Author: Momo Chan

I was five months pregnant when an Uber driver hit me and knocked me to the ground. At the hospital, the doctors couldn’t get a hold of my family for a while. The girl who hit me cried helplessly on the phone: “I hit a pregnant woman, I’m so scared… Daniel.” That familiar name made me freeze. Half an hour later, the ward door was pushed open forcefully, and a wave of cedarwood scent filled the room. The man who appeared in the ward was none other than my husband, Daniel, who had told me he was on a business trip out of town and would bring gifts for our baby when he returned. “Does it still hurt?” Daniel stood at the doorway, his face etched with anxiety. I rubbed my eyes, and after confirming it was really Daniel, the emotions I’d held back all night burst like a dam. I didn’t have time to wonder why he was here. All I wanted was to rush into his arms and cry, pouring out all my grievances, fears, and helplessness. But the next second, all the words got stuck in my throat. I watched as Daniel walked towards the girl who had hit me. His eyes were red as he scolded her: “If this hadn’t happened, would you have never contacted me again?” “You used to get lost just going to school. What makes you think you can be an Uber driver?” “Looks like in all the years you’ve been gone, you didn’t marry a rich man, either.” Scarlett was silent for a moment, then pulled back the covers, got out of bed, and limped towards the door. As she passed, Daniel grabbed her. “You’re injured. Where are you going?” Scarlett cried in frustration, trying to pull away from him. “It’s none of your business. Even if I die, it has nothing to do with you!” Daniel’s chest heaved. Scarlett, with her leg in a cast, limped out. After only a few steps, he quickly caught up and scooped her into his arms. Scarlett hit him fiercely. Finally, she ran out of strength and quietly sat back on the bed. She lowered her head and choked, “The person I hit looks really wealthy. For wealthy people like you, retaliating against someone poor like me is as easy as crushing an ant.” “You came here today, aren’t you just here to see me fall apart?” “Do you think I wanted to drive drunk? The guys at the bar pressured me into drinking. For those two hundred dollars, I had to take a shot.” “I’m really exhausted, and my rent still isn’t paid. I don’t want to be evicted!” Scarlett burst into tears. Daniel’s voice was hoarse: “Scarlett, why won’t you let me help you?” The girl looked up in surprise and threw herself into his arms. Snot mixed with tears wiped onto his clothes. “Really?” Daniel was a germaphobe, but he didn’t flinch. After a long moment, he sighed, his voice laced with resignation: “I owe you.”

I froze, my heart clenching. Scarlett. So, she was Daniel’s legendary first love. His friends used to joke around when they were drunk. They said back in college, he’d get into fights for her. He even deliberately messed up a section on his college entrance exams just to get into the same school as her. He even broke ties with his family for her. Just as he was about to propose, she left him, complaining that life was too tough. I, too, had once asked him jealously. “If she hadn’t left, would you have accepted my confession?” He gently wiped away my tears. “Chloe, I’m sorry. I haven’t given you enough security.” And now, staring at the staggering 54 missed calls on my phone screen. My eyes suddenly stung and swelled. I stared numbly at the ceiling. Past scenes played uncontrollably in my mind. The year I met Daniel, I jumped into the ocean because of school bullying. As the freezing water filled my nose and mouth, he jumped in and pulled me out. “Do you know how painful it is to drown, with seawater filling your lungs?” Moonlight spilled onto his face, his eyes shining brightly. “Things will get better as long as you’re alive. I’ll protect you. No one will ever hurt you again.” That hug, I remembered for years. Later, he helped me report and deal with the bullies, teaching me how to protect myself. I used the money I earned from my part-time job to treat him to dinner, and emboldened by the alcohol, I took his hand: “I knew one day you’d become the most incredible lawyer.” He froze, his eyes slightly red, and he downed another drink. I followed him for four years, but I never dared to confess. After college, my parents kept pressuring me to move back home and settle down. At the train station, on the day I was leaving, he suddenly hugged me. “Chloe, stay and be with me, okay?” At that moment. The sound of the train boarding announcement, along with my racing heartbeat. From then on, I gave up the comfortable life my family had planned for me and squeezed into a tiny studio apartment with him. When we were at our poorest, we’d only eat cheap, discounted pasta. Every time, he’d give me the egg from his bowl. “Chloe, you’re too thin. Eat more.” To earn more money, he worked three jobs at once, even collapsing from exhaustion. I rushed to the hospital, crying and scolding him. “You idiot! Daniel, you’re such a fool!” “I don’t need a big house, I just need you to be safe and sound.” “If you’d just propose, I’d say yes in a heartbeat, even if we had to live in a rental forever, I’d be happy!” But he said, “Chloe, I can’t let you suffer. I can’t let you endure hardships with me. Once I’m stronger, I’ll marry you in style, the way you deserve.” Daniel kept his word. By our third year in the city, he had become a partner at a top-tier law firm, and his career soared. We also moved from a ten-square-meter basement apartment to a spacious penthouse. On the opening day of his firm, he proposed to me in front of everyone. “Chloe, will you marry me?” But now, the man who once promised to always put me first. His heart seemed to belong to someone else.

As the anesthesia wore off, a dull, pervasive ache in my lower abdomen reminded me: There was still a tiny life inside me, the culmination of our love. I hesitated for a long time, finally trembling as I opened my chat with Daniel on SnapChat. Chloe, give him, give us, one last chance. [Where are you?] Daniel picked up his phone: “Chloe, the case isn’t wrapped up yet, so I’ll be back in a couple of days. Get some good rest. I’ll take you to your prenatal check-up when I return.” His voice was as gentle as ever. Daniel had a lovely voice. I used to love listening to him coax me to sleep when I had insomnia. But now, he was using that gentle voice to lie to me. I froze. I didn’t reply until the phone screen went dark. Back then, Daniel would have immediately called me on FaceTime. He’d call again and again, asking if I was upset or felt wronged until I cheered up. But now, he naturally put down his phone and handed the porridge to Scarlett. Scarlett took a few sips and then put it down. She mumbled, her soft voice tinged with a hint of hesitation: “Are you… do you have a child?” Daniel didn’t answer. He just put the spoon back in her hand. “Finish it, then lie down and rest. Scarlett, you’re not a child, stop throwing a tantrum here.” Scarlett stubbornly lifted her head, tears welling in her eyes, looking wronged and defiant. “If it’s such a hassle, then just go back to her!” Daniel’s face darkened, his jaw clenched. During their struggle, the porridge on the table spilled. Daniel immediately reached out, shielding her with his body. The movement was practiced and natural, as if he’d done it countless times. Scarlett grabbed his scalded hand and anxiously blew on it: “I’m sorry.” The girl’s eyes reddened, and tears dripped onto the back of his hand. As if burned, Daniel instantly pulled his hand back. “Why are you crying? I’m the one who got burned, not you.” “Don’t think a few tears will make me forget everything. Scarlett, I’m not someone who forgets the pain once the wound has healed. When we broke up, I told you, ‘If you walk away, don’t ever come back. I won’t offer my heart to you a second time, just for you to trample on it!’” The Daniel before me, so out of control, was a stranger. After all, with me, he was always mature and composed. Even with the most challenging cases, he was always calm and unruffled. Scarlett was still crying. But her sobs grew softer. Daniel picked up his jacket and silently stood up. I remembered when we used to argue and give each other the silent treatment. He always insisted on debating everything logically, needing to win every argument, but he’d never just soothe me with a word. Back then, I thought he just didn’t know how to soften. But now, the figure paused at the doorway and turned back. He left, only to come back, tossing a tissue box to Scarlett. “Don’t… cry. Don’t worry about the shattered pieces on the floor; the nurse will clean it up. And I’ll have someone send some new food.” Scarlett took it, stopping her tears. “I want the seafood soup you used to make. All these years I’ve been away, I always miss that taste. Can you make it for me?” Daniel murmured an “Mhm.” It was soft, but it landed heavily on my heart.

The door closed. So, Daniel, the lawyer known for his rationality, his calm demeanor, and his refusal to ever back down. He, too, would abandon all his pride and boundaries, clumsily seeking reconciliation with someone. He, too, would willingly cook seafood soup for someone. And I had been married to him for five years, yet I didn’t even know he could cook. Tears streamed uncontrollably. I cried myself to sleep. In my dream, I was back on the beach that year, Daniel holding me, gently saying: “Chloe, I’ll protect you forever.” But the next second, the scene shattered, and Scarlett appeared. Daniel was intimately holding and kissing her hand. And I, along with the baby in my belly. Were forever abandoned in the cold ocean. My breathing grew painful, and my stomach cramped. When the pain woke me, my pillow was already soaked. I couldn’t tell if it was sweat or tears. The curtain was pulled back. A man in a suit stood by the bed next to mine. Scarlett saw me and greeted me warmly: “Miss Chloe, you’re awake! Hello, my name is Scarlett. I’m so, so sorry about yesterday. It was my fault for accidentally hitting you. It was completely careless of me to drink and drive, and you got so badly hurt, even affecting the baby. Please, can you forgive me?” She offered me a bowl of seafood soup. “My boyfriend made this for you. I haven’t seen your husband since yesterday. You’re pregnant, so you should eat something nutritious.” I didn’t take it, just asked, “Boyfriend?” Scarlett didn’t deny it, just blushed slightly, looking shy. “Well, ‘ex-boyfriend’ who I’ve loved for eight years, I suppose. Yesterday, when the accident happened, I was so scared I called him. I didn’t expect him to rush back from overseas overnight.” I symbolically took the bowl but didn’t drink. I’m allergic to seafood. Plus, during pregnancy, any strong, fishy smell already makes me nauseous. So I had no appetite. Seeing this, Scarlett bit her lip: “Miss Chloe, you won’t drink it. Does that mean you won’t forgive me? Are you still angry? I really didn’t mean it.” She was the one who hit me, causing my baby’s condition to be unstable. Yet, standing there, she showed no remorse; instead, she looked like she was the one who had suffered a grave injustice. Seeing my silence, she dropped her warm demeanor: “Miss Chloe, my ex-boyfriend is a lawyer. He insisted on helping me. Originally, I didn’t want to make things so tense, but now it looks like we’ll have to involve the lawyers.” A legal assistant nearby stepped forward and handed me a settlement agreement. “Hello, I’m an assistant to Mr. Daniel from Sterling Law Firm.” “This is a settlement agreement. If you’re willing to sign it, we can discuss the compensation terms.” I raised my hand, not even looking at it. I gently pushed it away. “I won’t sign.” Scarlett frowned, apparently finding me uncooperative. The lawyer stiffened. After a moment, he awkwardly pulled out his phone and made a call. During the long ringing. Scarlett looked at me, a flicker of triumph in her eyes. The call was answered. From the receiver, Daniel’s voice came through. “Speak.” “Mr. Daniel, the other party won’t sign. What should we do?” Daniel continued: “Tell her. If she doesn’t sign, she’ll face the consequences.” His calm, detached tone carried impatience and a warning. I sneered. My dad’s company was framed by a rival for alleged tax evasion. He was taken in for questioning and could face jail time at any moment. Back then, I was so anxious I couldn’t sleep for nights. For the first time, I begged Daniel to help my dad, to save our family. But he said. “Chloe, I know you’re going through a lot right now. But as a lawyer, my professional ethics demand that I don’t let emotions get in the way.” At that time, I chose to understand him. But now. For Scarlett, he was willing to abandon the very principles he always upheld. Scarlett took the phone, glanced at me, and raised her voice. “Daniel. She probably won’t hurt me. What? You specifically moved me to a VIP room!”

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My sister, Chloe, was a total romantic, completely obsessed with beauty standards. When she was fifteen, because her classmates said beautiful girls were tall and thin, she got bone-lengthening surgery and starved herself for a month. At twenty, her boyfriend complained that her figure wasn’t “enchanting” enough. She then stole my $70,000 in emergency medical funds for plastic surgery. Watching Chloe post on Instagram, “I’m so much prettier now. Do you want to see me?” I was furious. I just wanted fairness. But my mom, who always favored Chloe, snarled, “You’re worthless. If this money makes your sister happy, it’s the only good thing your pathetic life will ever amount to! Just die already, stop being a burden to us!” With that, she pulled off my oxygen mask. And I died, filled with resentment. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Chloe stole my money. This time, I called the police immediately. “I know the law better than I used to. Do you want to go to prison?”

“Maya, your sister just took some of your money, right? Do you have to be so petty?” When Mom Eleanor’s chilling voice rang in my ears, I realized I had been reborn. In my previous life, my love-struck sister stole my emergency funds for plastic surgery, desperate to win back her boyfriend. When I found out, Chloe scoffed, “Maya, I’m enhancing my looks, pursuing happiness! Unlike you, who’s ugly and fat and totally clueless about it!” I was so furious, I could only laugh. “You’re destroying yourself to meet beauty standards!” But Chloe shrugged it off, even cried to Mom, claiming I bullied her. Eleanor, hearing this, immediately glared at me viciously and personally signed my death warrant. “You burden! Chloe is our family’s darling, how dare you bully her? Go die!” Snapping back to reality, I met their arrogant gaze and smiled coldly. “Fine. I know the law better than I used to. Grand theft is ten years in prison! If you’re not afraid of jail time, go ahead and try it!” My words made Chloe’s face go pale. “Maya, you’re so cruel!” Her tears started flowing immediately. “Is it wrong for me to want to be beautiful? Are you just jealous that I’m younger and prettier, that’s why you’re treating me like this?” Eleanor looked at Chloe’s reddened nose and instantly felt sympathy. She pointed a finger at my face and yelled, “Maya! You vicious, venomous girl! Chloe is your own sister, don’t you care about family ties anymore? You ungrateful wretch!” She wielded the knife of ‘family love’ without hesitation, each blow aimed to kill. Looking at her familiar yet strange face, my heart ached. We were both her daughters. Why could Chloe openly enjoy her favoritism? What did I do wrong? Why did she hate me so much? My thoughts returned. I looked at Eleanor, each word torn from my soul. “Eleanor, I need money for my treatment too! I’m your daughter too! Why are you always so biased towards Chloe? Tell me, what do I have to do to earn your affection?” I wanted to find even a flicker of remorse or affection on her face. But there was nothing. Eleanor shielded Chloe, her cold eyes held only distance and indifference. “Chloe is younger, shouldn’t you, as the older sister, be more understanding?” I laughed, tears welling up. It seemed no matter how much I screamed and begged, her ability to deflect was more brutal. Perhaps she was tired from yelling. She glared at me fiercely and walked out of the hospital room. “Forget it, I don’t want to be around a heartless creature like you. You’re bad news!” The door slammed shut, echoing dully. Leaving me standing there, like a discarded clown. That afternoon, Chloe sought me out. The girl’s face had lost its earlier pitiful look, replaced by a hint of triumph. “Want to know why Mom hates you so much?” She raised an eyebrow, her tone full of provocation. “Give me seven thousand dollars. And I’ll tell you.” I gritted my teeth and paid her. After Chloe saw the transfer notification, she gave a cold laugh. “Alright, if you want the truth, just look at this photo.” She picked up a yellowed photo and shoved it into my hand. I lowered my gaze. My eyes involuntarily widened. The woman in the photo had eyes that curved into crescents, and a pair of shallow dimples appeared when she smiled. She looked almost exactly like me.

“Maya, because of your face, even looking at you makes Mom sick! Before you were born, Dad had an affair and left Mom for another woman. During that time, Mom spent her days in tears, begging Dad to come back, but Dad mercilessly hurt Mom for that other woman…” My body trembled uncontrollably. My mind went blank instantly. “So, Mom hates me because I look exactly like that other woman?” Each word felt like swallowing broken glass. Chloe nodded, her expression cold as ice. “Yes, because of you. The moment Mom sees you, she remembers endless pain. So, Maya, just die already, stop being an eyesore!” So that was it. Just because I resembled “the other woman who stole Dad,” from the moment I was born, I became a thorn in Mom’s side. My existence was a constant reminder of her broken marriage, of her painful past. It turned out, Mom’s favoritism, Mom’s cruelty, had never been rooted in anything I did, but simply because my face resembled the person she utterly despised. I looked at Chloe’s smug face and suddenly found it incredibly laughable. All these years, I had endured so much hardship, all because of a face. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. If no one loved me, if no one helped me, then I would love myself! This life, I wouldn’t tolerate it anymore. Everything they owed me, I would make them pay for it, one by one! Chloe took the money and immediately went for plastic surgery. But after her eyelid surgery, she decided her chest wasn’t big enough. She demanded that I pay for her breast augmentation. I refused. She then wept pitifully in front of Eleanor. This time, Eleanor completely lost it. She grabbed my hair and screamed, “You ungrateful wretch! I gave you life, you have to do whatever I tell you! Now I order you, give Chloe the money immediately! Or I’ll kick you out of this house! I’ll disown you!” Watching Chloe’s smugly triumphant expression from the side, I sneered inwardly. Outwardly, I deliberately feigned terror. ” Eleanor, I know I was wrong, I’ll give it to her right now…” Chloe, seemingly satisfied with my submission, walked over and patted my face. Her tone was contemptuous: “Maya, you really are a spineless coward, such a pathetic wimp!” I rubbed my scalp where Eleanor had pulled my hair, playing the role of the meek, submissive daughter. “$70,000 is a huge sum. Once you sign the contract, the money is yours, and I won’t ask for it back!” Chloe immediately nodded, afraid I’d change my mind. “Smart move! Sign it! Hurry up!” I curled my lips into a smile. I took out the contract I had prepared long ago from my bedroom drawer and handed it to her. The girl took it, didn’t even glance at the contents, grabbed a pen, and scribbled her name down. After signing, she ecstatically contacted the plastic surgeon. “Book me the most exclusive breast augmentation surgery! I want it tomorrow!” Then, she called her deadbeat boyfriend, Jake. “Honey, I’m getting my chest done even bigger tomorrow, I promise you’ll love it!” Hearing this, I almost laughed out loud. She really was a love-struck woman obsessed with her looks! But she didn’t know that what she had signed wasn’t a gift deed, but a $70,000 high-interest loan agreement. The girl was still immersed in her joy, completely oblivious to my menacing smile behind her. The next day, just after waking up, I saw Chloe’s location on her Instagram story. It was at the most exclusive plastic surgery clinic downtown. In the photo, she captioned: “I’m so much prettier now, do you want to see me?” I stared at the words and smiled. Chloe, your good days are numbered! Half a month later, Chloe’s Instagram posts stopped updating. I asked a nurse, and that’s when I found out she’d had problems at the hospital: Excessive liposuction caused skin necrosis, breast implant infection led to inflammation, and even her eyelid surgery resulted in a nasty scar due to tissue rejection. Her deadbeat boyfriend, Jake, saw her disfigured appearance. He immediately dumped her. After the breakup, Chloe was devastated. She climbed onto the rooftop, contemplating suicide. Eleanor was frantic. She immediately grabbed my arm and appeared before Chloe. “Chloe, please come down. Mom will find a way to fix your face again, okay?” Chloe was sobbing hysterically. “But, the $70,000 is all gone! Maya, where else would she get money?” Eleanor’s eyes shifted. She turned her head to look at me. Her eyes were cold. “Tomorrow, you’ll marry that old guy, and the $70,000 payment will pay for your sister’s treatment!” I was stunned. For money, she could be so ruthlessly extreme towards me! Chloe’s eyes immediately lit up.

She mumbled, “Yes, once I get the money from Maya’s marriage, I’ll get repairs! This time I’ll definitely look beautiful! Jake will definitely come back!” There was no way I would sacrifice my own happiness for Chloe. Eleanor saw my indifference and instantly blew up. She slapped me hard across the face. “Your sister is about to jump off the roof, and you’d just leave her to die? Do you have a heart of stone? Maya, I truly regret giving birth to such a cold, selfish, ungrateful daughter!” I turned my head away, a handprint quickly appearing on my cheek. The people around gasped and murmured. Seeing this, Eleanor slapped her leg and started crying and wailing loudly. “Oh, the injustice! My older daughter is driving my younger daughter to suicide, what am I supposed to do? I have never done anything wrong in my life, how did I raise such a cold-blooded, heartless creature! My younger daughter is standing on the edge of the rooftop, one step and she’s dead! But my older daughter? She won’t even bat an eye!” She cried, peeking at the gathering neighbors from the corner of her eye. Seeing more and more people gather, her wails grew louder, and she even beat her chest, as if she was on the verge of collapsing: “Why is my life so miserable! I gave birth to two daughters, the younger one is sweet and obedient, but the older one is a cold, unfeeling rock! If my younger daughter jumps, I don’t want to live either, I’ll just jump with her!” The neighbors, unaware of the full story, listened. They all started blaming me. “Ugh! Ungrateful wretch! A disgrace to society! It’d be better if such a child hadn’t been born! She’s ultimately a heartless monster!” Probing, scornful gazes assailed me, making me feel utterly suffocated. They were clearly just trying to crucify me. Cold sweat seeped down my back. I prepared to agree for now, then escape this toxic family later. Just then, several men in suits appeared. They held documents and walked up to Chloe, saying sternly: “Are you Ms. Chloe? We are from the loan company. You took out a loan of $70,000 from us, and with interest, it totals $140,000. The repayment date is today, when will you be able to pay it back?” Chloe frowned slightly. She seemed confused. Then, she scoffed, as if she’d heard the most ridiculous joke. “$140,000? You must be mistaken, right? How could I possibly take out a loan? If you want to scam people, go somewhere else, I’m not stupid!” The leading man sighed. He handed the document to her, pointing to the signature. “Ms. Chloe, please look carefully! This is the loan contract you personally signed, amounting to $140,000, and the repayment date is today. If you cannot repay it today, we will, according to the contract, seize all your assets and pursue legal action.” The girl’s smile froze on her face. She still couldn’t quite believe it, grabbing the document. She ran her finger over the signature repeatedly. After confirming it was indeed her handwriting, she was stunned. The color slowly drained from Chloe’s face… She suddenly looked up at me, urgently asking, “Maya, what is this? The contract you gave me wasn’t a $70,000 gift deed, was it? Is this all your doing!? Maya, you tricked me, didn’t you?! This isn’t a gift deed at all, it’s a trap you set for me!” I stood by, tilting my head and smirking mockingly. “Oh, I don’t understand, Chloe… Chloe, I only knew you wanted money, so I gave you a loan contract. Is there a problem with that?” Chloe’s face instantly went white. “It really was you! You bitch! How dare you trick me!” She screamed hysterically, lunging at me, trying to hit me. “You evil witch! You’re absolutely twisted! I’m going to kill you!” The leading man stopped her, saying coldly, “Ms. Chloe, please calm down. This is not the time to throw a tantrum. Either pay back the $140,000 today, or we proceed with legal action.” Chloe’s legs went weak, and she collapsed to the ground, tears instantly gushing out. “$140,000? Where would I get that much money? You might as well just kill me…” Eleanor, standing nearby, also looked stunned. Her eyes hollow, she said, “It’s over, it’s all over now!”

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On graduation day, Brenda, who disowned me five years ago, suddenly called me home. I thought she regretted kicking me out, but the moment I walked in, I saw that 50-year-old bachelor from our old town. “Ashley,” Brenda said, her eyebrows knitting in impatience, “you’re not getting any younger. I called you back for your wedding. I’ve found you a good husband.” The old man, Frank, his face a mass of wrinkles, grinned and reached for my hand. I recoiled, backing away, staring at Brenda and my sister, Brittany, in disbelief. “Why are you doing this to me?” Brenda’s eyebrows shot up, her face instantly filled with annoyance. “What’s wrong? Mr. Frank is being very generous with the wedding money. Aren’t you satisfied?” It was all about money. My last shred of hope shattered. Looking at my family, eager to push me into this abyss, I swallowed my tears and forced a faint smile. “Fine,” I said. “I’ll marry him.” The Mr. Frank my mom and sister kept talking about, was Frank Donovan. He used to be married. But his drinking, gambling, and domestic abuse literally drove his wife to her death. After that, every family in town with a daughter avoided him like the plague. Yet, my mother was practically begging to marry me off to him. Frank flashed his yellow teeth at me. “So this is my little bride, huh! Look how soft her skin is! Come here, let me get a look at you.” I stood frozen, unable to process what was happening. Seeing I didn’t move, Frank got up and started walking toward me, intending to grab my hand. I backed away repeatedly, staring at Brenda and Brittany in disbelief. “Mom! Brittany! How can you do this to me!” “I thought… I thought you regretted kicking me out of the house when I was just a kid and couldn’t even survive on my own. I thought you called me back to make amends.” Brittany snickered, as if she’d heard the funniest joke. “Are you stupid from all that studying? Kicking you out was the smartest thing Mom ever did.” Brenda’s face hardened at my words, her tone icy. “What did we do to you? Haven’t we been good enough?” “You’re not getting any younger. We saw you couldn’t find a husband, so we helped you find one. And here you are, picking and choosing!” “You ungrateful brat, you haven’t given us a single dime in five years. Now you marry Mr. Frank, give us the wedding money, and we’ll be even.” Even? But I never owed this family anything. Looking at my family, eager to push me into this abyss, I swallowed my tears and forced a faint smile. “Fine,” I said. “I’ll marry him.” Growing up, Brittany always got everything good. If I wanted a piece of cake, I’d get beaten with a stick. Brenda would say, “How dare you try to take from your sister?” When it was too cold in winter, I secretly took an old jacket Brittany didn’t want, but Brenda made me kneel outside in the freezing cold as punishment. I was just the extra one, Brittany was the family’s darling. It was pathetic how I still harbored a shred of hope for this family.

“That’s right!” “Why would I hurt you? Just follow your Mr. Frank and enjoy life.” “Look at your classmates, working hard to find jobs after graduation, but you won’t have to! Mr. Frank will take care of you, how great is that! Others would kill to be in your shoes!” Brenda slapped her thigh excitedly, unable to hide her grin, as if my pain was invisible to her. Brittany spoke up smugly from beside her. “You fought so hard to go to college in the city, but now you’re still coming back to town to get married. And you caused trouble with Mom, got nothing better to do!” Frank rubbed his hands together, his gaze on me greasy and unsettling. “You don’t worry,” he said, “after we’re married, you’ll have two kids in three years!” Then he tried to grab my hand again. I subtly dodged him, and he grew visibly angry. “Bitch! You agreed to marry me, what’s wrong with a little touch? Just you wait until we’re married, I’ll teach you a lesson!” I smiled politely, my eyes cold as I watched them. Frank called his mom, asking her to come over and check me out. I just sat there quietly, listening to them haggle. “My daughter is a college graduate, young and smart! Eighteen thousand is too little! Her kids will be smart, too! It has to be two hundred eighty thousand dollars!” Brenda stood there, arms crossed, her eyes sharp, engaged in a verbal battle with Frank. Frank wouldn’t back down. “We agreed on eighteen thousand! Why are you trying to haggle now?” “You’re unreliable! You think I won’t just call off the wedding?” “There are other college graduate daughters around here, not just yours!” Brittany quickly interjected, trying to smooth things over. “Mr. Frank, please don’t!” “Just tell us, what do you think of my sister? Is she to your liking?” “If you like her, you have to pay a fair price.” Frank scanned me up and down, his smile sickeningly sticky. Finally, he relented. “Wait for my mom to get here! She’s the one with the money, whatever you can get from her is your problem.” When I went to school, my family didn’t support me. Brenda outright kicked me out and disowned me, precisely so I couldn’t ask them for a single cent. Now, it was for money again. She called me back to ruin the rest of my life. Just then, the sound of a baby crying came from the house. Brittany and Brenda were completely unfazed. I looked at them, puzzled. “Mom, what’s going on? Where did a baby come from?” Brittany, thinking of something, couldn’t hide her delight. “It’s your nephew, of course! We’re just waiting for you to get married. Once I get the money, I can finally live a good life!” So, Brenda and Brittany were selling me to Frank, using the money to fund Brittany’s wedding and raise her baby. Brenda cut Brittany off and turned to me. “Tomorrow, you’ll go to City Hall with Frank to get married.”

My heart skipped a beat. I tried to sound calm. “Mom, isn’t that a little too fast?” I subtly started massaging Brenda’s back. “Marriage is a big deal. Being so rushed isn’t good.” Seeing Brenda ignored me, I felt a pang of anxiety. “Mr. Frank, why don’t you just come to the city with me? I just found a job, and I make twenty thousand dollars a month!” Frank immediately refused, glaring at me menacingly. “No way! What if you dump me once we’re in the city?” “You’ll stay here with me in the countryside, like a good girl! You’re not allowed to go anywhere.” “If you try to run, I’ll break your legs!” He was clearly terrified I’d escape. Brenda’s eyes were practically glowing as she looked at me, reconfirming. “Is that really how much you make?” “You’re not trying to fool me, are you?” I pulled out my phone to show them. “Of course not! Look, all the terms are clearly written here.” “This company is a global public enterprise; promotions and raises won’t be an issue in the future.” Brenda snatched my phone, her eyes fixed on the “twenty thousand” salary. Her eyes lit up with greed, and she muttered to herself, “Twenty thousand a month? I only save ten thousand a year.” Then, like a fierce mother bear protecting her cub, Brenda shoved me behind her and yelled at Frank with newfound confidence. “Now you’re not good enough for my daughter! If you want to marry her, it’ll cost you at least a million dollars!” Brittany stared at me, green with envy and disbelief. “Twenty thousand a month? You, that loser? No way!” “Mom, don’t let her fool you!” “She just wants to escape back to the city; then we won’t be able to do anything about her.” Brenda looked at me skeptically, then switched off my phone and put it in her pocket. “I doubt you’d try anything funny.” Frank’s gaze on me turned vicious, his greasy facade of innocence dropping. “Her making twenty thousand is her money. If she goes to the city, will she really give it to you obediently?” “You should still marry her to me. Once she has a baby, she’ll be tied down, then you can let her go to the city to find work and support the family.” “Then we’ll be one family, and we’ll all share whatever she earns.” Brenda thought about his words for a moment, deciding he made sense. Then she started yelling at me. “I almost fell for your tricks! Dreaming of running back to the city? Never!” “You’ll marry Frank first, have a baby, and then you can go out and work.” “When you go back to the city, you’ll take me and your sister with you. We raised you for so many years; now it’s your turn to repay us.” A cold laugh bubbled in my chest. Repay them? Did they really have no idea how they “raised” me? At 15, I weighed only sixty pounds, severely malnourished, a stark contrast to Brittany. If it weren’t for my schoolteachers taking pity on me and secretly slipping me food, I doubted I would have even grown up. I continued to play along, affectionately looping my arm through Brenda’s, faking sweetness for the first time. “Okay, Mom, I’ll do whatever you say.” “I really missed you these past five years, not being able to come home.” As I said it, I felt a surge of nausea. I reached for my phone, but she slapped my hand away. “What are you doing!” “You can’t have your phone back yet. Get things settled first, so you don’t try any funny business.” I had no choice but to give up and wait to see what would happen. That night, Frank’s mom arrived. Her back was hunched, her body stooped, but her eyes were unnervingly clear.

Brittany eagerly led me to stand between Frank and Ms. Donovan. “Ms. Donovan, look, this is my sister. Isn’t she beautiful!” Ms. Donovan scrutinized me from head to toe, her expression disdainful. “She’s fine, but too thin. How can she have sons with such a small butt?” As she spoke, she reached out and pinched my butt. Just as I was about to lose it, Brenda slammed a cup on the table. “How dare you look down on my daughter? My daughter is a college graduate; is your son good enough for her? The eighteen thousand we discussed before is off the table. I want two hundred eighty thousand!” “What!” Ms. Donovan was shocked by Brenda’s outrageous demand. After all, in this town, a family that could produce eighteen thousand dollars was already considered wealthy. Let alone Brenda now demanding two hundred eighty thousand. Frank quickly stood up, went to his mom’s side, and whispered something to her. Ms. Donovan looked at me again, her expression different now. Then she took off the cheap jade bracelet from her wrist and put it on mine. I forced a smile and accepted it, feeling nauseous at the sight of these ugly faces around the table. Finally, they impatiently set the wedding for two days later. After dinner, I wanted some fresh air, so I took a stroll around town. Just because I was outside for half an hour, Brenda slapped me the moment I returned. “Were you trying to run away?” Brittany fanned the flames. “You walked out right after dinner, what else would you be doing if not trying to run?” I tried to defend myself, but Brenda didn’t listen and continued to punch and kick me. I looked up at them, my eyes filled with hatred. Brenda shivered under my gaze, then kicked me again. She then tightly bound me with rope and roughly shoved me into the room. I was locked up for a full day and two nights. During that time, I begged, I cried. They didn’t even give me a bite to eat or a drop to drink. Why did I come back to torment myself? On the morning of the supposed wedding, I was finally untied, shaking my numb hands. “You little bitch, if you dare to run again, I’ll break your legs!” Brenda’s shrill voice rang out. I didn’t respond. “I’ve already given the money to your sister. Don’t blame me for being cruel. Your sister needs that money more than you.” Brittany chimed in. “Exactly.” I ignored Brittany and turned to Brenda, unable to keep my thoughts to myself. “Why are you pretending? Didn’t you call me back just to sell me off and give all the money to Brittany for her wedding?” Brenda glared at me, righteous fury in her voice. “We’re your family! You make a fuss over us spending a little of your money? You’ll never be done complaining!” I froze, no longer willing to humor them. “If I remember correctly, five years ago, you were the one who kicked me out.” “And this time you called me back, just to sell me for a good price, so why bother with these grand words? You’re so hypocritical!” Brittany rushed toward me, snatching my bag and rummaging through it in front of me. She didn’t find a single dime, stomped her foot, and walked off. Brenda’s face was beet red, furious. “How dare you talk back? I’m your mother! I can treat you however I want!” “I’m telling you, if your sister’s wedding gets messed up, you won’t have it easy either! Hurry up and help your sister get the money!” Just then, Frank walked in, and Brenda’s tirade abruptly stopped. Brenda then dragged me into the car. Puzzled, I asked, “Aren’t we having the wedding? Where are we going?” Frank’s lecherous voice answered. “To get our marriage license, of course. We’ll be back just in time for the ceremony.” I was too weak from hunger to resist, responding coldly to his words, calmly looking out the window. This farce needed to come to an end. At City Hall, Brenda held my arm firmly, whispering a warning in my ear. “If you dare to say anything to the staff, don’t blame me…” I forced a smile and nodded, walking determinedly into City Hall. Frank was practically beaming, and Brenda gave me a satisfied smile. Then the clerk double-checked the computer, then looked at me, confused. “Ma’am, aren’t you already married?”

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Our company arranged a work retreat to India. My girlfriend’s idol, Thomason, insisted on bringing the models, dressed in mini-skirts, to ride a shady local bus. He had no idea how rampant sexual assault was in India. And watching them actively courting disaster, I didn’t say a single word. It was only because in my previous life, for everyone’s safety, I reported this to our boss, Mr. Harrison. That day, Mr. Harrison gave everyone a severe dressing-down, forcing my girlfriend and her model friends to cancel their plans to travel around India. But later, because Thomason insisted on going out, he was robbed on a shady local bus and tragically killed. My girlfriend, Leah, shifted the blame entirely to me, kidnapped me, and burned me alive. She even paid off the models to create an alibi for her. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Thomason invited the models to wear mini-skirts for a photoshoot on the bus. “Julian, stop being such a fearmonger!” “India is a country with an ancient civilization; it’s not the kind of place you describe, crawling with rapists!” “You’re always using those alarmist rumors to scare everyone, aren’t you just trying to ruin our plans to travel around India?” “I think you’re just jealous of Leah and Thomason’s good relationship, that’s why you’re trying to scare us with rapists!” Watching them put on their mini-skirts and pose, I didn’t utter a single word in retort. India has one of the highest rates of sexual assault in the world. On average, a girl is assaulted every five minutes. In a country where even ancient, sacred stones aren’t safe, going out dressed like that—the outcome was painfully obvious. After they finished changing, Leah, my girlfriend, walked in. When Thomason saw Leah, his eyes were glued to her. “Leah, you’re so sexy.” “You’re easily the most beautiful girl in the world!” “What? In your eyes, is only Leah beautiful? Are we not pretty?” The other model girls indignantly confronted Thomason. Surrounded by the models, Thomason quickly pleaded with them, “Beautiful! You’re all beautiful! Simply goddesses!” His expression was full of enjoyment. “Leah, let me ask you, between Julian and Thomason, who’s hotter?” Ruth chimed in, teasingly. When I was mentioned, Leah’s expression instantly turned to disgust. “Julian is such a clingy, annoying guy! He’s constantly trying to compete with Thomason for my attention.” “If you don’t want to come with us, then just get lost!” Since you’ve chosen to court disaster, I might as well give you a little push. “Mini-skirts are so boring. Bikinis are the real way to show off a woman’s charm.” “Only girls with truly great figures have the courage to wear bikinis in public.” “You think I wouldn’t dare?” Goaded on by me, Leah, not one to back down, immediately changed into a bikini. The other girls, confident their figures were just as good as Leah’s, also started picking out suitable sizes. Watching them excitedly choose their bikinis, I smiled coldly to myself. Let’s see if you can still laugh like that when those creeps in India get their hands on you and brutalize you.

Amidst the chatter, Mr. Harrison knocked and came in. Seeing everyone’s attire, his blood boiled. “This is India, not back home! Women covered head to toe are still at risk, and you dare to dress like this!” “Change your clothes, now!” Leah was startled at first, then ran over to Mr. Harrison, sweetly buttering him up. “Mr. Harrison, you’ve misunderstood. We just thought since we rarely get to travel, we wanted to take some promotional photos here at the hotel. Don’t worry, we absolutely won’t leave the hotel.” “Don’t you believe me? Ask them!” The rest of them all chimed in. “That’s right, Mr. Harrison, this way, we can even help promote the company’s paid international vacations!” Thomason sneered. “See how much Leah considers our company? Unlike some people, who only think of themselves and hinder others from contributing to the company.” Hearing that everyone claimed to be acting for the company’s benefit, Mr. Harrison’s face finally softened. He relaxed, but before leaving, he reiterated his warning. “I’ll say it again, you absolutely must not leave the hotel. Otherwise, whatever happens, I won’t be held responsible.” With that, he pulled me aside. “Julian, you’re always reliable. Keep an eye on them.” No sooner had Mr. Harrison walked out than the girls erupted in groans. “Everyone knows Julian is just the boss’s lapdog. How can we go out with him around?” “I was planning to post vlogs and become a huge influencer.” Someone, unwilling to give up, tugged on Thomason’s arm. “Leah, isn’t Julian your boyfriend? Go talk to him; he’ll definitely let us go.” Thomason suddenly raised his voice. “Think about it, everyone. How did Mr. Harrison show up so coincidentally? Could someone have snitched?” His meaningful gaze was fixed on me. “It has to be Julian!” Ruth shrieked. “Last month when we were partying at that bar in Thailand, he was the one who snitched!” I was speechless. Last month in Thailand, Thomason had a whim and insisted on taking the models to a bar for his birthday. But that place was a notorious hub for human traffickers operating in Southeast Asia. Local gang leaders had already noticed them. If I hadn’t told Mr. Harrison in time to bring them back, this group would probably have been sold into trafficking. I never thought they’d see it as me harming them. Incited by Thomason, they instantly grew furious, glaring at me as if they wanted to devour me. Thomason strode towards me, raising his hand to slap me. “So you’re the one with the big mouth, always running to the boss, huh?!” But I caught his incoming arm with one hand. I looked at him coldly. In my past life, I was blindly foolish, giving all my kindness to people who didn’t deserve it. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have been so good-hearted. “Get lost!” Thomason’s height and build were no match for mine. With one shove, he stumbled back two steps before falling sprawling on the ground. “Julian! You’re despicable! How dare you bully Thomason!” Leah shrieked, rushing to shield the fallen Thomason in her arms. “Julian, I know you’ve always been jealous of my good relationship with Leah, but we’re just good friends. I never intended to interfere with your relationship.” The fallen Thomason leaned into Leah’s embrace, speaking tearfully, yet provocatively rubbing his head against her ample chest. “Julian, I’ve never seen such a petty man!” “Someone like you doesn’t deserve our Leah!” Just as the models were lambasting me, Mr. Harrison knocked on the door again. They quickly shoved me into a corner, then blocked Mr. Harrison’s view at the door. Mr. Harrison frowned, surveyed the room, and warned again. “I’ll say it again: no leaving the hotel.” “The police just reported large crowds parading in the nearby streets. These people are mostly from the impoverished districts, uneducated, essentially like wild animals.” With that, he turned and left. But Leah hadn’t heard a word. She immediately started changing into bikinis with the other models. Thomason came up to me and challenged me in a low voice. “See? Leah has always liked me. She’s even willing to be my lapdog just to please me!” “You’re just a stepping stone she uses to appease me, something she can kick aside anytime!” I suddenly found it quite amusing. The models in our company were all from privileged, wealthy backgrounds. Many came from powerful and influential families. I’d like to see how these ungrateful fools would manage if something happened to them in India!

The next morning, before Mr. Harrison woke up, Leah and Thomason woke everyone up early to do their makeup and change clothes. Leah finished her makeup, wearing a sexy bikini that showcased her hot figure perfectly. Thomason held his camera, snapping countless photos of her. Glancing at me, he deliberately sneered in a sarcastic tone: “I’m so sorry, I actually wanted to take you along, but you made Leah angry, and she doesn’t want you to come.” “So you’ll just have to stay here and keep being Mr. Harrison’s lapdog.” Everyone laughed. One of the girls, Chloe, timidly raised her hand. “Isn’t this a bit too much? He’s our colleague after all.” “Too much?” Ruth slapped her across the face. “Is it not too much that he stole Leah from Thomason?” “If he hadn’t clung to her, would Leah have been forced to be his girlfriend?” Hearing her idiotic statement, I practically laughed in exasperation! It was ridiculous. Leah was a girl from a disadvantaged background, with limited education and career prospects. After joining the company, her performance was poor, she wasn’t making enough money, and she couldn’t afford food. I mentored her, teaching her the ropes, which allowed her to find her footing in the company. To win me over, she stood outside my apartment in a torrential downpour for a day and a night. Now, I was suddenly the other man? When Thomason ganged up on me to bully me, as my girlfriend, she didn’t even help. She actually enjoyed watching me get picked on by Thomason. Because she thought her male idol was fighting over her! Seeing that it was almost time, Leah waved everyone to head out. “Hurry up and get ready to leave. I can’t wait to get some amazing shots. This time, I’m sure a lot of people will like my posts.” Thomason also took out his camera. “Professional equipment is all ready.” After changing, they all swarmed towards the dilapidated old bus parked outside the door. This group of hot-figured girls instantly drew the attention of all the men nearby. Some bolder Indian men even gathered around the bus, clinging to the bus door, peering inside. But Leah didn’t see any danger; instead, she thought it was a testament to her immense charm. “I told you, India has a long and rich civilization.” “The people here are very kind; they’re not as scary as Julian made them out to be!” Ruth immediately chimed in, “Yes, Thomason is right. Julian is just a petty man, deliberately fabricating lies to scare us!” Amidst their laughter, the dilapidated bus slowly started moving. Watching them leave, I let out a cold laugh. I hoped they’d still be this happy in a little while. Not long after they left, Mr. Harrison came in. “Are your things packed? Should we head back home?” Before he finished speaking, he stopped, stunned by the empty room. “Where are they?” With reddened eyes, I regretfully told Mr. Harrison. “I’m sorry, Mr. Harrison, I couldn’t stop them. Thomason and Leah took everyone out to have fun.” “Nonsense! Which bus did they take?” Mr. Harrison’s face instantly turned livid! “Absurd!” “Absolutely lawless! I warned them repeatedly not to go out! They completely ignored my warnings!” Mr. Harrison paced frantically. “How long have they been gone?” “Almost an hour, I think.” Hearing that, his face instantly turned ashen. “This is bad! At this time, the entire state’s police force is deployed to handle the protests!” “Quickly, come with me! We’ll contact the embassy first, then report it to the local police to find them. Hurry, hurry!” I contacted a security company. I only dared to leave after the highly paid bodyguards arrived. They searched from dawn till dusk, finally finding the bus in a filthy, chaotic slum. But when they opened the bus door and saw the horrifying scene inside, everyone couldn’t help but vomit…

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Working as a sober driver at night, I accidentally picked up a Rolls-Royce ride. The owner turned out to be my ex-boyfriend from seven years ago. Anderson had one arm around a tipsy Judy, the other handing me the car keys. I tugged my baseball cap lower, nervously took the keys, and prayed they wouldn’t recognize me. The car started, and the partition between the front and back seats slowly lowered. Soon, Judy’s languid moans drifted from the backseat. Anderson’s voice was filled with doting affection: “Can’t you even wait for that?” Judy whined, “No, not here. There are no condoms in the car.” “What does it matter?” “What if I get pregnant?” Anderson paused. “Then we’ll have it.” My heart couldn’t help but throb with a dull ache. He’d said those exact words to me seven years ago. And because of that, we had a six-year-old daughter. He just didn’t know it. Even with the partition down, the soundproofing was practically useless. The sounds of their passionate lovemaking assaulted my ears. The veins on the back of my hand, gripping the steering wheel, bulged, but I dared not let my foot tremble on the accelerator. Right now, I was Sober Driver 09, not Marta. For Lester’s medical expenses, I couldn’t afford a complaint. “Anderson, slower…” Judy’s voice was sickeningly sweet. “What, you don’t like it?” Anderson’s voice, deep and raspy, held a predatory edge I’d once known intimately. Only now, that desire was for another woman. “Ugh… Oh, Anderson, the driver up front looks like a woman.” Judy’s words took an abrupt turn, and through the rearview mirror, I could feel two pairs of eyes drilling into my back. “Hm.” Anderson replied indifferently. “Driving sober at this hour, she must be really desperate for money, huh? So pathetic. Not like me, with you spoiling me.” Judy giggled, her tone dripping with superiority. “Focus.” Anderson seemed slightly impatient, or perhaps just aroused. The sounds from the backseat paused for a moment, followed by the crisp click of a lighter. The scent of tobacco drifted through the cracks. “Open the window.” Anderson ordered coldly. I mechanically pressed the window button. The biting November wind immediately rushed in, dispersing the sticky air in the car, and making my eyes sting. “It’s freezing!” Judy shrieked, “Why did you open it so wide? Trying to freeze me to death?” I quickly raised the window halfway. “Sorry.” I kept my voice low, trying to alter my tone. “Is anyone allowed to drive a Rolls-Royce these days? Her driving is awful; the way she started made me dizzy.” Judy complained, snuggling deeper into Anderson’s embrace. “Anderson, I’m so dizzy, I feel like throwing up.” “Hold it in.” Anderson’s voice betrayed no emotion. “Pull over up ahead, I want to buy a bottle of water.” Judy whined. “You can’t stop here, you’ll get a ticket.” I explained. “I’ll pay the fine. Anderson, look at her!” Judy was relentless, her tone spoiled and willful. “Listen to her.” Anderson uttered three cold words. I gritted my teeth, flicked on the turn signal, and slowly pulled over to the emergency lane. The car had barely stopped when Judy announced, “Suddenly I’m not thirsty anymore. Let’s go.” I froze for a moment, then restarted the car. “Wait.” Judy suddenly rolled down the window and poured the half-empty bottle of mineral water directly outside. “This water’s been sitting too long, it’s not fresh. Driver, get out and throw the bottle away for me.” Rain poured outside, turning the ground beyond the emergency lane into a muddy mess. I looked at her delicate but cruel face in the rearview mirror, and didn’t move. “What? Too dirty? Is a hundred bucks not enough?” Judy pulled a hundred-dollar bill from her purse, holding it between two fingers, and handed it through the partition gap. Anderson hadn’t said a word, only watching me coldly through the rearview mirror. I took a deep breath and pushed open the car door. The rain instantly soaked my clothes. I picked up the empty bottle from the ground, threw it into a distant trash can, then ran back to the car. Soaked to the bone, the warm air blasting inside the car hit me with a jarring mix of cold and heat, making me shiver. “So slow.” Judy frowned in disgust. “Turn up the AC.” I silently increased the temperature and started the car. “Anderson, doesn’t she look like a drowned rat?” Judy leaned into Anderson’s arms, cackling. Anderson didn’t laugh, only said blandly: “No.” My heart eased slightly, but then I heard him add: “Dogs are more obedient than her.”

The car finally stopped at the SKY Hill Estate. This was the most expensive wealthy neighborhood in the city. Seven years ago, I’d dreamed of living here with Anderson. “We’re here.” I turned off the engine and pulled out the keys. Anderson pushed open his door, then walked around to open Judy’s door. Judy linked his arm, like a proud peacock. I held out the keys with both hands. “Sir, your keys.” Anderson didn’t take them, his gaze fixed on my hands. From years of rough work, my hands were coarse and cracked, with hangnails around the edges. A flicker of disgust crossed his eyes as he pulled out a thick wad of bills from his wallet. It looked like over a thousand dollars, way more than the driving fee. “Take it and get lost.” The bills fluttered to the ground, landing in puddles and splashing mud. I froze. “Anderson, why are you giving her so much? People like this will just get greedy.” Judy cooed, then deliberately stomped her high heel onto the stack of bills, grinding it into the mud. “Pick it up, why are you just standing there? Not enough?” She looked at me provocatively, a malicious smile on her lips. I wanted to turn and leave, to throw the money back in their faces. But… Lester’s medical expenses for tomorrow were still unpaid. A payment reminder from the hospital for Lester was still sitting on my phone. When survival was on the line, dignity meant nothing. I slowly crouched down, reaching out to pick up the mud-soaked bills. Judy’s pointed heel remained firmly on the money, no intention of moving. “Beg me.” She looked down at me. I clenched my teeth, my voice trembling: “Please… move your foot.” “Can’t hear you.” Judy cupped her ear. “Louder, what did you say?” “Please move your foot!” I raised my voice. “Such a bad attitude.” Judy pressed down harder with her foot. “This money is so filthy, I feel disgusted just looking at it.” Anderson stood by, lighting a cigarette, watching coldly. As if none of it concerned him. He even seemed to enjoy watching me being trampled. “Mr. Anderson…” I couldn’t help but look up at him, hoping for a shred of intervention. Even if it was for old times’ sake. Anderson exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes full of mockery. “Marta, seven years. And you can’t even handle this much?” My body stiffened, and I quickly lowered my head. He’d recognized me all along. From the very beginning, this was a cat-and-mouse game. “Since I’ve recognized you,” Anderson took a step closer, his dress shoe stopping beside my hand, “let’s reminisce.” He bent down, his long fingers pinching my chin, forcing me to look up. “Seven years ago, you walked away with that million dollars so gracefully, didn’t you? How did you end up like this?” I opened my mouth, wanting to explain, but seeing the hatred in his eyes, all my words choked in my throat. “Anderson, you two know each other?” Judy dramatically covered her mouth. “Oh my god, is she… is she that ex-girlfriend who abandoned you for money?” “Ex-girlfriend?” Anderson sneered. “Hardly.” He let go, wiping his fingers in disgust. “Nothing more than a plaything.” Judy’s eyes darted, and her smile grew even brighter. “That makes things even easier. Convenient. My place needs a cleaner. Take this money, and tomorrow, come scrub my toilets.” She kicked the stack of money with her toe, sending the bills scattering. “If you don’t show up, I’ll report you for theft.” Anderson didn’t object, only watched me coldly as I picked up the money. I picked up the bills one by one from the ground, mud and rain mixing, chilling to the bone. Each one was Lester’s hope for survival. “Fine.” I lowered my head, clutching the money in my hand. “What time tomorrow?” Anderson’s face stiffened, seemingly surprised by my ready agreement. “Marta, you’re pathetic.” He threw that line at me, then wrapped an arm around Judy and walked into the villa’s main gate. The heavy gate slammed shut, sealing me outside that glamorous world. I stood in the rain for a long time, clutching that thousand-plus dollars. My phone buzzed wildly. It was the hospital. “Marta? Lester had a sudden attack and is in critical condition. We need you to come pay the outstanding fees immediately!” “I’ll be right there!” I wiped the rain from my face and rushed towards the intersection.

The next day, after ensuring Lester, who’d just been stabilized, was settled, I arrived at the SKY Hill Estate as promised. It wasn’t because I was pathetic; it was because Judy had filed a complaint against me on the sober driving platform. If I didn’t show, the platform would forfeit my entire security deposit and permanently ban my account. I couldn’t lose this job. Judy opened the door, dressed in a silk robe, her neck covered in tell-tale hickeys. “You actually came? Right on time.” She stepped aside, her eyes full of mockery. “The cleaning supplies are in the bathroom. Make sure you scrub it spotless; Anderson’s a germaphobe.” I didn’t speak, walking directly to the bathroom. The villa’s decor held faint echoes of my memories, yet it was undeniably alien. It was Anderson’s style: cold, luxurious, devoid of any warmth. The bathroom was large, but the toilet wasn’t actually dirty. Judy was clearly enjoying the humiliation. She leaned against the doorway, holding a glass of red wine, watching me put on gloves and pick up the brush. “I heard you dumped Anderson back then because he was broke, and immediately hooked up with some trust fund kid?” Judy swirled her wine glass, a smirk playing on her lips. “What happened to him? Did he dump you? Or maybe he just used you for kicks?” I scrubbed the toilet, mechanically repeating the motion. “None of your business.” “What do you mean, none of my business?” Judy walked in, her heels clicking crisply on the tile. “Anderson is mine now. Of course, I need to know all about his past.” She suddenly leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Marta, you really have the nerve to show your face? If I were you, I’d have crawled into a hole.” “I’m just here to work.” I straightened up, looking at her coldly. “Work?” Judy suddenly laughed, shaking with mirth. “Do you actually think Anderson asked you here to scrub toilets?” She suddenly splashed the red wine from her glass onto the floor. “Oops, my hand slipped.” Judy blinked innocently. “Clean this up too.” I took a deep breath and picked up the rag. Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. Anderson appeared in the doorway, wearing a dark gray loungewear set. Seeing the red wine stain on the floor, he frowned slightly. “What happened?” “Anderson~” Judy instantly changed her expression, tearfully throwing herself into his arms. “I wanted to offer Ms. Marta a drink, but she didn’t appreciate it and splashed the wine…” Her talent for twisting the truth was truly masterful. I looked at Anderson, offering no explanation. What was the point in explaining? In his mind, I was already a materialistic, lying woman. A gold-digger. As expected, Anderson didn’t even glance at me, gently stroking Judy’s hair. “Are you hurt?” “No, just startled.” Judy rubbed against him. “Marta seems to really hate me.” Anderson turned, his gaze like a blade scraping across my face. “Marta, apologize.” “I didn’t spill it.” I straightened my back, looking directly into his eyes. “I told you to apologize.” Anderson’s voice deepened, carrying an undeniable pressure. “I didn’t do it, why should I apologize?” “Hmph.” Anderson sneered, letting go of Judy and stepping closer to me. “Seven years ago, you could abandon me for money. What’s a spilled drink for spite now?” He backed me against the sink, placing his hands on either side of me, trapping me in the small space between him and the counter. The familiar scent of cedar mixed with tobacco assailed me, making me momentarily dazed. “Marta, don’t make me get physical.” There was no warmth in his eyes, only endless disgust. My heart twisted with a sharp pain. “I’m sorry.” The three words were practically squeezed through my teeth. “Couldn’t hear you.” Judy instigated from behind. “Where’s the sincerity?” Anderson stared at me, a cruel curve playing on his lips. “Kneel and wipe it clean. Then we’ll call it even.” I snapped my head up, looking at him in disbelief. “What did you say?” “What, you don’t understand English?” Anderson pointed at the red wine stain on the floor. “Kneel down, and clean it up.” The man who once swore to protect me for life was now ordering me to kneel. Tears welled in my eyes, but I fiercely held them back. For Lester, for that five thousand dollar complaint fine… I slowly bent my knees, my kneecaps slamming against the hard tile. The cold sensation spread from my knees throughout my body. I picked up the rag and meticulously wiped away the red wine. Above me, I heard Judy’s triumphant laughter and Anderson’s cold gaze. In that moment, my dignity was utterly crushed. After cleaning the floor, I was about to leave, but Judy blocked my path. “What’s the rush? You’re not done yet.” She pointed to a pile of gift boxes in the living room corner. “There’s a party here tonight. Your job is to unwrap these gifts and sort them.” I glanced at the time; it was already four in the afternoon. Lester was still in the hospital, and I’d promised to be with her tonight. “I’m sorry, I only agreed to clean. This isn’t part of my job.” “I’ll pay extra.” Anderson said from the sofa, flipping through a magazine, not looking up. “Twenty thousand.” Twenty thousand dollars. That was two months of Lester’s medication. The refusal died on my lips. “Fine.” I walked to the corner and began unwrapping the beautifully packaged gift boxes.

Time ticked by, and dusk settled. Guests, all dressed to the nines, began arriving at the villa. Music and laughter filled the grand hall. I crouched in the corner, sticking out like a sore thumb. “Isn’t that Marta over there?” A sharp female voice cut through the air. I looked up and saw several familiar faces. All old college classmates, part of Anderson’s exclusive circle. “Oh my god, it really is her! What is she wearing?” “I heard she abandoned Anderson for money back then. How did she end up looking like this?” “Karma, right? What goes around comes around.” They surrounded me, pointing and whispering, their eyes full of disdain and mockery. Judy, arm in arm with Anderson, walked over, holding a glass of champagne. “Now, now, everyone, let’s not be so harsh. Marta is earning her living honestly, she deserves respect.” She said “respect” but her eyes were brimming with malice. “Actually, Marta, since we’re all old classmates, why don’t you have a drink too?” Judy took a glass of red wine from a server’s tray and offered it to me. “I don’t drink.” I lowered my head, continuing to organize the items. “What? Not accepting?” A woman in a sequined dress next to me sneered, “Marta, do you think you’re still the beauty you were back then? Judy’s offering you a drink. That’s her being generous!” “Yeah, who are you trying to impress?” Someone took the opportunity to push me. I lost my balance and fell to the floor, my palm landing on an unwrapped brooch. The sharp pin pierced my skin, and blood immediately welled up. “Ah!” I cried out in pain. “She’s bleeding! How disgusting!” Judy dramatically stepped back. “Don’t get blood on my carpet!” Anderson stood in the center of the crowd, watching the scene coldly, with no intention of helping. “Marta, drink up, then you can leave.” He finally spoke. I suppressed the throbbing pain in my hand, trembling as I took the glass of wine. As long as I drank this glass of wine, I could get those twenty thousand dollars and leave this hell. I tilted my head back, drinking the bitter red wine in one gulp. “Cheers!” A chorus of cheers erupted around me. “Another one!” Someone else offered another glass. I stood up, swaying slightly. “Anderson, we agreed on one glass.” “Did I say you’d get the money after just one glass?” Anderson raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of mockery. “You…” Just then, my phone buzzed wildly in my pocket. My heart tightened. I ignored the pain in my hand and the mockery of the crowd, frantically pulling out my phone. As soon as I answered, the nurse’s anxious voice came through: “Marta! Lester’s heart just failed, she’s in critical condition! We need a family member to sign off immediately! Please hurry…” “I’ll be right there…” Before I could finish, a large hand suddenly reached out, snatching my phone. “Anderson! Give me back my phone!” I lunged at him like a madwoman. Anderson held the phone high, watching my frantic state coldly. “Which rich boy is calling you now? Marta, are you that desperate for a man?” “No! Give me my phone! Please!” I cried out, tears streaming down my face. That was Lester’s life-saving call! “No.” A cruel smile twisted Anderson’s lips, and his fingers loosened. Crack! The phone slammed onto the marble floor, the screen shattering, going black instantly. In that moment, my world seemed to shatter with it. “Anderson!!!” I let out a desperate shriek, lunging at him without thinking, grabbing his collar. “If anything happens to her, I swear I’ll make you pay for it with your life!” Slap! A stinging slap cracked across my face, interrupting my shriek. It wasn’t Anderson who hit me, it was Judy. “Marta, what are you doing? How dare you lay a hand on Anderson!” Judy shielded Anderson, looking outrageously righteous. My head snapped to the side from the blow, my ears ringing, and I tasted blood. But I felt no pain. My mind was fixated on the nurse’s words: “heart just failed.” Lester was waiting for my signature, Lester was waiting for me to save her life… I shoved Judy away with surprising force, sending her crashing into a nearby champagne tower. Crash! Countless glass cups shattered, wine splattered everywhere, and Judy let out a sharp shriek. “Ah! My face! Anderson, help me!” The scene descended into chaos. Anderson’s face was ashen. He grabbed my wrist, his grip so strong it felt like he would crush my bones. “Marta! You’re asking for death!” “Get off me!” I found a surge of strength, lowered my head, and bit down hard on his wrist. I didn’t let go until the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth and he cried out in pain, releasing me. I seized the chance, spun around, picked up my broken phone, and stumbled towards the door. Behind me, Anderson’s furious roar echoed: “Stop her!” Two bodyguards blocked the doorway. I grabbed a vase from the entryway, smashed it on the floor, and held a sharp shard against my carotid artery. The shard pricked my skin, and a thin line of blood ran down my neck. “Anyone who tries to stop me, I’ll die right here!” My eyes must have looked terrifying. The bodyguards were startled by my intensity and instinctively backed away. Anderson rushed up, his pupils contracting at the sight. “Marta, are you insane? Put that down!” “Anderson,” I stared at him, tears mixing with blood dripping down, “If my daughter dies, I swear I’ll make sure you all go down with me.” With that, I pushed past the bodyguards and rushed out into the dark, rainy night. I ran wildly on the highway until I flagged down a taxi. “To First Hospital! Fast! Please, hurry!” The driver, terrified by my blood-soaked appearance, floored the accelerator.

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Marcus’s wife died in my bed. To atone for my sins, my wife Russell divorced me and married Marcus instead. My company and all my shares were seized by Marcus. And I was sent to a mental institution by my family. Years later, my family drove to pick me up. Russell carefully draped a coat over my shoulders, looking at me with heartache. “Alex, it’s all in the past now.” My sister Mary comforted me too: “We’re still family from now on.” But I couldn’t hear what they were saying, couldn’t respond. The daily electric shock treatments at the mental institution had left me with tinnitus. And back then, to fabricate evidence, they’d shattered my jaw. I could barely speak clearly anymore. Now, no one knows that Marcus is the real murderer. I slowly raised my hand and wiped the filthy blood from my eyes. I didn’t make a scene or even look at them. I just turned and walked toward the edge of the crowd. “Alex?” Mary’s voice called from behind me. “Where are you going?” Russell quickly stepped forward to block my path, her brow furrowed. “Alex, we’re here to take you home. Don’t throw a tantrum.” I stopped and finally looked up at them. “Home? Which home? Mary, didn’t you already give all my assets and shares to Marcus? Do I even have a home anymore?” Mary’s face instantly stiffened. Looking at Russell, who was still gripping my hand, I continued: “Oh, I forgot to mention—congratulations to you and Marcus. Next time you get married, there’s no need to sneak around. You two had your affair right in front of me, so why bother caring what anyone thinks about a wedding?” “Alex!” Russell’s expression darkened. “Do you have to talk like this?” Mary exploded in anger, reaching out to grab me. “Alex, what kind of attitude is this! We’ve done so much for you, and this is how you repay us?” During the scuffle, a woman charged over and tried to slap me: “You bastard! How dare you treat Marcus’s sister and wife like this! I’ll beat you to death!” Turned out she was one of Marcus’s fans. Russell and Mary held back the crazed fan. Russell frowned at me, saying helplessly: “Alex, look at yourself. Do you have to escalate things like this? Can’t you just talk civilly?” Talk civilly? I looked at them and found it laughable. “I’m escalating things? What did I do wrong from start to finish? He’s the murderer! You favored him, threw me into a mental institution without asking questions, and destroyed my life! And now you expect me to forgive you murderers?” “Shut up!” Mary hissed. “Marcus is so kind-hearted, and you’re still slandering him!” “You were clearly jealous of him, which is why you killed his wife Vivian. We only sent you to the mental institution for treatment instead of prison—that was the greatest mercy we could show you!” Russell sighed. “Alex, calm down. I know you feel wronged. But my marrying Marcus was really just a temporary measure.” “He developed severe depression after Vivian’s death. I stayed by his side to take care of him, to atone for your sins!” “Once his illness is completely cured, I’ll remarry you, and then we’ll never be apart again for the rest of our lives!” Slap! I used every ounce of strength I had and struck her hard across the face. Russell’s head snapped to the side, red finger marks rapidly appearing on her cheek. She froze, seeming completely unprepared for me to hit her. After all, I used to treasure her like she was made of glass. I’d never been willing to hurt a single hair on her head. Mary was stunned too. “Alex, have you lost your mind!” I clenched my fists. “Start over?” “Russell, you disgust me.” “Go live your whole life with Marcus. You cheating scum deserve each other! I want no part of it!” Mary’s face turned iron-gray with rage, pointing her finger at my nose. “Alex, I’m giving you one last chance. Right now. Immediately. Kneel down! Apologize to Russell and Marcus! Otherwise, I won’t acknowledge you as my brother anymore! Let’s see how you survive in Detroit then!”

At that moment, a low-key luxury van quietly pulled up at the edge of the crowd. The door opened. Marcus stepped out gracefully. Cheers erupted from the scene. “Mary, Russell, don’t talk to Alex like that.” When Russell and Mary saw him, they both rushed over. “Marcus, why did you get out of the car? It’s chaotic here, get back inside quickly!” Mary said urgently. “That’s right, you’re a huge star now. It’s dirty and messy here—what if you get hurt?” Russell stretched out her hand to shield him, not letting anyone get close. The careful way they protected him stung my eyes. There was a time when I was protected like that, without hesitation. When I was cornered by some older bullies in the equipment room, Mary had grabbed a mop from the corner and charged at them—one against three—shielding me behind her back. “Don’t be afraid. I’ve got you.” Russell had quietly dealt with all the trouble, even using her family’s connections to bankrupt the other family’s business and force them to move away. Her father had used family punishment on her, leaving whip scars across her back, but she never mentioned a word of it to me. The clearer the memories, the more the present reality felt like an absurd nightmare. Seeing no one paying attention to me, the fan from before joined forces with several others and suddenly rushed at me, grabbing my hair and slamming me hard to the ground. “Rip his face off!” “Murderer, I’m ridding society of evil!” “He deserves it! Beat him to death! People like this don’t deserve to live!” Five years was enough to teach me how to take a beating. I instinctively curled up, protecting the back of my head and my heart. My vision blurred as everything shook. In the corner of my eye, Russell was looking down and saying something to Marcus, her profile showing a gentleness I’d never seen before. Mary was frowning, glancing toward me with disgust. Marcus seemed to have just noticed the violence happening here. He cried out: “Stop!” He held back several fans and reached out to help me up. “Alex, are you okay?” But he squeezed my fractured wrist hard. I groaned in pain. He jerked his hand back as if startled. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I just wanted to help you up.” Mary lifted her foot and kicked hard at my side. I rolled half a turn across the ground from the force, my vision going black. “How long are you going to keep hurting Marcus?” She crouched down and grabbed a fistful of my hair. “Act! Keep acting! Marcus barely touched you and you look like you’re dying.” “Are you trying to pull the same trick again? Just like when you stole credit for saving me all those years ago, using this victim act to frame him and destroy the reputation and career he worked so hard for?” “Let me tell you, Alex—Marcus is kind-hearted and worries about these baseless rumors, but I won’t!” My scalp felt like it was being torn apart. “If you dare use those despicable tactics on Marcus again, that mental institution held you for five years, but it can hold you for life! You better remember that clearly!” “Enough!” Russell grabbed Mary’s wrist. “Alex is still your brother, after all.” “Brother? Does he deserve that title?” My sister violently shook off Russell’s hand. “From the moment he abandoned me in that ravine to save himself, running away without looking back, Mary’s only brother has been Marcus.”

Russell looked at the agitated Mary, then glanced at me, curled up on the ground, nearly unconscious. Finally, she sighed. She took off her coat, covered me with it, then turned and walked toward Marcus. “I’ll take Marcus to the hospital first for a checkup. His face is a bit pale—he might be in shock.” Marcus immediately leaned against her, his voice weak. “Russell, I’m so scared.” “I’ll take you to the hospital right away.” Russell carefully supported him. From start to finish, she never looked back at me once. Mary shot me a disgusted glance and gave orders to the assistant and bodyguards still on scene: “Clean this place up. Don’t let these random people get near Marcus’s car again.” With that, she quickly followed Russell, protecting them as they left. “See, nobody wants him after all.” The fan from earlier crouched down and patted my swollen face. “Weren’t you pretty tough just now? Go ahead and kill me too, murderer!” Another girl crouched down and violently tore off the coat covering me. “You don’t deserve to wear such nice clothes!” “Strip his clothes off—scum like him doesn’t deserve to wear clothes!” Someone shrieked the suggestion, immediately drawing excited agreement from others. My whole body was in agony. I could barely move, could only watch helplessly as several hands roughly tore at my already tattered hospital gown. I tried to struggle, my voice hoarse and weak. But I was slapped hard across the face. The fan pinched my face. “Marcus is kind and won’t hold it against you, but we’re not so forgiving!” “From now on, every word you say, I’ll slap you once.” They dragged me to a relatively secluded corner nearby, then pulled clubs and knives from their bags. “We’re doing this for justice!” My desperate struggles only earned me merciless beatings. A bodyguard nearby, unable to bear watching, picked up his phone to call Mary. “Alex is being targeted by Marcus’s fans right now. What should we—” “You’re reporting such a trivial matter to me?” Mary impatiently cut him off. “Didn’t I tell you just to keep random people away from Marcus’s car? What do other people have to do with me?” Then Russell’s tense voice came through the phone: “Why are you wasting time on irrelevant people? Marcus’s heart rate is a bit fast—go find a doctor now.” Some rustling sounds came through, then Russell’s clear voice: “Keep the scene under control. Don’t let things get too out of hand, and definitely don’t let anyone photograph anything that could hurt Marcus.” “As for the rest, as long as he doesn’t die, it’s fine.” The call was abruptly disconnected. The fans heard the conversation and laughed loudly. “Hear that? As long as he doesn’t die.” “What are we afraid of? With Mary backing us up, we can have as much fun as we want!” They exchanged glances, their mocking laughter becoming even more piercing. The crowd gradually dispersed. No one called an ambulance for me. No one helped me up. I was thrown here like trash. I braced myself against the ground, gritting my teeth, sitting up bit by bit. The last traces of affection in my heart vanished completely. Then I pulled out my phone and sent a text to a number I knew by heart: [I agree to the cooperation. Name your price. I just want them dead!]

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When news spread that Rowan, heir to Alpha Alexander, was going to marry my elder sister Amelia, she immediately ran to our father James in tears, begging him to switch our identities. Even though I was just an illegitimate daughter. “Dad, please let Chloe marry Rowan instead of me! Please help me!” James had always favored Amelia, yet he actually agreed to let me take her place and marry Rowan. But marrying Rowan was still better than staying in this suffocating house. The night before the wedding, I accidentally overheard a conversation between my father and Amelia. “Dad, is Rowan really going to lose his heir status? Does he really have erectile dysfunction?” Father let out a heavy sigh. “Of course. Why else would I give such a good marriage opportunity to Chloe?” My whole body went rigid. Then I quietly slipped away. A year later, I was sitting in the sun holding my son when Amelia burst in, furious and ready to kill me. “Bitch! Rowan was supposed to be mine! You’re nothing but a fraud!” I smiled coldly, stepped forward, and slapped her right across the face. “Insulting the future Luna? Do you have a death wish?”

The slap left Amelia completely stunned. When she recovered, she glared at me and shrieked: “Chloe—” “How dare you hit me!” I watched her fury with amusement, looking at her mockingly. “Amelia, watch your words.” “Slandering the future Luna carries a minimum sentence of three months in prison under werewolf law.” Amelia’s face twisted with rage. She raised her hand to slap me back. I didn’t retreat. Instead, I held my baby tighter and took a step forward. “You want to get physical?” “This is Rowan’s firstborn son. Rowan is the Alpha’s designated heir.” “If my pup gets hurt even a little, you’ll pay dearly! And your entire family will be punished because of you!” No matter how angry Amelia was, my words scared her enough to lower her hand, though her teeth were clenched. She stared hard at the child in my arms, her eyes full of suspicion. “Chloe, don’t try to fool me. What kind of trick did you use to deceive Rowan and Alpha Alexander? There’s no way this child could be Rowan’s!” I gently patted my baby, soothing the little one who’d been woken by the noise, and looked up at her. “Oh? Do you know what the charge is for slandering the future Luna?” A year ago, rumors had spread like wildfire that Rowan, Alpha Alexander’s heir, was about to lose his inheritance rights. Supposedly because he suffered from erectile dysfunction. So members of the Wolf Council had proposed making Rowan’s younger brother the heir instead. Of course, this matter concerned the pack’s stability and the Alpha family’s honor, so it was kept secret. And after I married Rowan and gave birth to his child, no one dared mention that gossip anymore. Even someone as stupid as Amelia wouldn’t dare expose that now. Amelia blurted out without thinking. “Because Rowan has—” She realized she couldn’t say these words and swallowed the rest. “Anyway, it’s impossible!” “You must have cheated on Rowan and had some bastard, trying to use this bastard to steal Rowan away from me!” I scoffed. “Steal? I’m the one who had a wedding ceremony with Rowan. You were once his mate, but you asked me to take your place and marry him. What, regretting it already?” Back then, when she heard Rowan was going to lose his heir position and even had erectile dysfunction, she immediately went into hiding. Who could have imagined that three years later, Rowan would still be the pack’s Alpha heir and have a child with me? “It was you who was jealous of me and used despicable means to force me to break the mate bond with Rowan!” “If I tell Rowan about this, do you think he’ll kill you on the spot, you slut?”

Amelia acted completely righteous, as if she’d suffered some great injustice and deserved compensation. “You think Rowan actually cares about you?” Before I could respond, she sneered and looked around at the surroundings. “Rowan probably got sick of you, the illegitimate daughter, a long time ago. He knows you betrayed him! That’s why he dumped you and your bastard at this remote estate, leaving you here to die!” “Chloe, you really think you can hold onto the position of Rowan’s wife? Things that don’t belong to you—you’ll never have them in this lifetime!” Amelia stood with her hands on her hips, looking at me smugly. I just pulled at the corner of my mouth, giving her a mocking smile. “Let me guess why you came here to cause trouble today.” Amelia’s face instantly froze. I continued leisurely. “I heard you still haven’t found anyone to marry you? So you’re getting desperate.” Ever since she broke off her engagement with Rowan, the men in the pack had all seen through her hypocritical facade. I heard that at one party, she tried to seduce Rowan’s younger brother, but he threw her naked body out of the room and refused to touch her. After that, her reputation got even worse. Even the Gammas she used to look down on now treated her like a joke. I continued contemptuously: “Even if I wanted to give Rowan back to you, do you think he’d still want you?” Amelia’s face went through shades of red and white. Clearly, she hadn’t expected me to know her situation so well. If I hadn’t wanted to come to this countryside villa to relax after getting pregnant, Amelia wouldn’t even have had a chance to see me. “Even if Rowan hates me, he would never want a lowly illegitimate daughter like you!” Amelia said, her eyes landing on my chest with a smirk: “I don’t think any man would want a woman as flat as a board like you!” Of course I hadn’t forgotten how Amelia had mocked me since childhood. Mocking my small breasts. Mocking my dry, dull hair. But after marriage, Rowan treated me like a treasure. I was no longer the ugly duckling who let others ridicule her. I raised my hand to slap her, but just as I lifted it, someone grabbed my wrist. “Chloe, how could you treat your elder sister like this!” I turned and saw my father, James. I laughed coldly: “Dad, you came at the perfect time. Tomorrow is your birthday, and I have a gift for you!” I signaled for my maid to bring over the box from my drawer. It was filled with photos of young male wolf warriors. I handed the photos to James: “I know you’ve been worried about finding Amelia a husband, so I put together some profiles of decent men. You two can take a look.” Amelia’s hands trembled with rage when she saw the photos: “Dad! Look at this bitch, she’s doing this on purpose! How could these lowly men possibly be worthy of me!” But James ignored her and actually started looking through them seriously. Amelia furiously tore up all the photos: “Dad! You really want me to marry trash like this? I’m your real daughter!” James felt terrible too. He never expected things would turn out this way. Otherwise, he never would have let Amelia break her mate bond with Rowan. James frantically picked up the photos from the ground, then said: “Amelia, you’re already twenty-six. You’re not young anymore. You can’t be as picky as before. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely find you a man who’ll treat you well and won’t let you suffer.” “I want to marry Rowan! I don’t want these lowly men!” Amelia grabbed James’s arm and started whining. James looked at me pleadingly, shamelessly asking: “Chloe, actually Rowan was supposed to be Amelia’s, so maybe…” I rolled my eyes and cut him off before he could finish: “Dad, since you don’t like the birthday gift I prepared for you, forget it.” I turned to the maid beside me: “Show them out! Also, from now on, no one is allowed in without my permission! My baby and I need peace and quiet.” “Yes, ma’am!” The maid immediately called two guards, who dragged Amelia and James out and threw them out the door. Amelia’s shrill voice came from outside. “Chloe, how dare you treat me like this! Just you wait!” Hearing her threat, the maid frowned and asked me worriedly. “Should we tell the master about this?” I shook my head. “Don’t bother with her.”

The next day, I was awakened by chaotic shouting. The room was engulfed in flames, and explosions went off one after another. The maid burst through the door, her face white as paper. “Ma’am, get up! The house is on fire!” I grabbed my coat and wrapped it around me, then snatched up my son who was still sound asleep in his cradle. “How did the fire start so suddenly?” The maid escorted me toward the back door. “The explosions are still going. Everyone’s searching for any remaining explosives, but no one knows why the fire spread so fast.” Just then, through the choking smoke, I caught a faint smell of gasoline. My heart sank. I held my baby tighter and discreetly activated the alarm app on my phone. The next second, a group of rogues rushed out from the shadows and blocked our path. The guards immediately stepped in front of me and shouted fiercely. “Get out of the way! If Alpha Alexander and Rowan find out you hurt her, they won’t let you off!” But the rogues weren’t afraid at all. They charged straight at us. Just then, several wolf warriors arrived and blocked the rogues, engaging them in combat. One of the warriors shielded us behind him: “Follow me! I know a safe route.” The maid and I followed close behind him, escaping the estate and ducking into the nearby forest. But the warrior leading us suddenly stopped and lunged at me. I was already on guard. I dodged sideways and shoved my crying baby into the maid’s arms. I pulled out the gun hidden in my sleeve and pressed it against his head. “Talk. Who sent you?” This man wore a wolf warrior’s uniform, but his cover was full of holes. Real wolf warriors were all skilled fighters. This guy couldn’t even handle basic combat moves. Surprisingly, with a gun to his head, he wasn’t scared. Instead, he laughed. He ripped off his mask, revealing a face I never wanted to see again in my life. “Cousin, long time no see.” It was Hunter, Amelia’s uncle’s son. Just then, a woman in a pink dress emerged from deep within the forest. “Chloe, where are you running off to?” My heart sank to the bottom. So all of this had been planned by Amelia. From the moment I smelled the gasoline, I knew this fire was deliberately set. I’d thought it was the rogues’ doing. I never expected it was Amelia. No wonder those rogues only fought with the wolf warriors and didn’t try to stop me. They’d deliberately led me here. “Amelia, do you know that conspiring with rogues to betray the pack is punishable by death?” I demanded coldly. Amelia put on an innocent look, gazing around in feigned confusion. “Betraying the pack? Chloe, are you losing your mind? When did I ever betray the pack? Obviously you fell in love with Hunter and were running away with him, and I just happened to catch you.” There was no one else in the forest except us. Looking toward the estate, the fire was almost out. So this was her real goal. Not to burn me alive, but to create evidence of my affair. Hunter beside me was staring at me with his slimy gaze, nodding eagerly in agreement. “Right, right! Chloe and I are truly in love, but we couldn’t be together. I had no choice but to take her away!”

I stared at Amelia, my gaze cold as ice. “Amelia, aren’t you afraid that if the baby gets hurt today, Rowan will tear your heart out and feed it to the dogs?” Amelia just sneered mockingly. “Baby? That’s just some bastard you had with another man! No wait, I should say—it’s Hunter’s kid.” Hunter actually had the nerve to nod along. “That’s right—I never expected you to secretly have my baby.” “If you don’t want Rowan to find out and kill you, come with me now!” He didn’t look like he was acting. He actually believed this child was his. I glanced at him, then looked at Amelia who was laughing arrogantly, and couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Hunter, looks like you still don’t know—three years ago, the person you fucked until she nearly passed out was Amelia. Did you really think it was me this whole time?” On my eighteenth birthday, my father James threw me a small birthday party. Hunter came that day too. From the moment he saw me, he had twisted intentions. Amelia made a deal with Hunter that day, using me as the bargaining chip. She wanted to trade my virginity for a bracelet. The bracelet wasn’t even expensive—for her, it was just the cost of ordering a bottle at a nightclub. But for her, humiliating me was life’s greatest pleasure. At my birthday party, Amelia drugged my drink with an aphrodisiac. Then she personally led Hunter, who had willingly taken the same drug, into my room. But what she never expected was that I’d already swapped that drugged drink with hers. When she pushed Hunter into my room, the drug kicked in for her. And with Hunter already out of his mind, things happened. The two of them went at it like animals in heat in my room, even breaking my bed frame. But I never expected that to this day, Hunter still didn’t know the person he’d slept with that night was Amelia. “Shut up!” Her most disgusting secret exposed, Amelia’s face went white instantly. “Hunter, don’t listen to her lies! She just stole my position and doesn’t want to give up being Rowan’s mate!” Hunter was an idiot too—he actually believed her bullshit. “Chloe, just come with me quietly. If Rowan finds out this child isn’t his, you’re dead!” He stepped forward to grab the baby. “Let me see my son—” “Back off!” I shouted, pulling the maid back two steps to create distance. “Who said this child isn’t Rowan’s?” Hearing this, Amelia shook her head regretfully. “I didn’t expect you to still be so stubborn at this point.” “But then again, you probably don’t know.” She wore a knowing expression. “Rowan has erectile dysfunction. He can never have children.” “I don’t know what tricks you used to fool everyone, but you can’t fool me.” “Why else do you think I had you marry Rowan in my place?” Amelia sneered coldly. “You might fool everyone for now, but can you fool them forever?” She leaned close to my ear and whispered: “Who the real lover is doesn’t matter. I just need to make Rowan suspect you, hate you. What Rowan hates most is betrayal!” As soon as she finished speaking, footsteps came from the distance, along with flashlight beams sweeping toward us. Amelia paused, then smiled. “My dear sister, Rowan is here. What do you think—when he sees you with Hunter, will he believe me or you?” Before I could answer, she shoved Hunter toward me and screamed: “Rowan! Chloe is over here!” The people in the distance heard her shout and immediately ran this way. The man in front wore a black trench coat. His face was handsome as a sculpture, his eyes cold as ice. It was my mate, Rowan.

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After we got married, James was recruited by an American university with a million-dollar annual salary. I gave up everything to move to America with him. But three years later, I still didn’t even have a green card. Meanwhile, that female assistant who came to America with us had already gotten her green card through James’s connections. I was so furious I wanted to fly back to Europe immediately. James, usually so calm and composed, turned red and begged me to stay: “You’re my wife. I’ll get your green card sorted out soon. Emma followed me all the way here from home to work in America. I’m her boss—I have a responsibility to take care of her.” My heart softened, and I put down my suitcase. Until one day, when I handed our marriage certificate to an official, they told me: “Ma’am, our system shows you are not Mr. Mitchell’s wife. Please go back and verify this.” I froze on the spot. Then, without a word, I booked the earliest flight back to Europe. …… Back at home, I tried three times, but the fingerprint lock kept giving me the “verification failed” tone. I called James. “What’s wrong?” He picked up quickly. “Why can’t I open the door?” He was silent for two seconds, then said: “Oh, I changed the lock. I only registered Emma’s fingerprint—haven’t gotten around to adding yours yet. Just find a hotel for tonight. I’m working late, won’t be coming home.” He was telling me to stay at a hotel? I wanted to argue, but in the end, I just said: “Okay.” What else was there to say? This was supposed to be our home, yet he’d registered the fingerprint of Emma—an outsider. I hung up. I checked into the budget hotel by our building’s entrance. $548 a night. When I swiped my card, the balance was almost nothing. When we first came to New York, James gave me a supplementary card with no spending limit. Later, Emma started buying most of his things. Clothes, watches, even that insulated mug on his office desk—she bought all of it. Gradually, the supplementary card was transferred to her. James started depositing $2,000 a month into my account for living expenses instead. He said she was better at shopping than me—better taste, knew how to coordinate things. She said she was just doing her job as his assistant. I couldn’t really say anything more. Until our third anniversary, when James and I were supposed to have a romantic evening alone. Just as the mood was building, the doorbell rang. James went to answer it. Emma stood outside, slightly breathless, holding out a box of ultra-thin condoms. “Professor Mitchell, it’s your special day! I picked these up just for you!” She glanced at me, smiling naturally. “You always say this brand feels the best. Aren’t I thoughtful? Don’t I deserve some praise?” James took the box, letting out an awkward “mm.” She waved and left. The door closed. He walked back to the dining table with the box and set it casually beside him. I stared at that box without saying a word. I never knew which brand he preferred… Because we’d been trying to have a baby, so we basically never used protection. That candlelit dinner felt like torture. Finally, he said something came up at the university, grabbed his coat, and left. The moment the door closed, it suddenly hit me— So an assistant’s job could be this thorough. That night, I dreamed of our first year in New York. I came out of the airport dragging two huge suitcases. James was waiting for me right at the exit. Back then, he was still the man who felt so guilty that his eyes reddened when I gave up everything to be with him. He was the man who would carry my luggage, who would let me lean on him when I was tired. But then Emma came along. James said she had left her hometown behind to follow him here—he had to help her out. So he helped her get settled with residency. Helped arrange her job. I never expected that in the end, he’d even help her change the lock on our home… Early the next morning, I went to buy a ticket back to Europe. Standing at the corner waiting for the light to turn green, my phone rang. It was a friend from back home. “Grace, that thing you asked me to look into…” She paused, her voice hesitant. “I pulled some strings, but I could only see registration records. Privacy laws are strict there—I couldn’t get the detailed files.” “It’s fine,” I said. “Whatever you found is enough.” The other end went quiet for two seconds. “James Mitchell’s registered wife in New York… her last name is Roberts.” I held my phone, silent. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine,” I said. “Thank you.” I hung up. The light turned green. The crowd surged past me, and another group stopped beside me. I stood there, staring at the glass curtain wall of the building across the street. The sunlight stung my eyes until they burned. So his real wife was her all along.

I stood on the sidewalk and suddenly laughed. These three years, I’d been so exhausted trying to prove my worth, so determined not to be just a housewife, that I’d overlooked so many details in our daily life. Like how every weekend he said there was something at the university, and he’d be gone the whole day. When I asked what it was about, he’d always brush me off: “You wouldn’t understand even if I told you.” Like that time he forgot some documents, and when I dropped them off at his faculty housing, I saw two toothbrushes on his bathroom counter—one blue, one pink. And I never thought deeper about it. …… I pulled myself out of my thoughts and kept walking. Across two streets, around three corners, until I stood at the ticket office entrance. I waited in line, remembering how long the customs line had been when I first landed in New York three years ago. Because I was about to see the man I loved, I was so foolishly happy that I didn’t feel tired at all. When James picked me up, he hugged me and spun me around. Until a girl waved at him: “Professor Mitchell! What a coincidence—Grace and I were on the same flight!” It was Emma. James smiled and took her suitcase, explaining to me: “Forgot to mention—Emma’s coming over to keep working as my assistant. It’s not easy for a young woman to immigrate on her own.” Emma smiled sweetly. “Grace, I hope we can look after each other from now on.” My smile stiffened slightly, but I nodded politely. On the drive, I quietly watched them chat. When she talked, James would tilt his head to listen carefully. When she pointed at clouds in the sky, he’d look where she was pointing. That attention that used to belong only to me was now quietly being shared with her. My heart felt a little sour. But I was also happy for him. After all, good assistants are hard to find. Having someone he knew and trusted come along would make his work at the university go more smoothly. In those first few months in New York, I tried to find a job. But my field was so niche that I couldn’t find anything in my specialty. Hundreds of resumes—either ignored completely or met with a “not considering at this time.” I’d always been a top student, everything going smoothly. I’d never tasted rejection before. Those nights I couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning, wondering—was I just not good enough? Finally, I had no choice but to ask James. After dinner one evening, I sat down next to him. Stammering, I said: “Um… could you maybe… ask around at the university?” “Isn’t there supposed to be a spouse quota? I was thinking, if there’s a way to arrange a position…” I couldn’t finish. My whole life, I’d never asked anyone to pull strings for me. Even though it was part of the talent recruitment policy—a benefit for spouses—saying it out loud made my face burn. Like I was doing something shameful. “Mm,” he said, head down, still flipping through his papers. “If you want to work, I’ll ask around.” I felt a little relieved. I waited three months. When I asked again, he said he’d been busy—we’d talk about it later. But as far as I knew, Emma had started working at the university ages ago. Administrative position, weekends off, great benefits. James said it was through normal hiring. I believed him. Looking back now, her qualifications and experience were worse than mine. She couldn’t even speak English properly. So why did my resume, submitted the same way, sink without a trace? The answer had been right in front of me all along. I just didn’t want to see it… The line moved forward a step. My turn. I handed over my passport. The clerk typed a few keystrokes, then frowned. “Ma’am, we can’t issue you a ticket with this document.” “Why not?” She turned the screen slightly toward me. “The system shows you’ve overstayed your permitted time in the US.” I froze. “Overstayed?” “Your most recent extension application wasn’t approved, right?” She glanced at me. “The system shows no valid stay permit for you.” I stood at the window, speechless.

Three years. I’d been in New York for three years, and I didn’t even have a valid stay permit? “So what do I do now?” “First, go to Immigration to process the paperwork. Pay the fine, get a departure permit, then you can buy a ticket.” She pushed my passport back. “Next.” I stepped aside to make room. The person behind me pushed forward, quickly blocking the window. I stood there, staring at the passport in my hand. So I wasn’t even legally allowed to be here. Then what were these three years? Outside the ticket office, I called the immigration consultant. “Mrs. Mitchell, I wanted to ask—in my situation, why does my extension keep getting rejected? Now I need to pay a huge fine.” Mrs. Miller’s voice was as warm as ever: “Mrs. Mitchell, that shouldn’t be happening. Your husband is a university professor. Dependent extensions should be easy to approve. Did he complete all the sponsorship paperwork?” “He did.” “Then it shouldn’t be a problem…” She paused. “Hold on, let me look into it.” The line went quiet for a moment. When she spoke again, her voice was lower: “Mrs. Mitchell, if you don’t mind me asking—when your husband sponsored you, did he use the spousal reunification channel?” I held the phone, silent. “The system shows…” She chose her words carefully. “The wife slot linked to your husband was approved for a Ms. Roberts.” “He also submitted sponsorship for you, but not under the spouse category—it went through a different channel.” “But that channel was suspended about a year ago, which is why your applications keep getting rejected.” I paused. “I see. Thank you, Mrs. Miller.” I hung up. Standing there, I remembered certain details. Three years ago, right after arriving in New York, James said he’d handle my paperwork and took all my documents. Later he said everything was done, so I never asked about it again. So what I thought was following love across the world had actually turned into illegal overstaying… I stood by the road for a long time. I went to every office I could. In the end, I found there was only one solution— My original sponsor, James, needed to submit a statement. Explaining that he failed to notify me in time about changes to the sponsorship channel, resulting in my unintentional overstay. Then I could pay the fine, reapply for a short-term visitor visa, and legally leave the country. Simple. He just needed to sign his name. But how could I ask him? Say “Since you gave the wife slot to someone else, now sign this so I can leave”? And if I did that, wouldn’t we have to settle all the accounts from these three years too? I went back to that so-called “home.” James still wasn’t back. The door was still locked tight. I didn’t wait. I called a locksmith directly. After getting everything sorted, I went to James’s university. When I arrived, I could hear voices coming from his office. “Professor Mitchell, are you really letting me go for the University Arts Foundation residency program?” It was Emma’s voice, with a hint of coyness. “But my qualifications aren’t enough, are they? This would be more suited for Grace—she actually studied this field.”

I stood at the door, motionless. An Arts Foundation residency program? James had never mentioned it to me. I studied art history. Back then, the program only admitted eight students nationwide, and I was one of them. In my home country, graduates were highly sought after. But after three years in New York, my resumes had vanished into the void. I hadn’t even been to a proper exhibition, let alone any residency program. James couldn’t arrange a job for me at the university through the spouse quota, but he’d never even thought to let me try for such a rare opportunity… “It’s fine, I’ve already put in a good word for you.” James’s voice was gentle. “As for Grace—I’m taking care of her. She doesn’t need these things.” “Besides, with your abilities, if you’d had the same opportunities she did back then, you wouldn’t be any worse than her.” I stood outside the door and suddenly wanted to laugh. So in his eyes, all my hard work was just “opportunities.” So the field I was so proud of—anyone could “be just as good.” The door opened. Emma walked out and saw me. She froze for a second. “Grace?” She quickly smiled. “Are you here to see Professor Mitchell? But this floor doesn’t allow unauthorized personnel. Maybe you should wait in the lobby downstairs?” Love can make a person beautiful. The woman before me was only a year younger than me, but she’d been so well-nourished by affection that her features were relaxed and confident. I took a step forward. “Move.” She blocked the doorway. “Grace, really, you can’t—Professor Mitchell is busy—” I reached out to push past her. She stepped back, and her whole body tumbled into the office. “Ah—” James stood up from his chair and strode over. He glanced at me. That glance was cold. Then he bent down to help her. “Are you hurt?” Emma let him help her up, biting her lip and shaking her head. “I’m fine, I’m fine. I just lost my balance. It’s not Grace’s fault…” James looked at me, his tone reproachful: “Emma was just doing her job. Why did you push her?” I looked at him, then at Emma in his arms, her eyes red. I didn’t say much. I got straight to the point: “The Immigration statement needs your signature.” His brow furrowed. “What statement?” I handed over the papers. He took them, scanned them briefly, and was already annoyed before finishing. “You came all the way here and pushed someone over this? Grace, when did you become so unreasonable?” “Either sign it,” I said, looking him in the eye, “or I go to the dean right now and ask how a talent recruitment spouse slot ended up going to an assistant.” His face changed. The next second, my wrist was gripped tight. He held me. “Grace, that’s enough!” He lowered his voice, turning cold. “Don’t forget who’s been supporting you. Without me, you couldn’t even stay in New York. You’d have nowhere to go.” “Don’t make a scene here. Go home first.” I looked at him for two seconds, then suddenly smiled. When he begged me to come to New York, he said, *I’ll take care of you.* Now he said, *I’m the one who’s been taking care of you.* “Sign now, and we can still end this with some dignity.” My voice was calm. His gaze darkened. He let go of my wrist. He called out, “Security.” Two uniformed men walked over. He glanced at me. “Please escort my wife out. She’s not feeling well.” Security approached—one grabbed my arm, the other blocked my path. I tried to speak, but a hand was already covering my mouth, quick and practiced. I was being marched out. As I passed him, he leaned close to my ear and whispered, “We’ll talk tonight, okay? Don’t be stubborn.” Ha… Talk tonight? There’s nothing left to talk about. …… By the time he finished up his work, it was already 9 PM. James drove home. Thinking about what happened during the day, he frowned slightly. Those papers—he hadn’t even read them properly. Some Immigration statement—Grace stayed home all day. What did she need that for? The lock had been changed, but the door was just pulled shut, not locked. He paused. Noticed the lights were on inside. Figuring Grace was home, he frowned immediately. “Why didn’t you lock the door?” He pushed the door open, hung up his coat, then walked to the bedroom door. “Alright, about the spouse quota—” His tone was like he was being forced to explain. “I already told you before. Emma needed it more than you.” “She came to America with me. I had to take responsibility. Stop making a fuss.” He finished speaking and put his hand on the door handle. Pushed it open. And when he saw what was inside, his eyes went wide.

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The Sullivan family was one of the elite dynasties, and I was the designated heir—Damien Sullivan. But my two sisters brought home a boy named Marcus from outside, saying we’d be brothers from now on, and they even let him impersonate my identity as heir. Before the family inheritance ceremony, my two sisters walked onto the spotlight stage arm-in-arm with him. Everyone’s attention was drawn to them, all believing he was the family’s designated heir. Marcus saw me step onto the stage as well and looked down at me arrogantly: “Damien Sullivan, is the heir’s stage somewhere you’re allowed to stand? Get the hell off and go stand aside as an observer.” “If it weren’t for my sisters being kind enough to take you in and make you an adopted son of the Sullivan family, someone like you wouldn’t be able to set foot through the Sullivan family’s doors in your entire lifetime.” I knew he was acting arrogant and domineering because he relied on my two sisters’ favor, and he wanted to steal my position as heir. But he didn’t know I had been reborn. In my previous life, I yielded at every turn, only to be thrown into the private underground fighting ring my father used to “handle problems,” where I eventually died from severe injuries. This time, I kicked him flying off the stage: “Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you act wild in front of me and try to take what’s mine—are you tired of living?”

I kicked Marcus flying off the stage with one foot, and everyone looked on in disbelief. “Damien Sullivan, how dare you be so reckless and do such a thing to Marcus!” My eldest sister Victoria Sullivan, still on stage, was furious, and my second sister Isabelle Sullivan rushed over and slapped me across the face. “An adopted son dares to bully Marcus like this—how audacious! I think you’re looking for punishment!” They were trembling with rage, never expecting that the usually timid me would actually strike back at this moment. In their impression, at most I would run to Dad’s grave to cry and complain, and then just accept my fate. “I’d like to ask you—when did this child you brought home from outside go through legal adoption procedures? How can he replace my identity?” Looking at Victoria and Isabelle twisting the truth, my eyes were full of coldness. I was truly stupid before, wanting to please them so badly that I yielded everywhere and let Marcus impersonate my identity. Hearing my cold words, Victoria’s face darkened as she scolded angrily: “Damien Sullivan, what are you talking about? We brought him home to care for him and let him stay with the Sullivan family, yet you publicly assault the Sullivan family’s only heir!” Isabelle could barely contain her anger: “It’s all my fault. I thought I’d let you see the world, but I didn’t expect your delusions to be this severe—imagining yourself as the Sullivan family heir and making a scene in public like this.” With Victoria’s support, Marcus had already returned to the stage. He looked at me with feigned grievance: “Damien, I never thought that my constant accommodation of you would make you mistakenly believe you were the Sullivan family heir.” “It’s all my fault—I’ve been too compliant with you in daily life. But Damien, you absolutely shouldn’t cause trouble on such an important occasion!” The three of them twisting the truth made all the guests at the banquet whisper among themselves: “A child brought home by the Sullivan family—instead of keeping a low profile and behaving well in the Sullivan house, he dares to hit the real heir. This is outrageous!” “Does he want to be sent to the dog kennels to feed the dogs?” Hearing the guests’ comments below, Victoria secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Then she waved her hand, commanding the security guards around: “Since he can’t recognize reality, I now announce that as long as we’re here, you’ll never be allowed to step through the Sullivan family’s doors again!” “Someone, throw him out!” The security guards all approached the stage menacingly. Looking at these approaching guards, my eyes became even colder: “Victoria, who gave you the courage to target the Sullivan family’s true heir in public?” “Don’t forget, before Father died, he made a will witnessed by lawyers—I am the sole heir to the entire family trust and estate.” Hearing my firm tone, Victoria and Isabelle’s eyes flashed with panic. But then Victoria frowned and quickly snorted coldly: “Damien Sullivan, what are you pretending? How could someone like you, who only joined the Sullivan family later, be the heir?” The security guards had already surrounded me menacingly. Isabelle also recovered, speaking with superiority: “Damien, you really have the nerve to speak! Don’t forget that everything you’re wearing right now was given by us!” “What are you standing around for? Hurry up and throw him out of here!” Seeing the security guards getting closer, I angrily grabbed a wine bottle from behind me and smashed it. “Listen carefully—I am the Sullivan family’s only heir. I’d like to see who dares to touch me!”

The sound of the bottle shattering combined with my roar made the entire banquet hall fall silent. All the security guards were intimidated by my presence. Then I looked at Victoria and Isabelle with cold eyes: “Victoria, Isabelle, you’re still twisting the truth here! This person you brought home relies on your backing and acts without restraint!” “Not only does he live in the Sullivan house now, but he even wants to impersonate my identity and inherit the Sullivan family! You really are lawless in the Sullivan house!” Victoria’s face grew darker, her voice ice-cold: “Damien Sullivan, I think you’re the lawless one—not only did you publicly hit Marcus, but you’ve also ruined the banquet we carefully prepared!” “Do you think you can muddy the waters and get the Sullivan family inheritance this way?” Many guests whispered among themselves: “Damien is so ungrateful! He’s already entered the Sullivan family, yet he still plays these tricks trying to steal the inheritance!” “But I keep feeling like this Damien has a noble air about him—he seems more like the Sullivan family heir. Who’s telling the truth and who’s lying?” Hearing the guests’ voices below, Isabelle’s eyes blazed with anger: “Damien, your delusions are getting worse and worse. There’s only one heir here, and that’s Marcus!” “What are you still standing around for? Throw him out now!” After a pause, Victoria spoke with an extremely grim expression: “Since he’s bullying Marcus like this, let’s just give him some severe punishment to teach him a lesson, so others don’t think the Sullivan family has no rules.” When they mentioned that “place for handling trouble,” the rage in my heart instantly filled my entire chest. In my previous life, they always sided with Marcus, whom they’d brought home. Whenever Marcus wasn’t satisfied, they would target me. To please them, I could only endure again and again, even giving up my position as heir. But in the end, Marcus said he wanted to watch a “thrilling performance.” They threw me directly into the underground fighting ring my father had used to deal with adversaries during his lifetime, where I died from severe injuries in the lawless combat. Before I died, I couldn’t understand—I was the one with blood ties to the Sullivan family, so why did they favor someone brought in from outside so much? In this life, after careful investigation, I finally understood the reason. Thinking of this, my gaze at them grew even colder: “You want to throw me into the fighting ring? What gives you the authority to treat me like this? Aren’t you afraid Grandmother will find out?” Isabelle’s face paled instantly. She leaned close to Victoria’s ear and whispered: “Victoria, if the Sullivan family grandmother finds out we wanted to throw Damien into that kind of place, it’ll be terrible. Let’s just throw him out instead.” Watching Isabelle’s frightened appearance, I couldn’t help but laugh mockingly. The entire Sullivan family was established single-handedly by Grandmother. She only had my father as a child. After my father died, Grandmother personally named me the heir to the entire Sullivan family estate according to my father’s will and official legal documents, while she retired to Europe. Victoria and Isabelle weren’t actually my real sisters—they were my mother’s brother’s daughters. It was only because their parents died young and my mother begged my father for half a month that he finally allowed them to enter our Sullivan household, and they took the Sullivan surname. Although Victoria trembled when she heard about the Sullivan family grandmother, she still spoke firmly: “What’s there to fear? Once Marcus inherits the Sullivan family, what can Grandmother say even if she’s unhappy?” I just laughed mockingly: “I’m standing here today—who can steal my identity as the Sullivan family heir?” Hearing my words, Victoria pointed at me with towering rage: “Someone like you still dares to speak such nonsense here? You really think you’re the Sullivan family heir!” “You’re all still hesitating? I’ll put it this way—ten thousand per punch to anyone who hits him. Cash paid immediately!” As soon as she finished speaking, one of the security guards rushed over and punched me hard. “Someone brought into the Sullivan family dares to cause such trouble here? Don’t you know your place!” Touching my aching nose, I was laughing from anger. A security guard I’d never even seen dared to rush over and punch me—it seemed Victoria and Isabelle really thought they could cover the sky with one hand in the Sullivan family. My expression grew colder as I kicked him hard in the left kneecap. In pain, the security guard immediately knelt before me. “Victoria, Isabelle, you two really have great power! Spending ten thousand just to have someone punch me! Who gave you the authority to dispose of the Sullivan family’s assets so freely?” Seeing me still resisting, Victoria spoke even more angrily: “What are you all still standing there for? Hurry up and drag him away and lock him up! Whoever locks him up gets a million-dollar reward!” Isabelle’s voice was equally ice-cold: “Anyone who doesn’t move, pack up and get out!” Under their threats and inducements, numerous security guards pressed toward me. At that moment, an angry shout came from outside the hall: “What’s going on here? The banquet started so long ago—why is it still so noisy!”

Everyone looked toward the door. The newcomer was my mother, Hannah Evans. After entering, she saw bloodstains on the front of Marcus’s shirt and rushed to his side, speaking with towering rage: “Marcus, what happened? How did you get injured? Tell me, who did this!” Marcus looked down at me, tears welling in his eyes. Victoria pointed at me furiously: “Who else could it be but Damien Sullivan?” Isabelle was trembling with anger. “Auntie, look how arrogant he is—he kicked Marcus off the stage right in front of us, and he’s still bleeding.” Hannah rushed over and slapped me hard across the face: “Damien Sullivan, who gave you the courage to bully Marcus? Have you eaten a bear’s heart and leopard’s gall?” “You’ve made today’s banquet a complete mess. Are you trying to lose all the Sullivan family’s face before you’re satisfied?” “I’ll teach you a lesson today. Hurry up and apologize to Marcus!” Watching my mother’s actions, the guests in the hall frowned and discussed among themselves: “That’s Hannah Evans from the Sullivan family, right? Looking at her behavior, Marcus is the child she cares about!” “This Damien has too much nerve—publicly claiming he’s the Sullivan family heir. I almost believed him.” Hearing the guests’ discussions below, my expression darkened as I pushed Hannah away forcefully. “Teach me a lesson? You lost the right to be my mother long ago!” In my previous life, not only did they unconditionally favor Marcus, but even Hannah doted on him extremely. Especially once, when I accidentally broke one of Marcus’s models, Hannah locked me outside for an entire night before forgiving me. From then on, I constantly followed Marcus around, humbly trying to please him, hoping to regain their affection and Hannah’s love. In this life, I finally figured it out. Marcus wasn’t a child brought home from outside at all—he was Hannah’s son with her own brother. To protect my inheritance rights, my father specifically made a will asking Grandmother to declare that I was the Sullivan family’s only heir. But my father never would have expected that Hannah not only wanted to take away my inheritance, but wanted to eliminate me completely. Victoria and Isabelle had known about this all along and tried every means to help their real brother. I was truly stupid before, not noticing these things at all. Hannah’s face was full of rage as she looked at me with fury: “You still dare to talk back? You’re getting more and more lawless!” I met Hannah’s furious gaze directly, speaking coldly: “Hannah Evans, don’t forget that I am the Sullivan family’s legal heir. It’s not your place to point fingers here.” “As long as I’m here, your son Marcus will never be able to take over the Sullivan family!” Hearing my words, Hannah was completely enraged. Marcus was the first to rush over, followed by Victoria and Isabelle pouncing on me viciously. Hannah grabbed my collar and angrily slapped me again. “Say that again? I’ve been managing the Sullivan family’s affairs all these years. Your grandmother hasn’t been involved for so many years—why shouldn’t I be able to make decisions?” I was held down tightly and couldn’t move. I licked the fresh blood flowing from the corner of my mouth, still staring fearlessly at Hannah before me. I had already notified Grandmother to come back earlier. Calculating the time, she should be arriving soon. Seeing my smile, Hannah became even more agitated. Marcus kicked me hard in the abdomen. “You still dare to hit and scold me—who gave you the courage? Remember, you’re the one who joined the Sullivan family later!” Victoria and Isabelle weren’t to be outdone either, each slapping my face again. “Damien Sullivan, who do you think you are? Stop daydreaming—the entire Sullivan family should belong to Marcus!” Just then, an aged but strong and authoritative voice rang out from the doorway. “Who gave you the courage to bully my grandson, the Sullivan family’s only heir, like this? Do you all have a death wish?”

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Mom gave us two choices. Go with her to the Sterling household. I could attend the same elite private high school as Miss Jade Sterling, but college funding would be limited. Stay home for school. After graduating high school, I could apply to overseas universities. My brother Mason jumped in first: “Mom, I want to go with you to the Sterlings’.” Mom smiled with relief and turned to look at me. “Older siblings should let the younger ones have their way. I’ll fund your overseas education later—that’s me doing my duty as a mother.” Looking at my brother clutching Mom’s arm with that expectant expression, I knew—he had been reborn too. Too bad Jade Sterling would never fall for him. “Cameron, the employer’s family is busy. Mason and I have to leave today. Take care of yourself at home.” After Mom finished packing, she left with Mason. Nothing like the previous life when she stayed a full ten days trying to persuade Mason to go with her to the Sterlings’. In my past life, after Mom presented those two choices, Mason had also jumped to choose first—except he’d chosen to study abroad. After my parents divorced, I was awarded to Dad. For ten whole years, Mom never came to see me once, yet I thought about her every single day. It wasn’t until Dad died and social services contacted her that I finally had a “mom” again. When Mason chose overseas study, I was thrilled. I could finally spend day and night with Mom. But Mom wanted to take Mason instead. She stayed home for ten days, constantly trying to persuade Mason to go with her. Mason stubbornly believed there were more opportunities abroad. Even when the employer’s family urged Mom to return, he never changed his mind. And so I went with Mom to the Sterling household, where I met Jade. She had an aloof temperament and exceptional intelligence. She was the object of admiration for many boys at school. I couldn’t help being drawn to her too. But I knew we were from two different worlds. I could only keep those feelings hidden. Until the night of the graduation dance, when Jade came back from the party slightly drunk and pulled me to a corner of the terrace. “Cameron, come with me to the East Coast for college, okay?” I forced myself to look away. “I can’t afford it.” Jade laughed, and the whole night seemed to brighten. “I can help you.” In that moment, I finally knew—the person I’d quietly loved for three years felt the same way about me. Overwhelming happiness crashed over me. I excitedly told Mom that Miss Sterling was willing to sponsor my education abroad. What I got in return was a hard slap across the face. “Absolutely not! When you chose to come with me to the Sterlings’, you already gave up that path. The money I’ve saved is for Mason.” I covered my face and tried to explain. “Miss Sterling said I don’t need to pay tuition. She’ll help me.” Mom let out a contemptuous laugh and looked me up and down with disdain. “You really don’t know your place, do you? Trying to latch onto someone for money and opportunity? Think about who you are and who she is. People like her—it’s just a passing fancy. When she gets bored, I’ll be the one cleaning up the mess. Don’t even think about going abroad. And if you dare disobey me, stop calling me Mom. Also, stay away from Miss Sterling. Don’t affect my job.” Maybe because I’d lacked maternal love since childhood, what I feared most was being abandoned by Mom again. I was devastated when I turned Jade down. But Jade solemnly told me: “Distance isn’t a problem. I’ll come back to see you often.” After she started college, we began a long-distance relationship. She flew back to see me several times every month. The sweetness of love filled me with hope for the future. When Mom found out we were actually together, she went behind my back and asked Jade to look after Mason while she was overseas, since he was there too. Jade didn’t understand my family’s complicated situation. Out of kindness, she agreed to be friends with him. Then in senior year, I received a message from Mason, along with a photo. In the photo, Mason was shirtless with his arm around an obviously drunk Jade. The background was a hotel room. [Bro, I’m the one Jade needs. Stop clinging to her.] After three years with Jade, I knew her character well. My first thought was that she might have been set up. Furious, I called Mason to demand an explanation. But I didn’t notice the delivery truck rushing at me from the side. After my soul left my body, I heard the conversation between Mom and Mason. “Your brother’s death came at just the right time. Seize the opportunity and win Jade’s heart. You won’t have to worry about anything after that.” Mason laughed smugly. “You had the foresight, Mom, getting Jade to agree to ‘look after’ me. That’s how I got the chance to take that photo when she got drunk at her celebration dinner. I only meant to make Cameron back off on his own. I didn’t expect him to actually have an accident—heaven really helped me out. After Jade’s emotions settle down in a while, I’ll comfort her more. There’ll be opportunities.” I’d always thought that even if Mom was biased, she at least had some maternal feelings for me. I never imagined she wouldn’t even grieve my death. My heart turned to ash as I drifted to find Jade. But I discovered that Jade had killed herself in her apartment, clutching my photo. Only then did I realize—Jade’s feelings for me ran deep enough to transcend life and death. Hatred consumed me. I used my last bit of strength to trip Mason as he went downstairs. Watching him tumble down the stairs to his death, my soul finally dispersed completely. I never expected to return to that day when we chose our fates. Except this time, Mason chose to go to the Sterlings’. He thought that by going to the Sterlings’, he’d have the advantage of proximity. Too bad he was wrong. Jade would never fall for him. And I would make them pay for what they did in my past life.

As soon as Mom and Mason left, my aunt hinted that I should move to campus early, using the excuse that they needed to renovate the room. Before, when Mom worked as a live-in housekeeper at the Sterlings’, she had us temporarily stay at my uncle’s house. She gave my aunt money for expenses every month. In my past life, after Mom and I went to the Sterlings’, she added more money and asked them to take good care of Mason. Mason lived at my uncle’s house like half an owner. Now it seemed Mom had stopped the payments to my aunt. I didn’t argue. I packed my few belongings and left. Before school started, I had one important thing to do. After leaving my uncle’s house, I went to the bank. Before Dad died, he’d set up a small trust fund for me every birthday. Only I knew about it. I withdrew the money and took an intercity bus to a quiet cemetery on the city outskirts. The wind and rain were fierce that day. I hid behind an old oak tree in my raincoat, waiting. Near dusk, sixteen-year-old Jade ran in through the rain. Several security guards with troubled expressions followed behind her. Jade was soaked through, her eyes stubborn. She walked straight to a gravestone and began pulling aside the grass next to it with her hands. “Miss, the rain’s too heavy. It might have washed away. Let’s come back when the weather’s better.” Jade acted as if she hadn’t heard. Not until she was exhausted, her eyes dimming, did I step out from behind the tree. “Excuse me, are you looking for this?” I pulled out a necklace from inside my coat. Jade’s eyes lit up. She quickly walked over. Seeing how soaked she was, I raised my umbrella higher to shield her from the rain too. Jade carefully took the necklace, her tense expression finally relaxing. “How did you get this?” In my past life, after Jade and I got together, she once said her biggest regret from her youth was losing this necklace she’d made with her mother the summer she turned sixteen. So I came here to help her make up for that regret and create an opportunity for us to meet. I shrank my shoulders and said softly: “The rain washed it to the roadside just now. I picked it up. I saw you’d been searching for a long time and guessed it might be something important to you.” “Thank you. It’s very important to me. What do you want as a reward?” Though Jade thanked me, her tone still carried distance. My voice trembled slightly: “Then… treat me to a bowl of hot soup, will you? I’m cold and hungry.” Jade paused, then couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Okay.” Half an hour later, at my insistence, Jade and I ate her first-ever cup of instant noodles together at a gas station convenience store. “I didn’t expect hot soup could taste this good.” When we were together before, she always said this kind of simple food was the most relaxing. After eating, Jade wanted to get my contact information to thank me properly. I smiled and shook my head. “If we’re meant to, we’ll meet again.” The moment I turned away, I bit my lip hard to keep the tears from falling. How I wanted to rush over and hug her tight, to tell her everything from our past life, to tell her how much I’d missed her. But doing that would probably just make her think I was crazy. I didn’t leave my contact information because I knew her trajectory for the next few years. We were destined to “run into each other.” Jade would think it was all fate’s arrangement, not my calculated plan.

Finally, school started. High school coursework was ridiculously easy for me. I began planning my second “chance encounter” with Jade. During the long weekend in October, I found temporary work doing facility maintenance at an ice hockey rink. On the third morning, Jade came to practice. I watched silently from the sidelines. When she finished a round of practice and was resting, I walked by with a mop and said casually, as if to myself: “If you could curl your wrist inward just a bit more when passing, the trajectory would be trickier.” Jade whipped around. Though I couldn’t see her eyes clearly behind her visor, I could feel her surprise. “It’s you? You know hockey?” I didn’t really know anything about it—she’d told me herself in our past life. I looked confused: “A little bit, I guess… Have we met before?” Jade took off her helmet, surprise lighting up her eyes. I showed appropriate realization: “Oh! You’re the person from the cemetery!” At noon, we ate together in the break area. “You look pretty young. Why are you working here?” “Shh, don’t let the manager hear. I put down an older age on my ID.” “Do you need money badly?” “After my dad died, Mom took the insurance payout and left with my brother. I have to earn my own living expenses.” Jade was silent for a moment. “This afternoon during practice, would you be willing to be my temporary training partner?” I looked hesitant: “But I still need to clean the locker rooms…” “I’ll pay you a thousand dollars an hour.” “No problem, boss!” Jade burst out laughing and nearly choked. After afternoon practice ended, Jade wanted to invite me to dinner. Just as I was about to accept, I glimpsed Mason peeking around outside the rink’s glass doors. “Next time! I need to get back to work.” When settling payment, we naturally exchanged contact information. Back at my temporary residence, a message from Jade popped up. [Did you get home safe?] I couldn’t help but smile, but only replied with one word: [Yeah.]

After the holiday ended, I began preparing to register for the interscholastic debate competition. In my past life, though Jade and I both lived at the Sterling household, we stayed on different floors. At school, she was in the gifted program while I was in regular classes. We were two parallel lines that should never have met. It was a debate competition that made Jade notice me. This time, I wanted to stand on that stage even earlier. However, when I had all my materials ready, I discovered that my small-town high school had no plans to register for the competition at all. I didn’t give up. I brought a sleeping bag and camped out in the hallway outside the principal’s office. Unable to withstand my persistence, the principal finally agreed to let the school enter a team, though we’d have to cover travel expenses ourselves. Fortunately, there were plenty of interested students at school. We formed a team, prepared, held practice debates—we were swamped. Jade occasionally sent me messages. I always stopped what I was doing and read them several times before finally restraining my emotions and replying briefly with just a few words. Before the end of first semester, I led our team into the finals. At the venue before the competition, Jade spotted me immediately. “Are you working part-time here again?” I tapped the school name badge on my chest. “I’m here to compete in the finals.” Jade glanced at the badge, her pupils contracting slightly. “You’re ‘that’ debater from Oak Ridge High?” “‘That’?” Jade’s expression turned serious, her gaze intent. “With your school’s resources and history, making the finals is nothing short of miraculous.” “Many spectators today came specifically to see your team’s legendary captain. Could you introduce me later?” Just then, my teammate ran over. “Captain, our seats are over there. We should go get ready!” Jade froze, and the way she looked at me clearly changed. I pumped my fist with a confident smile. “See you on the debate floor, Jade.” Four teams had made the finals. We faced off against another school first. Having lived through this once before, I not only remembered the debate topics but knew the opponents’ weaknesses. Without question, we won with a clear advantage. Throughout the entire process, I could feel that familiar gaze following me, growing more and more focused. When it was Jade’s team’s turn to compete, I sat in the audience directly across from them. Just like in my past life, she was calm and composed, methodically dismantling each of the opposing team’s attacks with clear logic. After her victory, I saw her gaze searching through the crowd, so I immediately pulled my teammates out through the side door. When it comes to feelings, the more elusive you are, the more unforgettable you become. When Jade sent me messages, I only replied with [Busy].

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “364308”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn #励志Inspiring