Author: Momo Chan

A young intern named Jade boasted about her hacking skills by sending out mass resignation letters in everyone’s name. The company group chat exploded instantly. The boss, Marcus, posted a laughing emoji in the group: “Jade’s got some serious tech skills! No need to panic, everyone. I’ll withdraw all the resignation letters. Afternoon tea is on me!” Immediately after, I watched as everyone else’s resignation requests were rejected—except mine, which was approved. Out of 100 people in the company, he retained 99 of them but laid off only me, the core programmer. Since that’s how it was, there was no point in staying where I wasn’t wanted. Before leaving, I casually revoked my self-developed AI’s authorization to protect the database. By the time I was sitting in my new company’s director’s office, Marcus’s desperate phone calls had gone completely insane. … A notification popped up on my computer screen about the mass withdrawal of resignation letters. I scrolled to the bottom—only my approval form showed “Approved.” Lisa from HR slapped my resignation report on my desk. “Adrian, you’re the only one who got approved. Such a shame—the year-end bonus will be distributed in a few days, and you’ll miss it.” My heart sank as I pleaded, “Lisa, I can’t lose that $200,000. My family desperately needs that money to save a life…” She shrugged indifferently. “I’m just an employee. You’ll have to talk to Marcus and see if he’s willing to give you any consideration.” I rushed into Marcus’s office. He was fiddling with a cigar and waved his secretary out. “Marcus, I need an explanation about the resignation approval.” Marcus exhaled a puff of smoke and brushed me off casually. “Adrian, we need to give young people opportunities. You just can’t keep up with the times anymore.” He propped his feet up on the desk, speaking with mocking sarcasm. “If you want that year-end bonus, fine. I can withdraw the resignation letter, but…” I forced out the words through gritted teeth. “What’s the condition?” Marcus sneered and held up five fingers. “Drop to Level 12, monthly salary at intern standard—$500. Consider it paid learning.” I stood there frozen, my head buzzing. “$500? When you begged me to join your startup, that wasn’t the price you offered.” Marcus’s expression instantly turned cold, his voice icy. “The company needs to optimize now. Your ability to stay is my gift to you. Take it or leave it.” I stood rooted to the spot, palms sweating. My phone buzzed with a hospital bill notification. My wife had been diagnosed with ALS, and the daily hospital fees were a non-negotiable $5,000. To get back that life-saving $200,000 year-end bonus, I clenched my teeth and nodded in agreement. As I walked out of his office, Marcus made a public announcement. “I’m appointing Jade as Technical Supervisor with Level 5 salary benefits, effective immediately!” The income that should have been mine had just been handed to an intern. Keith, the deputy manager, led the applause, shouting at the top of his lungs. “Jade is our company’s future! Everyone should learn from Supervisor Jade!” Afternoon tea arrived at the office, and cheers erupted throughout. Jade carried the milk tea around, handing it out to everyone. When she reached me, she held up the empty bag mockingly. “Adrian, we didn’t count you in. Why don’t you drink some tap water instead?” Keith chimed in from the side, spitting maliciously. “Interns should act like interns. You think you deserve afternoon tea?” I grabbed my worn laptop bag and walked into the storage room, looking at the moldy walls with a self-mocking laugh. I remembered the early startup days when Marcus and I carried servers while dodging the rain. Back then, he personally promised to split everything fifty-fifty. That scene felt like yesterday. Now, he was popping champagne with Jade to celebrate. I wiped my face and my fingers flew rapidly across the keyboard. Since they wanted a genius, I would withdraw all bottom-layer authorization for my self-developed AI. I entered the command in the code terminal: Revoke upon resignation effective immediately. I said nothing, just watched this absurd farce with cold eyes. This place that didn’t treat people like human beings didn’t deserve the defense system I’d maintained for three years.

The next day, Jade sat at the core control console, pointing at a section of continuously erroring code on the screen and laughing. “Oh my God, this infinite loop bug has been here for three years? No wonder the system runs as slow as a turtle.” Her finger hovered above the Enter key, her face full of disgust. “I’m going to fix this bug and delete it completely.” My scalp exploded instantly. I rushed over and pressed down on her hand. “Stop! That’s not an ordinary bug—it’s a logic compromise made to maintain compatibility with legacy hardware!” I was so anxious my throat was hoarse, staring at her intently. “This bug throws errors, yes, but it forces other control units to run at reduced frequency. Delete it and the system will overload and crash!” Jade shook off my hand, looking at me with complete contempt as she brushed off her sleeve. “Adrian, your skills are terrible. You write bugs you can’t fix, then make up terms like ‘logic compromise’ to deceive people?” The commotion grew loud. Marcus walked over with his hands behind his back, brows furrowed. “What’s all this noise? Can’t people have peace in the morning?” I grabbed at this lifeline, pointing at the screen to explain. “Marcus, Jade wants to delete that load-balancing bug. This will cause serious problems—you have to stop her immediately!” Marcus looked at Jade, then at me, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. Jade immediately pouted, her eyes reddening. “Marcus, Adrian is just jealous of me. Fixing this bug would improve speed by at least 20%. He doesn’t want the company to progress.” The hesitation in Marcus’s eyes gradually disappeared. He turned his head and looked at me coldly. “Adrian, we need to give young people room to make mistakes. Don’t always suppress them with your old methods.” He patted Jade’s shoulder. “Jade, go ahead and fix it boldly. If anything goes wrong, I’ll take responsibility.” I stood frozen, watching helplessly as Jade pressed the Enter key. In that instant, all the indicator lights in the server room suddenly went dark. The mainframe let out a muffled hum, and the screens instantly went black. The entire office area fell into deathly silence, with only the emergency lights casting a ghastly pale glow. Jade’s face turned deathly white as she jumped up from her chair. “I… I only deleted one line of code…” The red dedicated phone on the desk suddenly rang shrilly. It was the direct hotline to DragonPeak Corporation, a major client. Marcus fumbled to answer the phone, his forehead covered in cold sweat. “Boss…. Boss, calling so early?” An angry roar came through the phone, loud enough for even me to hear. “Marcus! We’re receiving red alert signals! What the hell are you people doing?” Marcus’s legs were shaking. Just as he was about to explain, the mainframe behind him suddenly beeped. The power reconnected, the screen lit up again, and the glaring red warning disappeared. Jade pointed at the screen, screaming excitedly. “It’s on! Marcus! System restart successful!” A line of large green text appeared on the screen: [System Logic Optimization Complete]. Jade couldn’t wait to hit Enter and run a performance test. The progress bar flew through completion, finally settling on an astonishing number. [Current System Comprehensive Operating Efficiency: Increased by 30%]. Marcus breathed a long sigh of relief and immediately switched to a fawning expression. “Boss, you misunderstood. We were just performing a core technology upgrade. It’s completed now.” He hung up the phone, pointing at the big screen, his face full of wild joy. “See that? This is what they call ‘breaking to rebuild’! 30% speed increase!” Jade raised her chin proudly, looking at me provocatively. “Adrian, I wonder who was fear-mongering just now. Does your face hurt?” Keith led the applause, shouting at the top of his lungs. “Jade is amazing! Not like some people who just occupy space without contributing, always crying wolf!” He glanced at me sideways, adding sarcastically. “This is what they call technological dominance—the difference between genius and waste!” The entire company erupted in cheers, everyone celebrating this so-called “technological breakthrough.” Only I knew that the seemingly perfect data flow was just the last flash of brilliance before death. I returned to the storage room. My phone vibrated. It was a familiar number. When I answered, a respectful voice came through. “Mr. Adrian, this is HR from Skyward Tech. About the job offer we discussed last time—have you considered it?” I looked at the group of people celebrating outside the door, gathered around Jade popping champagne. “The job offer is fine.” I lowered my voice, speaking calmly. “But I still have a $200,000 year-end bonus to collect. That’s my hard-earned money.” The headhunter paused on the other end, then said. “Understood. We’ll wait for your good news.” I hung up the phone and laughed mockingly at myself. Marcus, since you chose your “genius,” I’ll take back what belongs to me.

On the morning of the third day, the final deadline for handover arrived. The company group chat suddenly exploded. Messages about year-end bonuses arriving flooded the screen. Everyone was celebrating amounts much higher than previous years. I opened my bank message, my fingertip trembling as I stared at that string of numbers. [Deposit: $2,000] Before I could catch my breath, my phone rang shrilly. It was the director of City First Hospital’s emergency department. When I answered, the sound of urgent monitor alarms came through. “Mr. Adrian, your wife has suffered sudden respiratory arrest! We’re performing CPR!” The doctor’s anxious voice came like thunder. “The situation is critical. We must perform an emergency tracheotomy immediately. Please pay the $50,000 surgery fee at once!” My head buzzed. I almost dropped my phone. “Save her! Please, you have to save her! I’ll transfer the money right away!” I hung up and rushed into Marcus’s office like a madman. Inside, Marcus was stuffing a thick stack of cash into envelopes and handing them to Jade. “Marcus! You have to give me that $200,000 commission! My wife is being resuscitated!” I rushed to the desk, eyes bloodshot, voice hoarse. Marcus leisurely sealed the envelope without even looking up. “Adrian, what are you yelling about? That money has already been divided among everyone.” He pointed at the cheering employees, speaking righteously. “Jade improved speed by 30%. Everyone worked very hard. This money should reward those who contributed.” My whole body trembled uncontrollably, blood rushing to my head. “That’s my life-saving money! How could you use it to buy favors?” Marcus suddenly laughed, grabbed my collar, and physically dragged me out of the office. “Come! Everyone, stop for a moment!” He pushed me unceremoniously into the center of the office area, shouting loudly. “Adrian says he wants back that $200,000 commission!” The entire room fell silent instantly. Dozens of pairs of eyes stared at me in unison. Marcus spread his hands, looking completely shameless. “I’ve already distributed the money to everyone. If I give it to him, you’ll all have to return the bonuses you just received.” He looked around, deliberately asking. “Do you agree to that?” Keith was the first to jump out, stuffing his envelope into his pocket and pointing at me while cursing. “Why should we? Money that’s already in our pockets, you want to claw it back out?” “Adrian, you’re shameless! Taking everyone’s money to fill your family’s bottomless pit?” With someone leading, the jeering around me instantly erupted. Jade giggled and raised her hand, shouting loudly. “Marcus, since Adrian is leaving anyway, why not use his freed-up salary budget to give everyone a $500 monthly raise!” The room fell silent for a second, then erupted in earth-shattering cheers. Marcus waved his hand magnanimously. “Approved! Jade is so considerate, unlike some people who only take and never give.” I stood in the crowd, my heart feeling like it was being stabbed with needles. I remembered last year when I led the team through five days and four nights to overcome difficulties, everyone sleeping in the server room. To fight for a $200 hardship allowance for my colleagues, I begged Marcus for three days. At that time, he smashed a cup and shouted at me, pointing at my nose. “Adrian! The company is in startup phase with no money! You need to understand my difficulties. Don’t always focus on money!” Now he was using my hard-earned money to buy loyalty, appearing extremely generous. “Long live Jade! Supervisor Jade is our real mother!” The employees’ gazes toward me instantly changed from disgust to hatred. As if I were the criminal blocking their path to wealth. Suddenly, a figure rushed out from the crowd. It was Ryan, whom I’d taught code to by hand. Smack! A resounding slap landed hard across my face.

Ryan’s face flushed red as he pointed at me and roared. “Adrian! Get out now! You almost cost us our raise!” “Acting so high and mighty all this time—turns out you’re a bloodsucker trying to cut off everyone’s income!” I covered my stinging cheek, looking in disbelief at this apprentice for whom I’d taken the blame countless times. Marcus watched this scene, leaned close to my ear, his voice icy cold. “See that, Adrian? This is human nature. Now you’re the target of everyone’s anger.” “You were always the high-and-mighty honor student in school. I’ve been annoyed with you for a long time.” “Controlling you—that’s making you, the genius, bow to me, the poor student, for a few dollars.” Before I could recover, Jade walked over carrying a cup of scalding coffee. “Adrian, still not awake?” Her hand “slipped,” and the brown liquid splashed directly onto my face and chest. “Oops, my hand slipped.” The scalding pain made me gasp. Coffee dripped from my chin onto the floor. The entire room erupted in laughter, whistles rising and falling. Jade covered her mouth, looking completely gleeful. “Awake now? Take your two thousand dollars and get lost.” Marcus clapped his hands, making his final summary statement. “Adrian, the facts prove that both your skills and character are inferior to Jade’s.” He pointed at the door, issuing his eviction order. “Radiant doesn’t need a waste who can’t even fix bugs. You can leave with peace of mind.” “From now on, this is Jade’s world!” The humiliation burned through my entire body like fire. My nails dug deep into my flesh, drawing blood. I wiped the coffee stains from my face without saying another word. I didn’t even look at them. I turned and walked out the door. Behind me was unrestrained celebration. In the hallway, I leaned against the cold wall and dialed the number I’d saved long ago. The phone was answered after just one ring. “This is Adrian.” I pressed down my voice, speaking with terrifying calm. “The job offer from Skyward Tech—I accept.” An excited voice came through the phone. “Excellent, Mr. Adrian. Salary and benefits as we discussed previously, doubled, with a $500,000 signing bonus transferred anytime.” “I need the money. Now.” “No problem. It’ll be in your account within ten minutes.” I hung up the phone, looking at that tightly closed company door, listening to the cheering inside. Cheer away. Cheer to your heart’s content. This is your last moment of happiness. Through my phone, I entered a command on my personal terminal: Revoke Aegis AI virus protection function. A red warning appeared on the screen: [Confirm revocation? After revocation, the system will lose AI virus protection function]. I pressed confirm. Watching the error red dots gradually appear on the screen, I breathed a long sigh of relief. Your tower is about to fall.

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While participating in a reality show, my sister and I both fell into the water. Without hesitation, my husband Holt jumped in and rescued my sister. He held her with such concern and urgency, walking away without looking back. I was left behind, nearly sinking to the bottom of the lake before the crew finally pulled me ashore. The next day, when I handed Holt the divorce papers, he scowled at me. “Lily can’t swim, that’s why I saved her first. Are you really going to be jealous over this?” I looked calmly into his eyes. “Yes. Sign it.” Holt and I quietly finalized our divorce. Holt kept his brows furrowed, but at this point, he could no longer stir any emotion in me. He stuffed the certificate into his pocket. “I’ll drive you home.” I shook my head. “No need.” Holt seemed displeased with my attitude. “Genesis, there’s no need to be like this. No matter what, we were together for three years. Divorce doesn’t mean we have to be strangers forever.” I was momentarily shocked. I could hardly believe those words came from Holt’s mouth. After all, now that Lily had returned, he should be thrilled that I was being so sensible and making room for them. “Mr. Pierce, to me, divorce means divorce. We’re not family, and we certainly can’t be friends.” “You—” “Besides, we don’t have children. There’s no need to stay in contact.” My words infuriated Holt. He turned and left. I watched his retreating figure and sighed helplessly. But when I thought about my bank account balance, those unhappy feelings vanished in an instant. Although I was the second daughter of the Shaw family, I never received any money from them. Instead, the divorce had made me a small fortune. There was no way I could get half of Pierce Holdings, so when I had the lawyer draft the divorce agreement, I only asked for twenty million dollars. Holt agreed, and he also gave me two luxury homes—one in New York and one in Los Angeles—along with three other properties and six commercial apartments in prime locations. This was enough to keep me comfortable for the rest of my life. Looking at those cold numbers, I suddenly couldn’t help but laugh. How wonderful. I could finally start living for myself. After the divorce, in just one day, I moved into a downtown penthouse. Having it under my name gave me an unprecedented sense of security. I thought leaving Holt would leave me in pain and despair. After all, during our three-year marriage, I had loved him. But unexpectedly, that night I slept exceptionally well. The long-absent relaxation let me sleep until noon the next day. Holt and I had a business marriage arranged by our grandfathers, who were war buddies. But originally, this marriage was meant for Lily. The reason was simple—she was the rose the Shaw family had cultivated for eighteen years. And I was the Shaw family’s biological daughter who had been switched at birth. Someone like me could never have met a privileged heir like Holt, let alone fallen in love with him. Until I turned eighteen, when Mr. and Mrs. Shaw found me, tearfully explaining that I was their biological daughter, and that a nurse’s mistake all those years ago had caused our separation. At that time, I was living in an orphanage. When I saw them arrive in their luxury car, I thought my future would be easier—at least I wouldn’t have to collect trash to earn money for school fees. The orphanage was poor, and not every child could afford to go to school. But I didn’t receive the guilt and compensation I expected from them. Only cold treatment. I thought, as long as I could go to school, that would be enough. They said Lily’s parents had both passed away, so they wouldn’t send her away. But their daily treatment of us was vastly different. I wasn’t like a daughter of the family at all. I was more like the maid’s daughter.

It wasn’t until Mrs. Shaw told me to enter into a business marriage that I learned the handsome young man Lily had always followed had been in a serious car accident. They said his leg would never fully heal, and he would limp for the rest of his life. Lily cried and screamed that she would never marry a cripple. So this mission fell to me. I could have refused. But when I thought about that face, so handsome in the sunlight, which I hadn’t seen in a year, I inexplicably agreed. I was twenty years old that year, about to start my sophomore year. They had me take a leave of absence from school, and I got married at a young age. When I went to see him, he flew into a rage, smashing a vase at my feet and shouting for Lily to come. But Lily had already gone abroad to study with the black card they gave her. The Shaw family’s business depended on Pierce Holdings. Lily didn’t want to marry a cripple, but they needed someone to stabilize the relationship between the Pierce and Shaw families, so they pushed me forward. That was the first time Mrs. Shaw showed me any kindness. She cried about how difficult things were for the family, cried about how pitiful Lily was, cried about how Mr. Shaw’s hair was already turning white. I remained unmoved. I said, why say all this? If I wanted to marry him, it wasn’t because of them—it was because of Holt himself. During my freshman year, Holt was a senior—the famous campus heartthrob and big man on campus. The social media pages were filled with declarations of love for him, and countless daughters from prominent families tried to win his favor. But back then, the only person by his side was Lily. Because of this, Lily became the object of everyone’s admiration. She proudly talked about how special she was to Holt, how she occupied an unshakable place in his heart. I appreciated good-looking people, but what I admired more was his academic achievement. His obsession with and dedication to mathematics led him to publish many research papers. I’d read every one of them, and they’d even helped me solve several problems I’d been stuck on. I was won over by his talent. Going from admiration to love wasn’t difficult at all. On our wedding day, Holt never smiled once, and I was so nervous I kept wiping the sweat from my hands. I even nearly fell when Holt took my hand. People around us laughed. I felt like something that didn’t belong on stage. I vaguely heard people mention Lily, and Holt’s face darkened even more. I thought he must love Lily. Otherwise, how could he resent me so much? In that instant, I regretted it—regretted my marriage, and regretted my secret crush. That night, Holt was on top of me like he was venting his frustrations. But his leg wasn’t very agile, and it hurt terribly, so I pushed him down, stopped him from moving, and sat on top of him instead, slowly taking him in. Before long, both our breathing grew heavy. Holt’s face flushed red, and I lost myself in my own movements. There wasn’t much conflict in the Pierce household, and here I actually lived more freely than I had at the Shaw house. I loved reading and still enjoyed delving into academic problems. Although I’d taken a leave of absence, I never stopped learning. As for Holt, he went from not coming home for days at a time to eventually coming back on time every day. Even when work was busy, he would send me messages telling me where he was. I learned massage techniques from a physical therapist. I wondered if Holt’s leg could slowly improve through massage. Once I had the idea, I started doing it. The first time I shyly told Holt about my plan. Later, I became skilled at massaging him. It took me half a year, and I even memorized all the pressure points on the human body. Holt went from initially protesting to eventually accepting it, and even waited for me to massage him for half an hour every day. I felt like my hands were getting stronger.

Life was actually quite boring. So one time when I went to Pierce Holdings to deliver documents Holt had left at home, a short drama editor spotted me and asked if I wanted to try playing a supporting role in their series—a smart student character. They thought my temperament was perfect for it. I inexplicably agreed, and Holt didn’t object either. What I didn’t expect was that the short drama would become a huge hit, and even I, as a supporting character, gained my own fans. I found it novel. I’d never imagined entering the entertainment industry, a place that had nothing to do with me. Pierce Holdings had many business ventures, and Rainfall Entertainment was just one small piece. Holt said that as long as I didn’t use the Pierce name externally, I could do whatever I wanted. So gradually, I got an agent, Lisa, and also a young assistant. I took on several supporting roles in major productions—fourth, fifth, sixth female leads. I became a minor actress. Sometimes scrolling through social media felt especially interesting. I would lie in bed laughing as I read fan comments to Holt, one hand massaging his leg. Without paying attention, I pressed on some spot, and Holt let out a muffled groan. Thinking I’d hurt him, I quickly dropped my phone to check, but Holt pushed me down onto the bed. Kissing came naturally, and what followed was a natural progression. We became more and more in sync, both finding pleasure in it. From that point on, our relationship progressed by leaps and bounds. He would bring me the little cakes I loved, buy me clothes and jewelry, and occasionally take me to watch movies or walk by the lake. We were like an ordinary married couple. And under my massage therapy, Holt’s leg got better and better. Even the doctor said it was a miracle. Now when Holt walked, as long as he didn’t go too fast, you couldn’t tell he had ever limped at all. In the third year of our marriage, Lily came back. The day she returned, Holt unusually didn’t cling to me. And for the first time in three years, Mr. and Mrs. Shaw called, asking Holt and me to come home. Lily had been gone for three years and had never come back once. During the one family gathering at New Year’s, the Shaws had awkwardly said that Lily was busy with her studies. Holt’s face was cold, and he didn’t speak. I didn’t know what he was thinking. After all, since getting married, I, their biological daughter, had barely returned to the Shaw house either. But the preferential treatment given to the Shaw family had never stopped flowing. When Holt and I returned to the Shaw house, I saw a graceful young woman throw herself into Holt’s arms like the wind. I stood beside them watching. Holt didn’t push her away. The woman in his arms had matured considerably, but she still kept calling him by his first name, tears streaming down and soaking Holt’s suit. Watching this scene, my heart ached. I deeply regretted agreeing to return to the Shaw house. Seeing me beside them, Lily straightened up. “I’m sorry, Genesis. I was just so happy. Holt, oh wait, should I call you by your name now?” Holt’s jaw tightened. He took my hand with a cold expression and led me to our seats. Lily watched us with obvious shock. That dinner was utterly frustrating. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Shaw asked how I’d been doing recently. Instead, they desperately tried to get Lily and Holt to talk, saying how much Lily had been thinking about Holt. I suddenly felt like they were trying to push Lily onto him. From that day on, Lily was like a fly, appearing around Holt and me constantly. And Holt went from initial resistance to eventual acceptance—all in less than a month. Lily wanted to enter the entertainment industry, so Holt had Rainfall Entertainment’s top agent take her on.

Lily came and went from the Pierce Holdings building like she owned the place. Everyone assumed she was Mrs. Pierce. After all, I’d kept my identity hidden at Rainfall Entertainment—no one knew about my relationship with Holt. But Lily was different. She would loudly call Holt and act cute on the phone, then take takeout to his office. As for me, after Holt coldly dismissed me the first time I visited, I never went again. Everyone else assumed I was some D-list actress trying to climb into the CEO’s bed. Lily was pure and lovely, and with Holt’s backing, she quickly became popular, with resources constantly flowing her way. When Lisa asked if I knew Lily, I said I didn’t. Lisa then started gossiping about Lily, saying she acted like a diva and used her relationship with the CEO to snatch whatever endorsements she wanted. It wasn’t until three of my endorsements were stolen that I realized Lily was targeting me. As for Holt, since I’d entered this industry, he’d never given me any preferential treatment. When we ran into each other in the building, he’d act like he didn’t see me. Back then, I still hadn’t thought about divorce. After all, I really did like Holt. Until something happened that seemed small to him. For the first time, I felt that Holt and I couldn’t make it work. It started with a popular outdoor reality show that had invited both Lily and me. The whole thing had been harmonious. Lily played the lively, cheerful starlet, while I dutifully showed my strengths in the games. That day, Holt unexpectedly came to visit the set. The directors around him all greeted him warmly. That’s when the accident happened. The wooden bridge by the lake was old and poorly maintained. When both Lily and I stepped onto it, it suddenly broke. Both of us fell into the lake. Chaos erupted around us. The crew members all started to jump in to save us. But what no one expected was that Pierce Holdings’ CEO Holt would be the first to jump into the lake. I couldn’t swim. When I saw Holt dive in, I thought he was coming to save me. After all, I was his wife, wasn’t I? But when I saw him grab Lily and start swimming toward the shore, my heart suddenly felt at peace. I only had one thought: So after three years together, he doesn’t love me. Holt acted like he didn’t even see that I’d fallen into the water too. He carried Lily to his car, so anxious, so distressed. As I sank to the bottom of the lake, all I could see was the car driving away. By the time the crew members pulled me out, I’d already lost consciousness. It was just that coincidental—everyone thought someone else would save me. But Holt’s interruption made them forget about me entirely. When the assistant director shouted to save me, everyone suddenly remembered I existed. I was rushed to the hospital. The show was suspended. When I woke up, only my agent Lisa was by my side. She was terrified, looking at me with red-rimmed eyes. I moved my body. I didn’t seem badly hurt. “Lisa, I’m not dead.” “Don’t say that! You scared me to death, Genesis. How could you be so unlucky? It’s all because Mr. Pierce made such a big scene rescuing Lily that everyone forgot about you. Don’t you feel terrible?” “No.” My heart was very calm. I’d foolishly thought that Holt and I were husband and wife, that we were one unit. Reality had given me a harsh blow. I thought, Holt and I—our fate ends here. I was discharged that afternoon. I saw Holt supporting Lily, with Mr. and Mrs. Shaw following behind them. They were smiling, like a happy family. Lily leaned weakly against Holt while Mrs. Shaw gently draped a jacket over her shoulders. It was like they’d completely forgotten about me.

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On the day my wife gave birth, my mother and I accidentally overheard her conversation with her assistant outside the delivery room: “Felix, I gave birth to twins with different fathers. This one with the birthmark on his hand is your son. The other one belongs to my husband.” “Clara, really? That’s unbelievable!” Felix’s face was full of disbelief. “It’s true! That night after I had sex with Benjamin, I had sex with you several more times. I wasn’t sure… so I got a DNA test right away. The results showed the two babies are fraternal twins with different fathers!” After hearing this, Felix was overjoyed. He took his child and passionately kissed Clara. Witnessing this scene, my mother couldn’t handle the shock and fainted. She never woke up again. As I wept over my mother’s body, Clara sent me a message: “Honey, I’ve decided to recover at a postpartum care center. I’m only taking one child with me. You can take care of the other one—it’ll let you experience the joy of being a father!” The double blow left me devastated, and I spat out a mouthful of blood!

I don’t know what emotions to use to describe my grief and rage at this moment. My lover’s betrayal, my mother’s death, the discovery that one son isn’t mine—all these humiliations were like an invisible black hand, ruthlessly squeezing my heart until I could barely breathe. Looking at my mother’s cold body, my guilt grew deeper and deeper. But time didn’t allow me to grieve. A nurse came over carrying a baby. “Mr. Anderson, please hold your child! Ever since your wife left with his brother, he hasn’t stopped crying.” “It’s like he knows his mother abandoned him.” I lifted my bloodshot eyes and slowly turned my head toward the baby in the nurse’s arms. With trembling hands, I took the child. In that moment, my heart struggled violently. I could only hope that Clara had taken my child with her, not that bastard’s. But when I saw that the baby’s hands had no birthmark, it felt like someone had punched me hard in the gut. I instantly collapsed to the floor. She had chosen to abandon my child and only take Felix’s spawn to live their happy family life. At that moment, my heart felt like it was being cut by knives. Right then, Felix sent me a message: “Benjamin, I’ll take good care of Clara and the baby for you. Don’t worry! I’m even making him my godson.” Immediately after, he posted on social media. Two photos. One showed his hand interlocked with a soft, pale hand wearing a wedding ring. I recognized that hand. The ring finger still wore the wedding ring I had designed for her myself. The other photo showed him holding the baby in one arm while his other hand wrapped around Clara’s back as she rested her head on his shoulder. “Grateful for the two most important people in my life—my son and the woman I love most.” “Even during her postpartum recovery, she insisted on staying with me and our son.” Our colleagues commented below, puzzled but still offering likes and congratulations. Only I remained motionless, gripping my phone tightly, my eyes trembling with rage. What a perfect family of three. What a devoted pair of cheating dogs. To accommodate Felix’s feelings, she abandoned my son under the guise of letting me “learn how to be a father.” In reality, she just didn’t want my child disturbing them. He was so small, just born, and his own mother had already abandoned him. I silently removed my wedding ring and threw it out the window. Who would have thought that seven years of deep love would end in mockery and betrayal? What should have been a joyful occasion now turned into a funeral. I handled my mother’s funeral alone, carrying all the heartache. Since that day, Clara hadn’t called me once. Not even a single message. She hadn’t even asked about her infant son.

That very night, I contacted a lawyer to draft divorce papers. When she returned, I would file for divorce. Since the baby was so young, I hired a nanny to help care for him. Life had to go on. Work couldn’t stop. I returned to the company. As soon as I walked in, I heard colleagues whispering among themselves. When I passed by, they all turned to look at me with eyes full of mockery, pity, and sympathy. “Did you hear? Clara actually gave birth to twins with different fathers. One of them belongs to Felix.” “What? You can’t just say things like that.” “I’m not making it up. It’s true. On the day Clara gave birth, I happened to pass by and overheard the doctor talking to her.” “Look, Felix even posted about it on social media, saying he’s the godfather. But he’s actually the biological father.” “Oh my god, that’s insane!” “Poor Director Anderson. He has no idea. Not only did Clara cheat on him, but she even left his child behind…” All these humiliating words pierced my ears, making them ache. Everyone knew that Clara had cuckolded me. I don’t know how I made it to my office. Only my chest ached as if it were bleeding. Before I could collect myself, a colleague came in to tell me about a meeting. “Director Anderson, Ms. Hayes just called to notify everyone to gather in the conference room.” When I entered the conference room, it was already full. I looked up at the projector. Clara was holding Felix’s child while announcing something to everyone. “During my postpartum recovery, I’ve decided to let Felix temporarily assume the CEO position. The previous project needs to continue moving forward. Whoever can close the deal will receive a substantial bonus from the company.” As soon as she finished speaking, everyone turned to look at me. “I thought Ms. Hayes would let Director Anderson manage the CEO position. After all, he’s her husband.” “Come on, stop talking.” I ignored these murmurs and focused my energy on securing this project. After all, I would soon divorce Clara and resign. Before leaving, I wanted to earn some money for my child’s expenses. For the next several days, I juggled between company and home, coaxing the baby to sleep while staying up late working on the project. After several sleepless nights, my body couldn’t take it anymore. When I finally completed the project and proactively contacted the client, they were very satisfied with my proposal. But the moment I returned to my office, I collapsed from exhaustion. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in the hospital. I desperately wanted to be discharged because today the client would come to sign the contract. But when I rushed into the conference room, I saw Clara with Felix, signing the contract with the client. “I never expected Felix to be so talented. This project actually came from his hand.” “I thought it was Director Anderson’s.” “How could it be? I’ve been responsible for this project all along. I worked so hard on it.” Standing at the door, I couldn’t hold back any longer and rushed inside. I finally understood—Felix had stolen my project while I was unconscious and claimed it as his own.

“Felix, when did the project I worked so hard on become yours?” I glared at this despicable bastard, wanting nothing more than to punch him in the face. Seeing the fury in my eyes, he immediately looked guilty and hid behind Clara. “Ms. Hayes, this project is definitely mine. Director Anderson must be going crazy from taking care of his kid. He’s trying to steal credit.” Hearing this, Clara glared at me with displeasure, then politely addressed the confused client. “Don’t listen to him. Since I announced that whoever creates an outstanding project will receive a substantial reward, everyone wants a piece of the pie.” “I believe this project was done by my assistant Felix.” The client suddenly understood and looked at me with contempt. “I never imagined that for a few dollars, some people in this world would do such sleazy things.” His words made everyone at the meeting mock me as a thief. “I can’t believe Director Anderson is this kind of person. Who would have thought?” “You really can’t judge a book by its cover!” “Is he doing this out of revenge? Because of that…” “Shh, don’t say anything!” I stood there like a clown, utterly humiliated. I couldn’t take it anymore. I punched Felix in the face. “This is my project. How dare you just take it?” Clara’s face immediately darkened. She had employees escort the client out, not wanting them to witness the company’s internal conflict. Once they left, Clara slapped me across the face. After hitting me, her body trembled violently, and she quickly withdrew her hand. Since our marriage, we had always been loving. We had never fought. Now, because of Felix, Clara was getting physical with me for the first time. “Are you done making a scene? Must you embarrass me in front of everyone? If you want money, I can give it to you.” “The client was still here, and you acted so childishly, playing the thief trying to steal the project.” She didn’t offer me a single word of explanation. Even if I continued insisting the project was mine, no one would believe me. Felix pretended to be considerate, quickly holding Clara back. “Ms. Hayes, don’t blame Director Anderson. Don’t let my situation cause a fight between you two.” But because of him, our marriage had already cracked. We’d even produced an illegitimate child. I laughed bitterly, tears of extreme disappointment filling my eyes. Seeing me like this, Clara’s heart trembled involuntarily. She wanted to say something to me, but I had already removed my work badge and thrown it on the floor. “Clara, I’ll send you divorce papers later, along with my resignation letter.” After dropping those words, I disappeared from the doorway. Clara stood frozen, never expecting me to bring up divorce. Just as she was about to chase after me, Felix quickly stopped her. “Clara, let’s go home!” “Mom just called and said the baby won’t stop crying.” “I think he misses his mother.” Hearing this, Clara had no mood to look for me and hurriedly left with Felix. I watched her departing figure, so decisive. She never thought that she had another child at home waiting for her to come back, also wanting his mother to hold him. Son, we don’t need this kind of mother.

As soon as I got home, I heard my son crying. At that moment, my heart filled with endless bitterness. His mother was on the other side, caring for another man’s child, never once asking about him. I picked him up, gently comforting him and coaxing him to sleep. Just as he finally fell asleep, my phone received a video call from Felix. My finger accidentally swiped and answered it. The baby who had just fallen asleep immediately started crying again. But I stared deadly at the video, watching a naked man and woman locked in a passionate embrace and kiss. “Felix, be gentle. I just finished my postpartum recovery.” “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.” “Let’s indulge ourselves one last time. After tomorrow, I need to go home.” “Because of you, I’ve neglected him for so long. When I think of the disappointed look in his eyes, I’m so afraid of losing him.” “Why did you have to steal his project and make me frame him?” Clara playfully raised her hand to hit Felix, but after a few taps, she slowly sank into Felix’s tender embrace. With bloodshot eyes, I shouted at the cheating couple in the video like a madman, but they couldn’t seem to hear me. I was the only fool being tortured. So Clara knew the project was mine, but she chose to frame me for Felix’s sake. A heart dies in an instant. Finally, I hurled my phone against the wall. My heart hurt so much, felt so cold. There was no need to stay in this house anymore. After all, it was Clara’s premarital property. The day I married her, her many friends had secretly called me ungrateful, mocked me as a poor loser unworthy of Clara. For her sake, I had always endured it. This was also why I worked so hard on that project. I never expected that in the end, I’d just be making a wedding dress for someone else. The next morning, I woke up early and packed my things. Before leaving, I signed the divorce papers and left them on the coffee table. Taking my son with me, I left without any lingering attachment. But just as I opened the door, Clara came back with Felix’s spawn. As soon as she saw me, she leaned into my arms. “Benjamin, I’m back!” “I know you and our son must have missed us, right?” Missed you? Ha! I coldly pushed Clara away without any emotion. Thinking of her betrayal and her indulgence of Felix, I never wanted to see her again for the rest of my life. “Benjamin? What’s… wrong with you?” “Are you still angry about the project?” I said nothing, just watched coldly to see how she would explain herself. Right then, Felix’s child started crying. Clara’s eyes lit up. She handed me the baby. “Benjamin, you haven’t seen Jacob yet. Hold him.” I raised my hand and slapped her across the face. She’d been back all this time without asking about our child at home even once, yet wanted me to hold Felix’s spawn. “Clara, can you stop pretending?” “This child is clearly from the different-father twins you conceived. He’s Felix’s spawn. Why would I hold my wife’s lover’s child?” Clara’s eyes widened. She stood frozen for a long time. “You… you know everything?” “The truth always comes out eventually.” I threw the divorce papers in her face. “Now that it’s come to this, let’s just divorce. I’ll fulfill you and your star-crossed lovers.” Just as I was about to leave, Clara cried and hugged me from behind. “No, let’s not divorce.” “I’ll change. To make up for my mistakes, I’ve decided to hold a celebration for the baby tomorrow and announce that I’m transferring all my assets to our child. Okay?” Seeing that I remained unmoved, Clara snatched my child and held him while crying with red eyes. As soon as the baby saw his mother, he smiled. I began to hesitate, so I waited. For my child’s sake, I’d give her one more chance. That night, Clara dressed herself very seductively and entered my room to sleep with me, but I kicked her out. She didn’t get angry and was about to continue pestering me when she received a call from Felix. Before long, she looked shaken and without hesitation changed her clothes and hurried away. It wasn’t until the next day, at the baby’s first-month celebration. Clara had already instructed her new assistant to seat my son and me at the head table. Before long, she appeared holding Felix’s child in one hand while her other arm was linked with Felix’s. She chatted and laughed with numerous distinguished guests, leaving my son and me behind. Everyone was watching me as a joke. When it came time for the announcement, Clara looked conflicted, never daring to look at us. “Since today is my child’s first-month celebration, I’m announcing some happy news.” “I’ve decided to transfer my company and assets to be inherited by the child in my arms.” At that moment, everyone cheered. Only I picked up my child and left in desolation. Clara, oh Clara. Since you couldn’t do it, why did you make that promise? You gave us hope again and again, only to give us despair in the end. This time, I completely gave up and left this sad city with my child. When Clara searched everywhere at the banquet but couldn’t find my son and me, her heart panicked and trembled. Right then, her assistant came running over in a panic. “Ms. Hayes, this is bad!” “The client just called saying that the project design isn’t the real copy, just an incomplete draft.” “They’re demanding the real copy now, or they’ll cancel the contract and sue us for fraud.”

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I spent ten years supporting my husband through building his startup. The company finally went public. My husband, Adrian Crawford, sent over a custom-made million-dollar gown, wanting to take me to the gala. But I couldn’t even fit into that dress. I clutched the pregnancy test results in my pocket and asked for a divorce over the phone. Adrian’s assistant was crying her eyes out: “It’s all my fault. I didn’t ask for her measurements properly.” Adrian patiently comforted her for a long while, then turned to me and said, “Since that’s the case, let Lily attend the gala in your place.” Watching them on TV standing hand in hand together, I calmly packed up my things and left. After packing everything up, I had wanted to say a proper goodbye. I didn’t expect Adrian to only come home close to one in the morning. Hearing the password lock click open, I thought it was Adrian. Looking up, I unexpectedly met Lily Bennett’s finger that she hadn’t had time to withdraw. She wore that evening gown I’d been anticipating for ten years. Just as breathtakingly beautiful as it appeared on TV. “I’ve picked up documents for Mr. Crawford several times before. Entering the password each time was troublesome, so I just registered my fingerprint.” She explained somewhat awkwardly. In the past, I would have definitely made a scene. But now, my heart was calm. Apart from that unavoidable sourness welling up from the bottom of my heart, I didn’t feel surprised at all. Before I could respond, Adrian, leaning loosely against her, mumbled, “She can’t hold her liquor. I drank for her.” We both understood who that “her” was, making the atmosphere even more delicate. She quickly lowered her head and coaxed in the gentlest tone, “Mr. Crawford, we’re home.” As she spoke, her eyes couldn’t help but glance toward me, concealing triumph. In the past, I would have questioned them without caring about anything else, but today I was unusually calm. Watching the goal we’d worked ten years toward, seeing that the person walking with him into glory and splendor wasn’t me. Suddenly, it seemed like I could let it go. Only then did Adrian lift his head, his half-closed eyes opening. Seeing me, he stumbled toward me and wrapped his arms around my neck. “Serena, we finally made it.” Lily, seeing this scene, seemed somewhat unwilling, but right now no one clearly had time to care about her. “You’re drunk.” As soon as Lily left, I pushed away Adrian’s body and said coldly. He slumped onto the sofa, looking at me with somewhat guilty eyes. Then he pulled out a bag from inside his jacket. Inside was an even more exquisite gown. According to him, this one cost three million, far more prestigious than the one Lily wore today. I didn’t reach out to take it. Both he and I knew clearly that this wasn’t what I cared about at all. The TV was still looping footage of them entering the venue together today. He immediately turned off the TV and guiltily covered my eyes. “Don’t look.” “You suddenly refused to come today. I had no choice but to let her substitute for you.” The drunkenness in his eyes had mostly faded, as if he were sincerely explaining to me. “Adrian, is this really the first time she’s substituted for me?” “Was it really because you had no choice?” “Or did you feel from the very beginning that she was more suitable to stand with you in that position?” Hearing these words, the man who had been patiently explaining somehow had a nerve struck. His handsome brows furrowed tightly. “Serena, do you have to be so sensitive?” “Why can’t you be more understanding, like Lily?” “If you could learn from her a bit, maybe Mom and Dad would finally accept you.” I found it laughable. Laughable that he was the one with a guilty conscience, yet he wanted to blame me for not being as stupid as he imagined. The evening gown I’d anticipated for ten years was in someone else’s size, and he still wanted me to be magnanimous. “Adrian, you know I can’t learn to be like her.” “How about this—I’ll give up my position as the Crawford family’s fiancée to her. Let’s break up, okay?” I looked at him quietly. I smiled with my lips parted, smiling so hard my heart ached. That man who said he’d sever ties with his family and defy the whole world to protect my frankness—today he wanted me to learn to bow and scrape like someone else to please him.

Adrian’s expression turned cold. That little bit of gentle warmth from earlier vanished completely. He frowned and warned me, “Serena, don’t say things you don’t mean. You know I don’t have the patience to coax you.” I had already told myself not to care, yet my nails still dug fiercely into my palms. I hadn’t heard this phrase in a long time. A woman’s sixth sense is keen. The first time I saw Lily, I felt she was hostile toward me. So every time the two of them got too close, I would throw a tantrum. At first, Adrian would explain, would promise, even said he’d transfer her to another department in the company. But when I saw Lily again, I discovered Adrian hadn’t done anything like he promised. He even gave her extra privileges because of Lily’s thoughtfulness and liveliness. Like how she could get a ride in the boss’s car every day just by acting cute. While I, the legitimate girlfriend, had to struggle to hail a cab home in the pouring rain. Like how she could call Adrian on stormy nights saying she was scared, never considering that I’d lie awake until dawn because of his departure. In my eyes, it was like witnessing a grand betrayal firsthand. Painful, while hollowing out my heart bit by bit. And when I questioned him about it? He would always warn me in a disgusted, incredulous tone: “Serena, how old are you? Why do you have to compete with a young girl like Lily?” “She’s so innocent, she doesn’t think that much. You’re too suspicious.” You’re too sensitive… You’re too petty… These were the words he said to me most often after Lily appeared. Until finally I stopped making scenes, and our relationship returned to normal. But only I knew what kind of torment I was going through. After he finished speaking, he turned to leave. Watching his retreating back, I suddenly spoke up: “If I were pregnant, would your parents accept me?” His footsteps froze. Exhaustion made the corners of his eyes red, his brows knitting in irritation. I carefully studied this man I’d loved for ten years. There was no surprise in his eyes, no anticipation. I pulled the corners of my mouth into a smile. “Just kidding.” He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “We’re not ready for a child right now.” “I understand.”

While he was showering, I walked out the door with my already-packed luggage. Late at night, a couple was riding bikes while laughing and playing around. I stood under the streetlight, watching until my eyes became blurry. Perhaps my relationship with Adrian had never been equal. The first time I met Adrian, he was already the lofty flower on the snowy ridge. And I was the daughter of a murderer and a nightclub dancer. When my deadbeat dad found my mom at the nightclub, she was working hard. My dad asked her for money. She refused. Originally, my dad was just trying to scare her, but who knew my mom’s temper would flare up—she grabbed his hand and brought it to her own neck. As a result, one slip of the hand, and someone actually died. My mom died, and my dad was sentenced to fifteen years for manslaughter. That video circulated widely at the time. After people dug up the fact that I was their daughter, I was inevitably bullied. Even many parents demanded the school expel me. Since childhood, I’d lived in hell. Education was my only way out in this life. I knelt in the principal’s office until my forehead was red and swollen from kowtowing, crying my heart out. Adrian came to deliver homework and happened to see it. He pulled me out of the office and took me to the infirmary to bandage my forehead. I slapped him across the face. He had no idea what it meant for me if I couldn’t get the principal to relent. But he just smiled and took it. “Pretty strong hand you’ve got.” Then he ruffled my hair. “Don’t worry, I’ll take responsibility.” Later, the rumors disappeared, and the principal stopped mentioning expulsion. He seemed to naturally consider me his person and started taking care of me. Until the day we filled out college applications, he nervously asked me which one I’d chosen. Finally, with a nervous voice, he confessed to me. Back then, he really did care about my feelings. We naturally got together. After confirming our relationship, I worked even harder. But when he brought me home to meet his family, we still faced strong opposition. The Crawford family saw me as a dangerous threat, as if letting down their guard for a moment would drag Adrian into the abyss with me. That day, he gripped my hand tightly and walked out of the Crawford family villa with his head held high, saying we would forge our own world together, and he would make the Crawford family accept me. He also told me that what his family said wasn’t true—they just hadn’t seen my good qualities yet. Both he and I held a grudge in our hearts, vowing to achieve something. Back then, the lofty Crawford family heir worked three jobs simultaneously. Clearly exhausted like a dog, he would still hold me and cry uncontrollably when he saw me throwing up from business drinking. He said it was all his fault for not being able to give me a good life. He said he would never let me down in this lifetime. He also said that one day, he would walk hand in hand with me under the spotlight, letting everyone know I deserved the best. For the sake of his words, I rejected offers from all the major listed companies and wholeheartedly helped him with his startup. Secretly enduring the Crawford family’s repeated difficulties and insults. In their mouths, I was trash, lower class, a whore. But as long as Adrian could still firmly hold my hand, I would die before letting go. I also worked extremely hard to gain the Crawford family’s approval. He said he was the only son for three generations in the Crawford family, and the old lady had always hoped to hold a great-grandchild. So I always thought having a child could ease the relationship with the Crawford family. But he never seemed to take it to heart. Maybe the road was too long, and halfway through, I was the only one still fixated on reaching the destination. And he did it. He built his tower, hosted his guests, became the center of attention. Yet he alone forgot about me. The wind was a bit cold. I pulled my coat tighter, dragging my suitcase. The city was vast. The empty, long streets seemed to suggest that everyone had a place to belong—except me. In the end, I chose to return to my old home. The moment I opened the door, a musty smell wafted out from inside. I hadn’t come back since my mom died. The bed had spots and traces of intimate activities. From age five, I watched my mom bring one man after another in here. Everyone had the right to despise my mom, except me—after all, she spent most of the money she earned on me. After cleaning up the house, I lay on the bed. My hand rested on my stomach, where the little life I’d long anticipated resided. Though reluctant, having already decided to break up, I didn’t want to give myself any chance to turn back. I just didn’t expect to run into Adrian on the day of the abortion.

“Miss Sullivan, the baby in your belly is very healthy. You’re still young—it’s a good time to have a child. Are you sure you want to terminate it?” The cold instrument slid across my stomach. I could see a tiny fetal form on the screen. My heart instantly softened beyond measure, and even my throat felt blocked by damp cotton. I forcefully suppressed the urge to cry and nodded at her. “Yes.” After the doctor’s examination, I decided to schedule the surgery for tomorrow. After paying the fees, while waiting for the elevator, I unfortunately ran into Adrian and Lily. Lily covered her arm, leaning weakly against him. The moment he saw me, his expression darkened. Probably thinking I was going to make a scene again. I ignored them, just looking at the long queue somewhat irritably. I don’t know if it was intentional, but Lily suddenly bit her lip and looked at Adrian with tearful eyes, saying it hurt. He gently rubbed her hair, patiently coaxing her. From their conversation, it seemed that the night of the gala, Lily had taken the subway home and fallen. Between the lines, there was even a sense of blaming me for not taking her home. I found it ridiculous. Falling this badly from riding the subway—if that were the case, with so many people riding subways every day, who knows how many would end up disabled. Fortunately, the elevator doors opened. I instinctively protected my stomach and surged into the elevator with the crowd. But there were too many people, and my stomach still got bumped several times, causing dull pain. On the other side, Adrian was protecting Lily securely in his arms, afraid she might get knocked or jostled. He wasn’t far from me. Looking at the payment slip in my hand, his expression darkened as he asked me, “You’re sick?” “Why didn’t you tell me?” “And you moved all your things out. Just because of that little thing, you had to make such a big deal out of it?” “Move everything back today. I promise you, I’ll let everyone in the company know that you’re my wife. Is that okay?” I found it laughable. To him, our ten years of persistence was just “that little thing”? He clearly knew what it meant to me. “No need. And I wasn’t making a scene—I’m serious.” I communicated with him calmly, wanting him to realize I truly wanted to break up with him. I don’t know if the little one sensed their father’s presence, but they actually kicked me for the first time. My whole body stiffened. Thinking that I’d have to terminate the pregnancy tomorrow, a mix of emotions welled up inside me. The elevator quickly arrived. I walked out, looking at the two people inside. My hand rested on my stomach as I turned back to look at Adrian. “Adrian, if I asked you to leave her right now and come with me to see a doctor, would you agree?”

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On the day of my wedding to Declan, he ran away with his childhood sweetheart, Sylvie, and left the country. Before he left, he made a point to explain: “Sylvie wants a baby. I don’t trust any other man to do it, so her child can only be mine. But don’t worry, we’re doing IVF. Once Sylvie gets pregnant, I’ll marry you. Don’t be upset, okay?” Three years later, Declan finally returned from abroad with Sylvie. He found me, his tone matter-of-fact: “The baby in Sylvie’s belly is mine, after all. From now on, you two will share me as your husband. She’s already gotten a marriage certificate with me, so to be fair, you’ll get a wedding ceremony with me. That way neither of you loses out.” Sylvie immediately linked her arm through Declan’s, her expression full of envy: “Summer, Declan is so good to you. He specifically wants to hold a wedding for you, so you can be Mrs. Walsh in front of everyone and be recognized by all. What a blessing!” Looking at how the two of them played off each other, I let out a cold laugh. “You can keep that blessing for yourself.” After all, three years ago, I had already married Declan’s older brother, Hudson.

Declan’s expression darkened. He immediately decided I was throwing a tantrum. “Why can’t you be as smart as Sylvie?” “I’m giving you a wedding to let everyone know you’re Declan Walsh’s woman. What an honor that is!” “Sylvie only got a marriage certificate with me, not even a proper ceremony. She’s endured so much in silence, and yet you’re still not satisfied?” As soon as he finished speaking, Sylvie lowered her head and tugged at Declan’s sleeve: “Declan, don’t talk to Summer like that. She probably just needs time to process this.” “I’m fine with it. Being wronged a little doesn’t matter, as long as you’re with me and the baby. Don’t fight with Summer because of me.” I stared at the two of them in front of me, completely stunned. Had these two lost their minds? I looked up, my tone laced with sarcasm: “Declan, what makes you think that after you spent three years abroad with Sylvie, I’d still be waiting for you?” Declan froze for a moment, then laughed as if he’d heard the funniest joke: “Everyone in Silverton knows you, Summer, are head over heels for me, Declan Walsh. That you’d never marry anyone but me in this lifetime!” He reached out and pulled Sylvie closer, looking as if he was certain I’d spend my whole life revolving around him. He thought I was just throwing a little fit now, that with a few sweet words and some coaxing, I’d obediently give in. “Besides, if you really didn’t want to marry me, you would’ve broken things off three years ago.” That statement instantly brought back memories from three years ago. That day was Sylvie’s birthday. Declan canceled our anniversary dinner, eagerly running off to her party, saying he was just celebrating her birthday and telling me not to be unreasonable. By midnight, Declan still hadn’t come home. Worried, I brought some hangover soup to the hotel where they were having the party. But the moment I pushed open the door, I froze. Declan and Sylvie lay naked in each other’s arms on the hotel bed. My hands began trembling uncontrollably. The soup bowl crashed to the floor, the shattering sound waking them up. There wasn’t a trace of guilt on Declan’s face—only righteous indignation. “Summer, don’t read too much into this. We just drank too much and fell asleep together. Nothing happened.”

“After all, Sylvie and I have been like two peas in a pod since childhood. If something was really going to happen between us, would it be your turn?” How laughable! How absurd! Naked in each other’s arms, and nothing happened? But back then, for the sake of my mother’s dying wish, I ultimately chose to forgive. And that one act of leniency gave Declan and Sylvie the nerve to push even further. They’d wear matching outfits, check into the same hotel room constantly… It wasn’t until later, when Declan took Sylvie abroad saying he’d help her get pregnant, that I finally announced our breakup. Did Declan think I was just saying that in anger? Whatever. What he thought didn’t matter at all anymore. Looking again at this shameless pair of cheaters in front of me, I felt disgusted even looking at them for another second. I turned to leave. Seeing this, Declan’s furious shout rang out behind me: “Summer, are you done throwing your tantrum? Let me tell you, don’t be ungrateful! Think it over yourself. When you’ve figured it out, come find me like a good girl. Don’t wait until I’m really angry! You’ll regret it then.” I rolled my eyes and walked straight toward the parking lot. Today was supposed to be the day for my prenatal checkup, but I hadn’t expected to run into these two unlucky people. After parking, I’d just walked into the hospital lobby when my phone vibrated. It was a message from Hudson: “Honey, don’t be nervous going to your first prenatal checkup alone. You’re the bravest baby! Once I finish my work, I’ll come home to be with you and the baby. Be good.” Looking at this message, my mood finally improved a little. But my mind grew even more confused—how could two sons from the same Walsh family be so different? Declan was selfish, hypocritical, and unfaithful, trampling my genuine feelings underfoot. But Hudson had always been gentle and considerate. In the three years since our marriage, he’d spoiled me like a child. He remembered all my little preferences. When I needed him, even if he wasn’t by my side, he’d find every way to help me solve my problems. The prenatal checkup went smoothly. The doctor said the baby was developing well. After sending a photo of the checkup report to Hudson, I drove home. But the moment I pushed open the front door, I saw Declan and Sylvie sitting on the sofa. That’s when I suddenly remembered—Hudson and I’s new house was still being renovated. Right now, we were still living at his parents’ house. This was originally Declan’s home too. Running into them somehow instantly filled me with disgust. Hearing the noise, Declan looked up at me and immediately sneered: “I thought you had such a backbone, Summer? It’s only been a few hours, and here you are crawling back to find me?” “So? Have you thought it through?” Before I could speak, Sylvie immediately chimed in: “Summer, I’m glad you’ve thought it through.” Then she continued: “Oh, by the way, Summer, when Declan and I went to the hospital for a prenatal checkup earlier, we saw someone whose back looked a lot like you. Did you go to the hospital too? Are you feeling unwell?” As soon as she finished speaking, Declan sneered again: “What else would she be doing at the hospital? She was obviously following me, afraid I’d really ignore her, so she went to the hospital to put on a show, hoping to soften my heart.” Sylvie feigned surprise, blinking as she tilted her head to look at me: “That doesn’t make sense though, does it, Declan? I remember Summer seemed to go to the hospital before we did. And I specifically noticed—Summer went to the obstetrics department.” At this point, she covered her mouth with a soft laugh: “Could it be, Summer… that you have fertility issues?”

As soon as she said that, Declan immediately frowned, thinking for a moment before speaking: “That’s fine too. After all, Sylvie is already carrying my baby, and it’ll be a Walsh heir.” “As long as you behave and treat Sylvie and the child well, when the baby is born, I’ll let him call you ‘Mom’ too.” Hearing this, I wasn’t angry at all. Instead, I couldn’t help laughing twice. Did Declan think way too highly of himself? When I’d laughed enough, I finally looked up at them, saying each word clearly: “I went to the hospital for a prenatal checkup.” As soon as I said that, Declan’s expression froze instantly. But within a second, he burst out laughing: “Summer, when you’re making up lies, could you at least put some effort into it? Do you think I don’t know who’s in your heart? In this lifetime, besides me, how could you possibly be pregnant with anyone else’s child?” Sylvie nodded too, looking at me with contempt in her eyes: “Summer, I know what happened between Declan and me makes you angry, but you can’t deliberately say things like this to upset Declan and make him jealous. That’s way too childish.” I wiped the smile off my face. Since that’s how it was, I might as well say everything clearly at once. Given Hudson’s jealous nature, if he found out what was happening right now, who knows what kind of scene he’d make. After a pause, I spoke: “Declan, the day you took Sylvie abroad, we already broke up.” “And now, I’m already married. My husband is very jealous, so stop bothering me.” “Also, didn’t you already get a marriage certificate with Sylvie? Then I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together. Don’t say these things to me anymore. It’s pointless.” With that, I didn’t give them another glance and headed upstairs. But just then, my wrist was suddenly grabbed. Anger crept onto Declan’s face: “Summer, so this is how you want to play it?” “Sylvie and I have been trying to appease you ever since we got back from abroad, giving you every way out! But you just keep pushing your luck!” “Fine, fine, fine. If that’s how it is, then get out. Get out of my house.” Sylvie quickly followed, pretending to pull at Declan’s arm, though her eyes couldn’t hide her smugness, her voice soft and gentle: “Declan, don’t be angry. Summer is just confused for a moment. Don’t make her leave. It’s so late now, and Summer is an orphan with no one to rely on. Besides here, where else can she go? Please forgive her one more time, okay?” Her words completely ignited Declan’s fury. Not only did Declan not let go, he gripped even tighter: “So what if she’s an orphan? She’s the one who doesn’t know what’s good for her, who’s ungrateful. Then she can get out and fend for herself!” With that, he yanked hard, trying to drag me downstairs. I frantically raised my hand to cover my lower abdomen, shouting at him: “Declan, let go of me! Let go!” But Declan acted as if he hadn’t heard, still gripping my wrist tightly, forcefully pulling me down: “Weren’t you so capable just now? Why are you clinging to my house now?” Just then, the kitchen door was pushed open. The housekeeper, Mrs. Moore, came out carrying dishes. She immediately saw what was happening. Her face changed drastically. She set the plate down on a nearby cabinet with a clang and rushed over, running and shouting: “Let go of Summer right now! Summer is pregnant—she can’t handle this kind of treatment! Let go, don’t hurt Summer and the baby!”

Mrs. Moore shielded me firmly, afraid that Declan would hurt me further. Declan’s grip on me loosened. The ferocity on his face froze. He turned to look at Mrs. Moore, his eyes full of disbelief: “What did you say? She’s pregnant?” Before Mrs. Moore could speak, Sylvie immediately stepped forward, her tone accusatory: “Oh my, Mrs. Moore, why are you making things worse?” “Declan is already angry enough. How can you help Summer lie to Declan? At the end of the day, Declan is the Walsh family child, one of the owners of this house. How can you help an outsider deceive your own employer? If word gets out, which family would dare employ you?” After hearing this, the wavering in Declan’s eyes vanished without a trace. He slowly turned to look at me, a cold smile forming at the corner of his mouth: “I have to hand it to you, Summer. After three years, you’ve really developed some skills.” “You can even get our family’s old servant to lie with you to deceive me. You’re really getting better and better at this.” As he spoke, his grip unconsciously tightened again: “Let me tell you, don’t think you can fool me with this. I, Declan Walsh, am not that stupid! If you keep up this act, don’t blame me for being rude to you!” Mrs. Moore’s face paled with anxiety. She quickly blocked my way, saying urgently: “Declan, I’m not lying to you. Summer really is pregnant.” At this point, Mrs. Moore slapped her forehead: “That’s right, I still have Summer’s previous prenatal checkup reports. I’ll get them for you right now!” With that, Mrs. Moore hurried toward her room. Declan still gripped my arm tightly, mockery floating in his eyes: “I’d like to see what fake evidence you two can come up with to deceive me!” My wrist hurt from his grip, and the dragging pain in my lower abdomen was becoming more and more obvious. Before long, Mrs. Moore came running back out of breath, handing the prenatal reports to Declan: “Declan, see for yourself. These are all Summer’s prenatal checkup reports, with the doctor’s signature and the hospital’s stamp. How could they be fake?” Declan unconsciously released my wrist, snatching the reports and staring fixedly at the writing and stamps. The next second, he violently threw the papers on the ground, his whole body trembling: “Summer, you actually dare to cuckold me!” “Tell me, whose bastard is in your belly!” Hearing Declan’s words, my eyes instantly reddened. Before, for Hudson’s sake, considering Declan was Hudson’s brother, I could endure it all, I could let it all go. But now, he dared to insult my baby like this—this was a line I absolutely could not tolerate! I raised my hand and used all my strength to slap him hard across the face. The sharp “smack” echoed through the living room, and everything fell deathly silent. Seeing this, Mrs. Moore anxiously spoke: “Declan, don’t be angry. The baby in Summer’s belly is—” Before she could finish, Declan roared at Mrs. Moore: “Shut up! This isn’t your place to speak. Get out!” Mrs. Moore trembled from his shouting. She wanted to say something more but was scared back two steps by Declan’s murderous glare. Seeing this, Sylvie put on an expression of concern for him: “Declan, don’t be angry. What if you make yourself sick?” “Now that this has happened, the most important thing is to solve the problem.” She paused, sneaking a glance at me, a flash of malice in her eyes, then continued: “Either you cut ties with Summer completely, and from now on we’ll live our lives peacefully, not caring about the bastard in her belly.” “But I know… you have feelings for Summer in your heart, so you definitely won’t agree to that.” Sylvie sighed, then said: “Then there’s only one solution left. Take Summer and abort that bastard in her belly. Then everything can go back to how it was before. We’ll be just like we used to be, okay?”

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On the day of Isabelle Jensen’s coming-of-age ceremony, the Jensen family went bankrupt and was acquired. Both her parents took their own lives. Her childhood sweetheart called off the engagement. When she threw herself into the sea in despair, I was the one who saved her. I gave up my chance to study abroad and stayed by her side as she fought her way through the business world. We spent eight years together. We built a publicly traded company from nothing. But at our child’s birthday celebration, her childhood sweetheart burst into the banquet hall, a vicious smile twisting his face. “You swore to me back then that your first child would be mine.” “As the child’s father, I should be allowed at my own son’s celebration, don’t you think?” His words hit me like a thunderbolt. I turned to Isabelle, waiting for an explanation. She just looked back at me, expressionless. No denial. Nothing. In that moment, the heart that had loved her for twenty years died completely. “Do you really have nothing to explain to me?” My voice trembled as I asked Isabelle. Zachary Mitchell’s arrogant voice still hung in the air. Every guest at the banquet looked at me with eyes full of mockery, trampling whatever was left of my pride. Isabelle’s expression was calm. She tilted her head, almost confused. “Explain? Didn’t you promise me that you’d love any child of mine?” She looked at my pale face and spoke flatly. “I already told you. You’re the father. Having a child for him was just keeping a promise I made a long time ago.” She took my hand. Fake reassurance. “I’ll make him leave right now.” “It’s a happy day. Don’t make that face. Everyone’s watching.” Her voice was gentle, but to my ears it sounded as cold as a viper’s hiss. I stared at her, furious. My heart felt hollow. So she knew exactly how many people were here today? And still she let them trample my dignity. In public. In front of everyone. The security guards rushed over and tried to pull Zachary away. He shook them off and walked up to me, a malicious smile on his face. “I’m not here to fight you for the child. I’ve got nothing now anyway. The kid will get the best education staying with you.” “And then inherit all your assets.” “Today I’m just here to give you a birthday present.” He pulled a bright green hat from a black bag and placed it on my head, laughing wildly. “I picked it out myself. It suits you perfectly.” He leaned close to me with the arrogant posture of a victor, speaking mockingly. “Take good care of my child for me, you pathetic cuckold!” Humiliation and rage flooded my chest. I couldn’t hold back anymore. I grabbed a plate from the table and smashed it hard into his disgusting face. Zachary’s head was covered in blood from my strike, but his eyes flashed with triumph. The next second, Isabelle’s indifferent expression turned anxious as she rushed to Zachary’s side, carefully supporting him while shoving me away with her other hand. I hadn’t guarded against her. I stumbled and fell to the ground. My palms were pierced by glass shards, blood flowing freely. I gasped in pain, but Isabelle didn’t notice at all. All her attention was on Zachary. I stared at her fixedly. In the eight years we’d been together, she had never shown me such concerned, anxious expressions. Now she was worried about her enemy. Bitterness spread from my heart through my entire body. Eight years ago, I saved Isabelle from drowning herself in the sea. She cried uncontrollably in my arms, begging me to help her make the Mitchell family pay. I gave up my own dreams, tore up that acceptance letter from a foreign university, and fought alongside her in the business world, slowly rebuilding the Jensen Corporation. I still remember that to secure a contract worth hundreds of millions, I drank with the client for three days straight before finalizing the deal. That same day I was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. When I woke up, what I received wasn’t Isabelle’s concern, but her cold complaint: Why couldn’t I have held on one more day before going to the hospital? The client almost canceled the cooperation when they saw me collapse. Back then, I told myself she was too focused on revenge to notice the people around her. Now, watching her worry over Zachary, I finally understood. She never cared about me. Not once. But that’s fine. I know how to love. And I know how to let go. Isabelle Jensen, since you’ve betrayed me, I don’t want you anymore.

“I’ll send you… I’ll have someone take you to the hospital.” Isabelle looked at the guests. Halfway through her sentence, she changed her words. She walked toward me somewhat guiltily, frowning at my wound. “How did you get hurt so badly? I’ll take you to the hospital.” I watched Zachary leave with a triumphant expression all over his face, and coldly withdrew my hand. “No need. You should go accompany your little lover instead!” Isabelle frowned. “Do you have to speak so nastily?” I looked at her sarcastically. “I’m not pathetic enough to stay with you after being cheated on. Let’s get a divorce.” “Wait. I almost forgot. You and I never actually got married.” I smiled bitterly, laughing at myself from eight years ago who gave away his whole heart. Eight years ago when I proposed to her, she agreed but told me she no longer believed in marriage. She could be with me, but wouldn’t register the marriage. I pitied her for having her heart broken by her childhood sweetheart. For these years I stayed by her side without title or status. Friends advised me that I was working for free. If she ever changed her mind, my years of youth would be wasted and I’d get nothing. Back then I didn’t believe them. Now their words had come true. I had become a complete fool. Hearing me talk about separating, Isabelle’s expression changed. She looked at me in disbelief. “I just kept a promise. That’s all. Zachary and I are done after this child.” “We can still have a good life together. Why are you so hung up on one thing?” “You keep saying you love me. Is this how shallow your love is?” I stared at Isabelle. She was still as beautiful as the day we met. But her heart had changed. She was no longer that kind girl. Now she was petty. Hypocritical. Selfish. I closed my eyes, hiding the tears in them, and spoke coldly. “Yes, I’m not that magnanimous.” “Don’t talk to me about love anymore. You’re not worthy of my true heart!” After saying this, I left resolutely, leaving Isabelle alone in the banquet hall. I drove straight to the hospital. When the doctor cleaned my wound without anesthesia, I didn’t feel any pain. The ache in my heart had already filled my brain’s nerves. My mind wandered. The first time I met Isabelle was in a village. I came from a single-parent family and lived in poverty from childhood. The Jensen Corporation came to the village to do charity work. Young Isabelle handed me a set of books, encouraging me to study hard. Her innocent, kind smile left a mark on my heart. I had always admired Isabelle from a worshipful position, which is why when the Jensen family went bankrupt, I gave up my dreams without hesitation to help her. I thought I had finally picked the rose, but it was just an illusion. After my wound was bandaged, I suppressed all my emotions and stood up. Forget it. We’ll part amicably. Consider it repaying the Jensen family’s kindness to me. After leaving the hospital, I first went to the company to resign and pack up my personal belongings, then drove to the villa to pick up Shadow. Shadow was the only thing my mother left me. I could give up everything else. But him, I had to take with me. However, when I opened the villa door, I saw a scene that tore my heart apart. Shadow lay dying in a pool of blood. Zachary held an axe, smiling cruelly, while Isabelle stood nearby, smiling indulgently. “What are you doing?” I rushed over like a madman, my hands trembling as I held Shadow.

Shadow stretched out his tongue to lick my palm, his gentle eyes full of reluctance. “Shadow, hang on. I’ll take you to find a doctor right now.” Tears streamed down my face. I frantically tried to run out with Shadow in my arms, but was pinned down by security guards. Zachary stepped on my shoulder, looking down at me from above. “Pure black dog blood is the most nourishing. I lost so much blood.” “Killing this beast to replenish my body is only right, isn’t it, Isabelle?” I glared at Isabelle with reddening eyes and roared. “Isabelle Jensen, you know perfectly well that Shadow is the only thing my mother left me. He even saved your life!” “Do you have any conscience? For this enemy, you’d even kill Shadow!” Isabelle slightly avoided my gaze and argued unreasonably. “If you hadn’t impulsively injured Zachary, he wouldn’t have had to die.” “He was just an old beast about to die anyway. Dying while contributing to people, accumulating some merit-maybe he’ll be reborn into a good life.” Zachary laughed loudly. As I watched with splitting eyes, he chopped off Shadow’s head with one axe blow. He laughed triumphantly. “Adrian Stone, so what if you’ve licked her boots for eight years?” “In her heart, you’ll never compare to me!” He looked at Isabelle, his tone frivolous. “You’ve already completed two of the three promises. For the last one, I want you to register our marriage with me.” I didn’t hear his words. I just stared blankly at Shadow’s corpse. Endless hatred grew in my heart. To hell with parting amicably. I looked at Isabelle with bloodshot eyes, cursing her word by word. “Isabelle , you bitch! If your parents’ spirits in heaven saw you bearing a child for their enemy, they’d probably regret ever giving birth to you!” “Five years ago, Shadow shouldn’t have risked his life to save you from those criminals. He should have let you be violated to death.” “Isabelle Jensen, you’re not worthy of anyone’s love!” Isabelle’s expression changed drastically, as if my words had struck a painful spot. She spoke impatiently. “You keep talking about gratitude. If we’re talking about that, the Jensen family’s kindness to you is greater!” “My parents supported you growing up. Helping me was your obligation from the start. Don’t try to guilt-trip me!” I laughed loudly at Isabelle. Through my blurred vision, I seemed to see again the woman who once cried and promised to love me forever. In another blink, what I saw was her hypocritical, selfish face. Overcome with anger and grief, I passed out directly. When I woke up, I found myself in a hospital bed. I struggled to leave but was stopped by security guards. Isabelle had imprisoned me in the hospital. She didn’t arrive until evening, handing me an urn. She said softly. “Shadow’s ashes.” I took the box and held it tightly in my arms, speaking sarcastically. “Should I thank you for collecting his remains?” Isabelle looked at my cold eyes, feeling a slight stabbing pain in her heart. I had always been gentle and considerate toward her. She was very uncomfortable with this coldness. She comforted herself that I was just angry. Once she completed the three promises, she would properly soothe me. With this thought, her heart settled. She held my hand and spoke gently. “Adrian, my heart isn’t made of stone. After eight years together, I’ve long since fallen in love with you.” “Once I fulfill my last promise to Zachary, I’ll live a good life with you.” “I’ll give you a grand wedding, even grander than the one with Zachary.” I looked at her mockingly. “What gives you the illusion that I’d still be with you?” A flash of anger appeared in Isabelle’s eyes. She raised her voice. “You’re a penniless househusband now. If you don’t stay with me, where can you go?” I thought I wouldn’t be hurt by her anymore, but these words still stabbed my heart. Back then, I willingly returned to domestic life for the sake of the child, wanting to create a warm and happy family of three. All those beautiful visions had now turned into arrows, piercing my heart until it bled. “Get out! I don’t want to see you anymore!” I roared, chasing her away. Isabelle wasn’t angry. She gently patted my hand. “I’ll give you time to accept reality. No matter what, I won’t abandon you.” “Just be good. While Zachary and I are preparing for the wedding, don’t appear. It’ll save us from uglier rumors spreading.” After saying this, she turned to leave. Before going, she didn’t forget to tell the security guards to take good care of me. Hearing her hypocritical concern, I felt physically sick. After she left, I tore off the necklace I’d been wearing. The built-in alarm was triggered. Half an hour later, all the security guards Isabelle had left were subdued. I looked at the butler, Mr. Morrison, standing respectfully before me and said coldly. “I agree to return and inherit the family assets. But first, investigate all of Zachary’s and Isabelle’s interactions over these years!”

I patiently waited for Mr. Morrison’s investigation results. I understood Zachary very well. He was selfish and mean by nature. Isabelle bankrupted the Mitchell family. He wasn’t some lovesick fool-how could he still love her? There must be a conspiracy here! Mr. Morrison moved quickly. Half an hour later, he handed me a thick stack of documents. After reading through them, I laughed loudly, tears forming at the corners of my eyes. Just as I thought, this was all a scam. Zachary approached her only for revenge. He just told one lie-that his betrayal of her back then was forced-and Isabelle stupidly believed it. She even went to have his child through IVF under his coaxing. But in reality, that child wasn’t hers at all. It was Zachary’s and his true lover’s. All of this was just Zachary’s revenge on Isabelle! And Isabelle, the woman I once cherished-with just one simple sentence from Zachary, she suspected I had ulterior motives staying by her side. She wanted to break my self-respect and train me into her most convenient tool. In the darkness, the rage and hatred in my eyes were particularly evident. These two people toyed with my true feelings and destroyed Shadow, whom I cared about most. Did they really think I was a powerless orphan? Zachary Mitchell, Isabelle Jensen! I silently chewed on these two names, my teeth grinding loudly. You joined forces to trample my dignity. This generous treatment-on your wedding day, I will definitely prepare a generous gift in return! Seven days later, the wedding proceeded as scheduled. Isabelle wore a white wedding dress. Looking at Zachary walking toward her, she unconsciously revealed a happy smile. The two completed the ceremony under the pastor’s blessing. Just as they were about to toast, several drones flew in, scattering DNA test reports into every guest’s hands. In the chaos, I walked onto the stage. Dressed in mourning clothes. Laughing. “Today’s my ex’s wedding. How could I, the ex-boyfriend, not show up to toast the happy couple?” “First glass. To you two scumbags. Locked together forever. May you never part.” “Second glass. On behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Jensen. Their own daughter married the man who drove them to their graves. They must be spinning in theirs.” “Third glass. To you, Isabelle Jensen. The fool who got played from start to finish. Carrying another man’s child for him. Congratulations, new mother.” My voice echoed through the speakers, filling the entire hall. Isabelle’s face went pale. Her body swayed. Then she shrieked. “Security! Throw this lunatic out! Don’t let him say another word!” Two burly guards rushed over, pinned me to the floor, and covered my mouth as they dragged me away. The next second, dozens of black-suited bodyguards burst through the doors. A voice boomed like thunder. “Who dares lay a hand on Raymond Parker’s son?!”

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On our wedding day, Tristan’s first love got into a car accident. He ripped the wedding dress right off my body to cover her with it. In front of all the guests, I stood on the stage in nothing but my underwear. I grabbed a tablecloth to cover myself. When I reached for him, he slapped me to the floor. “Vivian cares about her image. She can’t lose her dignity! Don’t you have any shame?” He carried his first love away, his eyes full of devotion. I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and smiled. He probably forgot what was in the prenuptial agreement. If the wedding was canceled, his entire family would be saddled with a billion dollars in debt. Tristan’s mother was the first to rush onto the stage. She jabbed a finger at my face, her spit nearly hitting me. “Can’t even keep your own man!” His father followed behind, putting on a show of composure for the guests below. I said nothing. I pulled the tablecloth tight around myself. Then I turned to the crowd and bowed. “I apologize for this scene.” I straightened up and took the microphone. My voice carried through the entire hall. “Today’s wedding is postponed. The groom, Mr. Foster, has suffered a sudden medical emergency.” “The situation is urgent. He needs immediate medical attention.” I gave the Foster family and him one last shred of dignity. Back in the dressing room, I looked at myself in the mirror. Disheveled. The blood at the corner of my mouth had dried. I took off my underwear and threw it in the trash. Then I changed into my own clothes. I slipped off the wedding ring and dropped it in too. My phone buzzed. A text from Tristan. “I’m at Central Hospital. Bring a change of clothes for Vivian.” No apology. No explanation. Just an order. I looked at the photo of us on my phone. The man who once ran across half the city to buy me cold medicine was gone. He died in that slap just now. I replied with one word. “Okay.” My assistant called, her voice urgent. “Miss Sterling, I’ve sent the draft divorce agreement to your email.” I opened the email and skimmed through it. “Article Nine. The breach of contract debt, triple the penalty clause.” “Yes, Miss Sterling. I’ll revise it right away.” I started my car and drove toward the hospital. In the hospital corridor, Vivian lay on a hospital bed with my wedding dress covering her. Tristan was gently helping her drink water. I pushed the door open. He immediately stood up and blocked Vivian, his eyes full of wariness. “What took you so long? Are you trying to freeze Vivian to death?” He forgot that just dozens of minutes ago, it was me standing on stage without clothes. I ignored him and tossed the clothes onto the bed beside them. “Where is Miss Shaw hurt?” Tristan thought I was jealous. His expression softened as he reached for me. “Seraphina, don’t make a scene. I was just helping someone.” I stepped aside. His arm froze midair. A flicker of displeasure crossed his face. He pulled a black card from his pocket and pressed it into my hand. “Take this. Go buy yourself a bag. You’ve had a long day.” Vivian spoke up from the hospital bed, her voice very weak. “Seraphina, what about the wedding dress now that it’s dirty? Tristan specially prepared it for you.” Tristan nodded. “Yeah, take it back and wash it clean. After all, it’s your wedding dress.” I watched them sing in harmony and smiled. Right in front of Tristan, I snapped that black card in half. “Sorry, my hands hurt. I can’t wash it.” With that, I turned and left without looking back. I returned to the house Tristan and I were supposed to share as newlyweds. Every corner here was decorated by my own hands. Now it just seemed ironic. I pulled out the suitcase I had prepared and packed my things. There wasn’t much-one suitcase was enough. Late at night, Tristan came home. He reeked of alcohol. When he saw the suitcase by my feet, he frowned. “Seraphina, what are you throwing a tantrum about now?” He hugged me from behind, burying his head in the crook of my neck. His voice sounded exhausted. “Stop making a fuss. I have a pile of work at the company, and Vivian got hurt. I’m tired.” “Only when I’m by your side can I feel at ease.” His breath on my neck made me feel nothing but disgust. My body stiffened as I pushed him away. “Go take a shower.” My tone was cold. Tristan finally lost it. “You’ve got some nerve. Seraphina, don’t think I won’t do something about you!” He slammed the door and stormed off to the study. He thought that, like before, if he ignored her for a few days, she’d come crawling back. Too bad. Not this time.

The next day, he kicked open my bedroom door and threw a dress onto my bed. “Get up. Put this on. You’re coming with me to a party tonight.” “I’m not going.” “I’m not asking for your opinion!” He grabbed my chin hard. “Seraphina, our wedding became the laughingstock of the entire city. Tonight you will pretend to be a loving wife with me and restore the Foster family’s reputation!” The party was packed. Sure enough, the moment Tristan and I walked in, we became the center of attention. Whispers buzzed all around us. “Look, that’s the bride who got left at the altar. How pathetic.” “Pathetic? She just couldn’t hold onto her man. That’s all.” A rich playboy strolled over, wine glass in hand, a smirk on his face. “Mr. Foster, I heard you played hero at your own wedding and ditched the bride? That true?” Tristan’s face darkened. He stepped forward. “Watch your mouth. My wife is not for you people to gossip about.” For a moment, watching him protect me, I felt a bit dazed. I seemed to see the Tristan from three years ago who would stand against the whole world for me. But the next second, Vivian appeared. She wore a dress in the same color scheme as mine and stood not far away. Then she twisted her ankle and fell toward Tristan. Tristan instinctively pushed me away and rushed over to catch Vivian. In my high heels, I stumbled from his push and nearly fell. Once again, all eyes in the room focused on me. Tristan supported Vivian, soothing her gently. “How can you be so careless? Are you hurt?” Vivian shook her head, her eyes reddening. “Tristan, I didn’t mean to. I just wanted to see you.” Tristan took off his jacket and draped it over Vivian’s shoulders. That jacket had been on my shoulders just moments ago. Vivian wrapped the jacket tightly around herself and looked at me provocatively. I held my wine glass and watched them coldly. To comfort the frightened Vivian, Tristan decided to leave early. He left me alone at the party. My business rival, Mr. Lewis, walked over with a wine glass. “Miss Sterling, newlyweds and all-why are you alone? Where’s Mr. Foster?” I put down my wine glass and looked at him. “Mr. Lewis, instead of concerning yourself with my personal affairs, why don’t you think about how you’re going to explain that hole-riddled new energy proposal to your board of directors?” His expression changed. I took a taxi home alone, watching the neon lights through the car window. My phone lit up. It was a message from my lawyer. “Miss Sterling, everything is ready.” Tristan didn’t come home for three days straight. When his call came, I was reviewing the final version of the agreement the lawyer had revised. His voice sounded gentle, even carrying a hint of flattery. “Seraphina, do you remember the restaurant where we had our first date?” I flipped through the documents and hummed in acknowledgment. “They make that lemon fish you love so much.” “I remember you said it was the best you’d ever had.” I quietly pressed the record button. “Really? I forgot.” Tristan’s breathing hitched, as if he hadn’t expected this reaction from me. He quickly adjusted his tone. “Seraphina, don’t be angry. What happened at the wedding was my fault.” “But Vivian’s situation was urgent. I couldn’t just let her die.” “You’ve always been kind and understanding, haven’t you? Won’t you forgive me this time?” Listening to his hypocritical excuses over the phone, I found it laughable. I had achieved my purpose with the recording. I didn’t want to hear his nonsense anymore. “Is there something you need?” “Vivian’s body is still very weak. The doctor said she needs proper nourishment.” “She heard that the soup you make is delicious and has been asking to try your cooking.” I hung up directly.

A few seconds later, his message popped up. “Seraphina, I’m begging you. Do it for me.” I looked at those words and smiled. I replied with one word. “Fine.” Then I went into the kitchen and made a pot of his favorite black chicken soup. I used to make it for him often when his stomach was bad. He always said my soup tasted like home. I opened the salt container and poured the entire thing into the pot. This was the taste he hated most. He had mild nephritis. The doctor had instructed him to follow a low-salt diet. I carried the thermos to the hospital. When I pushed open the door to the hospital room, Tristan had his back to me, bending over. Vivian was leaning against the headboard wearing a necklace around her neck. That necklace was the one I had my eye on at an auction last week. At the time, Tristan said that kind of flashy thing wasn’t suitable for me. Now it was around Vivian’s neck. Hearing the door open, Tristan turned around. When he saw me, there was guilt in his eyes. He instinctively tried to hide the necklace on Vivian’s neck. “Seraphina, why are you here?” He walked over to take the thermos from my hands. “Vivian isn’t feeling well. She’s just borrowing it. I’ll return it to you in a few days.” Vivian spoke up sweetly. “Seraphina, don’t misunderstand. Tristan said this is a meeting gift for me.” I said nothing and just placed the thermos on the table. Tristan quickly opened it, poured a bowl of soup, and handed it to Vivian. “Try it. Seraphina made this especially for you.” Vivian took the soup bowl and looked at me provocatively, then deliberately let her hand slip. “Ah!” The scalding soup spilled all over the back of my hand. My skin turned red instantly, burning with pain. But Tristan rushed to Vivian first. “Vivian! Are you frightened? Did it burn you?” He nervously examined Vivian’s hands, afraid she had suffered even the slightest injury. Vivian shrank into his arms and shook her head pitifully. “Seraphina, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. My hand slipped.” Only then did Tristan turn back to look at me, his brow furrowed. “Seraphina, why are you so clumsy? You almost scalded the patient!” I looked at my rapidly swelling hand. It would soon blister. This was the last time I would cook for him. I didn’t argue. I just looked at Tristan quietly, my gaze like I was looking at a dead man. He felt uneasy under my stare and only then noticed my red hand. He frowned and tried to grab my hand to examine the injury. “What happened? How careless!” I shook off his hand and spoke to him in an extremely unfamiliar tone for the first time. “Don’t touch me.” Tristan’s expression darkened immediately, anger surging up. “Seraphina, have you had enough!” He snatched the car keys from my pocket. “You stay here and reflect! When you figure out how to be a sensible wife, I’ll come pick you up!” He slammed the door and left, leaving me alone with the gloating Vivian. Today was my birthday and also the third anniversary of when Tristan and I got our marriage license. A month ago, he had promised to book the most spectacular fireworks show in the entire city for my birthday. I had reserved his favorite restaurant and waited from evening until late night. The dishes on the table had gone cold. He didn’t come. The restaurant TV was playing local news. “A serious car accident occurred on the city’s mountain road. A black Bentley collided with a truck. The scene is critical…” I knew that license plate on the mangled Bentley all too well. My heart sank as I grabbed my coat and rushed out.

I rushed to the accident scene like a madwoman. The area had already been cordoned off. The flashing police lights hurt my eyes. Tristan’s car was parked nearby, completely intact. Amid the deafening roar of helicopter rotors, several medical staff carefully carried a stretcher down from the mountain. I rushed over, only to see a trembling pet dog. Tristan stood nearby looking anxious. Vivian was crying her eyes out in his arms. “Tristan, this is all my fault. I shouldn’t have taken Coco out for a walk.” “It’s okay. I’ve already had the best veterinarian waiting at the hospital. Coco will be fine.” So the so-called serious accident was just Vivian’s dog rolling down a hillside. And Tristan had deployed his private helicopter to rescue a dog. Rain poured down. I stood there soaking wet. I took out my phone and called him. The phone rang for a long time before being ruthlessly disconnected. Unwilling to give up, I called again. This time the call was answered, but it was Vivian’s voice. “Seraphina, looking for Tristan? He’s busy right now.” In the background, I could faintly hear Tristan’s impatient voice. “Ignore that crazy woman. Such a buzzkill.” Those words stabbed into my heart like a knife. Soon Tristan grabbed the phone and yelled at me. “Seraphina! I told you to stay home! What are you doing running around outside like a lunatic!” “Get your ass back home right now! Stop embarrassing me out here!” I said nothing, just looked up at the sky. Brilliant fireworks suddenly exploded overhead, one after another. Those were supposed to be my birthday gift. Now they illuminated Tristan’s figure in the distance, holding Vivian tightly to comfort her. The last trace of love in my heart burned out with those fireworks and turned to ash. The clock struck midnight. I called my lawyer. “We can proceed.” I opened the message I’d prepared long ago, attached the scan of the breach clause from the prenuptial agreement, and hit send. “I, Seraphina Sterling, hereby formally announce the dissolution of my engagement to Mr. Tristan Foster.” In an instant, Tristan’s phone exploded with calls. But he was busy cutting cake with Vivian and her dog, celebrating their narrow escape. He ignored every single one. I sent one final message to the entire Foster family. “Everyone, the wedding is officially canceled. According to the prenuptial agreement, the Foster family must return Sterling Group’s one billion dollar investment within three days, plus three years of interest, totaling 1.3 billion.” Tristan finally saw it. He smirked and replied. “Seraphina, stop playing these childish games.” The next second, a notification from the bank popped up. “Dear Mr. Tristan Foster, due to legal proceedings, your bank account has been frozen.”

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We met at five. I “married” him at twenty-five. Adrian Chase guarded me for twenty full years. I said I wanted the stars, and the next day he bought the naming rights to an asteroid. Everyone said I was the love of his life. Until the lawyer slid a document across the table. “Miss Winters, legally speaking, you are not married.” In the spouse column, a different name was printed clearly: Luna Sterling. My housekeeper’s daughter. Date of registration: the day after our wedding that shook the entire city. So for five years, I’d been sleeping in someone else’s marriage. Loving someone else’s husband. Worse still, while I lay on an operating table clutching my belly, miscarrying, he was on his knees before another woman, sliding the ring that should have been mine onto her finger. He accused me of framing Luna. “Iris Winters, when did you become so vicious?” I smiled. He asked why I didn’t explain. Why I didn’t fight. Why I didn’t beg. Explain what? That those twins in my belly were killed by his own hands? Or that Luna, the fragile woman trembling at his side, didn’t even share his blood type? But I said none of it. I disappeared from his world just like that, as cleanly as if he’d never loved me at all. So tell me, Adrian, now that I’m gone, why are you tearing the world apart looking for me?

Iris POV Everyone thought I was the woman Adrian treasured above all else. He’d guarded me for twenty-five years, from a confused girl to the billionaire who ruled an empire. If I so much as frowned, he could turn half the city upside down. Yet this same man had lied to me for five years. Completely upended my life. …… In the law office, the cold leather sofa pressed into my spine. I’d come to handle the inheritance of my grandfather’s estate. Instead, the lawyer told me something utterly absurd. “Miss Winters, legally speaking, you are single.” I thought I’d misheard. I forced a strained smile. “Adrian and I have been married for five years. The whole city knows.” That wedding five years ago had shaken the entire city. Adrian had deployed three hundred drones to spell out my name in the night sky. He’d also covered an entire island with nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine roses flown in from Holland. That day, I was the happiest bride in the city. How could I be unmarried? The lawyer slid a document across the table. Black and white. His expression was sympathetic. “Mr. Adrian’s legal spouse is someone else. A woman named Luna.” My fingertips went ice-cold. My mind buzzed. The housekeeper’s daughter. That girl who always kept her head down, spoke in soft whispers, looked gentle and pitiful. My breath caught. My heart ached until my vision blurred. I forced myself to read the critical information in that document. Spouse: Luna Sterling. Date of registration: Five years ago. The day after our wedding of the century. With a deafening crash, everything I’d believed for twenty-five years came tumbling down. From the day we met at five, to the day I “married” him at twenty-five, Adrian had been my faith. I loved him to the bone, trusted him more than I trusted myself. I never checked his phone, never questioned his schedule, because the security he gave me once made me feel nothing could destroy us. But reality slapped me hard across the face. I don’t know how I walked out of that law office. I started my car, merged into the city traffic, driving aimlessly. Harsh sunlight flooded the interior, but couldn’t dispel the chill in my heart. My phone screen lit up. Adrian had sent a text, his tone commanding: “Bought that blue diamond you like at the auction overseas. Take a shower and wait for me in bed tonight.” A flawless blue diamond had appeared at a London auction recently. Adrian had said that shade of blue resembled my eyes, that only I was worthy of it. I looked at the text, finding it ironic. Just then, my car stopped at the entrance to a private dock. Through the iron gate, I saw that familiar yacht. It was the twentieth birthday gift Adrian had given me. Adrian was standing on the yacht’s deck, embracing another woman. That woman wore a white dress, her hair flowing to her waist. It was Luna. The next second, Adrian gripped the back of her neck and kissed her. The guests’ cheering around them was carried away by the sea breeze, blurred and unclear. Those tender memories flashed through my mind, scene by scene. At eighteen, I received an acceptance letter from a top foreign design institute. He stood downstairs through a blizzard all night, begging me not to go. The next day, he burned with fever and fell unconscious, still calling my name in his delirium. I softened, tore up the acceptance letter, and stayed. At twenty, a star player from the school football team gave me roses. Adrian beat him in front of the whole school until his bones broke, then buried my car with thousands of roses, possessively declaring, “Iris is mine. Anyone who touches her dies.” At twenty-two, to attend the same university as me, he gave up the Ivy League school his family had arranged, condescending to come to my school, spending four years with me. Once, these were all proof he loved me to the bone. But now, these soul-deep vows had all become lies. I laughed until tears streamed down, laughed until my whole body trembled. Twenty-five years. I’d used my entire life only to move myself. If that’s the case, then this man who’d occupied my entire existence should be completely excised. I wiped away my tears. I didn’t go home. I returned to the law office instead. “Mr. Louis.” I sat back on the sofa, my voice calm and emotionless. “I want to liquidate and sell all the Winters family assets in this city. Don’t leave a single property.” The lawyer froze. “Miss Winters, you…” I picked up the contract on the table, swiftly signing my name. “In half a day, half the Winters assets have already changed hands. Move faster.” The lawyer looked at my resolute expression and finally nodded. “Processing all assets will take ten days at most.” Ten days. I repeated that number silently.

Iris POV When I returned to the villa, Adrian was already waiting. He sat on the sofa, his gaze pinning me like an ice pick. “Gone all afternoon. Where were you?” He couldn’t reach me. These few hours had exhausted his patience. I looked at him, my mind filled with images of him kissing Luna on the yacht. “Why aren’t you speaking?” Seeing my silence, Adrian stood and approached step by step. His long arm reached out, gripping my waist. “Want me to punish you again?” My body stiffened. I remembered when I was twenty. We’d argued. I’d run to the beach to surf in defiance. Adrian went crazy, deploying helicopters to search the whole city. After finding me, he locked me in a beach villa for two whole months. Only after I cried and swore never to disappear again did he release me, eyes red. I feared him, feared that crazed need for control. Right now, I couldn’t let him see through me, couldn’t expose that I was planning to leave. “I…” I clenched my fingers, forcing myself to calm down, my voice trembling. “I went to the hospital.” I couldn’t tell him I was pregnant. Already three months along. Adrian’s expression changed immediately, his hand on my waist loosening slightly. He thought I’d gone behind his back again to try those painful fertility tests. He immediately switched to a distressed expression, bending to kiss my forehead, his voice low and husky. “Didn’t I tell you not to go anymore? I’ve said it before-you’re enough for me. I don’t want to see you suffer like that.” If this were yesterday, I might still have been moved by this performance. But now, I only found it ironic. Adrian’s phone rang. He took a call, gave brief instructions, then turned and left. Half an hour after he left, my phone received a file from an unknown number. It was an audio recording. I clicked it. Adrian’s familiar voice came through, mixed with the clink of glasses. “Luna’s four months pregnant. I need to give her a title.” A friend asked, surprised. “What about your wife? I thought you were crazy about her?” “Iris can’t have children.” Adrian’s voice was tired. “The board is breathing down my neck. The Chase family needs an heir.” My face slowly drained of color. In the recording, the friend let out a sigh. “Can’t blame the old man, I guess. If he hadn’t made you give Iris that infertility drug back then, and forbidden you from marrying her, you wouldn’t be in this mess now.” Infertility drug… I was struck by lightning. My blood turned to ice. I remembered the wedding night five years ago. Adrian had personally fed me a cup of warm liquid, gently coaxing, “Good girl, these are vitamin supplements the doctor prescribed. They’re good for your health. We’ll have a baby soon.” So from the very beginning, he never intended to let me bear his child. That marriage certificate he claimed was lost and never replaced-it had been forged all along. At the end of the recording was Adrian’s low murmur. “I love Iris. That will never change. But when I’m with Luna, my heart is peaceful-the kind of peace Iris can’t give me.” The friend snorted, cutting straight to the point. “You’re just greedy. You want a passionate lover and an obedient wife both.” The recording ended there. Gripping my phone, I could no longer hold myself up and slid to the floor. Love me? Love me through bigamy and deception?

Iris POV Tears slid down my cheeks. I raised my hand to roughly wipe them away. Crying was the most useless thing. But just then, a sharp, plunging pain suddenly tore through my lower abdomen, as if someone were viciously twisting a knife inside. That pain didn’t ease. Instead, it grew more intense. Cold sweat instantly soaked my back. Trembling, I dialed Rowan’s number. Rowan was my best friend and the only doctor who knew I was pregnant. “Rowan, my stomach hurts so much…” My voice shook with fear. “Save the baby. Please help me save the baby.” An anxious voice immediately came through. “Don’t be scared. Get to the hospital now. I’ll arrange tests right away!” Half an hour later, I arrived alone at the private hospital. Because of the pain, my face was deathly pale. I wore an oversized coat with sunglasses and a hat, barely supporting myself against the wall as I walked. However, at the corner of the VIP corridor in obstetrics, taking a shortcut to find Rowan, I unexpectedly ran into the person I least wanted to see. Adrian. He was carefully protecting Luna, one arm circling her waist, the other shielding her from passersby. That cherishing look was identical to how he used to protect me. The overwhelming irony made my abdominal pain intensify instantly. I froze in place, clutching my belly desperately, watching helplessly as they walked past not far away. “The specialist here is so hard to book. I shouldn’t have made you wait so long.” Adrian frowned in complaint, his tone full of concern. Luna leaned against him, speaking softly, her humble posture perfectly calibrated. “Adrian, it’s okay. I’m just the housekeeper’s daughter. I don’t want to waste your money. Being able to carry your child, I’m already very satisfied.” Hearing this, Adrian’s eyes filled with even deeper tenderness. He lowered his head to kiss the top of her hair. “You’re just too considerate.” He paused, then shifted tone with a trace of indulgence. “Not like Iris, always demanding this and that from me. If only she were half as considerate as you.” Yes, I wasn’t considerate. In that moment, my blood surged violently. I felt a warm liquid flowing uncontrollably from my body. I heard him say again, “That blue diamond from the auction-once I get it, I’ll have it made into a wedding ring for you. Consider it my makeup gift to you.” That diamond he once said reminded him of my eyes was meant for another woman. “By the way,” Luna added casually, “that brooch you gave Iris last time, did she like it? I spent so long picking it out. I really hope she’ll be kind to me, since I’m carrying this child for her.” Carrying the child for her? I heard Adrian’s low chuckle. “Silly girl, of course she’ll like it. I told her that once you give birth, we’ll give the baby straight to her. That’s the only way our child can become the rightful heir. Don’t worry, she’ll treat you like the baby’s real mother.” So, on the assumption that I was infertile, he’d already mapped out my entire future. Having me raise his illegitimate child with another woman. Enormous rage and desolation crashed against my heart. The plunging pain in my abdomen reached its peak. My legs gave way, and I could barely stand. I couldn’t listen anymore. I turned, wanting to escape to the emergency room to find Rowan. After just a few steps, my phone rang. It was Adrian. “Where are you? I had breakfast and roses prepared for you. Why aren’t you home?” His tone was like coaxing a difficult child. I leaned against the cold wall, the warm sensation below making me desperate, my heart like dead ash. “Are you overthinking again?” He soothed gently. “Don’t worry. If you really want a child that much, we’ll adopt one in a while. Let you be a mother, okay?” Adopt one? When my child was losing its life, he was talking to me about adoption? “No need…” I spoke softly, my voice so weak it seemed to come from another world. “The child… is already gone.” After speaking, the phone slipped from my fingers and crashed heavily to the ground. Before darkness claimed me, I saw a shocking red spreading across the floor tiles. Adrian, you personally killed this child.

Iris POV When I woke, the surgery was already over. Rowan stood by the bed holding medical records, his expression sorrowful. “Iris, I’m sorry… You were already hemorrhaging badly when you arrived. It was an extreme emotional shock that caused threatened miscarriage. We did our best, but we still couldn’t save them.” He paused, his voice dropping even lower. “And this miscarriage caused severe damage to your uterus. In the future… you may have great difficulty conceiving again.” I lay in the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. Tears slid silently from the corners of my eyes into my hair. No hysteria, only a hollow deadness from being emptied out. “Rowan, this isn’t your fault.” My voice was hoarse. “This child-he killed it with his own hands from the very start.” He killed not only our past but also our future. That blood connection in my body was completely severed. Between Adrian and me, it was finally clean. Though my body was extremely weak, I couldn’t lie still. My phone on the nightstand vibrated once. It was a photo from an unknown number. One photo, one location. The photo showed the wedding dress I’d designed with my own hands-my heart’s blood. The location was New York’s most luxurious bridal boutique. That shop’s owner was me. I pulled out the IV from the back of my hand. Ignoring Rowan’s attempts to stop me, I dragged my body-fresh from a D&C procedure-changed clothes, and took a cab there. The car stopped across the street from the bridal shop. I sat in the car, my whole body freezing from blood loss. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I immediately spotted Adrian and Luna standing at the shop entrance. He embraced her, eyes full of adoration, voice tender enough to drip water. “Even though I can’t give you a public wedding, I still want you to wear the most beautiful wedding dress in the world once.” Just then, several luxury sports cars pulled up one after another at the shop entrance. Doors opened. The faces that emerged were all painfully familiar. Grayson. And so many others. Our mutual friends. The people who had witnessed twenty-five years of us. Inside the car, I rolled the window down just enough to hear their chatter. “Is Adrian preparing a surprise for Luna? Isn’t he afraid Iris will find out?” “Afraid of what? Iris and I are just fake-married anyway. Besides, the one pregnant now is carrying gold. Keeping her happy is more important than anything.” So everyone knew. Only I, like a fool, had been kept in the dark by the entire world. I’d just lost my child, yet they were here celebrating another child’s impending birth. My hands and feet were terrifyingly cold. Only hatred kept me from collapsing. Using my identity as owner, I quietly entered the bridal shop through the back door and went alone to the VIP room. I stood in a dark corner, looking down from above, coldly watching that absurd ceremony prepared for someone else. Adrian wore an impeccably tailored bespoke suit. Luna wore that wedding dress. That dress-I’d stayed up countless nights designing it to commemorate Adrian’s and my first kiss at dawn in Santorini. Now it dressed another woman, receiving blessings from all my friends. “Exchange rings!” Friends egged them on. Grayson whistled. Adrian produced a deep blue velvet ring box and knelt on one knee. From my high vantage point, I saw everything clearly. Inside the box was a pair of custom Cartier wedding bands, identical to the ones we’d exchanged years ago. So even sacred things like rings weren’t one of a kind. Just as Adrian was about to slide the ring onto Luna’s finger, I pulled the main breaker. The bridal shop went dark in an instant. Then I pressed the remote. A powerful spotlight blazed down from above, landing squarely on me, swaying precariously on the third floor.

Iris POV People awkwardly set down their glasses. Luna’s smile froze at the corners of her mouth. “I… Iris?” Adrian’s face went white as a sheet. He seemed startled, then instinctively dropped Luna and charged up to the third floor like a madman, pulling me into his arms. “Let me explain!” He spoke incoherently, his voice shaking. “This is just shooting an ad! I wanted to surprise you for our anniversary!” As he spoke, he pulled that ring from his pocket, trying to force it onto my hand. The ring was the wrong size, jamming tightly at my knuckle. “Luna!” Still holding me, Adrian shouted downstairs without turning back. “You explain this clearly to Mrs. Chase yourself!” Luna’s eyes reddened, her voice humble. “Mrs. Chase, this really is a surprise Mr. Chase prepared for you. I’m just the model cooperating with the shoot.” Adrian grabbed this lifeline like a drowning man, holding me tighter, declaring over and over in my ear. “Iris is my one true love for life. How could I possibly betray you…” How hypocritical. Luna said through tears, her voice clear enough for everyone to hear, “I wish Mr. Chase and Mrs. Chase eternal happiness and a child of your own soon.” A child of our own. I trembled with pain throughout my body. After Luna finished speaking, she couldn’t keep acting. She covered her face and ran from the bridal shop. “Luna!” Adrian roared, shoving me aside and chasing after her recklessly. He hit my shoulder. The force was great, making me stumble several steps and crash hard against the railing. The pain darkened my vision. My friends and I. He just left us all standing there. Luna ran out of the shop and dashed toward the private sightseeing cable car on the nearby slope. Adrian caught up and squeezed into the same cabin with her. The cable car rose slowly. Mid-air, the steel cable snapped with a piercing screech. The whole cabin lurched, then plummeted. In the split second before impact, I saw Luna wrap her arms around Adrian and spin sharply, using her own body to shield him from the worst of it. CRASH. After the thunderous noise, the scene was chaos. Adrian knelt beside the cable car wreckage, holding Luna as she coughed up blood. She gasped weakly, “Save our child…” He looked back in anguish. Those eyes that once brimmed with love now held only hatred. He looked at me standing unharmed on the third floor and used all his strength to roar, “Iris! I said it was just an ad! Why didn’t you believe me! Why did you have to kill her and the child!” Hearing this accusation, I was struck as if by lightning. Friends downstairs also gathered around, pointing and whispering about me. Grayson was first to speak. “Don’t you all know how much Adrian loves Iris? For her, he even exiled Luna, who’d loved him for years, to a deserted island for five years! This video today? He just found a stand-in so Iris wouldn’t have to tire herself out.” Another friend chimed in. “Exactly. Iris, how can you be so petty? Luna’s so kind. She just loves Adrian. Why do you want her dead so badly?” The accusations piled on, twisting black into white. I looked at their faces, all so righteous, so angry for justice, and suddenly laughed.

Iris POV Friends reversed truth and lies, accusing me. I found it absurd. They’d once raised glasses, blessing Adrian and me with eternal happiness. Now these same people stood on moral high ground. In their mouths, Adrian’s five-year affair was understandable. My feelings should make way for the mistress. If I refused, I was vicious, unreasonable. Luna was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. The baby wasn’t saved. Her uterus was also removed. Adrian kept vigil outside the operating room, like he’d lost his soul. He collapsed beside Luna’s hospital bed, confessing to her unconscious form over and over. “I’m sorry, Luna. I’m sorry. I loved the wrong person.” “I always thought the one who silently sacrificed for me and saved my life was Iris. It was always you.” Those four words “loved the wrong person” cut my heart over and over. I hid in the corridor shadows, remembering Adrian had a rare blood disease. Since childhood, I’d been his on-call mobile blood bank. Each transfusion made me seriously ill. My health grew worse and worse. I also remembered-originally it wasn’t Adrian who stood in the snow for three days and nights that made me stay. It was me threatening suicide. Only then did my parents give up sending me abroad. I also began to regret. Had I known this love would become unrecognizable, I never would have started it. I decided to leave. I took one last look at that man heartbroken over another woman in the hospital room, then turned and walked toward the elevator step by step. Behind me, Adrian’s body swayed and he collapsed straight to the floor. THUD. A dull thudding sound came from behind. My steps paused. But this time, I didn’t turn back. Adrian, you taught me what it feels like to be abandoned. I’ve learned. When I returned to the villa, it was already late at night. I opened my phone. Social media was flooded with posts from that group of friends. They were all sharing the video of Adrian slipping the ring onto Luna’s finger. Same caption on every post: “Wishing Mr. and Mrs. Chase a happy fifth anniversary! May your happiness last forever!” In the photo, he looked devoted. She beamed. The whole city was celebrating “Mrs. Chase.” How ironic. My phone suddenly rang. It was Adrian’s grandfather. “Get to the hospital! Give Adrian a blood transfusion!” His voice was pure command. I stared out at the night sky, my voice flat. “Mr. Chase, Adrian and I are neither family nor related by law. I have no obligation to save him. And thank you for what you gave me five years ago. I don’t even need a divorce now.” I hung up and blocked every last one of them. From now on, a clean break. That night, I didn’t sleep. I pulled out suitcases and, alone, sorted through everything that had to do with Adrian. Item by item. Severing the past. Completely.

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In the third year of being Lucas Hartwell’s mistress, he asked me to serve Stella Renee, his first love who had just returned from abroad. To earn money for my sister’s treatment, I gritted my teeth and went. Stella found me an eyesore and sent me into the room of some Italian businessman. I called Lucas in tears, begging him to help. He told me to get lost. That night, my sister died in the hospital. Later, I was working as a painter in a small town when he showed up outside my studio, one arm in a cast, and just stood there. For three months. From autumn into winter. “I’m sorry. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it right.” I never expected that the man who had once used me as a stand-in would spend the second half of his life atoning for it, inch by inch. Until the moment I closed my eyes, he held my hand. “Wendy, in the next life, let me be the one who loves you first.” Wendy’s POV The day Stella Renee came back, the whole New York elite lit up. At the welcome dinner, she was the princess everyone fawned over. Draped in couture, smiling as she held Lucas’s arm. And me? I was Lucas’s “kept woman” of three years. Like a creature that couldn’t stand the light, I hid in the darkest corner of the banquet hall, knocking back glass after glass of ice water. My stomach cramped violently. Cold sweat broke out all over me. But I couldn’t leave. Lucas hadn’t said I could go, so I had to stay and wait – ready to be wallpaper, or a shield, for this golden couple at a moment’s notice. Midway through the evening, a message from Lucas appeared on my phone. “Come to the terrace.” Four words. No room for argument. I took a deep breath, set down my glass, and dragged my unsteady legs toward the terrace. I pushed open the glass door. The night wind hit me, sharp and cold. Lucas stood with his back to me. A half-burned cigarette rested between his fingers, its ember flickering red in the dark. He heard my footsteps but didn’t turn around. His voice was flat. “Stella’s heading to Milan for fashion week. She needs an assistant.” A sinking feeling settled in my chest. “You know how it is – she just got back, and I’m not comfortable with her being alone.” He turned around. His gaze landed on me, cool and detached. “Go with her. Take care of her for three months.” Take care of her? That was a nice way to put it. Stella Renee was Lucas’s everything. His untouchable first love, a girl who’d been spoiled her entire life. And I was the thorn in her side, the woman she blamed for stealing her place. Sending me to be her assistant was like throwing me to the wolves. “I’m not going.” I clutched the hem of my dress. Lucas seemed to have expected this. He flicked the ash off his cigarette, unhurried, his tone impossible to read. “Wendy. Think carefully.” He paused, then stepped toward me – slow, deliberate – until his tall frame loomed over me completely. “Lily’s targeted medication is due for renewal next month, isn’t it? Three hundred thousand a course. Self-pay, if I remember right.” My head snapped up. I stared at him. Lily. My little sister. My only weakness. Lucas knew it well. For Lily, I would give up anything – even the last scrap of dignity I had left. “You’re using Lily to threaten me?” I kept my eyes on his. “It’s a deal.” He reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair from my face. His fingertips were ice-cold. “You take good care of Stella. Make sure she comes home happy. I’ll cover Lily’s medication.” “And if I don’t go?” “Then stay here and figure out how much you can scrape together on your own.” He dropped his hand. The corner of his mouth curved into something cruel. “Wendy, you’re a smart girl. You know what to choose.” The night wind cut right through me. I stared at the face I had loved for three years, and felt nothing but a deep, unfamiliar strangeness. For that woman, he could push me out without blinking. He could use my little sister – the only person I had left – as a bargaining chip. “Fine.” It took me a long time to answer. “I’ll go.” Lucas smiled. But his eyes held no warmth at all. “Good girl.” He crushed out the cigarette, turned, and walked back toward the glittering lights of the party. He left me alone in the dark. I sank slowly to the ground, wrapped my arms around myself, and tried to stop shaking.

Wendy’s POV Deep autumn in Milan was the kind of cold that made you want to give up. Stella stayed in a penthouse apartment Lucas had arranged. All floor-to-ceiling windows, the whole glittering city spread out below her. I stayed in a storage room barely big enough for a single cot. No window. Being her “assistant” meant a lot more than making coffee. Three in the morning, and Stella wanted a specific dessert from a bakery on the south side of the city. I’d pull on my coat and fight the wind across half of Milan to get it. On set, if her coffee wasn’t hot enough, she’d pour it directly onto the back of my hand. Blisters would rise. I’d apologize and smile. Even her laundry. I hand-washed her lingerie, dried it, pressed it. One wrinkle, and she’d tear into me in front of everyone. “Wendy, why are you making that face?” Stella lounged on the sofa, swirling a glass of red wine, looking at me like I was something stuck to the bottom of her shoe. “Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours. You think Lucas sent you here because he trusts you?” She laughed. “Don’t kid yourself.” She took a slow sip. “He sent you here to be my punching bag. Someone has to be, and girls like you are made for it.” I kept my head down and quietly swept up the broken pieces on the floor. The burn on my hand still throbbed. I didn’t make a sound. Three months. Just endure three months. As long as Lily gets her medicine, this is worth it. But Stella’s cruelty didn’t stop there. On the night of the fashion week closing gala, Stella made sure I was dressed as plainly as possible, bordering on frumpy, and positioned me one step behind her like a bag carrier. In the middle of the party, a heavyset Italian businessman in an expensive suit sidled up with a drink, his eyes crawling over me. “Miss Renee, and who is this?” Stella smiled behind her hand. “Oh, this is my assistant. She used to be Lucas’s… personal companion.” She tilted her head at him. “Interested, Mr. Rossi?” The man’s eyes lit up. He reached out to put his arm around my waist. “A woman of Lucas Hartwell’s? She must be something.” I stepped back and hit the champagne tower behind me. The whole thing came down. Glass and champagne everywhere. A shard caught my leg. Gasps. Laughter. I sat on the floor, looked up at Stella. She was smiling. Thrilled. Vicious. “Oh, how clumsy.” She pressed her fingertips to her lips in mock concern. “Mr. Rossi, it seems she’s in no shape to be good company tonight. Perhaps she should go up to your room and make it up to you?” In that moment, every drop of blood in my body went cold. I clawed my way up off the floor, shoved past the man reaching down to help me, and ran out of the ballroom. The cold air rushed into my collar, mixing with the sticky sweetness of spilled champagne. My stomach heaved. Back at the apartment, my hands shaking, I called Lucas. I wanted to tell him what Stella had done. I wanted to beg him to let me come home. Even if it meant giving up the money – even if it meant anything – I had to get out of this place. The phone rang for a long time before he picked up. “Lucas.” I was already crying. “Make it quick. I’m in a meeting.” His voice was flat. Impatient. “Stella, she tried to… she was going to send me to some man’s room. Please, let me come home. Please.” A beat of silence. Then a short, dismissive laugh. “Really, Wendy. Is this still your game?” I froze. “What?” “Stella texted me. Said you got drunk at the gala, made a scene, and broke something expensive.” His voice was full of contempt. “And now you’re calling to make up stories about her? Can you not let your jealousy run your mouth for five minutes?” “That’s not what happened-” “Enough.” His voice cracked like a whip. “You made a mistake. Stay there and think about what you did. If Stella doesn’t forgive you, you can figure out Lily’s medication yourself.” The call ended. I had no right to defend myself. Not in his world. Whatever I suffered, it would always be because I was jealous.

Wendy’s POV That night, I spiked a fever. I drifted in and out of consciousness. My phone kept ringing, relentless, like an alarm I couldn’t silence. I forced my eyes open. A number from a hospital back home was flashing on the screen. My heart seized. “Hello-” “Miss Staley! This is Dr. Morris, Lily’s attending physician.” The voice on the other end was urgent and panicked. “Something’s happened to Lily!” I was half-awake in an instant. “What? What happened to Lily?” “Sudden pulmonary failure combined with a severe rejection response. She’s in resuscitation right now. It’s critical. She needs emergency ECMO surgery and we have to get the imported medication started immediately.” “Save her. Whatever it costs, save her.” I rolled off the bed. My legs buckled. I grabbed the nightstand. “The issue right now isn’t just the cost. We need next-of-kin authorization to proceed with surgery. And the previous balance hasn’t been settled. The pharmacy won’t release the medication until it’s cleared.” His voice dropped. “Miss Staley, where are you? Can you come in?” “I’m overseas-” Tears were already streaming down my face. “Doctor, please just start the treatment. I’ll send the money right now. I’ll find a way.” I hung up and called Lucas. Once. No answer. Twice. Declined. Three times. Straight to voicemail. I sent voice messages, typed messages, anything. I would have gotten down on my knees if it would have helped. Lucas, please pick up. Lily’s crashing. They’re trying to save her. I won’t cause trouble anymore, I swear, please just help her. One call to the hospital. That’s all I need. I’ll do anything- Nothing. In desperation, I called Lucas’s assistant, Derek. It rang for what felt like forever. Finally, someone picked up. “Derek! Where is he? It’s an emergency. Someone’s life is on the line!” Derek sounded uncomfortable. “Miss Staley, Mr. Hartwell is… unavailable right now.” “Where is he? Put him on the phone-” “He’s… he’s with Miss Renee. They’re looking at engagement rings. He said he’s not to be disturbed.” Engagement rings. Everything left my body at once. Lily was fighting for her life. And he was picking out diamonds for the woman who had just tried to sell me to a stranger. “Derek.” My voice broke. “Just tell him – tell him Lily is dying. She’s really dying. Please-” There was a shuffle on the other end, then Stella’s voice, sweet and airy. “Who is it? Such a buzzkill.” “It’s Miss Staley. She says her sister is… critical.” Stella let out a small laugh. It came through the phone perfectly. “Again with this? She faked being drunk at the gala, and now she’s using her sister to pull Lucas back? He can see right through her. Tell me she’s not actually this desperate.” Then Lucas’s voice. Cold and flat. “Hang up. Tell her if she calls again, she’s done. Not a single cent.” The world went quiet. I was on the floor, my phone still pressed to my ear. I didn’t hate Stella. She was cruel, she was calculating – but she was what she was. It was Lucas I hated. For his coldness. For his blindness. For the fact that I’d spent three years loving him like he was worth it. I wiped my face and checked my bank account. Two thousand dollars. Everything I’d saved. Not even close to what Lily needed. Then I saw it. Stella’s spare watch, sitting on the coffee table in the living room. A gift from Lucas. Worth tens of thousands, left there like pocket change. In that moment, I wasn’t thinking about right or wrong. I was thinking about Lily. I grabbed the watch and walked out. I sold it on the Milan black market. Got fifty thousand euros. Wire transfer. Flight. Airport. I moved through it all like a machine – no thoughts, no feelings, just motion. Before I boarded, the hospital called again. I stared at the number until it stopped ringing. Was that the call that tells you it’s over? I refused to believe it. Lily was waiting for me. She’d said she wanted me to take her to Disney World. She’d said she was going to paint a hundred pictures. As the plane lifted off and the city shrank beneath me, I had one single thought: Lucas. If anything happens to Lily- I will make you regret this for the rest of your life.

Wendy’s POV The flight was over fourteen hours. It felt like a century. I landed in New York in the middle of a downpour. No umbrella. No luggage. I ran out of the airport and flagged down a cab straight to the hospital. The hallway smelled like antiseptic. The cold went straight to the bone. I sprinted to the ICU and found an empty bed. A nurse was unhooking a monitor. “Where is she? Where’s Lily?” I grabbed her arm. She flinched, then looked at me. Her eyes went soft and evasive. “Miss Staley…” “Where is Lily?” I was shouting. Dr. Morris stepped out of his office. He was holding a document. He looked at me and exhaled slowly. “I’m so sorry for your loss.” Those five words fell like a hammer. “When…” I couldn’t hear my own voice. “Three hours ago.” He bowed his head. “We did everything we could. If the medication had arrived even half a day earlier, there might have been a chance. But…” But. But the man who had promised to handle everything was on the other side of the world, picking out diamonds. But the call that could have saved her life was hung up. I didn’t cry. I didn’t feel anything, actually. My body felt weightless – like one breath of wind could scatter me. “She’s in the morgue.” Dr. Morris handed me a small box. “She was holding this until the very end. Wouldn’t let go.” Inside was a cheap piece of candy in a crinkled wrapper, and a folded piece of paper. I unfolded it. Two figures in crayon. A girl with long hair holding hands with a shorter girl. A lopsided castle in the background. Underneath, in unsteady handwriting: “Wendy don’t cry. I don’t hurt anymore. Be happy, okay?” A single tear hit the paper without warning. I clutched that drawing in the middle of the hospital corridor and screamed. My Lily. My little sister. The only person in this world I had left. She was fourteen years old. She never got to grow up. She never got to see what was outside. And I killed her. My stupidity killed her. My delusions about Lucas Hartwell killed her. My phone buzzed in my pocket. Lucas Hartwell. The name blinked on the screen. How fitting. When Lily was alive, he disappeared. Now that she’s gone, he decides to call. I answered. Put the phone to my ear. “Wendy! Who do you think you are?” His voice was furious. “Stella says you stole her watch and ran back? Get back here and apologize. Now.” “Lucas.” My voice was very calm. “I took the watch. I’ll pay you back.” “Pay me back? With what? Have you lost your mind? You think I won’t cut Lily off completely-” “It doesn’t matter anymore.” I looked down at the tear-soaked drawing in my hands. A broken smile crossed my face. “She’s dead.” Silence on the other end. A few seconds passed. Then his voice came back – frustrated, dismissive. “Wendy, that’s not funny. You’re really going to stoop to this just for sympathy? I’m done with you.” Done with me. He wanted to talk about disappointment? “Believe it or don’t.” I didn’t want to give him another word. “Lucas, we’re finished. We’re even.” I hung up. Pulled out my SIM card. Held it over the trash can. Snap. It wasn’t just a SIM card I broke. It was three years of crawling, and humiliating myself, and loving someone who never saw me at all.

Wendy’s POV It only took two days to handle everything. I had Lily’s ashes scattered in the river. She had always loved water. She used to say water was free – it could go anywhere it wanted. Now she was finally free. I went back to Lucas’s house in New York – the gilded cage that had held me for three years. His scent still hung in the air. Cedar and tobacco. Something I had once found intoxicating. Now it made my stomach turn. I didn’t take a single thing he’d given me. The designer bags. The jewelry. The couture. All of it belonged to the “canary” he’d kept – none of it belonged to me. I took Lily’s things. And my sketchbooks. Before I left, I set a bank card on the coffee table. A thousand dollars I’d made selling paintings. Not even close to the value of Stella’s watch. But it was the statement I needed to make. I didn’t owe him anything. From this day forward, there was nothing between us. I had barely walked out the front door when a black car came tearing up and screeched to a stop right in front of me. Lucas got out. Dark expression, red in his eyes – he’d clearly just gotten off a plane. He saw my suitcase. Something crossed his face. Then a hard, humorless laugh. “What is this, Wendy? Running away from home?” I stepped around him and kept walking. He grabbed my wrist. Hard enough to feel like he’d snap the bone. “I’m talking to you. You steal something, you walk out, and you think that’s it? Who gave you permission?” “Let go of me.” I looked at him. “Give back the watch. Then come with me to apologize to Stella.” He was already pulling me toward the car. “If you just admit you were wrong, I can let this go. Lily’s medication-” Crack. The sound of a slap rang across the quiet street. Lucas’s head snapped to the side. He went completely still. He turned back slowly. His eyes were dark and dangerous. “You just hit me?” “Lucas. I told you. Lily is dead.” I held his gaze. Each word separate and deliberate. “Three days ago. While you were picking out that ring for Stella, she was dying in the ICU.” “When you hung up on my call for help, she was in agony.” “When you told me I was lying for attention – her body was already cold.” His pupils contracted. The color drained out of his face. “What did you say?” His voice shook. His hand fell open. “That’s not possible. Dr. Morris said she had more time.” “That was before!” I pulled free and stepped back, putting distance between us. “You killed her, Lucas. You are the reason she’s gone.” The words landed like four blades, straight to the center of him. He stumbled. White as paper. “I didn’t…Stella said you were pretending. She said…” “And you believed her?” I laughed and cried at the same time. “Of course you did. She’s your whole world. And what am I? Just a liar. A nobody.” I steadied my breath. “I never hated you for loving her. I only hate myself for loving a man who was too blind to see what was right in front of him.” I picked up my suitcase. “Don’t come near me again. When I look at you, I feel sick.” I walked away. I didn’t look back. Behind me, I heard him move. Then his voice broke open in a way I’d never heard before. “Wendy! Stop! Where are you going?” I kept walking. “I’m not letting you leave! Wendy, come back!” A cab was coming down the street. I raised my hand. Got in. In the rearview mirror, I watched the man who had always seemed so untouchable standing at the curb, abandoned and frantic, his phone pressed to his ear. He’d never reach me. The Wendy who had circled him like a satellite, quiet and desperate and small, had died in that rainy night, along with Lily. What was left was just a shell. Hollow with grief and fury. The cab merged into traffic. The city sparkled on, indifferent. I closed my eyes. One last tear slipped free. Goodbye, Lucas. Goodbye to these three wasted years.

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On the third year after my husband ran off with his mistress, Ethan Shaw suddenly came home. I didn’t rush up to curse him out, and our son showed no surprise whatsoever. Ethan finally got the peace and quiet he’d always dreamed of. At parent-teacher conferences, our son stopped begging him to attend. When I walked in on another woman sitting on his lap making out with him, I tactfully pretended I saw nothing. It wasn’t until photos of him in bed with his new fling spread all over town—while our son and I were off traveling without a care—that Ethan’s eyes finally turned red. Like a madman, he smashed our luggage and demanded: “What the hell is wrong with you two! What more do you want from me to stop torturing me!” The room fell deathly silent. My son and I exchanged bewildered glances, not understanding what had gotten into him. After shooing Xavier back to his bedroom, Ethan did something unprecedented—he handed me his phone. “I already explained to you, that woman threw herself at me. If you don’t believe me, you can check for yourself.” Watching his gesture, I froze in place. Before, forget about checking his messages—if I so much as touched his phone, Ethan would fly into a rage. He’d say I didn’t respect him, that I was suffocating him. Even when I caught him cheating, Ethan refused to admit it and just left home. I thought everyone would take my side. I was wrong. His friends covered for him, and his parents cut off our living expenses: “You drove your own husband out of the house. You have some nerve asking for money.” Our son’s expensive tutoring and enrichment classes, my beauty and yoga treatments, the household utilities and living expenses—all gone. Reality slapped me in the face like a brutal wake-up call. That’s when I finally woke up. Compared to a comfortable, affluent lifestyle, what was a little thing like love worth? So I smiled politely and ignored the phone he was offering. I even gave him an out: “Of course I trust you. Sometimes these situations are unavoidable.” Ethan fell silent, his hand frozen awkwardly in midair. Suddenly, Xavier rushed out clutching his bloody mouth. His little face was pale: “Mom, I accidentally knocked out my tooth.” I immediately went on high alert and headed out with my son. Ethan was forgotten like he was invisible. His expression darkened for a moment, but he still followed us. Sliding into the driver’s seat: “I drive faster. Let me take you to the hospital.” But just as he finished speaking, his phone rang. From the other end came a woman’s sobbing voice, broken and intermittent. It was the woman from those bedroom photos, having a breakdown and threatening suicide. Ethan paused. Xavier, being very sensible, immediately said considerately: “Dad, if you have something to take care of, go ahead. Mom and I can go by ourselves.” With that, my son and I got out of the car together. The child who used to cling to him constantly had become strangely distant. Ethan’s chest rose and fell rapidly. He seemed like he wanted to say something, reluctantly following behind us. But we had already hailed a ride and left. Fortunately, since it was just baby teeth, Xavier was fine. We checked into a hotel for the night. The next day we visited a nearby children’s amusement park, and didn’t return home until evening with takeout leftovers and desserts. Strangely, Ethan—who usually came home after midnight—was actually there. When he saw the cake in my hands, his somewhat cold expression instantly brightened. He smiled and reached for the box: “I knew you didn’t forget my birthday.” But his smile hadn’t fully formed before he saw what was left of the demolished cake. I felt a bit embarrassed and exchanged a guilty look with my equally sheepish son. I was about to say something when a woman walked out from the living room. It was the woman from the bedroom photos—Riley Cooper. Riley was Ethan’s recent charity case, a student with no parents, raising her younger sister. She looked at me apologetically, her face flushed with embarrassment. “Ms. Charlotte, Mr. Shaw had too much to drink that day. I was just taking him to a hotel when someone took photos of us secretly. That’s how those pictures happened.” Just taking him to a hotel—how would they both end up barely clothed in bed together? Riley’s explanation was clearly a cover-up. What’s more, she was currently wearing my clothes, her eyes carrying subtle provocation. But I didn’t mind. Ethan had brought home at least eighty women before, if not a hundred. I’d seen every trick in the book. What was one more? So I smiled tolerantly, and under Ethan’s increasingly dark expression, said considerately: “Thank you for coming to explain. It’s raining outside. Would you like to stay the night?”

Riley looked pleasantly surprised, her eyes blinking like a doe’s as she gazed at Ethan with a lingering voice: “Either way is fine with me.” “Enough! Stop pretending to be so virtuous!” Veins bulged on Ethan’s forehead. He grabbed Riley and stormed out, slamming the door. Almost simultaneously, Xavier and I breathed a sigh of relief. When Ethan was home, we were always on edge. His departure actually felt liberating. I assumed after leaving like that, Ethan wouldn’t return tonight. But I’d barely fallen asleep when a pair of hands slipped into my pajamas. Instantly, goosebumps covered my entire body. I rolled over and swatted his hand away. Ethan’s patience finally ran out completely. He stared at me, breathing heavily: “Charlotte Sterling, I apologized, I brought her to explain to you—what more do you want!” His eyes were red-rimmed, the grievance and restraint in them seeming ready to overflow. I’d woken up abruptly and was still drowsy, just wanting to quickly smooth things over. So my face slowly arranged itself into a polite smile. “You’re really overthinking this. It’s late, let’s just get some sleep.” But Ethan had no intention of letting me off. He gripped my wrist, his voice breaking with emotion: “You weren’t like this before! You used to call and text me if I wasn’t home by eight! You never slept until I came back, always had hangover soup ready because you worried about me drinking.” “But now?” Ethan’s grip on my hand tightened: “You even forgot my birthday.” “I don’t understand—it was only three years! And I came back, didn’t I?” Looking at his aggrieved, resentful expression, I felt nauseated, my body trembling slightly. So he knew all along—my humiliating past when I debased myself. Throwing away my dignity, following him around like a bitter housewife. Even his company employees would say when they saw me: “That desperate woman is here again…” But what he didn’t know was that back then, to find Ethan after he ran away, my mother searched outside every single day. Her own husband had long been unfaithful, their marriage a shell. She didn’t want her daughter’s marriage to follow the same path. But tragically, during a summer heatwave of 104 degrees, Mom had a sudden heart attack and died on the spot. She was still clutching printed missing person flyers when she died. My world collapsed. For a whole month, my pillow was never dry. Every second was spent in pain and hatred. Xavier lost his beloved grandmother. And Ethan was out living it up with his little girlfriend, scandal after scandal making the news. Now that he’d had his fun, he wanted to come back to the family. I was utterly disgusted.

But Ethan was still lecturing me with self-righteous superiority. “Didn’t your mother go through the same thing? I provide you with food and comfort—why can’t you learn from her? I—” Slap! Before he could finish, I smacked him across the face. Ethan flew into a rage. He glared at me, teeth clenched, and let out a cold laugh. That night, we parted on terrible terms. For the next week, Ethan didn’t come home. As if to prove he could live carefree without me. The TV occasionally broadcast news about him, but my son and I would simply scroll past it. Meanwhile, his overseas school application had been approved. Next month, I would accompany my son to America. Thinking about never having to stay by Ethan’s side again, Xavier and I smiled in unison. But before our smiles could fade, bang!—Ethan in a wheelchair violently pushed the door open. The next instant, his face turned extremely dark. Staring at the smile just disappearing from my lips, he said coldly: “Living quite comfortably without me at home, aren’t you?” He’d broken his leg skiing. Behind him, Riley was attentively comforting him. “Ethan, you just got out of the hospital—don’t get angry.” Ethan glanced at me, then pulled her into his arms and kissed her. With pointed sarcasm: “At least you care about me, unlike certain ungrateful people.” Then he looked back at me. But I showed no reaction, simply covering my son’s disgusted eyes and leading him to the bedroom. Ethan had always been promiscuous, but he’d never been this shameless in front of our son before. Xavier seemed down. I comforted him for a while until he slowly closed his eyes, then turned to close the door. But the next instant, I ran into Ethan blocking the doorway. He stared at me silently, his face carrying faint mockery and even some smugness. I didn’t understand what he meant. As I stepped aside to leave, he grabbed my hand. “If you don’t care, why are you jealous? Charlotte, when are you going to fix this habit of saying one thing and meaning another?” I was somewhat stunned. Even now, he still thought I’d be jealous. I didn’t know whether to laugh at how ridiculous or pathetic he was… Just as I was about to speak, suddenly a scream rang out. My head buzzed. Following the sound, I saw it came from the room where I’d placed my mother’s ashes. I rushed over. Riley looked at Ethan with a pale face, pointing at the urn in distress: “Why is there an urn in here? It scared me to death.” Suppressing my anger, I grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the door. “This isn’t a room you should be staying in. There are so many empty bedrooms on the first floor—why did you have to come to this one?” As soon as I finished speaking, Riley’s tears fell. “Am I not supposed to stay here…” Ethan frowned and immediately blocked me. His tone was forceful: “Charlotte, this is my house. I can let her stay in whichever room I want. You have no right to interfere.” I froze in place, cold seeping through my bones, chilling me to despair. A similar scene was repeating itself. Ethan really knew how to humiliate me. Three years ago, our worst fight was also because his little mistress wanted to stay in my mother’s room. I refused. Ethan directly ordered the servants to throw our things out. My mother, at her age, cried helplessly like a child. But she still forced herself to comfort me: “I’m fine, Mom. I can stay downstairs…” But now she was gone, and still being humiliated like this… Despair shot from my eyes. Meeting my reddened eyes, Ethan’s hand suddenly loosened. His tone softened considerably: “Charlotte, what’s wrong with you—ah!” Accompanied by Riley’s scream, a loud slap landed on Ethan’s face. Riley rushed over and shoved me aside, spreading her arms to shield Ethan. “How dare you hit him! Can’t you see he’s injured! You don’t deserve to be a wife.” Her cheeks twitched, her resentment looking as if I’d hit her own husband. But Ethan wasn’t angry at all. He stared at me quietly, his eyes penetrating, as if trying to see through my exterior to what I was thinking. “Are you jealous?”

I laughed coldly, no longer indulging his delusions, and left holding the urn. But Ethan unwillingly followed me. “Why won’t you answer me? Are you feeling guilty?” His gaze fell on the box in my arms, and he frowned: “Is that your pet’s ashes?” Bang! The only response he got was me slamming the door in his face. Ethan stiffened, then pounded on the door in fury. “Charlotte Sterling, what’s the meaning of this! Who gave you permission to keep ashes in the house! What if it scares people? Come out here…” The intermittent voice outside the door continued for a long time, until Riley coaxed him back to his room. I took a deep breath. I immediately decided to rent an apartment the next day. I was very efficient. I hadn’t been out long before I’d secured a rental. But when I returned to pick up my son, I found him crying with his head down. “Xavier?” “Mom!” The instant he saw me, Xavier rushed into my arms. I touched the handprint on his face, my heart clenching in spasms. Xavier sobbed uncontrollably, pointing at the innocent-looking Riley: “I told her I’m allergic to milk. She made me drink it anyway. When I pushed her away, the milk spilled on her, and Dad… hit me.” His bright eyes were full of humiliation. Two adults bullying a child, yet neither showed a trace of remorse. Riley’s lips curved in a smug smile as she passive-aggressively explained: “That was coconut milk, with just a little milk in it. Drinking it wouldn’t hurt.” Seeing I wasn’t responding to her, she snorted coldly. “Ms. Charlotte, that’s not how you raise children. You’ll spoil him—ah!” Slap! I cut off her words with a smack. Riley’s tears came flooding out as she screamed hysterically. In an instant, Ethan came rolling out in his wheelchair. Behind him, a little girl ran out and rushed straight to Riley. “Riley!” It was Riley’s sister, Skye. Really bringing the whole family along, infesting the place like cockroaches. Ethan looked furious, his low voice showing he was on the edge of rage. “Charlotte, what are you making a scene about first thing in the morning! Why do you have to give Riley such a hard time? She’s just here to take care of me out of kindness!” I said coldly: “She deserved it! Xavier has a severe allergy—he can’t have even a drop of milk. What were you and she thinking!” My words were sharp, my tone making no effort to hide my disgust. Ethan froze, as if hurt by my expression. He slammed his hand on the armrest in anger. Scolding: “What are you implying? Xavier is my son—would I harm him!” He actually had the nerve to call Xavier his son. In all ten years, he’d never taken care of him for a single day. What right did he have to call himself a father? I laughed sarcastically, about to speak. Suddenly Skye rushed over and rammed hard into my stomach. “You’re a bad woman! You’re deliberately bullying my sister!” With that, she whirled like a tornado into my bedroom. When she came back out, she was holding my mother’s urn high above her head. Alarm bells went off in my head, my heart leaping to my throat. I shouted frantically: “Put that down! That’s my mother!” Xavier was also desperate, yelling: “Put it down! Can’t you understand words!” But Ethan suddenly smiled, his lips curling with disdain. “Charlotte, what lies won’t you tell now? If your mother had passed away, why didn’t anyone notify me?” My eyes were forced red. I held back tears on the verge of breaking through, glaring at him with hatred. His family didn’t care at all—who would go out of their way to notify him? “That really is my mother. Just have Skye put down the ashes, and I’ll leave with Xavier immediately. We’ll never come back.” I thought Ethan would be tempted, but somehow his expression grew even uglier. His tone turned even more sinister. “Charlotte, are you threatening me? But I hate threats more than anything.” With that, he looked at Skye and coldly uttered one word: smash. Skye glared at me triumphantly, and just as I desperately lunged forward, she violently smashed the box on the ground.

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