhere else.” And then, suddenly— She collapsed. Right there, at my feet. Her hand flew to her chest, her breathing ragged. “Gabriel… my heart… it hurts…” Gabriel’s face drained of color, panic flashing in his eyes. He turned on me instantly. “Julia, if anything happens to Harper, I’ll never forgive you.” I stilled. And then— Harper looked up at me, a smile curving at the edges of her lips. A smile meant only for me to see. Slowly, my fingers curled into fists, my nails biting into my palms. But I felt nothing. Not pain. Not anger. Just emptiness. This was the man I had loved for five years. The man I had shared a bed with. And now, I was just someone to blame. A sharp pain bloomed in my chest, but I swallowed it down, forcing myself to stand tall. I watched as Gabriel scooped Harper into his arms, his concern never once faltering. He didn’t spare me a second glance. I didn’t move. I just stood there, watching them walk away— My eyes as still and lifeless as a stagnant pool of water. ********** CHAPTER

The test results were grim. Harper Jenkins had a severe heart condition and needed a transplant immediately. But there was no matching donor. And Gabriel? He had been obsessing over finding one, neglecting everything—including his company. Just as desperation started clawing at his patience, someone approached him. “I know a way to get Harper Jenkins a heart transplant. But it depends on whether you’re willing to accept the proposal.” Gabriel’s eyes darkened as he studied the stranger—a man dressed in a long coat, his face obscured by a hat and mask. “And why should I trust you?” Gabriel asked, skepticism lacing his voice. The man pulled down his mask, revealing sharp, chiseled features. “Because I’m Dr. Benjamin Wright. A leading heart specialist from M Country.” Gabriel’s breath hitched. Dr. Wright? The name alone was enough to shake the medical world. Dr. Wright pulled out an ID and handed it over. “Verify it if you must.” Gabriel studied the identification, his mind racing. He didn’t have time for doubts. He had to take the chance. “What’s your solution?” Gabriel asked, his voice low and urgent. Dr. Wright leaned in slightly. “There’s no suitable match in the donor database. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a match outside of it.” Gabriel’s brows furrowed. “Explain.” Dr. Wright’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Your wife, Julia, had a recent heart exam. Her heart is in perfect condition. And… it’s a perfect match for Harper Jenkins.” The air around them turned suffocatingly heavy. Gabriel’s expression hardened. “There’s no other option?” Dr. Wright shook his head. “Either she consents… or you wait for another donor. But Harper’s time is running out.” Gabriel’s jaw tightened. “Prepare for the surgery. I’ll take care of Julia.” — That evening, Gabriel did something he never did. He cooked. The aroma of braised pork ribs filled the apartment as he set the table with practiced ease. The moment I stepped inside, my senses went on high alert. Gabriel turned to me with an easy smile. “Welcome home. Wash your hands and eat. I made your favorite.” I arched an eyebrow, crossing my arms. “Drop the act. Just tell me what you want.” His smile faltered. He set down the chopsticks and walked over, his expression grave. “Julia, Harper is dying. She needs a heart transplant, but there’s no available donor.” My lips curled into a smirk. “And what does that have to do with me?” Gabriel’s eyes pleaded with mine. “Your heart is a match.” A silence stretched between us. Then, I laughed. Actually laughed. His brows knitted. “Julia, please. Help her.” I tilted my head, feigning innocence. “Give up my heart… for your mistress? Why would I do that?” His patience snapped. “Because Harper Jenkins’s life is on the line!” I sighed, shaking my head. “Not my problem.” His hands curled into fists. “You’re really this selfish? You’d let her die?” I stood abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. “And what about me, Gabriel? Have you ever thought about my life? My well-being?” Slap. The impact sent my head snapping to the side. The sharp sting spread across my cheek, but I didn’t flinch. Gabriel’s voice was low and venomous. “You’re willing to watch Harper die, but you won’t take a risk for her?” I met his gaze, my eyes cold, unyielding. “And what if I refuse?” His lips curled into something dark. “Then don’t forget—I control the NovaTech Inc.. If you don’t agree, I’ll make sure you lose everything.” Something inside me snapped. I inhaled slowly, forcing a calm I didn’t feel. Then, I gave him exactly what he wanted. “Fine.” His eyes gleamed with triumph. I smiled. Gabriel Hall… you have no idea what you’ve just set in motion.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295839”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #魔幻Magic #重生Reborn #校园School

I’ve been in love with my childhood friend for ten years, and he’s been annoyed with me for just as long. Finally, one day, I slept with him and left two hundred dollars on the nightstand. My childhood friend felt utterly humiliated and “hunted” me down everywhere. But he couldn’t find me anywhere. I avoided him for three years, until my father passed away, leaving me an orphan. His parents said, “From now on, our home is your home, and this boy is your brother.” I looked at my childhood friend’s face, flushed with anger and embarrassment at the sight of me, And cheerfully called out, “Hello, big brother!” 0 I had been avoiding Ethan Collins for exactly three years. The reason I remember it so clearly is because the night I seduced him was New Year’s Eve during my freshman year winter break. And today is New Year’s Eve of my senior year winter break. I was dragging my suitcase, planning to buy some fruit before going upstairs. Unexpectedly, I ran into Ethan Collins. He hadn’t changed much, still fair-skinned and unforgettably handsome. —You couldn’t tell at all that he was a bit of a player. A beautiful player. The moment he entered the store, I instinctively turned away, lowering the brim of my cap. “Ethan, buying fruit again?” The young male shopkeeper’s eyes lit up at the sight of Ethan Collins. “We’ve got some great new pomelos. Why don’t you take a couple home for your parents to try?” Ethan said, “I don’t like sour things.” “Then how about some cherries? They’re guaranteed sweet.” “I hate sweet things even more.” …I wanted to tell him, eat it or don’t, just get lost. But the shopkeeper’s enthusiasm didn’t wane. When Ethan was checking out, he even insisted on stuffing a few apples into his bag. This was Ethan’s special treatment. With his good looks, he was the center of attention wherever he went. When he was ten, Ethan could go out empty-handed and come back with his pockets full of snacks. It made me green with envy back then. Now at twenty, the neighborhood had changed faces many times over. But he was still the focal point. The shopkeeper asked, “Ethan, are you going home alone this year?” “Mm-hmm.” “I heard from the neighbors that you were planning to bring a girlfriend home this year.” Ethan has a girlfriend? I couldn’t help but prick up my ears. 0

Ethan laughed softly. His laugh was particularly pleasant, making one’s ears tingle. On New Year’s Eve three years ago, I had heard it up close. Not only did it make my ears tingle, but if I heard it too much, my heart would flutter too. “That’s not true,” he said. The shopkeeper: “I knew a good-looking boy like you would have high standards. It’s not easy for you to find a partner. What’s your type? I have a sister who’s quite a beauty.” “I don’t like girls who are too beautiful.” “Well, she’s not that beautiful…” “I also don’t like girls who aren’t beautiful enough.” The shopkeeper was at a loss for words, forcing an awkward smile: “Ethan, you should hurry up and find a girlfriend to put your parents at ease.” “Don’t worry, I have a girlfriend,” Ethan said, “I just haven’t decided which girlfriend to bring home.” Shopkeeper: … Such an outrageous statement, coming from a player’s mouth, somehow seemed reasonable. After a while, the store was quiet. I figured Ethan must have left. I went to grab the last honeydew melon. A long, fair hand suddenly appeared, intercepting the melon midway. “Sorry, I got to it first.” The young man’s voice sounded behind me. He said sorry, but there wasn’t a hint of apology in his tone. “But I might consider letting you have it.” Ethan’s voice was now drumming against my eardrums— “Could you turn around?” 0

My ill-fated connection with Ethan Collins could be traced back twelve years. My dad brought me from the county to the city. He and Ethan’s father were war buddies, but after retiring, one ended up in heaven and the other on earth. My dad was the one on earth. City living was expensive, and he drove a bus, barely making ends meet. As for why we had to live in the city, my dad said the education was better here, and I could get into a good university. City housing prices were also high, and thanks to Ethan’s father, we were lent two rooms to live in. Ethan’s parents were very kind to me. My dad was often away, so after school, I’d go to Ethan’s house for meals. I practically ate, lived, and went to school with Ethan. But he didn’t like me. Ethan’s friends were mostly handsome, beautiful, or from wealthy families. I was a country bumpkin, dark-skinned and chubby. I insisted on following him around, which annoyed him greatly. Once, he deliberately left me at an amusement park, nearly causing me to get lost. Ethan got a severe beating for that incident. He still has scars on his bottom because of it. He hated me even more after that, always trying to find ways to tease me. But back then, I was naive. I always thought Ethan was different from the boys back home. He was so good-looking, with such fair skin. When he smiled, it seemed magical. I stubbornly followed behind him, hiding my budding feelings. Looking back now, Ethan’s annoyance with me was undisguised. One spring, when all the flowers at school were in bloom, Ethan’s friends asked him which flower he liked best. Ethan said, “I don’t have a favorite, only one I hate the most. I hate gardenias, they’re too sweet and cloying, absolutely awful.” As he said this, he glanced at me from the corner of his eye. I immediately understood that these words were meant for me to hear. Because that morning, I had just picked two gardenias for him. The year we graduated from high school, another incident occurred. I asked Ethan, “Where are you planning to apply for college?” Ethan thought for a moment: “London.” Excited, I filled out applications for schools in London. The day the acceptance letters came, I found out. Ethan was going to New York. He had lied to me, just to get away from me. What a cruel reality. 0

During the first semester of freshman year, if I didn’t initiate contact, Ethan wouldn’t reach out to me either. He had his own life, his own circle of friends. He was outstanding, leading his major, and even voted campus heartthrob. His photos always featured beautiful girls. I visited him in New York once. His friends asked, “Ethan, who’s this chick?” Ethan said, “The daughter of my dad’s friend.” I was stunned at that moment. After knowing each other for ten years, in the end, I didn’t even count as an ordinary friend. Suddenly, I felt utterly disheartened. But I wasn’t ready to give up just like that. I planned for a long time, and on New Year’s Day during the winter break, I seduced Ethan. We had both been drinking that day. Ethan couldn’t hold his liquor well and quickly became tipsy. I, however, was unusually clear-headed. When I got close to him, he didn’t push me away. I asked, “Ethan Collins, do you know how long I’ve liked you?” He didn’t say anything. Feeling that taking advantage of him wasn’t right, I asked again, “Do you know who I am?” He said, “Lily Knowles.” When he said my name, it sounded low and enchanting. I said, “Are you going to reject me?” He shook his head and instead wrapped his arms around me tightly. That night, Ethan was very gentle. After the impulse passed, we lay in bed, and Ethan said to me, “I’m sorry for lying about the college applications.” I didn’t respond. He held onto my arm, sighing helplessly, “I promise I’ll apply for grad school in London, okay?” As if I cared anymore. I had already decided to let go. Tonight, I was just giving myself closure. After all, I had been foolish for so many years. If I didn’t get him once, it would feel like a loss. Now that I had, I wouldn’t dwell on it anymore. Early the next morning, before Ethan woke up, I ran away. Oh, right. He had paid for the hotel. I didn’t want to take advantage of him, so I left two hundred dollars. But this gesture seemed to cause some misunderstandings… I deleted all of Ethan’s contact information and completely cut ties with him. I heard from high school classmates that Ethan felt utterly humiliated and was “hunting” me down everywhere. He even came to my university. Several times, but never saw me. The most memorable was during sophomore year. My roommate relayed to me: That day, Ethan was like a volcano about to erupt, desperate to catch me and tear me to pieces. He stopped my roommate and fiercely asked, “Where has Lily Knowles gone again?!” My roommate said, “Oh, don’t you know? Today’s May 20th.” “—She went out to celebrate with her boyfriend.” At that moment. It was as if a torrential rain had suddenly extinguished the volcano. Ethan stood there, stunned, for a long, long time.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295838”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #魔幻Magic #重生Reborn #校园School

CHAPTER Five years ago, my husband, Alpha Brooks, vanished without a trace in the Boundless Forest. They never found his body. Now, on the night of the full moon, the Pack doctor called me personally. His voice was urgent, shaking. Alpha Brooks has been found. The good news? He’s alive. Healthy. Breathing. The bad news? He’s getting married. Beta Julian had spent the entire ride trying to talk sense into me. I refused to listen. I won’t give up. I was the one chosen by the Moon Goddess. The one Brooks spent two years chasing, five years cherishing, and proposed to twice. How could he forget me so easily? My fingers brushed the ring still sitting on my hand—a cold, bitter reminder that once upon a time, he was mine. The journey was grueling, the roads uneven. My stomach churned with nausea, my body aching after hours of travel. It took ten long hours before we finally arrived in the small town near the Pack. “We’re here,” Beta Julian murmured. His tone was cautious, hesitant. “He doesn’t remember anything, so you have to—” I barely heard him. My entire body tensed as I stared at the wooden door in front of me. My breath hitched. He’s behind that door. When Beta Julian pushed it open, the sound of seashell wind chimes filled the air, ringing out in soft, melodic tones. The courtyard before me was nothing like the world Brooks and I once shared. A pebble-lined path led to a cozy-looking house. A massive wooden swing sat in one corner. A golden retriever lazily stretched under a tree, surrounded by cats. So many cats. My breath caught in my throat. Brooks hated cats. The beaded curtain at the entrance shifted, seashells clicking together as someone stepped outside. A man. Tall. Lean. Familiar. I went still, my pulse hammering as my gaze locked onto him. Brooks. I had seen men who looked like him before—men with golden hair and fair skin. But this man was sharper. Colder. His features were more defined, his jaw stronger, his entire presence commanding. A red string hung around his neck, and just beneath his left eye was a tear-shaped mole. My heart stopped. “Alpha… Brooks,” I whispered, my voice trembling, thick with unshed tears. His piercing gaze met mine. And there was nothing. No recognition. No flicker of familiarity. Nothing. “Who are you?” His tone was flat. Distant. I sucked in a sharp breath. “Brooks, it’s me…” His expression darkened. His voice grew colder. “Sorry, ma’am. You’ve got the wrong person.” No. I knew it was him. I could feel it in my bones, in my soul. He was mine. Beta Julian quickly stepped in, his voice steady. “Apologies for disturbing you. We’re travelers looking for a place to stay. Do you have any rooms available?” Brooks—or whoever he thought he was—studied us for a moment before lifting a brow. “How many rooms?” “Two.” Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the house, not sparing me a second glance. A sharp pain stabbed through my chest. I wanted him to look back. To recognize me. But his gaze had passed right through me, as if I were a stranger. The man I loved—the one who once swore to protect me, cherish me—was standing right in front of me. And yet… He didn’t even know my name. Tears blurred my vision as the truth crashed down on me. Alpha Brooks didn’t remember me. CHAPTER

“ID. Are you from the Pack?” Alpha Brooks’s voice was calm, unreadable, as he took our identification cards. Beta Julian handed them over, offering a stiff greeting. I barely heard him. My gaze was locked on Brooks—Liam, as they called him now. He moved toward the cabinet, and that’s when I saw it. His left pinky finger. A piece of it was missing. And his right leg… he walked with a slight limp. A sharp gasp escaped me before I could stop it. I lifted a hand to my mouth, my heart hammering. What happened to him? Beta Julian must have noticed too. He grabbed the room keys quickly, his grip firm as he ushered me away. I sat in my room for a long time, my mind spinning. Five years. Five years, I had imagined seeing him again. Five years ago, I had dreamed of slapping him for forgetting me—for choosing another woman. But now? Now, all I wanted to do was hold him. Beta Julian’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Ava, get some rest.” His brows were furrowed, his concern evident. I nodded numbly. He lingered for a second before leaving, and I knew—he had seen it too. Brooks… Liam… whoever he was now… he wasn’t the same. Doctor Reynolds came to check on me later, but my mind was elsewhere. Laughter drifted from the backyard, the warm sounds of conversation mixing with the clinking of wine glasses. Carefree. Happy. I stepped outside, my gaze immediately finding him. Liam. He stood at the grill, flipping skewers with practiced ease, laughing with Beta Julian like they were old friends. The sight of them together unsettled me. Before I could look away, a plate appeared in front of me. “You okay?” Beta Julian. I nodded stiffly. He turned toward Liam. “Liam, let me introduce you to Ava.” I forced a smile, extending my hand. I could feel my fingers trembling. I shouldn’t be trembling. “Nice to meet you,” I said. Liam’s warm hand briefly grasped mine. “Nice to meet you too.” Too formal. Too distant. It felt like a punch to the gut. My mind flashed back to the day he first proposed to me. He held me so tightly, whispering, “Luna, nice to meet you.” Now? Now, I was just some woman at his table. Swallowing the knot in my throat, I forced casual conversation. “This place is beautiful. Are you living well here?” Liam expertly flipped a skewer. “Yeah, it’s okay.” I studied him as he moved—his familiar gestures, his calm demeanor. How could he forget everything? A piece of grilled chicken slipped off the grill, and Liam called out, “Tudou, come here!” My breath caught. Tudou? I turned sharply as the golden retriever wagged its tail and trotted toward him. My hands clenched at my sides. “You named him Tudou?” Liam raised an eyebrow, his lips curving slightly. “Yeah. It’s fat and round. What else would I call it?” I turned away, blinking back tears. Only he would come up with such a ridiculous name. I sat down, grabbing a glass of wine and downing it in one gulp. The bitterness coated my tongue, but it wasn’t enough to dull the ache in my chest. My gaze drifted back to Liam. The tear mole beneath his eye. The red string around his neck. It’s him. It has to be him. Just then, someone handed Liam a plate of food. I glanced at it absently—then froze. Mushrooms. No. “He can’t eat that!” I blurted out before I could stop myself. The table fell silent. Eyes turned to me, some confused, some curious. My stomach twisted. But before I could explain, a figure leapt onto Liam’s back, arms wrapping around his shoulders, face nuzzling against his neck. “Liam! I missed you so much!” Liam bent slightly, adjusting the person’s grip. “Get down,” he muttered, his tone firm—but there was something else in his voice. Affection. The woman giggled, holding on tighter. Beta Julian cleared his throat, “Ava, this is Lily.” I stared at her—his wife. The world tilted. And for the second time that day, I felt like the ground had disappeared beneath my feet. CHAPTER

I still held the mushrooms, my fingers tightening around them as my mind reeled. Lily’s bright smile felt like a blade to my chest. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. “His wife.” She turned to me, beaming. “Hello! I’m Lily, Liam’s wife. Welcome to our home.” Her words rang in my ears like a cruel joke. The others greeted her one by one, their casual conversation grating against my raw emotions. Lily was warm, talkative—too talkative. She complimented nearly everyone, her energy infectious. When it was my turn, she gasped. “Ava, you’re so beautiful! Your figure is amazing—I’m so jealous! And your hair, oh my God, it’s gorgeous! Unlike mine, which is thinning from stress.” I managed a stiff smile, swallowing the lump in my throat. Lily suddenly turned to Liam, pouting. “It’s definitely because of you always blowing on my hair! Be careful, or I’ll be a bald bride at our wedding next week!” Liam chuckled, ruffling her hair. “Okay.” I froze. “Wedding.” The word felt like a slap. One of the pack members—pretending to be a traveler—feigned surprise. “You’re getting married?” “Yes!” Lily clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling with excitement. “Next Wednesday. We hope you can all come!” I grabbed another beer, downing it in one long gulp. Lily reached for one too, but before she could take a sip, Liam snatched it away. His voice was quiet but firm. “You can’t drink.” Lily pouted. “Just one sip.” Then, without hesitation, she leaned up and kissed him—right in front of me. My fingers clenched around the cold can. “Liam, just one sip, please!” she coaxed, her voice playful. Liam exhaled, handing her a cup with rose petals floating inside. “Drink this instead.” Lily wrinkled her nose. “Rose tea? Liam, I’ve told you a hundred times I don’t like flower tea. Why do you always forget?” Liam hesitated. “I… I just do.” My breath hitched. I turned away, my chest tightening. Brooks used to brew me tea. He always worried that I didn’t drink enough water. In the winter, he’d make apple water and snow pear soup. Every time I drank more, he’d reward me with a pink thermos. I swallowed hard, shoving the memory away. Lily’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Look, Ava finished a whole can of beer! Maybe that’s the secret to her gorgeous hair!” I forced a small smile. “My mate never let me drink. He said I’d down the whole bottle if I started. He was strict about it.” Lily giggled. “That’s so strict! Doesn’t he get mad when you drink now?” I glanced at Liam, my heart hammering against my ribs. I shook my head. “He doesn’t care anymore.” Silence. For a moment, Lily looked like she wanted to say something, but she hesitated. Instead, she obediently sipped her rose tea, finishing the entire cup. I, on the other hand, had barely eaten. Between the alcohol and the suffocating tension, my head was starting to spin. Excusing myself, I pushed away from the table. As I turned to leave, Lily’s laughter trailed after me. I looked back just in time to see her climb onto Liam’s back, giggling, clinging to him like she belonged there. Liam sighed but didn’t push her away. Instead, he continued cleaning the table, as if her affection was something he had grown used to. Something he accepted. That should be me. I turned away, my stomach twisting. Biting the inside of my cheek, I forced myself back to my room. The moment the door closed behind me, I ripped open my bag, fumbling for my medication. The pills rattled in my hand as I swallowed them dry. Slowly, my pulse steadied. By the time Doctor Reynolds entered, I had forced myself into calmness. “I thought you’d make a scene,” he said, his voice measured. I gazed out the window. The moon was high, bathing the courtyard in silver light. “I considered it,” I admitted quietly. “But then… I felt sorry for him.” Doctor Reynolds’s gaze sharpened. “You brought a lot of things with you. Are you planning to help Alpha regain his memories?” I glanced at the open box beside my bed. Inside were ten years’ worth of memories. His first love letter. Our first photo together. Our wedding pictures. I reached out, brushing my fingers over the faded edges. Then, I closed the box. “No,” I said. Doctor Reynolds frowned. “Why not?” I exhaled slowly, my grip tightening. “I don’t want him to experience the pain of losing loved ones twice.” And if forgetting me meant he would never have to relieve that pain… Then maybe it was better this way. CHAPTER

The next morning, I slept in late. By the time I packed my painting supplies and stepped out of my room, the afternoon sun was already high in the sky. Laughter echoed through the courtyard. “Ava! We saved you some food!” I looked up to see Lily waving at me from the wooden table where everyone was gathered. Reluctantly, I approached. She handed me a container, her smile warm. “We don’t have many relatives, so we’d love for you to come to our wedding.” My fingers tightened around the envelope she offered me. A wedding invitation. I didn’t dare open it. It felt too heavy, as if the weight of my past and my shattered heart were pressed between its pages. Lily didn’t seem to notice my hesitation. “I’ve heard you’re really talented! Can you take a look at our wedding invitation design?” She practically beamed as she spoke. The thin paper in my hands might as well have been stone. Before I could respond, Doctor Reynolds reached over, smoothly intercepting the conversation. “Let me see. The color is lovely.” Lily nodded eagerly. “Liam picked the orange. I wanted purple, but now I think the orange looks better. Ava, what’s your favorite color?” My throat tightened. I set my painting supplies down and gestured to my orange dress. “This.” I hadn’t had a favorite color before. But one day, Brooks had complimented me on an orange jacket I wore. I remembered how his eyes had softened, the way he ran his fingers over the fabric before whispering, “You look beautiful in this color.” From that moment on, orange became my favorite. Lily clapped her hands. “Wow, you and Liam have the same taste!” I forced a smile, but her words twisted inside me. My family. That’s what Brooks used to call me. “My Luna. My family.” His voice had always been full of warmth when he said it. Doctor Reynolds, sensing the tension, took the invitation from me. “The cartoon design is adorable. Is the wedding at dusk?” Lily rubbed her face. “Yup! That’s what Liam wanted.” She turned to me, eyes bright with curiosity. “But how did you know?” The words left my mouth before I could stop them. “Because someone can’t wake up early.” Lily’s eyes went wide. “Oh my God! That’s exactly what Liam said!” She let out a laugh, nudging Liam playfully as he walked past. “But mostly, he loves dusk.” I swallowed hard. Brooks loved dusk too. He once told me that the Moon Goddess blessed couples who married at dusk—that it was a sign their love would last forever. A memory surfaced. I had been half-asleep when he whispered in my ear, “You sleep too much. What am I going to do with you on our wedding day?” Later, as our wedding approached, I’d wake up to the feel of his stubble against my skin, his arms pulling me close. “Ava, let’s get married at dusk, okay?” I’d hummed my agreement, and he had kissed my forehead, his voice full of quiet satisfaction. The past clawed at me, dragging me under. I stood abruptly, needing air. As I turned to leave, Lily caught my wrist. Her gaze dropped to my hand. She gasped. “Your ring! That’s beautiful!” I twisted the band around my finger. “He said the same thing.” Lily tilted her head. “Wait… are you married?” “Yes.” Her surprise was evident. “For how long?” “Five years.” Her brows furrowed. “Where’s your mate? Why didn’t he come with you?” I didn’t answer. Instead, I looked up—right into the eyes of the man walking toward us. Alpha Brooks. Or rather, the man who used to be him. The man who no longer remembered me.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295837”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #魔幻Magic

I abandoned Lucas Song when he was at his poorest. “Did you really think I enjoyed squeezing into a tiny apartment with you, living in poverty?” When we met again, he had already become a wildly popular author and director. Reporters swarmed to interview Lucas about the inspiration behind his masterpiece, “The Monster in the Apartment.” He looked past the crowd, his eyes meeting mine as he smirked coldly. “The female lead in this book is indeed based on someone real. We had a brief connection once. “However, she’s dead now.” As the end credits rolled, the screen went dark. The lights in the theater gradually brightened. Quiet sobs could still be heard – many viewers hadn’t yet emerged from the emotional impact of the film. My friend Emma nudged me with her elbow as she wiped away tears. “Aria, I’m so glad I dragged you to see this! I loved the novel, but I never expected the movie to be this good and moving!” A complex mix of emotions churned inside me, but I held them back, not responding. Today was the premiere of “The Monster in the Apartment.” The premiere was meant to generate buzz before the official release, with a select audience getting to watch the film a week early. After the screening, the director, lead actors, producers and other key crew members would interact with the audience. The host was preparing to take the stage, and the audience’s attention quickly shifted, an air of excitement building. But most weren’t here for the lead actors. The film’s director and screenwriter, who was also the author of the original novel, Lucas Song, had far surpassed the two leads in fame. Since publishing his debut work “The Monster in the Apartment,” Lucas had consistently topped bestseller lists with his bold realism and gripping prose. His subsequent works were also hugely popular with readers, cementing his status as a literary superstar. With his handsome looks, female fans dubbed him “the genius author who doesn’t rely on his face.” Lucas continued to break new ground, adapting his first blockbuster novel into a film. Even when just the trailer for “The Monster in the Apartment” was released, the hype was so intense that even those outside literary circles knew about it. All these years, I had just been quietly following his career from afar. I met Emma, who also grew up in Muyu City, while studying abroad. We returned to China together, and Emma’s birthday happened to coincide with this premiere. Since she was a devoted fan of the novel, I agreed to accompany her. I clutched the premiere ticket tightly in my hand. The host walked to the center, smiling as he began his opening remarks. Media reporters in the front rows had already raised their cameras and microphones. My mind went blank, my heart inexplicably racing. It wasn’t until Emma excitedly patted me that I realized the key crew members were entering one by one. Excited screams erupted from the audience. “Lucas is even more handsome than in photos!” “I finally get to see my idol in person!” I looked up. My breath caught. I spotted Lucas immediately. Most of the camera flashes were focused on him. He walked calmly to the center. That handsome face now had an added air of coolness. His gaze was no longer as gentle as before, but calm like a deep pool. If my previous impression of Lucas was gentle, sensitive, and passionate… Cold, aloof, and distant would be all the words I’d use to describe him now. Lucas nodded slightly to the media, casting a quick glance over the audience. I was sitting in the back corner, unlikely to be noticed, so I let out a small sigh of relief. The entire venue quieted at the host’s cue, and reporters began interviewing the key crew members one by one. The media’s interest was entirely focused on Lucas. They only asked the male lead a few cursory questions before quickly turning their microphones to Lucas. “Mr. Song, ‘The Monster in the Apartment’ tells the story of young men and women finding redemption in a run-down apartment. The descriptions and details feel so real that many people deeply relate to and are moved by it. “So I’d like to ask, Mr. Song, are these experiences you’ve personally been through? Is the female lead based on a real person?” The venue fell silent for a few seconds as everyone waited for Lucas’s answer. Suddenly, Lucas looked past the crowd, his eyes meeting mine. My heart plummeted. He stared in my direction, smirking coldly. “The female lead in this book is indeed based on someone real. We had a brief connection once. “However, she’s dead now.” His words caused an uproar. “Oh my god, so this work actually has a real-life inspiration? Does this mean the story is Lucas’s way of commemorating this dead love interest?” Emma said. I gave a bitter smile. Only I understood Lucas’s meaning. In his heart, I had died completely that summer day long ago.

After the premiere ended, I said goodbye to Emma. As I waited for a ride by the curb, people around me were still discussing the “dead” female lead Lucas had mentioned. “My friend went to college with Lucas. I think I know who he’s talking about…” “Who is it?” “This girl called Aria Ning. She was broke but liked to pretend she was rich. People found out she was working as a waitress and hostess all over town. “The funniest part is, there were rumors she hooked up with Lucas, but then dumped him because he was poor. “Isabella Locke was the one who suppressed this gossip.” “Isabella Locke? The lead actress who was sick and couldn’t come today?” “Yeah, the wealthy heiress. She’s always liked Lucas, and had a complicated relationship with Aria Ning. I guess they were love rivals… I always thought the female lead was based on Isabella.” “Me too. Isabella is beautiful, comes from money, and is a good actress. She seems like the perfect match for Lucas.” I froze in place. Even after all this time, hearing Isabella’s name made my heart sink. Isabella Locke was the lead actress Lucas personally chose for “The Monster in the Apartment.” She was my nightmare. Isabella had destroyed so many things in my life, including my relationship with Lucas. For reasons I never understood, Isabella had always targeted me. In college, Isabella spread rumors that I was cheating on my boyfriend and had secretly aborted another man’s child. When the rumors came out, combined with my reputation as a goody-two-shoes top student, it spread like wildfire across campus. Isabella, as the student council president, deliberately brought up these rumors, indirectly confirming them. Although there was no direct evidence in the end, I was forced to take a leave of absence due to the pressure of public opinion. After several attempts to argue my case, no one believed me, including my father. My father cut off my bank card and made me stay at home to “reflect.” Furious, I ran away from home and had no choice but to find work to support myself. But then I was accused of pretending to be rich when I was actually broke. It wasn’t until years later, when I worked hard to get back on track academically and successfully applied to graduate school abroad, that my father started to look at me differently. Everyone believed Isabella, just because she was the Locke family’s daughter. Little did they know, she was only my father’s adopted daughter. Though adopted, she was especially doted on by my father. Since she was slightly older than me, my father tacitly acknowledged Isabella as the Locke family’s eldest daughter in public. My birth mother had passed away early on. I took my mother’s surname, so few people connected me to the Locke family. In college, I always kept my head down studying and never deliberately revealed my true identity to avoid attention. Isabella was different, flaunting her status as the Locke family’s daughter. While I was gradually overlooked, as if I were the outsider in the Locke family. Shaking off these thoughts, I realized the driver had arrived. As I got in the car, I suddenly changed my destination. “Take me to Bluespring Lane.” I stared absently out the window. We drove further away from the bustling city center, with more and more low-rise buildings appearing. Despite its pretty name, Bluespring Lane was just a cramped alley among dilapidated apartment buildings. Opening the car door, I stepped onto the damp, muddy ground. The apartment building in front of me had peeling walls, rusty security bars with clothes hanging from them, and a constantly dripping public faucet that seemed impossible to tighten fully, forming puddles where bicycles were parked, with spots of mold and moss growing nearby. The only thing that seemed capable of dispelling all the damp gloominess was the single yellowed light in Bluespring Lane. I walked straight into the alley. Most of the units here were rentals, crammed with confused and lost young people, cheap pots and pans, and noisy arguments. It was also where Lucas and I had once found solace in each other. Back then, I was penniless and desperate. It started pouring rain outside, so I randomly knocked on someone’s door. Lucas opened it. He was the one who took me in. I stood in front of the building entrance and lit a cigarette. My vision blurred in the bluish-white smoke from my fingertips. I vaguely sensed someone passing by and slowly looked up. Suddenly, I found myself staring into Lucas’s eyes. He stood before me, expressionless. I froze slightly, wanting to speak but hesitating. Lucas just said coldly, “Excuse me.” “Lucas?” My voice trembled slightly. He repeated coldly. “Please move aside.” I shifted slightly. Lucas walked into the building without looking back. I turned and called out to him. “You still live here?” Lucas paused briefly, turning his head to smirk. “What’s it to you?” He continued up a few more steps without stopping, just taking out a cigarette. I instinctively followed. But he turned back, his gaze icy. “Don’t follow me.” Seeing I didn’t move, Lucas leaned down, getting close to my face. He had the cigarette between his lips, tilting his head slightly. The glowing ember from my cigarette naturally lit the end of his. I could clearly see his eyes, but couldn’t read the emotions in them. He deliberately blew a smoke ring in my face. I choked, coughing uncomfortably. I still hadn’t gotten used to the harshness of cigarettes, only daring to take tiny puffs. “If you can’t handle smoking, don’t pretend.” Lucas slowly straightened up, saying mockingly. “And don’t act concerned about things you wanted to throw away.” My heart ached dully. My phone rang – it was Ryan, my childhood friend. Since I’d returned home, he’d been pursuing me. “Aria, is the premiere over? I’ll come pick you up.” “I’ve got hot pot ready at home, let’s eat together.” The stairwell was eerily quiet. Ryan’s voice came through clearly from the other end of the phone. Lucas glanced at the ring on my middle finger, his tone flat. “You’re engaged to him?” I hung up the phone, not getting a chance to explain before Lucas gripped my chin. He forced me to look up at him. Lucas sneered, but there was anger in his eyes. “You have a fiancé but you’re here trying to seduce me? Quite the player, aren’t you.” “I…” My eyes stung slightly. The grip on my chin hurt. Lucas suddenly let go and turned to go upstairs without looking back. “Someone who’s already dead to me, “Don’t appear in front of me again.”

Suddenly, footsteps coming down the stairs echoed in the stairwell. “Lucas, you’re back! “My fever’s mostly gone. I’m so glad you let me rest at your old place – I really didn’t want to go to the hospital… “Oh, I was just about to take out the trash. There was a lot of clutter in the apartment, so I helped clean it up for you.” It was Isabella’s voice. “Who told you to touch my things.” Lucas’s voice was ice cold. “Huh? I just thought a lot of that stuff wasn’t worth keeping…” Isabella was taken aback. The next second she put down the trash bag and tugged at Lucas’s hand. “Come on, don’t be mad. I didn’t know you don’t like people touching your stuff.” As Isabella was speaking, she noticed me and her movements faltered slightly. “Aria Ning? What are you doing here?” Isabella frowned, her tone somewhat sharp. Seeing no reaction from me, she suddenly made an “oh” of realization, let go of Lucas’s hand, and walked past him. She crossed her arms and stood in front of me, looking down her nose with a smirk. “Came running to latch onto success, did you?” “Or…” Isabella leaned in close to my ear, lowering her voice. “Ryan isn’t satisfying you?” Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Lucas clench his fist. Isabella continued with a smile. “Should I remind you how you abandoned Lucas back then?” “You go first,” Lucas cut Isabella off. “I already called a car for you earlier, it should be waiting at the alley entrance.” Isabella was speaking to Lucas but looking at me triumphantly. “Then I’ll come find you at your place tomorrow, Lucas.” As she passed by me, she leaned in close to my ear again. “If you dare bother Lucas again, you know what the consequences will be.” I stumbled back slightly from her shove. Not long after Isabella left, it started pouring outside. I stood dazed in front of the building entrance. I took out my phone, debating whether to call Ryan. I had refused his offer to pick me up earlier. But now with the heavy rain, he was the only person I could think of to help me. The stairwell light behind me flickered off and on again. I turned around to see Lucas. His face was hidden in shadow, his expression unreadable. “Come up.” “What?” I was slightly stunned. “I need to go. I was about to call Ryan to…” The name “Ryan” seemed to provoke Lucas. Before I could finish speaking, he gripped my wrist tightly. “Come up.” “Lucas… let go of me…” I struggled to break free. Lucas’s grip only tightened. “Your fiancé doesn’t show up for hours, “You tell him not to come, and he just leaves you alone here? “You’re that eager to go with him?” “I need to go home…” I stubbornly tried to pull away. “Back to the home you share with Ryan?” Lucas’s tone grew increasingly cold. “He’s nothing but a hypocrite. You’re going to marry him?” “Lucas, let go of me!” The pent-up emotions finally exploded. My voice carried a hint of tears. “What does it matter to you… In your eyes, I’m already…” Lucas ignored me, dragging me up to the third floor. He unlocked the door one-handed, pulled me inside the apartment, and kicked the door shut. My wrist was gripped painfully as my back slammed against the wall. The light switch was accidentally hit. In the dim yellow light. Lucas’s eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse. “It matters to me.”

Outside the window was a rainy night. Inside was a tiny rented apartment. The sound of rain pounded relentlessly on my heart. I leaned weakly against the wall, eyes downcast, lashes trembling slightly. “Lucas, calm down.” I tried to keep my voice steady. But Lucas’s scent was making my thoughts chaotic. The smell of citrus body wash mixed with a faint tobacco scent enveloped me, along with waves of scorching heat. Hearing my words, Lucas’s tightly gripping fingers trembled slightly, as if trying to restrain himself, then loosened a bit. In that brief moment of withdrawal, the temperature and scent nearly dissipated. I instinctively grabbed the front of his shirt. Lucas froze, then his eyes darkened. I quickly pulled my hand back, avoiding his gaze. “I… “I need to go.” I pushed Lucas away, but he caught my wrist with one hand. He propped his right elbow on the wall above me, looking down. “Look at me.” A shadow loomed over me as my chin was gently tilted up, suddenly meeting Lucas’s dark eyes. “Say you like me.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295836”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance

I was the most devoted follower of Aria Johnson. For ten years, I transformed her from an unknown talent into a world-renowned pianist. Yet, when she reached the pinnacle of success, I chose to walk away. Everyone called me a fool. Only I knew that it was time to end this decade-long secret love. Later, the internet exploded with videos of the top pianist’s engagement party—Aria Johnson, treading on the shards of her million-dollar wedding dress, searching for me with tear-filled eyes. When I submitted my resignation, Aria’s slender fingers paused on the piano keys. She turned to me, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion: “Why?” Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window of the music room, I struggled to keep my voice steady: “Miss Johnson, I’m not getting any younger. It’s time for me to settle down.” After a pause, I added: “Recently, a relative back home introduced me to a suitable match.” To ensure a smooth resignation, I fabricated a harmless lie. Aria’s fingers tapped lightly on the keys, a habit she had when agitated. Scattered notes echoed in the room, as if telling a story. Seeing her slightly frustrated expression, a bittersweet sense of satisfaction welled up inside me. After a long moment, Aria placed the resignation letter on the piano: “I can give you a vacation. Please reconsider the resignation.” At that moment, my resolve wavered. A voice kept tempting me: “Stay, stay, and you can always be by her side.” But reason told me: “Simon, she’s getting engaged to Xavier. Pining for a married woman is not right.” My hand hesitated in the air for a long time, but ultimately, I didn’t take back the letter: “Being a manager is too demanding. After marriage, I want a more stable life.” “I’ll hand over all my work properly. I’m sorry, Miss Johnson.” With that said, Aria didn’t press further, only saying softly: “I understand. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage.” Before I left the music room, Aria had already immersed herself back into her world of piano. To her, I was probably just the most competent among her many staff members. That day, I sat in the break room, staring at her concert photo on the wall, allowing myself to let my mind wander for the first time. In the past, I was always so busy that I barely had time to drink water. I had to handle her performance schedules and take care of her daily needs. I had to be available at all times, ready to rush to her side at a moment’s notice, single-handedly doing the work of multiple people. Of course, she compensated me generously, allowing me to buy a house in the city over the years. Charlie called my name several times before I snapped back to reality. “Simon, Miss Johnson said to go to the club first to set up tonight’s party.” The evening party was to celebrate Yvette Young’s return from the Vienna Conservatory. All the attendees were from Aria’s social circle. The young generation of elite social circles, born with silver spoons in their mouths, had their noses in the air. Logically, their circle should have been exclusive, but there was no helping it—I was simply too capable. A manager who could both take care of everyone’s emotions and arrange events perfectly was truly rare. Upon arriving at the club, I immediately immersed myself in the preparations. From the vintage of the wine to the placement of cutlery, and even the dietary restrictions of each guest, I arranged everything meticulously. “Replace the champagne with sparkling water, Mr. Leaf is on the wagon.” “Turn up the air conditioning, Mrs. Chu gets cold easily.” “Remember to prepare aged Pu’er tea, Miss Han loves it.” As night fell, guests began to arrive. Yvette was the first to arrive, greeting me as soon as she saw me: “When will Aria get here?” I glanced at my watch, answering cautiously: “She’s still rehearsing at the Vienna Concert Hall. She should be here in about an hour.” She slumped onto the leather sofa, fatigue evident in her eyes, her complexion slightly pale. I had the staff lower the music volume and brought over a cashmere blanket: “The autumn night is chilly. Please rest for a while, the others won’t be here for some time.” She took the blanket, joking: “Why don’t you stop working for Aria and become my butler instead? I’ll double your salary.” In this circle, there were too many sycophants, which made my neither obsequious nor arrogant attitude particularly precious. I joked back: “Thank you, Miss Young. At least I’ll have a backup plan if I ever lose my job.” As the night deepened and the lights brightened, all the guests arrived. Aria arrived in a black evening gown, gracefully walking in on high heels, exuding elegance with a hint of coolness. I took her coat, thinking this might be the last time I’d serve her. After several rounds of drinks, I seized the opportunity to announce my resignation to everyone. Raising my glass, I sincerely said: “Thank you all for your care over the years. Until we meet again.” A moment of silence fell over the table, then Yvette raised her glass to break the quiet: “To be honest, at first we thought you had ulterior motives towards Aria. Now it seems we were overthinking it.” Everyone understood the implication of her words. After all, Aria’s previous managers had all been fired for confessing their feelings to her. Later, she simply hired only female managers, but surprisingly, even a male assistant secretly passed her a love letter, which became a joke for a while. Someone teased: “I didn’t think anyone could resist Aria’s charm.” Aria elegantly sipped her wine, chuckling softly: “How boring.” After dinner, a few people gathered to drink and chat. During the conversation, Yvette casually asked: “Aria, I heard Mr. Yang is quite interested in you?” My hand froze, the motion of pouring wine for Aria suspended in mid-air. After a moment, she answered nonchalantly: “It’s just an arranged marriage. Marrying anyone is the same.” In their circle, marriage had always been a bond of interests, with feelings being the least important factor. It seemed she had accepted this arrangement, fulfilling her family’s expectations without question. I had met Xavier Yang. A rising star in the business world, young and promising, indeed a good match. How I wished Aria could have a different ending, but reality often disappoints. The party continued late into the night, with the guests’ drivers waiting for a long time. Only Aria’s driver was delayed due to an unexpected issue. So we stood at the entrance of the club, our shadows elongated by the streetlights. These moments of being alone were the most dangerous, as those suppressed feelings always threatened to burst forth. But Aria just stood quietly, the alcohol making her less aloof than usual. Soon, the driver arrived. Aria turned to look at me: “Want to come along?” I shook my head, putting on a polite smile: “Thank you, Miss Johnson, but my fiancée is on her way here.” She nodded and gracefully slipped into the car. Finally alone, I loosened my tie and leaned against the edge of a planter. For a moment, I didn’t know where to go or what to do. The autumn rain came unexpectedly, fine droplets falling coldly on my suit. I stood by the street waiting for a cab, which was hard to come by in this high-end neighborhood. …… Due to road construction, the driver had to take a detour. Aria didn’t expect to see Simon again. He stood in the rain, his suit jacket draped over his arm, looking somewhat forlorn. She was slightly taken aback, having never seen the usually meticulous Manager Shaw so casual. At the company, he always wore a well-pressed suit, his tie invariably knotted impeccably at his neck. She had encountered too many men who deliberately showcased their charm, loosening their ties, exposing their collarbones and abs, pretending to be casual in front of her. But Manager Shaw was different. His professional competence and perfectly measured demeanor had made her decide to keep him by her side. As the car was about to pass, the driver in the front seat spoke up: “Do you want to give Manager Shaw a ride?” Aria’s gaze remained calm as she replied indifferently: “Never mind.” She had a poor impression of his tardy fiancée. Although Manager Shaw was usually astute, he seemed to lack judgment when it came to matters of the heart. But this was his personal affair, and she shouldn’t interfere too much. In the distance, what seemed to be Aria’s car flashed by, disappearing in an instant. Perhaps it was just my imagination. In such a high-end residential area, people walking like me were indeed rare. The rain had soaked my clothes. My legs were numb by the time I finally hailed a taxi. It was late when I got home, the silence in the apartment suffocating. I always told people that I had a perfect family, a deeply loved fiancée, and many close friends. Others said my life was perfect, enviable. But in reality, I had nothing – no family, no lover, no friends. In middle school, my dad was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer. Shortly after the surgery, the cancer recurred. One ordinary morning, my mom left as usual, never to return. She took all our savings, leaving behind only my critically ill father and young me. Upon learning of this blow, my dad was surprisingly calm, silently accepting treatment. When his condition improved during hospitalization, he would even cook for me. That day after school, I came home to find the table full of dishes, my dad sitting across from me with a gentle smile. For some reason, a sense of unease welled up. The dishes emitted an unusual smell. I noticed the newly bought bottle of pesticide in the kitchen. At that moment, I realized that even terminally ill people could summon incredible strength, rendering me motionless. Taking advantage of his violent coughing fit, I broke free from his grip and fled to the rooftop in panic. My dad, tears streaming down his face, reached out to me, his voice choked: “Son, this world is too cruel. I can’t bear to leave you to face it alone.” “Let’s go together. In the next life, we’ll be father and son again.” Tears blurred my vision. I was exhausted, longing to smell the familiar tobacco scent on my dad’s body once more. Perhaps ending it all wouldn’t be so bad. After all, there seemed to be no hope in living. On the wind-swept rooftop, my dad’s embrace was the only warmth. He held my hand tightly as we slowly approached the edge. Just as we were about to fall, a pair of slender yet strong hands firmly grabbed me. She held onto me tightly, refusing to let go no matter how much I struggled. Swaying in the fierce wind, I only remember those eyes shining with determination. I survived, but my dad was gone forever. The person who saved me was Aria Johnson. She not only gave me life but also gave me a reason to keep living— To repay her kindness. I felt guilty for letting my father down. At that time, I was like a drowning man, desperately trying to grasp at a lifeline. And Aria was my beacon of hope. When the rescue team arrived, I tightly held her hand, looking up and asking: “How can I thank you?” The 14-year-old Aria looked down at me and said seriously: “Just come find me in the future.” From that night when I lost my father, my life seemed to come to a standstill, with only Aria as my driving force to move forward. Tonight, I was once again awakened by nightmares, reliving past events. In the dream, my father questioned why I had abandoned him, and my mother’s cold gaze as she left still pained me. I woke up drenched in sweat, my throat too hoarse to make a sound. The thermometer showed 101.8°F. Usually, I might have just taken some fever medicine and continued working, pretending nothing was wrong. But this time, I decided to take a sick day and really think about the direction of my life. …… Aria arrived at the music room to find that Simon had called in sick. She frowned, her impression of his fiancée worsening. Assistant Lily temporarily took over Simon’s duties, bringing Aria a cup of rose tea. Aria elegantly took a sip, her expression unchanged. The tea was weaker than usual, but she didn’t comment, simply putting down the cup and not drinking anymore. During the morning rehearsal, she made a mistake. Fortunately, she knew this piece by heart, avoiding a bigger issue. The room temperature was slightly high, the humidifier running continuously, causing her throat to feel dry. By the end of the day, though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what went wrong, she felt like something was missing. For the first time, Aria seriously thought about Simon. She rarely paid attention to him normally, as he was always so low-key. He handled everything just right, like spring rain nourishing all things, silently and imperceptibly. It was as if she had never been there, yet everything was perfect. She frowned slightly, already the second time today. It was all because of Simon’s unworthy fiancée, who had snatched away her most capable manager. …… After tossing and turning all day, I still couldn’t figure out which direction to take. Like a lost butterfly, unable to find its way home in the dark night. The next morning, I still went to the music room as usual. As I opened the door, Lily nervously approached me, lowering her voice: “Miss Johnson isn’t in a good mood this morning. She didn’t even touch her favorite rose tea.” Yesterday’s cup of tea was still on the windowsill. I gently sniffed it and told Lily: “Use six fresh roses, water at 176°F, steep for three minutes. Not a minute more or less.” I carefully demonstrated each step of making the tea, with Lily observing closely. As the floral fragrance filled the air, Aria walked in. For a fleeting moment, I thought I caught a glimpse of tenderness in her eyes as she looked at me, and a hint of a pout on her lips. The handover of work was far more complicated than anticipated. I had numerous tasks at hand, making it difficult to transfer everything at once. Moreover, Aria had always been demanding, requiring meticulous attention to every detail of her daily life. I decided to get a notebook and record everything from adjusting the temperature in the music room to coordinating her performance outfits. This delay pushed back the originally planned one-month handover, resulting in a situation I had hoped to avoid. Accompanying Xavier Yang to the old mansion. Harboring inappropriate feelings for Aria, I felt guilty facing her future husband, even though I had done nothing wrong. Xavier wore a custom-tailored suit, a understated yet luxurious Patek Philippe on his wrist, his hair impeccably styled, every gesture exuding the aura of a successful businessman. I put on my professional smile and greeted him: “Mr. Yang, Miss Johnson arranged for me to pick you up.” On the way, Xavier kept asking about Aria, understandably nervous about getting engaged to someone he had never met. Sensing his anxiety, I gently reassured him: “Miss Johnson is very kind. You needn’t worry, Mr. Yang. If you have any concerns, feel free to ask me.” He looked at me gratefully. We chatted casually until we reached the old mansion. I had intended to leave after dropping him off. However, Mrs. Johnson, Aria’s grandmother, called me back. She was a renowned iron lady in the music world. Despite being in her seventies, she remained spirited, with piercing eyes. “Simon, where’s Aria?” Aria hadn’t come? I maintained my composure, answering cautiously: “There were some last-minute changes in the rehearsal schedule. Miss Johnson might be a bit late.” Mrs. Johnson snorted coldly, instructing me to make sure to bring her. I had witnessed how Mrs. Johnson punished Aria before, forcing her to practice piano for six hours straight until her fingers bled. Even now, Aria’s fingertips still bore those scars. After leaving, I immediately called Aria, thankfully getting through on the third try. I anxiously asked for her location, but she remained silent for a long time, only softly calling my name: “Simon.” Her voice was a bit slurred, as if she had been drinking. I could hear melodious piano music in the background. I instantly knew where she was and rushed there— I found Aria leaning against a grand piano in a bar, several glasses of whiskey in front of her, her long black hair cascading in the dim light. Hearing footsteps, she looked up slightly, her gaze hazy yet still cool, maintaining a bit of sobriety in her drunken state. “You’re here? Wait a moment, I’ll finish soon.” She patted the piano bench, gesturing for me to sit down: “Keep me company for a while.” The Johnson family’s concert hall stood in a bustling area, its lights glittering in the night, the classical European-style architecture exuding an air of nobility. Aria suddenly spoke: “Do you think it’s beautiful?” My gaze was still fixed on her perfect profile, and I blurted out without thinking: “Beautiful.” I blushed immediately, fortunately, she didn’t notice and continued speaking: “The surface glamour is just decoration for a cage. Even the most brilliant stage can’t confine a truly free soul.” She said this with a smile, but her tone was unusually serious. It was said that the Johnson family’s music business wasn’t entirely above board, with some shady deals behind the scenes, only recently starting to transform. Over the past decade, I had witnessed her step-by-step ascent to the pinnacle of the international piano world. The setbacks and pressures she endured during this time were something outsiders could never know. I couldn’t help but ask: “Are you happy?” The word “happy” seemed to linger on her lips. She chuckled softly but didn’t answer directly. Instead, she looked at me and said: “Your fiancée doesn’t deserve you.” I was stunned. She immediately lowered her head: “I’m sorry, I spoke out of turn.” Finishing her last sip of alcohol, Aria stood up, instantly reverting to the noble and elegant pianist she was known to be. On the way back, I kept pondering the meaning behind her words. After much thought, I still couldn’t understand, just as I never understood why she had appeared alone on the rooftop of that dilapidated apartment building years ago. But none of this mattered anymore. I was about to leave this place. From now on, separated by mountains and waters, we would rarely meet again. It was raining on the day I left my job. The rain in the north is always heavy and sudden, pitter-pattering on the ground as if trying to release all emotions. I sat in the music room, quietly packing up my belongings from the manager’s office. I had spent nearly ten springs and autumns in this position, transforming from a naive youth into a capable manager. I knew that every day at 3 PM, sunlight would stream through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the Steinway piano in a warm glow. I also knew that if I stood in the corner of the music room, I could hear Aria’s breathing as she practiced. These fragments were once the most precious solace in my life, but now, it was time to let go. The debt of gratitude had been repaid. Ten years of time, the days ahead would be for Xavier to protect. Lily watched me with reddened eyes. I ruffled her hair, smiling as I said: “Don’t be like this. We’ll meet again someday.” But deep down, I knew this goodbye was likely forever. This city held too many bitter memories. I needed to find a new beginning. As I left, a part of me still held onto a glimmer of hope, but ultimately, I couldn’t see her one last time. After resigning, I shut myself in my rented apartment and slept for days on end, as if trying to make up for all the sleep I had missed over the years. I bought alcohol and turned the stereo up to maximum volume. The stereo played Aria’s piano pieces. I laughed, laughed like a madman. After laughing, I sat numbly on the floor, staring blankly at the room full of sheet music. When I was young, my greatest wish was to survive. As long as I lived well, my dad wouldn’t jump off the building. Later, after dad was gone, my wish was to work hard so that mom wouldn’t give up on herself. Then mom left too, and I poured all my energy into work, wishing only to contribute to Aria’s music career. Now, I had lost my direction, not knowing where to go. Just as I was lost in thought, the doorbell suddenly rang. Looking through the peephole, I was shocked to see Aria standing outside.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295835”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance

My husband cheated on me. His mistress brazenly approached me with their love child, mocking me for being a barren woman and telling me to step aside. Later, watching my husband kneel before me begging for forgiveness, I didn’t get angry. Instead, I gently suggested, “Why don’t we register the child under my name?” “The child in this photo is Jack’s and my son.” I calmly observed the young woman sitting across from me. She was pretty and petite, not looking at all like someone who was already a mother. If only her smug and arrogant expression could be ignored, it would be even better. I stared at her delicate face, thinking to myself. The Jack she mentioned was my husband. Being suddenly told that your husband has a child with another woman feels absurd, but I chose not to make a scene. On the contrary, I remained rational. I listened coolly as the young woman across from me recounted how she met my husband, fell in love, and gave birth to the fruit of their love. “So?” Out of politeness, I had patiently waited for her to state the purpose of seeking me out, but she kept going on and on about her love story with Jack Thompson. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I finally couldn’t help but ask. “You… you…” She looked at me in shock, as if she hadn’t expected me to say that. She was completely stunned. Under her shocked gaze, I elegantly took a sip of the coffee in front of me. She quickly regained her previous arrogant demeanor. “Hmph, Jack told me you had a miscarriage before, and you probably can’t have children in this lifetime. “Now that I’ve given Jack a son, what right do you have to still hold the title of Mrs. Thompson when you’re just a barren woman? “If I were you, I’d voluntarily divorce him. You might even get some money out of it. Better than ending up kicked out with nothing, just an old hag that no one wants.” I didn’t expect Jack to even tell her about my infertility. But what she doesn’t know is that I was once pregnant. It was Jack’s and my first child. At the time, I didn’t know I was pregnant. I was busy accompanying him with work and social engagements, and due to overexertion, I miscarried. It damaged my body, and since then I’ve had a tendency to miscarry. I remember Jack swearing to me in front of my parents. “Emma, don’t worry. Even if we never have children in this lifetime, I will love you forever. If I ever cheat on you, may I die a terrible death.” My parents, who had never liked him, weren’t moved by these words. Their expressions only grew heavier. I was the only one who was touched. Thinking about it now, I was so foolish. To believe such words. I chuckled lightly and said, “You want to be Mrs. Thompson? Then you shouldn’t be coming to me, you should go to Jack. It seems he doesn’t know you came to see me, right? “You may be younger and prettier than me, but so what? His success today is because of me, because of my family! “Why don’t you go ask him if he dares to divorce me for you and this illegitimate child? Does he dare?” With that, I took out my wallet, placed some cash on the table.

“I’ve paid for the coffee. You should keep the money you’ve earned as a homewrecker and mistress for yourself.” Having said that, I ignored her murderous glare, picked up my bag, and left the coffee shop. Leaving the cafe, I found myself in a daze at a private hospital. Today was originally the day I was supposed to pick up my medical report. After that miscarriage, I became very concerned about our health. At first, he would accompany me to get the medical reports, but in the past two years he always said he was too busy and let me go alone. He trusted me completely with this task. Now that I think about it, he was probably just too lazy to ask. “Emma, here’s your medical report. There’s nothing wrong, but Jack’s situation isn’t good. Why do you look so upset?” my best friend Lily asked with concern. She’s a doctor at this hospital, which is owned by her family. I wanted to put on a brave face and maintain my dignity. But at that moment, seeing my caring best friend, I couldn’t hold back the hurt in my heart any longer. My voice was choked with tears as I spoke: “Lily, Jack cheated on me. He even had a child with another woman. What should I do? How could he do this to me? “He said he didn’t care if we had children or not, that he would love me forever.” From childhood to adulthood, I rarely cried because my life had always been smooth sailing. Even after marrying Jack and going through some hard times, I still had my parents’ help and support. But now, I hated myself for being so weak, yet the tears still flowed uncontrollably. Jack and I were college classmates and have been married for seven years. In these seven years, we experienced the sweetness of passionate love, but that passion eventually faded into calm. I should have realized earlier that behind any calm surface, there are always turbulent undercurrents hidden beneath. Seeing me cry uncontrollably, Lily frantically tried to wipe away my tears. “That bastard Jack actually dared to cheat on you behind your back. Emma, don’t cry. Let’s divorce him! “I knew he was no good when he persuaded you to sneak your ID to get married. I felt he wasn’t a good person. These past two years he’s been so busy he can’t even spare the time to accompany you to get medical reports. But you just loved him so much, you wouldn’t listen to anyone. “I was wondering how to comfort you, but now it seems there’s no need. Karma! Jack Thompson deserves this!” Indeed, when I first introduced Jack to Lily, she didn’t like him. She always believed Jack wasn’t good enough for me, and I often defended him to her. I’m an only child from a wealthy family, pampered since childhood. I hardly encountered any difficulties or setbacks growing up. In college, I met Jack. After a few encounters, he started pursuing me. Having never dated before, I fell into the whirlpool of love. Blinded by love, I secretly married him right after graduation, persuaded by his sweet talk. Although my parents were angry with me, they reluctantly accepted him due to the circumstances. For my sake, my parents not only provided financial support but also introduced business connections, giving him the greatest support and boost in his career. During the early days of the company, I accompanied him in working overtime and attending business events. Later, as the company gradually got on track, I retreated behind the scenes, becoming what outsiders saw as the pampered Mrs. Thompson. Before meeting this woman, I had always been grateful that I hadn’t misjudged him. Now I see that Lily’s judgment of people was indeed accurate, at least better than mine. I was wrong, terribly wrong. Just then, my phone rang. It was Jack’s mother, my mother-in-law. “Where have you been? I found a folk remedy from my hometown. The master said it can cure your illness. Hurry back home from wherever you are and drink it while it’s hot, so you can give our Thompson family a child.” Ever since learning about my health issues, my mother-in-law didn’t say much at first. Actually, I’m not stupid. I know it’s not that she didn’t want to say anything, but that Jack had specifically instructed her not to. At that time, the company wasn’t as big as it is now, and still couldn’t do without my parents’ help. If they upset me and displeased my parents, the company’s business would be over. So for those few years, my mother-in-law treated me, her daughter-in-law, even better than she treated Jack, her own son. In the past two years, Jack has been quite successful, growing the company bigger and bigger, gradually no longer needing to rely completely on my parents’ help. With her son now having a say in the company, my mother-in-law started to show her true colors, nitpicking at me and finding fault everywhere, often forcing me to drink Chinese medicine to improve my health. Every time I mentioned this to Jack, he would use the excuse that his mother was old, telling me to be patient and bear with it. I loved him and knew he was busy with work and under a lot of pressure, so I didn’t want to trouble him with this. Even though I was reluctant, I forced myself to drink a lot of bitter Chinese medicine. As for him, he went behind my back to find a mistress and had an illegitimate child. How ridiculous when I think about it! “Mom, these folk remedies have no scientific basis and can be very dangerous. They might even kill someone. Please don’t look for these remedies anymore. I won’t drink them.” Because of Jack’s affair, I was in a bad mood, and my tone was somewhat harsh. My mother-in-law on the other end of the phone heard it too, and immediately became sarcastic. “Well, if you won’t drink it, that’s fine. But can you give me a grandson? Look at you, married to Jack for seven years and still haven’t given our Thompson family a child. “Our Jack is almost thirty, the only son of the Thompson family, the boss of a big company. If it weren’t for your inability to bear children, how could he not have a child by now? Is this how your parents taught you to be a daughter-in-law? “You better come back and drink this medicine, or don’t blame me for making Jack divorce you! A barren divorcee like you probably won’t be able to find a good man like our Jack again.” Before I could retort, she hung up the phone. “The Thompson family is really too much! Divorce! Emma, you must divorce him!” My best friend Lily indignantly said. I stared at the medical report in my hand, lost in thought. Just then, my phone received a text message from Jack. “Emma, don’t be angry with Mom about the medicine. She means well. She’s old and has high blood pressure. If she says a few words to you, just bear with it. After all, she’s your elder. “I’m coming home for dinner tonight. Remember to wait for me. I have something to tell you.” Again, asking me to bear with it. But I’ve endured enough. I don’t want to endure anymore. I did love Jack, but my love for him ended the moment I found out about his affair today. The child looks just over three months old, which means he’s been cheating for at least a year and a half. And I’ve been kept in the dark all this time. Thinking back on this past year and more, he often used overtime and business trips as excuses to not come home for days, not answering my calls. Even his attitude towards me became increasingly perfunctory and cold. I foolishly thought it was because of his work pressure. On our wedding anniversary, I called him to come home for dinner, and he accused me of being unreasonable and inconsiderate. It turns out it wasn’t my problem. He already had someone new. I’m not a fool. I won’t tolerate him continuing to trample on my dignity. I want to make him pay for this. “Lily, you’re right. I was blinded by love before, but now my mind is clear. “Divorce? That would be letting Jack off too easily. The company might even have to be split in half. If it weren’t for my parents’ help and support back then, the company wouldn’t be what it is today, and Jack Thompson wouldn’t be where he is now. “If I didn’t have this medical report, I might choose to divorce him. But now, I absolutely won’t divorce Jack. I know him. He would definitely leave everything to this child. “They want a son and she wants to be Mrs. Thompson? Well, I won’t let them have their way. “Back then, I co-founded the company with him. My efforts were no less than his. “For the sake of the company, I lost my child. But he broke his vow from back then. Since he’s being cruel, he can’t blame me for being ruthless. He can forget about the company.” I didn’t plan to sit idly by. Lily has a wide network and knows many people. I asked her to help me find a very capable private investigator. How much it costs doesn’t matter to me. After all, money is the least of my concerns. Jack gives me a sum of money every month as my living expenses. Although I no longer work at the company, I’m still a major shareholder and receive dividends every year. Plus, I have a good head for financial investment, earning enough money to cover my daily expenses. I need to find evidence of Jack’s affair as soon as possible, just in case. I also asked the private investigator to thoroughly investigate the background and identity of Jack’s mistress. She dared to arrogantly arrange a private meeting with me, presumably because Jack gave her the courage. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have told me such private information about my inability to conceive. Over the years, I’ve noticed Jack’s desire to have his own child. I’ve seen many doctors for this, but unfortunately, we’ve never been successful. At first, when my mother-in-law made me drink Chinese medicine, he would try to stop her. But in the past year, he directly told me to go along with my mother-in-law’s wishes. I suppose by then, he was already with Mia. People really are fickle. After seven years of marriage, I still know Jack’s personality inside out. He’s someone who responds better to gentle persuasion than to force. I believe that if I lower my stance and show some weakness, given our years of feelings and my parents’ influence behind me, he definitely wouldn’t divorce me for someone like Mia. But the premise is that I have to accept his illegitimate child. He’s no longer the poor boy who could only rely on my family. He now has his own connections and resources. So he’s willing to risk falling out with me and my parents to have his own child. Even though doing so would have a huge impact on him. But for this illegitimate child, this child he’s been longing for, he might really be willing to do anything. After all, he’s an only child, the only heir of the Thompson family. But I’m not willing. Why should I? I’m not the one who did anything wrong. He’s the one who cheated first, betraying our love and our marriage. Life is truly marvelous. It can bring you shocks, and it can also bring you surprises when you least expect them. Jack came back. As soon as he got home and saw me, he immediately apologized with a guilty face. “Honey, it’s all my fault. I had an emergency meeting yesterday and then worked overnight on a project. I didn’t have time to tell you, and I made you wait for me all night.” He looked remorseful and sincere. If I hadn’t seen the video Mia sent me, I might have believed his lies. Now he’s just full of lies, not a single word of truth coming out of his mouth. Seeing him like this, it’s clear he doesn’t know that I’ve found out about his affair. But since that’s the case, I’ll pretend I don’t know either. I kept my composure and replied, “It’s okay, I know you’re busy with work. I understand.” “I knew it, honey. You’re always so understanding. There’s something else I need to tell you. You know the economy hasn’t been good this year, which has led to some cash flow issues in our company. So I’ve been working on a big project. If we get it, our company will be able to overcome this difficult period. “The client is a well-known foreign company, but we’re not the only ones after this project. Other companies want it too. I’ve found out that the project manager on their side is the son of your dad’s old war buddy. Do you think you could ask your dad to help make a connection?” So that’s it. I looked at Jack’s fawning face in front of me and suddenly felt utterly disgusted. The person I once loved has long since become unrecognizable. I’m afraid he’s had no place for me in his heart for a long time. I’m just a ladder for him to climb up, a bridge to gain benefits. But I’m grateful that heaven is still on my side. I was wondering why my mother-in-law suddenly changed her attitude towards me. It turns out her precious son needs something from me. If he needs something from me, then many things will be much easier to handle. “Is that so? Honey, don’t worry, of course I’ll help you. I’ll talk to Dad about this.” Seeing that I agreed so readily, Jack was very happy. “Honey, there’s something else I want to ask you.”

The day before my birthday, when I saw Zachary’s message saying he had to go on a business trip tomorrow and couldn’t celebrate with me, I felt only a moment of disappointment. But I wasn’t surprised by his actions at all. Zachary and I had been together for seven years, and we didn’t spend every birthday together. In fact, he had only celebrated with me three times. Once when he first won me over, once when we were in the honeymoon phase, and the last time was after we reconciled from a fight. When our relationship settled into a routine, he rarely paid attention to these so-called rituals. Gifts for holidays never failed to arrive, but his company was always absent. Even during holidays, we would go back to our respective families. I had once suggested bringing him home to meet my parents, but he always found excuses to avoid it. He never brought up the idea of taking me to meet his family either. As time went on, I gradually got used to this lack of surprises in our daily life and stopped obsessing over how to celebrate special occasions. This year, I hadn’t expected him to be with me on my birthday either, so I had agreed to my girlfriends’ invitation. They said they would keep me company for a happy birthday celebration. But just a few days ago, Zachary told me he wanted to celebrate my birthday this year, saying he had already made reservations at a restaurant and everything. When I shared this news with my girlfriends in our group chat, I felt a bit guilty. After all, they had been preparing for my birthday for a while and had cleared their schedules for me. But they all said they understood and even got excited, speculating, “Could Zachary be planning to propose to you?” A string of enthusiastic responses followed. In their eyes, Zachary and I had a great relationship; we were just both very busy. I instinctively denied the possibility. If Zachary were to propose, he would definitely not choose my birthday for it. He once said that choosing significant dates like birthdays or anniversaries for proposals or weddings was just a way to save on gifts during commemorative occasions, purely for convenience. More importantly, Zachary and I had been giving each other the cold shoulder for some time now. Ever since his first love returned from abroad, we hadn’t had a calm conversation. Every time we started talking, it would end up in an argument. I couldn’t even remember the last time we had a sweet, romantic date. Recently, he had been spending less and less time with me. I thought a breakup was probably just around the corner. The messages on my phone kept popping up. After telling me he couldn’t celebrate my birthday with me, Zachary transferred $1000 to my account, telling me to have a good time with my girlfriends. But they had already made other plans after hearing that Zachary was supposed to celebrate with me! I consoled myself, thinking it was just another birthday alone, something that had happened many times over the years. I accepted Zachary’s transfer. It had been a long time since he had given me a gift. For holidays and his birthday, I was always the one choosing gifts, and when the time came, he would simply transfer back a similar amount of money. The next day, my birthday. I woke up early, went about my usual busy routine, and then found myself sitting idly by the window. It was supposed to be my birthday, but it felt no different from any other day. I looked at the address of the restaurant Zachary had booked and decided to treat myself to a nice dinner there tonight, maybe buy myself that cake I’d been craving lately. I got in my car and headed out, but halfway there, I got into an accident. A large truck suddenly changed lanes and crushed the passenger side of my car. My forehead hit the car frame, and my leg was injured. Blood was everywhere. When the ambulance brought me to the hospital, I was a mess – disheveled and covered in blood. I was lying on a stretcher, unable to move, as the nurse wheeled me into the emergency department. At a corner, I ran into my boyfriend who was supposed to be on a business trip yesterday. He was holding some medicine, sitting in a corner talking to someone beside him. I blinked and wiped away the blood on my face to make sure it was really my boyfriend. And the woman leaning on him, getting an IV drip, was Isabella, his first love. Perhaps because I was covered in blood, Zachary didn’t seem to recognize me at first. It wasn’t until I was pushed past them that Zachary finally recognized me, and I saw the panic on his face. He quickly stood up, about to walk towards me, but Isabella just lightly tugged at his hand, and Zachary stopped, nervously turning back to take care of her. Maybe it was because the wounds on my forehead and leg were too painful, but I felt surprisingly numb inside. As I was being wheeled into the emergency room, Zachary finally ran up to me. He looked at my blood-covered body, at a loss for words, and finally just asked, “How did you end up like this?” “Small car accident, not fatal,” I answered casually, only then realizing how hoarse my voice was. Zachary rummaged through his backpack and took out a thermos, about to pour me some water. Then he realized it was prepared for Isabella, so he awkwardly put it down and said to me: “I’ll go buy you some water.” Before he hurried away, I stopped him: “No need. Weren’t you on a business trip with Isabella? Go take care of her.” Zachary had his back to me, so I couldn’t see his expression. As he was about to turn around, I was already being wheeled into the operating room. My injuries seemed quite serious. There was a large gash on my forehead, which the doctor stitched up with five sutures. My body was covered in black and blue bruises, and my leg had countless stitches. The doctor warned me not to walk around carelessly. When the nurse wheeled me out in a wheelchair, I found Zachary still standing at the door waiting for me. He rushed over to the nurse, asking question after question about my condition, whether I needed to be hospitalized, if there were any dietary restrictions. After learning that I didn’t need to be hospitalized but required IV drips and regular medication and dressing changes, he concernedly took the wheelchair from the nurse and pushed me towards the IV room. I didn’t say a word the entire time. As I was getting my IV, the truck driver was also brought to the hospital by the police. He apologized to me profusely and said he would cover my medical expenses. It wasn’t until Zachary spoke with the police that he realized how severe the accident scene had been. When he received photos from the insurance company showing the car that had been crushed by half, genuine anxiety finally appeared on his face. “You call this a small accident?” he exclaimed. I calmly looked at him and said, “This is a hospital. Please keep your voice down.” All around us were other patients getting IVs. The appearance of the police and the driver who caused the accident had already created quite a stir. Now with Zachary shouting, everyone’s attention was focused on us. He looked apologetically at the surrounding patients, then crouched behind me and said softly, “It’s okay now, don’t be scared. I’m here with you.” I found it somewhat amusing. I looked at him, then at Isabella who was standing across from us holding her IV bag, and nodded towards her. “Someone’s waiting for you.” Zachary was about to say something, but after Isabella called out to him, he stood up. His gaze was conflicted, constantly moving between Isabella and me. “Lily… Isabella’s IV is almost done. I’ll keep her company for a bit longer and then come back to you.” But in the end, upon seeing Isabella’s pale and weak appearance, Zachary left me behind and ran over to her. Of course, I didn’t believe he would come back to keep me company. Every time Isabella called him away, there was never any follow-up. I looked up at the medicine dripping down drop by drop, silently finishing two bottles of IV fluids on my own. Then I calmly called the nurse to remove the needle and wheeled myself through the remaining procedures. As I sat in the wheelchair waiting for my Uber, I finally had a moment to re-examine my relationship with Zachary. Seven years ago, when he confessed to me, I was overjoyed to accept, having harbored a crush on him for a long time. But he never brought up the topic of marriage. On the rare occasions when I asked about it, he would only say it was too soon, too early, too busy, not ready, or that we’d talk about it later. I understood him and was considerate, but stepping back from our relationship to think about this issue, I realized that the fundamental reason Zachary never mentioned marriage was that he had never forgotten his first love. I always thought that after being with him for seven years, I should have at least found a place in his heart. But after Isabella came back, I realized how thoroughly mistaken I had been. In the end, I didn’t wait for Zachary, nor did I wait for my Uber. The person who came to pick me up was my best friend, Olivia. Being an athlete, she effortlessly lifted me from the wheelchair into her car, then easily folded the wheelchair and put it in the trunk. She didn’t know that Zachary wasn’t actually on a business trip, so she was worried I wouldn’t be able to take care of myself alone at home and brought me to her place instead. “This must hurt so much,” she said, looking at my injuries with concern. She ordered a lot of takeout, saying she wanted to help me recover. “When you’re better, let’s go to a temple and pray. We need to get rid of this bad luck,” she said, feeling that I was incredibly unlucky to have gotten into a car accident on my birthday. I smiled and agreed, but my next words were interrupted by a sudden phone call. It was Zachary: “Lily, are you still at the hospital?” The delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen made me realize how hungry I was, so my tone carried a hint of irritation: “Is there anything else?” “I’m just worried about you. I’m your boyfriend, can’t I ask where you are?” I watched Olivia bustling about in the kitchen and coldly replied, “Oh, so you’re my boyfriend? I thought you were Isabella’s boyfriend.” Zachary seemed taken aback by my words. As Olivia was busy serving the food, he finally spoke again: “You don’t understand the situation. Isabella had a high fever, and her acute gastroenteritis flared up. She’s all alone here, with no one else to take care of her. I’ve known her for so many years, I can’t just ignore her, can I?” It was the same old excuse. I had heard it countless times over the past two years. Isabella had returned to the country two years ago, and the day after she came back, she called Zachary away using the excuse of not being accustomed to the local environment. “Two years, and she hasn’t made any friends,” I said, my tone somewhat sarcastic. “She’s not like you, she’s more introverted—” Zachary instinctively started to defend Isabella, but I didn’t want to hear him speak anymore. “Alright, then take good care of her,” I interrupted him and hung up the phone immediately after speaking. Olivia, who had brought out the food, overheard my conversation with Zachary. She asked about what happened today, and after I explained, she cursed Zachary vehemently on my behalf. “He’ll probably come looking for you later. Should I tell him you’re not here?” Olivia asked as she ladled some soup for me. I didn’t want to go home, but I knew I couldn’t burden Olivia, so I shook my head: “I should go back. You have work tomorrow.” Olivia bit her chopsticks, calculating how many days of annual leave she had left. I shook my head and smiled, refusing: “Didn’t you say you were saving your annual leave for a trip with your boyfriend? Won’t he be jealous if you use it to take care of me?” She patted her chest righteously, saying she didn’t care. But I was determined not to trouble her any further. After dinner, I packed up my things. Olivia was washing dishes in the kitchen, so I sat in the living room slowly waiting. But Zachary didn’t come to pick me up. I had a pretty good idea where he was, and sure enough, the next second my phone buzzed with a SnapChat message from Isabella. “Lily, I’m so sorry. I was feeling really awful, so I had to call Zachary to take me to the hospital.” “I heard you were in a car accident? I saw you covered in blood today and was so shocked. Are you feeling better now? Should I ask Zachary to make some soup for you?” Look at that, she’s come to show off again. Every time after calling Zachary away from me, Isabella would send me these boastful messages. Sitting in my wheelchair, holding my bag, I slowly typed with one hand: “Is he with you now?” “Yes, I have acute gastroenteritis so I can’t eat much, so Zachary is cooking for me. Do you want to come and join us?” Right after that, she sent a video of Zachary busy in the kitchen. I was used to this by now and didn’t reply. I just took a screenshot and sent it directly to Zachary. After a long while, probably after he finished cooking, Zachary replied: “Isabella has been abroad for a long time, so her way of speaking has changed. Don’t take it personally.” “I really think you two are a good match,” I responded. “What nonsense are you talking about? We’re the couple, she’s just my childhood friend now.” Then, as if to cover something up, he sent another message: “What do you want to eat tomorrow? I’ll cook for you.” I stared at my phone screen, not answering him, sitting alone in the wheelchair with tears in my eyes. In the seven years we’ve been together, Zachary had never cooked for me, not even a bowl of noodles. I’ve always loved to experiment with food, so my cooking is quite good. Since we started living together, I’ve been the one doing all the cooking at home. The excuse was that my food tasted better, so the more capable person should do more. Who knew? Apparently, Zachary was such a good cook. Olivia patted my back, pretending not to notice as she wheeled me off to wash up. Afterwards, she changed the bedding for me and told me to rest well. Lying in the soft bed, I received another call from Zachary. But I didn’t answer, I just turned off my phone. The next day, I was awakened by the aroma coming from the kitchen. Considering my current physical condition, Olivia had prepared many foods suitable for patients. I slowly sat up in the wheelchair, pushing myself out of the room. I heard Olivia in the kitchen, quietly talking on the phone with her boss. I should have left yesterday, but now she couldn’t go to work and had to take a half-day off for me. After she hung up the phone, I wheeled myself over to her and said, “You should go to work. I’ll head home soon.” Olivia looked at me disapprovingly. She looked at the bandage on my forehead with concern, then at my immobilized leg. “What if something happens when you’re alone at home?” After finishing breakfast, I insisted on leaving, not wanting to trouble her further. So I had to call Zachary and ask him to take me home. I called several times, and finally, Isabella picked up. “I’m sorry, Lily. Zachary was up all night taking care of me and just fell asleep. Did you need something from him? Should I wake him up?” The room was quite quiet, and I hadn’t put the call on speaker, but Olivia still heard what Isabella said. Her temper was like a firecracker, ready to explode at the slightest provocation. Just as she was about to start cursing, I stopped her. My voice was calm: “Isabella, is this the extent of your tactics? Otherwise, why hasn’t Zachary broken up with me and gotten back together with you in these two years?” There was a pause on the other end of the line, but she still used her sweet voice, pretending not to understand: “Because we’re just childhood friends. He just sees me as family. Don’t think of our relationship that way.” I was disgusted and didn’t continue to play along with her charade. I hung up the phone directly. In the end, it was Olivia who took me back home. Back to the home I shared with Zachary. I struggled through the day alone, and it wasn’t until noon the next day that Zachary returned. At the time, I was in the middle of handing over my work responsibilities. I had taken sick leave, and some of the projects I was handling needed to be transferred to others in advance. Zachary’s face was pale, looking as if he was the one who had fallen ill. Seeing me sitting alone in the wheelchair, busy with work, he quickly ran over to me.

To save my wife and daughter, I was severely injured and hospitalized. When it came time for family to sign for my surgery, my wife was at the cemetery visiting her first love’s grave. “You won’t die without the surgery, but today is the anniversary of his death!” she said. “Stop calling me!” Every year on this day, my wife would visit the grave of her deceased love without fail, rain or shine. I resigned myself and closed my eyes. The moment she hung up, I could hear her breathing grow heavier. “You’re so bad!” she panted. “Not only are you sleeping with someone else’s wife at a gravesite, but you’ve let another man raise your daughter for four years.” The sounds of kissing and moaning grew louder in my ear… 0 The phone crashed to the floor as my mind went blank. I fell out of the hospital bed in a daze. Pulling out my IV, I rushed past the protesting nurses straight to Peaceful Hill Cemetery. “Quick, stop! Someone’s coming!” A woman’s seductive voice reached my ears. I hid behind a gravestone, clenching my fists as I stared intently at the entangled figures in the darkness. A cat darted past as the man teased: “Even if it was a ghost, not just a person, you’d still have to be with me today. Besides, James is so badly burned – how could you stomach touching him?” Olivia playfully pushed him: “Don’t be silly! I haven’t let him touch me since the abortion.” Abortion? Two years ago, Olivia was pregnant with our second child. Unlike the joy of her first pregnancy, she was depressed all the time. I didn’t think much of it then, trying my best to fulfill her wishes. Even when she hit and kicked me, I never complained. Despite this, just after three months, we “accidentally” lost the baby. My fingers dug into my palms until they drew blood. “Not even once?” the man asked huskily. Olivia laughed lightly: “I can tell the difference between true love and an ATM.” “Who would have thought that the cold, dignified CEO in public would beg like a dog in private, failing each time. He always had to take care of himself in the bathroom…” Her mockery felt like a bucket of ice water dumped over my head. After Olivia’s miscarriage, she deliberately teased me. When I finally made a move, she accused me of being “inconsiderate”, blaming me for the miscarriage… The man’s movements quickened, drowning out Olivia’s murmurs. Lightning flashed, and the man’s face overlapped with the photo on the gravestone. Ethan Wilson. He wasn’t dead. 0

Ethan only got off Olivia when the downpour started. Olivia hurriedly pulled on her clothes, her cheeks flushed as she scolded him: “The ATM is waiting for me to sign for his surgery! Now I’m soaked – how will I explain this to him?” “Come back to the villa with me. You’re not allowed to go home tonight!” Olivia’s eyes widened: “How could I do that?” Ethan narrowed his eyes, his tone displeased: “What, have you fallen for him?” “Your grandfather is dead now, no one can stop us anymore. How much longer are you going to hide me?” Olivia hesitated for a moment. Then she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him, coaxing: “A $2 million villa is beneath you, I know. Just wait a bit longer. Once I get Grandpa’s $100 million inheritance, I’ll divorce him immediately.” Ethan smirked as he scooped Olivia up, heading straight for the villa complex outside the cemetery. This villa was the compensation Olivia had insisted I give her after she lost our second child. The cold rain pelted my body as I shook uncontrollably, but my mind had never been clearer. This must be what it feels like to have your heart ripped out. I let out a bitter laugh, then called my lawyer: “According to Grandpa’s will, donate his entire $100 million inheritance to the Children’s Foundation.” Olivia, this is where we end. 0

The next day, Olivia brought our daughter to visit me. When Emma saw my burned face and torso, she screamed: “Daddy’s a monster! I don’t want Daddy, I want Daddy Ethan…” Olivia covered Emma’s mouth, then turned to scold me: “Couldn’t you have wrapped some bandages around your face? What if you traumatize the child!” I coldly replied: “You didn’t need to come.” Olivia was taken aback. I had never spoken to her in that tone before. The next moment, she grabbed some bandages and started roughly wrapping them around my face. As the bandages touched my wounds, it felt like thousands of leeches biting and sucking at the injuries. Blood quickly soaked through one layer of bandages, so she just kept adding more layers, all while taunting me: “You’re such a failure as a father. Your daughter thinks you look like a monster – I’d say you’re even worse than that.” Olivia seemed to have forgotten that I was burned saving her and Emma. “What are you doing?! He just had medicine applied, do you know how much pain he’s in?” A young nurse rushed in, pushing Olivia aside to gently remove the bandages and reapply medicine. “If you don’t care about him, I do!” “You didn’t touch his waist, abdomen or upper thighs, did you?” The nurse’s words sparked the imagination. Olivia glanced at my lower body: “James, you didn’t…” My face stung fiercely from the fresh medicine, bringing involuntary tears to my eyes. Before I could deny anything, she had already taken out her phone to snap photos. After taking several pictures, she fiddled with her phone, a satisfied smile on her face. When she turned back to me, she covered her nose in disgust: “I’m warning you, Emma is still young. Don’t bring your germs home! Stay here and recover properly these next few days. The care worker will look after you.” As she reached the door, she called back to me: “Hey!” My heart clenched. After being her workhorse for years, I wasn’t even worthy of being called by name anymore. The hickey on Olivia’s neck stung my eyes. “I’ll take over the company for now. Don’t bother me unless you’re dying – I’m busy.” After Olivia left, I opened her social media. She had arranged the horrific photos of my injuries into a collage, proudly displayed for all to see. With the caption: [Bad news: James injured his manhood. Good news: At least we have Emma.] Every word of hers stomped mercilessly on my pride and dignity as a man. The paternity test results popped up. With trembling fingers, I opened it. As expected, Emma wasn’t my biological child. I took a deep drag of my cigarette. As the smoke filled my lungs, I resolved to seek treatment abroad. Before turning off my phone, I glanced at the company’s latest financial report. Olivia had no idea that the prize she was so eager to snatch was nothing but a hot potato. 0

A month later when I returned to the country, I checked my phone to find Olivia hadn’t sent a single message asking about me. As soon as I opened the door, Emma ran over to hug me: “Daddy, did you buy Emma’s favorite dumplings?” When she looked up and saw my face, her smile froze. The arms hugging me jerked away as if electrified, her lips pursed in displeasure. I deliberately asked her: “Where’s the daddy who buys you dumplings?” Emma rolled her eyes and ran into Olivia’s arms. “James, even jokes have limits. Don’t forget, we’re not officially married yet – you’re still on probation.” Olivia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking at me as if granting a favor. Good thing we never registered our marriage. Saved me a month-long cooling off period for divorce. I headed straight for the master bedroom to pack my things, only to find half the gold bars missing from the safe. And my custom tailored suits in the closet showed signs of being worn and washed. The messy bed even had a few strands of another man’s hair. Disgusting! “James, why didn’t you buy me that limited edition handbag?” Olivia barged in with her hands on her hips, pointing at my nose as she yelled: “I order you to fly to Italy right now and line up to buy me that bag!” When I loved her, I found her temper cute and endearing. Now that I don’t love her, she’s just a shrew. “Have your little lover buy it for you.” I picked up the hairs from the bed and flicked them at her nose in disgust: “Olivia, aren’t you afraid of catching something? You’ll let any trash into our home.” A flash of guilt crossed her eyes. But she quickly regained her haughty demeanor: “What? You can’t perform, so am I supposed to live as a widow forever?” I had no interest in arguing further and picked up my suitcase to leave. Olivia stepped in front of me, showing weakness for the first time: “Don’t be angry. I was away for a few days and my cousin stayed here with her boyfriend. The young ones got a bit carried away.” Olivia couldn’t even be bothered to come up with a decent excuse. “Come to the office tomorrow. The company can’t function without you.” “Fine.” During my month abroad, besides medical treatment, I had been busy developing my own company. To be safe, I made two plans. The Wilson Group and my own company would share resources in contacts and talent, paving the way for my future. 0

As soon as I entered the company, I saw the sympathetic looks from the secretary and colleagues. When I pushed open the door to the general manager’s office, Ethan was actually sitting in my chair. “James, this is Ethan. He’s actually still alive – my years of prayers must have moved heaven. You know how happy I am, right?” Olivia clung to my arm, gauging my reaction: “You’re happy for me too, aren’t you?” Ethan stood up and extended his hand to me, more like a challenge: “James, nice to meet you!” My eyes swept past him, landing on the belt at his waist. That belt was a token of love Olivia had given me, the only one of its kind in the world. Blood rushed to my head as I grabbed his collar, my fists raining down uncontrollably on his temple. Colleagues gathered at the door to watch the spectacle, debating who was really Olivia’s husband. Anger, humiliation, resentment and hatred all surged up at once. I just wanted to beat this man to death! “Slap!” A sharp pain stung my cheek. Only then did I notice Ethan had collapsed in a pool of blood, his face swollen like a pig’s head. Olivia held Ethan tenderly, yelling at me: “James, apologize! You must apologize to him!” After regaining my composure, I coldly looked at Olivia: “Apologize? You want me to apologize to your lover?” “Olivia, are you so broke you can’t even afford a belt, resorting to letting your lover wear mine?” Olivia’s eyes blazed with anger as she defended her beloved: “James, how dare you say such things?” “If it weren’t for Grandpa forcibly separating me and Ethan back then, how could you have your current wealth and status? When you think about it, everything you have now was stolen from Ethan’s happiness!” Ethan had ulterior motives, which is why Olivia’s grandfather had promoted me and arranged our marriage instead. Over the years, it was my hard work that grew and strengthened the Wilson Group. But with Grandpa’s body barely cold, Olivia couldn’t wait to bring her lover in to seize the family assets. Since she was done pretending, I would make the first move. I pulled off my wedding ring and threw it forcefully to the ground, my attitude resolute: “Make him leave. Otherwise, we’re through.” 0

After a long standoff, Olivia finally had security escort Ethan out. After dispersing the crowd of onlookers, Olivia’s expression softened as she spoke gently: “James, you never used to embarrass me in public like this. Doing this today… are you upset that I’ve been neglecting you?” I used to think that her willingness to have my child meant she truly loved me. I was willing to let her have her way in everything. Now, she doesn’t deserve that. Olivia’s fingers trailed up my chest: “There’s nothing going on between me and Ethan. Why don’t you come test it out tonight?” I swatted her hand away. Disgusting. Olivia’s face darkened as she glared at me through narrowed eyes: “I give you a way out and you don’t take it. You really think I won’t break up with you?” I stepped on the ring, completely certain: “You wouldn’t dare.” As I left the office, I calculated in my mind. Within a week, Olivia would come begging me to take her back. Unexpectedly, it took less than three days before Olivia tried to make amends: “Honey, I was wrong. The creditors are blocking the office building entrance. I really have no other choice.” I impatiently tapped the desk, brushing her off with an “Mm.” She grew anxious: “What do you mean ‘mm’? Tell me, what do I need to do for you to forgive me?” She had fallen into my trap, just as I planned. I gave a cold smile as I toyed with her: “Olivia, I really don’t know what to do with you.” “It’s simple to make it up to me. Just change your phone wallpaper and the photo frame on your desk to a picture of our family of three.” “A man needs to save face in public too. We’re family after all, let’s not make things too awkward.” Olivia breathed a sigh of relief on the other end of the phone. A minute later, after she sent over screenshots of the changed photos, I leisurely made my way to negotiate with the creditors. Seeing it was me, the creditors’ attitudes immediately softened. Not only did I smooth things over with the creditors when I left the office, I also managed to sign a major new contract. Ethan’s face turned green as he hid in a corner of the company. 0

To celebrate landing the deal, I invited everyone out for drinks. My colleagues know how to read the room. To curry favor with me, they kept forcing drinks on Ethan. After a few glasses of wine, Ethan stumbled drunkenly into the restroom with Olivia following close behind. Curious to see what would happen, I trailed after them. The alcohol had loosened Ethan’s tongue as he whined pitifully: “Olivia, you’re so heartless. Do you know how I’ve spent these past few years?” “While I was in hiding, eating dry ramen in basements, you were having your dream wedding with James.” “When I was hit by a car while delivering food, hovering between life and death, you were in the hospital giving birth to James’ child.” Olivia was overcome with sympathy, comforting Ethan with kisses. Soon Ethan stopped complaining and started ranting indignantly: “And James, he just got lucky, born with a face your grandfather liked. He used that to climb the ladder and reach the top in one step.” “I don’t care about the money, but how dare he steal your heart? I can’t accept it!” In the scuffle, Olivia’s phone crashed to the floor. The cracked screen flickered, showing the family photo of the three of us as the wallpaper. I smiled. My plan to drive a wedge between them had succeeded. Olivia completely broke down. She clung desperately to Ethan, apologizing over and over, begging him to forgive her and the Wilson family. “Everything James has, I’ll make it up to you.” Olivia pleaded with him through her tears: “I’ll make James give you his position as general manager. I’ll repay everything the Wilsons owe you!” I was eager to dump this pile of garbage on Ethan. But unexpectedly, Ethan wasn’t satisfied and made a new demand: “The Wilson Group’s debt ratio is too high, it’s not worth investing in. Cash out your shares and use that to start a new company for me.” Hm, he has some brains after all. But not much. Olivia hesitated. Ethan immediately threatened to break up with her. In her panic, she hastily agreed to his request. After leaving the restroom, Olivia came to lay it out for me: “James, can you buy all the shares I own?” “This is what I owe Ethan. I want to liquidate the assets under my name. You don’t have any objections, right?” Under my manipulation, the Wilson Group’s stock price had plummeted. Buying back all the shares now would be like picking up a bargain at rock bottom prices. “Are you sure?” I raised an eyebrow at her, feigning reluctance: “You’re spending money on your lover like I’m already dead, is that it?” “I can buy the shares, but that means buying out our relationship too. We break up – do you agree?” Olivia shook her head. She explained with a wronged expression that the belt was just a misunderstanding, that she still loved me, that she didn’t agree to breaking up. After some back and forth, I “reluctantly” agreed to buy her shares. Olivia had no idea that in a month’s time, the Wilson Group’s stock price would hit a record high. At this moment, blinded by love, she was secretly promising Ethan behind my back: “Take this money first as startup capital for the company. Once Grandpa’s inheritance comes through, I should be able to get at least $50 million…” I leaned against the doorway, eavesdropping. The corners of my mouth curved up involuntarily.

With just one absurd comment from his little assistant, my husband impulsively decided to have one of his kidneys removed. I stared at the assistant’s latest SnapChat update with bloodshot eyes. “Getting rid of the bad to keep the good. Congrats to my boss on taking this important step in life!” In the photo, James was making a peace sign at the camera, but he couldn’t hide the tenderness and sweetness in his eyes. This time, I calmly turned off my phone without hysterically questioning him again. I knew my marriage to James was over. ……… James returned home five days later. In the past, I would have frantically called him, asking about his situation, worried he might encounter some danger outside. But now, I didn’t even look at him, just said flatly, “You’re back.” After that, I continued eating. James was clearly dissatisfied with my indifference. He stood at the door with his hands on his hips, yelling at me. He didn’t look at all like a weak patient who had just lost a kidney. “Chloe, what are you waiting for? Come here and take off my shoes!” Yes, I used to take care of James meticulously. Even for simple tasks like this, I would never let James lift a finger. But that was something the old Chloe would do. I swallowed the last bite of noodles and said calmly, “My back has been hurting lately. You’ll have to handle this yourself from now on.” “Chloe, don’t you know I’m still—” James stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing that he had voluntarily donated his kidney. I calmly glanced at his stomach without saying anything, then went straight to the kitchen to clean up the dishes. James stood at the kitchen door and asked me with a strange look, “Why aren’t you reacting at all to the fact that my kidney is gone?” “The kidney was in your body. Its existence should be decided by you. If you didn’t want it, I can’t force you to keep it.” I said it lightly, but only I knew that my heart was bleeding at that moment. James softened his voice and explained to me, “It’s not that I didn’t want the kidney. The kidney was congenitally malformed, so I had no choice but to remove it.” Chapter 2 “Mm, okay.” James became irritated. He grabbed my sleeve, forcing me to look at his face. “What’s with that attitude? Why are you angry with me?” “Don’t you know that if Amber hadn’t discovered in time that my stomach was oddly shaped, I could have become disabled!” I suddenly found it amusing. For the past few years, every check-up had been fine. Even the doctors praised his kidneys for being as healthy as those in textbooks. Why didn’t James believe the doctors, but chose to believe Amber’s unfounded and confusing statement? And how did Amber know the exact shape of James’s stomach so precisely? Since last year, when James made an exception to hire Amber, a junior college graduate, as his assistant, he had become increasingly unreasonable. From initially bringing her to family dinners, celebrating New Year’s abroad with her, to now removing a kidney for her sake, James had completely shattered our once-happy home. But now, none of that mattered to me anymore. Whatever James believed in or wanted to do was his freedom. I had no right to interfere. I pulled my sleeve out of James’s hand. “Indeed, thanks to Amber.” “Chloe, can you stop being petty? You’re really wearing me out. Amber is just looking out for us. Why can’t you appreciate her good intentions?” I looked at him calmly. “James, I’m really not angry. And I truly am grateful to Amber.” Grateful to her for completely severing the last thread of affection between you and me. James looked at me suspiciously for a while. After making sure I wasn’t just sulking, he continued, “I’m hungry. Make me a bowl of noodles.” “Sorry, I have something to do. You’ll have to manage on your own.” “What?” Ignoring James’s questioning, I pushed past him, grabbed my coat from the wall, and prepared to leave. James anxiously followed behind me. “Where are you going if you’re not making me food?” “To see Ethan.” With that, I closed the door, leaving James shouting behind me. James had never liked Ethan, simply because he thought Ethan came from a poor background. He believed it was better to socialize with wealthy elites instead, as it could benefit his company. What he didn’t know was that the person he once looked down upon was now a big boss in the company, and even his strong competitor. I met Ethan at a bar, but unfortunately, my stomach ulcer hadn’t fully healed, so I could only substitute alcohol with juice. Actually, this meeting wasn’t just to catch up, but also to discuss work. Chapter 3 Ethan had opened a branch company in the United States and was in desperate need of staff. He had wanted me to help him in the US a year ago, but I had always declined for James’s sake. When Ethan learned that I had agreed to go to the US, he was so excited that he could barely speak for a while. “No rush, no rush. You… you can go after James recovers. But… will James agree?” Of course James wouldn’t agree. He was a workaholic, but he only allowed himself to work, not me. He said the money he earned was more than enough to support me, and all I needed to do was stay at home and take good care of him. In plain words, I was his 24/7 free housekeeper. I seemed free, but in reality, I was just a guard dog kept in James’s cage, unwelcome by others. The employees at his company called me a freeloader, while his friends “praised” me for being a good housewife. In the past, I didn’t care. I naively thought that as long as James loved me, it was enough. But thinking about it now, if James had valued me even a little, these hurtful words wouldn’t have so boldly reached my ears. So this time, I wanted to live for myself. When I got home, it was already 1 AM. As soon as I entered, I saw Amber feeding James. Amber turned to greet me. She seemed polite, but the pride in her eyes was almost overflowing. “Sister Chloe, you’re back. James just had his transplant surgery and isn’t fully recovered yet. I was worried about him, so I came over to check.” Amber deliberately emphasized the word “transplant”, her tone full of arrogance. The implication was clear: “I made your husband remove a kidney with just a few words. I came here today specially to see you make a fool of yourself.” But at this moment, I felt nothing inside. I nodded calmly, “Thank you for your hard work, Amber.” As soon as I finished speaking, James grabbed the water glass on the table and threw it at my head. “Chloe! You won’t make me food and you won’t let Amber make me food either? It’s bad enough that you’re not grateful, but why are you being so sarcastic towards her!” Seeing this, Amber immediately “sympathetically” patted his back. “James, you’re not fully recovered yet. You shouldn’t get angry. If Sister Chloe doesn’t like me, I’ll just leave.” James grabbed Amber’s arm as she was about to leave. “This is my house, I make the decisions. From now on, you’ll live here. I’d like to see who dares to kick you out!” James glared at me fiercely, as if I were some unforgivable villain. At this moment, a stream of blood flowed down from my temple. Amber exclaimed, “Oh no, James, Sister Chloe is bleeding. Should we take her to the hospital?” James’s eyes softened a bit, but it quickly disappeared. “Don’t bother with her. It’s just a small wound, nothing to fuss about.” I gently wiped away the blood from my temple and said calmly, “You two carry on. I won’t disturb you.” Chapter 4 James looked at me suspiciously, but finally couldn’t help asking, “Chloe, aren’t you angry that I’m alone with Amber in the middle of the night?” I looked at him, puzzled. Angry? Why should I be angry? Oh right, if it were the old me, I would have gone crazy and kicked Amber out, never allowing her to appear in my home so late. But now, not only am I not angry, I would sincerely wish him happiness in finding his true love. After all, James’s marriage to me was just a temporary arrangement to begin with. “Ah!” At this moment, Amber “accidentally” scalded her hand while pouring water. She winced in pain. Her big eyes looked at James pitifully, making him feel extremely distressed. “Amber, don’t worry, I’ll take you to the hospital!” James grabbed Amber’s hand and left. I watched their retreating figures with amusement. We have a thermos at home that always keeps water at 55°C (131°F). How could it possibly scald someone? Indeed, men in love have no intelligence. That night, I slept very comfortably. Not having to worry about James who often didn’t come home at night felt really good. The next day, I felt refreshed and energetic. I made myself breakfast and was enjoying it when James came out of the room. “Chloe, where’s my breakfast?” He looked down at me with a royal demeanor. “Sorry, I thought Amber would make it for you.” “Chloe, that was just me talking out of anger. How could I really let an employee live in our home?” “As my wife, can’t you be less petty?” Huh, not letting Amber move in is probably to avoid ruining his reputation, while the wound on my temple wouldn’t raise any suspicions. “Okay, I understand.” James stared at me, as if trying to see through me. Suddenly, he sneered, “Chloe, you still won’t admit you’re sulking? You’re deliberately not bandaging your wound and leaving it exposed, aren’t you just trying to get back at me?” “I admit I was a bit impulsive last night, but you don’t have to use such a low-level tactic to deliberately get my attention.” As he spoke, he tried to step forward to check my wound. But I got up and went into the kitchen. “James, as long as you’re happy.” Think whatever you want of me. “Chloe!” This was the first time I had avoided James’s attempt to get close to me. He was unhappy. He had never allowed me to defy him. Seeing that I was still washing dishes without any sign of apologizing to him, James stormed out, slamming the door. Before leaving, he threw out one last sentence, “Chloe, I dare you to never speak to me again for the rest of your life!” Chapter 5 After James left, I didn’t sit idle. I packed up my documents, ready to go out and handle the procedures for going abroad. I also consulted Ethan about divorce matters, after all, he had experience. Ethan let out a sharp cry on the other end of the phone, “What? You want to divorce James?” “Did… did you take the wrong medicine? How could Chloe ever let go of James’s hand!” Indeed, how could Chloe ever let go of James’s hand? He was the boy I had loved wholeheartedly for twelve years. From high school until now, my heart had been beating for him every second of every minute. He was heaven’s favorite child, and I knew I wasn’t worthy of him. I never dared to imagine that my parallel line could intersect with his. It was a class reunion five years ago that changed the trajectory of my life. He was drunk and not very happy. I heard from a classmate that he had to get married within a year to inherit the company, otherwise it would go to his father’s son with the mistress. In the dim light of the KTV, James was drinking alone in the corner. His eyes were red, his hair a bit messy, looking extremely pitiful. I knew I couldn’t help him, but I still reached out inexplicably and took away his wine glass. “Maybe a piece of candy would make you feel better.” I held out my hand, a lone strawberry candy lying in the center of my palm, “hoping” that the goddess of fortune would favor “it” just a little tonight. James lazily raised his eyes, staring at me. Suddenly, he smiled. His cold fingertips brushed across my palm, sending an electric current through my body, making me feel a bit flustered. He leaned close to my ear and said in a husky voice, “Dare to go get a marriage license with me right now?” Fireworks exploded in my brain. The goddess of fortune had really descended. I didn’t know how much sincerity and how much playfulness was in James’s words. I only knew that I was going to marry the man I loved most, and in this life, I would die without regrets. Chapter 6 I snapped back to reality and casually told Ethan about James removing his kidney that day. This matter had been bottled up in my heart for a long time, and finally, I could release it a little. Ethan’s scream sounded again, “Chloe, don’t be afraid. I’ll recommend the best divorce lawyer for you. James, we don’t want him anymore!” I was very grateful for Ethan’s help. After all, a friend in need is a friend indeed. James didn’t come home for several days in a row, and I was happy to be relaxed and free. The next time I saw him was at our high school class reunion. As soon as I entered the private room, I saw James sitting in the seat of honor, eye-catching, and Amber by his side. I didn’t expect James to bring Amber even to this kind of occasion. They really seemed inseparable in their love. When James saw me, he arrogantly straightened his back, waiting for me to come over fawningly and sit beside him. But I ignored him and sat in the farthest position from him. When Amber saw me, she gave me a challenging look and deliberately raised her left hand, showing off the couple’s ring. I didn’t even look, turning my head to chat with the classmates beside me. James had always been aloof and didn’t have good relationships, so no one talked to him. He watched me laughing and chatting with others, his face turning blacker and blacker. During the meal, my phone kept buzzing with messages from James. “?” “Why aren’t you sitting next to me?” “I brought Amber just to broaden her horizons. Do you have to be like this?” In just thirty minutes, James sent me more messages than he had in the past five years combined. Then, another new message popped up, “Since you’re being so disobedient, let’s just get a divorce.” I caught a glimpse of the sarcasm in James’s eyes, as if he was certain I wouldn’t divorce him, certain that I would kneel down and beg for reconciliation like last time. But I quickly sent him one word, “Okay.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295834”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn

Cancer in its final stage. The only chemotherapy opportunity that could save my life was snatched away by Olivia for Jason, who was in the early stages of cancer. I gave up on the doctor’s life-saving plan and swallowed a powerful pain-blocking drug. The price was organ failure and death after three days. During these three days, I gave up everything. When I handed over all my hard-earned assets to Jason, my parents smiled with satisfaction. When Olivia presented the divorce papers and I signed them without hesitation, she sighed and said I was being sensible. When I pushed Emma to call Jason “Dad”, she excitedly said Dad was the best. Even when I transferred all my property and assets to Jason, They didn’t notice anything unusual, They just looked at me with contentment and said, “Our little Adrian has finally learned his lesson.” But I’m also curious, after I die, will they remember me? Under the doctor’s pitying gaze, I swallowed the pain-blocking drug. I had three days left until my death. After taking the medicine, I went to Jason’s hospital room. Inside, Dad was peeling an orange for Jason, while Mom was chatting with him. When they saw me enter, the smiles on my parents’ faces instantly turned cold. “What, done pretending to be sick and here to cause trouble for Jason again? Adrian, I’m telling you, as long as we’re here, don’t even think about bullying Jason!” Dad said to me, his tone icy. “Our family has always been strict with discipline. I don’t know where you learned to be so wicked, jealous of Jason and even trying to steal his chemotherapy opportunity,” Mom scolded, pointing at me. “If I had known, I shouldn’t have given birth to you in the first place!” In a corner out of my parents’ sight, Jason smiled at me, his eyes full of provocation. I lowered my gaze. I had heard these words from my parents countless times before. In the past, I would have argued with them and exposed Jason’s fake persona in public, Even though my parents never believed a single word I said. But now I was tired, too exhausted to fight anymore. “Well, it’s good that you’re here. I have something to discuss with you,” Dad spoke up. I smiled faintly, “Dad, I have something to tell you too.” “Jason wants my store business and company, right? I’ve thought it over. He can have it all!” Dad was stunned for a moment, and Mom looked at me with surprise. “How did you know I was going to talk to you about this today? You agree?” I forced a smile. No wonder they were surprised and kept confirming. Jason had wanted my stores and company for a long time. My parents had said all kinds of things, good and bad, to try to get me to hand over my hard-earned business to Jason, But I had never given in. Now, as a dying man, these things meant nothing to me anymore. Seeing my serious expression, Mom finally smiled with relief and stepped forward to pat my head. “You’ve finally come to your senses!” “Jason has always been more excellent than you since school. Even though he’s sick now, his financial management skills are better than yours,” “We feel at ease letting him manage your stores and company,” I forced a smile and handed the transfer agreement to Jason. After seeing Jason sign it, my parents happily held my hands, calling me a good child over and over. A hint of mockery arose in my heart. How ironic. Only when I gave in to Jason would Mom smile at me. But I was also curious, If Mom discovered Jason’s true face and found out about my death afterwards, Would she and Dad regret it? In the evening, I returned home. I saw my wife Olivia and daughter Emma cooking in the kitchen. Perhaps because of my late-stage cancer, I closed the door quietly. The mother and daughter seemed not to hear me as they laughed while cooking. Olivia turned around with the dish and saw me. Her smile froze for a moment before returning to normal. “Adrian, when did you get back? I didn’t hear anything.” I silently looked at the dish in Olivia’s hand – stir-fried vegetables, Jason’s favorite. Judging by its appearance, it looked as good as a professional chef’s work. It’s quite ironic. I was about to die, And only now did I learn that Olivia, who had lived with me for 5 years, could cook. In the past, she always complained about my cooking. Under Olivia’s “influence”, Emma gradually started to look down on me too. I worked hard for this family, but in the end, I didn’t win any respect. If it were before, I might have started ranting hysterically, But now I just calmly walked past them and sat on the sofa, sorting through the things in my bag. Seeing my silence, Olivia hesitated for a moment. After putting the dish on the table, she came over. “Adrian, I have something I want to discuss with you today.” Olivia bit her lip somewhat unnaturally, hesitated for a moment, but still spoke up: “It’s about your brother Jason.” My heart sank, and a not-so-good thought suddenly came to mind. The next second, Olivia’s words left me stunned: “After Jason’s cancer chemotherapy surgery, he’s been very depressed. So your parents want me to marry Jason, to cheer him up,” My ears were ringing. It took a long time before I found my voice again. “So, you agreed?” Olivia sighed, “Adrian, although Jason isn’t your biological brother, he’s still family after your parents adopted him,” “Besides, it’s just to cheer him up. Once Jason is discharged from the hospital, I’ll still be your wife, Emma’s mom.” Before I could speak, Emma chimed in: “That’s right, Dad. Uncle Jason has been feeling really down lately. You should try to understand him!” I silently looked at the mother and daughter in front of me. This was the woman I had loved for years. This was the child I had raised with great effort. I asked myself, I had never done anything wrong. To my family, wife, and child, I had always been conscientious. In the end, what I got was their betrayal. But it doesn’t matter now. If Jason wants everything, I’ll give it all to him. All of it, I don’t want any of it anymore. I looked up at Olivia, “Alright, I agree!” Olivia’s eyes flashed with surprise, “Really?” She quickly took out divorce papers from the drawer and put them on the table. I smiled bitterly. Olivia, oh Olivia, you can’t even hide your eagerness? I picked up the pen and quickly signed the papers. After signing, Olivia’s face was full of relief, her expression solemn and affectionate. “Adrian, after Jason is discharged, we’ll remarry. Don’t worry, I’ll never let you down!” After saying this, Olivia also signed the divorce papers. After signing, She looked at me and sighed, “Adrian, you’ve become much more reasonable than before. I’ve made mistakes in the past too, I was wrong,” “After Jason gets better, Emma and I will come back to take care of you!” “That’s right, Dad!” Emma also spoke up like a little adult, “Dad is so good to Uncle Jason, I’m proud of you!” Looking at them, my heart turned to ashes. Before this, I had held onto a last glimmer of hope for Olivia and Emma. But now… Forget it. Apart from death, I have no expectations left. I stood up, intending to go around them and return to my room to rest. A strong wave of dizziness hit me, and I couldn’t help but faint. In the moment before everything went black, I saw Olivia’s anxious face. I was awakened by a chill. When I opened my eyes, I found myself still lying on the floor. Looking at Olivia and Emma again, both mother and daughter were looking at me with disappointed expressions. “Mom, I told you, Dad was faking it again!” Emma said. “Dad, can you stop being so childish? You’re really holding us up from visiting Uncle Jason at the hospital!” Faking it? At this moment, Olivia also spoke with disappointment: “Adrian, can you stop making a scene?” “I’ve told you, even though we’re divorced, I still love you. You don’t need to use such childish tricks like pretending to faint to test me!” After hearing Olivia’s words, I finally understood. The pain-blocking drug I took could shield me from all illness and pain for these 3 days. During this time, I would look like a normal person, with complexion no different from others. But the side effects were severe. After 3 days, I would die from organ failure. It seems this drug is really effective. I struggled to stand up, “It might be low blood sugar, it’s nothing. I’ll go to the hospital with you.” “There are some transfer procedures that still need Jason’s signature.” Olivia nodded. There was no surprise on her face. It seems my parents must have told her in advance. After arriving at the hospital, Jason was watching TV in the ward. “Adrian, you’re here!” Jason’s face was still very pale, But his spirits were clearly much better. However, I didn’t miss the smugness and arrogance in his eyes. “Adrian, thank you for trusting me and letting me manage your business. Don’t worry, I won’t let you down!” “That’s right, Adrian. Letting Jason manage your stores and company is great. You can stay at home and enjoy the dividends every day!” Mom said with a smile. I took out the remaining paperwork from my bag. “In that case, let him manage all my assets too,” “This way I won’t have to worry about anything in the future.” Everyone in the ward was stunned. “Adrian, are you serious? You want to give all your assets to Jason?” Olivia grabbed my arm, her eyes full of surprise. This time, it was my turn to be confused. In the past, they always sided with Jason, giving him whatever he wanted. If I didn’t agree, they would scold me endlessly. How come now that I’m giving everything to Jason, They don’t understand? Dad was the first to come to his senses, his eyes full of satisfaction, “This child has finally learned his lesson, he’s grown up! Our efforts in raising you weren’t in vain!” “Adrian, you’ve learned to accept your brother now, that’s a good thing!” “From now on, you two live well together, and we can rest easy even when we’re old!” Rest easy? Dad, Mom, you’ve been fooled by Jason’s fake persona for too many years. Do you really believe Jason will manage everything well for me? My head started spinning again, and my nose felt itchy. I touched it and realized it was a nosebleed. “Adrian, why are you having a nosebleed? The weather isn’t even dry lately?” Mom asked at this moment. My hand paused as I wiped the blood. I couldn’t help but look at them and speak: “Dad, Mom, if one day I really die from illness, would you regret it?” But Mom’s expression didn’t change at all, she just smiled and glanced at me, “Your complexion looks so good, how could you possibly die from illness? Stop saying such unlucky things!” “Yes, Jason is different. When he gets better, we need to make sure he eats well to recover!” Dad said while looking at Jason with concern. “I think so too!” Emma chimed in, “Dad is very healthy, Uncle Jason is the one we’re most worried about!” The last glimmer of hope in my heart disappeared completely. I have nothing left to look forward to… I looked down at Emma and smiled, “Emma, didn’t you always want your Uncle Jason to be your real dad?” “I agree now. Jason is your dad now, why don’t you call him Dad?” Emma’s eyes lit up with joy, “Really?!” I smiled faintly, “After you call him Dad, you can always eat the food he cooks and have him accompany you from now on!” “This has always been your wish, are you happy?” Emma jumped up excitedly, “That’s great! Dad is the best in the world! Thank you, Dad!” After saying this, Emma let go of my hand and hugged Jason. My parents and Olivia watched this scene with satisfaction. I turned to leave, looking back at them one last time. My parents were playing with Emma together with Jason, while Olivia stood by with a smile on her face. No one noticed me. I closed the door of the ward and left the hospital. With only one day left until my death, I had nowhere to go. In my busy and rushed life, I had never taken the time to truly enjoy myself. I booked a ticket to Seaside City to see the ocean at night. I wanted to go hiking, But I couldn’t hold on any longer. Just before I was about to faint, I dialed a number I hadn’t called in nearly 5 years. Then everything went black and I lost consciousness. When I woke up again, I was already in the hospital. I turned my eyes to look at the time. Only 6 hours left until my death. And beside me was my childhood friend Kevin, with reddened eyes. Years ago, Kevin had strongly opposed my relationship with Olivia, saying she wasn’t worthy of my lifelong commitment. But I didn’t listen. I had a big fight with him, which led to him not attending my wedding. I know I shouldn’t bother him now, But besides him, I really couldn’t find anyone else in this world. “What’s going on with you? Weren’t you so proud after marrying Olivia?” “Wasn’t your family of three living happily? How did you end up like this? Why did the doctor say your organs are starting to fail?” Kevin’s voice choked up. I smiled at him while wearing an oxygen mask. When we were young, we made a promise that if one of us reached the end of their life, The other would handle everything afterwards, no matter what. I could no longer speak, so I struggled to raise my hand and point to my bag. Kevin took out several documents from the bag. He looked at the documents for a moment, then nodded slightly and put them in his own bag. Fortunately, our understanding of each other hasn’t changed. We could understand each other’s thoughts without words. Only 3 hours left until my death. I gave up on resuscitation. After another bout of unconsciousness, I woke up. Kevin showed me his phone. It was a message from Jason: [Adrian, I won! I got everything of yours] [You thought you could compete with me? You only have yourself to blame for not being capable enough. Who told your parents to like me so much?] [Just quietly leave the family! I’ll help you take good care of your parents, and your wife and daughter too!] After reading this, Kevin, a hot-blooded young man, cried and cursed in the ward. I sighed self-mockingly in my heart. In my life, I had never regretted anything, except for asking Dad to sponsor Jason. I first saw Jason in a run-down orphanage. At that time, I was following my teacher as a young volunteer at the orphanage. It was snowing heavily that day, and all the children were huddled inside to keep warm. Only Jason was in the backyard, picking leftover bones from the garbage to eat. I couldn’t bear to watch and begged my father to sponsor Jason. After that, Jason and I became close brothers who shared everything. The next year, Jason came to my class. As soon as he arrived, he won the favor of teachers and classmates with his excellence. Whenever someone praised him, I was also very proud. Until later, things started to go wrong. My friends inexplicably began to distance themselves from me, while treating Jason as their best friend. The girls who liked me also gradually became cold towards me, and instead professed their love for Jason. Even my parents began to frequently invite Jason home for meals and to stay over. They even divided up my room to make it Jason’s room. I was too naive and insensitive back then. I never thought that Jason’s specialty was taking away everything that belonged to me amid others’ praises. By the time I realized it, My room was gone, My family was gone, Everything of mine had been occupied by Jason. Actually, I once asked Jason why, but his answer left me feeling cold all over: “Adrian, did you think I would thank you for sponsoring me? How could I possibly thank you?” “I really can’t stand the way you show off in front of me. I will definitely take everything away from you,” “I just want to see your desperate expression after I’ve taken everything from you!” … I once thought I could drive Jason away. I also thought I could make my parents and Olivia see through his facade. But I was too naive. I underestimated Jason’s methods, and overlooked the fondness my parents, Olivia, and even Emma had for him. I lost completely. Only 9 minutes left until my death. My consciousness began to fade, and my vision started to blur. But I still saw the message Mom sent me on Kevin’s phone: [Adrian, have someone repaint the walls of your house in the next few days. Your brother has a favorite color!] [Also, your brother will be discharged in half a month. When he’s out, move some of your things out. Jason needs to put his stuff in!] Even in the last moments of my life, Mom was still concerned about Jason. It seems I really wasn’t important in her heart. So be it then… Kevin seemed to be crying and shouting something in my ear, but I couldn’t hear anymore. I’ve fought for so many years, I’m really too tired. Finally, I can have a good sleep… On November 24th, Adrian Sullivan passed away at Seaside City Hospital at the age of 29. Jason was watching TV in his hospital bed when the door suddenly opened. He looked up and saw a man enter – his biological father. “What are you doing here?” Jason’s eyes flashed with disgust, but also a hint of fear. Frank sneered, “Well, if I hadn’t abandoned you at the orphanage back then, how could you have met such a rich family?” “I’m out of money. Transfer me $100,000!” Jason sat up abruptly, glaring at Frank. “Why should I? Have you ever taken care of me for a single day since I was born?” Frank sat down leisurely on the sofa in the hospital room. “Cut the crap, Jason. Let me tell you, I know all about your dirty tricks.” “You better transfer the money to me quietly, and we won’t have to get ugly. Otherwise, you know what I’m capable of!” Jason’s hands clenched into fists. After a long moment, he finally relaxed them. “Fine, give me some time. I need to be discharged before I can make money.” Frank scoffed, “You don’t have the luck to be born a young master, but you’ve got the illness of one. It’s just early-stage cancer, wasting so much money!” “I’ll give you two days. If I don’t see the money in two days, I’ll go find your adoptive father in the Sullivan family!” Frank kicked open the door and left. Jason violently smashed the glass cup on the bedside table. He was breathing heavily, his eyes filled with intense hatred. Why… Why could everyone else have such a happy life, while he was only fit to be abandoned at an orphanage by such a beast of a father? Why did he have to live a life of being looked down upon? He had worked so hard to take over Adrian’s place, pushing the Sullivan’s son out of the family. He absolutely refused to go back to that hand-to-mouth existence! Jason got up from the hospital bed. After tricking Adrian out of the chemotherapy opportunity, his recovery was progressing faster day by day. He would be discharged soon. But now, he just wanted to quickly sell off all the property, stores, and companies he had snatched from Adrian, Then transfer all the money overseas in batches, and leave the country under some pretext. This way, his beast of a father would never find him again, And neither would the gullible Sullivan family. Yes, he had to get this done as soon as possible! He told the nurse at the station that he was going out for some fresh air, then went downstairs and called a taxi to the bank. At the bank, Jason handed his card to the teller, his heart trembling with excitement. Soon, Adrian’s money would be his. He would finally be free. But then, the teller suddenly looked up, giving him a strange look. “Sir, the name and identity on this card don’t match yours,” “Sir, did you bring the wrong card?” Jason was stunned. “How is that possible? When we were doing the paperwork earlier, my family had already transferred the ownership of this card to me!” “Could there be a mistake on your end?” The teller shook her head, “Sir, the owner of this card is still Mr. Adrian Sullivan, and this card has been placed under a property protection freeze at our bank!” Jason was dumbfounded. Property protection freeze?

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295833”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn