Author: Momo Chan

Emma didn’t do her winter break homework and got called to the principal’s office. I rushed to the school, fuming, only to discover her homeroom teacher was my arch-nemesis from high school. Emma hid behind me, giggling: “I did my research, sis. Our homeroom teacher is single. Don’t miss this chance.” What chance? The chance to get revenge for when he pantsed me in front of everyone back then?! In the office, Adrian glanced at me and quickly lowered his head, seemingly trying to hide a smirk. I never imagined that Emma’s new homeroom teacher would be Adrian. Everyone has a few people from their school days that they’ll never forget. As luck would have it, Adrian was that person for me. I cleared my throat, breaking the awkward silence. “Um, Mr. Huo, about Emma not doing her homework, it’s our fault as parents. We’re sorry about that.” Adrian pushed up his glasses and picked up a report card from his desk. “Emma’s grades are usually very good, and she’s been improving lately. But she suddenly stopped doing her homework these past couple days. I’ve asked her why, but she won’t tell me. That’s why I called you in.” I turned to look at Emma. She stuck out her tongue at me and said mysteriously: “This is all for your sake, you know.” Before I could process what she meant, Adrian asked: “What do you mean, ‘for her sake’?” I shot Emma a warning look, gritting my teeth: “What nonsense are you spouting?” Ignoring me, Emma quickly snatched her unfinished homework from Adrian’s desk and dashed towards the door. “Mr. Huo, I’ll go finish my homework now. You two can chat about the rest!” Emma vanished in a flash, leaving Adrian and me staring at each other awkwardly. What is that little devil up to now? The atmosphere in the office was tense. Despite the freezing temperature outside, I was sweating profusely. As I was about to wipe the beads of sweat from my forehead, I saw Adrian offer me a tissue. The tissue had a faint jasmine scent. Looks like Adrian’s taste hasn’t changed. “Thanks.” Adrian chuckled: “Since when did the Queen of the Moon become so polite?” I nearly choked. How could he still remember that ancient nickname? Well, if that’s how he wants to play it… “Long time no see, General Huo.” Adrian’s face finally showed a hint of embarrassment. “It has been a long time indeed.” I thought Adrian might say something like “long time no see, I’ve missed you,” but instead, he said: “No wonder Emma’s not doing her homework. Looks like you’ve been a bad influence.” I forced a smile, glaring at Adrian: “Maybe it’s just that the teacher isn’t very good?” “If I could teach even you properly, how could it be the teacher’s fault?” Adrian’s expression remained neutral, but I wanted to punch him. What kind of comment was that?! The atmosphere grew quiet again. Adrian sat at his desk flipping through lesson plans while I stood to the side, fidgeting. Come to think of it, it’s been seven years since we last saw each other. We were at a loss for words after so long. On the way home, I stared at the new contact in my phone, my mind drifting back to thirteen years ago. Adrian and I met in middle school when we were assigned as desk mates. Back then, he was the dumb son of a nouveau riche family, and I was a warmhearted tomboy. At first, I was pretty unhappy with my wimpy desk mate, but if anyone dared to bully him, it was like they were slapping me in the face! Maybe it was my influence, but he gradually became more and more sharp-tongued. We’d have small arguments every three days and big fights every five days, yet somehow we remained desk mates throughout. Of course, this wimpy desk mate had his good points too. He was great at studying. I managed to go from being at the bottom of the class to successfully applying for college, and that was largely thanks to his help. For a long time afterward, I suspected our homeroom teacher must have been blind. How could she not see Adrian and me fighting every day, yet still keep us as desk mates? When I got home, I was confused to see Mom had prepared a huge spread of dishes. “Mom, why did you cook so much?” Mom’s voice came from the kitchen: “Your aunt and cousin are coming over later. Oh right, how did it go at the school? Did Emma get in trouble?” “Oh, it was nothing. Just the new homeroom teacher getting to know the situation.” “That’s good. Emma has always been such an easy child, much better than you were in school. I still remember your teachers always telling me at parent-teacher conferences how you argued with your desk mate every day.” Mom said as she brought out a pot of soup from the kitchen. I pouted but didn’t say anything. After all, what Mom said was true. But now I was more worried about another issue – the uninvited guests, my aunt and cousin. Ever since we were kids, my cousin Vanessa always had to compete with me on everything. She’d come brag to me when she got better grades on finals, when she got into a better college than me, when she found a better job after graduation… I wonder what she wants to show off this time.

Soon enough, Vanessa arrived, strutting in with her swan-like neck and sitting on the sofa like some high-society lady. “Oh my, Lily, why is your makeup so cakey? I’ve told you before not to use cheap cosmetics. If you can’t afford good ones, just let me know. I’d be happy to buy some for you.” “Really, sis?” I pretended to be excited and grabbed Vanessa’s arm. “Then can you get me a set from Yves Saint Laurent?” Vanessa clearly wasn’t expecting me to be so thick-skinned. Her expression almost slipped. I’ve grown up over the years too. The old method of fighting fire with fire is outdated. These days, it’s all about sincerity. Sincerity is the ultimate weapon. Seeing the situation, Aunt Linda quickly changed the subject: “Lily, you have no idea how busy your cousin has been since she got promoted to manager. She doesn’t have time to go shopping for things like that anymore.” Aunt Linda emphasized the word “manager” heavily. Looks like this was the purpose of their visit. I pretended not to understand and continued: “Then I’ll just send Vanessa the link. All she has to do is pay.” Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Mom hurriedly called us to eat. I didn’t push it any further and happily sat down at the table to munch on my chicken wings. Mom knew what my aunt and cousin were like, but since she and Aunt Linda were sisters, she could only tune out when Aunt Linda started bragging. At the dinner table, Aunt Linda brought up Vanessa’s promotion to manager again. “Our Vanessa became a manager before she even turned 30. That’s quite an achievement in our family. But there’s even bigger news coming.” Vanessa blushed coyly and nudged Aunt Linda: “Mom, nothing’s confirmed yet. Don’t say anything.” Seeing Vanessa like this, Aunt Linda got even more excited. “I think Adrian is such a nice boy. You two should date seriously. Bring him over sometime to meet your aunt. Lily, you don’t have a boyfriend yet, right? You should start thinking about it. It gets harder to find a good match as you get older. Lily, you’ve always been so loud and boisterous. You can’t be like that after you get married.” Adrian? My heart skipped a beat. Was it the Adrian I was thinking of? Or just someone with the same name? Vanessa quickly answered my unspoken question. “Lily, you must know Adrian, right? He went to the same high school as you. I think you were even in the same grade?” I forced an awkward laugh: “How would I know any Adrian?” But Vanessa wouldn’t let it go: “Really? Adrian was the most popular guy in your high school. You didn’t know that?” I always knew Adrian was popular. In high school, lots of girls would crowd around our classroom door between classes to look at Adrian. They called him the “campus heartthrob” and “dream guy”. Many girls wrote him love letters. Some even gave their letters to me to pass on to him. When other classmates asked those girls why they trusted me to deliver the letters, weren’t they worried I might be a rival, the girls’ responses were quite cutting. They told me, “I can tell from the way you look at him that you’d never like Adrian.” Unfortunately, they were wrong. Mom noticed my strange expression and put a piece of steak on Vanessa’s plate. “Lily was always such a troublemaker in school. How could she remember any classmates? By the way, how did you two meet? What’s that boy’s family background like?” Mom’s questions successfully opened Aunt Linda’s floodgates. I couldn’t hear clearly what they said after that. My mind was filled with thoughts of Adrian. How could he be dating my cousin? That night, I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. The little moon-shaped night light on my bedside table cast a soft yellow glow. Adrian had given it to me when we graduated high school. I’d kept it all these years – seven years had passed in the blink of an eye. Yeah, we hadn’t been in touch for seven years. It was normal for him to have a girlfriend. But why did it have to be my cousin? I dreamed about Adrian that night too. I dreamed about us spilling ink on each other while fighting over a pen, getting punished to stand in the hallway for arguing during class, him trash-talking me while I was running… Days passed slowly. My parents suddenly had to go on a business trip and asked me to pick up Emma from school on the weekend. From far away, I could see Emma standing next to Adrian, waving at me. Don’t just wave, come over here! Emma showed no signs of walking over, so I had to steel myself and approach them. Adrian’s face was as handsome as ever, but thinking about him dating my cousin made my heart ache. Emma looked very excited. She grabbed my hand and said: “Sis, Mr. Huo is coming to our house for a home visit tomorrow.” Compared to my shocked expression, Adrian seemed quite calm. Adrian smiled at me: “Is Emma’s guardian okay with the home visit?” “Huh? Oh, sure.” “Sis, why don’t you send Mr. Huo our address? Didn’t you two exchange contact info?” “No need.” My mouth moved faster than my brain: “He knows it.” “Knows what?” I realized I’d misspoken and quickly covered: “I mean I know, I know. I’ll send it later.” “Then I’ll trouble Emma’s guardian.” I felt an intense gaze on me. My cheeks burned as I dragged Emma away, practically fleeing. On the way home, Emma asked if I’d been chatting with Adrian. The answer was of course no. Emma sighed in exasperation: “Oh Lily, what am I going to do with you? Mr. Huo is young, handsome, and rich. I worked so hard to set you two up. If you don’t make a move, someone else will snatch him up!” So this was Emma’s true motive for getting called to the principal’s office. I felt like such an idiot. I suddenly remembered my cousin’s situation. “Emma, are you sure your Mr. Huo really doesn’t have a girlfriend?” “Of course I’m sure. I investigated for ages.” Then what was going on with my cousin and him? I turned to glare at Emma: “Can’t you focus on your studies? Why are you always thinking about useless things?” “Studying is so simple, how much of my brain power could it possibly take? Look, I got first in the school again.” Now it was my turn to break out in a cold sweat. I wanted to say more, but Emma cut me off. “Sis, you’re not getting any younger. It’s time for you to start dating. Stop thinking about that night light guy.” “What night light guy?” “The guy who gave you that moon night light.” Are kids these days all so precocious? I feel like I’ve been left behind by the times. “Don’t be ridiculous. The one who gave me the night light was just a friend.” Emma looked at me like I was an idiot: “If he was just a normal friend, why do you treasure that night light so much? There’s even a love letter hidden under it.” “Emma! You actually read my love letter?!” That night, I typed and deleted messages in the chat window over and over. It was past 10 pm when I finally sent Adrian my home address. Adrian replied quickly. “I know.”

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Karen loved spreading rumors about me. I said, “This meat doesn’t seem fresh. Let’s not eat it to avoid getting sick.” Karen told others, “My daughter-in-law won’t let me eat meat.” I secretly bound Karen to a “Make It Real” system. Every lie she told would become reality. Karen always spread rumors about me. She liked to cook and do laundry for her son, taking care of him. Worried she might overexert herself, I said, “Let me do it. You shouldn’t tire yourself out.” She immediately went around the neighborhood spreading gossip: “My daughter-in-law thinks I’m not capable enough. Oh, how I suffer!” I tried to explain: “You misunderstood. I meant you should just enjoy life, and I’ll handle the chores.” She went around spreading more rumors: “My daughter-in-law told me to hurry up and enjoy life while I can. She said she has many years ahead, so she can do more work. This old lady doesn’t have much time left, you know.” Over time, everyone in the neighborhood knew me as the “wicked daughter-in-law” who mistreated her mother-in-law. My reputation got worse and worse. People would point and whisper about me whenever I went out. I had no choice but to complain to my husband, Jack. But he was impatient: “Mom doesn’t mean any harm. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?” “So I’m just supposed to put up with this mistreatment?” My eyes welled up with tears. “It’s just people talking. You haven’t lost a pound of flesh, have you? Stop being so dramatic.” Jack ignored me, picked up his phone, and went to his room to play games. He even locked the door, claiming he didn’t want me to disturb his gaming session. But I could faintly hear a female teammate’s coy voice coming from the room. I was heartbroken. This family – not a single decent person among them. “My birthday is next week. Make some arrangements, will you?” Karen came over with a smug smile. If you didn’t know better, you’d think she was a kind and gentle mother-in-law with that fake sweet demeanor. Well then, I’ll give them one last chance.

I made a reservation at a restaurant in advance. It was a well-reviewed establishment that served Karen’s hometown cuisine. I figured she’d like it. I also bought her a bracelet as a birthday gift. On her birthday, I took Karen to the restaurant and ordered many of her favorite dishes. She was beaming with joy, praising me for being so thoughtful. I presented her with the bracelet, and her shrewd eyes lit up: “My dear daughter-in-law, I knew I was right to treat you well.” Jack looked at me approvingly. The whole family seemed satisfied with the birthday arrangements. I thought this might finally ease the tension between us. But Karen started gossiping again: “Oh my, that daughter-in-law of mine! She couldn’t even be bothered to cook for me on my birthday. She insisted on wasting my son’s money at some fancy restaurant. Young people these days just don’t know the value of money!” “And she gave me a bracelet. What use does an old woman like me have for such things?” These rumors quickly reached my ears. I was completely disillusioned with them. I would make them pay for this. That night in my dreams, a voice asked what I wished for. I said, “Since Karen loves to spread rumors, let all her lies become reality.”

When I woke up, Karen was chatting with the neighbors in the community as usual. She raised her voice dramatically: “My daughter-in-law won’t let me take a shower. Can you believe it? Who doesn’t let people shower?” In reality, last night when I was in the middle of my shower, she had insisted on going first. I was covered in soap bubbles at the time, so I said, “Wait a moment, let me rinse off first.” Just like that, I became the bizarre daughter-in-law who wouldn’t let her mother-in-law shower in others’ eyes. But I wasn’t upset, because the system on Karen had taken effect. That evening, when I was in the middle of my shower, Karen once again demanded that I get out so she could go first. Before I could even process it, my body automatically responded, “I’m sorry, Mom. Could you wait a bit?” Then I took my time finishing my shower. Just as I was about to turn off the water, the supply suddenly cut off. Soon after, a notice about an emergency water outage came through on the property management SnapChat group. Karen couldn’t take her shower and was very uncomfortable. The next day, she predictably spread more rumors: “My daughter-in-law deliberately dragged out her shower time to prevent me from bathing.” So that night, I showered exactly as she said – slowly and meticulously. I washed every inch of my body, exfoliated, and even applied body lotion. By the time I finished the whole skincare routine, an hour and a half had passed. Just as I got out, another water outage notice came from the property management. Karen glared at me, then started arguing with the property management in the group chat. She angrily sent dozens of 60-second voice messages, being extremely aggressive. The property management responded at first but eventually stopped replying. Furious, she cursed: “Useless bunch! I hope you all lose your jobs tomorrow!”

Sure enough, all the property management staff were laid off the next day, but no new staff were hired to replace them. Coincidentally, the neighbor across from us was renovating their balcony, which blocked the light from Karen’s bedroom. The neighbor was a fierce old lady with a muscular son, so Karen didn’t dare confront them directly. She wanted to complain to the property management instead. But since all the staff had been laid off, there was no one to handle the issue. Karen was beside herself with frustration. She started cursing at the neighbor’s house: “What’s the point of renovating? It’s just a stupid balcony. It won’t be any use even after it’s done.” A few days later, we heard that the neighbor’s son had been promoted and transferred to a big city. He was taking the whole family with him. When Karen heard this news, she was furious but couldn’t do anything about it since the neighbors had already moved away. With nowhere to vent her anger, she came to pick on me again: “Look at other people’s children. Why can’t you take me to a big city?” “Well, that’s because their son is capable. Why don’t you ask your own son?” I retorted. “You… you useless thing! Be careful, or my son might leave you. There were plenty of girls who liked him back then!” Karen snapped, her spit nearly flying in my face. But her words played right into my hands. I replied nonchalantly, “That’s right. Since so many girls liked your son, why don’t you find him a rich one?” “Oh, you have a point.” The old woman dropped her act in front of me, her eyes gleaming with greed. Perhaps she had also noticed that everything she said lately was coming true. She continued to flaunt her power: “You two should get divorced right away. My son will bring home a rich daughter-in-law soon!” “Alright then.” I immediately picked up my phone, ready to call Jack. Karen was stunned, not knowing what to say for a moment. In the past, I had always been good-tempered and prone to compromise. She had never seen me act like this before. Hearing me suddenly agree to divorce, she felt a bit uneasy. But then she thought that her words would surely come true, and Jack would definitely bring home a rich daughter-in-law tomorrow. She relaxed and cleared her throat, putting on airs in front of me again: “Don’t blame me for being too cruel. It’s your own fault for not having children or giving me money all these years of marriage. I’ve already been more than fair to you.” These past few years were crucial for the growth of my career. Although I had a soft personality, I would never give up my career just to have children. As for giving them money, I always bought whatever they needed or wanted, and even gave them pocket money from time to time. Perhaps in the eyes of such greedy people, I would only be considered filial if I handed over my entire salary. But now, I was about to start a brand new life. This family would have to face the consequences of their actions.

Jack answered the phone and readily agreed to the divorce. Although he tried to hide it, he couldn’t conceal his excitement. Karen was also at ease now. She started cursing me as she used to: “I’m not exaggerating, but women like you won’t find any man who wants you. With no husband and no children, you’ll just grow old alone!” Hearing this, I almost laughed out loud. In her shallow, backward thinking, not being able to get married and not having children were the worst curses for a woman. I found her pitiful and didn’t bother to say more. I immediately started packing my belongings to leave. I was halfway through packing when Jack returned with his new love interest. The woman clinging to Jack’s arm was beautiful, wearing a plain, light-colored dress and nestling coyly in his embrace, looking every bit the perfect wife. “Oh my, is this my new daughter-in-law? She looks like the daughter of a rich family at first glance. I can tell she’s very virtuous,” Karen said, grinning from ear to ear. The woman blushed shyly: “Auntie, you’re too kind. My father just owns a small company, it’s not much really.” “Don’t call me auntie, call me Mom!” Karen naturally took her hand. Well, I shouldn’t call her Karen anymore. I should call her Karen now. The woman seemed a bit flustered by Karen’s enthusiasm. Jack gently intervened: “Her name is Sophia. You can just call her Sophia, Mom.” Sophia. Of course it was her. When I suspected Jack of cheating, I checked his phone and found shopping orders with Sophia’s name as the recipient. Coincidentally, she was the daughter of a major client at my company. As Karen said, she was indeed a rich man’s daughter, genuinely wealthy. But…

After the divorce, I threw myself into work, bringing huge profits to the company. My boss greatly appreciated me and decided to promote me with a substantial raise. Karen still couldn’t shake her gossipy habits and kept sending me SnapChat messages bragging about Jack and Sophia’s happy life: “Sophia cooks voluntarily, and her cooking is excellent. You should really learn from her.” “Of course, I’ll learn well. So I can prepare a feast for you when I visit your grave,” I replied. Karen stopped responding. I found it amusing, like playing with a virtual pet. Recently, our company’s collaboration with Sophia’s father, Robert, achieved a significant milestone with high profits. My boss was very pleased. After my promotion, my boss valued me even more and assigned me to attend a dinner to build a good relationship with Robert. I gladly accepted. At the dinner, Robert brought Sophia along. After a few drinks, Robert squinted at me with drunken eyes: “You look quite pretty.” “You’re drunk. Let me have the driver take you home to rest,” Sophia quickly intervened before I could speak. “Thank you,” I said with relief, looking gratefully at Sophia. Robert was a well-known lecher, and everyone knew it. My boss sending me to this dinner was precisely because of this. Sophia tucked a strand of her smooth hair behind her ear and glanced at me casually: “I should be the one thanking you.” 8. With Sophia’s help, I successfully completed the collaboration with Robert. My boss was delighted and gave me a big bonus. My virtual pet Karen sent her usual greeting right on time: “I heard Sophia’s father’s business is booming lately. He made a fortune. We’re about to live the good life!” “Yes, that’s right. But it’s most important to hold the power in your own hands. You should arrange for Jack to work in Sophia’s father’s company,” I deliberately guided Karen. “Oh, you’re right. You finally said something useful,” she replied. Soon after, Sophia told me that Jack’s family was crying and making a fuss about wanting to work in their family company. Robert thought his son-in-law had potential, so he not only arranged an important position for Jack but also gave him some shares in the company. This made Jack ecstatic, and his family became even more arrogant and domineering. Karen went around bragging like a loudspeaker: “Our Jack is going to make big money!” Not long after, news came that Jack had been hospitalized. It turned out he had been hit by a car and broke his leg. The car owner was wealthy and, fearing trouble, immediately compensated Jack with $100,000 to avoid further responsibility. I almost laughed myself silly when I heard the news. Make big money? Indeed, he did.

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I was working at a bar when I saw my girlfriend dirty dancing with my trust fund roommate. In a fit of rage, I went home and inherited a billion-dollar fortune. Later, when my trust fund roommate publicly declared himself the young master of the Landson family, I almost laughed out loud. How come I’d never heard I had a brother? My dad transferred me $200, saying it was what was left after selling this year’s ducks and buying new ducklings. He told me to treat myself to a nice meal. Looking at my dad’s message, tears welled up in my eyes. I transferred the money right back. “Dad, keep the money to buy yourself some new clothes. I’m working three jobs now, I can totally support myself!” Putting away my phone, I wiped the plates with renewed vigor. At 8 PM, I quickly hopped on a shared bike to head to my next job. Though my family was poor, making a living by raising and selling ducks, I was lucky enough to have found a girlfriend who truly loved me. In just three days, it would be our one-year anniversary. I loved Tina with all my heart. When she wasn’t feeling well, I’d buy her lots of supplements. She loved looking pretty, so I’d work extra shifts to buy her new clothes and jewelry. At that moment, I was silently calculating that when this week’s paycheck came, I could buy Tina a necklace and treat her to a fancy dinner. Before I knew it, I had arrived at my last job of the day – Blue Ocean Bar. Manager Zhang cursed at me, “Lucas, why are you so late? Mr. Chad is here tonight, we’re swamped.” I quickly put on my uniform. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Mr. Chad.” Chad was a well-known trust fund kid in the city and also my college roommate. He had always been a big shot on campus. Because I couldn’t be bothered to flatter him like the other roommates, drinking with him and playing games, Chad had never liked me much. Now he was drinking happily, and at his signal, one of his lackeys shouted, “Tonight’s drinks are on Mr. Chad!” The whole place erupted, the music growing even more upbeat. I carried a tray to Chad’s table, lowering my head to pour him a drink. Unexpectedly, another roommate Leo was there too. He used to always steal my stuff in the dorm, and after a big fight, we had completely fallen out. Seeing me, Leo finally found a chance to mock me. “Well if it isn’t our star student Lucas. You act so high and mighty at school, but here you are working as a bartender behind everyone’s backs?” Almost everyone at the table was in my class. Hearing this, they all looked at me in surprise. I kept my head down, silently doing my job. I was about to leave for the next table when I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. Tina, who always claimed to be feeling unwell, was dancing provocatively in heavy makeup and hot pants, throwing herself into Chad’s arms. I stared in disbelief, the tray falling from my hands. To make sure I wasn’t seeing things, I grabbed the girl’s wrist and pulled her close. It really was Tina.

Tina was also startled to see me, frowning as she told me to let go. Without realizing it, my grip had tightened, turning her face pale. Chad kicked me to the ground and looked down at me with disdain. “Why are you hanging out with this trash?” Tina weakly leaned into Chad’s arms, tears falling. The scene made my blood boil. I punched Chad to the ground, pointing at his nose and cursing. “Have you no shame? This is my girlfriend!” Leo piped up, yelling, “Your family just raises ducks for a living. What made you think anyone would be interested in you? Chad could ruin you and your family with the snap of his fingers!” Manager Zhang had people throw me out of the bar, cursing me as a troublemaker. I wandered the streets in a daze. Memories of my time with Tina floated through my mind, bursting like bubbles at the slightest touch. Maybe Leo was right. How could anyone look at me twice? Just then, my phone rang. It was a message from my dad. “Son, come home for a bit. Dad has something important to tell you!” Since I didn’t need to buy Tina a necklace anymore, I splurged on a taxi home. When I got there, I saw my dad directing workers to move things. Remembering my dad’s serious tone on the phone, I had a bad feeling. “Dad, did something happen to our family?” My dad was too busy to answer me, so I kept pestering him. “Are we short on money and need to sell the house? How much do we need?” I started regretting taking a taxi home and planned to find two more jobs to help support the family. But my dad just laughed. “Son, you know about Landson Corp?” Of course I knew Landson Corp, a mega-rich company with over 10 skyscrapers. I could work my whole life and never come close to their level. “But what does Landson have to do with us? Aren’t we just duck farmers?” My dad smiled. “Duck farming is just one of our poverty alleviation industries. We have 30 other industries too!” My dad held up three fingers. I was still in shock. Just then, a well-dressed man came over and respectfully said to my dad, “Mr. Landson, we’re almost done moving everything.” My dad nodded slightly. “Be careful on the road. These are all the memories my son and I have from over the years.” I was so excited I could barely speak. “Dad, what did he just call you?” At that moment, my phone buzzed. I looked at the message: “Bank transfer received: $1,000,000.” My dad patted my shoulder. “Your dad is Mr. Landson. Son, all of this was a test for you. Now that I’ve seen you’re willing to work three jobs instead of asking your family for money, I know you’ve passed the test.”

The butler helped me move into a villa in the east side of town. It was decorated lavishly – I still wasn’t used to the change in status. “Young master, please let me know if you need anything.” I looked at the stern-faced man and tentatively asked, “Can you help me recover the chat history on my computer?” “Of course, young master.” Tina always deleted all traces after using my computer. Once when she logged into her SnapChat on my computer while I was looking something up, she got angry and told me not to touch it. I was certain she was hiding something from me on her SnapChat. The butler truly was capable of anything. He quickly recovered the chat history for me. Looking at the screen full of flirtatious messages between Tina and Chad, my hands trembled slightly. It turned out that while I was staying up late revising her papers, she was out on dates with Chad watching movies. When I was working three jobs a day to buy her a gift, she was doing unspeakable things in Chad’s car. When I was worried sick because I couldn’t reach her on the phone, she was drinking all night with Chad at bars. Even when Tina got angry saying I was disturbing her studying, she was asking Chad why he wasn’t coming to see her, if he had found a new girl. Tina wouldn’t even kiss me, saying she wanted to save it for our wedding day. But she was doing the complete opposite with Chad, their chats incredibly explicit. The bags I saved up to buy her, she used as trash bags for Chad to throw up in when he was drunk. Since she cherished them so little, we might as well settle the score. I gathered all the records of money I spent on Tina, transfers I made, gifts I bought over the years, along with these explicit chats, and made them into a PowerPoint presentation. I sent it to Tina and Chad’s shared thesis advisor. Professor Liu was known for being strict and upright. I didn’t need to do anything more.

The next day back at the dorm, Leo saw I hadn’t come back all night and started mocking me. “Weren’t you all tough yesterday, punching people? How come you didn’t even dare come back to the dorm last night?” I asked, “Where’s Chad?” Leo’s face twisted into a lewd grin. “Of course he’s spending the night with your precious Tina!” I kept my expression neutral. “Oh, I guess rats from the gutter and cheating dogs really are a perfect match. “And stop calling her ‘my Tina’. We’re not together anymore.” Just then, Chad stormed in looking furious. He grabbed my collar. “Did you do this?” I calmly gripped the hand holding my collar. A cracking sound came from his joints. I may not have had much, but working all those jobs had made me strong. Chad was no match for me. He let go in pain. I whispered in his ear, “If you don’t start showing me some respect, I don’t mind sending this PowerPoint to the whole internet.” Coming out of the dorm, the sun was shining and a gentle breeze lifted my mood. My phone rang. It was Tina, crying. “Lucas, why did you do this? Don’t you care about our relationship at all?” I scoffed. “If you had any conscience at all, you wouldn’t be able to say that.” “Can’t you help me explain to Professor Liu that it was just a joke? Otherwise I’ll really be in trouble! “Aren’t you afraid I’ll never forgive you, that you’ll never get me back?” I simply hung up. She was still trying to threaten me, really thought I was a good backup plan. I had been busy lately learning about the company’s business, running around all day. Tina and Chad couldn’t find me anywhere. Later I heard from classmates that they both lost their grad school offers. That PowerPoint was still in my hands. Chad didn’t dare retaliate against me, he could only grit his teeth and bear it.

We were now in our senior year. After losing their grad school offers, Chad and Tina were planning to start job hunting. I now had a basic understanding of Landson Corp’s operations. My dad wanted me to intern at Landson, but to observe me in the role of an intern. Landson had always promoted based on merit, so the intern identity was what I needed. Starting from the bottom and working my way up was undoubtedly the fastest way to gain experience. Before I left, my dad called out to me, “Oh right, there’s a scholarship student I’ve been supporting who’s also coming to intern at the company. I think he’s in your major at your school.” My dad scratched his head, thinking hard for a while. “I remember he was quite a humble kid. What was his name again? Oh right, Chad.” I couldn’t help but chuckle when I heard this. “I do know him, but he’s not very humble at all.” Chad had always bragged about being a trust fund kid and a prince of the city’s elite. After returning to Landson, I had learned about the famous families in A City, but I hadn’t come across any surnamed Chen. I had always been curious which family Chad was from, but before I could ask my butler to look into it, it turned out a surprise was waiting for me here. I just hadn’t expected Chad himself to be a scholarship student. Instead of cherishing this hard-earned opportunity, he used the money my dad gave him to party, looking down on poor students like me back then, never even glancing at us. Since he wanted to come to Landson, let him come. After all, my dad had supported him financially. I might as well evaluate the results for my dad personally. At a class meeting to discuss everyone’s job plans, Chad and Tina were cuddling in their seats, completely disregarding that they were on campus. Seeing me arrive, Leo the bootlicker spoke up first: “Lucas, after what you did to Chad, you have the nerve to show your face?” “Oh? How did I hurt him? Do tell.” Leo’s voice had been incredibly loud, quickly drawing the attention of our classmates. Chad’s face darkened as he scolded Leo to shut up. I asked Leo back, “If Chad is so great, he could go study abroad if he didn’t get into grad school, why isn’t he going?” Leo stammered, unable to answer. Chad lazily spoke up, “My dad is in a hurry for me to take over Landson, so I can only cut my playtime short by a couple years.” With those words, the whole class erupted in whispers. “I knew Chad was rich, but I didn’t realize he was this rich. That’s Landson Corp we’re talking about.” “I heard from my cousin’s sister’s friend that Mrs. Landson’s surname is Chen. His dad must really love his wife to let him take her surname.” “Wow, it’s like a novel come to life. I’m totally shipping this.” “Lucas is such a clown. He has the nerve to mock others when he doesn’t even know what he’ll do after graduation.” “Don’t worry about that. I heard his family raises ducks. He always smells like ducks, he can just go back and inherit his dad’s duck farm.” Chad had clearly heard these comments too. He pulled Tina closer, looking at me provocatively. Just yesterday I had my butler deliberately leak false information to Chad that Landson had no heir. Now he already dared to openly claim this title. He really wasn’t afraid of death. I tuned out the mocking voices and reported my intention to intern at Landson to the class president. I left under the scrutinizing gazes of my classmates.

On the first day of the internship, Chad still couldn’t change his bad habits. He arrived late with Tina in tow, both bowing and scraping as the manager berated them for a long time. After the manager left, Tina glared daggers at his back and asked Chad, “Why don’t you have any face at your own family’s company?” Chad explained, “You just don’t understand. My dad arranged for me to learn from the bottom up. If I don’t keep it secret from them, how can the work go on? “Look at you, the future Mrs. Landson without an ounce of grace.” Tina playfully hit his chest, calling him naughty. But her smile froze when she saw me. “Lucas, you really did get into Landson.” I ignored them, taking my coffee back to my desk to continue organizing documents. Chad quickly caught on, whispering to Tina, “This guy only knows how to study. Landson probably just barely hired him after seeing his resume. A bookworm like him won’t last long.” The reality was quite the opposite. This bookworm received plenty of praise from the manager for outstanding work. As for Chad and Tina, they still couldn’t get the hang of things after countless explanations, getting yelled at daily. After one such scolding, Tina angrily threw a project book onto my desk, still using her old commanding tone: “Lucas, do this for me.” I couldn’t be bothered to look up at her, I still had a lot of work to finish. Seeing no reaction from me, Tina snatched the pen from my hand and demanded, “Lucas, what do you mean by this? How can you just ignore me? You weren’t like this before.” “How else should I treat you? Who are you to me?” Tina bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. She clearly wasn’t planning to give up. I took the project book and flipped through it briefly, feigning confusion as I asked, “Isn’t this all basic stuff? Didn’t Chad teach you? He is the young master of the Landson family after all. Surely he wouldn’t let his girlfriend stoop to begging me, a nobody.” I said this while staring straight at Chad. As expected, he angrily pulled Tina away. I don’t know what they schemed together, but when they came back, Tina had regained her haughty attitude, even giving a cold snort as she passed by me. A few days later, rumors spread through my project department that Chad was the Landson heir. He must have been desperate, resorting to his old tricks in the company. These rumors were exaggerated beyond belief. Even the manager dared not yell at Chad much lately. Chad humbly stated to the department that he was here to learn, and asked everyone not to leak the news of him being the heir. People around him gradually began to flatter him. You could see they really wanted to build a connection. “Young Master Chen, when you inherit the group, don’t forget about us old colleagues.” Chad agreed to everything, then began to mock me indirectly. “But we should still rely on Lucas. He’s always been a top student at school, even I couldn’t get close to him. Someone like that is bound to rise quickly in the company. I just don’t know if he’ll still look at us by then.” Those people were all shrewd. They quickly understood Chad’s meaning and joined in ridiculing me for being arrogant. But while Chad was gaining a reputation by relying on a non-existent identity, I was memorizing the company’s current internal branches and business models one by one. On the day of the project presentation, Chad volunteered to go on stage first to show his PowerPoint. As soon as I saw that PowerPoint, I laughed. So this is what he was waiting for.

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I never expected that the day before the extreme heatwave hit, my husband Lucas would secretly bring his parents to live with us against my wishes. My mother-in-law Evelyn, always doting on her son, pushed all the housework onto me. She even demanded that I cook for the whole family in the sweltering 122°F heat of the kitchen. Lucas, usually mild-mannered, suddenly turned hostile towards me. Unable to contain my anger, I got into a huge argument with them. To my shock, Lucas and his parents threw me out of the house. I died of heatstroke outside. When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day before the extreme heatwave. This time, I would be the one enjoying the air conditioning and watermelon while watching them slowly starve in this scorching oven. “Honey, my parents want to move in with us. We can all enjoy the air conditioning together and save on electricity bills,” Lucas said, leaning against the doorframe in his t-shirt, nervously rubbing his nose as he looked at me. I froze, as memories flooded back. Looking at my smooth, hydrated skin in the mirror, I realized I had been reborn. I had bought this house outright specifically to avoid living with my in-laws. Lucas used to be a normal person, but whenever his mother was around, he would revert to being a mama’s boy. In my previous life, I had firmly refused. But on the day I returned to work after my vacation, Lucas secretly brought his parents over. Accompanying them was Chloe, his mother’s newly adopted goddaughter. Chloe was actually the daughter-in-law Evelyn had in mind for Lucas. As soon as they arrived, they started criticizing my new house. Evelyn even gave all my skincare and makeup products to Chloe. Lucas, who used to help me with housework and cooking, became completely hands-off. The whole family would sit on the couch watching TV, dumping all the chores on me when I got home from work. Evelyn would even throw pistachio shells on the floor while I was sweeping. Lucas just watched, never saying a word in my defense. Fed up, I got into a huge argument with them. To my surprise, the usually docile Lucas exploded in anger, joining his parents in throwing me out. By then, the outdoor temperature had soared to 122°F as the extreme heatwave hit. I nearly died of dehydration outside. When I tried to return home, I found that Evelyn and Lucas had locked the door, ignoring my desperate pleas no matter how hoarse I screamed. In the end, I died of heatstroke outside the door. That extreme heatwave lasted two months. The food I had stocked up was barely enough for them to survive… Recalling this, I shuddered and gulped down water from my cup. Even after finishing it, I still felt parched, the memory of that thirst lingering. “Honey, there’s hardly anyone left in our hometown now. My parents are getting depressed with no one to talk to in the countryside,” Lucas said cautiously. “Sure, let’s bring them over!” I replied with a cold smile. He carefully watched my reaction, knowing that not only had I bought this house, but I also paid for everything we ate, wore, and used. His initial promise was that his parents would never interfere with our lives. Just six months into our marriage, he was already eager to revert to being a mama’s boy. I suppressed the hatred in my eyes and said, “The countryside has lots of mosquitoes and no air conditioning. It’s perfect for them to come escape the heat.” I couldn’t wait for them to come to their deaths.

Lucas was both surprised and delighted by my response. This was the first time I hadn’t objected when he mentioned his parents. Due to my change in attitude, Lucas eagerly drove my new Audi back to his hometown the next day to pick up his parents. It was five days earlier than in my previous life. After he left, I installed cameras in the bedroom and living room, adjusted the angles, found good hiding spots, and made sure my phone could receive real-time footage. Then I requested time off work. With the two-month extreme heatwave approaching, who would still be working? I had a habit of stocking up during sales seasons, so we had plenty of food and dry goods at home. I selected most of the ingredients, packed them up, and put them in another car in the underground garage. Then I drove back to my in-laws’ old home in the countryside they were so eager to leave. This village was indeed deserted, with everyone having moved to the city. My in-laws would never expect me to spend the extreme heatwave in the place they wanted to escape. The countryside, surrounded by greenery, without exhaust-spewing cars or the urban heat island effect, was actually ideal for escaping the heat. I cleaned the house a bit, then unloaded everything from the trunk. I also contacted a large appliance store in the city to order air conditioners and several large refrigerators. Even in the countryside, it would be hard to survive temperatures over 122°F without air conditioning. Then I ordered a diesel generator and several hundred liters of fuel from an acquaintance. During the extreme heatwave, besides food and water, electricity was crucial. In my previous life, many elderly people were too frugal to use air conditioning. There were also some new mothers who followed outdated postpartum practices, refusing to use air conditioning or fans. They ended up dying of heatstroke at home. Since heaven had given me another chance at life, I was determined to survive this ordeal and live on. Seeing that the sun was about to set, I decided to purchase other items next time. I drove home to find that my in-laws hadn’t arrived yet. Lucas was probably showing them around before bringing them back. The chicken, duck, abalone, and sea cucumber I had taken out to defrost earlier were mostly thawed. I even extravagantly used the bottled mineral water we had stocked to cook. With the in-laws and goddaughter coming to visit, I had to properly entertain them, right?

By the time I finished cooking, I could hear Evelyn complaining loudly in the hallway. “Son, how can that Amber compare to our Chloe? Knowing we’re coming, she didn’t even come to pick us up. Who knows what kind of airs she’s putting on.” Through the door, I heard Lucas try to defend me: “Mom, keep your voice down. She bought this house, you know!” Hearing this, my father-in-law George got angry. “Bah! How could a woman afford to buy a house on her own? Women like her are just scammers. Who knows what shady business she was involved in before.” Evelyn quickly agreed: “Exactly. Son, you need to find a pure and innocent girl to spend your life with.” “Even if this woman has one apartment, she’s still not good enough for my son. Even if she owned an entire building, she wouldn’t deserve you.” These narrow-minded people were always like this. Without money themselves, they suspected others of having ill-gotten gains. They fundamentally didn’t respect women, seeing them only as men’s accessories. Even though Lucas was mooching off me, his mother would always think he was superior to me. Her rose-colored glasses when it came to her precious son were thicker than the Great Wall. It was my own fault for being blind back then. I thought he wouldn’t pose any threat to me, and with family pressuring me to get married, I just muddle-headedly went through with it. My hand unconsciously clenched into a fist at my side, nails digging into my palm. In this life, I would return all the suffering they had inflicted on me, with interest. As soon as the door opened, the whole family rushed in with their bags, shoving me into a corner. Acting like they couldn’t see me, they started moving their luggage inside. From the looks of it, they had brought their entire household, filling up my entryway and living room. “Sister, what delicious food did you make? It smells so good!” I finally spotted Chloe behind the luggage. She had deliberately dressed up in a cute pink dress and high heels, even wearing perfume. No wonder there was such a pungent smell. I quickly put on a facade, bringing out the dishes and setting a large table, inviting them to eat. But this only earned me a scolding from Evelyn. “Don’t you know we just came in from outside and are dying of heat? How can we eat now? Are you trying to give me diarrhea?” George, without taking off his shoes, propped his feet up on the sofa and lay down under the air conditioning vent, starting to order me around. “Bring the food over here. I’ll eat after I cool down.” Chloe raised her manicured nails, pretending to help me carry the plates. Evelyn quickly pulled her back: “You’re a guest. Why should you do any work? Let her do it alone.” Lucas glanced at me tentatively. Seeing that I didn’t show any displeasure, he also sat down reassured.

Once the food was on the table, they started eating without waiting for me. Even though I had deliberately made a lavish meal, they still had to find fault. “This meat is too greasy. Don’t you know how to cook? Making it like this!” “You sure know how to enjoy life, eating abalone and sea cucumber every day while leaving us to eat expired pasta in the countryside.” The old couple was putting on an act again. If you eat garbage, it must be because you love eating garbage. It has nothing to do with me. Besides, Lucas sends you plenty of money every month! I remained silent, letting them complain. After dinner, they all sat in the living room watching TV, leaving me alone to clean up the dishes. I opened the refrigerator, intending to put away the leftovers for tomorrow. Suddenly, Evelyn rushed over and knocked the plate out of my hand. “Keeping leftover food? Are you trying to feed us leftovers? Is this what you usually feed my son? No wonder he’s gotten so thin.” As she spoke, Evelyn started wailing dramatically: “Oh, my poor son! What a hard life you have!” It was like she was crying at a funeral. George also ran over, kicking me twice and spitting at me. Chloe stood to the side, gloating with her arms folded. “Sister, we’re used to eating leftovers in the countryside. We came to the city hoping to eat something nice.” I still didn’t resist them. Driving them away now would ruin all my plans. I packed up the leftovers and took them out to give to the homeless man under the bridge. The leftovers you look down on are delicacies others can only dream of. They talk as if they used to raise their son so preciously in the countryside. Now they’re disgusted by leftovers, but in a while, they won’t even have this to eat. In the evening, Evelyn barged into the master bedroom and took over my bed, moving all my skincare and makeup products from my vanity to the guest room for Chloe to use. Chloe put on an act of reluctance: “Mom, this doesn’t seem right! These belong to my sister-in-law.” She said the words of refusal but didn’t even glance at me. Evelyn glared at me fiercely: “Always wasting money buying this and that. Taking such good care of your skin, who are you trying to seduce?” Then she turned to her goddaughter and said softly: “Chloe, take these. Your brother likes it when you use these cosmetics.” She can have them. What I left behind were all opened products I hadn’t finished using, and I had added quite a few extra ingredients to them. As for those unopened skincare products, I had already sent them back to the countryside. Letting her enjoy them one last time before she dies is my act of mercy. The next day, I made another big table of food just like last night, watching them eat their fill. The food in the house was decreasing rapidly. I trembled with excitement.

After lunch, I rented a truck and went to the supermarket. I bought: 15 boxes of pasta 5 bags of flour 20 cases of bottled water 7 barrels of cooking oil 4 boxes of bread 5 boxes of milk 2 boxes of alcohol 5 cases of Coke Plus my favorite lobster, abalone, sea cucumber and various meats. At the market, I bought half a pig, 66 pounds of beef, and 66 pounds of lamb. No need to buy vegetables – my in-laws had planted some in their yard. I’d just pick those and refrigerate them when I got back. I also bought some fruits – watermelon, apples, pears. Fruits spoil easily in high heat, so no need to buy too much. To prevent heatstroke, I bought some common medications like heatstroke medicine. There are lots of insects in the countryside, so I also bought insect repellent. After meeting basic survival needs, next came things for mental stimulation. I downloaded over 10GB of novels, movies and TV shows. I bought Lego sets and puzzles, and selected some books from the bookstore. These things were enough for me to live on for a year, let alone the mere two months of extreme heat.

While I secretly built up my safe house, I continued cooking for my in-laws. Finally, after my unrelenting efforts, only some noodles, tofu skin and other dry goods were left at home. The weather was getting hotter and hotter. Starting tomorrow, temperatures would climb step by step to 122°F. During this time, Evelyn hadn’t been idle either. She kept praising her goddaughter in front of Lucas. “Chloe is like the apple of my eye. The more I look at her, the prettier and more pleasing she becomes.” As she praised Chloe, she would turn the conversation to criticize me, both directly and indirectly. “You’ve been married for over six months now, why haven’t I seen any sign of a baby? This woman only cares about working outside and not taking care of the home. What use is a woman who doesn’t have children?” “You’re our family’s only son. We can’t have you without an heir.” “Women only have these few young years. Once you pass this age, it becomes harder to conceive and give birth.” Before marriage, I had made a firm agreement with Lucas – these five years were the rising period of my career, so having children was out of the question. Perhaps he had gotten too comfortable over the past six months. After listening to his mother’s analysis, he also decided to have a child first. That night, he pressed his body against mine: “Honey, let’s listen to my mom and have a baby first!” I turned and slapped him across the face. Every time it was like this. Things we had agreed on in advance would immediately change as soon as his mother objected. If he’s going to listen to his mom so much, why bother getting married? He might as well spend his whole life with her. That way he’d never have to be weaned and could contentedly remain a mama’s boy forever. The night was still young, and everyone was sleeping lightly. This slap woke up the people in the two adjacent bedrooms. Evelyn ran over and saw the red mark on her precious son’s face. She immediately flew into a rage. “Amber, you wretched woman! I knew you were no good. How dare you hit your husband!” She picked up a broom and threw it at me. When she missed, she tried to run over and pull my hair. George also came to help, but I wasn’t going to just take it. I grabbed George’s toupee right off his head, instantly aging him by over a decade. Chloe took advantage of the chaos to caress Lucas’s face. “I’ll blow on it and the pain will go away.” I grabbed my pre-packed bag and headed for the door. You can just live and die here by yourselves! I heard the sound of the door being locked from inside. “Stay out there for the night, you wretched woman. Don’t even think about coming back!” They seemed to have forgotten that this was the house I bought. I drove both cars out of the garage, parking one in my company’s underground lot, then drove the other back to the countryside. I finally moved into the safe house I had prepared long ago. The outdoor temperature was already very high. I quickly turned on the air conditioning, finally feeling alive again. But this was just the beginning. The true extreme heatwave was about to arrive.

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In my past life, my stepmother secretly changed my college application, sending me to a bottom-tier school. In my past life, my novel’s rights sold for five million dollars, only for my stepsister to accuse me of plagiarism. In my past life, after my stepsister killed me, she inherited all my wealth and lived her life unscathed. But now, I’ve been given a second chance. I’m back, and this time, I’ll make sure my stepsister and stepmother pay for everything they did… Amber Collins pushed me off the rooftop from the 28th floor, and I died instantly. After I died, I became a wandering spirit, not knowing where to go. I stood among the crowd, looking at my own body within the police cordon and listening to the hushed whispers around me. “Did you hear? She’s the daughter from the sixth floor. Just started college, so young, and already gave up on life.” “Which daughter from the sixth floor? That family has two daughters.” “It’s the older one. I saw the younger one a little while ago.” Soon, my stepmother, Gloria Collins, arrived with Amber following closely behind. Gloria collapsed onto the ground, wailing hysterically, while Amber covered her face, quietly sobbing. I walked over, wanting to comfort my mom, to tell her that I didn’t commit suicide, but I couldn’t. I was only a ghost now. Gloria cried out, “Lauren, why would you do this? Why couldn’t you talk to me? Why did you jump? How am I supposed to explain this to your father?” People around tried to console her, helping her to stand, but I was standing right in front of her and saw it clearly—there wasn’t a single tear on her face. I turned away, heading back upstairs. The home was just as I remembered, but I searched desperately for any good memories from when I was alive, and there were none. I returned to my room, curled up in the corner, hugging my knees. I was dead now, and I had no idea what would happen to me. Would the Grim Reaper come for me? Or would I just drift as a ghost, wandering aimlessly forever? The despair of death, combined with the fear of the unknown and a crushing sense of loneliness, overwhelmed me. I don’t know how much time passed before I heard the door open. Gloria and Amber had returned. Amber collapsed on the floor, shaking. “Mom, I’m scared.” Gloria rushed to her side. “What happened? Don’t be scared, Amber. Tell me, and I’ll fix it.” “Mom, I killed Lauren. I pushed her off the roof.” Gloria’s eyes widened in terror. She clamped a hand over Amber’s mouth and dragged her into the bedroom. “What happened, Amber? How could you do something like this?” Amber explained everything. “I didn’t mean to kill her, Mom. I just wanted to scare her.” “What are we going to do? The police won’t come after me, will they?” “Don’t worry, Amber. You have me. I won’t let anything happen to you.” “What about Dad? He only has one daughter.” My mind was reeling. What did Amber just say? My dad only has one daughter? Then Gloria continued, “When your dad married me, he promised that if I treated Lauren well, he’d treat you like his own daughter.” “I’ve been putting on quite the show for him all these years, and he’s always been good to you. He’ll never suspect you.” “It’s actually a good thing that brat is gone. She was just like her dead mother. Now there’s no one to get in our way. And all her money? It’s ours.” Those words hit me like a lightning bolt. Everything suddenly made sense. Gloria was never my real mom. Amber wasn’t my sister. No wonder they were so horrible to me. No wonder Gloria always favored Amber. No wonder Amber never took my dad’s last name. As I stood there, my dad, George Adams, came home. He’s a long-haul trucker and is often away for work. The moment he walked in, Gloria rushed to him, putting on her usual act and crying as she clung to him. “George, you’re finally back! What are we going to do? Lauren, she… she couldn’t take it anymore.” After my death, they’d called him, and he had rushed home from out of town. He pulled his hand away from her and walked silently into my room. I followed him inside. He locked the door behind him, picked up the stuffed animal from my pillow, and sat on my bed. He sat there for a long time before tears started streaming down his face. He took out an old photograph from his wallet, and as I looked closer, I saw the woman in the picture looked just like me. It had to be my biological mother. He gazed at the photo, whispering over and over, “I’m sorry, Sarah. This is all my fault.”

My dad sat in my room the entire night, and I sat beside him, listening. It was the first time I’d ever heard him talk this much. He told the story of how he and my mom met, fell in love, and how she insisted on giving birth to me, even when the doctors advised against it. He spoke of how, when I was little, I’d always ask for my mom, which led him to marry Gloria. He talked about how much I looked like my mom and how much he missed her. He talked about how he regretted not being there for me all these years. Everything he said answered so many of the questions I had carried for years. When the sun came up, I noticed that my dad’s hair had turned much grayer overnight. Suddenly, I lost consciousness, and when I woke up again, I was in a strange place—the courthouse of the Afterlife. I heard a voice call out, “Number 7628, it’s time for you to be reborn.” But I didn’t want to be reborn. I said nothing and just cried, from silent tears to loud, gut-wrenching sobs. The judge grew angry with me and sentenced me to the Hall of Eternal Scribes, where I had to copy endless scriptures. I sat at the desk, looking at the pen and ink, and decided to comply. I wrote endlessly, pouring all my hatred, sorrow, and desire for revenge against Gloria and Amber into the pages. I don’t know how long I wrote. I kept going until all my energy was drained and my soul began to fade… Suddenly, I heard someone calling my name. Forcing my eyes open, I gasped. Where am I? Wasn’t I just copying scriptures? How am I back in my room? I shot up, looking around in shock as realization hit me—I had been reborn. I grabbed my phone and lit up the screen. I had gone back a year in time. Jumping out of bed, I rushed to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge. Then it hit me. Today is the day I fill out my college application. In my past life, the door had suddenly jammed, so Gloria and Amber had gone to the school to submit my application on my behalf. They had locked me in and taken my pre-written form. But instead of submitting it, they had changed it, sending me to the same low-tier school as Amber, even though my grades were good enough to attend a top university. I remembered confronting Gloria in my past life, holding the acceptance letter, confused as to why I had been accepted into that school. “Oh no, how did this happen? I must’ve accidentally mixed up the forms with Amber’s. I didn’t mean to, Lauren. You won’t hold it against me, will you?” she had said. Back then, I had naively comforted myself, believing her excuses. Now, I knew how foolish I had been. It wasn’t until I was on my deathbed that I learned from Amber that they had intentionally changed my application. This time, I knew the truth. There was no way I would let them get away with it again. Outside my door, Gloria called for me. “Lauren, the door’s stuck! We need to go to the school to submit your college application.” I played along, pretending to panic. “I don’t know what happened! I can’t get it open. What should I do?” “Just give me your application form, and I’ll submit it for you.” “Okay. I don’t have much choice, do I? Please don’t make a mistake.” “Don’t worry. Your sister will help me keep an eye on everything.”

After they left, I went back to bed for some more sleep. There were three days to submit the application, and I didn’t have to go to the school to do it in person. Gloria and Amber didn’t know that, though. In my past life, they had released me from the room the next day, making me work at my uncle’s store. My uncle, Jason Miller, ran a small convenience store, and his family had always been good to me. I had always suspected Jason was my biological uncle. Growing up, I spent a lot of time at Jason’s house, often sent there by Gloria to be looked after. Throughout high school, I spent most of my weekends helping out at his store. Jason never made me work hard, though. I’d usually just do my homework and help tutor his daughter, Rachel. It wasn’t until one day, I found out Gloria had been taking money from my uncle, asking him for my wages. That’s when I finally confronted her. It was the first argument I ever had with Gloria. I asked her why she was taking my money. She didn’t even bother pretending. “You’re working at your uncle’s store, so what’s wrong with me getting some of the money?” she said casually. “But Uncle Jason never made me do any real work, and he even gave me an allowance!” Gloria acted like it was the most natural thing in the world. “I sent you there to work. If your uncle didn’t make you work, that’s his choice. But your wages belong to me.” Her words made my heart ache. “What about Amber? Why don’t you send her to work at Uncle Jason’s?” Seeing me upset, she tried to soothe me. “Your sister isn’t as healthy as you are. She can’t handle heavy work, and she’s not as good at school as you are. She has to take extra lessons. She doesn’t have time.” In my past life, I had always thought Amber was just more lovable, which was why Gloria favored her. I had spent my whole life trying to earn Gloria’s approval. Now, I could finally see how laughable my efforts had been. The door to my room wasn’t unlocked until the next day. During that time, I hadn’t eaten a single bite. The next morning, I skipped breakfast and went straight to my uncle’s house. I ended up fainting from low blood sugar at their doorstep. When I woke up, the first thing I saw was my uncle and aunt’s worried faces. Suddenly, a wave of emotion hit me, and tears filled my eyes. Seeing me cry, they both panicked. “What’s wrong, Lauren? Where does it hurt? Tell us!” My aunt gently touched my forehead. “Is it a headache?” I held her hand tightly. “Uncle Jason, Aunt Jennifer, don’t worry. I’m not sick. I just missed you both.” I told them everything I had discovered—that Gloria was my stepmother and about all the ways she had mistreated me over the years. When I was little, Gloria had made me do all the household chores. If my dad wasn’t home, I did everything, even in the freezing winter, without hot water. When I asked why I had to do it all while Amber did nothing, Gloria would say, “You’re the big sister. You should be taking care of her.” After hearing all of this, Jason was furious and wanted to confront Gloria and Amber, but my aunt and I stopped him. They then revealed the truth to me. “Your mother’s name was Sarah Adams, and she and your dad loved each other very much.” “While pregnant with you, my sister was diagnosed with a tumor. The doctors advised her to terminate the pregnancy, but she refused. She insisted on having you, even though she knew it would cost her life.” “Your dad begged us to keep it a secret from you, hoping you’d grow up happy and healthy like other kids. But none of us could have known Gloria would turn out to be so cruel.” Now that I knew the truth, I asked my uncle for help with my college application. “Uncle Jason, I have something important I need your help with. As for Gloria, I’ll deal with her later.” He brought me his laptop, and I completed my application. When my uncle saw the school Gloria had signed me up for, he was both furious and guilt-ridden. Once I had changed my application, I ordered several hidden cameras online, preparing to set them up at home. I stayed at my uncle’s house under the pretense of working at his store, only going home twice to get my things. That summer was the happiest one I’d had in years. At my uncle’s house, I didn’t have to work. My only responsibility was to tutor Rachel, who was now a junior in high school. She was doing well, so tutoring her was easy. Uncle Jason even bought me a laptop so I could continue writing my novel.

One of my passions is writing novels, and it’s how I make a little extra spending money. In my past life, during my first year of college, a production company bought the rights to one of my novels. Suddenly, I had five million dollars. But that money ended up being the reason I lost my life. When I got the money, I excitedly told Gloria. But once Amber found out, she started spreading rumors at school, accusing me of plagiarism and telling everyone that she was the real author. Back then, I didn’t know how to defend myself. Even though I had proof, I kept quiet because Amber was my sister. I didn’t want to make things worse. Until the day I confronted Amber on the rooftop. I had asked her to meet me there to clear up the misunderstanding, but instead of listening, she became angry. We started arguing, and before I knew it, she pushed me. Amber might not have meant to kill me in my past life, but I certainly won’t let her get away with it this time. When the college acceptance results were posted online, Gloria did something she had never done before—she called me to ask where I’d been accepted. I played along, pretending to be upset. I told her I had been accepted to the same school as Amber. Then, I sweetly gave her an excuse. “Did you mix up our application forms when you were submitting them?” There was a pause on the other end, followed by a faux realization. “Oh no! I must’ve accidentally filled out the wrong form.” “It’s okay. It’s too late to change it now. Don’t feel bad—I don’t blame you.” After the call, I checked the hidden cameras I had installed. The footage showed Amber gleefully asking, “Mom, did that little brat get into the wrong school?” Little brat. That’s what they called me behind my back. Gloria burst into laughter. “That idiot still thinks I made an innocent mistake! She even said she doesn’t blame me. How stupid can she be?” “She got into your school, Amber. If I had known she’d be this easy to fool, I would’ve signed her up for a community college instead.” They laughed and cursed me, using the nastiest words they could think of. I saved the video evidence and returned to my novel. The acceptance letter was mailed to my high school, and mine arrived a few days before Amber’s, so they didn’t notice. The day I got my letter, Uncle Jason and his family took me out to celebrate. He even let me have a drink. Maybe it was the alcohol, but I felt emotional. I wanted to cry. This time, I had finally made it into my dream college. Later, I asked my uncle to take me to my mother’s grave. Looking at her picture on the headstone, her smile was as warm as the sun, as comforting as a spring breeze. I was certain my mom had been a kind and loving person. She must have loved me very much. If she had lived, I would have been the happiest child in the world. I placed flowers on her grave and whispered, “Mom, it’s been so long. I’m here to visit you. I’m sorry I forgot you for so many years. I’ve been calling someone else ‘Mom’ all this time.” “Uncle Jason says you were a wonderful person. You wouldn’t be angry at me for forgetting you, right?” I wiped the tears from my face and took out my acceptance letter. “Mom, I got into a great university. I wish you were here. They say the campus is beautiful. I’d love to take you and Dad to see it.” “In the past, Dad and I couldn’t tell who the good people were, but we won’t make that mistake again. I’ll live a good life from now on. I won’t let your sacrifice be in vain.” 5 The summer flew by, and before I knew it, the school year had started. My university was in New York City, while Amber’s low-tier school was in the same city where we lived. My school started earlier, so I packed up and moved to the dorms at Brentwood University. When Amber texted me, asking when I’d be moving, I was already lying on my dorm bed at Brentwood. I ignored her messages and kept chatting with my new roommates. The four of us got along really well. I thought about my past life and the terrible roommates I had then—girls who smoked, drank, cheated on exams, and gossiped behind everyone’s back. They even created multiple group chats and didn’t invite me to a single one. Back then, I thought I didn’t fit in because of something wrong with me. Now I understand that I didn’t belong in that circle because I was never like them. Amber sent me several more texts, but I didn’t respond. Half an hour later, Gloria called. I stepped out onto the balcony to take the call. Her voice was full of barely concealed frustration. “Lauren, where are you? Why aren’t you answering your sister’s texts?” “I was just chatting with my roommates. Didn’t notice the messages.” “Roommates? Which dorm building are you in? Your dad’s here too. Come out, and we’ll all go have dinner together.” “You know, your dad wanted to drop you both off together. Amber really wanted to come with you. Why did you have your uncle bring you instead?” She was getting worked up, so I interrupted her. “I’m in New York. I can’t meet up with you.” There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end. Then she blurted out, “New York? What are you doing in New York? Are you not going to school?” “I’m not going to college anymore. Uncle Jason found me a job here in New York. It comes with free meals and lodging, and I make $3,500 a month.” That night, I got a call from my dad. His tone was serious. “Lauren, your mom says you’re not going to college anymore. Is that true?” I had anticipated this call and prepared my response in advance. “Dad, I’m still going to school, but I need you to keep something a secret from everyone, especially Gloria and Amber.” “Of course. You can count on me. What’s going on?” “On the day of the application, Mom went to submit it for me, but when I checked the system the next day, I saw that she had accidentally submitted Amber’s form instead of mine.” “Luckily, I caught it in time and fixed it. Mom felt really guilty, so I want to surprise her by not telling her or Amber yet.” I sent him a photo of my acceptance letter, along with a picture of me and my uncle’s family in front of Brentwood University’s gates. Finally, my dad believed me. “Alright, Lauren. I know I’ve been too focused on work these past few years, and your mom has done so much for the family.” “But I’ll keep your secret. And don’t worry—I’ll send you more money each month for your expenses in New York.” I knew my dad had some reservations about Gloria. Over the years, he had kept control of the family’s finances. Gloria had no access to my tuition or living expenses, so she had never had a chance to interfere. But any money I earned from working for Uncle Jason had gone straight into Gloria’s pocket and spent on Amber. I had Uncle Jason send this summer’s earnings directly to Gloria, just like in my past life, making sure to note “Lauren’s Wages” in the transfer details. Gloria used that money to buy Amber a new phone. I saw it all in the hidden camera footage. I hadn’t told my dad the truth yet because I wanted to gather more evidence. I needed to make sure that when I finally exposed Gloria and Amber, there would be no way for them to escape. For now, my priority was to focus on living my life well. 6 After the grueling boot camp ended, I threw myself into university life. I joined the student council with my roommates, participated in every competition the school offered, and studied hard while continuing to update my novel every day. Writing was easier now that I had written this story in my past life. I even made improvements to the plot. My monthly earnings increased, and everything seemed to be moving in the right direction for me. I kept an eye on the “Crush Corner” page of Amber’s college. Amber was very pretty, with that innocent, delicate look that made her seem so harmless.

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The day of my brother’s wedding. I was all smiles, happily following my brother Brian to pick up his bride, but then I got slapped across the face by his future mother-in-law. “Why bother spending so much money on a girl’s education? It’s a waste! She’s just going to marry into someone else’s family. That money should’ve been used for my son’s wedding instead!” I was stunned. Who does she think she is, telling us how to spend our family’s money? Today was Brian’s wedding. I went with him to the Adams’ house to pick up his bride, Chloe. Out of nowhere, Chloe’s parents pulled a stunt—demanding an additional $40,000 for the wedding, otherwise, they wouldn’t let my brother take her to the ceremony. Is this some kind of joke? The wedding was about to start, relatives and friends were already arriving, and now they’re pulling this? This is nothing short of extortion! That’s exactly what I thought—and said out loud. I’ve never been one to hold back, and let me tell you, the looks on their faces turned green. Chloe’s mom, Mrs. Adams, with this puffed-up attitude, said, “Girl, do you even know how to talk? How is this extortion? This is for my daughter’s wedding. Shouldn’t your brother, the groom, be paying for it?” I was speechless. What in the world? Chloe’s brother is getting married, but they want my brother to foot the bill? Does Brian look like a complete fool to them? Chloe stood there in her white wedding dress, but she wasn’t smiling. She looked conflicted, torn between us and her family. She grabbed Brian’s arm and said, “Brian, I only have one brother. He finally found a girlfriend, and they can get married if he gets this dowry. Can’t you help him out? I know your parents can come up with the money. Consider it a loan to me, and I’ll pay it back, I promise.” Unbelievable! They were practically tossing the calculator beads in my face. “So, because our family has some money, we have to cover your family’s debts too?” I snapped, anger boiling inside me. “We’ve already given $40,000 and a house as part of the wedding. Now you want to take more from my parents? Are you even human? This money is what my parents saved for my education!” I had just gotten into grad school, and my parents set aside a fund for my tuition. And now, these people had their eyes on it! Before I even finished my sentence, I got slapped. SMACK— It was loud. Chloe’s mom, Mrs. Adams, yelled at me, “How dare you talk like that! What’s the point of a girl getting an education? It’s a waste of money! She’s just going to belong to someone else’s family. That money is better used for my son’s wedding!” Her father added, “No money, no wedding today.” I stumbled back, head buzzing, trying to steady myself. My face was burning from the slap. I had always known Chloe was the type to prioritize her brother over anything else, ever since I first met her. Two years ago, Brian brought Chloe to our house for dinner for the first time. Chloe immediately took a liking to the gaming action figures I had spent sleepless nights trying to get. I remember that day vividly—she didn’t even ask for my permission before waltzing into my room and looking through my stuff. First, she spotted the makeup on my vanity. She was amazed. That amazement soon turned into envy. Her eyes practically lit up. “Amanda, how do you have so many high-end makeup products? They must’ve cost a fortune. I’ve never used brand-name cosmetics in my life.” She picked up one of my favorite lipsticks, treating it like some kind of treasure, unable to put it down. Brian had told me before that Chloe’s family didn’t have much money, and she only managed to go to college thanks to financial aid. As for my family? Well, my parents run a small business. We’re not rich, but we’ve got a house, a car, and savings. I’ve never wanted for anything growing up. Honestly, I’m not a fan of people touching my things without asking. Sure, she was my brother’s girlfriend, but this was the first time we’d met, and to me, she was still a stranger. But I didn’t say anything. I just smiled. Chloe must have taken that smile as permission because she went further. “This lipstick looks like a nice color. I bet it would suit me. You don’t mind if I try it, do you?” Yes, I minded. But before I could say anything, she had already twisted the tube open and started applying it. Internally, I was losing it. That was my favorite lipstick! Chloe admired herself in the mirror, clearly pleased, then turned her attention to my eyeshadow palette. “My friend uses this one too. You’ve got great taste, Amanda. But you’re only twenty, you should focus more on your studies instead of just makeup.” Wow. Now she’s lecturing me? Not even my parents nag me like this. She was acting like she belonged here. I was getting angrier by the second, but Chloe’s hands still hadn’t stopped. After finishing her full face of makeup, she reached for my action figures.

“You actually have this? My brother begged me to buy one, but I couldn’t get it.” I thought Chloe was just making a passing comment. But I was wrong. The next moment, she gave me a hopeful look, saying, “Amanda, can I have this? You know, as a little gift from you to me? My brother really loves this, and it’s really more of a boy’s toy anyway.” Are you serious? I’ve never heard of a girl visiting her boyfriend’s family for the first time, not bringing any gifts, and then asking his family for presents instead. And for her brother, no less. On top of that, she was justifying it with the excuse that girls shouldn’t play with action figures. “No way,” I snapped, pointing at the figure in her hand. “Put it down.” I would’ve been heartbroken if she had damaged it. Chloe looked startled, probably shocked at how harsh my tone was. Then, as if she did it on purpose, she loosened her grip, and the figure fell to the floor, shattering into pieces. The commotion brought my parents and Brian running into the room. Before I could say anything, Chloe started crying. Tears welled up in her eyes, making her look as pitiful as possible, like I was the one who had wronged her. Thankfully, my parents and Brian were reasonable people, and they adore me. After I explained what happened, no one blamed me. In fact, Brian apologized to me. But Chloe wouldn’t give up. She made Brian ask me multiple times to give her the action figure until, tired of the hassle, I finally gave in and handed it over. A while later, it was my 20th birthday. My parents threw me a birthday bash, inviting lots of family and friends. Chloe brought her brother Tommy along. Tommy, who’s my age, had dropped out of school early and hung out with a rough crowd. He had red hair and tattoos—just exuding that troublemaker vibe. My best friend Sarah noticed too. “Amanda, did you get into some kind of trouble? That guy looks like he’s here to start something.” “He’s my brother’s future brother-in-law,” I said dryly. “Ah, I see…” I knew exactly what Sarah was thinking. And yeah, I didn’t like Tommy either. Toward the end of the party, I went to the restroom and saw Chloe helping Tommy, who was completely drunk and vomiting everywhere. Chloe looked annoyed. “I told you not to drink so much! Serves you right, throwing up like this. What a mess! The Taylors sure have money to burn, throwing a huge party for a girl’s birthday! So pointless.” “Exactly. Dad says daughters are just money drains. Everything at home is mine—mine!” Tommy slurred, gesturing wildly. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Are these people for real? And instead of being angry, Chloe agreed. “Yes, yes, everything is yours. You’re the only son, after all. It’s up to you to carry on the family name!” Family name? Are they royalty or something? After the party, when I was going through the gifts, I noticed my Cartier bracelet was missing. I searched everywhere but couldn’t find it. I suspected the Adams siblings, but I didn’t have proof, and my parents told me to let it go—for Brian’s sake. A few days later, Chloe added me on Instagram. She said she had something to discuss with me. I was curious, so I accepted. Chloe quickly sent me a message: “Amanda, I didn’t want to bother Brian with this, so I’m coming to you.” Me: “What is it? Go ahead.” I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be anything good. Chloe: “You know, you’re going to get married one day too. Once you do, you’ll belong to someone else’s family. Even if your parents and Brian spoil you now, you can’t just take what rightfully belongs to your brother, right?”

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Before bed, I habitually reached to unzip David’s pants, only to catch a faint whiff of cigarette smoke. He rarely smokes, except for the occasional cigarette after intimacy when he’s exhausted. And we hadn’t seen each other in two months due to his business trip. As I teasingly wrapped my arms around his neck, hoping to kiss him, he casually pushed me away. “My back hurts. Not tonight. Go to sleep.” I stared at the man now fast asleep in front of me, my brows furrowing. Instinct told me that David was cheating. And the girl? She had to be young—definitely draining his energy. My name is Lauren West. I’m 28, and my husband, David, is 12 years older than me, just turning 40 this year. Because of our age difference, I often call him “Old David,” and he would always joke about how our “older man, younger wife” dynamic made him look great when we went out together. I’d just laugh it off. When we first met, I was an outstanding college student intern at the United States Jewelry Convention, while he was already a suave, young business owner. Attracted to his sophisticated demeanor, we hit it off almost instantly at the event. Now, after five years of marriage, one child, and a stable, comfortable life, we appear to be a happy couple. But time has changed him—David has transformed into a middle-aged man with a bit of a gut and deep lines etched around his mouth. After having our child, despite relying on high-end spas and wellness centers, the stretch marks on my body never truly faded, making me feel far from the young woman I once was. “Marriage is like that,” I told myself. “When passion fades, it evolves into something more familial.” I reassured myself and gradually shifted my attention to our son and my career. David treated me the same as always—Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, birthdays—he never missed gifting me something special. On our anniversary, he had the housekeeper deliver a Cartier Diamond Necklace, a limited edition piece. “There were only two in the city, and I pre-ordered one just for you,” he said. He wrapped his arms around me from behind and kissed my cheek, the coarse stubble on his chin tickling my neck. David chuckled lowly, and suddenly, he seemed unusually excited, pushing me down onto my office desk. Blushing, I shoved him away. “What are you doing? We’re at the office…” He bit my earlobe playfully, unusually eager, like a young man again. “Then let’s go to the room.” After years of marriage, it was rare for David to be this impatient. My office has a small break room where I sometimes take naps when I’m tired. He scooped me up in his arms and carried me behind the curtain, all while the rest of the office remained blissfully unaware of what was happening. David’s hands moved with expert ease, and he suddenly whispered in my ear: “Lauren, I…” What he said made my face flush red instantly. Because of work, I often wore black stockings, though David had never shown any special interest in them. That day, he was unusually vigorous, to the point where I almost feared the employees downstairs might hear us. For someone in his 40s, David shouldn’t have had such intense energy unless something had triggered it. I vaguely recalled him taking a pill in the middle of it. When I asked what it was, he said it was for his back pain. David has issues with his lower back, so he often takes painkillers. But after that incident, I found an aluminum blister pack on the floor. On it, clear as day, were the words: “Performance-Enhancing Pills.” The purpose of these pills was obvious. But why would he need them? And why lie to me about it? This planted a seed of doubt in my mind. Two months later, as we prepared for the upcoming United States Jewelry Convention, I was swamped with work as a key organizer. Meanwhile, David was nowhere to be found. When I called him, he claimed to be out at meetings. It wasn’t until I tracked his location that I found him at a hotel in Boston. “Hey, honey!” I threw my arms around his neck, pretending to be excited as I ushered him into the room. “Hmm, missed you,” he said casually, his expression unchanged, though I noticed his exhaustion. He glanced down and lifted the necklace I was wearing. The Cartier Diamond Necklace he had given me. “You look the most beautiful when you wear it,” he said with an earnest smile. Before bed, I reached to unzip David’s pants again and was greeted by that same faint smell of smoke. He never smokes, except occasionally after intimacy when he’s tired. And we hadn’t seen each other in two months. As I tried to wrap my arms around his neck, seeking a kiss, he once again pushed me away, unenthusiastically. “My back hurts. Not tonight. Go to sleep.” I stared at the man soundly sleeping next to me, my brow furrowing again. I just knew it. David was cheating. And that girl? She was young, and she was draining his energy. When he was fast asleep, I carefully reached for his phone. David might be a small-time business owner, but he’s not exactly up to date with technology—still using his BlackBerry Key2. All his business dealings go through his assistant, Brandon Cooper, who handles the communication and manages his interactions through a smartphone. I looked at his phone, expressionless, and set it back down. From texts to call logs, everything was spotless. Clearly, I’d need to get to his assistant. The next day, I used an excuse about reviewing a design to ask Brandon if I could borrow David’s phone. He was cautious. “Sorry, Lauren, but Mr. West specifically said only he can access his phone due to business confidentiality.” I smiled, crossing my arms. “Business confidentiality? I’m the owner’s wife. What kind of ‘confidentiality’ is there between us? I’m just checking a file.” Brandon hesitated, clearly reluctant. I narrowed my eyes and casually said, “Fine, I’ll call David. If you won’t respect his wife, I’ll have him fire you.” Reluctantly, Brandon handed over the phone, and as promised, I only looked at a few business emails in front of him. After about ten minutes, I nodded calmly and returned the phone. But as I left his office, there was a small USB drive in the palm of my hand. While checking the files, I had discreetly copied everything from the phone onto it. Back home, I immediately plugged the USB into my computer, ready to uncover the truth. The messages seemed clean, everything looked normal. So why had Brandon been so secretive? I didn’t buy it. I clicked “Switch Accounts” and sure enough… Brandon had set up a second account for David with the username Casanova44—fitting for a sleazy middle-aged man. In one of the group chats, Kingdom of Vice, there were endless disgusting messages between David and his low-life friends. David’s most recent post? “These young girls are exhausting. Even with performance pills, my back can’t keep up.” The photo gallery had dozens of inappropriate screenshots, including video calls with a girl whose profile picture was a Hello Kitty icon. In the top corner was David’s face, looking as greasy as ever. Below him, a dimply, smooth-skinned girl. I clenched my mouse, committing her face to memory. Then I opened their chat logs: “Daddy, you’re amazing. Still going strong even in your 40s. 🌹😏” “Haha, it’s your tiny waist. My back just can’t handle it…” Everything fell into place. My face hardened, and my hand scrolled faster. How amusing. A “working student,” huh? Currently interning at our company, doing nothing more than fetching coffee. She claimed David was her “emotional support,” and he, in return, gave her financial assistance. Little did I know, that “support” had quickly turned into something physical. I scrolled through our summer interns in the HR records until I found a familiar face in a small ID photo. That soft, youthful face matched the girl in David’s screenshots perfectly. I narrowed my eyes and locked onto the name next to the picture: Chloe Parker.

When I first met David, he was in his early 30s—sophisticated, with a certain intellectual charm. Now, though? I would’ve thought by 40 he’d have outgrown his attraction to younger girls, but no, he had managed to attract another one. His hair had started to gray, he was balding, and he had a beer belly. What could she possibly see in him? Was it his age? His lack of personal hygiene? Or maybe it was his three-bedroom house? I chuckled darkly as I continued to flip through Chloe’s file, comparing it to the chat logs. Chloe Parker came from a poor background, claiming to be a “working student.” She looked shy and quiet, but her ambition was sky-high. She wanted to use David as a stepping stone to live the high life. They had been involved for two months now—just long enough for David to get hooked. No wonder he had been so aggressive in my office that day. He must’ve been “recharged.” In their chats, Chloe even hinted at divorce, throwing out comments like: “Daddy, I’d be happy to give you more kids. We could name them Do, Re, and Mi, like musical notes.” Such a fake, innocent front. David, however, gave the classic “woke cheater” response: “I have a wife. What kids are you going to have with me?” “We’re having an affair, not a relationship, Chloe. You need to get your head straight.” But she wouldn’t let it go, pushing the subject at every chance. I laughed to myself. A girl like her, so new to this game, thinking she could take my place. It was almost laughable. David, of course, continued dodging her hints. I knew deep down, David didn’t have the guts to ask for a divorce. Chloe was just a fun distraction for him. That’s how business works. David and I owned West Jewelers together—everything we had built was intertwined. If one thread unraveled, the whole thing could collapse. He couldn’t leave me, yet he crossed a line that my morality and sense of loyalty couldn’t forgive—he cheated. My expression darkened. I I never thought the strategies I used to deal with business competitors would one day be used on my own husband. Since you’ve betrayed me, David, don’t expect mercy.…

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A dating reality show decided to come all the way to our mountain town for filming, and they needed a guide. As the only college graduate in the entire town, the responsibility naturally fell on my shoulders. I had planned to quietly fulfill my duty, but who knew that one of the female contestants just had to make trouble? My family has been wealthy for generations, but did I say anything about it? Seriously, in this day and age, why judge people by their looks? Dating reality shows sure have become wild these days. Instead of staying in the comfort of the city, they just had to come out to our little Appalachian town to stir things up. They set up tents, built a campfire, and watched the stars—trying to get all romantic. But after all their fussing, they realized they hadn’t planned one crucial thing for tomorrow—getting a tour guide. How were they supposed to manage without a guide? It’s the middle of nowhere; if someone gets lost in these mountains, it’d be a disaster. The director spent half the day explaining to Mr. Carter, our mayor, what exactly they needed. And boy, were their requirements high. “Not too rustic, not too plain,” they said, because, after all, it’s a dating show. “Preferably someone with a bit of education,” the director added. “You never know when the couple might get awkward when they’re alone. That’s when the guide can jump in and save the day.” And so, as the only college graduate in town, I was handed the glorious task of being their guide. Mr. Carter found me napping on the old country bed in my house, dreaming of handsome guys. But the moment I laid eyes on Ethan Williams, I knew that dream was over. Brittany Ross, the woman paired with Ethan, instantly hated me. Especially after she caught me smiling like a lovestruck fool at her partner. Her eye-roll was so dramatic I thought her eyes might fall out. “This girl from the mountains isn’t what I expected,” she said, covering her mouth, half-laughing. “Look at her; she’s not even shy around handsome guys. Last time I was here, the girls would blush the moment they saw a guy.” Her snide tone didn’t faze me. I tilted my head, looking innocently at her, and asked, “Oh, have you been to the mountains before, sister?” “Couldn’t find love last time, so you’re trying again?” I said, as sweet as sugar. As soon as I spoke, not just the crew, but even the usually stoic Ethan glanced over. I kept my wide-eyed, innocent look, staring at Brittany. After all, the mountain air here keeps us looking young, and my plain clothes only made me seem more like the sweet, innocent type. Brittany’s face turned every shade between green and white—a sight to behold. “What nonsense are you talking about, kid? Don’t you have any respect for others?” Oh, here we go. I wasn’t about to take that hit. I immediately put on a sad face, looking like I was about to cry. “Hey, hey, what’s this about? I didn’t bully you!” Brittany took a step back, startled. “I just think Brittany’s right,” I said, my voice small and trembling. “I really shouldn’t have spoken like that.” I pouted, looking as pitiful as possible. “I’ve heard my dad say that it’s hard for women in the city to find a good match these days. It’s not just about themselves; it’s about family background and education too.” “I mean, did I just ruin your chance to fall in love with Ethan?” I asked, glancing directly at him. Ethan’s eyes sparkled. He must have stifled a laugh earlier, making them shine even more.

I’d already heard about Ethan Williams before the crew even made it up the mountains. Honestly, it was because of him that I decided to stay in the mountains for this break before school started. Because, let’s face it, he’s gorgeous. “So, you’re really staying in the mountains for some pretty boy?” my dad asked when he heard I was interested in a guy. He stayed up all night, having someone investigate Ethan’s background. He’s the son of a rich family, Ivy League-educated, and handsome to boot. He was only on this dating show because it was a family project, just there to make an appearance. But to my dad, he was just some pretty boy who wasn’t good enough for his daughter. “Check him out, sure. Your daughter’s got everything; she just needs a reliable man,” I said. And with that, my dad dropped the subject, even thinking I had a point. “Fine, but when the crew leaves, someone’s gotta collect the final payment from them. You can help me with that,” he added. Oh, right, I forgot to mention—the mountains they’re filming on? They belong to my family. It’s land my grandpa left us. After he made his fortune, he stayed in the mountains as a forest ranger, thinking he’d earned enough and didn’t need to work anymore. I grew up here, so I know every inch of these mountains like the back of my hand. But these folks from the city don’t know anything about my background. They think I’m just some lucky kid who managed to escape the mountains for college. So I’ve just laughed off any condescending comments they’ve thrown my way—except for the times when Brittany’s face turned into a full-on color palette of embarrassment. Ethan, on the other hand, was the quiet type. If something didn’t concern him directly, he wouldn’t say a word. But as soon as everyone’s attention shifted away, Ethan suddenly spoke up, “Yeah, finding a good match in the city is tough these days.” I saw his assistant’s jaw drop in surprise. I saw Brittany’s face turn the color of mud. And I saw Ethan flash me a rare, amused smile. I straightened up, feeling a proud sense of victory bubbling inside me. “Well then, I’ll make sure to be more careful next time when talking to you, Brittany.”

I’ve got a sweet tongue and a hardworking attitude. On our tour, I took them to all the scenic spots, saving the crew a ton of time on filming. By lunchtime, the crew liked me so much they’d started slipping me extra snacks. Brittany had been trying to hold in her annoyance all morning, but seeing the crew treat me kindly, her “trouble radar” kicked in. “Oh, I didn’t realize it before,” she said, nodding at her assistant, “but go ahead and give the snacks to little Jessica. These are things you don’t find often in the mountains.” The cameras were rolling, and she acted like some sort of angel. But anyone with half a brain could tell she was trying to embarrass me. I blinked, playing dumb, letting my gaze flick back and forth over the snacks her assistant handed me. “I’ve had these before, Brittany. Is it your first time trying them? How cute!” Brittany’s smile froze on her face. “Uh, no, I have these all the time. I brought them just for you,” she said, her voice faltering. “Oh, no need to make a big deal of it. I eat these all the time too,” I replied, smiling politely. “And wow, Brittany, you’re amazing! Eating snacks like these all the time and still staying in such great shape,” I said, pinching my own stomach with a playful expression, “unlike me.” Brittany forced a laugh. “You’ve got a great figure too.” “Really?” I asked, tilting my head. “I run around these mountains every day, but my figure’s nowhere near as… ordinary as yours.” I gave her a once-over as I said the words “ordinary,” my face scrunched up in mock confusion. Honestly, running around the mountains every day keeps me in way better shape than delicate Brittany could ever hope for. Ignoring Brittany’s expression, Ethan chimed in, sounding curious, “You run around these mountains every day?” I turned to him and nodded, “Yup!” “I heard these mountains are privately owned,” Ethan said, clearly puzzled. “Yep, they are,” I agreed. “They belong to my family.”

The crew fell silent for a few seconds, and everyone stared at me like they’d just learned a huge secret. Even Brittany was too stunned to speak. “Your family’s?” Ethan squinted. “These mountains all belong to your family?” I nodded, standing up and pointing to the farthest peak they could see. “Yup, all of them.” “Feel free to visit anytime. I’ll ask my dad to give you a discount.” I’m probably the first person ever to invite people to visit the mountains for fun. The crew was in shock, and the cameras kept rolling, but they seemed to forget they were filming a dating show. I didn’t mind. Feeling refreshed from the break, I led them to the next scenic spot. “This area’s perfect if you want to set up camp,” I said, gesturing grandly. “Camp? How far is it from the guest lodge? No way I’m staying here overnight,” Brittany piped up before anyone else could speak. She shot me a dramatic eye-roll, like I was the one pushing her to sleep in a tent. What’s her problem? If you don’t want to camp, maybe let the crew know ahead of time instead of throwing a fit at me. Brittany’s complaint left the director a bit speechless. “Brittany, we agreed to camp before we started filming,” the director reminded her. “Who agreed to that? The tent’s just for show, right? This place is crawling with bugs—what if they bite me?” Brittany whined. City folks sure have it rough. I’ve lived here for years and barely get bitten. What, does she have blood that’s special to mosquitoes? I rolled my eyes and sat down, waiting for them to figure it out. I thought it was just a disagreement between Brittany and the crew. But before long, the blame got shifted onto me. “That girl said these mountains are her family’s, right? Can’t she at least arrange for us to stay at the guest lodge?” I glanced at the confused director, unsure how I got dragged into it. Just then, Ethan walked over. “Brittany insists on staying at the lodge. The director says they haven’t booked it for that long, so now she’s blaming you,” he explained. “Ridiculous. Don’t let it bother you,” he added. I didn’t want to deal with it, but even when I stayed quiet, someone always found a way to make it my problem. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Could it be you were lying about everything?” Brittany snapped, hands on her hips. I stood up, brushing off my skirt and smiling confidently. “Fine. You want to stay at the lodge for a few more days? Follow me.”

Our town used to be poor. But once my family became wealthy, we helped our neighbors and lifted everyone into a comfortable middle-class life. So sometimes, I have more pull than even Mr. Carter. A few extra nights at the guest lodge? No problem. Mr. Carter agreed so quickly he didn’t even ask for payment. Brittany got her wish, but I got a bit of praise in front of the crew, making her more irritated than ever. But what could she do? This was my turf, and I had plenty of ways to handle her. After getting Brittany settled, the crew was utterly exhausted. The director, trying to be kind, called it a day and suggested everyone rest. “Is the shoot done for today?” I asked, glancing around, then waved Mr. Carter over. “Yeah, after a whole day of running around, time to get a hot shower and sleep,” the director said, casting a quick glance at Brittany. His message was clear. If it weren’t for her insisting on avoiding the tents, they’d all be resting by now. Just as we finished talking, Mr. Carter drove up in a small bus. “Everyone, hop on. Bring all your gear,” I called out. “All our gear?” the director asked, confused. I nodded with a smile. “I’m taking you somewhere better.” The “better place” was none other than the five-story villa my brother built halfway up the mountain. It’s tucked away and private—perfect for a film crew to relax without being disturbed. When the bus stopped, the director and crew were in awe. “You’ll stay here tonight. There’s a hot spring for soaking in the rooms, and on the second floor, we’ve got a small restaurant. It’s nothing fancy—just simple home-cooked meals, but I hope you don’t mind.” “This… this is your place?” the director asked, his eyes wide with envy.

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Ten years after the divorce, Brock Kingston showed up at our door with his three brats, asking my mom, Veronica, to take him back. The first thing out of his mouth was a demand for our suburban mansion, a claim on Ivy’s Smokehouse, and on top of that, he wanted me to hand over my 2-million-follower Instagram account to my stepsister, Paige. Veronica, my mom, wasn’t having any of it. She scoffed and said, “An old cucumber painted green, trying to look fresh. Nice try.” Brock turned up just as Mom and I got home from the restaurant after a long night of work. “It’s past midnight, and you two are still out messing around?” His face was twisted in anger, barking orders as soon as he saw us. Mom and I exchanged an eye roll, almost in unison. Ten years ago, we agreed we’d never see him again, so why was he suddenly back, trying to act like he still had a say in our lives? Like he had the right to question us? “Sweetie,” my mom suddenly said, her voice raised so I could hear, “do you know why Mr. Thompson’s granddad lived to be a hundred?” I replied, “Because he minded his own business.” Mom gave a satisfied nod, took my hand, and we walked right past Brock without another glance. “We need to talk, Veronica,” Brock growled, his tone commanding as if he had any right to. He even reached out to grab her arm. Without thinking, I stepped between them, glaring. “Keep your hands to yourself, or I’ll make sure your head spins backward.” Ten years ago, I couldn’t stop him from hitting my mom, but now? Now I’ve got a black belt in Muay Thai. One good hook aimed near his head would make him see stars for weeks. I wasn’t bluffing. Brock flinched, shocked at how fast I moved. But then he got mad. “Adults are talking here, Ivy. Stay out of it. Where are your manners?” Coldly, I shot back, “My dad died young, so cut me some slack.” “You little—” he raised his hand, ready to slap me, but Mom caught his wrist in a tight grip. Years of boozing and partying had left him weak. We all heard the crack as she twisted his arm, making him yelp in pain. Still, her expression didn’t change. “Unless you want a beating, get lost. Don’t stand here barking like a dog and disturbing the peace.” “You’re still so crude,” Brock sneered, but we could see how much he despised us. Finally, he hissed, “Fine, I won’t argue with you.” “Tomorrow, I’ll be free. We’re going to the County Registrar’s Office to get remarried.”

Mom stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “Are you out of your damn mind?” I didn’t even hesitate. I pulled out a business card and shoved it at him. “Top mental health specialist. Mention my name for a discount. No need to thank me.” Brock’s face turned red, then blue, but finally, he scoffed and looked back at Mom. “Back then, you were begging not to get divorced, and now that I’m offering to come back, you’re still not happy? What more do you want?” See, my mom had been naive back then. She had married Brock with no dowry, no wedding. Two months after they tied the knot, he left to “manage a project.” For the next decade, he barely came home, leaving Mom to deal with everything on her own. When she was pregnant with twins, she had to borrow money from friends to pay for the hospital bills. During postpartum, she didn’t even have a bowl of hot soup. And Brock? He made every excuse not to come back, but in reality, he was living a double life with his new girlfriend. Mom looked him up and down, then burst out laughing. “And why should I remarry you? For your beer gut? Your thinning hair? Or maybe for the extra fat on your face—you could probably fry two pounds of lard from it.” “Don’t you have a mirror at home? Or even a toilet? Try looking at yourself next time you pee.” Brock, who always thought so highly of himself, turned red with fury. His gut was already bulging out, and two shirt buttons popped off under the pressure. I, ever the helpful daughter, handed him another business card. “Consider a gym membership. Mention my name for three free spin class sessions.” Then, while he was still fuming, I grabbed Mom’s hand, and we slipped into the building, slamming the door shut behind us. Brock started kicking the door in frustration. “Open this door!” I wasn’t about to indulge him. Instead, I called Westfield Gated Community Security right in front of him. “Hi, yes, there’s a flasher outside Building 7, Unit 3. Oh no, he’s still kicking the door. Can you send someone over, please?” Hanging up, I smirked at Brock, still standing there, raging. “Hey, Uncle, you think security’s not enough? Should I call the cops too?” “Ivy, I’m your father!” Brock was furious now, his face turning purple. “You must have me confused, sir. I’m Ivy Hayes—daughter of Veronica, whose real father is long gone,” I said with a wink.

Later that night, I paid triple to have someone run a thorough check on Brock’s life these past few years. Not long after, Mom came into my room, clutching a pillow to her chest. You’d never guess she was now a successful businesswoman, co-owning a multimillion-dollar restaurant group. But when things got tough, she still came to me for comfort. My heart sank. No way she was falling for Brock again, right? Was she really going to let an old loser like him back into her life? “Mom, don’t even think about it. I’d rather you and Aunt Julia get married in Vegas and make me call her mom than ever accept Brock as my father again!” I yelled, diving under my blanket. Out of sight, out of mind. “Stop with the nonsense.” Mom dragged me out from under the covers and showed me a text on her phone. Somehow, Brock had gotten her number and sent her a message. It was an ultrasound. Captioned: “This is Luke’s child. He’s five months along. It’s a boy. Can you really let your grandson grow up without a grandmother?” I stared at the message, speechless. Luke was my twin brother. Mom raised us both on her own. Our grandparents never liked Mom, and they treated us horribly. They barely gave Luke, their “precious grandson,” any better treatment than me. When Mom and Brock divorced, my grandma had shoved me toward Mom: “Luke stays. You can take Ivy. We don’t need a granddaughter.” My grandpa had the nerve to threaten her: “You brought nothing valuable into this family. Take Ivy and nothing more, or we’ll have you arrested.” Mom walked away with nothing but me, and still, she fought in court to take Luke with us. But on the day of the ruling, Luke chose Brock. Even when Brock slapped Mom in front of everyone and threw me at the feet of Tiffany Reynolds and her daughter, Luke did nothing. He just turned his face away, cold and distant. I don’t hate Brock or the rest of his disgusting crew anymore, but Luke? I still hate him. He used to protect me, promise he’d always take care of me and Mom. But he broke that promise. “So,” I said, rolling my eyes, “excited about your shiny new grandson?” Mom flicked my forehead. “Stop it!” she said, but then, in a thoughtful tone, she muttered, “I don’t know, there’s something off about this. Brock is never this persistent unless there’s something else he wants.” “Even when the whole internet roasted him over Tiffany, he stuck with her, so why now?” “Do you think it’s because Hunter brought so much attention to Ivy’s Smokehouse that he wants in on it?” Hunter Brooks, Aunt Julia’s son, had become an overnight sensation thanks to a new show, and his fame had turned our little BBQ joint into a hotspot. We were trending all over social media, and business was booming. It made sense. Brock was after more than just a reunion.

A few hours later, we had our answer. Money talks, and the private investigator I hired spilled everything. Brock’s been desperate to remarry because he’s flat broke. A few months ago, his business collapsed, leaving him drowning in debt. Tiffany divorced him and took everything—the house, the car. He signed it all over to her. It wasn’t a real breakup, though. They just faked the divorce to protect her assets. Now, Brock, Luke, and his wife Madison were renting a place, scraping by on Luke’s income alone. Even then, Brock still sent Tiffany and her daughter monthly payments. He’d even taken out tens of thousands in high-interest loans under Luke’s name. But that money wouldn’t last long for Tiffany and Paige. To crawl his way out of this hole, Brock got involved in an underground factory scheme and needed capital fast to start manufacturing cheap, shady products. By the time I finished reading, I was seething. “Mom, this isn’t just about money. He’s planning to drag us down with him when it all goes south.” Mom slammed her mouse on the table and cursed. “That conniving bastard! We’ll see if he can swindle money from me, or if I’ll be the one sending him to prison!” She promptly unblocked Brock’s number and sent out a Facebook status to bait him: “💖💋 Thanks, sweetie! This year’s birthday gift is my dream car, a Candy Pink Maserati!!! 🎉🎉 In three days, we’re throwing a party at The Crystal Palace. Come celebrate!” The photo attached was of her brand-new, bubblegum-pink Maserati—a gift from Aunt Julia for Girls’ Day this year. Not long after, Brock left a sneaky like on the post and even commented: “Can’t wait to celebrate with you, babe! I’ll bring the kids!” Mom snorted. “Oh, he’s coming. Let’s see if he leaves in one piece.”

Early the next morning, Brock called, pretending to be concerned. Mom put him on speakerphone and responded lazily to his small talk. Brock was practically giddy, “Your birthday is a big deal! I’m bringing the kids to celebrate with you. We’re not getting any younger, and family matters most. It’d be sad if your son and daughter-in-law weren’t there, right?” “Surprised you even remember my birthday,” Mom sneered. “Of course I do! After all, we were married for so long. I still care about you.” Hearing that made my blood boil. That liar never cared about Mom. Three days from now wasn’t even her birthday—it was the anniversary of their divorce. Every year, we’d have a quiet celebration with Aunt Julia and Hunter, marking the day Mom got her freedom back. But this year, we’d be throwing a huge party for one reason only: to set a trap. Still, Brock was all sweetness over the phone, asking what kind of gift Mom wanted. With a dismissive wave, she replied, “If you’re serious about a gift, make it a brand-new Hermes bag. Anything less would be embarrassing in front of my girlfriends.” “…Alright,” Brock said, but I could hear him suck in a breath through the phone. He had no choice. After all, you have to spend money to make money.

Three days later, the “birthday party” was on. Halfway there, Brock called again, this time with a ridiculous level of affection. “Ronnie,” he cooed. Mom recoiled in disgust, nearly throwing her phone out the window. I was next to her, trying not to laugh. That sugary tone was so nauseating it almost made me puke up my lunch. “Ronnie, why aren’t you answering?” Brock pressed. Mom cleared her throat. “Do you have something to say, or can I hang up?” “Of course, of course, I’ve got something!” Brock stammered. “Paige is so excited about your birthday. She’s learned a song on the piano just for you!” He really had the nerve. Was he seriously trying to guilt-trip her? Paige was his daughter with Tiffany Reynolds, the same girl who sneered down at me after Brock threw me at their feet outside the courthouse years ago. Back then, she’d rubbed her expensive shoes against my face, saying, “Keep your filthy self away from me. You’ll ruin my shoes.” She’d smirked as she added, “Dad only wants Luke. He doesn’t care about you. He’s going to leave everything to me.” After a moment, Mom broke her silence, “Don’t bring any of that filth into my life.” Brock didn’t like that, but he still played along, putting on his most charming voice. “What are you talking about? Paige said if we get back together, she’d love for you to be her one and only mother. Plus, she’s so talented at the piano…” Mom laughed coldly. “Oh, is that so? Well, bring her along. I suppose one more place at the table won’t hurt.” Brock sounded pleased as he hung up the phone.

We arrived at The Crystal Palace first, but Brock and his little entourage showed up soon after. He was decked out in a flashy suit with a bright red rose pinned to his chest, while Paige clung to his arm in a designer off-the-shoulder dress, her makeup flawless. They were clearly prepared for a show. Behind them was a woman, pale as her dress, with her hands resting on her slightly swollen belly. She walked carefully, like a delicate flower. Luke walked by her side, practically glowing with fatherly pride, but little did he know that the baby wasn’t even his. The poor fool was nothing but a pawn in their game. I glanced over at Luke’s head, studying him for a moment. He didn’t notice. He was too focused on his new wife. “Ivy!” Brock greeted me enthusiastically. “Happy Birthday, Mom!” Paige chimed in sweetly, her smile too wide to be sincere. Mom didn’t even try to hide her disdain, but Paige didn’t seem to care. She turned to me, throwing her arms around me like we were best friends. “Sis! It’s been so long!” I gave her a tight-lipped smile. “Not long enough, honestly. You haven’t changed at all.” Her skin was as thick as ever—just like her mother’s. Brock, always the showman, pulled Luke and his wife, Madison, up next. “And this is Luke’s wife, Madison.” Madison, the fragile-looking flower, pulled out a small box from her handbag and held it out to Mom. “Mom, I embroidered this keychain for you by hand. I hope you like it…” She was almost trembling, her bloodied fingers exposed to show how much effort she’d put into it. Her pitiful expression begged for approval, as if Mom refusing the gift would be a crime. It was… unsettling. I took the box from her and handed it to the staff at the reception desk. “Make a note: Brock Kingston’s family brought a keychain as a gift.” The receptionist repeated it loudly: “Thank you, Mr. Brock Kingston, for the generous keychain!”

Brock’s smile froze instantly. Luke’s face darkened too. Only Paige rushed to support Madison, who looked ready to faint, shaking her head in disapproval at me. “Sis, just because you don’t like her gift doesn’t mean you should humiliate her like this! She’s pregnant with your nephew!” “Alright, alright, let’s get inside,” Mom interrupted, clearly fed up. She grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the scene. Paige wasn’t about to let go, though. She practically skipped after us, chirping, “Mom, where’s the piano? Can I go warm up? There are going to be so many important people here, and I want to make sure I put on a good show!” I pointed toward the stage, and she floated away like a butterfly. It wasn’t long before the opening chords of “Wedding in a Dream” filled the room, drawing all eyes to the stage. As Paige played, Brock stepped onto the platform, holding a microphone and launching into a dramatic monologue. He poured his heart out, claiming he’d never stopped loving Mom and wanted to rekindle their relationship. “Veronica, I still love you.” “Twe”Twenty years ago, I didn’t give you the proposal you deserved. But today, I’m going to fix that.” With those words, Brock dropped to one knee, holding out a ring box toward Mom. “Please, marry me again!

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “294759”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller

When the apocalypse arrived, the zombie outbreak began. I sat comfortably in the cool, old, abandoned Cold War bunker, watching the people who had bullied me in school now turning on each other like dogs fighting over scraps. The sight filled me with satisfaction, so I sent them a picture of me enjoying a warm bowl of chicken soup while my dogs, Max and Bella, happily gnawed on steaks. “Want some?” I asked, posting it in our class group chat. I watched their threats turn into desperate pleas, and all I responded with was: “Idiots. Keep dreaming.” 1 October 21, 2021 It’s been three days since the zombie outbreak, and the stable order at Ridgewood High School was already beginning to crumble. On the first day, the school had frantically called us all into the designated safe house, giving us a brief sense of safety. They provided us with a week’s worth of food. But human nature is unpredictable. Some students stole extra food to secure their own survival, and as supplies dwindled, the tension rose. Soon, our connection to the outside world was completely cut off, and fear began to dominate everyone’s minds. What started as solidarity quickly gave way to a breakdown in humanity. Fights broke out over how much food someone had eaten, and today was no different. “Let Chloe go outside. She’s brave enough to handle it, right?” Vanessa Gray’s voice pierced the room, just loud enough for everyone to hear. All eyes turned to me. “Yeah, Chloe’s dad was a weirdo, right? Bet she’s not scared of this kind of stuff.” “She’s tall, too. Maybe she could carry back a lot of supplies.” The whispers around me grew louder. They all stared at me like I was their ticket to salvation, speaking so casually, yet their eyes were filled with threat. They must’ve forgotten I’m just a girl. Before I could react, someone shoved me toward the door, pretending to cheer me on, “You got this!” I glanced outside at the zombie horde, then back at the people inside. They stood there, expressionless, more terrifying than the undead. They pushed me out the door as I fought to stay, the noise attracting the attention of nearby zombies. They stumbled toward me, and the people behind me locked the door tight. Through the crack in the door, I saw Vanessa smirking at me. Her face was gleeful as I took hesitant steps toward the zombies… 2 The sharp pain woke me up suddenly, and I jumped to my feet. The entire class turned to look at me, some stifling their laughter. “Chloe Reed! What are you doing?!” The voice of my English teacher cut through the confusion still lingering from the dream, and I realized I was back in the classroom. Was it all just a dream? That sickeningly familiar voice from the side interrupted my thoughts, dripping with sarcasm, “Maybe Chloe’s dad sent her a message from the afterlife. Isn’t he dead?” The whole class burst into laughter. “Enough! Chloe, take your book and go stand at the back of the room!” Mrs. Miller slammed her desk to regain control. I quietly grabbed my things and moved to the back of the classroom. My mind was still racing, trying to process that dream. If it was just a dream, why did it feel so real? The sensation of the zombies biting me still lingered in my hand. As soon as class ended, I rushed to the bathroom, pulling out my phone to search the internet for anything about zombies. Sure enough, I found a video. In it, a man stumbled toward the camera. His body was covered in blood, his face barely recognizable. His skin was veined with black and green. I knew immediately—he wasn’t human anymore. He was a zombie. Exactly like in my dream. I wasn’t dreaming at all. I had been reborn. I quickly checked the date on my phone: September 28, 202

There was still a month before the zombie outbreak. I had one month to find a safe place. Bang bang bang! The door to the bathroom rattled as someone banged on it. “Chloe, hurry up!” It was Vanessa. I clenched my fists, remembering everything she did in my past life. She was more than capable of it all. I forced myself to stay calm. It wasn’t the right time yet. I stepped out of the stall, facing her and her two lackeys. Vanessa smacked me across the face without hesitation, her voice dripping with cold disdain, “Move faster next time!” “You were in there forever. Did a ghost drag you down?” her sidekick, Ashley, sneered. “Why would she be scared? Maybe she inherited her dad’s psychic powers,” Vanessa added, her mocking smile twisting her face. They only said I wasn’t afraid because my dad used to tell fortunes. My mom died when I was young, so it was just my dad and me. I never felt ashamed of what he did for a living, but I learned early on to avoid the subject around my classmates. Then my dad died of stomach cancer, and Vanessa, pretending to care, came to my house with the principal, Mrs. Miller, in tow. When I returned to school, I became the target of their jokes. They didn’t care that I was now an orphan. To them, it was just fun. Vanessa led the charge. During gym, they threw balls at me. Once one person started, the rest followed. They even poured toilet water into my water bottle. They smeared glue on my chair, wrote disgusting things on my desk. Every time I tried to get help, the bullying only got worse. Some people suffer in silence. I was one of those people. I ignored them and walked out of the bathroom. Their filthy insults grew louder behind me. I went straight to Mrs. Miller’s office. “Mrs. Miller, I’ve been feeling really off lately. I’d like to take a few days off.” My voice shook slightly. I knew exactly why I was trembling. In my last life, I ended up dead because of them. I wasn’t about to let that happen again. Mrs. Miller noticed the red mark on my face, probably assuming I was self-harming. She quickly signed the leave form, granting me a week off, and told me to take time to relax. I took the slip, thanked her, and walked out of the school. There was no way I was going back to that nightmare of a class. 3 Everyone knew Vanessa was bullying me, but no one ever stepped in to help. I wasn’t some saint. I just wanted to get as far away from them as possible. Their survival wasn’t my concern. I walked out of the school gates and called for a taxi to take me home. My dad may have been an eccentric fortune teller, but he had helped countless wealthy executives. These people were all generous with their money. Over the years, my dad had saved up a small fortune for me. When I got home, I pulled out the two savings books he’d given me before he passed away. One was the dowry he’d been putting aside for me, and the other was a hefty life insurance policy he had taken out, which would pay me $10 million after his death. Together, the two accounts amounted to $17 million. At his funeral, all kinds of people came to pay their respects. Many of them owed their success to my father’s guidance. Seeing I was now alone, they decided to band together and set up an education fund for me. At first, I didn’t want to accept the money, but they insisted. Now, I was grateful. They’d given me $300,000. I looked around at the modest house. It wasn’t big, but it was in the heart of Ridgewood, so it was worth a fortune. A city center home was no longer safe. I had to sell it and find somewhere safer. I quickly contacted a real estate agency and asked them to sell the house within three days, even if it meant lowering the price. Next up was finding a safe place to lay low. 4 I took out my phone and searched for homes in the rural areas outside the city. I figured the farther I was from people, the fewer zombies there would be. While browsing listings, I stumbled upon something interesting: an old abandoned Cold War bunker was up for sale. I didn’t hesitate. I decided to buy it immediately. It was huge, naturally cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and way cheaper than any small suburban house! I contacted the seller and told him I wanted to buy it on the spot. I needed to inspect it immediately. To avoid raising suspicion, I lied, saying I wanted to convert it into a weekend retreat and asked him to keep it a secret. He seemed convinced by my enthusiasm and assured me no one else would find out. We quickly signed the contract. With 29 days left until the outbreak, I had found my safe house. Now, I just needed to fill it with supplies. For the next two days, I worked non-stop, furnishing my new bunker. Paranoia set in, so I made sure to contact the largest construction market in the next city and gave them strict instructions. I replaced the bunker’s entrance with the best security doors available—three layers thick. I hired workers to build a two-story house inside the bunker, to be completed within 10 days, with the finest materials available. The foreman gave me a confused look, so I lied again, telling him I was building a private luxury hotel to ensure my guests’ privacy. I paid him so well that he didn’t ask any more questions. He just shook his head and said, “Rich people sure know how to have fun.” In my past life, I died early, so I didn’t know how long the apocalypse would last. To make sure I survived this time, I started stockpiling supplies like crazy. I ordered 50 solar-powered batteries in case the power went out. Cooking was another issue, so I bought 100 gas canisters and a stove. To be safe, I bought 50 boxes of charcoal. While the bunker was being renovated, I focused on buying essential supplies, self-defense items, and things to pass the time. Sitting in my room, I made a list of everything I needed. Toilet paper runs out faster than you think, so I ordered 2,000 rolls. 200 boxes of tampons, too. Since I wouldn’t be going out once the zombies arrived, I bought five sets of pajamas for each season. I stocked up on underwear, laundry detergent, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, body wash, face wash, and skincare products, enough to last me three years. Satisfied with my list, I finally fell asleep, planning to head to the wholesale market first thing in the morning. 5 On the third day after my rebirth, I woke up and immediately checked the time on my phone. I was still paranoid that this might all be a dream. Seeing the date reassured me. I quickly got dressed and headed to the wholesale market. On my way, I stopped by my favorite breakfast place. I ordered my usual, savoring the taste. Who knew when I’d be able to enjoy something like this again? At the market, I bought everything on my list, instructing the merchants to deliver everything in a week. The owner’s face lit up at my large order, smiling from ear to ear. After I finished shopping, I got a call from the real estate agent. “Hello, Ms. Reed. I’m happy to inform you that we’ve found a buyer for your house.” “Can they pay in full?” I asked, getting straight to the point. I knew the house would sell quickly, but what I needed was cash. The agent’s voice was practically buzzing with excitement. “Yes, the buyer can pay the full amount upfront.” I sighed in relief. “Great. You handle the rest. I’ll move out within the week.” As soon as I hung up, my phone buzzed with a new text. The message was from an unknown number: “Chloe, don’t think you can escape just because you’re taking a break. I know where you live. You better come back soon. Without you, we don’t have anyone to pick on.” I didn’t need to guess. It was Vanessa. My body tensed with fear, my hand trembling as I held the phone. Vanessa always knew how to get under my skin. She said she knew my address, and for now, I had nowhere to hide. Remembering the school’s so-called “safe house” from my past life, I had an idea. I’d be back in a few days. Two days later, I had finalized the sale of my house. With that settled, I checked into a hotel for the time being and returned to school with some of my belongings. As expected, Vanessa “welcomed” me with one of her signature moves—garbage raining down on me as soon as I walked through the door. No one in the class helped. In fact, they found it amusing. They laughed, mocking my disheveled appearance. I clenched my fists and held it together. Their reckoning was coming, and soon. I made my way to my desk. Just before the bell rang, I picked up my backpack and walked out of the classroom. I knew they’d go and tell the teacher, but I didn’t care. I headed straight to the so-called “safe house,” which was really just the school auditorium. In my last life, this auditorium had been set up by emergency responders as a temporary shelter before they left to assist others. Only 80 of us survived in this very hall. I remembered how some of the teachers, desperate to reunite with their families, left and turned into zombies on the way home. Others stayed to help maintain order, working with the military. Flashes of those memories played in my mind. This was the place where they shoved me into the horde. I opened my backpack and pulled out ten hidden cameras I had purchased, discreetly setting them up in different corners of the auditorium. Once they were all in place, I left the school, satisfied. Just as I stepped outside, I got a call from the foreman handling the bunker renovations. He informed me that everything was done to my specifications and the place was spotless, ready for my inspection. I paid them well, so the work was done quickly and efficiently. I couldn’t help but think, Money really does solve everything. I called the manager at the wholesale market, letting him know they could deliver my supplies the next day. He practically jumped at the opportunity and assured me it would all be delivered on time. Next on my list was more furniture shopping. I headed to the furniture store and bought plenty of soft furnishings—top-quality sofas, beds, everything. Since the $1.2 million from the house sale was now in my account, I had no problem splurging on what I needed. Afterward, I stopped by an electronics store and bought two laptops, three tablets, and fifty portable chargers. Feeling accomplished, I took a cab straight to the bunker. As I stepped into the bunker, I marveled at the work. Money really can buy anything. I was beyond pleased with the results. I even gave each worker an extra $1,000 as a bonus. They seemed surprised and insisted they were just doing their job. Before they left, I couldn’t resist giving them a small warning. “Hey, with the pandemic and everything going on, it might be a good idea to stock up on some essentials. I heard the next town over is seeing a resurgence of cases.” I said it casually, looking off in the distance like it was no big deal. I couldn’t save everyone. In my last life, I died because of people. This time, I was saving myself. After the renovation crew left, the deliveries from the wholesale and furniture stores arrived. I used the same cover story to explain the massive amount of supplies being delivered, and no one questioned me. Once everything was inside and organized, I felt a wave of calm wash over me. 6 With 10 days left until the zombie outbreak, I knew it was time to stock up on long-lasting supplies. Fresh produce could wait until later. As I headed down the hill, I noticed two small dogs trailing behind me, their tails wagging excitedly. Looking at their playful, curious faces, I thought maybe adopting them would be a good idea. It might add a bit of joy to this otherwise grim existence. I called them over, and the little ones ran right up to me—one black, one white. They were so small I could easily carry one in each hand. After settling them into their new home, I headed straight to the largest market in town. This market had everything—whatever you could think of in terms of food and essentials, they had it. And the best part? No one cared how much you bought. It was exactly what I needed. I bought 50 cases of instant noodles, 100 cases of soda, 10 cases each of various canned goods, 100 bags of rice, 50 jugs of cooking oil, 10 cases of dehydrated vegetables, 20 bottles of each type of seasoning, plus tons of flour, pasta, and peanuts. Then came the fun part—snacks. I grabbed 20 bags each of almond milk, black sesame paste, milk, and yogurt. For treats, I loaded up on chocolate, nuts, sunflower seeds, chips, jerky, dried beef, and fruit snacks, ten cases of each. Of course, I couldn’t forget the dogs. I ordered 50 large bags of dog food, 20 cans of puppy formula, and 5 cases of other dog treats. I watched in satisfaction as the vendors loaded everything onto two large trucks. I instructed the drivers to head straight to the bunker. Fortunately, my cover story worked, and no one questioned the enormous order. Once everything was delivered, I felt a sense of calm. The supplies were all safely inside, and the bunker doors were tightly shut. As a final precaution, I decided to install additional cameras outside, just in case anything unexpected happened. With everything finally in order, I lay down on the bed and took a deep breath, finally able to relax. While the power and internet were still working, I signed up for every streaming service I could and downloaded all my favorite shows, along with ones I hadn’t watched yet, onto my laptops, tablets, and USB drives. Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, my phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID—it was Vanessa. I answered the call with a blank expression. The moment I answered, I heard her mocking laughter, like she was showing off to someone. “See? I told you she wouldn’t dare ignore me.” I stayed silent. Her voice grew even more smug. “Chloe, did you forget the message I sent you? You forget what it feels like to get your ass beat?” I listened quietly, clenching my fist, but kept my cool. It wasn’t time yet. I needed to wait until they were truly desperate before I struck back. When I didn’t respond, Vanessa grew frustrated. “You think you can just stay quiet? Don’t forget, I’ve got dirt on you, b****!” That was it. I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Vanessa, have you forgotten you’re 18 now? Everything you’ve done is a criminal offense. One call to the cops and you’re done.” My voice was cold and steady. 7 Vanessa had repeated a grade. She should’ve been a senior by now, but because of her terrible grades, she was held back. To save face, she took a year off, so now, at 18, she was still a freshman. Hearing my words, Vanessa stammered a bit but quickly raised her voice to save face. “You think you’re so tough? You don’t know who you’re messing with! I’ll post your photos in the group chat!” “Do it,” I challenged. “We’ll meet at the police station after that.” I hung up before she could respond. She wouldn’t post the photos. Bullies like her were all bark and no bite when it came to facing real consequences. She understood the reality of her being 18 now. She was scared, and I knew she wouldn’t follow through. The photos Vanessa had were from when she and her gang dragged me into the bathroom, beat me, tore off my clothes, and took the most humiliating pictures they could. Back then, I was too afraid to fight back. I was alone, no family to turn to. But with the zombie outbreak on the horizon, fear was a thing of the past. Thinking back to that day, I couldn’t help but cry. Sensing my distress, the two little dogs came over, gently licking my face. Their presence calmed me, and I quickly fell asleep. The next day, I woke up knowing it was time for my final round of shopping. I returned to the market and bought a whole cow, two pigs, thirty chickens, twenty ducks, and an assortment of frozen fish and seafood. When the butcher delivered everything, I stocked my two massive freezers to the brim, feeling completely satisfied. Now, all that was left to do was wait. 8 On the second day in the bunker, with just five days left until the outbreak, I got a call from Mrs. Miller, my homeroom teacher. I hesitated but decided to answer. Her voice was gentle, cautious. “Chloe, are you feeling any better?” I could tell she was worried about my emotional state. Rubbing my nose, I responded, “I’m doing much better, but I’d like to take another week off. I’ll study from home.” She quickly jumped in. “No, no, Chloe. I’m not worried about your grades. I care more about how you’re feeling. It’s okay to take a break and focus on yourself.” Her concern hit me hard, and my throat tightened with emotion. Since my dad’s death, no one had shown this kind of care for me. My relatives kept their distance, worried I’d become a burden. With a slight sniffle, I replied, “Thank you, Mrs. Miller. I’ll work on taking care of myself.” She sighed in relief, her voice soft. “Good. Just rest at home, and if you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll let you go now.” “Wait!” I blurted out before she could hang up. “What is it?” I hesitated. “Mrs. Miller, with everything going on, it might be a good idea to stock up on food. Just in case.” She chuckled lightly. “I’ll take your advice, Chloe. Thank you.” After we hung up, I turned my attention to the remaining cameras I hadn’t yet installed. Even with the reinforced doors, you could never be too careful. I decided to place them at the front entrance, so I could keep an eye on anything—or anyone—approaching. The little dogs followed closely as I stepped outside to install the cameras. Once the cameras were set up, I did another inventory check of my supplies. And that’s when I realized—I hadn’t stocked up on water. I nearly panicked at the oversight. Looking around the empty landscape, I wondered if it was possible to dig a well. I immediately called the same foreman who had helped with the bunker, asking him about it. He assured me it was doable and would only take a day. With time running out, I offered him extra money to get the job done as quickly as possible. Three hours later, the crew arrived with their equipment. The foreman smiled as he set up. “This won’t take long, but it’s going to be loud.” I waved off his concerns. “Don’t worry about the noise. I’m in a hurry, just get it done.” The team quickly got to work, and I stood by, watching. I couldn’t help but feel a strange fascination with the machinery. It wasn’t just boys who found this stuff cool—girls could too. Max and Bella, however, were terrified of the noise and ran inside to hide. By 11:30 that night, water started flowing from the well. I couldn’t help but laugh in relief. The foreman even placed stones around the well and installed a proper cover for me. I tipped him generously, and with a grin, he waved and left. Once he was gone, I settled into life in the bunker. Today, steak. Tomorrow, lamb. I was living the life. But as time passed, fear crept back in. Even though I had survived the last zombie massacre, I couldn’t shake the dread that came with knowing what was about to happen. 9 The day before the zombie outbreak, a video titled “Real-Life Train to Busan” suddenly trended online. But within less than a minute, it was taken down. I knew this was the government’s way of trying to keep the public calm. My hands started to tremble, and a cold chill ran through my body. Sensing that something was wrong, the two little pups came over and nuzzled my hands. Their warmth slowly brought me back to reality. I opened the feed from the cameras I had set up in the school’s safe house, just to check if anyone had entered yet, and what I saw made my stomach turn. It was evening, during study hall, and Vanessa and a senior boy walked into the school auditorium. I knew this boy all too well. In my previous life, he was the one who shoved me out into the crowd of zombies. I could never forget his face. But what made it worse was that I remembered this boy, Jason, had a girlfriend. His girlfriend knew Vanessa too. They used to be in the same grade, but Vanessa got held back and was now two years behind them. As soon as they stepped into the auditorium, Jason pinned Vanessa against the door, and they immediately started making out. The spot where they were standing happened to be right in front of one of the hidden cameras I’d installed. Their movements became more heated, and soon, the sounds coming from the camera were disgusting. I almost gagged. I’d always known Vanessa was vile, but I didn’t expect this. Doing something this repulsive, in the school, no less. Despite my nausea, I kept the camera rolling, recording the whole thing. Then, I heard their conversation. Vanessa, breathless, asked, “Did you… did you tell that b**** yet?” Jason, sounding greedy and impatient, replied, “Her family’s rich. I’m keeping her around for that.” They continued their sleazy activities, but the noise finally stopped. Vanessa, lying in Jason’s arms, let out a satisfied sigh, “Good. I was worried you actually had feelings for her.” Jason kissed her, clearly irritated, “No way. She doesn’t have your body, and she’s stuck up. It’s only because she’s loaded. Otherwise, I wouldn’t bother with her.” Listening to their whispers made me feel sick all over again. I edited the video, making sure to capture all the worst parts. To destroy someone, death wasn’t enough. Letting them die would be too easy. With 12 hours left until the outbreak, I sat comfortably on my bed, watching the news. At the 10-hour mark, reports came in from the neighboring city. Zombies were starting to emerge from hiding, but our town was still quiet. With 8 hours remaining, every student and teacher at Ridgewood High received a video on their phones—everyone except Vanessa, Jason, and their friends. At the 6-hour mark, Vanessa arrived at school. Her classmates gave her dirty looks, and people whispered as she walked by, pointing and smirking. By the 5-hour mark, Vanessa was fuming. “Who the hell filmed this?!” That’s when she got a text: Vanessa, enjoying yourself? At the 4-hour mark, the principal stormed into our classroom, his face red with anger. “Vanessa Gray! Get to my office! And call your parents—now!” By the 3-hour mark, Vanessa found Jason in the auditorium, panicked, “Jason, what do we do?” Jason snapped at her, his face twisted with annoyance. “Why the hell are you here? Haven’t you caused enough trouble already?” Vanessa, seeing his reaction, became furious. “Jason! You sure enjoyed yourself when we were doing it! Now you’re turning on me?” Their argument grew louder and more heated. Then, Jason’s girlfriend, Madison, walked over, her face twisted in a mocking smile. “So this is the trash you’ve been with? Pathetic.” Her words weren’t outright vicious, but they dripped with humiliation. Vanessa’s face turned pale, then red with rage. With only 1 hour until the outbreak, a man in hiking gear appeared on a street in the city center. His movements were slow and jerky as he stumbled toward the nearest person. 10 At first, no one noticed him. Until… he staggered toward a girl at the bus stop, listening to music while waiting for her ride, and bit into her neck. That’s when people saw his face. His eyes were clouded, with no pupils, just pale blue sclera. His skin was marbled with dark, bulging veins. He let out a horrifying scream, his teeth jagged like chainsaw blades, sending people running in all directions. He tore into the girl’s neck, ripping and swallowing chunks of her flesh. Many people fled, but a few reckless ones stayed behind to record it on their phones. His body, now rejuvenated from feeding, moved faster. He sprinted toward one of the bystanders, sinking his teeth into the man’s skull. Meanwhile, the girl he had attacked earlier, now a bloody, exposed skeleton, started to stir. She shouldn’t have been able to move—yet she did. The zombie outbreak had officially begun. I sat in my safe house, watching everything unfold through multiple perspectives on my phone. 11 At the same time, back at the school, a bloodcurdling scream shattered the silence, bringing Vanessa and Jason’s argument to an abrupt halt. On the field, people who had collapsed moments before were rising again. Their movements were slow, but they marched in unison, heading toward the crowded classrooms. I switched to the camera feed from inside the auditorium. The school reacted quickly, moving some of the students and staff into the safe house. Among those evacuated were, of course, Vanessa and her lackeys, along with Jason. I scanned the faces on the camera, seeing the same people as in my previous life, except for one new face—a classmate of mine who, like me, had been a victim of Vanessa’s bullying. Chills ran down my spine. It hit me: my rebirth hadn’t changed anything. I may have escaped my fate, but now someone else was paying the price. Just like last time, the school distributed what little food they had to the survivors in the auditorium, telling them to wait for rescue. I couldn’t bear to watch as some of the teachers, desperate to see their families one last time, tried to leave the safe house. Some stayed behind to help, while others ran, only to meet their doom. This time, I wasn’t going to sit back and suffer. I had the power to protect myself, and I wasn’t about to let anyone else decide my fate.

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