Author: Momo Chan

To help his childhood sweetheart who desperately needed money for cancer treatment, my husband volunteered to pay ten million dollars for her virginity. I was about to object, but he shut me down with a lecture. “Vivian has always been so proud and strong-willed. If we just gave her money outright, she’d see it as charity and it would hurt her self-esteem.” “Can’t you have a little compassion? Are you really going to be jealous over something this trivial?” I said nothing, just smiled and nodded in agreement. He had no idea. As an infectious disease specialist, I had already spotted the warning signs. She didn’t have cancer. She was in the late stages of AIDS. When Adrian came home, it was already past midnight. He casually removed his shirt, inadvertently revealing the scratch marks on his back. I froze in place, unable to speak for a long moment. He was the first to break the silence: “It was Vivian’s first time. It’s normal for her to react intensely.” I clenched my fists. Unable to hold back, I couldn’t help but ask: “Did you at least use protection?” He shook his head indifferently: “Vivian took medication beforehand. Stop worrying about nothing.” At those words, my tightly wound heart sank completely. Just then, Adrian’s phone rang. It was Vivian calling, her voice tearful: “Adrian, I’m suddenly bleeding a lot. I’m so scared…” Hearing this, he immediately panicked. He rushed to reassure her: “Don’t be afraid, I’m coming right now. I’ll be there in ten minutes!” Despite feeling utterly devastated, I still couldn’t help myself. I reached out to stop him. I was going to tell him about Vivian’s true condition. But he shook me off with an annoyed expression: “I already told you, I’m only doing this to help Vivian. If there was really something between us, would I have even let you know about it?” He glared at me, quickly changed his clothes, and headed for the door. Before leaving, he turned back and tossed out: “Wash my clothes and underwear. They got blood on them. They’ll be harder to clean if you leave them too long.” The door slammed shut. After Adrian left, I stared blankly at our wedding photo on the wall. All these years, I’d been by his side as he built his business from nothing. From a rental room smaller than ten square meters to a luxurious penthouse in the city center. I knew every hardship we’d endured along the way, each one etched in my heart. Adrian had been, by most measures, a decent husband. After his startup earned its first big profit, the first thing he did was give me the wedding ceremony I’d never had. He even had a ring custom-made for me. The diamond on the ring wasn’t large, and it had a tiny flaw. Despite that, I’d always treasured it. But this very man—the “good husband” everyone admired—had done the thing that hurt me most. Without any protection, the infection rate after high-risk sexual activity was virtually one hundred percent. Though I was furious, I ultimately couldn’t bear it. He still had seventy-two hours. If he took post-exposure prophylaxis in time, he could still effectively avoid infection. I was about to call him to remind him. But just then, a new post appeared in my feed. It was from Vivian, just posted: “I thought married men were supposed to be restrained. Turns out someone showed me zero mercy.” The photo showed her neck and shoulders covered in bite marks. It seemed like a complaint, but it was really a brag about how intense things had been between her and Adrian. More than that, what caught my eye first was the ring on her finger—glaringly bright. The ring was almost identical in style to mine. Except the diamond was larger, more flawless. My heart trembled. I found the serial number engraved inside my wedding ring and called the brand’s customer service. After checking, the representative politely informed me: “Mr. Harris did previously order a diamond ring from our brand, but the first batch had defects, so we remade it for him later.” She paused. “Ms. Sullivan, we’re very sorry for any inconvenience. Is there anything else you’re unhappy with?” I forced down my emotions and softly denied it, then hung up. So this wedding ring had been custom-made for Vivian all along. What I received was nothing more than a defective product. In that moment, I felt like someone was strangling me. It hurt. I couldn’t breathe. I had loved the wrong man. But at least I could cut my losses now.

While I was still reeling, Adrian suddenly called me. His voice was frantic: “Honey, Vivian’s body is covered in red rashes, and she has swollen lymph nodes. What’s going on?” “You’re a doctor—does she need to get tested for this?” Hearing his description, I became even more certain. After being infected, Vivian had never taken medication to control the viral load in her body. Based on her current symptoms, she wasn’t just in the late stages of AIDS. She’d likely also contracted other infectious diseases. Like syphilis. On the other end of the line, Adrian kept pressing: “Honey, give me a straight answer!” I bit my lip and finally replied calmly: “It’s probably just common complications. She should be fine after a few days of rest.” With that, I hung up. Outside, the night was deep. I put on gloves and carefully collected Adrian’s clothes. I walked to the balcony and burned them completely. I knew full well that Adrian’s infection was only a matter of time. Living under the same roof with him, if I wasn’t careful, I could get infected too. To avoid tipping him off, for now, I could only avoid him as much as possible. Early the next morning, I quickly packed my bags and left. Then I sent Adrian a message, claiming I had to travel out of state for work and wouldn’t be back for half a month. After settling into a hotel, I opened a monitoring app on my phone that I’d never used before. A few months ago, the apartment complex had upgraded its security system. They’d sent workers to install surveillance cameras in every unit. Adrian wasn’t home at the time, and I’d been too busy with work to tell him. Soon, my phone connected to the bedroom feed. But what I saw made my blood freeze. I’d only been gone half a day, and Adrian had already brought Vivian home. Right now, she was wearing my pajamas, sitting cross-legged at my vanity, opening my expensive face cream. She didn’t apply it to her face. Instead, she scooped out a large chunk and slowly rubbed it onto her feet. Then, finding that too much trouble, she actually stuck her toes directly into the jar and stirred them around. Adrian was lying nearby, completely ignoring her behavior. “Adrian, these skincare products aren’t cheap. If she finds out, won’t she be upset?” Vivian said this, but her hands didn’t stop moving. Adrian slowly sat up, naturally wrapping his arm around her waist, his expression doting: “That face of hers doesn’t deserve such expensive products anyway. Might as well use them on your feet.” As he spoke, he hooked his finger under the ties of Vivian’s pajamas. “It’s the same pajamas, but somehow they look so charming and seductive on you. Not like that frumpy wife of mine—she looks like she’s wearing a potato sack no matter what.” Vivian leaned into his embrace, laughing delightedly. When I saw the two of them rolling into bed, I quickly shut off my phone. If I kept watching, I was afraid the filth would reach me through the screen. Soon, half a month had passed. I took post-exposure prophylaxis in advance, put on a mask, and steeled myself to return home. I’d notified Adrian ahead of time, so I figured he’d at least have the decency to send Vivian away first. But when I opened the door, I saw she was still there, lounging on the sofa, eating my expensive imported fruit. I suppressed my anger and looked at Adrian: “Adrian, you brought an outsider to live in our home without even consulting me?” Before he could answer, another voice came from the kitchen: “This house was bought by my son. He can let whoever he wants live here. It’s not your place to interfere.” I was startled. That’s when I realized my mother-in-law was here too. She gave me an impatient glance and immediately positioned herself protectively in front of Vivian: “Besides, Vivian is not an outsider.” “She’s carrying a baby now—she’s the most precious person in the Harris family!” Hearing this, I shuddered involuntarily. A woman with AIDS… pregnant…

When I looked at Adrian again, he deliberately avoided my gaze, his lips moving slightly: “Honey, you know my mother has always wanted a grandchild, but all these years… you’ve never gotten pregnant.” Just then, Vivian spoke up timidly: “Victoria, don’t blame Adrian. It’s all my fault. Last time I mixed up my birth control pills with my vitamins and accidentally got pregnant.” “If you’re disgusted, I’ll go to the hospital right now and terminate the pregnancy…” Her eyes reddened as she made to stand up. My mother-in-law immediately flew into a rage. She stormed up and slapped me hard across the face: “Victoria Harris, are you trying to make my son childless? Let me tell you, if anything happens to Vivian’s baby, I’ll never forgive you!” From that slap, my ears rang. I covered my face, unable to react for a long time. Turning my head, I saw three place settings on the dining table. Seeing this, my mother-in-law spoke matter-of-factly: “I didn’t know you were coming back. I only prepared lunch for three!” I understood her implication. I bit my lip and turned to leave. My mother-in-law slammed the door hard behind me. But I could still hear her deliberately raised voice from inside: “Son, you’re a billionaire CEO. You should have divorced that barren woman long ago.” “She’s the one beneath you now, wasting all these years of your life!” With my back against the door, I suddenly laughed. Years ago, to support Adrian’s startup, I worked at the hospital during the day and washed dishes at the night market for extra money. Every cent I earned went to him. How ridiculous. Adrian’s mother had always put me down, and he’d never defended me once. The stinging pain on my face hadn’t faded, but my heart had gone numb. Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out to see a message from a colleague: “Victoria, I got someone at the CDC to pull Vivian’s medical records.” My brow furrowed as I quickly opened it. Though I’d expected it, seeing the long string of data still left me stunned. Vivian’s late-stage AIDS combined with third-stage syphilis was what I’d basically confirmed already. But I never imagined that besides those two, she carried over a dozen other infectious diseases. Though these diseases were primarily transmitted through blood and sex, close contact in daily life, sharing towels and utensils, or even contact with broken skin could all pose infection risks. Fortunately, this wasn’t something I needed to worry about. After all, the ones who’d suffer were someone else entirely. I simply requested an extended leave from the hospital, collected myself, booked a flight, and headed to the seaside town I’d always wanted to visit. On the twentieth day away from home, Adrian called: “Victoria, where have you been all this time? There’s a limit to throwing a tantrum, you know.” When I didn’t respond, his tone softened further: “Don’t take what my mother said to heart.” He paused, seemingly weighing his words: “Honey, Vivian and I have already discussed it. After she gives birth, I’ll give her a sum of money and send her abroad. She’ll never come back.” “You’ll be the child’s mother from then on, and we’ll stay together.” I verbally agreed with Adrian’s words, pretending to be moved to tears. After hanging up, I immediately pulled up the home surveillance feed. In the video, Adrian was holding Vivian, his voice full of smugness: “Don’t worry, I’ve got Victoria handled.” “Once you have the baby, I’ll divorce her. A woman who can’t have children has no right to compete with you.” My mother-in-law beamed beside them, handing Vivian a bowl of tonic soup: “My son is so clever! Keep that jinx stable for now so she doesn’t make a scene and disturb your pregnancy.” “Vivian, eat more. You must give birth to a baby boy!” Watching this “heartwarming” scene, I laughed until my sides hurt. With Vivian’s wrecked body, they expected a healthy baby? It would be a miracle if she even survived to delivery. These two lived and ate with her without any precautions whatsoever. They’d probably already been thoroughly marinated in viruses.

Sure enough, a few days later, Adrian called again. Only this time, his voice carried obvious panic. “Victoria, my mother’s sick. It’s really strange—she has a fever that won’t break, and she’s covered in rashes.” “I haven’t been able to eat or sleep these past few days either. My whole body aches.” I suppressed my amusement and deliberately offered gentle comfort: “It’s gotten colder lately. It’s probably the flu or some viral infection.” “Here’s what we’ll do—you take care of my mother first, and I’ll buy a ticket home as soon as I’m done here. Whatever medication you need, I’ll get it from the hospital when I get back.” “Okay, please hurry…” On the other end, Adrian’s voice was noticeably weak. After hanging up, I immediately booked my next travel destination. I let it drag on for several days. During that time, Adrian’s calls never stopped. Finding them annoying, I simply blocked him. Finally, one day, Adrian’s assistant called me, voice panicked: “Mrs. Harris, Mr. Harris suddenly collapsed during a board meeting today and was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment!” “The old Mrs. Harris was admitted to the ICU yesterday. The doctor says she has multiple organ failure and might not last more than a few days.” Hearing this news, I realized the time was right. I booked the earliest flight and flew back overnight. When I arrived at the hospital, the attending physician called me into his office alone, his expression grave as he handed me a stack of reports. “Ms. Harris, as the patient’s family member, it would be more appropriate for you to inform your husband about these matters.” He hesitated, seeming to look at me with sympathy. “Mr. Harris and his mother’s blood test results are back. The situation is very complex.” “Currently, they’ve been infected with up to twenty different infectious pathogens, including HIV and syphilis spirochetes. I strongly recommend you get tested as well.” I nodded, my expression unchanged as I accepted the reports: “I understand. Thank you.” After putting on protective gear, a mask, and goggles, fully suited up, I walked into Adrian’s isolation room. He lay in the hospital bed, his face ashen. An IV was inserted in the back of his hand, and he was hooked up to monitoring equipment. Seeing me dressed like this, confusion first appeared in his clouded eyes, followed by a trace of fear: “Honey, what disease do I have? Is it serious? The doctor wouldn’t tell me anything…” “Have you seen my mother? How is she?” I said nothing, quietly sitting by the bed and pulling out the test report. Seeing the densely packed list of conditions on the report, Adrian stared for a long time. Then he laughed absurdly: “Honey, you’re still joking with me at a time like this? How could I possibly be infected with so many viruses at once?” “Syphilis, AIDS, and hepatitis B… This is absolutely ridiculous!” I feigned concern as I looked at him: “Honey, I thought the hospital made a mistake at first too, but…” Adrian started: “But what?” I sighed: “But my mother has the same thing. Besides AIDS and syphilis, she has almost every virus that can be transmitted through saliva.” He froze on the spot, then desperately shook his head in denial: “That’s impossible! My mother and I have always been careful about hygiene, and we always eat at home. How could this happen?” As he spoke, Adrian suddenly went rigid, as if realizing something. His voice trembling, his face deathly pale as he looked at me: “Is it… Vivian?” I nodded. “Honey, I had someone investigate Vivian. She used to work as a hostess at a nightclub. Her private life was a complete mess. This disease was probably transmitted to you and my mother by her.” Learning this news, Adrian looked utterly shocked, but still clung to hope: “There must be a mistake. This can’t be true! Vivian has always been so innocent. How could she work that kind of shameless job!” He struggled to get up, insisting on going to the ICU to see his mother. I quickly stopped him: “Honey, my mother isn’t in the ICU anymore.” Hearing this, Adrian immediately relaxed, a relieved smile appearing on his face: “See, I knew it. The hospital must have made a mistake. If my mother’s fine now, it means it wasn’t anything serious…” But my next words plunged Adrian into an icy abyss. “Honey, please accept my condolences.” Watching that trace of relief on Adrian’s face freeze and shatter, finally turning to complete devastation, I added one more sentence: “My mother… has already been sent to the morgue.”

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My husband’s mistress really knows how to manipulate him. Every so often, she pulls a disappearing act. Adrian adores her. Each time she vanishes, he drops everything—his work, his responsibilities—and frantically searches for her like a madman. Once he finds her, they reconcile as if nothing happened, their love even sweeter than before. Their little game of cat and mouse is so touching, even I, the actual wife, find myself moved by their romance. The third time Rain disappeared, Adrian shoved divorce papers in my face. “Sign them. You know how Rain is—she gets jealous easily.” I calmly took the papers and read through them carefully. “Don’t worry, it’s just for show. I’m not really divorcing you,” he said. I nodded and signed my name. “When you find her this time, can you come home a little earlier?” Adrian frowned impatiently. “All you ever do is nag me to come home. What, you can’t survive without me?” With that, he grabbed the signed divorce papers and left, eager to show off to his mistress. As I watched him disappear through the door, a smile curved my lips. I’m just worried you might come home too early…

After Adrian left, I started taking inventory of my assets. The dream of love was over. It was time to settle accounts. I made a list of everything that belonged to me and checked off each item one by one. Occasionally, I glanced out the window at the peach blossoms falling, petal by petal. I stood and walked to the backyard. I called the butler and told him to hire someone to uproot all the peach trees in the garden. The butler looked confused. “Ma’am, you’ve carefully tended these trees for years. Why remove them now?” His words pulled me into memories. During our first year of marriage, I was curled up in Adrian’s arms scrolling through videos on my phone. One video showed a vast grove of peach blossoms. After watching it, he said wistfully, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had our own peach grove? It would be our romantic sanctuary.” The next day, I cleared out all the flowers and plants in the backyard and planted peach trees. Five years flew by. The trees grew tall, the blossoms bloomed. But the man who once yearned for that peach grove had long lost interest. Looking at the now-barren ground, I sighed and returned to my room to continue packing. I picked up a sapphire necklace. The moment I saw it, my eyes stung and my heart ached. Years ago, Adrian’s grandfather approached me about an arranged marriage. He wanted me to marry Adrian. But I worried Adrian wouldn’t like me. So I took out this necklace—a gift from my late mother—and asked Grandfather Blackwood to give it to Adrian. The sapphire was unique, shaped like half a heart. I hoped he would decide according to his own heart. After receiving it, Adrian had another sapphire necklace made—a men’s version—and sent it to me as a gift. He included a note: My heart is yours too. That necklace’s sapphire was also shaped like half a heart. Together, the two halves formed a complete heart. That night, I clutched the necklace to my chest, too excited to sleep. No one knew I’d loved Adrian for years. Finally, my wish had come true…

I placed his necklace on the desk and continued packing. Suddenly I found the property deed Adrian gave me on our wedding day. I fell into thought. On our wedding day, Adrian presented me with property documents. When I opened them, I saw only my name on the deed. I looked at Adrian in confusion. He gazed at me with adoring eyes. “Clara, from now on, this is your home. You’re no longer an orphan without parents.” I was moved beyond words. I vowed to love him forever and be the best wife possible. Women are so emotional—especially orphans like me who lost both parents. Anyone who showed me the slightest kindness could have my whole heart, my very life. But happiness lasted only a year before Adrian grew tired of me… “Clara, do you have to wait by the door for me?” “Clara, I told you not to hover around me when I’m working. You’re distracting.” “Clara Hayes, can you stop following me everywhere? You’re so annoying.” … What was wrong with wanting to be with the person I loved? He used to enjoy having me close. It wasn’t until I noticed Rain’s existence that I understood. When a man’s heart changes, everything you do for him becomes a burden, every kindness an annoyance. I gathered all these belongings and moved them to the study. Looking at the now-empty room, I felt a sense of accomplishment. Thinking about how Rain would soon move in here… To avoid disgusting her, I collected our custom wedding dress and wedding photos and burned them in the backyard. After finishing everything, I checked the villa once more, carefully and thoroughly. I made sure there wasn’t a single trace of my existence left behind. Finally done. I let out a long breath. Walking outside, I looked at the empty villa and felt a moment of disorientation. All the sweetness, sadness, arguments, and compromises of these years in this villa felt like a dream. Now the dream was over. It was time to leave. Butler Wilson looked at me with pity. After joining the Blackwood family, only Grandfather Blackwood and Butler Wilson had been kind to me. “Ma’am, perhaps wait a bit longer. Mr. Blackwood does love you, he just doesn’t realize it. When he returns…” I smiled and interrupted him. “No need, Wilson. Thank you for everything these years. Goodbye.” With that, I picked up my suitcase and walked toward the front door. Five years. It was time to say goodbye to the past…

Before I reached the door, Wilson called out urgently. “Ma’am! Mr. Blackwood is calling. He wants you to answer personally.” “See? I told you Mr. Blackwood loves you. He’s calling to apologize.” Looking at the phone Wilson held out, I felt indescribable emotions. Adrian and I hadn’t spoken on the phone in nearly a year. When I called him, he never answered. So when I decided to leave, I left behind the phone he’d given me as a wedding gift. It was a matching couple’s phone with matching numbers from our wedding. I wouldn’t need it anymore. “Ma’am, please answer!” Wilson urged anxiously. I bit my lip and took the phone. “Hello.” “Clara Hayes, what took you so long to answer? What are you doing?” I stayed silent, waiting for him to continue. “I found Rain. I’m staying here with her for a while before coming back. She’s been through a lot this time. Make her some chicken soup to help her recover.” “Also, Rain likes rooms with morning sun. Clear out our bedroom—she’ll be moving in when she gets back.” “Rain is sensitive and easily upset. Put away the wedding photos, any pictures of us together. Don’t let her see them.” … For a full ten minutes, everything Adrian said was about Rain. Finally, he added, “Even though I can’t legally marry Rain, I need to give her a proper wedding. Help me prepare it.” Ten years of knowing each other. Four years of marriage. In that moment, the last shred of hope I held for Adrian dissolved. “Wilson, you heard everything he asked for. I’ll leave it to you.” I handed the phone back to Wilson. I turned and left the villa without a trace of regret.

Adrian found Rain in Las Vegas. After finding her, he didn’t bring her back immediately. First, Rain wanted to stay and play in Las Vegas for a few more days. Second, he’d already entrusted all the wedding preparations to me, so he felt confident. So he stayed, focusing entirely on keeping Rain company. “Adrian, you’re something else—enjoying Las Vegas with Rain while making Clara plan your wedding.” After hanging up, his friend gave him a thumbs up. Someone asked curiously, “Won’t Clara Hayes be angry?” Before Adrian could answer, his friend jumped in, “Clara is completely devoted to Adrian.” “Forget planning a wedding—even if he asked her to serve him and Rain on their wedding night, she wouldn’t complain. Right, Adrian?” Adrian raised his eyebrows smugly. “Right.” He had every reason to be confident. I’d always been understanding, obedient, with eyes and heart only for him. Even when he said he wanted to give Rain official status, I didn’t resist. I even told him to come home early. Actually, that day he got angry precisely because I didn’t resist. He thought that since I loved him so much, cared about him so deeply, I should have been consumed with jealousy. Why suffer in silence? Adrian liked using this method to repeatedly confirm my love for him. He always said I was too quiet—so quiet he couldn’t feel my love. So he refused to accept it. He needed proof that no matter how terrible he behaved, I would love him unconditionally. As for Rain, he enjoyed her vivacity, her youth, but it was just fondness, not love. Adrian knew Rain was only good for playing around, but I was the one to spend his life with. While Adrian was lost in thought, his phone rang. It was Butler Wilson. Adrian answered with a frown. “What is it?” Wilson’s voice carried hesitation. “Mr. Blackwood, is now a good time to talk?” Adrian’s frown deepened. “Just say it.” “The mistress has left.” “Left? Where?” “I don’t know. The mistress took all her belongings with her.” Adrian shot to his feet. Rain, who’d been leaning against him, jumped in fright, then let out an inappropriate laugh. Adrian looked at her questioningly. “I didn’t expect Clara would learn from me and disappear too. But she’s Adrian’s wife—nothing like me, just a mistress.” As she spoke, Rain’s eyes reddened. “It’s all my fault for making her unhappy. Adrian, let’s go back to New York quickly. If she’s really angry, I’ll feel so guilty.” Hearing Rain’s words, Adrian sat back down with a cold smile and spoke into the phone. “She’s an orphan. Where else can she go without me?” “Don’t worry about her. Don’t go looking for her. I want to see how long she can last out there.” Wilson sighed, about to say something when Adrian hung up. Putting down his phone, Adrian pulled Rain into his arms and said to his friends, “Book another week’s worth of activities. We’re going to have a good time. I want to see just how long she can keep this up.”

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I was born with a naturally sweet scent. But the transfer student—the self-proclaimed queen bee of the campus—claimed it was the smell of cheap perfume. Unpleasant and overpowering. My childhood sweetheart beside me immediately darkened his expression and frowned. “It really is too strong. Zoe, why don’t you switch seats?” So I was moved to the back row. Right next to the most feared star quarterback in school. Later, the star quarterback pinned me against the hallway wall, inhaling my scent desperately, and my childhood sweetheart caught us. He crushed the soda can in his hand, eyes red, teeth clenched. “Zoe. I’m counting to three. Get your ass over here. Now.” I was born with a slow brain. My childhood sweetheart, Ethan, on the other hand, was a straight-A student—top of our major. Whenever I couldn’t grasp something even after he’d explained it several times, he’d always say, “It’s okay if you’re a little slow. Worst case, I’ll just take care of you later.” He never bothered to hide it. His voice would ring out loud whenever he said this, as if declaring ownership. The whole class would look at us with knowing smiles. I’d feel mortified, my face flushing. “Ethan, I can learn it myself. I don’t need you to take care of me.” Then I’d grab my error notebook and study it over and over on my own. It was hard. But with enough time, I could figure it out. Yet the whole class had already firmly linked Ethan and me together. So when the transfer student—Melissa—appeared, tilted her head proudly, and tapped Ethan’s desk, asking if she could sit next to him, everyone stared at me and whispered. “Look at the way Ethan’s looking at her. That’s not innocent.” “Of course he’ll agree. She’s gorgeous and gets great grades. They even competed together in the math olympiad. What does Zoe have to compare with her?” “Poor little childhood sweetheart is about to be dumped.” The pen in my hand trembled. Listening to the endless voices around me, I couldn’t help but hunch my shoulders. It felt like ants were crawling all over my skin. Unbearable. I’d clearly reminded Ethan not to reveal our childhood sweetheart relationship after we ended up in the same class. But Ethan was the one who kept binding us together. Yet I was the one being mocked. Just because I was slow, while he was an honor student. Beside me, Ethan slammed his desk and stood up, his eyes coldly sweeping across everyone. “Anyone got something else to say about Zoe?” The room fell instantly silent. Melissa looked displeased and directly straddled his desk. She pressed her knee against his chest, impatient. “Ethan, do you want me sitting next to you or not? I’m only asking one more time. If you don’t answer, I’m leaving.” “Look, so many people want to be my desk mate.” She lifted her chin toward the boys eyeing her hungrily from around the room. Ethan stared at her long, pale, slender legs for a moment, his throat moving. A smile tugged at his lips. “I already have a desk mate. Can’t switch.” “But you can sit at the desk in front of me.”

I was born with a naturally sweet scent. Ethan always liked to lean close to me. Even during class, he’d rest his head on my shoulder from time to time. My face would burn as I whispered, “Ethan, the teacher’s right there.” “He turned around to teach.” He’d quickly pull away, acting as if nothing had happened. But after Melissa transferred in, everything changed. She sat at the desk in front, her ponytail pulled high, exposing her long, graceful neck that gleamed white under the fluorescent lights. Ethan would often stare at her in a daze, propping his chin up and spacing out through entire classes. Every time class ended, Melissa would turn around to discuss problems with him. The two would lean in close, and sometimes her long hair would accidentally brush across Ethan’s face. His ears would turn completely red. On the way home from school, he’d say to me, “Girls like Melissa are too forward. She thinks she’s so pretty she can flirt with any guy. I don’t like that. You’re more innocent.” But when I encountered a difficult problem I couldn’t figure out for two whole days and nights—when I went to ask Ethan during break— He’d stare distractedly at the empty desk in front of him, pushing me away coldly. “You’re so slow. It’d probably take all afternoon to teach you. Other people need to ask me questions too. Can’t you just look it up on your phone?” I’d already tried searching on my phone, but I still couldn’t understand it. I pressed my lips together. “Ethan, I’ve been studying this problem for days. If you explain it once, I’ll definitely get it.” Before I could finish, the person beside me shot out like an arrow from a bow. Heading straight for that slender figure in the hallway. Melissa wore a white shirt paired with a pretty pleated skirt. When the wind blew, her skirt would flutter slightly. Ethan moved even closer, perfectly blocking her from view. I stared blankly at them. Right before my line of sight was completely obstructed, I clearly caught Melissa’s provocative gaze. She did it on purpose. “Is the little childhood sweetheart going to cry? I told you Ethan definitely likes her, but you didn’t believe me.” “You’re so slow—what are you going to do without Ethan?” A hand reached out from beside me to pull me over. Owen stared directly at my chest, his tone arrogant. “Why don’t you come sit with me? I’m third in our major. Not much worse than Ethan.” I quickly backed away, accidentally bumping into the corner of a desk. Just when I had nowhere to retreat— A bottle of soda came flying hard. It struck Owen’s hand. He let out a pained howl and curled up on the ground. A tall boy walked over from the back row, carrying his jacket. His features were cold as he kicked Owen hard. “Get lost. You’re in the way.” Owen scrambled away, half-crawling. I swallowed hard and started packing my things to leave too. Someone tapped their knuckles on my desk. “Which problem don’t you understand?” I froze, following the hand up to see Derek’s face with its excellent bone structure. “What did you… say?” Derek’s ears turned red. He cleared his throat lightly and repeated, “I’m asking which problem you don’t understand. I can teach you too.”

Ethan was first in our major. Derek was second. But Derek had a wild reputation. He was the campus star quarterback. Fighting, skipping class, bad temper, and a small, fierce-looking scar at the corner of his eye. Almost everyone was afraid of him. Naturally, I was no exception. Normally when I passed by the back row, I’d try to avoid him as much as possible. But finals were only two weeks away. And I still couldn’t solve the last major math problem. Ethan refused to help me anymore. If I didn’t learn it soon, I’d run out of time. I bit the bullet and followed Derek to the back row. He sat alone, so there was plenty of space. I could just sit next to him. Surprisingly, Derek wasn’t fierce at all when explaining problems. His voice was like a gentle breeze and soft rain, pleasant to hear, without a trace of impatience. And his teaching method was very different from Ethan’s. Ethan spoke fast—often my brain hadn’t caught up yet when he’d already moved to the next step. It made my head spin. But Derek deliberately slowed his pace, breaking down each step of the problem. After hearing it just once, I understood ninety percent of it. I corrected the error completely with my red pen. Looking up, I smiled at him with crescent-shaped eyes. “I got it. Thank you.” Derek’s lips curved. “You’re welcome.” I don’t know if it was my imagination. But Derek’s face seemed even redder. Even his ear tips looked ready to drip blood.

PE class was canceled because the teacher called in sick. No tai chi today—everyone had free time. I went to the self-study room alone. Ethan was there too. And Derek was in the back row, spacing out. He didn’t go play football today. I organized my other error problems, planning to take this opportunity to ask him for more help. But my hand was pressed down. “Which problem did you ask me about at lunch? I have time now to teach you.” Ethan still had that casual manner, reaching to flip through my error notebook. I quickly pressed it down. “I already figured it out. You can go do your free activity.” He paused. He looked me over suspiciously. “You figured it out that fast? Did you do it yourself?” I’d originally wanted to say I asked Derek. But thinking of his gloomy, keep-away demeanor, I shook my head instead. If everyone knew Derek was good at explaining problems, they’d all go ask him. That would be too much of a bother. Besides, I had a small selfish reason. If Derek could keep helping only me with problems, I could learn so many more. “I figured it out myself. I’d been studying it for days, and suddenly it just clicked.” Ethan scrutinized me for a few moments. “I can help you with other problems too.” I quickly shook my head. “I want to try solving them myself.” The hand Ethan had pressed on the error notebook tightened, his knuckles protruding. He stared at me for a while, then let out a cold laugh. “What’s going on with you, Zoe?” “Fine. Don’t ask me anything from now on.” My face fell immediately. That wouldn’t do. Even though Derek explained things better, we weren’t that close yet. What if he changed his mind later and refused to teach me? “Ethan…” I tugged at Ethan’s sleeve, about to smooth things over. A striking figure suddenly appeared in the classroom doorway. When she smiled, two dimples appeared in her right cheek. Her small face was translucently pale. She waved at Ethan, acting cute. “The teacher asked me to help write test questions, but I’m overwhelmed. Can you help me, please?” Her voice was tooth-achingly sweet. Ethan immediately grabbed his jacket and walked out, skillfully draping it over her shoulders with a frown. “Stop wearing short skirts from now on. All those guys keep staring at you.” Melissa hooked his chin with her finger, raising an eyebrow. “You dare say you don’t like it?” Ethan’s lips curved. He didn’t answer. Watching their departing backs— Unexpectedly, my heart no longer ached. Instead, I felt a hint of relief. After all, no one said a childhood sweetheart had to be for the childhood sweetheart. The childhood sweetheart could find someone else too. I exhaled and slowly walked toward the back row with my notebook.

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Seven years ago, I pushed my brother out of a burning building. He escaped without a scratch and later became a top celebrity. I was burned beyond recognition and became a monster hidden away in the attic. Mom was his star manager. When she looked at my face, her eyes were filled with nothing but disgust. “Aria, your brother is a public figure. Your face will destroy him.” My brother stood under the spotlights, basking in the cheers of millions. He told the cameras, “My sister is my hero.” But then he turned around and let them lock me in the lightless attic, feeding me their leftovers and scraps. I thought if I just stayed hidden away quietly, we’d still be a family. Until that day when he brought home a famous actress. I was just thirsty and wanted to go downstairs for some water. Mom looked at me like she’d seen a ghost and shoved me back into the darkness of the stairwell. “Get back up there! Are you trying to scare someone to death?” I fell to the floor and looked up at my brother. He just frowned and coldly looked away. In that moment, I heard something inside me shatter. So this was the fate of a hero—to become a stain on their lives. I should disappear. I should die. If I died, no one would find me disgusting anymore.

I dry-swallowed dozens of white sleeping pills. No water. The pills lodged in my throat, barely making it down. My throat burned with a searing pain. But this pain, compared to what I’d endured these past seven years, felt like nothing more than a mosquito bite. My consciousness began to blur, like countless ants crawling through my brain. I thought back to that fire seven years ago. That night was just like this one. The villa caught fire. My brother Lucas was trapped in his bedroom, crying like an abandoned child. “Help! Save me!” I didn’t hesitate. I rushed into the flames and pushed him out with all my strength. He cried outside the inferno. I burned inside it, my flesh charring. Later, he woke up in the hospital without a scratch. Mom held her perfect son and cried her heart out. “You scared me to death! Thank God you’re okay. Thank God your face is okay.” No one asked if I was in pain. I lay in the ICU for three months, wrapped head to toe in bandages like a mummy. When I woke up, my brother held me and cried. “Aria, you’re my hero. I’ll protect you for the rest of your life.” I believed him. I was such a fool. My eyelids grew heavier and heavier. From downstairs came the faint sound of a guitar. Then a woman’s laughter, playful and sweet. “Lucas, you play so beautifully.” That was the famous actress, Yasmin. The same woman who looked at me like I was trash, the one who made my mom force me back into the darkness. The guitar music pierced through the floorboards, hammering against my heart with each note. I used to play guitar too. My fingers were long and slender, my nails had a pink sheen, and they looked beautiful when I pressed the chords. Later, these hands burned together until they fused, like deformed chicken feet. I tried touching the piano at home once. Mom rushed over and slapped my hands away. “Don’t touch it! Those rotted hands are disgusting just to look at!” After that, I never touched an instrument again. My stomach began churning violently—the pills were taking effect. Spasms. Convulsions. I curled up on the floor like an abandoned, charred broken doll. That suffocating feeling crept over me bit by bit. But I actually felt relieved. Before my vision went completely black, I struggled to move my body. I dragged over an old cardboard box nearby and pulled out a white lace dress. This was a birthday present Mom bought me seven years ago, three days before the accident. She’d said, “My Aria looks best in white, like a little princess.” That was the last gift I ever received. The dress had yellowed and smelled of mildew. I clutched it tightly to my chest, as if holding onto the version of myself from seven years ago who hadn’t been destroyed yet. I closed my eyes. I thought about how, if there was a next life and I could be a little prettier—didn’t have to be very pretty, just clean. Would Mom hug me more? Would my brother not lock me in the attic? There was no heartbreaking farewell. No one rushed up to save me. In this luxuriously decorated, glamorous villa attic, with the sound of laughter and joy coming from downstairs. I rotted away in the darkness. I died without a sound.

When I opened my eyes again, the world felt light. No pain. No heaviness. I looked down and saw with horror that I was floating in midair. On the floor lay a curled-up corpse wearing ill-fitting pajamas, clutching that white dress. That was my corpse. But I didn’t have time to worry about that. I raised my hand and saw pale, slender fingers. I touched my face—the skin was smooth and delicate, the bridge of my nose high. I rushed to the mirror. The mirror reflected the vibrant, youthful Aria from seven years ago! No scars, no grotesque red flesh. I was healed? Overwhelming joy instantly went to my head. I thought this was a gift from heaven, a miracle. Was that fire just a nightmare? Had I never been disfigured? “Mom! Lucas!” I shouted excitedly. I wore that white dress, barefoot, rushing downstairs like a happy butterfly. I wanted to surprise them. I wanted to tell Mom I’d become that beautiful daughter again, that she could hold me now. I wanted to tell my brother I wasn’t a monster anymore, that I could stand by his side now. The living room downstairs was brightly lit. Mom sat on the leather sofa, handing a document to my brother with an expression as serious as if discussing a multi-million dollar deal. Yasmin had already left. “Send your sister to a nursing home.” Mom’s voice was ice-cold. I stopped at the stairwell, the smile on my face instantly freezing. What? A nursing home? “That reality show is coming to film the pilot episode at our house next week. They’ll need to install cameras throughout the house.” Mom tapped the document’s terms. “She’s a ticking time bomb here. If they catch her on camera, your image will be ruined.” My brother sat across from her, playing with a lighter. “Mom, wouldn’t that be too heartless?” He frowned slightly, hesitating. “She only became like that because she saved me… And as long as she doesn’t leave the attic…” “Can you guarantee staying in the attic is foolproof?” Mom cut him off, her voice rising. “Didn’t Yasmin see her yesterday? Scared her half to death! Lucas, you’re a top star! Your face is your livelihood!” “If your fans found out you keep a monster sister at home, your commercial value would be finished! What would your sponsors think? They’d consider it bad luck!” Monster. Bad luck. These words from Mom’s mouth burned hotter than that fire. My brother fell silent. Finally, he nodded and tossed the lighter on the coffee table. “Okay, Mom. I’ll do what you say.” He paused, then added, “But don’t let her know. Just have someone take her away directly. Send her far away so the media can’t dig it up.” I stood between them, trembling all over. So the so-called “family” had no room for me anymore. So in their eyes, I wasn’t just a burden—I was a bomb that needed to be disposed of. “I won’t go!” I rushed to the coffee table, screaming at the top of my lungs. “This is my home! I’m not a monster! I’m Aria!” I reached for the document on the table, wanting to tear it up. But. My hand passed right through the paper. My brother stood up and walked straight through my body, reaching for his water glass. He didn’t notice a thing. He just felt a cold breeze and hunched his shoulders. “Is the AC too high?” he muttered. I stared blankly at my hands. Translucent. No substance. I turned around and looked toward the stairwell. There was no shadow of me there. Overwhelming despair flooded over me like a tide. Only then did I understand. There was no miracle. I was already dead. I’d become a wandering ghost.

Since I was dead, that was fine. At least I wouldn’t be packed up and sent away like garbage. I wouldn’t be tied up and stuffed into a psychiatric hospital van. I floated above the living room like a ghost, watching these two people I once loved most. That actress Yasmin might have left, but her influence remained. My brother picked up his phone, probably texting her. “Baby, don’t be mad. I’ve already decided to send that mons… to send my sister away.” A voice message quickly came back. “Lucas, that thing in the attic is really your sister? She looks so scary, like a ghost from a horror movie. I had nightmares about it last night.” My brother laughed awkwardly and said into the phone, “Don’t bring her up. It kills the mood.” Don’t bring her up. Kills the mood. When I pushed you out of that inferno, you didn’t think it killed the mood. When you climbed to the top using my shoulders as a ladder, you didn’t think it killed the mood. Now you think I’m ugly? I crouched by the coffee table, looking at those hands that once peeled shrimp for me and played guitar for me, now degrading his own sister to please another woman. Mom was busy in the kitchen. The aroma drifted out. Medium-rare steak. That was my brother’s favorite. It was also a taste I hadn’t experienced in seven years. For these seven years, I ate their leftovers. Sometimes cold pasta, sometimes a dried-out piece of bread. Mom said, “You don’t even exercise, just lie around all day. What’s the point of eating well? It’s a waste.” But now, she carried out a full plate of steak with a loving smile on her face. “Lucas, come try this. Mom made it especially for you.” My brother forked a piece, took a bite, and praised it endlessly. “Mom, your cooking keeps getting better.” Mom watched him eat with a smile, then suddenly sighed. “If Aria hadn’t been disfigured, she’d be in college now, wouldn’t she? She used to love my steak.” I floated over, getting close to Mom’s face. I wanted to hug her. I wanted to tell her, Mom, I’m beautiful now. I’m not ugly anymore. I can go to college now. I want steak. I want to hear you call me baby. But my hand passed through her shoulder. Nothing but emptiness. My brother snorted coldly and spat out a piece of bone. “Mom, don’t talk about hypotheticals. Reality is she’s a burden now, a waste of food.” “And she’s become so psychologically twisted. Yesterday she deliberately came out to scare Yasmin. I think she’s just jealous.” Jealous? I was just thirsty. My throat was parched. I just wanted to go downstairs for some water. I watched my brother take out his phone and open a TikTok live stream preview. The title read: [Tomorrow morning live stream waking up family, showing the most authentic warm daily life] Mom frowned. “Don’t film the attic. What if…” My brother smiled confidently, cutting Mom off. “Don’t worry, Mom.” “Recently people online have been saying I’m a diva with no compassion. This is the perfect opportunity.” “I’ll have her covered with a blanket, just show her back or maybe a hand.” “I’ll say my sister is sick and I’m taking care of her without abandoning her.” “Sell the ‘devoted brother caring for his sick sister’ persona. Those idiot fans eat that up. It’ll definitely attract and retain followers.” So even in death. My only value was as a faceless prop. To perfect his devoted brother image. Not only did they drain my blood and flesh while I lived. Even my corpse after death—he wasn’t planning to let it go. Lucas. You’re something else. I floated in the air, looking at that impeccably handsome face, and suddenly felt disgusted.

The next morning. The sunlight was beautiful, golden rays spilling through the villa’s floor-to-ceiling windows. For the living, this was a beautiful day. For the corpse in the attic, this was a day of decay. I floated by the attic window, looking at the stiff corpse on the bed. After one night. Livor mortis had already appeared on the body. That white dress hung loosely on the frame, making it look even more eerie. That face, under the sunlight, was grotesquely terrifying, with white foam still at the corners of the mouth. The eyes were wide open, dying with grievances unresolved. There was movement downstairs. My brother hadn’t slept until noon as usual. He’d even put on a “no-makeup” look, his hair styled perfectly, wearing a cozy beige sweater that made him look warm and harmless. He held up a selfie stick, flashing a perfect smile at his phone camera. “Good morning, my Little Universe.” “Today I promised to show you my family—my sister.” The live stream instantly filled with hundreds of thousands of viewers. Comments flooded the screen: “So handsome! Love you!” “Lucas is such a good brother, taking care of his sick sister!” “I heard his sister’s in poor health. That must be hard!” Mom was downstairs, off-camera, but couldn’t help whispering instructions: “Remember not to film her face! Whatever you do, don’t film her face! Keep the blanket tight!” My brother made an OK gesture and put a finger to his lips for the camera. “Shh—my sister’s still sleeping. Little lazy bones.” He lowered his voice with an indulgent tone. His voice was so tender it made me want to vomit the dinner I didn’t eat last night. He climbed the attic stairs step by step. Each step landed on the tip of my heart. The wooden stairs creaked. Closer and closer. Closer and closer. He pushed open the attic door. Because the windows were sealed shut and the air didn’t circulate well. A strange smell permeated the room. Mildew, medicine, and a faint trace of… the smell of decay. My brother clearly smelled it. He frowned slightly, a flash of disgust in his eyes. But for the sake of the live stream, he forced himself not to cover his nose and maintained that perfect smile. “My sister hasn’t showered in a few days. She’s a bit lazy.” He joked to the camera, trying to ease the awkwardness. The comments filled with “hahaha” and “brother is so tolerant.” He walked to the bedside. He didn’t kick the bed frame or yell loudly like usual. Instead, he gently patted the blanket covering “me.” His movements were tender, as if handling a treasure. “Aria, time to get up for breakfast.” “I brought you milk, and it’s still warm.” The person on the bed didn’t move. Only deathly silence. Comments began appearing: “Sister seems so aloof.” “Is she uncomfortable from being sick?” “Don’t wake her up. Let her sleep.” To prove their sibling bond and show his meticulous care to his fans. My brother decided to add more drama. “Stop being lazy. The sun’s shining on your butt.” He smiled and adjusted his phone camera angle, aiming at the lump on the bed. “Say hi to the fans.” He reached out his hand to pull back the blanket. I floated in the air, coldly watching all of this. Lucas. Since you want to be famous so badly. Since you want to be the perfect star in your fans’ hearts so much. Then I’ll grant your wish. His hand grabbed the corner of the blanket. He pulled hard…

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My brother was born evil. He’s been trying to kill me since we were kids. When he was five, he threw a lit lighter at me. Half my face was disfigured, my sweat glands permanently destroyed. The burning, itching pain never stops. When I told the truth through my tears, Mom held me and cried too. “I know you’re hurting, sweetheart, but your brother’s just a baby. He couldn’t possibly do something like that.” When he was ten, he deliberately sent me into a thicket hiding a hornets’ nest to fetch a ball. I was attacked by countless hornets. I tumbled down the hill and broke my leg. My kidneys were permanently damaged—I’ll need a catheter bag for the rest of my life. Once again, nobody believed me. “How can you blame your brother when we didn’t watch where you were going?” “Emma, could you please be more careful? Stop causing trouble for this family.” On my eighteenth birthday, he deliberately shoved an entire slice of peanut butter cake into my mouth. My throat swelled shut instantly. I collapsed, consciousness fading. After watching me nearly die, my brother ran out. “Dad! Mom! Emma ate cake and had an allergic reaction! Come quick!” Mom was screaming. Dad was cursing. “This damn girl is always causing problems. Why doesn’t she just die already!” I smiled. [Congratulations on achieving the hidden ending condition: Death #99.] [In 24 hours, the portal to the real world will open.]

My airway was almost completely closed. My breathing sounded like a broken accordion, yet I couldn’t draw in any air. I lay on the floor, barely conscious, hearing only hurried footsteps in the distance. When Dad burst in, the first thing he did was slap me hard across the face. Twice. “Always eating! So greedy! I must have owed you in a past life! Can’t you give me one day of peace!” Mom rummaged frantically across the table. “Where’s the EpiPen? Where did this stupid girl put something that could save her life?” When I first got injured, emergency medication was stashed in every corner of the house. At the slightest cough, Mom would nervously pat my back. “Are you okay, Emma? Should I take you to the hospital?” But as the incidents piled up, the concern in my parents’ eyes turned to exhaustion. Eventually, I dragged myself to follow-up appointments alone, limping out the door on my injured leg. Of course she had no idea where I kept the medication. Dad’s face darkened. He dumped the entire drawer onto the floor, his tone growing more irritated. “Maybe it’s better if we don’t find it. Then we’d all be free.” Two minutes later, they finally found it in a cabinet. Mom’s hands trembled as she jabbed the needle into my thigh. The suffocation gradually faded, but the angry red hives covering my body still itched unbearably. My muscles ached so badly I couldn’t move from where I lay on the floor. Mom glanced at Dad, a flicker of guilt in her eyes. “Maybe we should take her to the hospital to get checked out?” Hesitation crossed Dad’s face, but then he erupted again. “Hospital? Every cent we make goes to her!” “Lucas, next time your sister pulls another stunt, don’t even bother telling us. Once she’s gone, this family can finally live in peace.” He stormed out, slamming the door. Mom sighed and followed. Lucas crouched by my ear and whispered with a soft laugh. “Can’t die, can’t escape. Frustrating, isn’t it?” “Guess what new game I’ll come up with next time?” He left looking pleased with himself, so he didn’t see the genuine smile on my face. Finally. I’m the one who’s truly free. Back when I was severely ill and didn’t want to burden my family, I jumped from the rooftop. That’s when I heard the System’s voice. [Hello, Host. Survival instinct detected at less than 10%. Initiating Rebirth Redemption scenario.] [If you complete the mission and return to the real world, your reward will be a healthy new life.] My mission was to reform my born-evil brother, Lucas. So from the day he was born, I devoted myself to caring for him, talking to him every day. But on the very first night Lucas could speak, he suddenly looked at me with an eerie smile. [You’re the 99th host I’ve encountered. I killed all the others. Hope you’re luckier.] That’s when I learned he was a corrupted transmigrator. Lucas was experienced. Soon I was covered in injuries and had lost my parents’ trust completely. When I lay dying in a hospital bed from severe burns, the System’s voice returned. [Due to a critical bug in this world, the Host has unlocked a hidden ending.] [Meeting the condition of 99 deaths also counts as successful mission completion.] The truth is, every one of Lucas’s attacks should have killed me. The System kept me alive—barely—all this time. I gritted my teeth through over a decade of his torture, all for this moment. [After 24 hours, the return portal will open. You need only experience Death #100 to successfully depart.] I struggled to crawl back onto my bed. My finger accidentally pressed the emergency alarm on the headboard, triggering a loud buzz. Hurried footsteps approached. The door was thrown open again.

Dad stood in the doorway, panting, car keys clutched in his hand. Mom looked me up and down, still shaken. “What now?” I shook my head weakly. “Nothing, I just—” The car keys were hurled into my face. My nose felt like it had shattered. “If it’s nothing, why’d you press the alarm! Do you want me and your mother to die because of you before you’re satisfied!” “You’re already useless. Is your mind that twisted too? Learn something from your brother! Have some sense!” Looking at his hysterical rage, I no longer felt my heart being carved to pieces. Stolen happiness always has to be returned eventually. Before Lucas was born, my parents treated me like their precious treasure. Everything I ate, wore, and used was the best they could afford. When I mentioned wanting to learn piano, Dad worked overtime for three months to buy me the most expensive brand and hire the best teacher. When a boy at school cut my hair, my shy mother stormed into the school and confronted those unreasonable people, standing up for me. In the real world, I was raised by my grandmother. I never knew what it felt like to have a complete family. For a moment, I even thought—how wonderful it would be to stay with them forever. But then he came, and everything ended. Even as an infant, Lucas would spit on my face. When I got upset and pinched his cheek, Mom pulled me aside, her face full of disappointment. “Emma, you’re the older sister. How could you hurt your brother! Everything we taught you was for nothing!” After I was burned, every time my wounds flared up, I would break down crying and grab Mom’s hand. “He really did throw the lighter at me! He’s been this evil since the day he was born. He’ll destroy our whole family!” “There’s still time. We can watch him together. Don’t let him fool you!” At first, they would comfort me. Then one day Dad smashed an ashtray on the floor, his eyes bloodshot. “Emma, we’ve tolerated your tantrums once, twice—fine, we humored you.” “But now you’ve gone too far! It was clearly an accident you caused yourself, and you’re trying to blame your baby brother!” He was so angry he wanted to hit me, but Mom desperately held him back. “Emma, listen to me. We’re both women, I know what you’re thinking.” “But if you’re jealous of your brother and try to get our attention this way, we’ll only hate you more!” Lucas found opportunities to hurt me regularly, and my parents grew increasingly impatient with me. Once he pushed me off a slide. I landed headfirst on the ground and lost consciousness. When I woke up, I was still lying on the concrete. Mom stood over me, arms crossed. “Your brother did this too? How long are you going to keep playing victim?” “Do you think the hospital is your personal property? I can barely pay off my credit cards!” From then on, I gave up completely. I let go of any hope of redemption. Seeing me silent, Mom reached down to help me up. Lucas’s eyes darted, and he suddenly cried out loudly. “Mom! Dad! Say something to me!” “I was standing right next to the alarm. It was so loud—I think it damaged my ears.” Mom’s face went pale. She dropped me, and my leg slammed hard against the floor. “Then let’s get you to the hospital right away. This is serious.” Dad grabbed my hair and dragged me furiously toward the basement. “This damn girl causes problems every day. She’s already a wreck, and now she wants to ruin her brother too!” “Stay in here and think about what you’ve done! No dinner tonight!” The basement door slammed shut. The room was pitch black—I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. All I could hear was rats scurrying past. I closed my eyes quietly and waited for my chance to go home. After what felt like forever, someone shook me awake.

Dad threw a coat at me, his tone flat. “Put it on. Come with me.” My whole body felt like it was about to explode with pain. A sudden high fever made my head swim. Dad’s expression grew impatient. Mom grabbed my arm and started stuffing it into the coat sleeves. “Emma, be good, don’t fight us. We’re doing this for your own good.” Suddenly she stopped. “Why are you burning up? Are you—” Mom’s hand was about to touch my forehead when Lucas put on an exaggerated performance, his voice strained. “Do we really have to send Emma to a nursing home? I can quit tutoring, stop hanging out with friends on weekends—save all the money and time to take care of her.” “Emma, just apologize. Promise not to cause Mom and Dad any more trouble. We can get through this as a family.” Years ago, when one of Dad’s friends visited and saw my condition, he suggested sending me to a nursing home. Dad slammed the table in anger. “Your father-in-law died within a month of being put in one of those places. You want me to kill my own daughter?” “As long as this family has food to eat, I will never let Emma live alone in a place like that!” Looking back now, it seems almost ironic. I shook my head weakly. “I didn’t do anything wrong.” Mom’s hand froze mid-air. Disgust crossed her face. Dad grew even angrier and grabbed my arm, dragging me toward the door. “I should have sent you away long ago. Wasting my time on an ungrateful wretch like you.” I was thrown into the back seat. Every bump felt like a thousand knives stabbing my organs. Even breathing became difficult. I gritted my teeth, losing consciousness over and over, jolted awake each time by the pain, until the car finally stopped in front of a run-down building. The director wore a grimy white coat as he settled me into a wheelchair. “You came at just the right time. A bed just opened up.” “Once you pay the fees, we can process her admission.” Before we even entered, I heard someone inside screaming in agony and the sound of things being smashed. Several burly men rushed in and pinned him down like an animal, injecting something into his neck. The man’s eyes went vacant. He lay motionless on the floor. Mom was too scared to go inside. “What’s wrong with him? And our daughter is a girl—how can you put her in a room with a man?” The director smiled as if this were routine. “He just has a mental illness. He’s fine when he’s lucid.” “All the other rooms are full. Besides, once everyone ends up here, does it really matter if it’s a man or a woman?” Dad’s face was dark, but he said nothing. Mom’s eyes flickered toward me. After a long silence, Dad sighed and was about to speak when Lucas cut in. “Dad, Mom, the air in here is making me feel sick. I think I might be getting a fever.” “Emma grew up with me, so she should be pretty used to younger guys, right?” He forced out a few coughs, his face reddening. Mom and Dad quickly pushed him toward the exit. “Okay, okay, let’s go. Director, we’ll leave Emma in your care.” I was thrown onto a bed by the staff like a dead pig. After the director left, no one came to check on us. Late that night, the man on the floor woke up. He turned his head and saw me. A crazed, eerie smile spread across his face. He pulled a small fruit knife from under his pillow, playfully traced it across my body a few times, then stabbed it deep into my thigh. Blood splattered onto the sheets. I was too weak to move a single finger. Even if I could move, I had long since stopped wanting to fight back. He went into a frenzy, slashing at my face and body. The room echoed with the sound of flesh being torn. I bit down hard on my lip, swallowing every scream. Just a little longer. Then I’ll be free. After what felt like an eternity, I looked at my mutilated body. The System’s voice sounded in my ear. [Congratulations on clearing the scenario. The return portal will open at noon. Please wait.] I drifted out and wandered around. Around eight in the morning, I actually saw Mom and Dad appear in the corridor. Mom’s eyes were red. “I couldn’t sleep all night. No matter how angry we were, we shouldn’t have left Emma here.” Dad seemed a bit impatient, but his tone softened. “You women are always so sentimental.” “Let’s see how she’s adjusting. If it’s not working out and she apologizes to me, I suppose we could take her back.” The director rolled his eyes when they weren’t looking. “They got along great. Not a sound from either of them last night.” “But just so you know—if you want to leave now, I can only refund half the fees.” The card reader beeped. The door was pushed open.

The director made a satisfied round of the room. “See? I told you everything was fine. They’re both sleeping peacefully.” My roommate had dissociative identity disorder. His normal personality had surfaced briefly around dawn. Seeing the hellish scene in the room, he had frantically wiped away all the blood, then stuffed the soiled bedding into a cabinet. So apart from a faint smell of blood, my mutilated body was hidden beneath a neatly arranged thick blanket, as if I were simply fast asleep. Dad cleared his throat awkwardly and struck a pose at the doorway. “See? I told you she’s fine. What time is it and she’s still sleeping?” “Her parents are here and she can’t even get up to say hello?” Mom walked a few steps closer and set a meal container on the nightstand. “Alright, Emma. I know you must be upset. That’s why I got up at five this morning to make your favorite noodles.” “Go wash up, eat, apologize properly to your father, write a promise letter, and then we’ll take you home, okay?” It was always like this before. First they’d blow up at me because of Lucas’s manipulation, then once their guilt kicked in, they’d make me some food to smooth things over. The truth is, I never liked noodles. I just went along with it for their sake. When Mom saw I wasn’t responding, she reached to pull back my blanket. The man in the next bed suddenly shot upright and let out a piercing scream. “Ahhh! Don’t touch it! Everyone out! Get out!” Mom immediately retreated to the doorway, gasping for breath. “Emma, why are you being so difficult? Get up now!” Staff rushed in when they heard the commotion, expertly strapping him to the bed with restraints and giving him another sedative injection to calm him down. An older staff member noticed the blood between the man’s fingers and suddenly frowned. “Didn’t you secure him properly last night? Look at the blood on his hands and sleeves. Did something happen between them?” The new employee’s pupils contracted for a moment before he forced himself to speak. “Impossible. I watched them all night. They were completely calm.” He patted the edge of my bed. “Hey, everything okay last night? I told you to press the call button if anything happened.” Of course I couldn’t answer. Another staff member looked suspiciously at my bed and reached to pull the blanket away. “Miss, please wake up. Are you injured? Can you speak?” A bit of my hair was visible. Just a little more and they would see the knife wounds he’d carved into me. That’s when my dad bellowed. “My daughter is a girl! A grown man pulling off her blanket—that’s harassment!” “If you need to check, send a female staff member!” The male attendant stepped back, exasperated. “Then perhaps your wife could check? Once we confirm she’s okay, we’ll leave.” Mom nodded. Lucas covered his mouth and began his performance. “Emma must have been awake for a while now. I remember she’s always been a light sleeper.” “When she’s in a mood, she just ignores everyone. If you pull off her blanket, she’ll probably throw a tantrum.” “Mom, you know how extreme Emma can be. Maybe we shouldn’t provoke her.” Dad nodded at this and stood up with a sweeping gesture. “He’s right. Why are we still indulging her? Let’s go. I want to see how long this stubborn girl can keep up her attitude!” Mom kept looking back as they left, but in the end, she followed behind him. I watched them get in the car and drive farther and farther from the nursing home. The System sent a notification. [Host, the return portal is now open. You may prepare for departure at any time.] Before pressing confirm, I pulled my hand back and followed that car. [Wait a little longer. I want to see how long it takes them to realize they killed their own daughter with their own hands.]

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In my past life, my husband and best friend secretly changed our vacation plans. They knew I had a severe fear of deep water, yet they still took me diving. I wanted to refuse, but they said this would help me overcome my phobia. One was my husband of three years, the other was my best friend since childhood—I chose to trust them! But they brought me to a deserted island, where I accidentally caught them having rough sex under a palm tree. After I discovered them, they immediately abandoned me and swam away in their diving suits! Because of my fear of water, I survived on wild fruits for a week on that island, until I was finally torn apart and devoured by wild beasts! Meanwhile, they collected my massive life insurance payout and lived happily ever after! After my rebirth, they once again suggested a vacation. I smiled and agreed! Half my body was hanging over the edge of the yacht, the cold metal railing digging painfully into my skin. Derek and Megan each grabbed one of my legs, pulling me down with all their strength. I gripped the railing for dear life, my knuckles white from the effort. Memories of nearly drowning in a river near my hometown as a child wrapped around me like seaweed, making it impossible to breathe. Derek knew about this. I looked at him with reddened eyes, my voice trembling uncontrollably. “Derek, I’m scared.” A flash of undisguised annoyance crossed his face. “Emma, we finally get a chance to have some fun together. Can you please not ruin it?” “It’s just getting in the water. It’s not going to kill you.” Megan had a smile plastered on her face while she kept pulling. “Come on, Em, don’t be scared. There’s a breathing mask, oxygen—Derek and I will protect you.” When Derek saw I wouldn’t let go, he pulled even harder. My whole body lurched, and I almost slipped off. The icy seawater slapped against my calves, and a bone-chilling cold instantly spread through my entire body. Derek cursed under his breath. He released my leg and climbed nimbly back onto the yacht from the water. Before I could even catch my breath, he kicked me off. Splash The freezing, salty seawater instantly flooded my mouth and nose, choking me until my vision went black. Megan’s piercing laughter cut through the water into my ears. “Oh my God, Emma, you look like a drowning chicken! I’m dying!” I finally managed to surface, desperately gasping for air, feeling like my lungs were about to explode. The breathing mask was still hanging around my neck—I hadn’t had time to put it on properly. Derek stood at the edge of the yacht, looking down at me. He didn’t even reach out a hand. I slowly slipped on my swim ring and followed behind them. Derek and Megan moved through the water like fish, diving down and then surfacing again. Watching Derek’s athletic figure in the water, my eyes suddenly stung. Our first meeting was also in water. He was a swimming instructor, and I had signed up for lessons to overcome my childhood trauma. That day, I slipped and fell into the deep end. The terror of drowning from my memories instantly consumed me. I thrashed wildly, certain I was going to die. He pulled me out of the water and held me tightly in his arms. I still remember the warmth of his embrace, and the comforting words he whispered in my ear. “Don’t be scared. I’ve got you.” Later, we grew closer and closer. On the day he proposed, he knelt down and promised me. “Emma, as long as I’m here, you don’t have to be afraid of anything. I’ll protect you forever!” Two years ago, during a heavy storm, the city flooded—water up to our knees. He carried me on his back, step by step, through the murky floodwater. When we reached safety, the bottom of his foot had been sliced open by broken glass in the water, bleeding profusely. But he just breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at me. “Good thing you didn’t have to touch the water.” But now, he was trying to kill me—with someone else’s help! 2 My thoughts snapped back to reality, and I suddenly realized the two people ahead of me had disappeared. All around me was nothing but a vast white expanse of ocean, stretching endlessly with no sign of the yacht. I called out tentatively. “Derek? Megan?” Except for the sound of the waves, there was no answer. I was trying to decide whether to swim back now or wait for them a little longer. Just then, the water in front of me erupted with a splash, and someone burst up from below! “Ahhh!” I screamed in terror, my heart nearly leaping out of my throat! Megan clutched her chest, looking annoyed. “What are you screaming for? You scared me!” I was still catching my breath, my heart pounding. She rolled her eyes dismissively. “It was just a joke. Relax.” I bit down hard on my bloodless lips and asked her. “Where’s Derek?” Megan jerked her chin toward a direction. “He found a small island up ahead. You were taking forever, so he sent me back to get you.” She urged me impatiently. “Let’s go, hurry up!” I looked toward that hazy direction and offered a warning. “There might be wild animals on an uninhabited island. We should probably stay off it.” Megan laughed like she’d just heard the funniest joke. “Emma, you’re such a coward.” She looked me up and down, her eyes full of undisguised contempt. “Honestly, I have no idea how someone like Derek—who loves extreme sports—ever ended up with someone like you.” With that, she swam off without looking back, leaving me behind. I watched her retreating figure and slowly curved my lips into a smile. Oh, Megan. I warned you. You just wouldn’t listen! The waves pushed me, bit by bit, toward that dark green, isolated island. In my past life, this was the island where I was torn to pieces! The searing pain of beasts ripping through my flesh, the crunching sound of my bones being crushed, the endless despair in my final moments—it all came flooding back. I finally crawled onto shore. Derek was standing not far away, waving at us. Seeing how slowly I moved, Derek’s patience finally ran out. He grabbed me roughly and dragged me forward. “Emma, your pathetic whining makes me sick!” “I want a partner who can stand beside me and experience life and see the world—not some cowardly little mouse!” Megan suddenly burst out laughing. “Don’t be mad at her, Derek. She’s always been like this.” “When we were kids, she was scared of chickens. Now she’s scared of dogs. Her courage is smaller than a pinhead.” “Isn’t that why we planned this trip? To toughen her up?” I frowned at her. “What do you mean?” Megan smiled mysteriously. “You’ll find out soon enough!” They exchanged a look, then grabbed me from both sides and dragged me to a tree, tying me up tightly with rope they had brought. Derek dusted off his hands. “If you can make it through tonight, you pass the test!” I stared at him in disbelief. “There could be wild animals on this island! Tying me up here—are you trying to kill me?” But seeing the terror on my face only made Derek and Megan smile with satisfaction. No matter how much I screamed behind them, they didn’t look back once. The scorching sun burned my skin, quickly raising blisters that stung like fire. When night fell, they built a fire in a cave. From where I was tied, I had a clear view of everything inside. In the flickering firelight, Megan tilted her head up and kissed Derek on the lips. Derek only froze for a moment. The next second, he took control, pressing his hand against the back of her neck and deepening the kiss aggressively. As they tangled together, Megan opened her eyes slightly and looked directly at me over Derek’s shoulder. In her eyes was undisguised triumph and mockery! I felt every last trace of warmth in my blood crystallize into pure hatred. The night grew deeper. The firelight in the cave flickered, casting two intertwined shadows on the walls. Their panting, their shameless laughter—it all reached my ears. I closed my eyes, refusing to watch that disgusting scene any longer. The blisters the sun had burned into my skin throbbed with stabbing pain in the cool night sea breeze. The bloody welts on my wrists and ankles from the ropes had long gone numb. Hunger and thirst tortured my body, but my mind was clearer than ever. My gruesome death in my past life. Their betrayal in this one. Scene after scene replayed in my mind like a movie. I rubbed my wrist against the rough bark of the tree behind me, over and over. The sharp edges of the bark dug deep into my flesh. The pain made my whole body tremble. But this pain was nothing compared to what they had put me through! Blood ran down my wrist. The sticky sensation mixed with the salty sea breeze, giving off a strange metallic smell. A small tear appeared in the rope. I pulled hard, and the rope binding me snapped. I collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. My wrist was a bloody mess—I could almost see the white of bone. I steadied myself against the tree trunk and stood up shakily, then slipped silently into the dense forest nearby. 3 Derek was woken by the blinding sunlight. Megan was still asleep, a smile lingering on her lips. Derek nudged her. “Wake up. It’s morning.” Megan reluctantly opened her eyes and yawned. “What time is it? I bet that little coward Emma pissed herself from fear.” Her voice was full of schadenfreude. “Let’s go check out her pathetic state!” Derek nodded, and they walked out of the cave together. But when their eyes fell on the tree outside, they both froze. Under the tree—nothing. Only a piece of broken rope lay alone on the ground, stained with dried, dark red blood. Where was I? Megan’s eyes instantly lit up with excitement, and she nearly jumped for joy. “A wild animal must have dragged her off last night!” “This is perfect! Absolutely perfect! Saves us so much trouble!” She laughed maniacally, as if she’d just heard the best news in the world. But Derek’s brow furrowed tightly. He crouched down and carefully examined the traces on the ground. “Something’s wrong.” Megan’s laughter cut off abruptly. “What’s wrong?” Derek pointed at the broken rope and the surrounding ground, his expression cautious. “Look—the rope looks like it was worn through, not bitten.” “And besides this blood, there’s not a single sign of a struggle on the ground.” “If there really was a wild animal, it wouldn’t be this clean.” The smile on Megan’s face froze. “Then… where is she?” Derek stood up and brushed the dirt off his hands. “I don’t know.” His gaze swept over the dark, dense forest around them, a cold glint in his eyes. “Alive or dead, I need to see for myself.” “Without seeing her body, I can’t let my guard down.” Megan’s face went pale. “What do you mean? You’re going to look for her?” “This island gives me the creeps. I’m not going in there!” Derek shot her an icy look. “Then stay here alone. I’m going.” With that, he headed into the depths of the forest. Megan gritted her teeth. Even though she was terrified, she reluctantly followed. In my past life, after Derek and Megan brought me to this island, they quietly put on the diving gear they had prepared in advance and left. Because I was afraid of water, I could only wait alone for rescue! And I ended up dying a horrible death! So after my rebirth, the first thing I did was learn how to swim. My hatred helped me overcome my fear! Watching their figures disappear into the trees, I silently made my way to the spot where they had hidden the diving equipment in my past life. I threw away one set, put on the other, and left this island. Derek. Megan. Enjoy your thrilling wilderness survival experience! The terrain on the island became increasingly treacherous. Towering trees blocked out the sunlight, and a damp, rotting smell filled the air. Megan was already timid by nature, and now her face was pale with fear. “Derek, I’m so scared. This place is terrifying…” “Let’s go back, please? Emma must be dead by now. The animals have probably eaten her—bones and all!” Derek turned to glare at her impatiently. “Shut up! If you want to leave, go ahead!” While they were talking, neither of them noticed the danger at their feet. Two seconds later. “Ahhh!” A terrified scream echoed through the silent forest.

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After a business marriage, I found myself with a four-year-old daughter. Before I even met her, I braced myself for a cold, pure marriage of convenience. In my mind, I pictured a “standard” blended family life: a wife who barely noticed me, and a stepdaughter who ignored me completely. But the moment I saw that tiny figure, tugging at her dress, carefully whispering “Daddy,” I was utterly, completely done for. My heart melted. I even asked my wife, “If we ever go our separate ways, can Lily come with me?” My wife just stared: “???” Our family business hit a rough patch, and my dad was desperate to marry me off to a business partner who already had a child. Honestly, I was pretty okay with it. I was a confirmed bachelor, after all. Since she already had a kid, I wouldn’t have to worry about raising my own. Plus, I heard she was a total workaholic, never had time for her child, who was always looked after by a nanny. I figured life would be easier this way — my wife was loaded, so at least I wouldn’t have to foot the bill for the kid. The wedding was small, quiet, and low-key. Not many guests. And no, I didn’t see the kid there. My new wife, Aria , definitely lived up to her reputation as a workaholic. The ceremony barely ended before she was on a work call. Before she left, she just said, “Something urgent came up at work. I won’t be home for a few days.” “Lily is already home. Go get acquainted with her.” Lily , that was my stepdaughter’s name. My parents divorced years ago, and my relationship with my dad was pretty distant. I didn’t take much from my old home, just a small necklace pendant, when I moved into my new place.

“Mr. Thompson, the young lady is waiting for you in the living room,” Mrs. Jenkins, the housekeeper, said with a smile as I walked in. Uh… was she already planning to give me the cold shoulder? Whatever. I’d play it by ear. How hard could a four-and-a-half-year-old be? But then… Who was that perfect little doll, all rosy cheeks and sweet innocence, sitting on the sofa?! So tiny! So cute! So soft! While I was still blinking in surprise, the little one slid off the sofa and walked right up to me. In her tiny, sweet voice, she tried her best to articulate, “Mr…. Mr. Thompson, this is… Lily’s present… for… Mr. Thompson.” It was a pink bunny plushie, almost as tall as she was. Even though it was huge, she strained to push it towards me. Despite it being our first meeting, she was showing me the purest kindness. My heart warmed instantly. I quickly took the bunny, then crouched down, taking her chubby little hands in mine. “Wow! Thank you, sweet pea! I absolutely love it!” My voice was incredibly gentle. “You’re Lily, right? I’m your Daddy, and from now on, we’re a family. You can call me Daddy directly.” Oh my god! She was so adorable! I wanted to hug her so badly! How could my wife, in name only, be so careless with such a precious child? My poor little one! That’s right, from this moment on, she’s my daughter, no questions asked! The little one seemed startled by my words. Her tiny body trembled slightly, her pale little cheeks flushed pink, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her dress. Then, she cautiously, tentatively, whispered, “Da… Daddy?” After saying it, she shyly lowered her head, only to sneak a peek at me again. Heaven help me! My wife could wait; my daughter was mine!! I cleared my throat and gave a solemn “Mhm.” Then I turned to the housekeeper, who was standing nearby, and said, “I’ll take care of Lily. You can go handle your other tasks.” “Of course, Mr. Thompson.” This feeling was amazing! I tried to suppress my excitement, pretending to be calm as I gently picked up the little munchkin. One arm around her, the other holding the bunny plushie, I headed upstairs. I’d been here a few times before the wedding, so I had a general idea of the villa’s layout. It truly was a business mogul’s estate: six floors, three elevators, and two exquisite small gardens. The decor was minimalist yet grand. I took the little one to the room Aria had prepared for me and placed the bunny plushie by the pillow. “Lily, I’m sorry, Daddy didn’t get you a welcome gift. But this necklace pendant is very important to me. Could you help me keep it safe?” I took the necklace from my neck. “I’ll wear it every day!” she promised seriously. I put it on her, and she looked so happy. “How about sleeping with Daddy tonight, and tomorrow Daddy will take you to kindergarten, okay?” I tried to keep my voice as gentle as possible. If my friends saw me this soft and patient, they’d probably think I’d been replaced by an alien. “Okay,” came another soft, sweet reply. So cute. Lost in my own thoughts, I didn’t notice the faint, almost imperceptible flicker of something unusual on the little one’s innocent face. That night. “…And so, the little bunny and Daddy bunny lived happily ever after.” After finishing the story, I looked down at the little one, whose breathing was steady and who was already fast asleep, then gently closed the storybook. Just then, my phone suddenly rang. It startled me so much I nearly threw it. I fumbled to silence the ringtone. Only after confirming that Lily hadn’t been woken and her breathing was still even, did I finally relax. I tiptoed out of the room, walked far enough away to ensure she couldn’t hear me, then called back. “Leo Thompson! You hung up on me!” Chloe’s voice practically detonated over the phone. “Keep it down! I just put my daughter to sleep. And it’s my wedding night, technically. Why are you calling so late?” I grumbled. “Oh, please, everyone knows your wife didn’t even go home. She went straight back to work after the wedding.” “Wait! What did you just say? Daughter? Where did you get a daughter?” Chloe’s voice was full of shock. I frowned. “She’s my wife’s daughter. But now, she’s my daughter.” It was normal for Chloe not to know. I only found out about Lily’s existence when I was told I was marrying Aria. Aria had kept the child well-protected; the outside world knew very little. But now, Lily’s existence was public knowledge. “And also, stop yelling so loud.” “I was just worried you’d be stuck alone on your wedding night, so I called to spread some cheer!” Chloe’s tone was overly dramatic. I had no idea the little one would be so adorable. I thought that to myself but didn’t say it out loud. “Alright, what’s up?” “You have to come to the reunion this Saturday! Mason’s going to be there too. Remember! Dress to impress, look absolutely stunning, like you own the place, and show him up!” Just hearing her tone, I could picture Chloe gritting her teeth. I found it a bit amusing and soothed her, “Alright, alright, that was ages ago. I don’t care about it anymore.” She scoffed, “Humph,” and didn’t say anything else. We chatted for a few more minutes, then hung up. I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window on the fifth floor, staring out at the night sky, lost in thought. Suddenly, I remembered that summer after high school graduation.

In high school, Chloe, Mason, and I were pretty close. At a get-together after graduation, Isabella, the most popular girl, suddenly confessed her feelings for me in front of everyone. The whole place was buzzing with people cheering and making a scene. I was annoyed and rejected her outright. Isabella was famous in our grade for being beautiful, with tons of admirers, including Mason. But Isabella seemed to have a special soft spot for me, which had always bothered him. Because of my rejection, Isabella probably felt embarrassed. Mason seized the opportunity to comfort her, and they ended up together. A lot of people whispered behind our backs that Mason had picked up my sloppy seconds. Our friendship became complicated after that. I thought once we went to different colleges, we’d never cross paths again. But even though we weren’t at the same university, he still found ways to spread rumors about me, just to make my life miserable. Isabella and Mason didn’t last long, though; I heard they broke up pretty quickly. Mason would also be at the class reunion this Saturday. “Ugh, what a pain.” I irritably ran a hand through my hair. But it had been so long, maybe he’d forgotten all about it. Thinking that, I felt a bit more relaxed. Over the next few days, I spent most of my time at home with Lily. Besides taking her to and from kindergarten every day, I worked on my design sketches at home. I’m a professional fashion designer, and I wasn’t about to give up my work just because I got married. That would be too boring. Lately, this little munchkin had been a huge source of inspiration. Not sketching it out would be an insult to my professional integrity!

Saturday morning, I watched the little one quietly building blocks, a smile playing on my lips. But then I thought of the afternoon’s reunion, and couldn’t help but sigh. Why a class reunion and not a parent-teacher conference? Noticing my change in mood, Lily looked up, her small face worried, “Daddy, are you sad?” I ruffled her chubby little cheek and said, “Daddy has to go to a get-together this afternoon. Can Lily play by herself for a little while at home?” After these past few days, Lily had grown much closer to me. “Can Lily come with Daddy then? Lily will be very good and listen,” she asked, blinking her big eyes. Thinking that Mason might be at the reunion, I instinctively wanted to refuse. Her bright eyes instantly dimmed. “Okay, Lily will wait for Daddy at home.” Crap, a strong wave of guilt washed over me. It wouldn’t hurt to bring Lily, right? I’d keep a close eye on her anyway. Leaving her alone at home would make me just like her workaholic mom, wouldn’t it? “Of course you can. Lily can come with Daddy, okay?” “Yay!” Her eyes immediately lit up again, and I breathed a sigh of relief. But why did I feel like this little one had me completely wrapped around her finger? The reunion was in a private room at a club. By the time we arrived, most people were already there. “Well, well, if it isn’t our famous designer, Leo! What took you so long? We were waiting for you!” I was spotted by an eagle-eyed classmate as soon as I walked in. My plan to quietly huddle in a corner was officially ruined. I smiled and greeted them, then, seeing Chloe waving frantically at me, I took Lily’s hand and walked over. At this, everyone’s gaze shifted to us, and the chatter died down. “Leo, who is this…?” Someone asked curiously. I sat down, pulling Lily onto my lap, and frowned at the drinks piled on the table. “My daughter,” I said frankly, then looked at the server nearby, asking gently, “Excuse me, do you have any juice or milk suitable for a child?” “Yes, sir, I’ll bring it right away.” After settling Lily, I turned to Chloe. “Wipe that hungry wolf look off your face. You’re scaring my daughter.” Chloe chuckled. “Your daughter is so cute! Does she need a godmother?” She had a mischievous look. “Get lost,” I scoffed, giving her a disgusted look. We ate and chatted. A moment later, a strong scent of cologne wafted over. The next second, Lily let out a tiny sneeze. At the same time, a familiar voice cut in: “Leo, I hear you got married recently. To someone with a kid? Why would you do that? You didn’t go and become a…” He didn’t finish the sentence, but everyone understood what he was implying. “Mason! What are you being such a jerk for?!” Chloe’s temper flared instantly, and she glared at him. Mason raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Oh, my bad. Did I hit a nerve?” I shifted Lily away from him, covering her little nose. My voice was icy. “Mason, could you please back off? Can’t you see my daughter is practically choking on your cologne?” “You!” His face instantly turned ugly. Then, he seemed to think of something, pointing at Lily in my arms. “So this is your second wife’s kid, huh?” He forced a fake smile, addressing Lily. “Little girl, do you really think he likes you? Wait until he has his own kids, then he’ll show his true colors and won’t want you anymore!” His expression was feigned sympathy, but the malice was unmistakable. Lily buried her face in my chest. I thought she was scared, and my anger flared. I scoffed, “Mason! Didn’t you say you were coming with your new girlfriend? Where is she? Don’t tell me… you got dumped again?” “Then again, for such a ‘sensitive’ guy, why can’t you ever hold onto anyone?” Seeing his face turn thunderous, I knew I’d hit the mark. I instantly felt a surge of satisfaction. I waved at Chloe, then picked up Lily and stood. “That’s enough of this reunion for today. I have to go.” This reunion was completely ruined. I should probably avoid these in the future. As I carried Lily, I didn’t notice the little one glance coldly over my shoulder at Mason, who stood frozen, before turning her gaze thoughtfully towards my… stomach.

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After I insisted on divorce, my ex-wife suddenly became a millionaire and got together with my best friend. Meanwhile, I ended up working three jobs a day as a waiter. When we met again, it was at an upscale club. My friend said with some regret, “If you hadn’t insisted on the divorce back then, you’d be the one enjoying the high life now. In the end, your luck always falls just a bit short.” And she looked on indifferently, holding her new husband’s hand, with the composure of someone who had trampled me into the mud. She let everyone jeer at me, treating me as worthless. I knew Madison was waiting to see me embarrassed, waiting to see me regret it. But unfortunately, I remained like an outsider the whole time! After setting down the fruit platter, I said politely, “Everything’s here. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out now.” Madison lost control of her emotions a bit and stood up to block my path. This was the first time we’d met since the divorce six years ago. She was still fixated on the fact that I had abandoned her, as if she was determined to get an explanation. Yes, no one could understand why I wanted a divorce. Back then, we were the perfect match in the eyes of elders and friends, and we got married with everyone’s blessing. Although we didn’t live in luxury, Madison was good at taking care of the home. Everyone around us had nothing but praise for her. Even my parents said, “Jason, you married such a wonderful woman like Madison. What more could you want?” When I brought up divorce, they said I didn’t know what was good for me. Even though my mother slapped me and my father threatened to disown me. I still left Madison without looking back. Looking at the refined, elegant, and triumphant woman before me. I smiled slightly. “Even if you’ve become a billionaire now, I’m still glad I left you back then.” I had no time to address everyone’s confusion. I left with one sentence: “Six years have passed, and you’ve never once thought about what you did wrong.” I really envied how she could live so shamelessly. Little did she know what kind of grievances I suffered in that hellish marriage. When we first got married, Madison sold our wedding apartment behind my back. When I came home from a business trip, all that greeted me were several large bags of luggage in the hallway. That’s when I found out we had no home. Exhausted and tired, I called her to ask why. All I got was her impatient rebuke: “A distant relative got sick and needed money for surgery. She’s family after all—what’s wrong with selling the apartment to help her?” It wasn’t that I wouldn’t let her help, but I hoped she would act within our means. Plus, we had just gotten married and were struggling ourselves. We could barely take care of our own needs most of the time. What I really minded was that the apartment was bought with money we saved together. How could she sell it without even telling me? I struggled to drag those large bags, under the scorching sun, not even knowing where I could stay. My confused and aggrieved behavior somehow angered Madison. “All you do is complain! The apartment’s already sold—what more do you want? I promise I’ll buy you a big mansion to live in later, okay?” Ignoring my sadness and confusion, she hung up and took a long leave from work. I thought she was taking time off to find us a new place. Instead, she dove headfirst into the hospital to take care of that so-called relative we hadn’t even met before. Everyone gave me a thumbs up: “Jason, your wife really is a genuinely good person!” Even when the neighbor’s dog went missing, Madison would help search for it late at night after working overtime. She was clearly exhausted, yet she ignored my concern. She didn’t go home until she found the dog, dragging her tired body back.

Before marriage, I just thought she was warm-hearted. It proved she was a kind person. But the more time we spent together, the more I couldn’t accept how she was full of kindness toward outsiders while being harsh and irritable only with me. Three months after selling the wedding apartment, we could only squeeze into a cramped, rundown apartment. When it rains, it pours—she got pregnant. The doctor said pregnant women needed to stay happy and should receive extra care and consideration. To help her have peace of mind during pregnancy, I requested a transfer to a less demanding position. Madison thought I was making too big a deal of it, and she also believed that relative’s words that I was trying to slack off and lacked ambition. Then she brought several relatives who needed help back to our rental to stay, demanding I take care of them. The house was like a market every day, giving me splitting headaches. The mountain of housework and the messy, cluttered living room broke through my last line of defense. Unable to bear it any longer, I drove them away. Madison got angry and had a huge fight with me. “They’re all my family. Without them helping and raising me, I would’ve been wandering in some corner long ago.” “Anyway, since you married me, you have to help me take care of them. That’s your fate.” After saying this, she glanced disgustedly around the house. Pointing her finger at me: “I’m going to pick them up and bring them back. You hurry up and clean the house, and mop the floor too.” When she slammed the door on her way out, she used so much force that it swung open again. A passing neighbor shook their head and clicked their tongue a few times. “Your wife is pregnant. It’s normal for her emotions to be unstable. What’s wrong with doing a bit more housework? No wonder Madison is so angry.” Madison was extremely popular. Whenever there was any conflict between us, outsiders always thought I was being unreasonable. At that time, I lost twenty pounds from anxiety and insomnia, looking haggard beyond recognition. I couldn’t care about others pointing fingers, and showed weakness to her time and again. “The doctor said you need to rest and protect the pregnancy. Plus, our financial situation isn’t good—we don’t have extra money to help those relatives.” I couldn’t understand why she insisted on bringing these relatives to the city. The place was cramped, and we even had to sleep on the floor at night. They had houses and land in the countryside where they could eat and live comfortably. I patiently tried to persuade her: “Madison, even if you send them half your salary every month, I won’t say anything. But having them stay here is seriously affecting our lives…” Madison wouldn’t listen. She just thought I was heartless and gave me the cold shoulder for a long time. Until she became increasingly irritable, the fetal movements became abnormal, and the doctor recommended hospital observation. Only then did she reluctantly send those relatives away. But it was already too late. For the sake of her health, the doctor said the pregnancy was no longer viable and strongly recommended ending it. Madison refused, cursing: “I’ve already sent the relatives away. From now on, just cook two extra dishes per meal and take good care of me. I don’t believe that if I eat well and sleep well, there’ll be problems with the baby!” I was shocked by her words, as if I was meeting her for the first time. The doctor said the fetal condition was unstable, and if she continued the pregnancy, even her life would be in danger. If she had any regard for herself at all, she couldn’t possibly say such outrageous things. At that moment, the blood in my body seemed to freeze. Knowing there was no point communicating with such a person, I supported the doctor’s decision. When she came out of the operating room, pale as death. A slap came flying at me. I stood there stunned. Then came Madison’s furious voice: “Jason, you’re so evil! Give me back my child!” This incident became known throughout the entire community. Many neighbors came voluntarily to comfort Madison. Although they didn’t say it directly, everyone who looked at me showed disgust in their eyes. Some self-righteous justice warriors mocked me: “Sigh, poor Madison was really looking forward to the baby. When marrying, you really should marry someone generous, otherwise even good people don’t get good outcomes.”

Madison could have explained the doctor’s recommendation. But she didn’t, and she actually enjoyed the feeling of being sympathized with by everyone. I suddenly felt too tired to speak. Looking at the woman putting on an act with extreme disappointment. I asked her, “Have you had enough of this act?” No one felt the pain of losing the child more than I did. Besides, it wasn’t my fault. “Madison, why would someone like you get married and harm others?” “Being your closest person is such bad luck. I won’t stop you from being busy loving the world—let’s get divorced.” I packed my things and moved out. Before leaving, I returned her slap. She covered her reddened face from my slap but didn’t ask me to stay. Because she didn’t need to do it herself—naturally, others would come to defend her. First were my parents. They threatened me with both carrot and stick: “What exactly did Madison do wrong? This whole thing was your fault to begin with. Who told you to agree to it? It’s understandable that she’s so angry.” “And look, which daughter-in-law would run over on the weekend to go shopping with her mother-in-law? Last week I just coughed a few times, and she bought medicine and made soup to take care of me—she’s like my own child.” “Anyway, I won’t allow you to throw tantrums with her anymore!” Seeing that I wouldn’t listen to anything, Dad issued an ultimatum: “You must move back in today and apologize properly to Madison, or our father-son relationship ends here!” Then there was my best friend, Marcus. He was still moved by how Madison once drove him back to his distant hometown. Following my parents’ lead, he kept accusing me: “Jason, you really are in the wrong here. I feel like ever since you got married, you’ve become so petty. Not knowing how to be understanding isn’t a good habit.” Even my good friend had received favors from Madison. Only I, since getting married, had never received a single bit of kindness from her. She could donate a month’s salary to a stray animal organization. She could also, at an invitation from the community group chat, happily abandon me to go volunteer. During a hurricane, the window in our house cracked. I was scared and shivering. She took a call and left to accompany a male friend from the community, telling me to stay alone. I said I was scared. She found me pretentious: “What’s there to be scared of? Do you think you’re still a child?” After hurting me with her words, she went out into the storm. Even when she fell heavily in the strong wind and broke bones all over her body. She still got up and endured the pain to go accompany that male friend. Or like when she promised to go with me to the hospital for a gastritis checkup, but the next second abandoned me to go eat with friends. Things like this were too numerous to count on ten fingers. Sometimes I really felt I was worth less than trash. Disapproval floated in Marcus’s eyes as he continued to accuse me: “Jason, I won’t help you this time either. No matter what, you shouldn’t have agreed to it.” Looking at these people’s faces, I pulled out the medical report. “The doctor said the baby couldn’t be saved. Can you understand that? It wasn’t that I agreed to it.” “You’re all as stubborn as Madison, never caring about her well-being.” Seeing the evidence, they were left speechless and finally shut up. But what I didn’t expect was this. During the cooling-off period between Madison and me, Marcus would take advantage of the opportunity. He claimed to have stomach cancer and begged Madison to accompany him for wedding photos. His excuse: “My life is about to end. My only dying wish is to take a set of wedding photos, I just need a bride…” Then he blinked at me: “Jason, can I borrow your wife? You won’t be angry, right?”

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After a car accident, my wife lost her memory and fell in love with the man who took her to the hospital. Three years later, she demanded I leave the marriage with nothing, claiming she was pregnant with her lover’s child. I agreed. But then she recovered her memory and chased me to a foreign country, begging me to get back together. She didn’t know—I had already lost all feelings for her. Because I, too, had recovered my lost memories. “Sign it. Sawyer says he wants this baby. I have to get divorced.” Sitting across the table was the woman I’d loved for seven years—Vivian Chase, the heir apparent to Chase Corporation. And I was her husband. “Vivian, think this over again.” The one trying to talk her out of it was Vivian’s mother. “Once you recover your memory, you’ll definitely regret this.” That’s right—my wife had lost her memory. Three years ago, on our first wedding anniversary, she drove to the supermarket to buy ingredients. She said she wanted to cook me a big dinner herself, just like when we were dating. But she didn’t come back for a long time. The day after I filed a police report, the hospital called to tell me my wife had been in a car accident. When I rushed to the hospital, I found my wife gazing affectionately at the young man who had brought her there. Then the doctor told me—my wife had lost her memory. Her memories stopped three years ago, right before the day we first met. She didn’t remember that I was the husband she’d pursued for two years. What was more terrifying was that she had fallen madly in love with the young man who’d brought her to the hospital. The day after she was discharged, she asked me for a divorce. I looked into her eyes and saw nothing but seriousness—the same seriousness as when she’d confessed her love to me, promising to love me forever. It felt like a knife through my heart. I didn’t agree. I couldn’t let go of what we had. So she moved out. Over the past three years, I’d heard about many crazy things Vivian had done for that man. After all, Chase Corporation was quite famous, and Vivian herself was beautiful and accomplished. More importantly, many of those things were things she’d never done for me.

Sometimes I think love really is an ephemeral thing. Mere memory alone can completely change who receives love’s affection. Over these three years, plenty of people tried to talk Vivian out of her foolishness. Every friend and relative who’d witnessed our love urged her to come home and stay for a while. Later they urged me instead, saying that once Vivian recovered her memory, she’d remember just how much she’d loved me. So I endured for three years. I endured when they told me Vivian had bought the man’s company just to make him dependent on her. I endured when they told me she’d bought an island as a gift for him. I even endured when I learned they were living together and calling each other husband and wife. But now, I couldn’t endure it anymore. “Fine.” I smiled. “Bring me the agreement. I’ll sign it.” “Adrian, I don’t agree to this.” Vivian’s mother grabbed my hand, tears streaming down her face. “Vivian just lost her memory. She loved you so much, and you loved her so much. Fate is just… being too cruel to you both.” My parents died young. Over these years, Vivian’s parents had treated me very well. “It’s okay. Haven’t you always wanted a grandchild? She’s pregnant now. The child is innocent.” I wiped away her tears. “That man is good too. Vivian and I… we just weren’t meant to be.” “I can’t believe you agreed so easily.” Vivian laughed coldly. The look in her eyes held none of the love from days past—only contempt. Which made sense—in her current memories, I was just the man who refused to divorce her and stood in the way of her new love. “She’s already pregnant. If I don’t agree, should I make that child grow up in a broken home?” “You?” Vivian glanced at me and suddenly sneered. “Looks like I couldn’t have loved you that much back then. Otherwise, why didn’t you get me pregnant in the year we were married?” I grabbed my water glass and splashed it in her face. “Get out!” She wiped her face awkwardly, still managing to deliver a threat. “Just you wait. After the divorce, this house won’t be yours either!” After she left, Vivian’s mother said to me. “Adrian, you should move in with us. Even if you’re no longer Vivian’s husband, you can still be like a son to me.” I shook my head. Over these three years, Vivian hadn’t failed to cause scenes with her parents. She refused to go home. When I went to her office, she had people block me. But she needed my agreement to divorce. When friends felt too awkward to approach me, she went to her parents. After being scolded by them a few times, she simply stopped going home to them either.

After finally convincing Vivian’s mother to leave, a friend sent word that the man wanted to meet me. Sawyer—the young man who’d taken my wife to the hospital that year. Now that she was pregnant, I was afraid he might get hurt during our meeting, which would look bad. I refused without thinking twice, but my friend said Sawyer was determined to see me. He was waiting at a café right now and wouldn’t leave until he saw me. These two really were the bane of my existence. I cursed all the way to the café and immediately spotted Sawyer sitting by the window when I walked in. Actually, thinking about it carefully, I didn’t have any deep grudge against Sawyer. Some friends called Sawyer someone who stole another man’s wife, but I said the fault ultimately lay with Vivian. Sawyer was pretty innocent if you thought about it—he did a good deed by taking an injured person to the hospital, then got struck by love at first sight through no fault of his own. And I understood what Vivian was capable of doing for a man. She was attractive enough on her own, and Sawyer was a young man fresh out of school. With all her sweet words and grand gestures, even a heart of stone wouldn’t stand a chance. Sawyer wore a light-colored shirt. His neat short hair looked gentle and clean in the sunlight, though his complexion wasn’t great. “Adrian, thank you for coming.” His voice was as mild as his appearance. People who knew us said Sawyer and I were complete opposites. He studied art, had a gentle personality, and looked refined. When he stood somewhere, he looked like the classic male lead. Before I met Vivian, I was a botanist who spent years trekking through forests. Because I became a team leader at a young age, my personality was inevitably strong-willed. Back then, Vivian hadn’t fully taken over the company yet—she was still a thrill-seeking heiress who spent who knows how much money following our team on expeditions. Along the way, I scolded this rich girl countless times for lacking wilderness survival knowledge. When she first pursued me, I refused. I loved the days of adventuring through rainforests and deep mountains. Being a rich man’s husband might be many people’s dream, but it wasn’t mine. But Vivian really knew how to win people over. She showed me things I’d never had—the warmth of parents and family. Her parents were truly wonderful, treating me like their actual son. And she promised me marriage wouldn’t tie me down—she’d be my support. All lies. When we first got married, I didn’t give up my career. Not until she said she wanted children did I consider temporarily transferring to a laboratory. Then, while I was processing the paperwork, the accident happened. She lost her memory. My vows wouldn’t allow me to just abandon her, so I went to the laboratory and continued my research through the three years of her constant divorce demands. Thinking about it now, it was time to let her go. I was starting to miss my pre-marriage life.

I sat down across from Sawyer at his invitation. Since she’d just gotten pregnant, he still looked slender overall. “You wanted to see me? I’ve agreed to the divorce.” I told him my decision directly. To my surprise, Sawyer started crying. “Why are you crying? I already agreed to the divorce.” I was completely baffled. He just kept wiping away tears. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” His tears even made my heart soften. “You haven’t wronged me in any way. You’re not the one who made Vivian lose her memory. These things happen—there’s nothing anyone can do.” I took a sip of my latte. Usually I drank coffee like water, but today for the first time I found latte so bitter. “You and she already have a child. In the future, just live your lives well.” Sawyer cried in hiccups. “I didn’t want this. Really, I didn’t want this.” As people around us began focusing attention on our table, for the first time today I felt powerless. “Stop crying.” I resignedly began wiping his tears. “I don’t blame you. Really.” “Sawyer!” Just then, the café door was violently pushed open and Vivian rushed in like a gust of wind. “I didn’t think you were this shameless!” She grabbed my wrist hard, as if trying to break my wrist bone. “Sawyer did nothing wrong. If you have complaints, take them out on me!” Wait, when did I not notice Vivian had vision problems? “Are you sick? Why would I make things difficult for him?” “Vivian, Adrian didn’t make things difficult for me. Let him go.” Vivian flung my hand away hard. “Thud”—my hand slammed hard into the table edge. “Hiss.” I was about to go into the mountains soon. If I sprained my hand, that would be trouble. However, I’d still underestimated how unreasonable Vivian could be. She pulled Sawyer around, checking him left and right, and found he’d only cried until his eyes were swollen. “Listen here, Adrian. I’m the one who insisted on divorcing you. If you dare trouble Sawyer again, I absolutely won’t let you off.” How was my judgment so poor back then? This woman not only had bad eyes, but a bad brain too. “Let me tell you something too, Vivian. We’re definitely getting divorced. Also…” I raised my hand and slapped her across the face. “Since you’re so eager to divorce, bring the agreement soon and stop wasting my time.”

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I can see the countdown to death above everyone’s head. And my wife, Vivian Ashford—her death was scheduled for today. For ten years, she maintained the illusion that she couldn’t have children. But today, she brought home a five-year-old boy, along with her lover. She laid her cards on the table, and the elders gathered around, urging me to be magnanimous. “Marcus, Vivian hasn’t had it easy. Women always love children—just think of him as another son. What’s the harm?” I watched the rapidly ticking countdown above her head: [00:01:30]. I said quietly, “I won’t acknowledge this child of unknown origin.” Vivian looked at me like I was a fool she’d completely manipulated. She proudly wrapped her arm around her true love’s waist and announced, “Whether you acknowledge him or not, I can’t abandon them—father and son. From now on, I’ll spend days with you and nights with him…” Countdown: [00:00:10]. I spoke calmly: “If that’s how it is, then let’s get divorced.” Her eyes widened in fury. Just as she was about to explode, she suddenly clutched her chest and collapsed straight down. The countdown reached zero.

The instant Vivian collapsed, the entire Ashford family living room fell deathly silent. Blake Harrison, whose face had been smug just a second before, now looked completely drained of color. His anguished scream tore through the air. “Vivian! Vivian, what’s wrong! Wake up!” The five-year-old boy stood frozen in place, his face blank with confusion, then he too burst into tears. I stood where I was, watching the numbers above Vivian’s head extinguish completely. Nothing remained there now but emptiness. She was dead. “Quick! Call an ambulance!” “It’s you! Marcus Bennett! You’re the one who upset her to death!” Blake suddenly looked up, glaring at me with hatred. I pulled out my phone and steadily dialed emergency services. Then I dialed the police. “Hello, police? My wife just died suddenly. I suspect it has something to do with the man beside her.” My voice wasn’t loud, but it carried clearly to every corner of the living room. Blake looked at me in disbelief, as if I were insane. “You… what are you saying! How could I hurt Vivian!” I lowered my eyes and stopped looking at her. The ambulance and police cars arrived almost simultaneously. After examining her on the scene, the paramedics shook their heads regretfully. “Time of death approximately ten minutes ago. Preliminary judgment is sudden cardiac arrest.” The police began their routine procedures, securing the scene and asking questions. Vivian’s parents arrived after hearing the news. The moment her mother, Eleanor, entered and saw Vivian on the floor, her eyes rolled back and she fainted, barely caught by her father, Richard’s, frantic hands. When Eleanor came to, the first thing she did was rush at me, hand raised to strike. “You useless piece of trash! Did you poison her food! My daughter was perfectly fine—how could she just die!” Her hand was stopped by an officer. I looked at her face, twisted with rage. The countdown above her head showed [3 years, 2 months, 11 days]. Not long. But long enough for her to suffer. My unusual composure made me the biggest suspect in their eyes. “Mr. Bennett, we need you to come to the station with us to cooperate with the investigation.” I nodded, picked up my phone, and followed the officers out. As I passed Blake, he looked at me with eyes full of both venom and triumph. He thought I was finished. I looked at the bright [52 years, 6 months, 3 days] above his head and the corner of my mouth curved into an almost imperceptible smile.

The interrogation room’s lights were blindingly white. The officer across from me asked routine questions. I answered calmly. “How was your relationship with your wife?” “Ten years of marriage. What do you think?” “What was your reaction when she brought her lover and illegitimate child home?” “I refused to let her bring the child into our home.” The officer tapped the table and leaned forward, his gaze sharp. “Then why did you ask for a divorce?” “Because she wanted me to live under the same roof with them—father and son. I found it disgusting.” My tone was matter-of-fact. The officer fell silent, seeming to judge the truth of my words. I added, “Vivian had hereditary heart disease.” “She relied on medication to maintain her condition. But I’m guessing today she got too agitated and forgot to take her pills.” The officer immediately called to verify. I sat calmly in my chair, waiting for the results. My countdown ability had existed since I could remember. It was never wrong. Vivian’s death was fate. It had nothing to do with me. But they didn’t believe that. Two hours later, the preliminary autopsy report came out. Cause of death: acute massive myocardial infarction. No toxic substances were found in the deceased’s blood or stomach contents. Combined with my testimony and the medical records and medications found in her study safe, everything made perfect sense. My suspicion was cleared. When I walked out of the police station, dawn was breaking. The Ashford family car was parked outside. Eleanor and Blake were both there. When they saw me emerge, Eleanor immediately rushed over. “You bastard! My daughter’s health was always fine! How could she have heart disease! It was you! You worthless piece of trash—you killed her!” She acted like a madwoman, barely restrained by Richard. Blake held the child. “It’s all my fault. If we hadn’t come back and upset Marcus, Vivian wouldn’t have…” His words outwardly sounded conciliatory, but subtly placed all the blame on me. I watched their family’s theatrical performance with cold eyes, feeling nothing. I walked forward and looked at Blake. “Now that Vivian is dead, what do you plan to do with your child?” Blake’s crying stopped short. He instinctively protected the five-year-old. “This is Vivian’s child. Of course I’ll raise him!” “Oh.” I nodded. “Then good luck with that.” I walked past them, flagged down a taxi, and left directly. Behind me came Eleanor’s even shriller curses. I returned to what could no longer be called a home. Vivian’s body had been removed, but the air still held the cold scent of death. I began packing. I didn’t want to stay in this place for even one more second.

Vivian’s funeral was held on a grand scale. Business elites, friends, and family all came. As her husband, I stood there in a black suit, face calm, accepting various looks of sympathy or scrutiny. Blake came too, holding the hand of the boy named Finn, both dressed in white. Eleanor was supported throughout, casting hateful glances my way. In front of all the guests, she pointed at my nose and cursed. “You useless trash! You killed my daughter, and now you want to divide up the Ashford family fortune? I’m telling you—as long as I’m alive, you won’t get a single penny!” She lunged at me trying to tear at my clothes, but was pulled back by nearby relatives. I stood in place, motionless. I didn’t even raise an eyebrow. “Please calm down.” My words only made her angrier. “How can you be so heartless!” Blake “fainted” at just the right moment, causing chaos. “Blake! Blake, what’s wrong!” “Quick! Get him to a hospital! He’s practically half a son of the Ashford family now!” A solemn funeral completely devolved into a farce about inheritance. I watched coldly, finding it utterly ridiculous. After the funeral came the reading of the will. The Ashford family’s private attorney, Mr. Peterson, opened the document folder. Everyone held their breath, especially Blake and Vivian’s parents. They were certain Vivian would have left her fortune to her “son.” Mr. Peterson cleared his throat and began reading. “I, Vivian Ashford, hereby establish this will… All property in my name, including but not limited to fifty-one percent shares in Ashford Corporation, three properties, and all bank deposits and securities…” He paused and looked at me. “Shall be inherited entirely by my legal husband, Mr. Marcus Bennett.” The air fell deathly silent. Every eye focused on me with shock, confusion, and fury. Blake’s face instantly lost all color. He swayed unsteadily. Eleanor was the first to react, screaming out loud. “Impossible! This will is fake! How could my daughter leave everything to you, you bastard! This will must be fake!

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