Author: Momo Chan

I became Luke’s girlfriend when his company was on the brink of collapse. For five years, I secretly poured a lot of money into his business. On the eve of his company’s IPO, he finally proposed, promising to make me the happiest woman in the world. But then, I accidentally came across his messages with a friend on his computer. “I’m marrying Chloe just to piss Seraphina off.” “The company’s about to go public. I’ll be a billionaire soon. I’m sure Seraphina won’t just watch me marry that woman.” “As soon as Seraphina agrees to come back from abroad for me, I’ll break up with Chloe and marry her instead.” Turns out, Luke only proposed to me to make his first love jealous. I scoffed. Then I immediately called my dad to pull all the investments. “Dad, withdraw the shares from Luke’s company in a few days.” With the company’s IPO imminent, my dad pulling out would be catastrophic for Luke. “Did that kid hurt you? I’ll deal with him!” My dad has always doted on me. He didn’t even ask why, and was immediately ready to confront Luke. I managed a bitter smile. “Dad, this is something I want to handle myself.” My voice caught in my throat. To keep my dad from worrying, I quickly hung up. My eyes stayed fixed on the alarming chat logs on the computer screen in front of me. Luke and I attended the same university. During our freshman year, when some guys were harassing me, Luke stepped in without hesitation. He fought them off and ended up with a bloody head. But it was seeing him like that which made me fall deeply in love with him. Growing up, besides my dad, he was the first man who had ever thrown himself into danger for me like that. So in college, I pursued him for a long time. He never said yes. Looking back, I was really pathetic. His indifference only made me want him more, making me believe such a man was truly captivating. It wasn’t until after graduation, when his company went bankrupt and he was millions in debt, that he finally started to come around, with me by his side through his darkest days. That’s when he finally agreed to be my boyfriend. I then pleaded with my dad to use our family’s resources to secretly help him from behind the scenes, getting his company back on track. Five long years, and his company was finally on the verge of going public. He even proposed to me the day his IPO application was approved. I thought we were finally going to get our happy ending. Who knew it was all just a ploy to make his first love jealous? And I was nothing but a pawn in his game. On our wedding day, I would probably be the laughingstock of everyone. Luke was out entertaining clients today. He must have left in a hurry, forgetting to log out of SnapChat on his computer. Even though those chat logs made my heart ache so much I could barely breathe, I seized the chance to open his Ins feed. I’d never seen his Ins before. He seemed to never post, not even sweet photos of us when we traveled. But opening his Ins now, I discovered he did post. He had just always blocked me. Soon, I found a picture of a girl on his feed. Only her fair wrist was visible, but the stunning emerald bracelet on it was particularly dazzling. I’d seen it in his suit pocket not long ago. I thought he was finally getting romantic, planning to put it on my wrist at our wedding. Instead, it was a gift for another woman. Turns out, he wasn’t unromantic. He just wasn’t romantic with me. Just then, my phone rang. “Chloe, hurry over! Luke’s in a fight!” I could faintly hear Luke’s angry shouts over the phone. “You bastards, you need to apologize to my girlfriend!” My heart gave a violent lurch. I wasn’t even there; the girlfriend he was talking about definitely wasn’t me. I wanted to know what happened tonight, so I grabbed my jacket. As I went to the shoe rack, I saw the scarf I’d made him lying on the floor. Looking closely, there were clear footprints on it. I’d spent over ten days knitting it, pricking my fingers countless times, and then given it to him myself. But he didn’t value it at all. I bent down, picked up the scarf, and expressionlessly tossed it into the trash can. Then I hailed a cab and headed to the bar where Luke was fighting. I saw Luke with his arm around a woman, tears streaming down her face. On her fair wrist, she wore that same gorgeous green emerald bracelet.

“Those guys accidentally spilled a drink on Luke’s friend, so Luke started fighting them.” “Luke’s had a lot to drink tonight. I’m worried he’ll cause trouble.” Luke’s friend quickly explained, rushing over to me.. When I heard the reason, I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. I remembered once accompanying him to a client dinner. When the business deal fell through, the client deliberately spilled wine on my face. He didn’t get angry then. Instead, he blamed me for being naive, saying I ruined the cooperation. Seeing Luke about to charge at the other group again, his friend quickly rushed over to stop them. “Luke! That’s enough! You’re getting married soon, don’t make a scene!” Unexpectedly, Luke roughly shook off his friend. “Who the hell is getting married?!” “This jerk spilled a drink on my girlfriend! You think this is just going to slide?!” “No apology? Nobody’s leaving, damn it!” Luke’s eyes were hazy with drink, and he swayed as he walked. His words caused an awkward silence among some of his friends who knew me. Their gazes turned to me. I gave a cold laugh, then stepped forward and slapped the man confronting Luke squarely across the face. My slap silenced the entire room. “You damn hag! How dare you hit me?!” After a moment of stunned silence, the man exploded in fury, lunging at me. I just wanted to see Luke’s reaction. Would he still protect me as he did back then, fighting for me without a second thought? However, Luke actually shoved me by the shoulder, roaring: “What are you doing here messing things up?! Haven’t I had enough trouble today?!” “You’re useless and only make things worse!” Luke’s words completely chilled my heart. He even looked at the other man indignantly and said, “We’re even now! Get lost!” The other man was somewhat rational and didn’t continue the confrontation, eventually cursing under his breath and leaving. After they left, Luke collapsed heavily onto the sofa. Luke’s friend awkwardly explained to me, “Chloe, don’t overthink it. Luke was just drunk and running his mouth. This is Seraphina, she was Luke’s high school classmate and just got back from abroad today.” I cast a cool glance at Seraphina. Tears still clung to her lashes. She looked as if she’d suffered some immense grievance. “Seraphina, this is Luke’s fiancée-” But before his friend could finish the introduction, Luke suddenly sat up from the sofa. “Colleague! What fiancée?!” This sudden stab made my whole body tremble. The atmosphere in the room instantly became incredibly awkward. After a long moment of silence, Luke’s friend quickly tried to smooth things over, offering me a glass of wine: “Today’s a day worth celebrating! Come on, let’s raise a toast!” Unexpectedly, Luke, who had just slumped back, sat up again, glaring furiously at his friend. “Don’t you know she’s allergic to alcohol?!” He was indeed aware of my alcohol intolerance. But what surprised me was Seraphina’s reaction next. “Luke, you’re drunk. Mike is toasting Chloe, not me.” Luke then looked relieved. “Oh, well, she can drink! She can drink a lot! Make her have a few more glasses.” Hearing that, I felt something in my chest shatter with a painful crack. I remember years ago at a dinner, I told him before we went that I was allergic to alcohol. But once we arrived, he immediately told me to toast each client one by one. That day, I ended up in the hospital, and he even blamed me for being dramatic, for collapsing after so little alcohol. Yet, despite such a harsh lesson, he still hadn’t remembered my alcohol allergy. It could only mean that he truly never cared about me. I came here tonight still holding onto a last shred of hope. But now, it was completely pulverized. At this point, Seraphina stood up and said to me: “Since you’re here, you should take Luke home. I just got back to the country, so I can’t take care of him tonight.” “Oh, and tomorrow when he wakes up, remember to make him a ginger-honey tea. He loves it. If he doesn’t have it, he’ll have a headache all day.” “Don’t forget to cover him with a blanket at night, either. He always kicks off the covers when he drinks too much.” Every word from Seraphina told me that she seemed to know Luke better than I did. Today, she was merely dumping this mess on me. I stared at Seraphina’s innocent eyes for a long time, truly wanting to slap her. But in the end, I held back. I wanted to see how long they would keep up this act.

On the way home, I couldn’t help but cry. Five years of dating, and if you count the four years I chased him. I had loved this man for a full nine years. But this was the result. It also brought back the chat logs I had seen earlier. As long as Seraphina was willing to come back from abroad for him, he would dump me and marry her. Today, his goal was achieved. No wonder he had rushed out in such a hurry this afternoon; he must have gone to the airport to pick her up. Just then, Luke’s phone vibrated. I opened it and saw a message from Seraphina. But my gaze immediately zeroed in on Seraphina’s profile picture. They had matching profile pictures! Probably changed during that gathering just now. I remembered last year, I found a famous cartoonist to draw a beautiful avatar for Luke and me. I excitedly asked Luke to change to the new avatar. But he just tore into me, calling me childish and telling me to focus on my work. Yet now, he had a much more childish one with Seraphina. Then, I felt a small box in Luke’s suit pocket. I carefully took it out. Inside was indeed a dazzling pink diamond ring. Engraved on the back was Seraphina’s name. I had asked him countless times for a pink diamond engagement ring. But he always said money needed to be spent on the company. However, he had just been waiting for Seraphina all along, to engrave her name on this most important ring. I tried to wipe away the tears that were spilling from my eyes again. Then, while Luke was sound asleep, I used his fingerprint to unlock his phone and opened Seraphina’s message. “My darling, don’t forget to help me choose a wedding dress tomorrow.” Boom! Seeing that message, my head buzzed. I’d brought up wedding dresses many times, and he always told me to pick one out myself, refusing to accompany me with the excuse that the IPO was imminent. The truth was, he didn’t care what I bought at all. Because, to him, I was never going to wear that wedding dress. At that moment, I truly wanted to cry my heart out. But seeing the driver still in front, I could only dig my nails into my thigh, trying desperately to hold back my tears. My nails were already deeply embedded in my flesh. I could only let the physical pain replace the pain in my heart. And desperately try to let go of this love I had clung to for nine years. The next morning, I still followed Seraphina’s instructions and made him ginger-honey tea. However, he took one sip and spat it out. “What the hell is this? Why did you add ginger?!” “Don’t you know I hate the smell of ginger the most?!” But I distinctly remembered Seraphina saying he loved the taste of ginger-honey tea the most. Soon, I understood. He didn’t like the taste of ginger-honey tea; he liked Seraphina’s taste. He liked his first love’s taste. I hadn’t slept a wink last night, but I’d come to understand a lot about this relationship. Seeing him like this now, for once, I wasn’t angry. I poured the entire bowl of ginger-honey tea into the trash. Luke put on his shoes and said coldly, “The company’s about to go public. I’m busy. Don’t cause any more trouble for me.” He turned and slammed the door behind him. I knew he was going to accompany Seraphina to pick out a wedding dress.

I quickly had someone find out which bridal shop Seraphina had chosen. Actually, I didn’t even need to investigate. Without any surprise, Luke had chosen the most expensive and exclusive bridal shop in the city. It was the same shop I had visited four or five times already. Three days ago, I had ordered the most expensive wedding dress in the country there. Today was supposed to be the day the dress arrived. However, when I arrived at the entrance of the bridal shop, I happened to see Seraphina wearing that very dress, twirling in front of Luke. Luke was discussing something with the store manager. “Luke, I really love this wedding dress; I want this one!” Seraphina sweetly clung to Luke’s arm, pouting playfully. Luke, meanwhile, was earnestly negotiating with the manager. “Call that lady and tell her I’m willing to pay an extra fifty thousand and compensate her with another fifty thousand, as long as she agrees to let me have this dress.” Hearing that, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. Turns out, for his first love, he could be so generous. The manager was naturally swayed by Luke’s offer and turned to go into the back, saying she would call me. I slowly walked up behind Luke. Seraphina saw me first; her face immediately turned pale. She poked Luke’s arm and looked at him with a pitiable expression. Luke then turned around, saw me, and his brow furrowed instinctively. “With so much going on at the company, why aren’t you there? What are you doing here?!” However, he showed not a hint of embarrassment. Instead, he immediately launched into an indignant interrogation. I looked at him quietly, not wanting to argue. Last night, I had cried all my tears for him. It wasn’t worth being sad for him anymore. Seeing my silence, Luke pinched the bridge of his nose and finally spoke again. “Chloe, as you can see, the person I truly love is Seraphina.” “Don’t make a scene. I’ll give you some money, and I hope you can leave gracefully.” My gaze remained fixed on his eyes. I had come here today to ask him one last question. “Luke, I just want to know, all these years, did you ever truly love me?” Luke listened, and a hint of disdainful smile appeared on his lips. “Chloe, I know you love me to death.” “But today, in front of Seraphina, I have to tell you honestly, I have never loved you.” “I only agreed to be with you because I felt sorry for you, chasing me for so many years.” Although it was the answer I expected, Luke’s words were even more heartless than I had imagined. Well. Good. If he could be so ruthless. Why couldn’t I? Just then, the manager came out from the back. “Mr. Luke, I’m sorry…” Before she could finish, she saw me and looked startled. “Oh, Miss Dawson, you’re here. This gentleman, he…” Before she could finish, I cut her off. “It’s fine. Give the wedding dress to this lady.” “I hope they find happiness.” With that, I turned and left the bridal shop. I called my dad. “Dad. On Luke’s wedding day, tell him about withdrawing the investment.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “364307”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance #擦边Steamy

When our son was critically ill, my husband, Liam, stole all my savings for his lover. “Sarah, you’re a doctor. You know this child won’t live past three. Why waste money on treatment? Better to invest in Jasmine.” Three years later, he and Jasmine showed up in front of me in a beat-up old car. When he saw our son not only alive but having won an international programming contest, Liam burst into arrogant laughter. “Sarah, I can’t believe the kid’s still alive! For his sake, I’ve decided to give you a complete family. You can be our housekeeper from now on, take care of the child and Jasmine.” I smiled. He didn’t know I had been reborn. This time, I wouldn’t let them bully me. I immediately called my current husband. “There’s a crazy man trying to take our son!” My husband’s voice was tense. “Send me your location. I want to see who’s audacious enough to try that.” “Sarah, don’t push your luck!” Liam’s face was a mask of oily impatience as he yanked open my car door, blocking me from closing it. Beside him stood Jasmine, wearing a faded knock-off Chanel suit, yet holding herself stiffly, gazing at me with an expression of feigned pity. “Sarah, Liam really had a hard time abroad these past three years. Don’t make a scene. We’re just trying to give Noah a complete family.” The company parking lot was busy. Many colleagues craned their necks, whispering and pointing at me. Reborn, facing this scene again, my heart still throbbed with a familiar ache. In my previous life, this was where they pushed me to my breaking point. I’d cried hysterically, clutching my son, becoming the laughingstock of the entire company. Liam had publicly slapped me, calling me an ungrateful wretch who only held him back. But this time, I wouldn’t. Noah, nestled in my arms, looked up. His tiny brows were furrowed tightly. He wasn’t like most three-year-olds. His eyes held a calm beyond his years. “Mommy, who are these people? They look so weird.” That innocent remark instantly drained the color from Liam and Jasmine’s faces. Liam glared at Noah, the greed in his eyes almost spilling over. “I’m your dad! Look at you, so sharp, just like I was when I was little!” He reached out to pinch Noah’s cheek, but I quickly pulled him away. I stared at him coldly, like a pathetic clown. “Liam, have you forgotten what kind of child you abandoned three years ago?” My voice wasn’t loud, but it cut clearly into his ears. “He was hooked up to tubes, doctors said he wouldn’t live past three months, he even needed a machine to breathe.” “Now look at my son-healthy, lively, intelligent. When you abandoned him, did you ever think you deserved to be his father?” Liam’s expression froze. He clearly hadn’t expected me to so calmly expose his past. The chatter among my colleagues grew louder. “Oh my god, Liam has a son? I thought he broke up with Sarah years ago to go abroad with Jasmine for further studies.” “That kid looks so smart, not at all like he was ever sick.” “Sarah is so strong, raising a child alone for three years. It must have been incredibly difficult.”

Jasmine’s face turned from pale to green. She dug her nails into her palm, forcing out a wronged smile. “Sarah, I know you resent us, but back then, I had no choice…” “If Liam hadn’t left, his future would have been ruined. I was just trying to help him.” As she spoke, her eyes welled up, and she gazed tearfully at Liam. Liam’s heart immediately went out to her. He pulled Jasmine into a hug, then turned, glaring at me fiercely. “Sarah, stop being so sarcastic! If it weren’t for me, you’d still be a faded, frumpy housewife with nothing!” “I’m willing to acknowledge Noah, that shows I’m being generous! Don’t be ungrateful!” He grew more agitated, spittle nearly flying into my face. “The car you’re driving? Did your poor husband buy it? Could he afford it? You’re still spending my money!” “I’m telling you, I’m taking this kid with me today! And you, you’re coming back with me too!” “My money?” I felt like I’d heard the funniest joke, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Liam, three years ago, you took the two million dollars my parents gave me for a house, plus all my savings from five years of work. Shouldn’t we settle that score?” At the mention of money, Liam’s face instantly twisted into a foul expression. He squeezed my wrist with such force that I heard a crisp crack. “You dare bring up money? That was for my startup! For our future!” “What does a woman like you need so much money for? Isn’t it all just going into that car now, to make your toy boy look good?” I gasped in pain, cold sweat beading on my forehead. Seeing me bullied, Noah’s dark eyes instantly turned cold. He struggled free from my arms and, like an angry little beast, bit Liam’s hand. “Bad man! Don’t bully my mommy!” Liam yelped, violently shaking his hand. Noah stumbled from the force, almost falling. My heart clenched. I quickly caught my son, shielding him behind me. Liam stared at the deep teeth marks on the back of his hand, his eyes red with fury. He raised his hand, ready to strike Noah. “You little punk! Just like your mother, an ungrateful little monster!” His palm never landed. A sudden force grabbed his arm. Mr. Miller, the company’s security chief, arrived with two other guards, sternly holding Liam back. “Sir, please show some respect! This is company property, not a place for you to cause a scene!” Liam struggled, cursing loudly. “Who do you think you are?! Trying to interfere with my family matters? I’m her husband!” Jasmine shrieked, pointing her finger at my face. “Sarah, you vicious woman! You actually called security to hit the child’s biological father! Is your heart made of stone?!” She cried dramatically, like a damsel in distress, as if I were the villain. I couldn’t be bothered to waste any more breath on them. I pulled out my phone and aimed the camera at their ugly faces. “I’ve already called the police. Keep making a scene, and you’ll be arrested.” Seeing my phone camera, Liam and Jasmine’s arrogance instantly deflated. Liam shot me a hateful glare, lowering his voice in a threat. “Sarah, just you wait! I’m telling you, I’ve done my research. Your husband, Julian, is just a regular college professor!” “I’m putting it out there right now. Tomorrow, I’ll go to his university. Let’s see what a poor professor like him can do against me!”

“And my son can’t be living out there, calling some other man ‘Dad’!” He spat out his threats, then dragged a still-sobbing Jasmine and slunk away into their beat-up used car. Watching them disappear, the coldness in my eyes turned to ice. In my previous life, he did exactly this. He went to Julian’s university, caused a scene, spread rumors that Julian was a home-wrecker, which led to Julian being suspended for investigation. That period was the darkest time for Julian and me. This time, I would never let history repeat itself. I put away my phone and looked down at my son. “Noah, are you scared?” Noah shook his head, his small hand gripping my clothes tightly, his gaze firm. “I’m not scared. Dad will protect us.” I stroked his head, a warmth spreading through my heart. Yes, this time, I had Julian. Liam’s harassment came sooner than I expected. That afternoon, I received a call from Professor Davies at the university. His voice was filled with difficulty. “Sarah, your ex-husband, Liam, is here at the university. He’s specifically asking to see Professor Julian, saying he wants to… ‘settle things’.” “A lot of students are gathering around. It doesn’t look good, so…” My fingers tightened around the phone. Sure enough, he was following the exact same path as in my previous life. Self-righteous, and utterly foolish. “Professor, don’t mind him. He’s just a lunatic. I’ve already called the police.” After hanging up, I immediately sent Julian a text. “Ignore him. I’m on my way.” Julian quickly replied with a single word. “Okay.” I drove straight to Northwestern University. The car sped down the road, and the helplessness and regret from my past life resurfaced. Three years ago, I caught him cheating with Jasmine. In my despair, I had a drunken night with Julian, who was also going through a tough time. I had intended to cut off contact, but then I found out I was pregnant. When I told Liam, he thought the baby was his and was ecstatic. But Noah was born with a rare genetic disease. The enormous medical bills instantly made him change his tune. He colluded with Jasmine, stole all my money, and abandoned Noah and me like trash. When I had nowhere else to turn, I reconnected with Julian. He concealed his true identity from me, only saying he was a regular teacher, but he quietly created a safe haven for Noah. I would never forget that kindness. Liam’s current arrogance was built on his laughable ignorance. Halfway there, my phone suddenly vibrated wildly. Notifications from various social media apps chimed nonstop. I tapped it open. A post titled “Exposed: My Gold-Digger Ex-Wife Married a Poor Professor but Drives a Luxury Car” was trending across all major forums. The poster was Jasmine. In the post, she painted herself as a long-suffering good woman, and Liam as a self-sacrificing good man who went abroad to build a future. And I, on the other hand, was a materialistic, promiscuous villain, using her ex-husband’s money to support her toy boy, and refusing to let Noah’s real father see his child. Attached to the post were photos taken that morning in the parking lot, my luxury car, and a side profile shot of Julian lecturing, somehow acquired from somewhere. In the photo, Julian wore a simple white shirt and classic wire-rimmed glasses, looking gentle and scholarly. The comment section had exploded. “OMG, this woman is shameless! Drives a luxury car, but her husband is a university professor? Can that professor’s monthly salary even cover gas?”

“This professor looks all prim and proper. Is he just some rich woman’s boy toy?” “My heart goes out to the original poster and her boyfriend. They struggled for three years abroad, only to come back and find their home stolen, and the child brainwashed by a stepdad.” “Dox her! Women like this deserve to be cyberbullied to death!” Although my photo was pixelated, anyone who knew me would recognize me instantly. In my company’s chat group, people were already subtly discussing the matter. A tidal wave of malice surged towards me. In my previous life, I was driven to resign by this very public backlash, even falling into depression. But now, looking at the hateful words, my heart felt strangely calm. Because I knew these people would soon learn just how dangerous a person they had provoked. The car stopped at the gate of Northwestern University. I immediately spotted Liam, surrounded by a crowd. He was ranting, tears streaming, telling the surrounding students how he’d been cuckolded and his son taken from him. Jasmine stood by, crying dramatically, fueling the righteous indignation of many unsuspecting students. “Julian! You coward! Get out here!” Liam yelled at the top of his lungs. “Stealing my wife, taking my son, what kind of man are you?! If you have the guts, come out and face me!” Just then, the teaching building doors opened. Julian walked out slowly. He was still wearing that white shirt, his expression composed. Seeing him, Liam seemed pumped full of adrenaline, rushing forward instantly. “You’re Julian? You home-wrecker! Give me back my wife and child!” “Mr. Miller, please watch your language.” Julian adjusted his glasses, his voice quiet but carrying undeniable authority. “Sarah is currently my legal wife, and Noah is my son.” His calmness stood in stark contrast to Liam’s frenzy. Liam was momentarily speechless, then grew even more enraged. “Proof of identity means nothing! Blood ties can’t be changed! What right does a poor teacher like you have to raise my son?!” He pointed at my luxury car not far away, his face full of scorn. “Can you even afford that car? You’re just spending my woman’s money! Everything you eat, everything you wear, isn’t it all from me?” “I’m telling you, today you either give me back my child, or you pay me a million dollars in emotional damages! Otherwise, I’m not done with you!” The surrounding students burst into an uproar, pointing and whispering about Julian. Julian’s expression finally darkened. He looked at Liam as if he were already dead. “You want a million dollars?” “Yes! A million, not a penny less!” Liam, thinking Julian was scared, grew even more arrogant. “Alright.” Julian nodded, pulled out his phone, and made a call. “Come to Northwestern University. I need you to clean up some trash,” he said, his tone flat. Liam and Jasmine were stunned. The surrounding students exchanged confused glances, unsure what was happening. Less than ten minutes later, several black Audi A6s pulled up on campus. Several middle-aged men in suits got out. Leading them was none other than President Thompson of Northwestern University. Mr. Thompson hurried forward, followed by several department heads. They bypassed Liam and walked straight to Julian, their posture extremely deferential, almost subservient. “Mr. Cooper! You didn’t have to come all this way. You could have just sent word!” “Is this the ignorant person causing trouble on your campus?” The entire scene fell silent.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “364306”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance #擦边Steamy

Before the dance competition, I drank the water my adopted sister, Lily, handed me. During the performance, I fell in the center of the stage, my ankle permanently damaged, ending my dance career completely. My parents sighed, “Lily has more talent. We’ll focus on nurturing her from now on.” My fiancé turned and took her hand, “Lily has more vitality than you. You’re too fragile.” I became a choreography assistant, watching helplessly as she took everything from me. Until I discovered she was bound to a Life Replacement System, and using it, she had stolen my life. I ran to confront her, and in our argument, I fell from the top floor. When I opened my eyes again, I was back before the dance competition. My adopted sister was bringing over that cup of water. I took the cup, and as she activated the Life Replacement System, I whispered, “Actually, I inherited a family illness. I’m destined not to live past thirty.” Her face went pale, and she loudly told the system to stop the replacement. But the system’s voice had already sounded: [Program irreversible, executing now] I looked at her trembling form, a smile gracing my lips. “Congratulations, you’ve inherited the curse passed down through generations of our family.”

“Clara, it’s almost time for your performance. Have some water to soothe your throat.” Lily held out a cup of warm water, smiling innocently, her eyes dewy like a fawn’s, making anyone who saw them feel a pang of tenderness. I looked at her, and at the water in her hand. A familiar scene. In my previous life, it was this spiked water that caused muscle spasms during the final of the most important dance competition, making me fall from a high pointe, shattering my ankle and my entire ballet career. Then, my adopted sister, Lily, climbed over me, metaphorically speaking, to seize everything I held dear. Now, she was back. I took the cup, looking at the clear liquid inside. Under her expectant and nervous gaze, I drank it all. “Clara, you’re so good to me.” A flicker of wild joy passed through Lily’s eyes, fleeting but noticeable. She eagerly leaned in, her hands intimately wrapping around my arm, as if we were the best of sisters in the world. “Clara, I truly envy you. Your dance talent is a gift kissed by the gods.” Her warm breath brushed my ear, carrying a strange, cloying stickiness. I could feel something being peeled away from my body, a peculiar sensation, like a part of my soul being drawn out. And Lily’s body was visibly becoming lighter, more coordinated, even the rhythm of her breathing now carried a dancer’s grace. I heard a cold, mechanical voice from Lily. “Life Replacement System initiated.” “Target replacement: Clara.” “Replacing talent: Top-tier ballet talent.” The greed in Lily’s eyes was almost overflowing. She thought I didn’t know her secret. This parasite, living by plundering others’ talents, had set her sights on me. She was probably already envisioning how she would mesmerize everyone in the audience with my talent on stage, becoming the true proud daughter of the family. And I, once again, would be the crippled waste, abandoned by all. What a pity. I subtly tilted my head, my lips close to her ear, and slowly spoke in a voice only we two could hear. “You want my life?” I felt her body stiffen instantly. I smiled, my voice gentle. “I forgot to tell you, I inherited a family illness.” “I won’t live past thirty.” The smile on Lily’s face froze. The grip on my arm tightened sharply, her nails almost digging into my flesh. “Clara… what are you talking about?” Her voice trembled, and for the first time, those fawn-like eyes showed genuine terror. “Talking nonsense?” I turned my face to meet her gaze, speaking each word, clear as a bell. “It’s a hereditary disease from my mom’s side. My grandma, my great-aunts—none of them lived past thirty. If you don’t believe me, you can check the family tree.” “Why do you think Mom and Dad adopted you?” “Because they needed a healthy child to inherit the family’s legacy.” “Lily. My talent isn’t easy to take. You’ll have to bear the cost it brings.” Lily’s pupils constricted, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably. She tried to let go of me, tried to flee, but it was too late. [Talent replacement successful. Program irreversible.] The color drained from Lily’s face in an instant. She looked at me in horror, her lips quivering, unable to utter a single word. And I, facing her, offered the first genuine smile since my rebirth.

Lily snapped back to reality, shaking off my hand as if burned, stumbling back two steps. Her face was ashen, and the look in her eyes was no longer feigned affection, but fear, as if I were the grim reaper come for her soul. “Next up, contestant number 32, Lily. Please prepare to go on stage.” Lily’s body wouldn’t stop shaking. I watched her with composure, even helping to smooth a non-existent wrinkle on her dance dress. “Go on, Lily.” “Use my talent to win your championship.” I bit off those words lightly, yet they landed like heavy hammers on her heart. She stared with wide, terrified eyes, her lips moving, but not a sound came out. The staff urged her on. She was half-pushed, half-coaxed onto the stage. The moment the spotlight hit her, I sat in the shadows of the side curtain, clearly seeing the cold sweat on her face. The music began, “The Dying Swan.” In my previous life, I won the gold medal with this dance, rising to fame overnight. Lily’s body moved. My talent was showcased perfectly through her. Every pirouette, every leap, was textbook precise. The technique was impeccable. The judges and audience gasped in admiration. My parents, Robert and Eleanor, and Julian Smith sat in the front row, their faces alight with undisguised surprise and pride. But I saw it clearly. Her eyes were hollow, her movements stiff, filled with a terrifying lack of control over her own body. She wasn’t a white swan, but a puppet manipulated by invisible strings. With the final pirouette, she stopped steadily, her posture perfect. Applause thundered through the hall. But she looked utterly drained, almost collapsing to her knees. Soon, it was my turn. I switched to music for another dance, light-hearted and full of vitality. After I broke my leg in my previous life, I choreographed countless dances from my wheelchair. This was one of my proudest creations. I danced with abandon, pouring all my emotions into every step. Until the final, challenging series of turns. In my previous life, it was here that the drug took effect, and my life came crashing down. This time, I counted the beats. Three, two, one. I deliberately twisted my ankle, letting my body fall forward. But I used a clever move, rolling once on the floor to absorb most of the impact. A gasp. The music abruptly stopped. The entire hall fell silent. I pushed myself up, trying to stand, a sharp stab of pain in my ankle. Hmm, a sprain. Not serious, a month’s rest would fix it. My parents and Julian rushed over immediately, surrounding me. “Clara! What happened to you?!” My mom, Eleanor, cried, her voice tinged with sharp reprimand. “How could you be so careless!” My dad, Robert, frowned, telling the assistant directly, “Call an ambulance, get her to the hospital for a check-up.” Julian held my arm, his voice sounding very anxious. “Clara, are you okay? Don’t be afraid, I’m here.” Worry was etched on their faces. But when I looked up, I saw all three of their gazes involuntarily drift past my shoulder, to behind me. There, Lily stood in the center of the stage, clutching the newly awarded champion’s trophy. She was the only star tonight. Julian supported me, his grip steady, his voice as gentle as ever. “Don’t be sad, it’s just a competition.” He said, but his gaze was glued to Lily, the admiration in his eyes almost overflowing. Yet, I keenly caught a flash of appraisal deep within his look. That wasn’t the way a man looked at his beloved. It was the way a businessman sized up a commodity. A cold laugh echoed in my mind. See, Julian. He never loved Clara, nor Lily. He loved, always, the item that could stand in the spotlight, adding luster to him. As I was thinking, Julian suddenly leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Clara, Lily’s talent… it seems even better than yours.” His voice carried a hint of barely perceptible excitement. I lowered my eyes, concealing the mockery within them. “Yes.” “She’s dancing for her life, after all.”

At the celebration party, everyone wore polite smiles. Lily, in a white cocktail dress, was surrounded by the crowd, like a true princess. And I, with my ankle bandaged, sat in a corner sofa, like an outsider. The air was thick with expensive perfume and the aroma of food, which made me feel a little nauseous. My dad, Robert, walked over with a glass of wine, looking down at me. “Clara, what did the doctor say?” “Minor issue, rest for a month,” I replied indifferently. He nodded, his face expressionless, a true businessman. “That’s good then.” He paused, his tone brooking no argument. “From now on, you should stop dancing. Stay behind the scenes, help your sister.” Those words were exactly the same as in my previous life. Back then, I felt like I was plunged into an ice bath, almost collapsing. Now, I simply looked up calmly. “Dad, do you mean for me to be Lily’s backdrop?” Robert frowned, seemingly displeased by my directness. “What backdrop? Shouldn’t sisters help each other? You’ve seen Lily’s talent, she has a brighter future than you.” My mom, Eleanor, also walked over, linking her arm through his, her face full of self-righteousness. “Clara, your dad is right. I also retired due to injury when I was young; it’s fate. Now Lily can fulfill Mom’s dream, you should be happy for her.” “That’s right, Clara,” Julian interjected smoothly, crouching before me and taking my hand. “You’re not well right now, so don’t push yourself. I’ll take care of you, and you can just be my wife and support Lily’s career. Isn’t that better?” The three of them spoke in perfect, choreographed unison. Lightly arranging my life, clear as day. In my previous life, I cried, asking why they were doing this to me. Julian just coldly shook off my hand. “Clara, can’t you be more mature? What I need is a partner who can stand beside me in business, not a burden I need to take care of.” That sentence, like a knife, cut into my heart, aching day and night. This time, I looked into his seemingly earnest eyes and suddenly smiled. “Alright.” I answered too quickly, too readily. All three of them were stunned. I gently pulled my hand from Julian’s grasp and slowly picked up a glass of juice from the nearby table. “I agree.” “From now on, I’ll be my sister’s assistant, her practice partner, the stepping stone on her path to success.” My smile grew even brighter, my gaze sweeping past them to Lily, who was surrounded by the crowd. She seemed to sense my stare and looked over. Our eyes met, and a flicker of triumph and satisfaction crossed her eyes. I raised my glass to her, then tipped my head back, draining the juice in one gulp. My parents and Julian visibly relaxed, their faces showing satisfaction. In their eyes, my ‘sensible’ decision saved them a lot of trouble. I pushed myself up from the sofa, limping towards Lily. The crowd automatically parted to create a path for me. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on me, carrying sympathy, pity, and a hint of schadenfreude, as if watching a good show. Lily watched me approach, her smile stiffening, and she instinctively took half a step back. She was afraid of me. Good. I stopped in front of her. The surroundings instantly grew quiet. I reached out, intimately brushing a stray lock of hair from her temple, my actions as gentle as the most loving older sister. “Congratulations, Lily.” “How does it feel to take my talent?” Lily’s body instantly tensed, her pupils contracting sharply. I kept smiling, leaning in closer, and whispered in her ear, in a voice only we two could hear: “But, Lily, my things aren’t that easy to take.” “You’ll have to… really bear the consequences it brings.” I drew out the word “consequences” softly and slowly, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue. Lily’s face, in an instant, drained of all color. I straightened up, pleased with her reaction, then raised my voice so those around could hear. “Lily, from now on, I’ll support you wholeheartedly. You absolutely must not disappoint everyone.” With that, I patted her shoulder, turned, and walked step by step out of this opulent cage, under the complex gazes of the onlookers. Behind me, Lily stood frozen in place. In the reflection of the banquet hall’s glass, I clearly saw. The hand holding her champagne glass was trembling uncontrollably, golden liquid spilling out, dampening her pure white dress. I knew. The nightmare had only just begun.

Lily started having nightmares night after night. The lights in her room were always on until morning. When I occasionally got up in the night, I could hear her suppressed sobs and neurotic murmurs. “It’s fake… it’s all fake…” She started losing handfuls of hair, her eyes had heavy dark circles, and her once sparkling eyes were now bloodshot, looking at everyone with terror and suspicion. My mom took her to a psychologist, but it was no use. I knew what she was afraid of. The time was almost right. I used an unregistered burner phone to send Julian a text message. “Want to know why Lily’s been acting strange lately? 3 PM, City Central Hospital, Genetic Screening Department.” Then, I deleted the record and flushed the SIM card down the toilet. At 2:55 PM, I stood at the end of the hospital’s genetics department corridor, wearing a mask and a baseball cap. The smell of disinfectant was somewhat pungent. I leaned against the wall, watching Lily rush out of the doctor’s office, clutching a report. She was trembling all over, the report crumpled in her grasp. The doctor followed her out, his voice soothing. “Miss Lily, please don’t get agitated. This is just based on the sample you provided, showing a risk of a certain genetic defect. It doesn’t mean it will definitely manifest…” Lily spun around sharply, her voice shrill. “Risk? You don’t understand anything! This is a curse! I’m going to die! I won’t live past thirty!” The doctor was startled by her hysterical behavior and took a step back, frowning. Just then, a figure emerged from the shadows of the corridor. It was Julian. His face was ashen. He strode forward, staring intensely at Lily. “What are you talking about? What genetic disease?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “364305”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance #擦边Steamy

The company party turned into a game of Truth or Dare. The loser had to reveal a secret. Sarah’s assistant, Brooks, lost. He raised his glass, a smirk on his face. “Sarah and I share a secret. After she had her baby, she came back to work, and she was really uncomfortable in the office. I was the one who helped her with it.” Soon, people started egging him on. “Sarah has such a great figure! You got lucky!” “Just helped her? Nothing else happen?” Brooks licked his lips, savoring the moment. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m her assistant, helping her is just part of my job!” Sarah laughed, covering Brooks’s mouth. “Say one more word, and I’m docking your bonus this month.” My fists clenched in anger. Soon, it was my turn to lose. Facing everyone’s stares, I calmly said, “I’ll share a secret too. I’m planning to divorce Sarah.” A ripple of shock went through the employees. “Will used to be so forgiving! He didn’t even say anything when he saw Sarah and Brooks holding hands at the mall. What changed?” “Will, Brooks was just helping Sarah out! Don’t get mad!” Sarah stared at me. “Will, it was just a joke. Are you really going to be this sensitive?” I held back my fury. “It has nothing to do with sensitivity. I genuinely want to divorce you.” Brooks’s eyes instantly reddened. “Will, I didn’t mean it. I was just making a joke to liven things up. I didn’t know you were so sensitive…” I looked at him mockingly. “Then let me make a joke too. If I’m not mistaken, your sister has a red mole on her left thigh, and she also has a good figure…” “You…” Brooks’s face flushed crimson. He looked tearfully at Sarah. Slap! Sarah raised her hand and slapped me across the face. “Will, are you going to keep this up?” I clutched my stinging face, staring at her in shock. She hit me, for an assistant? “Will, you actually spied on Brooks’s sister? Get down on your knees and apologize to him right now!” I laughed, tears streaming down my face. “He jokes about me, and you want me to be understanding. I joke about him, and you want me to kneel and apologize?” I turned to leave. Sarah yelled after me, “If you walk out that door, if you don’t kneel and apologize, I’ll fire you from everything!” “Fine, Sarah! I’ll wait for you to fire me! And the divorce papers will be on your desk.” I walked out. The door slammed shut behind me. “Sarah, Will is such a jerk, isn’t he? And he even insulted my sister!” Brooks whined, looking hurt. “By his logic, if he knew we kissed in the office before, or that I helped you change when you were too drunk to yourself… he’d probably drop dead from anger!” “But it’s my duty as your assistant! Will is so narrow-minded; he sees everything as dirty.” Sarah patted him, comforting him. “He’s just jealous. Don’t take it to heart.” To comfort Brooks, she actually kissed him in front of everyone. “I think Sarah and Brooks are actually a couple.” “Yeah, Brooks has brought in so many clients for the company!” “Will hasn’t signed any contracts lately. He’s just a dead weight, can’t do anything right.” A chorus of flattering voices filled the private room. Brooks took the opportunity to pat Sarah’s backside a few times! Watching that scene, I froze just outside the door, unwelcome tears blurring my vision. I went home to pack my things. Just as I finished, my phone rang. It was a SnapChat video from Brooks. Sarah lay on a big hotel bed, her eyes hazy, two buttons of her top undone. Then, Brooks’s voice came through. “Will, Sarah’s had too much to drink. I brought her to the hotel to rest. I’ll leave after I help her get cleaned up. Don’t be jealous, okay?”

My forehead throbbed, veins bulging! This was an open provocation! I didn’t answer. I just switched off my phone. When I went into the bathroom to shower, I suddenly spotted a pregnancy test in the trash can. Two red lines. I froze. I’d been away on a business trip for a month. Sarah and I hadn’t been intimate in three months. But she was pregnant. Whose child was it? I stared intensely at the pregnancy test. Then, I burst into laughter! Followed by a torrent of tears! She and I had no future left. It was my own fault for investing too deeply, for loving the wrong person. After my shower, I saw our wedding photo on the wall, us smiling so brightly and happily, arms around each other. But now, everything had changed. I tore my half of the photo down and tossed it into the trash. I called my lawyer friend, and soon a divorce agreement was delivered. I signed it and arranged for it to be sent to the company. Sarah would see it first thing in the morning. After doing all this, I felt an abnormal sense of relief. But what about our four-year-old son, Leo? That night, Sarah didn’t come home again. The next day, I went to my parents’ house, intending to take Leo to preschool. Unexpectedly, Sarah was already there. She’d shown the divorce papers to my parents, Robert and Susan. My dad, Robert, stood up and shouted at me, “Will, how long are you going to keep this up?” “Sarah is such a good woman; you want to divorce her?” My mom, Susan, tried to reason with me. “Will, Leo is already in preschool. Don’t be foolish now.” Sarah’s eyes teared up. “Will, I’m the CEO of the company. Sometimes I need to bond with my employees. Why are you so jealous? Do you really have to divorce me?” After a long moment, I stared into her eyes. “Sarah, the baby you’re carrying… it’s Brooks’s, isn’t it?” Silence instantly fell over the room. Sarah’s body trembled. “H-how did you know?” “You don’t need to know how I know.” “Let’s divorce.” Sarah cried heartbreakingly. “Will, I made a mistake. I don’t want a divorce.” “Divorce.” Slap! It wasn’t Sarah who hit me. It was my dad! “So what if the baby isn’t yours? You’re really going to divorce her over this?” My mom also said, “Sarah has helped our family so much. She paid for your dad’s hospital surgery, remember?” “And Dylan’s four years of college, and his house down payment… all came from her.” Sarah grabbed my arm. “Will, let’s not divorce, okay?” She pulled me aside, her voice apologetic. “About the baby… I was just so lonely that night… it was just one time. I didn’t expect to get pregnant…” But on her face, I saw a look of pure happiness. “If you have to blame anyone, blame me, okay? Don’t blame Brooks, he’s just a young man…” I laughed, tears welling up. “A twenty-six-year-old ‘young man’?” I turned to leave. But my brother, Dylan, blocked my way. “Sarah just made a mistake in a moment of weakness.” “You should forgive her.” “When the baby is born, we’ll just raise it like Leo’s little brother or sister.” At that moment, four-year-old Leo walked up and hugged my leg, crying, “Daddy, don’t leave Mommy! And don’t be mad at Uncle Brooks, he’s so nice to me…” This was my child! He was even siding with Brooks! I felt profoundly alone, my heart pierced as if by a knife. They were all using their own self-interest to force me to stay with Sarah!

Had they forgotten my contributions to this family? Sarah and I were college sweethearts. One afternoon, during a heavy downpour, I slipped on my way back to the dorm. My ankle swelled up horribly, and the pain was excruciating. Then, Sarah, a classmate, came over with an umbrella and helped me up. Only when we got to the hospital did I realize half her body was drenched. “Sarah, thank you so much.” “We’re classmates; we should help each other.” She smiled at me, that innocent, radiant smile forever etched in my mind. After that, I pursued her. Soon, we were together. As graduation approached, her family’s company ran into financial trouble. She cried, clinging to me, saying that to save her family, she had to obey her parents’ orders and marry a man decades older than her, likely to be one of his many wives, just to save her family’s business. She was utterly helpless, the light gone from her eyes. I felt a pang of pity and promised to help her however I could. So, I resolutely sold my shares in the startup I’d built with friends – a company that was finally taking off after just a year – and loaned her family millions to keep it afloat. She hugged me, moved to tears. “I will be so, so good to you for the rest of my life.” Money wasn’t enough, though. So, I joined her company. Through sheer grit, my professional expertise, and countless nights making crucial deals – often involving far too much socializing – I pulled her family’s company back from the brink, and it even started thriving. After that, we got married, and soon our son was born. I thought we would live happily ever after. But then, while she was pregnant with Leo, Brooks, fresh out of college, became her assistant. From that moment, I noticed she changed. The office door was often closed. Sometimes she didn’t come home all night. She constantly found excuses to go on business trips. When she was home, she’d hide in the bathroom, talking on the phone in hushed, laughing tones. One time, when I couldn’t open her office door, I used my key. I found her sitting on the sofa, holding her young assistant. She hastily explained, “Will, Brooks just lost his balance and fell on me. Don’t get the wrong idea.” And I actually believed her ridiculous story. Later, I even saw them holding hands while shopping at the mall. Sarah explained that she’d seen a stalker following her, so she and Brooks pretended to be a couple to scare the pervert away. I believed everything she said! Because I trusted her one hundred percent, it never crossed my mind that she would betray me. But the person I loved most hurt me the deepest. “If you want a divorce, I’ll fire you immediately, and the company won’t give you any dividends.” Sarah threatened, “Without me, you won’t be able to make it in this industry. You’ll be a complete failure, maybe even end up sweeping streets!” She forgot that I was the one who saved her family from the brink of bankruptcy. It was my help that kept her from marrying a man decades older. Hearing her words, my parents and Dylan looked terrified. Dylan said, “Don’t be foolish, Will… Sarah just made a small mistake; you should forgive her.” Leo, in his sweet child’s voice, said, “Daddy, I want you and Mommy to be together!” Under my family’s pressure. I paused, then looked at Sarah. “I won’t divorce you, but you have to agree to three things: Terminate this pregnancy.” “Fire Brooks and never see him again.” “And give me the 50% shares that are rightfully mine.” At the time, when I invested millions into her family’s company, she promised to convert it into half the company shares.

But because we were together and I was already getting dividends from the company, I never pressed her for them. “Will, are you really going to be this cruel to me?” “Everything you just asked for is incredibly cruel to me.” “Even if it’s Brooks’s child, you could still raise it as your own!” “And no, I can’t fire Brooks. He’s brought in so many contracts lately. You’re nowhere near as good as him!” I’m not as good as him? I laughed, tears streaming down my face. “Then what more is there to say?” I turned and walked away. Behind me, I heard my son’s cries and my family’s accusations of me being unfilial. I returned home, grabbed my luggage, and headed out. I went to a hotel to check in. After I registered, the receptionist said, “Sir, your card payment failed.” I tried other payment methods, but none worked. Then I received a message from Sarah. “Will, are you having trouble paying?” “As long as you don’t divorce me and don’t force me to fire Brooks, you can buy anything you want.” Before, she’d asked me to give her my salary card. Then she’d give me an allowance each month. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, believing it would strengthen our relationship. I never imagined it was a way to control me. Unable to pay, I had no choice but to leave the hotel. The streets were bustling with people, but I had nowhere to go. I took my luggage and went to a park. “Will, Sarah sent me to pick you up and bring you home.” I hadn’t been sitting long when Brooks, driving Sarah’s brand new Rolls-Royce convertible, pulled up to the park entrance and walked over to me. I gave him a cold glance but said nothing. Brooks, seeing no one else around, smirked triumphantly. “Know why she’s pregnant?” “That day, she and I were meeting a client. On the way, I tried to kiss her.” “She was actually going to let me.” “But then, your call came in at just the wrong time.” “She talked to you and pushed me away.” “I was annoyed, so that night, I deliberately invited colleagues to get her drunk. Then, as usual, I took her to a hotel.” “In bed, I held her, and she thought it was you. She kept calling your name.” “I answered, saying, ‘How about I take good care of you?’” “I took the chance to undo her clothes, and then we made love.” Brooks bent over laughing. “You probably don’t know this, but while she was enjoying herself, she kept calling your name.” “It’s pretty funny, having an affair with another man, but calling out her husband’s name inside.” “But for me, it was incredibly satisfying.” I lunged and punched him! Brooks’s lip was bleeding as he fell to the ground. “Will, he was trying to bring you home, and you hit him?” “Daddy, Brooks bought me a toy car, why did you hit him?” Sarah walked over with Leo. Leo, clutching his toy car, shielded Brooks, calling me a bad dad. I suddenly understood. Brooks had done this on purpose. What chilled me to the bone wasn’t Sarah, but my son’s attitude. Sarah looked at me. “After you left this morning, Leo cried and refused to go to school. So Brooks took him to the children’s park all morning and even bought him a toy car.” “Later, he was worried something might happen to you, so he said he’d come pick you up.” “He had good intentions, and you beat him up like this?” Hearing this, Brooks said weakly, “Sarah, my face really hurts.” Sarah tenderly stroked his face, then helped him up. “Apologize to him right now!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “364304”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance #擦边Steamy

In my past life, I desperately tried to stop my boyfriend, Ryan, and his childhood friend, Chloe, from attempting a perilous extreme cave dive. But Chloe wouldn’t listen. She dove down, touched the bottom, and got stuck in the silt. To save her, Ryan pushed me into the mud with his own hands, so Chloe could use me as a stepping stone to escape. “Christiana, don’t be so selfish. Chloe is scared; save her first. You’re a professional diving instructor, I know you’ll be fine.” He took Chloe’s hand and swam to the surface without looking back. And I died in that murky silt. When I opened my eyes again, I had been reborn. As Chloe prepared to dive further, I didn’t stop them. Instead, I slowly gave them a thumbs-up. Chloe looked at me triumphantly. But they didn’t know that this signal meant “danger, abort dive.” “Christiana, are you chicken?” Chloe’s provocative voice reached my ears through the bone conduction headset. “I told Ryan that if we succeeded in this challenge, our live stream viewership would hit top 1. What’s your problem with that?” The cold water enveloped me, but it was nothing compared to the chill in my heart. Before me, Ryan impatiently fiddled with his full-face mask, his eyes full of disgust. “Christiana, don’t bring your professional paranoia here. Chloe wants to see the sights down there, so I’m taking her. If you’re scared, go back to the surface.” This scene was all too familiar. In my past life, it was at this very depth, at this deadly dive site called “Skull Cave.” I earnestly tried to dissuade them, explaining that the area ahead was an unexplored silt zone, highly prone to “silt out,” which would lead to dangerously low visibility. And what happened? Ryan forced the dive, and Chloe, due to her poor technique, touched the bottom and was sucked into the silt. In her struggle, she kicked up a massive cloud of mud, obscuring our vision. In a panic, she clung to my leg. And Ryan, my boyfriend of many years whom I deeply loved, brutally kicked my regulator to help Chloe push off and escape. He pressed my shoulders, forcing me beneath, letting Chloe step on me to get out of the mud. I sank deep into the silt, my lungs filling with mud, dying a suffocating, agonizing death. Until my very last breath, I saw them kissing through their masks. Ryan’s voice came through the bone conduction headset: “After that crisis, I realized Chloe is the most important person in my life.” “Thank you for your sacrifice to save Chloe. We’ll make sure to teach our child about you.” In this moment of rebirth, the phantom pain of suffocation still lingered in my lungs and throat. I was underwater, and I quickly regulated my breathing to avoid any signs of carbon dioxide poisoning. I watched Ryan give the dive signal again. It was Chloe’s invitation to challenge the hundred-meter abyss. This time, I didn’t act like a maniac, trying to yank open their tank valves. I adjusted my buoyancy in the water, steadying myself. Then, facing the live stream camera, I slowly raised my right hand. And gave them a clear thumbs-up. In diving, a thumbs-up means ‘end the dive, ascend.’

Unfortunately, they hadn’t been listening when I repeatedly emphasized dive signals before we went into the water. Chloe thought I was showing off, and she rolled her eyes at me. She impatiently cut me off: “Alright, alright, how many times have you said it? Do you really think we’ve never dived before? We know all about it, you don’t need to lecture us.” Ryan gently stroked Chloe’s head, completely ignoring my awkward situation. Now, seeing my signal, Ryan paused, then a flicker of triumph crossed his eyes. They thought I was agreeing, even praising them for being ‘awesome.’ He probably thought I had finally learned to be submissive. Chloe, even through her mask, rolled her eyes at me again, then linked arms with Ryan. Like two reckless lovers, they plunged headfirst into the darkness that had devoured my life in my past existence. I watched their figures gradually blur. Without hesitation, I turned, checked my pressure gauge, and initiated the standard ascent procedure. You can’t save people who are determined to self-destruct. Since you’re so adventurous. Then I wish you an eternal embrace in that silt. I surfaced alone, the sunlight so bright it made my eyes squint. The safety officer on the boat looked at me in shock: “Christiana, why are you alone? Where are Ryan and Chloe?” I removed my mask, slowly unhooking my BCD. A timely look of helplessness and bitterness crossed my face. “They said I was getting in the way, too controlling. They insisted on challenging the hundred-meter crevice.” “I couldn’t stop them, so I came up first to avoid any arguments escalating into an accident down there.” The crew members exchanged glances, and the live stream comments started scrolling furiously. 【This instructor is so irresponsible, just left them down there?】 【Shut up, Ryan brought this on himself. Christiana is an instructor, not a babysitter.】 【Exactly, they signed a waiver. Adults are responsible for their own actions.】 I ignored the commotion and found a corner to sit in. My GoPro was clutched tightly in my hand. It held the most dramatic scene of our farewell. Time ticked by, minute by minute. The surfacing time had already passed by ten minutes. The atmosphere on the boat began to grow heavy. The safety officer kept checking his watch, anxiously calling into the walkie-talkie, only to hear the dead static of silence. Another five minutes passed, and suddenly, many bubbles appeared on the calm sea surface. The water churned. Two figures burst out of the water, looking disheveled and frantic. They weren’t performing a normal ‘decompression ascent,’ but an uncontrolled emergency ascent – extremely dangerous. Ryan dragged a semi-conscious Chloe, his face contorted in agony, blood gushing from his nose and mouth. These were classic symptoms of lung overexpansion injury and decompression sickness. “Help! Quick, save her!” Ryan’s voice was hoarse, filled with extreme fear and trembling. The crew members scrambled to pull both of them onto the deck. Chloe’s face was ashen, and her legs were twisted in a grotesque way. As soon as Ryan was on board, he didn’t even bother to wipe the blood from his face. His bloodshot eyes fixated on me, like he wanted to devour me. The next second, he charged at me like a madman. “Christiana! You venomous witch!” “You turned off our spare air valves! You tried to kill Chloe!” His shout drew everyone’s attention to me. Divers from nearby boats also gathered around. The person filming, thinking they had stumbled upon great material, shoved the live stream camera right into my face. Ryan lunged at me, raising his hand to strike. I was prepared, sidestepping quickly. Due to severe decompression sickness, his balance was terrible, and he face-planted onto the deck, falling flat on his face. “Agh!!!” He screamed in pain but didn’t forget to point at me and roar. “Everyone saw it! It was her! She was jealous of Chloe and deliberately messed with our gear underwater!” “Christiana, I’ll make sure you go to jail! I’ll make you pay for this with your life!”

Only three of us were diving, and I was the first to surface. Ryan’s sudden accusation made it hard not to suspect if I had done something underwater. In this era where sympathy often sways towards the injured party, his blood-soaked body and the unconscious Chloe instantly tilted the scales of public opinion. The onlookers, unaware of the truth, started pointing fingers at me. “That’s so cruel, killing someone over jealousy?” “You never know what’s in a person’s heart. She looks professional, but she’s so wicked.” Faced with the accusations, I didn’t immediately retort hysterically. I looked at him calmly. “Ryan, you need proof for what you say.” “You claim I turned off your valves? How exactly did I do that?” I bent down, lifted my tank—which was still almost full—and showed it to everyone. “Less than five minutes after going down, I initiated the ascent procedure.” “My dive computer clearly shows that I maintained a distance of over ten meters from you two at all times.” “Do I have magic, then? Can I wirelessly shut off your oxygen valves?” Ryan was stunned. He hadn’t expected me to be so calm, nor for me to immediately present evidence. But he quickly recovered and changed his argument. “Then you stood by and watched us die! You’re a professional diving instructor, you had a duty to protect us!” “You knew it was dangerous down there, why didn’t you forcibly pull us back?” “You just wanted us to die!” This absurd reasoning almost made me laugh out loud. In my past life, I tried to pull you back, and you killed me. This life, I respect other people’s choices, and now I’m being accused of abandoning them. “Ryan, are you a child?” I looked down at him, sprawled on the deck. “Before we even got in the water, I warned you three times that this season wasn’t suitable for diving. But you still insisted on going down, even signing a liability waiver.” “Underwater, you gave me the finger and told me to get lost.” “Now that something’s happened, you’re blaming me for not stopping you from going to your deaths?” “I’m an instructor, not your mother!”

The roar of the emergency helicopter grew louder, coming from afar. Medical personnel rushed down with stretchers. As Chloe was being carried away, I clearly saw her eyelashes flutter. Was she awake? Still faking it? Yes, waking up now to face public scrutiny would be less advantageous than playing the role of a delicate victim. Before Ryan was loaded onto the stretcher, he clutched the doctor’s hand tightly, shouting at the camera: “I’m going to sue her! I will definitely sue her!” “Viewers, bear witness for me, Christiana is the one who harmed us!” The live stream comment section exploded instantly. The hashtag #Vicious Coach Murder my BF# rocketed to the top of trending topics at lightning speed. I watched the distant helicopter, a cold smirk playing on my lips. Make a scene. The bigger, the better. This current spotlight would be the fuel to burn them later. At the hospital, Ryan’s parents and Chloe’s parents appeared as if on cue, blocking the entrance to the emergency room. Seeing me, Chloe’s mother lunged forward, trying to grab my hair. “You murderer! Give me back my daughter!” The police, who had been standing by, promptly stopped her. “What are you doing! This is a hospital! State your business calmly!” I adjusted my collar, which had been ruffled, and calmly looked at the aggressively confronting me. “Officer, I’m here to cooperate with the investigation and submit evidence.” In the hospital room, Ryan was lying in bed, holding his phone, weeping live on stream. Chloe, though awake, was paralyzed from the waist down due to severe decompression sickness. She was now crying despairingly, clutching Ryan. Seeing me enter, Ryan’s eyes turned red. “Christiana! You have the nerve to show your face!” “I’ll make sure you rot in jail! I’ll make you lose everything you own!” Millions of viewers were watching online. The comments were all cursing me to hell. The officer frowned, signaling Ryan to put down his phone. “Ryan, Christiana says she has video evidence. We need to verify it.” Ryan sneered, his face full of disdain. “Video? What video? Perfect, let everyone see how you stood by and watched us die!” He thought the video I had only recorded the moment I left them underwater. He believed that by insisting I had “abandoned my students,” he could morally crush me and extort a huge sum in compensation. I said nothing, merely connecting my GoPro to the hospital room’s TV. The screen lit up. In clear 4K quality, the deep blue of the ocean was breathtaking. The video began with Ryan and Chloe giving me the middle finger, then decisively diving deeper. Next, it showed me giving a thumbs-up and turning to leave. Up to this point, Ryan was still shouting: “See! Everyone saw it! She just left! She abandoned us!” However, his words had barely faded. The next second, the entire room fell silent.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “364303”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance #擦边Steamy

Another winter descended, and I found myself back in New York, paying my respects to my late parents. As I was leaving the cemetery, I ran into Liam Thompson. He held a bouquet of pink roses, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes when he looked up. “When did you get back to New York?” “Yesterday.” I had no intention of catching up. I quickened my pace, ready to leave. But as I glanced back, I saw the tombstone in front of him. Lily. He was mourning our deceased child. The cemetery steps were covered in moss, making my steps falter. Liam always had that effect on me, effortlessly stirring ripples in my otherwise calm heart. Beneath it, inscribed: Father Liam Thompson, Mother Chloe Brown. I took a deep breath and placed a single flower before the tombstone. “There was really no need for a tombstone. She was only a five-month-old fetus when she died.” Liam didn’t respond. He cleared the weeds from the grave, then carefully placed the pink roses into a nearby vase. “You come back to visit every year?” “Yeah.” “Me too.” Five years, the same cemetery, yet we’d never crossed paths. Perhaps that was our destiny. A light drizzle began to fall from the grey sky, chilling my face. My hands trembled as I lit a cigarette. Through the haze of smoke, I saw Liam’s surprised eyes. “When did you start smoking?” I saw the disappointed look on his face, like I’d failed him, and let out a short, sarcastic laugh. “Oh, that’s a blast from the past. I’ll have to really dig deep for that one.” “Was it when you got engaged? Married? Or maybe the day you abandoned me on my birthday for your ex-wife?” Liam’s eyes flickered. He instinctively reached out to touch my head. I recoiled. “Chloe, what happened back then, I was wrong. Are you still angry at me because of our child?” The cigarette tip was damp from the rain, making it hard to draw. “Don’t flatter yourself. There’s nothing to be angry about. I insisted on having that child back then; it’s my own fault I couldn’t keep her.” My connection with Liam was also something I’d practically begged for. So when it finally broke, I swore I’d never look back once I left. Liam sighed. “Chloe, I was wrong about what happened then.” “But… I was doing it for your own good.” I smiled, looking at the dying cigarette in my hand. “Getting tangled up with her, abandoning me countless times for her – that was ‘for my own good’?” “Forcing me to abort our five-month-old baby, then pawning me off for an arranged marriage? That was ‘for my own good’?” “Liam, cut the crap. I stopped falling for that when I was eighteen.” Frustrated, I glanced around, then shoved the cigarette into his palm. I lowered my gaze, straightened my coat, and turned to walk down the path. The cemetery was secluded, and the rain was getting heavier. I couldn’t get an Uber. With a soft hum, Liam’s black Maybach pulled up smoothly in front of me. The dark window rolled down, revealing only a narrow slit. “Get in. I’ll give you a ride.” I checked my Uber app – still no driver. Eventually, I opened the car door. As soon as I opened it, Sophia waved at me. “Long time no see, Chloe. Liam said you were back, and at first, I thought he was joking, but you really are back in New York…” Sophia was Liam’s ex-wife, and now his secretary. Or maybe even his current wife.

Before, I might have thrown a fit, demanding Liam kick her out so I could sit in the passenger seat. Or I would’ve just walked away, muttering a string of curses. But this time, I just closed the door and slid into the car. “Chloe, you look so much more mature. You’re different.” I hummed in response, looking out at the traffic, trying to control the turmoil inside me with each breath. “How long are you staying this time? If you have a moment, come over to our house. My parents miss you.” Liam met my gaze in the rearview mirror, his eyes shrouded in a mist I couldn’t decipher. When I was ten, my parents died in an accident at the Thompson family’s construction site. The incident caused a huge scandal and severely damaged their reputation. The Thompson family took me in. Because of that, I was considered half a daughter to them. Sophia turned to me. “She’s right, come home with us. They were just talking about you yesterday…” Her words dripped with the air of a woman who owned the place. I frowned, cutting off her incessant chatter. “I don’t have a home.” Liam glanced at me, his eyes dimming. Sophia, sensing the mood, wisely shut her mouth. After giving the hotel address, I closed my eyes and didn’t speak again. When we arrived at the hotel, I got out without a word, slamming the door shut. Liam rolled down his window and called out to my retreating back, “Come back and visit sometime.” I sped up, not looking back. My colleague in the shared room was already asleep. I showered quietly and slipped into bed. “You’re back? The boss said tomorrow night we’re meeting a big client, and he told me to tell you to dress nicely.” My colleague mumbled a few words in her sleep-addled state before starting to snore again. But I never imagined the “big client” my boss mentioned would be Liam. “Oh my god, he’s so hot! I heard he’s the only heir to New York’s wealthiest family, and he expanded half of the Thompson family’s business empire. And the best part? He’s single.” Single… He and Sophia hadn’t remarried? The quiet squeals of my female colleagues filled the air. I remembered the first time I saw Liam when I was ten. My heart had let out the same kind of squeal. He was twenty-three then, just back from studying abroad. His white shirt only emphasized his sharp features and fair complexion. Unfortunately, he was arguing with his parents at the time, all because of his poor girlfriend. “I told you, I’ll only marry her in this life!” Liam grabbed a crystal glass and smashed it. Flying shards cut my calf. I bit my lip, holding back tears. The nanny beside me, horrified, quickly hugged me and took me to get bandaged, fearing New York media would capture it and accuse the Thompson family of abuse. Later, Liam came to apologize. “Hey, sorry I scared you earlier.” He pressed a chocolate into my hand. The chocolate was sweet, and it melted into my heart. From then on, I became Liam’s little shadow, following him wherever he went. Naturally, I became his convenient alibi whenever he went on dates with Sophia. Back then, I was happy to do it. Later, when I wasn’t, it nearly cost me half my life. “Chloe! Chloe!” “The boss is calling you!” A sharp jab to my elbow jolted me awake. I looked up and met Liam’s dark eyes.

“Chloe, quickly, come toast Mr. Thompson.” I hastily poured champagne into a small glass and walked around the table to stand before Liam. “Mr. Thompson, I toast you.” One glass down. Liam’s brow furrowed slightly. I poured another. As I raised the glass, Liam abruptly stood up. “Stop drinking.” I ignored him, quickly refilled, and drank two more glasses. “Mr. Thompson, please, drink at your own pace.” Under the curious gazes of everyone, I returned to my seat. As the toasts went around, Liam barely touched his drink. When my colleague Amy raised her glass, she stared at Liam’s face for a long, long time, then drunkenly spoke to me. “Chloe, why does Mr. Thompson look so much like your son?!” The words dropped like a bombshell, exploding in the private room. Liam’s head snapped up, his eyes like deep wells, dark and scrutinizing, probing for answers. Amy was about to pull out her phone to show everyone a picture when the door opened. “Sorry, I’m late.” A striking figure stood in the doorway. It was Sophia. I’d almost forgotten she was Liam’s secretary now; she wouldn’t miss an occasion like this. “You haven’t been drinking, have you?” “Your medical report said you have slightly high blood pressure; you should be careful with alcohol.” Liam shook his head. “No, I haven’t.” Seeing Sophia’s authoritative air, Amy sheepishly put her phone away and sat back next to me. “Who said he was single? That woman practically has ‘wife’ tattooed on her forehead.” Amy grumbled grudgingly, then raised her glass and downed the rest of her drink. Sophia took her seat, pausing when she saw me. In the end, the contract wasn’t finalized, but plenty of alcohol was consumed. Our boss, however, had only been introduced through a connection this time; his true aim wasn’t really the contract. “Mr. Thompson, next time you’re doing business, please consider Sterling Corp.!” Outside the hotel, the wind was biting. It stung my forehead, and my stomach churned with nausea. Liam’s gaze cut through the crowd, settling on me. A flicker of urgency crossed his usually indifferent expression. “What’s wrong? Stomach ache?” He bent down, and in front of everyone, picked me up and carried me to his car. “Mr. Smith, I’m taking your employee. As for the contract, we can discuss it.” With that, before anyone could react, he hit the gas and sped off. “Chloe… where does it hurt? Here? Or there?” His familiar voice buzzed in my ears, but I couldn’t open my eyelids. In the smooth ride of the back seat, I lay in Liam’s arms, burrowing deeper into his warm chest. I woke up to find myself in a hospital bed, an IV drip in my arm. Outside the door, voices clamored. “Liam, look closely at who’s lying in there!” “You’re thirty-six now, not twenty-six! You’re past the age of impulsive acts for love!” “If I hadn’t covered up that mess back then, do you think it would have passed so easily? The Thompson family would have been ruined!” Sophia’s hushed voice still reached my ears, every word clear. “Enough! I know!” “There are some things I just have to get clear!” I lay in bed, watching the IV drip. The coldness from the fluid gradually seeped into my heart and lungs. Liam was the most stubbornly devoted person I’d ever met in our social circle. He’d stop at nothing to marry Sophia. All his passionate youthful rebellions were for Sophia. When I was thirteen, he got his wish and married Sophia.

When I was eighteen, he and Sophia divorced, a messy affair that rocked the city. Five years of marriage, and it ended up costing Thompson Industries 5% of its original shares. Everyone said Sophia came from a humble background and only clung to Liam for those shares. Everyone said Liam was shrewd in business but foolish in love. One night, drunk, I found myself in his bed. All the childish adoration and longing I’d harbored found their release in that moment. Liam almost fled my room that morning, saying, “Chloe, let’s pretend nothing happened. It’s for your own good.” After that, Liam went through a string of lovers. Every one of them bore some resemblance to Sophia. He accepted anyone, but never me. I cried and pleaded, demanding he be with me. He couldn’t stand my tantrums, and he feared my madness, so he agreed. “Alright.” So we became a secret. By day, I was the charming Thompson family princess; by night, I was the woman in his bed. Even if it meant never having a title, I was willing. But Sophia came back. One message from her shattered the bond I’d painstakingly fought for. [Liam, I’m back in the city.] That day was my birthday. Liam didn’t even lift an eyelid. He grabbed his jacket and walked out. “Don’t wait up for me. You go to sleep.” That night, headlines of Liam picking up his ‘white moonlight’ sweetheart late at night filled a third of the newspaper. And I, staring at a table full of uneaten food, felt utterly desolate. That time, I didn’t leave. I waited at home for Liam to return and give me an explanation. But this time, I had to leave. I swung my legs out of bed, pulled out the IV needle, and slipped out through a side door. The next morning, my boss excitedly posted a notice in the whatsapp group. [There’s hope for the Thompson Group contract!] [Reschedule! We’re flying back in three days.] I rubbed my eyes, unable to believe that the Thompson Group would choose a small processing plant like ours. My gut told me something was off. I took leave from my boss, citing my child’s illness. I booked a flight home for that day. As I walked out of the hotel lobby, my phone rang. [Chloe, let’s meet.] [I want to know about the child.] My phone felt hot in my hand. My heart, calm for so many years, began to ripple. After Sophia returned, Liam’s affair with her reignited. One message, one phone call, and Liam would abandon me. I remember one time, we were in bed, the act unfinished, and he was already pulling on his pants, ready to leave. “What do I even mean to you?” Liam looked down, buckling his belt, not even glancing at me. “Chloe, if you can’t accept this, then let’s just end it.” He was always like that – no explanation, no reason. If I caused a scene, he’d immediately threaten to break up. My silent treatment, my tears, my outbursts – nothing worked. Later, I watched them, always together, standing side by side, becoming the couple everyone agreed was perfect. Even Liam’s parents, who had initially opposed Sophia, eventually fell silent. Liam started bringing Sophia home, once, twice, three times. Sophia would bring me many gifts, treating me like a sister. I usually gave her the cold shoulder and spoke harshly. Liam couldn’t deal with me, always asking what I wanted. “Are you going to abandon me and remarry her?!” Every time I made a scene, so much so that Liam couldn’t even speak.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “364302”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance #擦边Steamy

My once-wealthy parents, after their public fall from grace, feared facing their enraged creditors. So, overnight, they shipped me off to a remote African village, a place so obscure it wasn’t even on the map. Later, a rare malaria outbreak hit the village, causing widespread death and devastation. Terrified, I called my parents, begging them to bring me home, but only received a cold reply: “You’re not the pampered princess you once were. What, can’t you manage on your own?” “We spent so much money sending you away precisely because we didn’t want you harassed by those creditors. Why can’t you understand our good intentions?” “Anyway, we don’t have money for your plane ticket now. You’re on your own!” Clinging to a final shred of hope, I called my fiancé. What I got was a torrent of accusations from him: “Skylar, why are you still so delicate? Do you even know what Tiffany is going through here?” “You’re living it up overseas, while Tiffany can’t even leave the house because of those debt collectors.” “If you call me again, I’m canceling our engagement immediately!” He blocked my number, completely severing my hope of returning home. From that day on, I endured the torment of illness, fighting tooth and nail for a scrap of food, often ending up bruised and bloody. Just as I was despairing enough to contemplate suicide, the international rescue team finally arrived. They brought me clean water and food, and gave me antibiotics and vaccines. Finally back home, I saw my fiancé and my adoptive sister flaunting their lavish wedding on Ins. That’s when I found out the “bankruptcy” was a sham. My parents just wanted to get rid of me, to clear the way for my fiancé and my adoptive sister to be together.

After leaving the wedding venue, I went straight to the hospital. Malaria is somewhat contagious, and even though the virus was completely cleared, I still needed to check into the hospital daily for a while, reporting my physical condition. Dr. Liam Smith, my attending physician who returned with me, saw my constant silence and thought I was homesick. He comforted me, saying I could go home after my blood was drawn. But he couldn’t have known that from today, I no longer had a home. As I stepped out of the blood draw room, my phone started ringing furiously. It was my dad, whom I hadn’t heard from in ages. The moment I answered, his furious roar filled my ears: “Skylar, what exactly did you mean by that comment under the video? Were you doing it on purpose?!” “Do you know that because of your comment, Tiffany has been crying her eyes out? She’s your sister, why are you so intent on seeing her unhappy?” I looked at my emaciated reflection in the mirror, then recalled the dazzling Tiffany at the wedding, and let out a bitter laugh: “What’s wrong with the comment? Didn’t I already wish them well? What? Do you want me to send them a lavish wedding gift too?” “Dad, just tell me the truth. Is Tiffany your biological daughter, and I’m the one you adopted, right?” He seemed surprised by my words, and the breathing on the other end of the line hitched. Immediately after, the phone was snatched away, and my mom’s voice came through: “Skylar, you’re misunderstanding your sister. That wedding was just to make her happy, they didn’t even get a marriage license, so it doesn’t count.” “After all, your sister stayed behind to help you hold off the creditors, that’s why she couldn’t come with you. You should be thanking her!” At this very moment, my biological parents were still lying to themselves. Thinking of the truth I’d witnessed at the hotel entrance just moments ago, my heart felt like it was being squeezed, making it hard to breathe. After a long while, I spoke with self-mockery: “Thank her for stealing my family’s affection and my love?” Hearing my sarcasm, my dad’s angry growl erupted again: “You ungrateful wretch! Everything your mother and I do is for your own good, and you dare speak to us like that?!” “I’m telling you, if you don’t apologize to Tiffany, you can stay in Africa forever and never come back! I’ll pretend I never had a daughter like you!” With that, the phone was slammed down. Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face. Before, I always thought my parents didn’t know my true plight in Africa, which was why they were so cold and heartless. But when I got off the plane today, I learned that news of the malaria epidemic in Africa had long reached home. Even a five-year-old knows how terrifying malaria is. They simply didn’t care if I lived or died. As long as their favorite daughter was safe and sound, that was enough for them. Ever since Tiffany came into their lives, my dad’s company crisis not only resolved smoothly but also thrived. From then on, my dad became convinced she was the Stone family’s lucky charm, and his affection for her far surpassed what he showed me, his biological daughter. Anything Tiffany set her sights on, I had to give up unconditionally. When we were little, it was rooms, dolls, and princess dresses. When we grew up, it became my fiancé. They were willing to trick me with an absurd lie about bankruptcy and send me far away, all to prevent me from ruining Tiffany’s romance. Africa’s environment was harsh, with scarce food and drinking water. But even more terrifying was the omnipresent virus. It wasn’t until I contracted malaria and had several near-death experiences that I truly understood what fear was. Recalling the moments when I desperately fought for survival, only to be repeatedly rejected by my closest relatives, a surge of intense rage filled my heart. Even if it killed me, I would never apologize to Tiffany!

Because one of my blood indicators was high, I needed to be temporarily isolated and couldn’t leave the hospital. To put my mind at ease, Dr. Liam Smith offered to go home in my stead and reassure my parents. I wanted to tell him not to bother, that no one cared if I lived or died. But meeting his earnest gaze, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse. After all, if it weren’t for Dr. Smith, I probably would have died in a foreign land. Sighing lightly, I sent him the address. Because the call remained connected, I could clearly hear my parents’ voices. Upon hearing Dr. Smith’s purpose, my dad’s furious voice immediately flared: “What new stunt is Skylar pulling now?! She went to Africa and still can’t behave? No wonder even her own fiancé doesn’t like her!” “And she got malaria? Wouldn’t it be better if you just said she died?” “I don’t care how much money Skylar spent to hire you for this performance, please tell that ungrateful child that if she insists on not apologizing to Tiffany, she can forget about ever leaving Africa!” Listening to my dad’s angry roar, my heart ached, yet I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. He probably forgot how long it had been since he last gave me any allowance. Hire an actor? If I truly had that kind of spare cash, I wouldn’t have had to fight someone over half a dry pancake, ending up with a clump of my hair pulled out. Dr. Smith was completely unprepared for such a response. He stood stunned for a long moment before speaking again: “I… I truly am a doctor from the Central Hospital, and a member of the medical team that aided Africa this time. Your daughter…” “That’s enough! Haven’t you performed enough?” “Forget about malaria, even if she truly died out there, her mother and I wouldn’t shed a single tear for her!” With that, without waiting for Dr. Smith to respond, the door was slammed shut. Dr. Smith instinctively covered the phone’s microphone. He then belatedly remembered his still-connected phone and quickly hung up. But everything that needed to be heard, and everything that shouldn’t have, I had heard crystal clear. Although I had told myself a thousand times to completely give up on this couple, at that moment, my eyes still burned with tears, and my hand beneath the covers gripped the bedsheet tightly. The parental love that was so easily accessible to others was an untouchable luxury for me. Perhaps, I should have given up on this false family affection long ago. [Skylar, are you… okay?] Even though it was just a text message, I could feel Dr. Smith’s concern and worry. See? A stranger I’d known for less than a month could care for me so much, yet my parents, whom I’d spent over twenty years with, treated me like dirt. Skylar, how ridiculous you are! My trembling hand typed out a line: [I’m fine. I already knew this would be the outcome, I’m used to it…]

There were three other people isolated with me. Each of them had family concern and companionship, while I was all alone. I often saw pity and sympathy in their eyes. But compared to that sympathy, what chilled me more was the balance in my bank account. My illness wasn’t difficult to treat, but it required an expensive imported medication. And the price of this imported medication was something I couldn’t afford. Because Tiffany once claimed, “Skylar might go astray if she has too much money,” my dad only gave me about $70 a month for living expenses. Tiffany, meanwhile, received a staggering $14,000 a month. So, while Tiffany was on a wild shopping spree, I could barely make ends meet by working part-time handing out flyers. Fresh out of college, I hadn’t even had a chance to submit my resume before my parents tricked me into going to Africa. Now, my bank account balance was only three digits. How could that amount possibly buy imported medicine? Dr. Smith noticed my predicament and proactively covered all my medical expenses. After being discharged, I still chose to go home. Because I really didn’t want to trouble Dr. Smith anymore; I already owed him too much. Upon arriving home, I was greeted not by my parents’ warm concern, but by my dad’s teacup. Since it happened so suddenly, I couldn’t dodge in time, and the scalding tea splashed onto my exposed arm, instantly turning my skin bright red. But my dad wasn’t satisfied; he pointed at my nose and yelled: “Who allowed you to come back to the country without permission? And who bought your plane ticket?” “Was it that actor you hired earlier? He even lied to me that you had malaria, but you look perfectly fine!” “You’re full of lies, Skylar. How could I have given birth to such a morally corrupt daughter!” “If only Tiffany were my biological daughter, how wonderful that would be!” That last sentence made me sharply lift my head and stare intently at my dad: “Dad, aren’t you the one full of lies? You used bankruptcy as an excuse to send me to Africa, leaving me to fend for myself.” “If I could, I’d rather not be your biological daughter…” Before I could finish, a clear slap mark appeared on my left cheek. My dad’s eyes were bloodshot, looking at me as if I were his enemy: “You wretch, you have no gratitude at all! Get out, just get out!” If it weren’t for needing to gather money to pay back Dr. Smith, I wouldn’t have wanted to step foot in this house. Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Tiffany hypocritically walked up to me, took my hand, and said: “Skylar, Dad lying about bankruptcy and sending you to Africa was also for your own good. He just wanted to train you to be a capable successor.” Her tone was sincere, but her fingernails dug deeply into my palm. Without thinking, I immediately shook her hand off. I hadn’t used much force, but Tiffany stumbled backward and fell. She sat on the floor, eyes wide, her face full of hurt: “Skylar, you misunderstood me! I really didn’t mean to steal Brandon from you.” “Even though you’ve always looked down on me and thought I wasn’t worthy of being your sister, in my heart, you’ll always be my big sister.” As she spoke, tears streamed down her face like broken pearls. My dad slapped me twice more. The sharp sound of the slaps echoed in the empty living room. I distinctly saw Tiffany’s triumphant smirk hidden beneath her tear-filled eyes. “You wretch! If I had known you were so malicious, I should have strangled you the moment you were born!”

The farce ended with my dad giving Tiffany an unlimited black card as compensation. I didn’t care; I just wanted to go back to my room as quickly as possible to see if I had any jewelry or valuables left to sell. But opening the door, the sight before me made my breathing stop. In my own bedroom, my personal belongings were piled in a corner like trash, and my favorite white dress had several distinct footprints on it. And on my bed, a litter of stray cats lounged, cat hair flying everywhere, coating every corner of the room. The largest stray cat saw me and immediately arched its back defensively. It seemed as if it would attack me if I took another step inside. The memory of being attacked by stray cats as a child resurfaced in my mind, and my whole body involuntarily trembled. “Skylar, I’m so sorry, you came back so suddenly, I didn’t even have time to clean your room.” “My black cat is pregnant, so I had to bring her home. Your room is big and airy, perfect for cats. Dad said you wouldn’t be back anytime soon, so I didn’t tell you about it.” “Skylar, you’re not going to be petty about this, are you?” Tiffany’s voice held a challenging tone, and the malice in her eyes was unconcealed. Seeing my pale face, she walked closer, in excellent spirits, and whispered to me: “Skylar, I heard you’re terrified of cats. Do you like this gift I gave you?” “If I were you, I’d just stay in Africa and not come back. Anyway, no one in this family loves you!” “I advise you to leave willingly, or don’t blame me for doing it myself!” When we were little, Tiffany secretly put several stray cats in my room to attack me while I slept. Now, she was using the same trick to try and drive me away. At this moment, I could no longer suppress the rage in my heart and grabbed her by the neck. Tiffany froze for a second, then immediately screamed: “Dad, Mom, come save me! Skylar suddenly went crazy, she’s trying to kill me!” “I’m sorry, I was wrong, I won’t dare do it again, Skylar, please let me go!” “Skylar, I really didn’t know you were afraid of cats, I won’t ever just use your room again!” Even with my hands around her neck, Tiffany didn’t forget to act. Just as I was about to slap her again, my hair was violently yanked. The sudden sharp pain made me instantly release Tiffany. My dad violently threw me to the ground. “You little wretch! You’ve been home for less than half an hour and you’ve already thrown the house into chaos.” “Get out! From now on, I’ll pretend I don’t have a daughter like you.” My mom, even, rushed over and shielded Tiffany with her own body. “Skylar! How did you become like this?! What did your sister ever do wrong that you have to bully her again and again?” “I gave her permission to use your room to keep cats. If you’re angry, take it out on me!” My biological parents fiercely protected their adopted daughter, yet looked at me, their own flesh and blood, with hatred. At that moment, the light in my eyes completely died. I had truly become an orphan. My hair was disheveled, and both sides of my face bore clear slap marks, but I didn’t hesitate, trembling as I leaned against the wall to stand up. Now, I just wanted to leave this place forever and never come back. I said nothing, slowly making my way down the stairs, leaning on the railing. “Wait!” My mom’s voice, filled with a hint of concern, spoke up: “Skylar, why are you so thin? And why do you have so many needle marks on your arm?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “364301”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance #擦边Steamy

For five years into our marriage, Kevin and I still kept our finances strictly separate. We split the mortgage down the middle, meticulously divided utility bills down to the last cent, and even took turns buying condoms. Our friends used to joke we were more like roommates than a married couple. I always defended him: “Economic independence keeps our feelings pure.” On New Year’s Eve, Kevin’s old phone, left at home, suddenly chimed. Curious, I checked it. It was a notification for his company’s million-dollar annual bonus. I was about to call him with the good news when his call came in first: “Suzanne, the company’s performance wasn’t great this year, so no annual bonus. Could you cover the utility bills this month?” A cold dread settled in my chest. After hanging up, I quickly rushed to the bank to check his transaction history. In those five years, he had been sporadically transferring a total of a million dollars to my best friend, Vivian. I opened Vivian’s Ins. She had just updated her feed: The caption read: “My husband’s annual bonus just landed! Time to start a growth fund for our baby!”

The comments section was flooded with likes and remarks from our mutual friends. “Wow! A million-dollar bonus! When did you find such an amazing husband?” Vivian immediately replied: “We’re just dating for now, not married yet. I won’t say yes to his proposal that easily.” “He got promoted to director this year, and the company gave him the top bonus.” I remembered Kevin being promoted to director last month. The comments were full of envy, with two from our mutual friends tagging me. “Look at her husband! How much did yours get this year?” Vivian replied under that comment: “Suzanne’s household has that separate finances thing, they handle their own money, it’s different.” Another friend said: “Suzanne, you’re just too independent.” Vivian replied with a laughing emoji: “That’s right, Suzanne likes it that way, she thinks it’s fair.” Someone else asked Vivian: “When’s the baby due? So excited!” Vivian replied uniformly: “Thank you all! Once the baby arrives, I’ll definitely treat everyone to dinner!” My hands trembling, I scrolled through photos of Vivian’s ex-boyfriends on Ins. One back shot bore a striking resemblance to Kevin. Another photo showed her pregnant belly, and a hand with a scar was visible. Kevin had a scar in the same spot on his hand; it was from a lab accident during an experiment. I’d traced that scar countless times; there was no mistaking it. The caption beneath that photo read: *The baby’s father was overjoyed, holding her close and refusing to let go.* My phone slipped from my grasp, falling to the floor. The screen showed a photo of the three of us, and for the first time, it felt like a cruel mockery. Just a month ago, Vivian had told me she was pregnant. She said the father was her jerk ex-boyfriend, that they had broken up long ago, and she was planning to be a single mom. I had even heartbrokenly accompanied her to the hospital for check-ups, and covered her three thousand dollars in medical bills. “Suzanne, you’re the only one who’s ever been so good to me,” she had said, her eyes red-rimmed. Now, I realized those three thousand dollars were probably just a small part of me funding someone else’s child. I turned off my phone and closed my eyes, but countless images flashed before me. Last year, for Kevin’s birthday, I gave him a two-hundred-dollar fountain pen. He immediately reciprocated with an equally priced scarf. Vivian, standing nearby, had said enviously, “It’s so nice how you two are; you don’t even have to worry about the cost when giving gifts.” Now, I guessed she was laughing at my stupidity inside. The year before, my mother was hospitalized, and we were eighty thousand dollars short for her surgery. I was strapped for cash and asked Kevin if he could lend it to me. He replied: “Our principle is strictly separate finances. This will be a loan from me to you, with bank interest rates, to be repaid within three months.” I gritted my teeth and agreed. In the end, Vivian lent me fifty thousand dollars, interest-free. I was so grateful, I treated her to three expensive Japanese meals, each costing five hundred dollars per person. But now, I suspected that fifty thousand was just a fraction of the money Kevin had transferred to her. I dragged myself home, prepared a lavish dinner, and waited for him to come back so I could confront him. In our five years of marriage, Kevin and I had always been ‘respectful and formal,’ a couple admired by outsiders. I held a sliver of hope, wishing he’d tell me it was a coincidence, hoping he could give me an explanation. At midnight, Kevin’s call came in. “Suzanne, I have to work overtime tonight. I won’t be back for dinner.”

In the background, I could faintly hear fireworks exploding. “It might end late, so I’ll just stay at a hotel near the office. I have an early meeting tomorrow.” I gripped my phone, my fingers tightening. “The company is so heartless, making you work overtime on New Year’s Eve. Which hotel are you at? Maybe I can bring you some late-night snacks.” Kevin’s panic was palpable. “No!” Realizing he sounded too harsh, his tone instantly softened. “No need, it’s too cold out. I couldn’t bear to let you go out in the cold.” “Alright then. Don’t drink too much.” The moment he hung up, my heart completely froze over. Outside, scattered fireworks burst, and the elaborate dinner on the table had grown cold. I scrolled aimlessly through Ins. Kevin’s mother, Martha, had posted a photo: a huge, delicious spread, all my favorite dishes. The caption read: “Dinner for my daughter-in-law.” Someone commented in the comments section. My heart warmed. No matter what Kevin was doing, Martha was always on my side. I remembered when Kevin and I first got married, Martha held my hand, her eyes red, saying: “Suzanne, Kevin was a sickly child growing up, and I spoiled him, making him stubborn and difficult. If he does anything wrong, you tell me, and I’ll scold him.” The next morning, I drove to Kevin’s parents’ house. My in-laws lived in an older suburban neighborhood. Kevin had bought the house two years ago, putting it in his parents’ names. He said it was for his mother’s retirement, and I even split half the down payment with him. Before leaving, I took out my treasured health supplements and bought my father-in-law, David, his favorite whiskey. For the past five years, my in-laws had treated me better than their own son. The first New Year after we got married, Martha secretly slipped me an envelope with cash: “Kevin, that boy, is so hung up on appearances, insisting on splitting everything. Don’t mind him. In life, you can’t always just talk about fairness.” One time Kevin and I argued, and in a fit of pique, I didn’t go to his parents’ place for the holidays. David called, not asking for the reason, just saying: “Suzanne, I sent you some dessert, from that shop you love.” I cried when I received the package that day. I carried the gifts upstairs, about to knock on the door. From inside, I heard a familiar voice, “Mom, don’t fuss so much. She’s not picky.” My hand, holding the gifts, paused. Didn’t he say he was working overtime yesterday? But I still smiled faintly, a little relieved, thinking, *As long as he’s not with Vivian, it’s fine.* Just as I was about to push the door open, the next sentence froze me to the spot. “These cherries are so sweet,” Vivian’s voice was cloyingly sweet. “Eat more if they’re sweet. You’re pregnant, you need to nourish yourself properly.” Martha’s face was full of loving kindness. I peered through the crack in the door. Vivian was sprawled on the couch, legs crossed. Martha sat beside her, gently feeding her cherries with a toothpick. David was kneeling by the coffee table, tidying up baby clothes scattered everywhere, grinning from ear to ear. My stomach lurched. The gifts in my hand clattered to the floor, and everyone in the living room turned at once. Vivian saw me, immediately stood up, then cried out in pain, clutching her stomach and sitting back down. Kevin smoothly put down his teacup and went to steady her. Vivian wrapped her arms around me, feigning intimacy: “Suzanne, I fell on the way here today. Kevin just happened to be passing by and gave me a ride. Otherwise, I don’t know what I would have done.” I pulled away from Vivian, my eyes fixed on Kevin: “Kevin, weren’t you supposed to be working overtime? How did you end up visiting your parents?” He paused, then looked away. “It was canceled at the last minute.” Martha quickly jumped in to smooth things over: “Yes, Kevin just arrived too. Vivian just had a little fall on the road, and Kevin happened to see her, so he brought her here to rest…”

I looked at Vivian. She was wearing plush wool slippers, and there wasn’t a speck of dust on her legs. I struggled to control my emotions. “Mom, Dad, I just remembered I have something else to do, so I’ll be leaving now.” No one followed me out. I slid down the wall, tears streaming down my face. “She’s so clueless, she’d never figure out what I’ve been doing. Her dad might have been impressive back then, but she’s completely useless, didn’t inherit an ounce of his intelligence.” There was a hint of smugness in Kevin’s voice. I leaned against the cold wall, my heart pounding faster and faster. “Speaking of which, her dad really was good to you back then,” Martha suddenly said. “If it weren’t for her dad, could you have gotten into such a good company? Would you be where you are today?” Kevin’s voice turned sharply cold. “Even without her dad, with my own capabilities, I would have still made a name for myself.” “Because of her dad’s connections, people whispered that I was just a kept man, both openly and behind my back.” “Enough,” Vivian said softly. “The man’s dead, why bring all that up now?” “Kevin’s doing just as well as her dad, if not better. By the way, you mentioned our old family house last time…” Martha’s voice dropped. “I had someone look into it. There are buyers for that area, offering over two million dollars. We need to transfer that money quickly so she can’t get a single cent.” “Then transfer it into Vivian’s name,” Kevin said. David, after a long silence, murmured, “Suzanne isn’t a bad kid, really. It’s just… she can’t have children.” Martha sighed. “Exactly! Five years of marriage and not a single child. Kevin is our only son, we can’t let our family line end with him.” My heart sank to rock bottom. All these years, I’d undergone countless tests, taken so many medications, yet I couldn’t conceive a child. Martha, always so ‘understanding,’ used to console me, “Children are a gift from above, it’s all predetermined, just let nature take its course.” Martha patted Vivian’s hand. “You’re the one who really came through, getting pregnant with a boy right away. All my life, I’ve just wanted a grandson.” Kevin said, “Mom, once the baby is born, you can move in with us. The preschool is right across the street, making it easy to care for Vivian and the child.” “What about her?” Martha asked. Kevin paused. “We’ll tell her everything once Vivian’s baby is born. Besides, after five years of marriage with no kids, making her leave with nothing wouldn’t be unreasonable. And with her personality, so obsessed with appearances, she’d never air our dirty laundry.” “I’m just afraid she’ll get desperate and cause a scene,” David chimed in. “If she wants to make a scene, then we’ll divorce. I’ve already transferred all the money anyway,” Kevin interrupted him. “All these years of separate finances, she chose it herself, I never forced her. She thinks she’s so noble, but she’s just a fool.” That night, after returning from Martha’s house, I developed a high fever. In a hazy daze, I drifted into a dream. My father was still alive, sitting in the wicker chair in our old house, peeling an orange for me. He said, “Suzanne, the biggest regret of my life is that I taught you too well. So well that you’d rather be wronged than hurt anyone.” I woke to find my pillow soaked. Outside, the sky hadn’t brightened yet. Kevin hadn’t returned all night. I opened my phone. Vivian posted on Ins at three in the morning. The photo showed two hands clasped together, with the caption: “Thank you for waiting for the sunrise with me.”

I turned off my phone, rose, and went to the study. In our five years of marriage, all of Kevin’s personal belongings had stayed here, in this room. I had never looked through them before. I opened the drawer, and my eyes fell upon a collection of utterly indecent photos. Vivian, stark naked, straddling Kevin’s abs. Vivian, scantily clad, lounging in our marital bed. My hands trembled as I took pictures. At the very bottom of the drawer, I found an old, faded manila envelope. The brown paper was already yellowed. I opened it. Inside was a traffic accident report. The date was the day before my father’s funeral. My father’s accident happened while I was away on a business trip. Kevin had told me that my father ran a red light, crashed into a guardrail, and died instantly. By the time I rushed back, my father had already been buried. Martha held my hand, weeping as she told me to “restrain my sorrow.” I fainted several times from crying, and Kevin handled all the funeral arrangements. At the time, I was so grateful for his help. But now, a vague unease settled in my heart. Scrolling down, under the “At-Fault Party” section of the report, Vivian’s name appeared. Vivian had killed my father! I continued flipping through. At the very bottom of the envelope was another paper. It was a Letter of Leniency. Kevin, acting as my father’s son-in-law, had signed it on behalf of the at-fault party. The reason stated: “The party at fault is a young girl with a promising future; it shouldn’t be ruined.” I immediately went to the traffic police department. There was only a young officer at the night shift window. I handed him the photocopy. “I need to check the original case file for the Evergreen Avenue accident from three years ago.” He glanced at it, frowning. “It’s a closed case.” As a family member, I pleaded relentlessly. From the traffic officer’s words, I slowly pieced together the truth of the last five years. My father wasn’t even driving that day. He was crossing the street at a green light when Vivian, drunk driving, hit him and sent him flying seventeen meters. Not only did Kevin keep it from me, but he personally signed the Letter of Leniency in my name, as my father’s child. He forgave my father’s killer for me. While I was mourning over my father’s coffin, he was texting Vivian, comforting her, “Don’t be afraid.” By the time I received the call and rushed to the hospital, my father had already been cremated. There was no time for an autopsy. The traffic officer sighed. “The car broke three of his ribs, ruptured his spleen, and caused intracranial bleeding. He was gone before the ambulance even arrived! I can’t understand how your family could have signed that Letter of Leniency. It’s incredibly unfilial!” The traffic officer continued to babble, but my heart had already sunk to rock bottom. I stumbled out of the traffic police department, utterly devastated, and ran straight into Vivian. She looked at me, her face filled with terror. “Kevin, I told you she’d definitely find out. Why else would she come to the traffic department?” Kevin stared at me, his face wary. Now, he wasn’t even bothering to pretend. “Suzanne, you found out?” I didn’t answer, just swept my gaze coldly over both of them. “Kevin, my dad was so good to you, and you helped his killer…” “Vivian, I treated you like my best friend. My father even paid for your tuition back then. Is this how you repay me?” Vivian froze for a moment, then a grin spread across her face. “Repay? Suzanne, you have no idea how much I hated your holier-than-thou act, always expecting gratitude, always pretending to be so good to me.” “I wanted to destroy everything you had! Let me tell you, Kevin and I have been together since college. All these years, every time I saw you foolishly kept in the dark, I almost burst out laughing!” I was trembling with rage, raising my hand to slap Vivian. Before my hand could fall, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen. I was kicked three meters backward. Kevin protectively pulled Vivian behind him. “Since you found out, then you might as well not live.” Vivian lunged at me, pushing me into the ocean. A second before my mouth and nose were submerged by the seawater, I heard Kevin’s comforting voice to Vivian: “Vivian, don’t worry. I’ll cooperate with the police to make it look like a legitimate death for her.” The next day, Kevin called the police. He knelt at the entrance of the police station, desperately pleading with the officers: “Officer, please help me. My wife, Suzanne, went missing yesterday.” “She suffers from severe depression and delusional disorder; her mental state is very unstable. I’m really worried about her, please, help me.” Vivian stood by, live-streaming, her face streaked with tears. “It’s all our fault for not taking better care of her, which is why she left alone. If any kind stranger sees her, please contact us immediately.” The comments section of the live stream was filled with messages of comfort for both of them. The next second, a police officer appeared, looking at Kevin with a puzzled expression. “Your wife was giving a statement at the police station yesterday. Didn’t she tell you?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “363894”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #玄幻Fantasy #重生Reborn #狼人Werewolf

My mother gave Georgina, my wife, an heirloom jade bracelet. She wore it once, then gave it to her assistant’s dog. The assistant posted a photo bragging: “My little buddy has his master’s mark now. He’ll be loyal forever.” My secretary, Sarah, sent me a screenshot. The photo showed the assistant and his dog. The jade bracelet was shattered into two pieces. One piece was on the dog. The other piece was made into a necklace and worn by the assistant. I messaged my wife, demanding an explanation, but she didn’t reply. Ten minutes later, I posted something on Ins: “Turns out haute couture fabric is amazing. Even animals look a little more human in it.” The photo showed all of Georgina’s designer clothes from her closet, cut up and draped over a pig. After posting, I silenced my phone and put it in my pocket. Then I grabbed my keys, got in my car, and drove to her fashion studio. This morning, Georgina told me she was going out of town for a business trip. Now I knew her “business trip” was actually a date with her assistant. I called a locksmith to break the door open, then I walked straight to the display cabinets on the second floor with a pair of scissors. All the clothes inside were her life’s work for the past decade. Next Saturday, she was supposed to take these designs to the fashion design finals. If everything went as planned, she’d win the championship and finally achieve her dream, one she’d worked ten years for. I smirked, then punched the glass display case without hesitation. It shattered instantly. In less than ten minutes, all the clothes inside were shredded beyond recognition. Looking at the empty studio, I finally sat down, satisfied, and pulled out my phone. My phone was flooded with missed calls. In our five years of marriage, this had never happened before. As soon as I clicked on a voicemail, Georgina’s call came in again. The moment I answered, Georgina launched into a furious rant: “Bradley, have you lost your mind?! Do you have any idea how much money I spent on those clothes?!” I slowly settled into my seat, a slight curve on my lips: “What? You’re mad over a few pieces of clothing?” “Why were you so generous when you gave the bracelet my parents gave me to your assistant?” “That heirloom jade bracelet from my parents was worth millions. Is it worth less than your clothes?” Georgina was speechless. After a few seconds of silence, she finally spoke softly: “That wasn’t the one your parents gave me. I bought a new one as a reward for his hard work.” “Bradley, I’m still wearing your parents’ bracelet. It’s perfectly fine. I didn’t give it to anyone.” Then she sent me a photo of herself wearing a bracelet. But I knew, no matter how similar it looked, it wasn’t the one my parents gave me. That one was custom-made, with our initials engraved. McCaw had scratched off my name and put that piece around the dog’s neck. The piece with Georgina’s name was around his own neck. It was almost impressive how much effort she put into lying to me. I smirked: “Is that so? Well, I’m sorry to say your clothes really were worn by a pig.” “I’m at your studio now. Get the bracelet back here in thirty minutes.” “Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what will happen to the rest of the things in your display cases.” Hearing my threat, Georgina’s voice was filled with boundless fury: “Bradley!! Don’t you dare!! If you destroy my designs, I swear I’ll never forgive you!” I calmly replied: “I’ll be waiting. Just a friendly reminder, it’ll take you at least three hours to get back here. It’ll take me less than five minutes to destroy everything.” Hearing my harsh words, Georgina hung up. Two minutes later, Georgina sent me two photos. One was the shattered pieces of the jade bracelet, the other was a shipping tracking number. “Satisfied? I got it back! It’s a pile of junk now. If you still want it, I’ll send it to you!” I casually flipped my phone over, took a picture of the messy floor, and sent it to her. “Satisfied, very satisfied. But unfortunately, your clothes are also ruined. Looks like you won’t be making it to next week’s fashion show.” The moment the message sent, a hysterical roar came through: “Bradley! Have you lost your mind?! That was my dream! I spent ten years preparing, ten years!” I slowly fiddled with a design sketch in my hand, a smirk playing on my lips: “How much is your dream worth? Making me unhappy is the price you pay!” With that, I hung up the phone, no longer bothering with her impotent rage. Georgina and I had an arranged marriage. Our parents were business partners. On our engagement day, my mother gave Georgina my family’s ancestral daughter-in-law’s bracelet. Our names were engraved inside the jade, a wish for us to be united in heart and support each other always. After we got married, our feelings grew over time, and we spent a few sweet, happy years together. Later, the initial passion faded, but we still treated each other with mutual respect. I thought we could continue to support each other forever. But I never imagined that in just five years, my partner would develop other intentions. I understood that love doesn’t come with a ‘best before’ date, and eternal devotion is a tall order. But I would never allow my spouse to betray me so openly within our marriage. And I certainly wouldn’t allow my parents’ keepsakes to be trampled on like that.

The next day, Georgina took the earliest flight back. She stormed into my company, ignoring Sarah’s attempts to stop her. She kicked my office door open and threw a pile of shredded papers onto my desk. “Bradley, ruining my clothes wasn’t enough? Why did you have to destroy my design sketches? Do you know how much work went into those? I worked overtime for two months, drawing every single one!” Her arrival didn’t surprise me at all. I looked up, glancing at Sarah, who understood immediately and left, closing the door behind her. “You’re so generous, so talented, are you really going to fuss over these two sketches?” “Bradley! Are you insane? You’re retaliating against me like this, all for a bracelet!” she roared. Watching her unravel hysterically, I smiled: “Georgina, you’re married, do I need to remind you? Are you really that fond of dogs? Should I buy your assistant a leash so you can walk him around all the time?” Georgina was speechless for a long moment, then fumed: “Bradley! You… you’re crazy! A pervert! I told you, there’s nothing going on between us!” “McCaw is a diligent worker. I was rewarding an employee, what’s wrong with giving a gift? Your unreasonable outburst ruined two months of preparation.” Listening to her accusations, I let out a humorless laugh: “My unreasonable outburst?” “Fine, assume I’m being unreasonable! Don’t forget, your design team and studio were all arranged by me. I can give you the chance to pursue your dreams. And I can also crush your dreams in an instant!” This was the first time I’d ever lost my temper so badly since we got married. She froze for a moment, her eyes filled with disappointment: “Bradley, I never knew you were this kind of person before? Someone who casually abuses power. I don’t want your studio anymore! And from now on, you stay out of my business.” With that, she turned and slammed the door shut. I walked out of my office and saw her assistant standing by the door. When he saw Georgina come out, he eagerly went to her side to support her as they left. Before leaving, he glanced at me, a flicker of triumph in his eyes.

From that day on, we entered a cold war. Georgina never came back. I was busy with work and didn’t contact her either. But a week later, Sarah sent me a screenshot. It was McCaw’s SnapChat post: “Even though we missed the championship, we still got a great ranking. Georgina is truly excellent~” “Thanks to Georgina for taking me to the auction to experience it! She said she’s going to bid on the most expensive collector’s item for me today!” The post included two photos. One was of them both on the awards stage, holding a design award. The other was Georgina and McCaw sitting at an auction. Both were smiling brightly, their body language subtly suggestive. I had thought that after the last lesson and warning, Georgina would be more discreet. I didn’t expect her to be pushing her luck like this. I’d like to see how she’s going to buy the most expensive collector’s item with me around! I immediately asked Sarah for the auction’s address and drove over. As soon as I entered, the auction house manager’s eyes lit up when he saw me. “Mr. Bradley, what brings you here?” He enthusiastically walked over to greet me. I exchanged a few pleasantries, then scanned the audience. I instantly spotted Georgina and McCaw next to her. Georgina was happily chatting with McCaw. Seeing me, the smile on her face froze instantly. She looked up at me, confused: “Why are you here? What do you want?” A flicker of guilt crossed her face, but she still tried to maintain her composure. The assistant, being observant, greeted me: “Mr. Bradley, hello.” I raised an eyebrow, glanced at him, and ignored him. My gaze quickly returned to Georgina. “Then what are *you* doing here?” Georgina’s tone was impatient: “Last time, you ruined McCaw’s things.” “He didn’t complain one bit, and he even helped me turn things around for this fashion design competition.” “Even though we didn’t win the championship, we still placed.” “Can’t I buy him a gift as a thank you?” As if afraid I’d stop her again, she deliberately emphasized: “Bradley, I didn’t use a single penny of your money. This is from my competition prize money.” “So, you can’t control me this time.” I calmly swept my gaze over her, a fake smile on my face: “Is that so? Well, it seems Georgina is very good to her assistant.” “Like Georgina, I also want to buy some gifts for my employees.” “Georgina, you don’t mind, do you?” Our confrontation in the grand hall was witnessed by everyone. Georgina’s face was extremely mortified. But this was an auction, a place where industry bigwigs gathered, so she had to maintain a polite smile. McCaw spoke up, trying to smooth things over: “Mr. Bradley, if there’s any gift you want, just have Georgina buy it for you. Why bother coming all this way?” I looked at him, sneering: “What? Did losing your leash make you yapping so loudly?” “Who do you think you are? Do I need *your* guidance on what to do?” McCaw was publicly humiliated, his face turning instantly ashen. Georgina stood in front of him, displeased, and warned me: “Bradley, watch your mouth!”

The commotion finally subsided with the intervention of the organizers. After the brief argument, the auction officially began. The first item was a famous French watch, with a starting bid of two hundred thousand dollars. McCaw’s eyes lit up, and he tugged on Georgina’s sleeve. Georgina immediately understood. When the bidding reached three hundred thousand, she decisively raised her number paddle. “One million dollars.” At that, nearly half the audience gave up. Just as the item was about to be hammered down, I raised my paddle and countered: “Plus one dollar.” The price was raised to one million and one dollars. Georgina frowned, showing her displeasure, but continued to bid: “One million five hundred thousand.” “One million five hundred thousand and one.” Whenever Georgina raised the price, I always added one dollar more. After several rounds, Georgina, her face dark, asked me what I was trying to do. I slowly said: “Nothing, just normal bidding. Is there a problem, Georgina?” The guests present held their breath, watching our tense standoff. Our family was the wealthiest in Phoenix City, with businesses across various industries, so no one dared to easily offend us. And Georgina, as my wife, was naturally someone they also wouldn’t dare to offend. So, whenever Georgina placed a high bid, they would involuntarily put down their paddles. Then they watched us, husband and wife, bidding against each other. Ultimately, McCaw stepped in to mediate: “Georgina, Mr. Bradley likes this watch, just let him have it.” “I wasn’t really that keen on it anyway.” With the actual person speaking up, Georgina had no choice but to give up bidding against me. The watch was yielded to me. Georgina shot me a dark look. It seemed to tell me she was furious and that I should know better and stop. But when the second collection item came out. As Georgina was about to pick up her paddle to bid, I continued to bid in the same manner. Georgina finally exploded: “You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? Are you sick?” Seeing her publicly defy me and get angry for another man. I didn’t want to waste any more time playing cat and mouse with her. A slight curve on my lips: “Well, if that’s the case, I won’t pretend anymore.” I raised my hand, looking at the host: “Any collection item Georgina bids on. I will add one dollar to her price, with no upper limit.” At these words, Georgina was furious, looking at me with rage: “Bradley, what exactly do you want?” I slowly, unhurriedly, replied: “I said, I came to buy some gifts for my employees. Georgina, your taste is always excellent, you don’t mind if I buy the same style, do you?” Georgina’s face turned beet red. People around us were whispering and gossiping. Feeling the strange looks thrown her way. Georgina’s reputation was in tatters. In the end, she could only drag McCaw away in a huff.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “363893”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #玄幻Fantasy #重生Reborn #狼人Werewolf

Everyone in New York knew I loved Liam. Loved him for ten years. When I was adopted at seven, I followed him everywhere. Everyone just assumed I’d be his wife. But that man… he killed me once. Reborn to the night he drugged me, I didn’t cry and give myself to him again. Instead, I picked up my phone and called his precious first love, Stella. Ten minutes later, I watched Stella rush into the room and turned to leave. The shredder devoured ten years of love letters. A music box shattered at his feet. A platinum necklace disappeared down the drain. One by one, I destroyed every gift he’d ever given me. Until on his wedding day, I left a note. “Wishing you happiness, and goodbye..” He thought I was just throwing a tantrum. But when he returned from his honeymoon, he found out. I’d canceled my phone number, blocked him on all my accounts, and vanished without a trace. A year later, he knelt before me, eyes red, begging me to come back. I looked at him and smiled. “Liam, what makes you think I’d want a man who killed me once?”

Clara POV Everyone in New York knew I loved Liam Sterling. For ten years. When his family adopted me at seven, I started following him everywhere. Everyone just assumed I’d be his wife. But Liam, the very man I loved, killed me once. “Quick, say hi to Stella.” His hot breath on my neck, his voice rasping close to my ear. I opened my eyes. In my vision, Liam’s eyes were bloodshot, his desire fueled by drugs, spiraling out of control. He gripped my wrist so hard I thought my bones might shatter. The familiar hotel room. The familiar man. The familiar opening line. I was reborn. Memories of my gruesome death flashed back instantly. The suffocatingly cold basement. The oxygen slowly draining. The searing pain in my lungs. My fingernails scraping against the walls in desperation. Until finally, complete suffocation. The icy grip of death crept from my spine to the top of my head, leaving me cold all over. Liam pulled me harder into his embrace, his body scorching hot, muttering incoherently. “I feel awful…” In my past life, I pitied him. I cried and offered myself to him, becoming his desperate release. In this life… I looked at his dazed face, but I felt nothing. With my other hand, I picked up my phone from the nightstand. Stella was the first contact in my phone book. I tapped “dial.” The call was answered almost instantly. “Hello?” There was a flicker of hidden tension in Stella’s voice. I wasted no words, directly stating the address. “Cloud Nine Hotel, Room 1808.” With that, I hung up. Liam seemed to sense my withdrawal. His grip tightened, trying to pin me completely beneath him. I pulled away from his hand, rolled off the bed, and stood up. I straightened my slightly disheveled collar, then turned to face the man on the bed, tormented by desire. “Liam, your woman will be here in ten minutes.” I said, then walked towards the door. “Clara!” From behind me, his name ripped through his clenched teeth, filled with uncontrolled fury. I didn’t look back. My hand found the doorknob, twisted it, and pulled the door open. The door slammed shut, cutting off that consuming gaze. I didn’t leave. Instead, I leaned against the wall next to the door, waiting quietly. Ten minutes, precisely. The elevator doors opened, and Stella, dressed in a white dress, hurried out. Seeing me standing at the door, she paused, then her eyes, like searchlights, scanned me from head to toe. She stopped in front of the door, then turned her head to look at me. It was the scrutiny of a woman claiming her territory, laced with contempt and dismissal. “You can go now.” Stella’s voice was soft, filled with disdain. “You’re not needed here.” She finished speaking and pushed open the door to Room 1808. Inside, the man’s heavy breathing and a woman’s stifled gasp immediately reached my ears. The door closed again. I turned and walked to my own room. Room 1809, right next door. I didn’t turn on the lights, sitting down in the darkness. The muffled sounds from next door came intermittently, suppressed and unleashed, intertwined, announcing the start of their affair. I listened quietly, my mind calmly replaying the events of my past life. In my past life, I had become Liam’s desperate release. A month later, I was pregnant. Liam gave me a grand wedding. But on our wedding day, he received news of Stella’s death in a car accident. From then on, I became a sinner in his eyes. He believed I had used the child to drive Stella away and caused her death. He started drinking heavily, staying out all night. Each time he returned, reeking of alcohol and longing for another woman, he would look at me coldly, his eyes filled with a hatred that could kill me. Even so, I endured. I thought, once the baby was born, everything would get better. But I never saw that day. On the eve of giving birth, Liam locked me in the basement of the Liam family’s old estate. That place I feared most since childhood – dark, damp, windowless. Through the door, he said to me in a sinister tone. “Clara, Stella is terrified of the dark. Go keep her company.” Then, he drained the oxygen from the basement. I suffocated to death in endless darkness, along with the unborn child. The sounds from next door had stopped at some point. Footsteps echoed in the hallway, the click of heels, then the opening and closing of the elevator doors. Everything returned to silence. I let out a long breath. The suffocating tightness in my chest finally eased. I knew that in this life, everything would be different.

Clara POV The next morning at breakfast, when I came downstairs, Stella was already sitting next to Liam. My seat was now Stella’s. The atmosphere at the dining table was pleasant; the staff served with smiles. Liam took a sip of coffee, tapped his fork against his glass. The sound wasn’t loud, but everyone fell silent. His gaze swept across the room, finally resting on me. His tone was casual, as if announcing a minor detail. “From now on, Stella is my girlfriend.” He paused, then added, “I’m going to marry her.” My hands, holding the fork and knife, didn’t stop. I continued to cut my fried egg. He pointed his fork in my direction, his voice sharpening with a warning. “Especially you, Clara. Be polite to my future wife. Don’t cause me any trouble.” Future wife. My knife scraped the plate, a sharp, grating sound. I looked up and nodded. “I understand, Liam.” I finished everything on my plate, put down my fork and knife, and prepared to leave. “Liam…” Stella, beside him, suddenly had tears welling up in her eyes. Her voice was soft, a tearful sob filled with grievance. “Clara… she… she doesn’t welcome me, does she? If she doesn’t like me, maybe I should just leave…” As she spoke, tears clung to her lashes, as if she’d suffered some great injustice. This, of course, infuriated Liam. “Sit down!” He barked at me, his voice dripping with undisguised fury. “Who told you to leave?” I sat back down as ordered. “Is that how you behave?” He stared at me as if inspecting a flawed product. “Is this how I taught you? Stella will be the lady of this house from now on. Don’t you even know basic etiquette?” I lowered my eyes, saying nothing. I ate this breakfast slower than ever. Half an hour later, my room door was abruptly thrown open, hitting the wall with a loud bang. Liam stormed in, carrying a chill. He slammed the door shut behind him, approaching me step by step, his eyes dark. “Why are you avoiding me?” He stood before me, looking down, “What was that attitude at the breakfast table?” I looked up. “I wasn’t.” He let out a humorless laugh, grabbing my chin and forcing me to look up. “Are you upset? Because of Stella?” His tone held a hint of pathological pleasure, as if my jealousy satisfied some secret vanity of his. I remained silent. My silence completely infuriated him. He let go of my chin, turned to my desk, and roughly pulled open a drawer. He pulled out a thick stack of letters, scattering them across the floor with a flick of his wrist. They were love letters I had written for ten years but never sent. His leather shoe stepped on a letter, the sole grinding over my handwriting. “Clara, you truly disgust me.” He humiliated me word by word, his voice cold as ice. “You know Stella is the only one in my heart, yet you secretly write these things. Do you think I don’t know your intentions? Your secret, hidden love disgusts me!” I looked at the letter under his foot. I had written it when I was sixteen, with a crude drawing of a small figure and “Happy Birthday, Liam” beside it. Liam bent down, leaning close to my ear. His breath brushed my ear, his voice barely a whisper, meant only for us to hear. “Luckily,” he said, “It’s a good thing you didn’t offer yourself to me as an antidote yesterday, or I’d be disgusted for life.” He straightened up, giving me one last look, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt. “You’re not worthy.” He slammed the door shut. I stood there for a long time. Then, I picked up the scattered letters from the floor, one by one. I didn’t read them. I just neatly stacked them and fed them into the shredder under my desk. The shredder hummed, turning ten years of my love into unrecognizable confetti. After doing all that, I reached under my bed and pulled out a dusty handbag. It opened to reveal seven items lying silently inside. I took out the first one. It was a pen, engraved with my initials, his sixteenth birthday gift to me. I gripped both ends of the pen, using all my strength. Snap. I snapped the pen cleanly in two. I let go, and the two broken pieces dropped into the nearby trash can.

Clara POV I started preparing to leave. I turned off all the lights in my room, leaving only a desk lamp, and quietly looked up procedures for studying abroad and transferring assets on my tablet. The trust fund my parents left me was my only security. I needed to disappear completely, and quickly, before Liam and Stella got married. To avoid unnecessary trouble, I started coming home late. I would stay at the school library until closing time, then take the last bus home. That day, I returned to the villa and walked towards my room as usual. Pushing open the door, I stopped short. Someone had moved things around in the room. There was an unfamiliar perfume in the air. I took out my phone and saw that Stella had posted an update an hour ago. It was a selfie. In the photo, she lay on a bed, a blanket pulled up to her collarbone, her face flushed. The bedside lamp and wallpaper in the background were all too familiar. It was my room. The caption read: “A million-dollar mattress really is something. I mentioned I wasn’t sleeping well, and he had it replaced for me right away.” I turned off my phone and stood still. Liam emerged from the shadows of the hallway. He seemed to have been waiting for a long time. “You’re back?” His tone was flat, as if speaking of something insignificant. “Stella’s a light sleeper, so I gave her your mattress.” I’d injured my back, and it ached on rainy days. This mattress, he had specially ordered for a million dollars from Germany last year when my back pain flared up. “Anyway, your back pain is gone,” He added lightly. “Anyway, your back doesn’t hurt anymore.” I looked up at him and said nothing. “Mm.” After a long pause, I simply acknowledged him. He took a step closer, his tall figure looming over me, his gaze scrutinizing and suspicious. “You’re suddenly so well-behaved?” He looked down at me. “Don’t you hate it when I’m good to other people? Are you secretly plotting something?” I didn’t back away. I just looked at him. “No.” “I’m warning you, Clara.” He reached out, his index finger almost poking my forehead. “If you dare cause Stella any trouble, I won’t go easy on you!” I looked at him and smiled. Liam snorted coldly and turned to leave. I walked into my room and sat on the bed. The mattress beneath me was cheap; I could clearly feel the uncomfortable springs. I sat there in silence for a long time. Then, I took out a crystal music box. One year, Liam brought it back for me from a business trip to Athens. He said Athens was the city of music, and he hoped my world would always have music. I took the music box, walked to the window, and pushed it open. Below, on the cobblestone path, Liam was walking towards the garage. I let go. The crystal music box arced briefly through the air, then plummeted. A sharp crack echoed in the night. From downstairs, Liam’s angry roar. “Who the hell is throwing things!”

Clara POV A month later, Stella was pregnant. Liam was overjoyed, and the entire Liam household was abuzz with celebration. The staff moved with an air of cheer, their faces beaming with eager smiles. Liam hired the best nutritionist and family doctor, on call 24/7. I left for school and returned on time each day, trying to minimize my encounters with them. That day, I left class early and came home. As soon as I entered the living room, I saw Stella directing the staff to decorate the nursery. “Move that cabinet a little to the left… yes, just like that.” Stella, her belly not yet noticeably large, was bossily giving orders. Her gaze swept over the cabinet in the entryway, where a photo frame sat. “Oh dear.” She gasped. The photo frame slid off the cabinet, falling to the floor, the glass shattering. My steps halted. It was the only photo I had of my parents together. When Liam picked me up from the orphanage at age seven, I was clutching this photo frame. I walked over to pick up the frame. Stella saw me and immediately adopted a startled expression, her eyes instantly reddening. Just then, the front door opened, and Liam walked in. “Liam!” Stella, as if seeing a savior, threw herself into his arms, tearfully accusing Clara. “I… I didn’t mean to… Clara, she deliberately put the photo there to be in the way. I just glanced at it, and it fell on its own… It scared me, and it scared the baby too…” Liam gently soothed Stella in his arms, then looked up at me, his eyes icy cold. He didn’t ask what happened, nor did he look at the shattered photo frame on the floor. His eyes only held anxiety for Stella and the child in her belly. “Stella is pregnant, don’t you know that?” He chastised me sharply. “Apologize to her now!” My fingers tightened around the frame, shards of glass digging into my skin, drawing beads of blood. I looked at Liam. The man who, in this moment, would condemn me without question for another woman and her unborn child, despite my loving him for fifteen years. I nodded. “I’m sorry.” I said to Stella in his arms. “I scared you.” Liam seemed not to have expected me to apologize so easily and froze for a moment. Stella, in his arms, flashed a subtly triumphant smirk. I didn’t look at them again, turning and taking the damaged photo frame upstairs. Back in my room, I tended to the wound on my hand. Then I took out some tape and sat at my desk, meticulously, little by little, repairing my parents’ photo. The man and woman in the photo smiled gently, as if looking at me. Once repaired, I placed the frame back on my nightstand. After doing all that, I opened the handbag and took out the third gift. It was a platinum necklace, with a tiny four-leaf clover pendant. On my eighteenth birthday, Liam had personally put it on me, saying he hoped I’d always be lucky. I took the necklace and walked into the bathroom. Standing by the toilet, I let go of the necklace and pressed the flush button. The swirling water carried the necklace away, deep into the pipes.

Clara POV My preparations for studying abroad went smoothly. I used the trust fund my parents left me as a deposit for my overseas education. I thought I had done everything perfectly. Liam pushed open my room door without warning, a document in his hand, his face somber as he stood in the doorway. “You touched the money your parents left you?” He slammed the document onto my desk. It was a screenshot of an email from a lawyer. My heart sank. I had forgotten that Liam was the trustee for the fund. “A deposit for studying abroad?” Liam stared at me, his eyes sharp. I said nothing. Seeing my silence, Liam suddenly snorted, his tone full of arrogance and mockery. “What, I’m getting married, and you’re so upset you’re running off to ‘clear your head’ abroad?” Liam never once considered that I might be leaving permanently. In his world, I couldn’t live without him. Seeing that I still wouldn’t speak, the mockery slowly faded from Liam’s face, replaced by a softer expression. He walked over, pulled out the chair next to me, and sat down, playing the role of the benevolent guardian. “Clara, stop being difficult.” His tone softened, even carrying a hint of imperceptible coaxing. “Ever since Stella arrived, you’ve been so cold to me. But she’s the woman I love, the wife I’m going to marry.” Liam paused, reaching out to touch my head, but I subtly avoided his hand. His hand froze in mid-air, then he awkwardly withdrew it. “If you truly love me,” He looked at me, saying something that made me feel utterly disgusted. “You should love my wife too.” My stomach churned. Liam’s gaze fell on my desk, where a few small gifts he had given me were displayed. He walked over, as if surveying his spoils of war. He picked up a doll, the first gift he had given me when I first arrived at the Liam household. “See? You’ve kept all these things so well.” He held up the doll, shaking it at me as if showing off. “And you still say you don’t love me?” I looked at the object in his hand, saying nothing. His tone suddenly shifted, the warmth on his face instantly vanishing, becoming cold and stern. “You should put all these things away.” He tossed the doll back onto the desk, his voice impatient. “Stella is pregnant now, her emotions are sensitive. Seeing these things might make her overthink, might upset her.” He looked at me, word by word. “I wouldn’t want anything to happen to my wife and son.” I finally looked up at him. “Mm.” I acknowledged him. Then, right in front of him, I picked up the gifts he had given me that were still on the desk, the doll, the remains of the music box, and other odds and ends, one by one, and, without a trace of hesitation, threw them into a storage box in the corner. My movements were decisive. Not a hint of reluctance.

Clara POV Seeing me treat those gifts so roughly, Liam, instead, got anxious. He lunged forward, grabbed my wrist, and snatched a little rabbit hairpin from the storage box. “Clara!” He growled, a tension in his voice he didn’t even realize. “Can’t you be gentler? You broke the little rabbit!” That hairpin was a gift from him on my tenth birthday. I’d cherished it for years. I even still wore it sometimes. I looked at him, at his absurdly angry expression, and found it utterly laughable. He himself told me to put them away. I did exactly that. And now he was furious. Liam seemed to realize his own irrational behavior. He lashed out in embarrassment, letting go of my hand, and began to attack me with even more venomous words. “Are you a drama queen?” He sneered, his eyes full of contempt. “You’re clearly crazy about me. Who are you putting on this act for now?” He stared at me, as if trying to find a single crack in my composure. “Clara, I’m telling you, if you actually manage to forget me, I’ll change my name!” I ignored him. To prove how generous he was, and to remind me who was in control, Liam pulled out his phone and transferred a hundred thousand dollars to me. “Take the money and visit a few countries.” He shoved his phone screen in my face, his voice dripping with condescension. “Come back in a month. By then, Stella’s pregnancy will be stable.” I looked at the “transfer successful” notification on my phone and said nothing. Liam seemed to have finally regained some sense of control. He even thoughtfully gave me a few tips for traveling abroad, which areas had poor security, which seasons had unpredictable weather. Finally, Liam looked at me and said meaningfully, “Have a good time abroad. Don’t miss me too much.” He paused, as if emphasizing his new status. “I’ll be a married man now. You’ll have to adjust.” With that, he turned and left the room. After Liam left, I looked at the storage box. Inside, piled up, were the gifts I had discarded, the ones Liam had then “rescued.” It felt incredibly ironic. I took out the fourth gift. It was a rare poetry collection, with Liam’s signed dedication on the flyleaf: To my love, Clara. I carried the book to the window. Page by page, I tore out the leaves, then let them go. The pages drifted out the window, scattering across the garden below. Next, I took out the fifth gift. It was a brass compass. Liam gave it to me, saying he hoped I’d always find my way home. I took a small hammer from my desk drawer. I placed the compass on the floor, raised the hammer, and smashed down. Again and again. The glass cover cracked. The needle bent. The brass casing was battered beyond recognition. Until it became a pile of unrecognizable pieces. I no longer needed to find my way back to this home. This was never my home.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “363892”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #重生Reborn