Author: Momo Chan

It wasn’t until my girlfriend received her HIV diagnosis that I finally understood what her childhood sweetheart meant by”together in life and death.” In my previous life, when my girlfriend collapsed from anemia, her childhood sweetheart insisted on donating blood to her. I fought desperately to stop him, telling her that Nolan Preston had HIV. If he donated blood, she would be infected too. But she refused to believe me. Nolan cried, claiming he’d never even had a girlfriend. He climbed onto the rooftop, pretending he’d jump to prove his innocence. Then he slipped and fell to his death. To avenge him, my girlfriend conspired with our classmates to kidnap me. She strangled me with her own hands. Her furious roar echoed in my ears: “Your slander killed Nolan! Now you’ll pay with your life!” When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of the blood transfusion. Watching my girlfriend receive blood from her childhood sweetheart, I smiled faintly. It’s just HIV. No big deal.

“Adrian, I know you don’t like me, but this is a matter of life and death. Please stop preventing me from donating blood to Clarissa.” The moment I heard these words from my girlfriend’s childhood sweetheart Nolan Preston, I realized—I’d been reborn. I looked up to meet my girlfriend Clarissa Hayes’s displeased gaze. Her face was deathly pale from anemia. “Adrian Chen, fine, you’re too selfish to donate your own blood. But now you’re stopping Nolan from saving me? How was I so blind to fall for a scumbag like you?” Her insults sent a chill through my heart. In my previous life, Clarissa had suffered sudden anemia during the national competition. The emergency blood supply from the blood bank would take hours to arrive. To avoid missing her event, Nolan had proposed donating his own blood to Clarissa. I’d fought desperately to prevent Nolan from transfusing blood to Clarissa. Because I’d overheard a conversation between Nolan and some street thugs in an alley. “I’m HIV positive. As long as I can transmit it to Clarissa Hayes, she’ll stay with me forever!” I’d immediately stopped Nolan’s blood donation and told Clarissa that his blood carried HIV. But Clarissa not only refused to believe me—she accused me of deliberate slander. Nolan had burst into tears on the spot, claiming I was falsely accusing him. He’d gone to jump off a building to prove his innocence, but while pretending to jump, he’d slipped and actually fell from the eighteenth floor. Later, the autopsy report confirmed that his blood indeed contained high levels of the virus. I’d thought that would be the end of it. But at my birthday party, Clarissa had conspired with our classmates to kidnap me. I still remember what she said as she strangled me: “Your slander killed Nolan! Now you’ll pay with your life!” Snapping back to the present, the insults from my classmates continued around me. “Adrian Chen, how can someone as disgusting as you exist? Clarissa’s anemia is so severe, and you won’t donate blood. Fine. But you’re also stopping Nolan from donating?” “Exactly. Nolan is handsome and kind. What do you have that could possibly compare to him?” “Adrian is just jealous. Jealous that everyone likes Nolan. That’s why he’s deliberately obstructing.” This time, I took a deep breath, calmed my agitated emotions, then stepped aside from the transfusion area. I smiled and said: “Go ahead and donate. If 400cc isn’t enough, draw 600cc. We absolutely can’t delay Clarissa’s transfusion.” You reap what you sow. She needs to taste the bitter fruit she’s planted herself.

Nolan grabbed the needle and inserted it into his vein with a furrowed brow. Our classmates praised his kindness and selflessness. Clarissa’s eyes were filled with nothing but sympathy for him. Only I noticed the tiny, scabbed-over needle marks on his pale skin. Those were traces left by long-term improper injections—ironclad evidence that he carried the virus. After drawing half a blood bag, Nolan began feeling dizzy and unsteady on his feet. Clarissa immediately pulled the needle from his arm and held him carefully in her arms. Nolan insisted on standing up, declaring righteously: “Don’t anyone stop me. I must finish drawing the blood.” Then his body swayed again. Watching his terrible acting, I could guess what he was trying to do. Sure enough, the next second, a male student spoke up: “We can’t let Nolan draw so much blood alone! Clarissa needs more. Let’s all donate—a little from each person adds up!” His words immediately drew agreement: “Right! We’ll use this same needle to draw from everyone! We’re not selfish like some people. Everyone takes turns. Quick!” “Exactly. If Nolan isn’t afraid, why should we be? This little bit of blood is nothing compared to our united friendship!” Hearing everyone’s passionate declarations, I wanted to laugh. What good classmates indeed—willing to share a needle used by an HIV patient. Even sharing the virus together. In this lifetime, they could finally achieve their wish to “live and die together.” When the team doctor entered and saw students about to jab a used needle into their own veins, she rushed to stop them: “Are you all crazy? Stop it! So many people using the same needle—what if there’s cross-infection?” Far from being scared, the students frowned and said: “What kind of team doctor are you? Who are you cursing? We’re all clean. How could we get infected?” “I advise you to mind your own business. If we delay Clarissa’s transfusion and she misses her event, can you take responsibility?” “I bet you’re working with Adrian Chen, trying to sabotage Clarissa and make her miss the competition!” The students’ mockery turned the team doctor’s face red and white with anger. She stamped her foot and ran out of the room with tears in her eyes. After the team doctor left, the students continued drawing blood. One, two, three… I stood outside the crowd, watching that deadly needle pierce different people’s skin again and again amid “friendly” cheers. Each blood draw was a fatal cross-infection. The blood bag was quickly filled. But just then, Nolan suddenly held the needle out to me. “Adrian, your turn.”

Looking at the needle stained with different people’s blood, nausea rose in my chest. I coldly refused: “I’m not doing it.” “Adrian, I know you don’t like me, but Clarissa is your girlfriend after all. At a time like this, if you don’t donate some blood, it doesn’t look good, does it?” Nolan’s statement instantly ignited the students’ anger: “Right! Everyone else donated. Why shouldn’t you? A selfish man like you doesn’t deserve to be Clarissa Hayes’s boyfriend!” “Adrian Chen, will you draw it yourself, or should we do it for you?” The students approached me with the needle step by step. Clarissa’s gaze toward me was full of warning: “Adrian Chen, you’ve already disappointed me enough today. If you donate blood to me, I’ll give you one chance to not break up. But if you continue being this selfish, you don’t deserve my love!” Hearing her speak like some domineering CEO, I nearly laughed from anger. Had Clarissa Hayes forgotten? She was just a scholarship student funded by my family! If I hadn’t paid for her education, she’d still be scavenging trash to eat! She’d been so touched, saying she’d protect me forever. Until Nolan appeared. Then she became cold toward me while fawning over him. She’d wronged me repeatedly for his sake, forcing me to submit. She’d even strangled me to death with her own hands—all for him! I really don’t know how I was so blind to fall for such a two-faced woman. She wants to break up? Fine. Perfect. I looked at her coldly: “Clarissa Hayes, we’re done.” Hearing my breakup declaration, Clarissa’s face instantly went white. She’d never imagined that I, who’d loved her so much, would initiate the breakup. After speaking, I turned and opened the hospital room door. Just as I was about to leave, she grabbed my wrist tightly and glared at me viciously: “Don’t think I don’t know—you’re deliberately playing hard to get with me. Everyone else donated blood. You’re donating today whether you like it or not!” As soon as she finished speaking, the students all rushed forward, pinning me down firmly, forcing that needle used by countless people toward my vein. Clarissa stood to the side, her expression cold: “If you keep being this disobedient, I’ll never forgive you.” Watching the needle get closer and closer, I struggled frantically, resisting with all my might. Was I sweating bullets? In this second life, would I still be unable to escape a tragic death? In desperation, I kicked the emergency alarm button. Finally, just as the needle was about to penetrate my vein, security guards burst in. In front of everyone, the students couldn’t continue forcing me. They could only glare at me with disgust in their eyes. My heart finally relaxed. That was close! I almost got killed by these idiots! Disappointment flashed in Nolan’s eyes. Then he picked up the blood bag and handed it to Clarissa. Clarissa’s eyes were full of emotion. The two of them exchanged glances so sickeningly sweet it was nauseating. After transfusing this virus-laced blood into her body, Clarissa excitedly embraced Nolan and kissed his forehead. The watching students all cheered: “Clarissa and Nolan are a match made in heaven.” “Exactly. Nolan is so much better than that selfish Adrian Chen!” “Thank goodness you dumped that scumbag, Clarissa. Now you have Nolan. You really lucked out!” Surrounded in the middle, Nolan smiled sweetly. Clarissa also spoke up smugly: “Good thing I dumped that ungrateful idiot Adrian Chen. Otherwise how would I have such a wonderful boyfriend like Nolan?” “I’m going to win today’s championship for Nolan!” Watching everyone’s harmonious scene, I smirked coldly and looked away. Laugh now! The more excited they are now, the more tragic it will be later.

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My wife produced a lot of breast milk. Her close friend showed up at our door with her son, asking my wife to breastfeed him. The two of them would often stay in the bedroom all day, occasionally letting out soft laughter and heavy breathing. Until six months later, I saw my wife with flushed cheeks and glazed eyes after nursing her friend’s son. That wasn’t how someone should look after breastfeeding at all! With a dark expression, I demanded a divorce! My wife stared blankly for a moment before saying in shock, “You want to divorce me just because I’m helping my friend feed her baby?” I nodded. “Yes.” After my wife gave birth to our daughter, she had plenty of milk, so she nursed her friend’s child. I often saw her friend Peach’s son nestled against her exposed chest. Every time my wife finished nursing, her face would flush. I couldn’t take it anymore. Today, I asked Winter for a divorce. Seeing me about to leave, Peach grabbed my arm. “Tyler, have you lost your mind? Winter is just helping me feed my baby. She hasn’t done anything wrong. Are you jealous just because she’s nursing a boy?” I pushed her away coldly. “You both know exactly why!” Peach’s partner showed up. After learning what happened, he laughed and patted my shoulder. “Man, your wife is a good woman. She feeds the baby privately. Don’t make a big deal out of nothing and ask for a divorce.” “Don’t touch me.” I shook off his hand. My usually sharp-tongued mother-in-law seemed to realize something and pointed at me in shock. “My God, how can you be so twisted?” “Do you know how painful breast engorgement is for a new mother? Instead of feeling sorry for her, you want a divorce. Are you even human?” My mother-in-law’s words attracted neighbors and family. After understanding the situation, they all glared at me. “This kind of man only thinks about one thing. He doesn’t care at all that his wife is suffering.” “If she doesn’t have postpartum depression, you should count yourself lucky!” “I heard Winter even gave him money to help him. Now he wants a divorce—isn’t that ungrateful?” Peach said coldly, “If we’d known you were this kind of man, we never would have agreed to let Winter marry you!” Hearing this, Winter’s tears fell. “Before giving birth, I worried about your company, brought you clients.” “After having the baby, you didn’t care about me. You just came home and played video games. When the baby cried at night, you never got up. You never even changed a diaper!” “Do you have any idea how painful this is? You can look it up!” “Peach is my close friend. She doesn’t produce enough milk, so I’m helping her. What’s wrong with that?” Everyone else got angry after hearing this. “Tyler, you’re failing as a husband.” “Thank God my partner is loving. When I had my baby, he took care of me.” I laughed coldly. “You’re all blind. You don’t understand what’s really going on, yet you’re all judging me?” “Winter, we’re going to file for divorce tomorrow. I’ll be waiting.” With that, I headed for the door. But Peach grabbed me. “You jerk! You want a divorce over this? Go to hell!” She threw a punch. Caught off guard, my nose started bleeding. Peach’s partner Danny also stepped forward, ready to hit me. “Don’t!” Winter rushed over, pushing them away and wiping my face. “Honey, look—our daughter is only a few months old. Can you really leave us?” The baby in her arms saw me and giggled. I sighed. “Let’s get divorced.” “You must have someone else. Danny, don’t hold me back—I’m going to kill him!” These people still didn’t understand who had actually been unfaithful!

Peach tried to rush at me, but Danny held her back. Danny said, “Tyler, if you’re upset because Winter fed my son, I’ll have Peach take him home. We were already considering formula anyway.” “You and Winter can work things out, okay?” The people around nodded. “Now that’s reasonable!” “If she uses formula, then Winter will have plenty left. Don’t get divorced.” “She helped you when your company was struggling. Where will you find such a good wife?” Everyone tried to mediate. But I looked at Winter darkly. “No. I want a divorce.” Hearing this, everyone got angry. Winter wiped away tears. “He said she won’t feed his son anymore. Can’t you forgive me?” She walked up and whispered, “To make it up to you, I’ll express all my extra milk for you from now on, okay?” I felt disgusted and pushed her away. “Can you stop pretending?” Winter knelt down with our daughter. “Honey, helping my friend isn’t a crime. I’ll change. Can’t you forgive me just this once?” “No!” Winter sobbed. “Please forgive me!” “Winter, this man is petty and doesn’t care about you. Don’t waste your time on him!” Seeing I wouldn’t budge, the crowd was furious. At that moment, my father pushed through and looked at me. “Tyler, Winter has sacrificed so much for this family. When your company was struggling, when your mother was in the hospital, it was Winter who helped.” “She’s been so good to us. If you dare divorce her, I won’t acknowledge you as my son!” “Dad, stay out of this.” I smiled at him, then looked at Winter. “I’ll give you a chance. Tell me the real reason.” Panic flashed in Winter’s eyes but disappeared quickly. “I already told you—because I have extra milk. If you don’t like it, I won’t do it anymore.” My father glared. “Winter is understanding. Where will you find such a good wife?” I shook my head. “Dad, I’m getting divorced no matter what.” “You bastard!” My father slapped me across the face. Half my face swelled up red. “Beat him!” “That kind of jerk deserves it!” The crowd cheered. “Tyler, are you okay?” Winter tenderly brought over medicine. “Such a good wife, yet he doesn’t know how to treasure her,” someone sighed. I pushed Winter away. “Stop pretending!” Winter looked aggrieved. “Please, I really don’t want a divorce. Our daughter needs a father.” “Begging won’t help.” I walked toward the door. “You really want a divorce? Then I don’t have a son like you!” my father called out grimly. My heart ached. At my age, I was still making him worry! But this was my marriage—I had to handle it myself! “Winter, I’ll have someone deliver the divorce papers to you.” I didn’t stop walking. Behind me came Winter’s heart-wrenching sobs.

I returned to my company, organized documents, then called my lawyer friend to handle the divorce. “Honey, what did I do wrong? Have you calmed down yet? The baby and I need you. We’re waiting for you to come home.” Soon after, I checked into a hotel and received messages from Winter. I blocked all her contacts. The next day, Winter received the papers but tore them up. In her anger, Peach posted the story online. People were outraged, and I was trending. “Damn, such a good wife who helped him, yet this man doesn’t treasure her?” “His wife has milk but didn’t feed him, so he wants a divorce?” “I think he has someone else, so he made up an excuse.” “I’m a mother. Breast engorgement is painful. When my friend didn’t have milk, I fed her baby too. My partner was understanding.” “Marrying this kind of man is the worst luck!” Instantly, I was attacked online! My information was leaked. My parents’ place was vandalized, forcing them to hide. People boycotted my company. My assistant walked in, worried. “Mr. Tyler, due to this, our products are being boycotted. Stock prices are plummeting. Clients are canceling orders. The warehouse is full. The factory may shut down. If we don’t act, the company…” I painfully clutched my hair. “I’ll find a way.” I called lawyer Violet to come over. “Tyler, the divorce hearing is scheduled for next Monday.” Violet then handed me a document and sent me several videos. I thanked her. “Thank you so much.” “What are you saying? If you hadn’t saved me that time, I’d be gone.” Violet winked and left. I looked at the documents and videos, and my expression darkened. Just as I suspected—Winter was that kind of person! When the truth comes out, everyone will be shocked.

During the days before the hearing, I was attacked online. My phone was bombarded. The company’s stock kept dropping. Products piled up. The bank demanded payment and froze my assets. If I didn’t win, the company would collapse. I would fall completely. Finally, the court date arrived. Many people came to observe, including media. Many watched the live stream, waiting to see me humiliated. The judge announced the session. After both lawyers spoke, Winter said, “I’m not at fault. Plus, I just gave birth. I don’t want a divorce.” The judge nodded. “Based on the law, without solid evidence, the divorce cannot be granted.” Hearing this, Winter looked smug. “Honey, stop this. Let’s not get divorced, okay? Look how adorable our daughter is. Can you really let her grow up without a father?” The baby slept peacefully. “No!” I refused. “My wife Winter was unfaithful. I demand an immediate divorce and that she leaves with nothing.” Winter looked at me in disbelief and cried. “I just work and go home. I only go out with Peach and a few others. Yet you accuse me of cheating? Are you even human?” Hearing this, the observers erupted. “She looks like a devoted wife. How could she cheat?” “I think this jerk has another woman.” Online, viewers cursed me. Even my father stood on Winter’s side. “If you turn back now, I can still acknowledge you as my son.” My mother said with concern, “Tyler, maybe… let it go?” “Everyone, I have evidence. Once you’ve seen it, you’ll understand.” I looked at the judge and played a video. In it, Winter held our daughter, Peach held her son, and they were at a mall, with Danny following carrying bags. Danny stared at Winter, then looked at Peach. Soon, both babies got hungry and cried. After trying to soothe them, Peach suggested the mall’s nursing room. But it was full. They went to a nearby hotel room to feed the babies. Danny followed but soon walked out toward the parking lot. “What’s wrong with this video?” “Yeah, this is normal.” “This man is sick! He has no idea how troublesome it is with a baby!” The scene erupted. Soon, people looked at Violet next to me. “Is this guy having an affair with this lawyer?” Hearing this, Violet’s face blushed slightly. She refuted, “Don’t talk nonsense. Mr. Tyler and I only have a professional relationship.” The judge called for order. “Can you imagine what they were doing in that room?” Thoughtful expressions appeared. I sneered. Next, there would be more explosive videos.

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In the eighth year of our marriage, Blake finally bought me roses from the flower shop again after such a long time. He hugged me with a smile. “Tori, I got these flowers especially for you.” I pretended not to know that those roses were from a buy-one-get-one-free promotion at the florist, and that the bouquet he actually paid for had been sent to his villa in the suburbs. Where a girl as vibrant as roses herself lived. I carefully arranged the roses in a vase, and the next day placed the signed divorce papers right beside them. From that moment on, I stopped longing for someone else’s roses, because my own flowers would bloom by themselves. The room was a complete mess, with cake thrown everywhere. I sat there in embarrassment. Dawn had already broken. Last night was my birthday. Blake had called me saying he ordered a cake for me and promised he’d definitely come home later. I held that cake, waiting from ten at night until midnight, then until two in the morning, and finally until daybreak. I never saw Blake, but I did receive a message. The girl held flowers, wore a golden crown on her head, and was surrounded by people as she blew out candles. And among them, Blake had his arm around the girl’s waist. The two of them looked so intimate. So intimate that you’d think they were a couple. Then what about me? What did that make me? That girl’s name was Rosie. She was a college student—young, energetic, beautiful, and full of youth all wrapped into one. No wonder Blake liked her so much. Rosie sent me another message. [Did you see? Blake still likes me best. He even said that villa on South Street is really nice and wants to buy it for me.] [You’ve lost your youth. You’re old and ugly, and you have no sense of romance. What do you have to compete with me? You should just let go now!] Her tone carried that cocky confidence of youth. Why do people have such boldness? It’s because those who are favored always think they have someone backing them up. I just never expected that despite believing Blake and I loved each other deeply, we couldn’t withstand the test of time. I learned about this girl a year ago. That was the first time she contacted me. The first message Rosie sent me read: [Hello Mrs. Porter, my name is Rosie. I’m Blake’s new girlfriend. I know you must be shocked, but this is the truth. I’m beautiful and young, and I provide emotional value to Blake. If you truly love him, you should learn to let go and let him be with me.] I thought it was just a young girl with a crush and didn’t take it seriously. After all, Blake and I had been together since college. Back then he was just a poor guy, a scholarship student who couldn’t even afford tuition. The first time I learned about his situation, I had my father sponsor Blake. After Blake found out I had helped him, he started trying to repay me, always wanting to do things for me. Later, we naturally got together. After we got together, he cherished me so much that even if I wanted the moon from the sky, he’d be willing to pluck it down for me. I remember one time when I had a fever at night during winter, and I suddenly wanted cherries. He braved the freezing wind and snow, running to three fruit stores before finding one that was still open. When he came back holding those cherries like flowers, I couldn’t help but cry. I was certain he was the only man I could marry in this lifetime. Perhaps I was too easily moved back then, or maybe the cold air radiating from his body made his heart seem especially warm, beating especially intensely. After that, he pampered me even more like a little princess. He never let me step foot in the kitchen or do any dirty or tiring work. I’m rather particular about cleanliness and don’t like using the washing machine for my clothes. Blake, worried I wouldn’t be satisfied, hand-washed all my clothes himself until I was pleased. Blake always handled matters concerning me personally and wouldn’t let the housekeepers touch anything. I knew he treated me well, so I also gave him my all. After graduation, my father gave him a high-level position at the company, and after we got married, he even handed over the company’s internal and external affairs to Blake to manage. In these years of our marriage, he held me in the palm of his hand like a little princess. So how could I believe all of this was fake?

I wasn’t surprised when Rosie first messaged me, because many socialites had also messaged me asking me to voluntarily give up Blake. He was handsome and talented. Even without my father’s support, Blake’s abilities would have allowed him to make a name for himself in New York. A man like that, married young—how many socialites in the circle felt it was such a shame. So many people liked Blake, but I never took any of them seriously, because his eyes were full of only me. I’ve been frail since childhood, always looking sickly. That time I went to the hospital with a fever, the doctor said my constitution was too weak, and if I got married, I couldn’t have children for at least five years. I looked at Blake fearfully. Back then so many girls were chasing him, and now that he had the ability, there was no need for him to tie himself to me. I gave him an out. “You can choose divorce. I won’t blame you.” “What nonsense are you talking about? It’s okay, I’ll help you slowly nurse your health back. Not having children is fine too. At worst we can adopt a child.” He said it so sincerely, and he did everything he promised. From the beginning of our marriage, he prepared some kind of surprise for me every month, and all these years he never seemed to tire of it. So with him treating me so well, how could I not think those women were just jealous and threatening me? Until Rosie appeared. She showed me the necklaces Blake gave her, evening gowns, and later luxury goods and a car. Blake was really thoughtful—everything he could give, he gave to Rosie. We had agreed after marriage that no matter how late it was, we’d always come home for dinner. But starting last year, Blake rarely ate at home, and eventually he’d come home very late. Yesterday was my birthday, and he didn’t even come home. Only because yesterday also happened to be Rosie’s birthday. When I saw her message, I finally couldn’t control my temper and smashed the cake he bought me. Blake—he said he’d love me forever. If Rosie hadn’t sent me an audio recording, I might still be unwilling to believe that Blake was no longer the person he used to be. “Blake, today is your wife’s birthday. Aren’t you going home to be with her? Won’t she be angry?” Blake laughed lightly, his tone full of disdain. “Tori? I do love her, but she’s just so boring. She seems well-mannered and polite, but she’s actually old-fashioned and rigid, lacking so much interest. Not like you, Rosie—lively and adorable.” That was Blake’s voice. I couldn’t be mistaken. Rosie acted coy in the man’s arms, saying “how awful,” but her face showed no sign of actually finding it awful. This was all sent to me by Rosie. I knew she wanted to upset me, but Blake was the one who gave her the ammunition to hurt me. Looking at the mess in the room, for a moment I felt relieved. Blake—did I really have to have him? The love from before was real, and the betrayal now was equally real. I dialed a number. “Liam, are you busy?” Liam was pleasantly surprised to receive my call. “Tori, it’s been so long since you contacted me. I thought you’d forgotten all about me.” I smiled apologetically. Blake had no sense of security. Although he never said it, I still cut off contact with all my male friends. Looking back now, I was really foolish.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen? You haven’t contacted any of us since you got married.” I lowered my head somewhat ashamed. “Liam, I wanted to ask if your project training still has openings. I can pay double the price to join.” “Talking about money hurts our friendship. As long as you’re willing to come back, our doors are always open. You’re welcome to return anytime.” Before graduation, Liam was researching a new energy project. He invited me to participate, and I agreed. But after graduation I had to prepare for my wedding with Blake, so I had no choice but to withdraw from the project research. Later, Blake told me he didn’t like me being too close with Liam—it made him feel insecure. When Liam asked me to come back, I politely declined. Contacting Liam again, I felt really embarrassed. My face turned completely red. But I had to fight for myself somehow. Blake couldn’t bear to let me do anything, so at home I was pampered into a spoiled little princess. Every day all I did was shop and play. Blake never said a word against it. As a result, now I couldn’t do anything. With just a bit of my previous knowledge, I thought the only chance I had to learn was to rebuild my foundation with Liam. Liam agreed, but this project required going abroad for training for a period of time. Perfect. During this cooling-off period, going abroad would be good. I wouldn’t have to face Blake. After hanging up the phone, I returned to the bedroom. I’d been tossing and turning all night and was exhausted. I needed to get some good sleep before planning my next steps. I had barely fallen asleep when I felt warmth on my cheek. Blake had come home and kissed my cheek lightly. Unlike before, now I only found his kiss disgusting. “Tori, you’re awake. I brought you a birthday cake.” He was as considerate and thoughtful as always. Completely different from last night’s disdainful tone. I looked at the birthday cake through sleepy eyes and laughed coldly. Did I still need it? He looked at me apologetically. “I’m sorry, Tori. The company had something urgent come up last night. By the time I finished it was already dawn. I was afraid of disturbing your sleep if I came home, so I didn’t. But I’m making it up to you today, aren’t I?” Making it up to me? This late? Did I still need it? “I don’t want to eat it. It looks disgusting. Just throw it away.” My expression was weary. I planned to go back to sleep. But Blake panicked. “Honey, I’m sorry. Last night was an accident. I promise it won’t happen again. From now on, no matter how late I work, I’ll come home, okay?” I imperceptibly dodged away from him. I said softly, “I’m a bit tired and want to sleep. You go do what you need to do.” I didn’t need his fake concern. It was all an act. Blake said quietly, “Then rest well. I won’t go out today. I’ll stay home and keep you company.” I ignored him. Only after the door closed did I open my eyes. A friend sent me a photo. [Tori, that bastard Blake even buys flowers on a buy-one-get-one-free deal. Who is he sending that other bouquet to?] I knew who it was for. For that girl who was taunting me through messages. I slept until noon. When I came out, I saw Blake arranging flowers. “Tori, you’re awake.” I looked at that bouquet, remembering the photo my friend sent me—clearly one large and one small, buy one get one free. So I was the freebie. This was the eighth year of our marriage, and Blake had finally bought me a bouquet of roses after such a long time—and it was the free one.

He hugged me with a smile. “Tori, I got these especially for you!” But looking at the bright red roses, I only found them glaring. The image of those two bouquets of roses, one large and one small, was still vivid in my mind. Did Blake even have a heart? He once told me: “Honey, no matter what happens in the future, I will only love you. So don’t listen to what others say. You just need to believe in me.” I believed him. That’s why I didn’t care when so many people provoked me. But Blake, you asked me to believe what you said. When you said I was boring, did you ever think I might hear it? I pretended not to know that those roses were from a buy-one-get-one-free promotion, and that the bouquet he actually bought had already been sent to the villa in the suburbs. Rosie—that girl as passionate as roses. Perhaps the two of them were more compatible. Perhaps I really should exit Blake’s world. I took the flowers and placed them in a vase. “If you like them, I’ll buy them for you every day from now on.” I looked at his affectionate eyes. What great acting. But had he fooled himself? Buy me flowers every day—wouldn’t that just be taking advantage of the daily buy-one-get-one-free promotion? “No need. I don’t like roses at all, especially red roses. The red is too glaring.” Only he and Rosie liked roses. Blake didn’t catch my underlying meaning. He thought I was simply still angry. He hugged me from behind. “Honey, I know you’re still mad about last night, but don’t be angry anymore, okay? How about this—I’ll take you to the jewelry store. You really liked that necklace, didn’t you? Let’s go buy it, okay?” The necklace? I thought of the necklace worth five hundred thousand dollars that I mentioned to him half a month ago. It wasn’t necessary to buy, but Blake was paying, so why not take it? I went with him to the luxury store. The sales associate was introducing their accessories. Actually, I wasn’t very interested, especially being out with Blake made me even less enthusiastic. But my gaze fell on a ring gathering dust in the corner. The diamond wasn’t large, and it was the simplest style. Placed there, you could barely notice its existence. But I remembered—this was the same style as the first diamond ring Blake gave me. Back then he didn’t have money. He spent all his first year’s internship salary on that ring and knelt down to propose to me. He said, “Tori, I’ll treat you well for the rest of my life. Although I can’t afford to buy you the best right now, one day I’ll make you the most dazzling princess!” I believed him. “Miss, this style is an eight-year-old design. It doesn’t suit your temperament at all. How about you look at this ‘Bathing in Love’ style instead?” The sales associate brought out a ring with a large, brilliant diamond, and the heart shape in the center was especially eye-catching. “I think this one looks nice. Wrap it up for me.” A girl’s voice came from behind. The moment I met her eyes, I instinctively looked at Blake’s expression. Because this girl was none other than Rosie. I had to pretend I didn’t know anything and see how he’d perform. Rosie walked over, her eyes carrying a hint of provocation, but surprisingly she didn’t acknowledge Blake. “Wrap this ring up for me. I like it.” The sales associate looked troubled. “This lady saw the style first. We can only let you try it on if she confirms she’s not buying it. I’m sorry, Miss Zhou. This is our store’s limited edition. There’s only one!” Hearing it was limited edition, Rosie became even more persistent. And Blake beside me was obviously getting flustered.

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My parents told me and my boyfriend to go register our marriage before the New Year. On the drive to the courthouse, my boyfriend suddenly squinted at me. “Are you sure you want to marry me?” “What if I told you I slept with another woman—what would you do?” I slammed on the brakes and turned to stare at him in shock. “Don’t joke around like that.” “I’m not joking, babe.” His smile was twisted as he leaned over to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Last night I had two women in my bed.” “So, do you still want to get married? I’ll go along with whatever you decide.” I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. My whole body went cold. My hands trembled uncontrollably on the steering wheel. “We’ve been childhood sweethearts. My feelings for you haven’t changed, and I’m willing to marry you, but I don’t want you to be the only woman in my life.” Adrian grabbed my shaking hands, his movements gentle. But his words were colder than the snow falling outside the window. “I’ve been incredibly happy lately. Can’t you tell?” I looked at him in confusion. He smiled as he spoke. “Because it’s thrilling!” “You know that time I suddenly called you to come to the lab? Someone was under my desk right then, giving me a blowjob…” He laughed. “It felt amazing. Her mouth was so tight. I came right in her mouth.” I stared at him in disbelief. That night, Adrian had called in a panic saying something had gone wrong with his experiment and I needed to come help immediately. When I arrived, he didn’t look panicked at all. He was sitting calmly at his computer. Though his face seemed to be restraining something. Now, seeing his twisted smile, I instantly understood what had been happening at that moment. A chill swept through my entire body. My childhood sweetheart, the man who promised to marry me as soon as we graduated from our master’s program. Had been fooling around with other women all along as graduation approached! My voice trembled when I spoke. “Do you know that on my way back alone that night, I was almost assaulted by some creep in the grove?” Adrian frowned and pulled me into his arms with a pained expression, patting my back. “I know, babe.” “Thank God the security guard saved you, or I would’ve felt guilty forever.” “So, do you still want to marry me?”

My chest tightened as I instinctively pulled away from his embrace. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. The handsome face before me should have been so familiar, yet now it felt completely foreign. “Why?” I forced myself through the suffocating pain to ask. “Why are you suddenly confessing this to me? On our way to the courthouse to get married?” He reached out with practiced ease to wipe my tears away, as gentle as he’d been countless times before when comforting me. “Winnie, you’re too innocent. I’m afraid of hurting you.” “Even after we get married, I won’t go back to having only you like before.” “Can you accept that?” I broke down sobbing, unable to answer his question. Adrian’s eyes reddened too. “Winnie, from age five to twenty-five, I only had you. But I’m twenty-five now. I don’t want to waste the best years of my life anymore!” “I want to truly experience what this world has to offer.” “Besides, we’re about to leave the ivory tower of university. I need to go back and take over the family business.” “You grew up in high society too. In our circle, what man doesn’t play around on the side?” My whole body shook uncontrollably, my face a mess of tears and snot. What he said was true, but I’d always thought he was different. Maybe every man in the world would betray their partner, but not my Adrian. When he was five, in front of both our parents, he said he would marry me one day and love only me for his entire life! Everyone had laughed at his innocent but sincere words. But now my world was crumbling. I sobbed so hard I couldn’t breathe. That’s when my parents’ video call came through. I hastily wiped my face before answering. “Winnie,” they asked with expectant faces. “How did it go? Are you married?” The next second, Adrian’s parents crowded into frame too, looking at me with affection. “Winnie, welcome to officially becoming part of the family.” My heart clenched painfully as I instinctively looked at Adrian. Adrian lazily raised an eyebrow and mouthed at me. “Say whatever you want.” I turned back to face the four smiling faces. I opened my mouth, wanting to say we couldn’t get the license, that Adrian and I were done. But my throat felt stuffed with water-soaked cotton. I couldn’t make a sound. I could only take a breath and try to keep my voice steady. “We already registered the marriage.” At that, Adrian chuckled quietly and leaned closer to the camera, his expression perfectly composed. “I’m taking Winnie to pick out wedding gifts now!” The four parents’ faces immediately lit up with relief, the sight piercing my chest with pain. I turned my face away, unable to look at them anymore. That’s when I noticed a pair of torn stockings in the corner of the back seat. With dried stains of unknown fluids on them. In an instant, my scalp prickled and I burst into tears.

“Winnie, why are you crying?” My mother’s voice was anxious. “Did that brat Adrian bully you? Tell me and your father will set him straight!” Adrian’s father also immediately took my side like he always did whenever Adrian and I had a conflict. I raised my hand to roughly wipe away my tears and forced out a smile. “No, I’m just so happy. They’re tears of joy.” The four parents all laughed. “I remember when you two graduated high school and Adrian proposed to you—you cried like that too.” “The cherry blossom rain falling everywhere that day was so romantic. This kid takes after me—he knows how to make his wife happy.” “When you come home for New Year’s, we’ll throw a proper celebration!” “Alright, alright, we won’t interrupt you newlyweds anymore. Go pick out your gifts.” Adrian smiled as he ended the call. I couldn’t hold back anymore. I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face, demanding through my tears. “You did it in my car too?” He casually worked his jaw and nodded. “Yeah, last night.” “But it wasn’t the same girl from the lab that day.” “Winnie, they’re not the first, and they won’t be the last.” Every word that left his mouth battered my nerves. It hurt so much—like my internal organs were about to explode. “Get out! Get out of my car!” I kicked him out of the car like a madwoman. The car door hung open, and the wind and snow quickly poured inside. Adrian ignored the snowflakes on his shoulders and leaned back in to adjust my scarf. His tone was as caring as it had always been. “Winnie, don’t catch cold.” “I’ll go. Take some time alone to calm down and think it over.” His fingers gently traced my face, now numb from crying. “Actually, I’m hoping you can accept who I am now and still marry me.” “After all these years together, how could I bear to be apart from you?”

I curled up in pain and ignored him. He sighed and closed the car door before leaving. I drove aimlessly, memories playing through my mind like a silent film. Five-year-old Adrian showing his little fangs when we first met, saying I was the prettiest little girl he’d ever seen. Eight-year-old Adrian promising to turn the whole city into an amusement park for me because I wanted to go every day. Eighteen-year-old Adrian hiring people to create a rain of cherry blossoms, kneeling on one knee to propose. Twenty-two-year-old Adrian giving up studying abroad to stay with me for graduate school, promising we’d never be apart. Twenty-five-year-old Adrian watching me break down in tears, yet still insisting he couldn’t have only one woman for the rest of his life. My heart felt like it had been torn in half, bloody and raw. I don’t know how I made it home. I sat on the couch all night. Adrian never came back. Perhaps after confessing to me, he felt completely unburdened. From that day on, he fully became a playboy. He frequented nightclubs, got tangled up with models and various minor celebrities. I couldn’t accept it. Every day I frantically went to different clubs to confront him, arguing, demanding answers, screaming. I tore to shreds all the dignity I’d built up over twenty-some years. But he deliberately showed me the scratch marks on his back, raising his eyebrows provocatively. “Winnie, this is punishment for being so possessive. If you can’t accept me as I am now, then we can’t spend our lives together!” My chest ached with tremors. I knew we could never go back. I knew how pathetic I looked, unable to let him go. But I couldn’t let go. Twenty years of connection—he and I had grown together, flesh and blood intertwined. Separating would mean scraping bone and carving flesh. It would be agonizing. Meanwhile, our parents sent me photos every day, full of joy. They’d bought us a newlywed villa. They put photos of Adrian and me from over the years in every room. They even started decorating children’s rooms—one pink, one blue. These were all the futures Adrian and I had once dreamed of together. Mom said, “Winnie, I’m so happy you’re marrying your first love. We’ve seen how good Adrian has been to you all these years. I hope you two will be happy together forever.” In that moment, my reason completely shattered. All I could think about was keeping Adrian. Even though he kept seeing other women.

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I knew from a young age that our family didn’t have money. Getting sick cost money, so I wasn’t even allowed to get sick. When I was four, I ran a high fever. Mom grabbed me and stuffed me into the freezer. When she pulled me out, I was still conscious, blinking up at her. My face was freezing. My tears had frozen solid. Mom glanced at me and said irritably, “You’re just faking it to skip school. See? You didn’t die.” After that day, I kept every discomfort to myself. I thought Mom was right—I must have been faking it. Otherwise, why did every ache and pain go away without medicine or shots? Life went on like this, until the school-organized medical checkup in middle school. I ran home with the cancer diagnosis in my hand, excited. “Mom! I have cancer!” This time, with proof from a doctor, Mom wouldn’t think I was lying. Mom, I’m not lying this time. I ran home holding the diagnosis, my emotions a mix of excitement and anxiety. The doctor said I had three months left at most. I didn’t want to die yet. But I couldn’t help hoping that during those three months, Mom and Dad might finally care for me. Whenever my brother got sick, the whole family would crowd around him. I wasn’t greedy. I’d be satisfied if someone would just take me to the hospital. I pushed the door open, holding the white paper high, afraid they’d miss it. “Mom! Dad! I have cancer!” The room went silent for two seconds. Then hurried footsteps approached, along with Mom’s signature lavender perfume. I lowered the paper and opened my arms, ready for her embrace. Rip. Mom snatched the diagnosis from me and tore it to shreds. Before I could process what was happening, a sharp sting spread across my cheek. I didn’t get her embrace. I got her slap. “Your brother is sleeping! Don’t you know that? And you make up some ridiculous lie!” Dad put down his newspaper and walked over. “Chloe, you’re old enough to be sensible. Everyone knows you’re healthy.” “You’ve never even had a cold. If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable.” I covered my face and pointed at the shredded diagnosis in the trash. “But the doctor said—” Mom and Dad had already turned away, discussing my brother’s meal plan. “Felix has lost weight again. That seven-hundred-dollar monthly meal plan clearly isn’t nutritious enough.” Dad looked worried too. “But the next tier costs fifteen hundred. We really can’t afford that.” Mom suddenly turned to me. “The hospital is recruiting volunteers for a new drug trial. They specifically need healthy subjects. It pays fifty thousand per person.” “I was going to volunteer myself, but we’re both too busy with work…” I understood what Mom was implying. Hope flickered in my chest. If they needed to verify the volunteer’s health, then Mom and Dad would finally find out I wasn’t lying. “Mom, let me be the volunteer.” Dad immediately chimed in. “You’re so considerate of your brother. You know Felix has always been frail. As his older sister, you need to be understanding.” Mom gave a cold laugh. “Trying to earn points after admitting you lied? Fine, I’ll give you this chance.” She pulled a red, round pill from her pocket and gestured for me to swallow it. “Lucky I work at the hospital. Saves us all that annoying paperwork.” I didn’t take it. I looked closely at the pill. “Mom… don’t I need a checkup first?” Mom frowned. “What checkup? You’re always thinking about spending money. If you’re not healthy, nobody is.” Dad glanced at my brother—a sturdy boy—coughed once, took the pill from Mom, and grabbed the water glass from the table. Ignoring my resistance, he shoved it into my mouth. “Why waste words on a kid? Felix just coughed. Go check if he’s catching a cold.” I choked, unable to speak. Mom pulled me into my room and locked the door. “I already disinfected your room. Just stay put.” “The observation period is three days. After that, you’ll come to the hospital with me. If you behave, I’ll get you takeout.” My head was throbbing. I wanted to tell Mom I didn’t feel well, but the words wouldn’t come out.

I pounded on the door, forcing out a faint sound through gritted teeth. “Mom, Dad, please help me…” But then came a loud bang as someone kicked the door from the other side. Dad’s last bit of patience was gone. “You drained all the nutrients from your mother in the womb—that’s why your brother’s health is so bad now.” “And you dare complain? You clearly don’t see what you’ve done wrong!” Mom gasped. I thought they’d finally found the diagnosis in the trash. “Honey! Felix’s temperature is ninety-nine point five. Any higher and he’ll have a fever.” “Take him to the hospital, quick!” Dad ignored my muffled cries from behind the door. Keys jingled. I heard the front door slam shut. I touched my face—two streaks of blood were running from my eyes. Mom, Dad, it hurts so much. I slowly lost consciousness. The piercing pain gradually faded. When I woke, I was floating in midair. I passed through the door easily. Good—Mom and Dad finally let me out. I sat properly at the dining table. I’d apologize and explain later. I didn’t know how long had passed before Mom and Dad came in carrying a large cream cake. It smelled so good. I couldn’t help swallowing. Usually I only got a bite of cake on my brother’s birthday. I didn’t expect to get a whole cake just for having cancer. Mom looked impatiently toward the door. “Chloe! Come out and have cake.” “Lucky your brother didn’t get sick from your scare, or you’d be getting the belt.” I stared at them in shock. “Mom, Dad, I’m right in front of you. I’m sitting right here at the table.” I stood and walked toward them to hug them, but I passed right through. They kept staring at the bedroom door. After ten seconds, Mom pounded on it hard. “Now you’re ignoring us? Your brother ended up in the hospital because of you, and I didn’t even blame you—how dare you throw a tantrum!” I was confused. I walked back and forth through them. I shouted right in their ears. “Mom! Dad! I’m right here! I’m not throwing a tantrum!” But no one responded. Dad threw my slice of cake straight into the trash. “This is what happens when you spoil her. Let’s teach her a lesson. Three days without food won’t kill her.” I realized what had happened and passed through the bedroom door. A crumpled figure lay curled by the door. Scratch marks from my fingertips still marked the wood. So ugly… no wonder Mom and Dad never liked me. I was already dead. I didn’t know how to feel. Was I sad? It didn’t seem like deep sadness. Just regret that the three months of care I’d hoped for hadn’t even lasted one day. But it was okay. At least now I could stay by Mom and Dad’s side without worry. Mom noticed the diagnosis paper smeared with cake. She frowned and picked it up with her fingers. “Honey, this diagnosis looks real…” Dad glanced at it and scoffed. “Babe, you’re a nurse—how can you not tell? AI is so advanced now, it can forge documents that look this authentic. If you don’t believe me, I’ll ask Chloe.” He walked to my bedroom door and kicked it a few times. “You forged this, didn’t you? Tell the truth and you’ll get food tomorrow.” I shook my head over and over in midair, fighting the burning in my eyes. Dad, I didn’t forge it. That’s a real diagnosis from the doctor. Only my brother’s mocking laughter answered him. “See? She’s not saying anything—that means she’s admitting it.” “Never thought the little brat learned to lie so young. If only she were half as well-behaved as me.” I’m not afraid to speak—I can’t. I rushed into the room and hugged my stiff corpse tightly. So cold. Maybe because I’d never ignored Mom and Dad before, after checking on my brother for a while, they came back to my door. “Chloe, we need to record your physical condition now. Don’t you dare play dead with me!” I’m not playing dead, Mom. I really am dead. Dad took a deep breath. “I think you need a beating.” I watched him walk toward the cat bed in the hall, a sense of dread rising in my chest. “Dad, no…” The tall man grabbed Whiskers from the cat bed I’d built and carried him to my door. “If you don’t speak up, I’ll make your cat pay!” I lunged forward trying to grab my cat. He was the only one in the house who ever listened to me. But I couldn’t catch him. Dad! I am speaking! Please put the cat down! I don’t have cancer! I lied about everything!

Mom was getting impatient. She pinched the cat’s neck hard. The normally gentle cat’s fur stood on end instantly. It began shrieking in pain. My mouth hung open. My soul couldn’t shed tears, only tremble. I screamed until my voice gave out. “No!” But it was too late. The cat struggled so violently that Dad threw it. He’d forgotten that right outside my door was the apartment balcony. My mind went blank. A thud. Blood sprayed everywhere. Mom tried to stop him but it was too late. Seeing people gathering below, she clicked her tongue. “Someone’s definitely going to ask how the cat died. We can’t let this ruin our reputation.” “We’ll say Chloe accidentally dropped it. Make her come out and apologize.” As soon as she finished speaking, Dad snapped out of his panic and grabbed my door handle. “This is all because you insisted on sulking! The cat dying is your own fault!” I stared at the cat’s body below, too numb to speak. But heaven seemed to take pity on me. The cat’s soul floated up beside me. Only then did I avoid collapsing completely. The soft, furry sensation was just like when it was alive. I brought it back into the room with me. Were Mom and Dad finally going to discover me? What would their reaction be? Ring, ring, ring! Dad’s phone suddenly rang. A police officer’s voice came from the other end. “We caught Dylan. Do you want to come to the station to press charges?” Hearing that name, my grief was instantly replaced by terror. That man lurking in the alley, asking me for directions. He’d taken advantage of my distraction to drag me into the alley and grope every part of my body. He’d rubbed his disgusting thing back and forth in front of me. When I got home, I scrubbed my body frantically. After Mom found out, she went straight to the police station that night to file a report. From that day on, she drove me to and from school. But the predator was hard to catch—until today. Dad and Mom exchanged glances, then Dad put on a show of resolve. “You know what? That bastard’s father came to me. Said he’d give me two hundred thousand to drop the whole thing.” Mom glanced at the closed bedroom door. “That would cover Felix’s meal plan for next year. After all, what happened to Chloe can’t be undone. As long as that pervert learns his lesson…” “And look at Chloe now with her weird attitude and sulking. She needs to learn a lesson too.” I sat in the back seat with my cat as my parents drove to the police station. The face from my nightmares sat there smugly with his legs crossed. He looked at my parents with contempt. His father was even more disdainful as he shook my dad’s outstretched hand. “Good man, let’s talk privately.” I heard Dad accept the two hundred thousand hush money with fawning agreement. It sounded like my heart breaking. The pervert swaggered out of the police station. I wanted to pounce on him, eat his flesh, drink his blood. But my parents had already sold me out. I could never get revenge. On the drive home, Mom and Dad were silent. What were they thinking? “Honey, I still don’t think we should take this money…” Dad gripped the steering wheel tighter and tighter, as if afraid he might change his mind. “I know you’re worried about Chloe being upset. We just won’t tell her, right?” “Chloe has always been so healthy. Felix is sickly and it breaks my heart watching him suffer. Think of this as the last thing Chloe does for her brother.” “When we get home, we’ll let her out and take her somewhere fun to relax. She won’t have to do that trial either.” I sat in the back seat, my heart dead as ash. Dad, don’t bother. I’m already dead. I can’t go anywhere. Mom’s phone rang. It was my teacher calling. “Hello, what is it? We’ve been excusing Chloe’s absences these past few days, so she hasn’t been at school.” “I understand this is a difficult time for you as parents, but you absolutely cannot show it in front of the child…” Mom interrupted her. “What are you talking about? What difficult time?” “Huh? Chloe didn’t show you the cancer diagnosis? Haven’t you been taking Chloe for checkups these past few days?”

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My husband had just left for a business trip an hour ago when the bathroom ceiling started dripping water again, filling me with doubt. Ever since we moved to this new neighborhood, whenever Quinn went on a business trip, the upstairs apartment would start leaking. The first few times, Quinn firmly refused to let me go up and negotiate, saying he was afraid the people upstairs would be unreasonable and I’d be wronged. After he reported it to the property management, the leaking would stop for a few days. But as soon as he left for a trip, the leaking would start again. This time, I called him first as usual. “Quinn, the house is leaking again.” I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination, but I thought I heard the sound of running water on the other end of the line. Then Quinn’s voice came through. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll go up and ask about it when I get back from my trip. The people upstairs are difficult to deal with. Whatever you do, don’t go up there yourself.” I nodded and agreed as I had before, but my feet were already carrying me out the door. I was going to see for myself just how difficult these upstairs neighbors really were.

Pressing the elevator button for the floor above, I felt both nervous and curious. Quinn had always said the upstairs residents had bad tempers, but every time he went to talk to them, the problem would be “smoothly resolved” for a few days. This was too suspicious. The elevator doors opened. I took a deep breath and walked toward the apartment door. As I approached, I could hear faint water sounds from inside, along with a woman’s giggling. I raised my hand and knocked. The sounds inside suddenly stopped. But after quite a while, no one came to the door. I knocked harder and raised my voice. “Hello, I’m from the apartment below. My bathroom ceiling is leaking again. I’d like to discuss the situation with you.” Still no response from inside. The water sounds had stopped too. Wisps of a fragrant scent drifted out through the door crack. I had never bought anything with this scent, yet it seemed familiar. My mind in turmoil, I waited several minutes. When no one opened the door, I went back downstairs. Back home, I opened the neighborhood property management group chat, hoping to find the upstairs resident’s contact information, but couldn’t find it after searching for ages. Feeling increasingly uneasy, I called property management, but they knew very little about this resident either. I walked to the balcony, thinking I might call out to them. Just as I leaned out, I saw a familiar figure flash by. Wasn’t that the gray jacket Quinn loved to wear? I wanted to get a better look, but after crouching there for half an hour, the person upstairs never came out on the balcony again. Could I have been mistaken? I shook my head, thinking I must have been too anxious and seeing things. Just then, my door lock suddenly clicked. I jumped. Quinn was on a business trip. Who else had a key? Could the upstairs resident have been angered by me and come to retaliate? I grabbed the broom beside me and hid behind the door, my heart pounding as I waited for it to open. The door slowly pushed open. A figure walked in, holding a bouquet of roses. I froze, the broom slipping from my hands. “Quinn? Aren’t you on a business trip? How did you get back?” Quinn looked startled too, then smiled and walked over. “The company had a last-minute change to the project. Plus you mentioned the leak, and I was worried, so I decided to come home and surprise you.” He reached out to hug me. I stepped back instinctively. “I just went upstairs to find the resident myself. There was clearly someone inside, but they wouldn’t open the door.” Quinn’s eyes flickered, then he quickly changed the subject. “I told you they’re difficult to deal with. I’ll go find them tomorrow. Just stay out of it.” He handed me the roses and leaned in to kiss me. In that instant, I caught the scent I had smelled upstairs. My heart tightened. The rose fragrance had been too strong at first, masking that other smell. Only when Quinn came close did I notice it, and I also discovered that the hair at the back of his neck was wet. I reached up to touch it. “How did your hair get wet?” His body tensed for a moment, then he smiled. “Didn’t you notice it’s raining outside? I got out of the car to buy you flowers and got caught in the rain.” I pulled back the curtains. It was indeed drizzling outside. Quinn’s explanation sounded perfectly reasonable, but my suspicions hadn’t faded. I didn’t show it, though. I accepted the flowers with a happy expression. “Thank you. You should go take a hot shower so you don’t catch cold.” He seemed relieved and headed straight for the bathroom. That night, lying in bed, my mind was full of the day’s events: the upstairs always leaking after Quinn left, the suspicious sound of water, the scent, the figure I’d seen, and his sudden return. None of it added up. Tomorrow, I had to follow Quinn upstairs to meet this resident.

Early the next morning, I had just set breakfast on the table when Quinn came over. He kissed me, his tone casual. “I just tried contacting the upstairs resident. He said he’ll get someone to come fix it today.” My milk glass paused mid-air. I looked up at him. “You have their contact information? Then why don’t you give it to me too, in case you’re on a trip again and there’s a problem, I can contact them myself.” Quinn shook his head, teasing. “A guy lives upstairs. He looks sleazy. My wife is so beautiful, I don’t want him harassing you. Besides, once this leak is fixed, we won’t have any more contact with him.” I didn’t speak. I looked down and stirred my oatmeal, my mind troubled again. Yesterday I had clearly heard a woman’s voice. Why was Quinn telling me it was a man? Could a couple be living upstairs? Over the next two days, I had to go on a business trip for work. But I was listless the entire time, my mind full of these matters. When I finally finished work, I decided to come home early. But when I used my key to open the door, it was locked from the inside. After about two minutes, Quinn opened the door. “How come you’re back? I thought you weren’t coming home until tomorrow?” I looked at his flustered expression and forced a smile. “I missed you, so I came back early. What were you just doing? Why did you lock the door from inside?” Quinn pointed to the apron he was wearing. “I was cooking. I probably locked it out of habit when I came in. Good thing you’re back. Go wash your hands and eat.” With that, he turned and went back to the kitchen, busying himself with the meal. Since we got married, as long as he was home, I never had to step foot in the kitchen. Everyone said I’d married a good man. On top of that, he was always thoughtful about holidays and special occasions, with gifts big and small constantly arriving. Watching his busy figure, waves of guilt suddenly washed over me. Maybe I really was being too sensitive. It was just coincidence. How could I suspect him of cheating? I nodded happily and walked over to look at the food—then stopped at a dish that shouldn’t have been on the table. My heart sank. “Why did you make lobster? We’re both allergic to lobster.” At that moment, the doubts I had just suppressed came flooding back. Quinn seemed to suddenly remember something. He hurriedly dumped the lobster in the trash. “A subordinate said this lobster was especially fresh, so I accepted it. Good thing you came back, or I would have suffered. Forget it. Let’s go out for a nice meal today instead of eating at home.” He placatingly put his arm around me and contritely massaged my shoulders. When we got to the restaurant, he handed me his phone. “Order whatever you want. Don’t think about saving money for your husband. I earn money to spend on my precious wife.” Just as I picked up the phone to order, my finger accidentally touched the search key. The next second, a pink keyboard with twenty-six keys popped up. My heart dropped. I stared blankly at the garish keyboard before me. I’d been with Quinn for three years, married for two. I knew his typing habits better than anyone. Neither of us ever used complicated keyboard skins. So what was this pink cat keyboard skin? Quinn had always used the phone’s default keyboard. This had to have been specially set by someone else. At this point, I was certain—Quinn was having an affair. That woman liked rose-scented body wash, enjoyed eating lobster, and used a kitty cat keyboard skin. But I didn’t confront him directly. I was going to catch them myself.

In the following days, to make Quinn show his hand, I stopped mentioning the upstairs situation. And after he said last time that he’d had someone fix it upstairs, there really hadn’t been any more leaking. Less than a week passed. Whether the mistress couldn’t wait or Quinn was getting anxious, he went on another “business trip.” This time, half a day after he left, there still wasn’t any leaking from upstairs. Had it really been fixed? Just then, there was a knock at the door, followed by a delivery person’s voice. I froze. I hadn’t ordered anything. Why was there a delivery? I opened the door and accepted the package. When I saw what was inside, my heart instantly raced. The recipient was Quinn, the address was our apartment number, and the phone number was my secondary number. But inside the bag was a bottle of body wash, a box of condoms, and a bottle of lubricant. My heart clenched. The items in my hand felt like they weighed a thousand pounds. As I expected, when I opened the body wash, that familiar scent instantly hit my nose. And I was allergic to lubricant. In all the time Quinn and I had been together, we’d never used such things. The truth was becoming clear. Quinn must be with that woman right now. He had ordered these items but hadn’t paid attention to the address, so they were delivered to our home. And the delivery app not automatically switching addresses also indicated that his second home must be somewhere near our complex. If I wasn’t mistaken, the upstairs apartment must be where the mistress was hiding. Because the day I came back early from my trip, Quinn had been cooking for her. But whether she hadn’t arrived yet, or had left early after learning I was coming home, I still couldn’t figure out. I was so angry my breathing became rapid. Tears streamed down drop by drop. But quickly, I wiped my tears and took these items out the door. When I got upstairs, I knocked hard on the door. In less than ten minutes, it opened. “What the hell! Why are you banging on my door so late at night?” Seeing the burly man before me, completely unprepared, I froze in shock. What was going on? Had I really been overthinking everything all along? Before I could react, the man grabbed my hair hard and slammed me into the door. “I’ve been putting up with you for a long time! Having your boyfriend come bother me again and again. Now I’ve fixed the leak and you still come looking for trouble. I’ll beat you to death!” His fists, the size of sandbags, rained down on my body. I kept begging for mercy through the pain. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Please stop!” Just as I was about to pass out, the man finally stopped. “I’m telling you, if you dare come up and bother me again, I’ll kill you.” I curled up on the ground, my body in too much pain to speak. The man slammed the door shut. After about ten minutes, I slowly got up from the floor and went home. Nearly breaking down, I video-called Quinn. When he saw my condition, his face immediately filled with anxiety. “What happened to your face?! Who hurt you?” I didn’t answer. I just held up the bag. “Quinn, how do you explain these items?” Quinn looked surprised and said angrily, “This must be that upstairs resident playing tricks! That day I went up to have him fix the leak, he was very unhappy and even wanted me to pay the repair costs. When I refused, he tried to hit me. In the end, I threatened to call the police and he finally let me go. I was afraid you’d worry so I didn’t tell you. This must be his petty revenge. I’ll come back right away.” The injuries on my body throbbed with pain. I could no longer tell what was true and what was false in Quinn’s words. Who exactly was living upstairs? About three hours later, Quinn came rushing back, travel-worn.

As soon as Quinn walked in and saw the bruises on my face, his eyes reddened. He came over and gently touched my injuries, his tone urgent and distressed. “I’m going upstairs right now to settle accounts with him. Make him pay.” Quinn immediately pulled me upstairs and started pounding on the door. My heart was about to jump out of my chest. “Open up! Come out here!” No response from inside. He pounded several more times. The door finally opened. It was still that man, looking impatient. “What do you two want now? Looking for another beating?” Quinn immediately pushed me behind him, pointing at the man’s nose and cursing. “You’ve got some nerve! You ordered those disgusting things for my wife and even hit her. Today it’s either you or me.” The man sneered, his face full of disdain. “So what if I ordered them? You won’t let me have peace, so I won’t let you have peace either.” Both Quinn and I were stunned, not expecting him to admit it so directly. And I felt deeply guilty for having suspected Quinn, unable to help asking, “Why would you do this? Just because we asked you to fix the leak?” The man leaned against the door frame, his eyes full of malice. “Yeah, I’m just sick of being bothered by you two. I’m not happy about it. I’m warning you, if you dare come knocking on my door again, I really will kill someone.” Quinn was about to rush at him, but I held him back. “Forget it. There’s nothing to say to someone like this. Let’s just call the police.” But at the mention of police, both men exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat panicked. Quinn’s aggression suddenly deflated. He pulled me back, urging, “We just moved here. If we make too big a scene, the neighbors will gossip.” Then the man also suddenly changed his tune, saying in a low voice, “Hitting you was wrong of me, but you pushed me to it. Your husband has come here so many times, anyone would be annoyed. How about this—I’ll pay you whatever compensation you want and apologize. Just don’t pursue this matter.” Thinking about how we’d finally bought this apartment and that it was better to avoid trouble, I held back my anger. Life returned to normal, and my doubts dissipated. Until I was searching through a drawer for a bank card and found several property fee receipts. Looking closely, the address was actually the upstairs apartment number. My hand holding the receipts trembled uncontrollably. My heart had completely turned cold. Not only that, I also discovered a new key on Quinn’s keychain. I secretly removed it and had an identical copy made. The next time he went on a business trip, I opened the tracking app I’d installed on his phone. Sure enough, he was still in the complex. I took the copied key, took a deep breath, and headed upstairs. Standing at the door, my hands shook a little, but I still inserted the key and turned it. The door opened. The next second, a woman’s scream rang out. “Who are you? Why are you entering my house?” Ignoring her words, I almost frantically searched the house, but couldn’t find Quinn anywhere. Why? Why? I looked around desperately. There was a gray jacket on the sofa. I recognized it at a glance. And the razor on the nightstand was also the brand he always used. Everything was telling me one fact—Quinn was having an affair. But I still had no way to prove it. Amid the woman’s curses, I went back home. When I pushed open the door, I froze. Quinn was holding his phone, looking at me with confusion. “Where did you just go? I only realized after leaving that I’d left my phone at home, so I came back to get it.” I stood in the doorway, looking at him, unable to say a word. But my mind was screaming: What on earth is going on?

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My sister got sick, and my husband forced me to give her my kidney. I’d been malnourished since childhood—even drawing a vial of blood could nearly kill me. But my husband said, “Your life or death means nothing to me. Vera is the one I truly love!” Only then did I realize—he’d loved only my sister all along! I looked at my parents standing nearby. They were calm and indifferent, not caring at all. I watched helplessly as my husband signed the consent form, then Mom tied me down on the operating table while Dad personally picked up the scalpel. Powerless to struggle, I made one final request: I want a divorce. My husband agreed. He wanted me to give up hope. But later, when I developed a post-surgical infection and forgot everything, he completely fell apart. When I opened my eyes, Garrett Sawyer stood before me. I tried to sit up, only to discover my arms were strapped tightly to a hospital chair! Before I could process what was happening, Garrett suddenly spoke: “After all these years together, it’s time you repaid me!” “I need you to save Vera.” My heart seized with panic. “Garrett… what are you talking about?” A cold voice came from beside me: “He’s telling you to give your kidney to Vera.” Only then did I notice—my sister Vera and my parents were also here! A while back, my sister was diagnosed with a serious illness. Shortly after, Garrett took me to get a physical exam. And ever since we were young, Garrett had been… no, he’d always been lukewarm toward me, but with my sister—he treated her like she was more precious than his own eyes. A terrible suspicion became clearer and clearer in my mind. Would he sacrifice my life for my sister? I still didn’t want to believe it. I resisted desperately: “What does that have to do with me! I’m your wife!” “How can you force me to donate a kidney?!” But Garrett looked at me and let out an inexplicable cold laugh. “What kind of wife are you? Vera is the one in my heart.” “You’re just a trophy wife!” I froze. I understood each word individually, but strung together they made no sense. What did he mean that Vera was the one in his heart? After all these years of marriage, he still couldn’t let her go? Then what was I? My sister looked confused too. She turned to look at Garrett. Garrett smiled at her tenderly. The nylon zip ties binding my arms grew tighter and tighter, already cutting into my skin and drawing blood. But seeing Garrett smile at her hurt even more. Like someone had taken a knife and split my heart open. Garrett stood up. “I didn’t want to say it, but Vera is sick. I can’t keep silent anymore.” He walked over to my sister and carefully took her hand, cradling it like a precious treasure. “Vera is the one I love! You’re just my wife in name only!” “If you hadn’t stolen the position of eldest daughter, why would I have ever married you?” My head buzzed like I’d been struck. I shook my head frantically. “No… that’s absolutely impossible!” Garrett said, “What’s impossible?” “You don’t believe me? I only married you back then because you were close to Vera—I could always see her!” I bit down hard, crying and screaming without restraint, my voice cracked with grief. “Garrett, Garrett… I was wrong. Did I make you angry again?” “Don’t say that—I’m your wife!” I begged him desperately: “Look at my hands, I’m bleeding…” “Hold me please, it hurts so much…” But Garrett looked at me coldly, disgusted and resolute as he shouted: “Don’t call me that! It disgusts me!” “I never wanted to touch you. Every time I see you, I feel like I’ve betrayed Vera!” I opened my mouth, my voice unsteady. “But last night you… you took me out for cake…” That was the tender moment I’d dreamed of for so long. Why take it away so quickly when I’d only just received it… I collapsed on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. The heart I’d been trying so hard to warm up for so long—it had almost gotten warm. But reality struck me like a thunderbolt: “So what?” “You’re not as important as Vera.” “Besides, it’s just one kidney. I already asked—you won’t die.” Seeing no hope of rescue, I suddenly turned to my sister. “Vera, save me!” My sister was especially upright and kind. She would never accept… But the next second, what she said shattered my world!

“Garrett has already sacrificed so much for me. This time you must save me!!” A tearful voice cut off all my fantasies with finality. I turned my head in shock to see my sister struggling to stand from her wheelchair, trembling as she threw herself into Garrett’s arms! Only then did I see my sister’s body clearly. Even with my parents’ devoted care, she’d been ravaged by illness beyond recognition. She’d told me countless times that she wanted to live healthy and whole. Now an opportunity that required no sacrifice from her lay right before her—of course she would fight for it without hesitation. Garrett also embraced her tenderly, comforting her continuously. “I’m sorry, Vera. I’ve wronged you all these years.” “From now on, I’ll be twice as good to you!” Garrett cried as he held her. “I’m sorry, my love…” “Whether she lives or dies means nothing to me. I will save you!” I watched as the tiny bit of affection I’d worked so hard to maintain flowed toward her like water. Suddenly, a metallic sweetness surged in my throat, but I forced it down hard. I laughed at myself mockingly. An ordinary person might survive donating a kidney. But I’d been weak since childhood, growing up frail and delicate. My body was already ruined. Losing even a little more blood could cost me half my life. I watched them embrace, then suddenly remembered something and instinctively looked up at my parents. But they just stood there indifferently, as if this absurd situation had nothing to do with them. They didn’t cry for their daughter’s predicament, nor did they have any intention of saving their biological daughter—me. I said shakily, “Don’t you care at all?” “I’m your biological daughter. Why won’t you save me?” They shook their heads. “So what if you’re our biological daughter?” “We’ve raised Vera all these years. She’s more devoted to us. If we can trade you for Vera’s life, we don’t mind.” Is this the normal reaction of parents who love their child? I trembled and lowered my head. So love only flows to the people they favor. And I’m just trash abandoned by everyone. But even trash wants to live! I used every ounce of strength to shout at them, “You can’t do this! It’s illegal!” Garrett looked at me. “It doesn’t matter. Nominally I’m your husband. I’ll sign your kidney donation consent form.”

“We consent too.” My parents finally spoke, their voices flat. “Either way, we watched Vera grow up. We care about her.” Garrett and my parents had casually sentenced me to death without a second thought. My voice hoarse, I called out to Garrett, refusing to give up. I couldn’t believe that after all these years together, he had no feelings for me—less than his idealized first love? Perhaps I called out too miserably. Garrett turned around and stood motionless for a long moment. Dad frowned and grabbed Garrett’s wrist. Garrett gently pulled away. He turned back, eyes red, voice trembling. “I know it’s not fair to you, but Vera is my love.” “All these years I’ve thought of her, loved her. No matter what, you must donate this kidney.” Garrett took a deep breath. “I asked—you won’t die. You’ll just be in poor health afterward.” “When you come out, I’ll compensate you and take good care of you.” Years of companionship vanished in an instant. In the end, all I got was: you won’t die. “Ha…” I laughed in self-abandonment, cursing myself masochistically. “I won’t survive. I’ll definitely die.” Garrett interrupted me in horror, shouting, “Impossible! I’m having your father perform the surgery himself!” Even Dad, a medical sage, couldn’t save someone who wanted to die. My silent mother helped me up, then together with a nurse, strapped me to the operating table like a fish awaiting slaughter. Dad held the surgical consent form. Garrett quickly signed his name. I lay there on my side, powerlessly watching. Until Dad was about to wheel me into the operating room. I blinked, staring emptily at the ceiling as tears slid down. I forced a smile uglier than crying and said, “I can give it to her. My kidney, my life—whatever.” “But I have one condition…” “I want a divorce.” Garrett frowned and scolded loudly, “Why bring that up now? Are you still trying to resist?!” “Vera suffered so much because of you, waited all these years—and you dare make demands?!” Suffered? Who really suffered all these years, now reduced to gambling with their life? I just wanted release. Mom sighed. “After all these years, let her know the truth.” “It’s good for her to give up hope.” Garrett also spoke, impatient. “Fine, I’ll sign! From now on, we’re even.” I smiled with relief. Good. After all these years of devotion, I should finally give up hope.

To increase the surgery’s success rate, Dad didn’t give me enough anesthesia. I could even feel the scalpel slicing through my flesh and tissue. It hurt so much. When people are afraid, they instinctively call for the person they depend on most. But just as the words left my mouth, I suddenly became coldly aware: I had no one left to turn to. Dad, wearing a mask, glanced at me with a complex expression that finally settled into coldness. “You should have known.” My pupils dilated slightly. Hearing his words, I only found it laughable. I said softly, “I’m sorry for the trouble… Doctor.” He seemed even more displeased. His movements became rougher. I jerked in pain, breaking out in cold sweat. He said nothing more, focusing on the surgery. The surgery took a long time—so long I felt like I’d already died. Much later, Dad sewed the final stitch. He sighed and said quietly, “It’s over.” I blinked and said flatly, “Thank you… Doctor.” After hearing that, he paused, then silently packed up his instruments. From inside the operating room, I could hear voices outside. I heard Garrett rush over anxiously, asking, “How is she?” Dad removed his mask, voice weary. “The surgery itself… was successful. But her constitution is too poor. From now on, she’ll need constant, careful care.” Garrett murmured, “As long as she’s alive… as long as she’s alive…” Garrett suddenly remembered something and turned to my parents. “I’m leaving her to you. Do what you think best.” My parents hadn’t had time to respond. Suddenly I began vomiting blood—great mouthfuls without warning! The junior nurse assisting nearby panicked and fell to the ground. She scrambled to the doorway on hands and knees, shouting urgently. “Doctor! The patient is hemorrhaging post-op!” “And she seems to have an infection!!!” As soon as she spoke, Dad panicked. He turned and ran to my side, shouting emergency instructions as he ran. Garrett’s voice also rose sharply with alarm. “What’s happening?! She was fine just now?!” But my pupils continued to dilate. I heard Garrett trying to burst in but being held back, able only to keep asking what was wrong. In the chaos, an assistant pushed through with documents. His voice was hesitant, but he spoke anyway. “Mr. Sawyer, this is the expedited divorce decree confirmation you requested. They said it’s been processed according to your instructions…” “Also, your wife appears to be… pregnant…”

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My girlfriend Rachel was sick and hospitalized. When I arrived with the soup I’d made, I overheard her conversation with her friends: “Connor’s back. Time to dump that substitute you’ve been keeping around for three years, don’t you think?” Vivian’s voice was teasing. “After you two break up, let me have a shot at him. I’ve never dated that type of guy before,” Madison said with a laugh. Rachel’s cold voice drifted out from the hospital room: “Do whatever you want. He’s easy to get anyway.” I stood outside the door, clutching the thermos, my fingers tightening bit by bit. That night, I discovered her secret Instagram account, filled with years of pining for her first love. No arguments, no confrontations. I calmly booked a flight to Paris. On our three-year anniversary, Rachel fell down the stairs at her office and sprained her ankle. When she called, I rushed to the hospital. She explained she’d been hurrying to the restaurant, worried about keeping me waiting, and accidentally missed a step. I took several days off work to stay by her bedside and take care of her. On the day of her discharge, her friends came to visit, so I felt comfortable heading home to make soup. The thermos in my arms held freshly made chicken soup. I planned my return to the hospital so that I would arrive at just the right time. The hospital room door was slightly ajar. As I approached, I heard voices inside. Rachel’s friend Vivian was patting her shoulder, barely suppressing a grin. “You don’t need to be that happy that Conno’rs back, do you? Rushing to pick him up from the airport and falling down the stairs.” Hearing the name Connor made my heart skip a beat. He was part of her close circle of friends from college—two girls and one guy, all very close. Connor Hayes had been Rachel’s first love. They’d dated for two years in college before he went abroad. Even after their breakup, they were still considered the perfect couple by their circle. I’d occasionally hear the two girls tease Rachel about him. To them, if Connor hadn’t left, I would never have had a chance with Rachel. She used to argue against it every time. But this time, perhaps because I wasn’t there, Rachel remained silent. Madison was still joking around: “Your unforgettable guy is back. When are you dumping the substitute boyfriend?” “After you break up, can I go after him? I’ve never dated a guy like that before.” Rachel finally looked up, frowning slightly as she swatted at her. “Connor hasn’t made his intentions clear yet. Why the rush?” “Besides, I’m not fully recovered yet. I still need him to take care of me when I get home.” My ears were ringing, as if something was muffling my hearing. After the shock came a numb sense of disorientation. Madison seemed unbothered. She casually peeled one of the oranges I’d bought. “He looks pretty clean-cut, but you’re always telling me how proactive he is in intimate situations.” “I’m really curious about that contrast.” I stood there holding the warm thermos in the heated hallway, but my whole body felt like it had fallen into an ice cave. I’d never imagined that my girlfriend of three years would talk about me like this behind my back. Rachel’s voice came through the door, so cold it had no warmth at all: “Go ahead and pursue him if you want. He’ starved for affection anyway—easy to get.” “I just sweet-talked him a bit back then, and we ended up sleeping together.” I caught my breath. The pain in my chest was excruciating. I heard the two women in the hospital room laugh quietly, and I instantly felt sick enough to vomit. I covered my mouth and rushed to the bathroom, dry heaving. So my girlfriend of three years had only seen me as a substitute for her first love. I’d thought she just didn’t love me as much as I loved her. I never imagined she actually despised me. Not only did she not love me—she didn’t even see me as a person. To her, I was apparently no different from trash on the street. The illusion shattered. I could barely fathom that the person I’d wanted to spend my life with was so deeply vile. Looking back now, I realized that Rachel’s friends could openly joke about her and other men right in front of me because they had no respect for me at all. When they came over to our place, they always ordered me around like a servant. And the fact that my girlfriend’s friends didn’t respect me fundamentally came from her permission and encouragement. The gentleness she showed me was just an act. I threw the chicken soup I’d spent two hours making into the trash. The thought of breaking up had never been clearer than in this moment. When I walked into the hospital room, I’d mostly stabilized my emotions. Seeing me return empty-handed, Rachel’s expression immediately changed, her face full of displeasure: “Didn’t you say you were going home to make me soup? Why did you come back empty-handed?” Madison chimed in from the side. “Yeah, Adrian, Rachel was just telling me how thoughtful you are.” Madison’s expression was like she was watching a show, and she added meaningfully: “Adrian, you might not even get the chance to make soup for Rachel anymore.” I instinctively looked at Rachel, only to find she had no intention of stopping Madison. Probably because Connor was back and she wanted to dump me immediately, Rachel wasn’t even pretending anymore. Or maybe she wanted to give my “rebellion” a little “punishment.”

I remained silent, my eyes fixed on Rachel. This was the woman I’d loved for three years. I used to think that even if Rachel didn’t love me enough, my love for her would be sufficient. Or maybe one day she’d be moved by me? But everything was mocking me for being too naive. “It didn’t turn out well today. I drank it all myself.” I smiled and picked up the lightest bag, quickly heading out of the hospital room. “Let’s pack up and go home.” I didn’t want to carry all the luggage like a servant anymore, as I always had. The atmosphere was cold the whole way home. Rachel was still mad at me. But I had no intention of coaxing her. I also needed time to process my own emotions. As soon as we got home, Rachel’s other friend Madison came over too. She was holding a cat in her arms, bursting through the door with a grin. I’ve been allergic to cat fur since childhood. I backed away in alarm, covering my nose. “Rachel, didn’t you tell them I’m allergic to cats?!” I frowned, staring intently at the Ragdoll cat in Madison’s arms, not daring to let my guard down for a moment. When I was little, I accidentally held a neighbor’s cat and ended up in the hospital for a whole week. Before Rachel could speak, Madison rolled her eyes at me. “This is Connor’s Ragdoll. He bought it abroad—super expensive. I begged him forever before he let me bring it over to play with for a few days.” “Adrian, don’t be so difficult.” Rachel had long been dissatisfied with my attitude, feeling I’d made her lose face in front of her friends. Now she finally found an opportunity to vent. Her expression was icy. “It’s just a cat. Is it going to kill you?” She stopped hiding her disgust for me, even taking the cat from Madison’s hands and pushing it toward me. “I’m going to fix this allergy of yours. What’s the big deal about one cat?” Rachel knew exactly how severe my allergic reactions were, but at this moment, she still didn’t take me seriously. I dodged while Rachel closed in. The Ragdoll was being squeezed painfully by the neck and shrieked, lunging at me out of control. Even though I reacted immediately, the cat’s claws still left a mark on my neck, and I got a mouthful of cat fur. Half a minute later, I started having difficulty breathing. My heart raced and cold sweat poured from my body. “Quick… call an ambulance.” Rachel sneered: “Adrian, stop pretending.” It was Madison who noticed my face getting paler and paler and spoke up: “Rachel, Adrian doesn’t look like he’s faking. We should call for help!” In the moment of hesitation, I collapsed heavily to the floor. Before losing consciousness, I saw Rachel’s panicked expression as she and Madison and Vivian fought over who would call the ambulance. When I woke up, I was alone in the hospital room. The room was pitch dark. Because of their so-called “fun,” I’d nearly gone into shock and been sent to the hospital. And now not one of them was by my side. A nurse came in and turned on the light, helping me change the IV drip. “Your allergic reaction to cat fur is extremely severe. You absolutely cannot come into contact with cats again.” I smiled bitterly and asked: “Nurse, when did the people who brought me in leave?” “Those three girls?” The nurse frowned. “They left after seeing you weren’t in danger.” Her expression was somewhat incredulous: “Weren’t they just passersby?” I forced a smile: “One of them is my girlfriend.” “Well, not for much longer.” I opened my phone to find a message from Rachel on social media. [We went to dinner. If you’re okay, just head home yourself.] Madison had posted something twenty minutes ago. [Old friends reunited—so happy!] The photo showed the four of them, with Rachel looking at the man beside her with tender eyes. She and Connor seemed deeply in love, their gazes filled with barely concealed affection. Looking at that photo, I finally couldn’t hold back my tears. The pain in my heart was suffocating. At this point, I had no reason to keep deceiving myself. Rachel’s true feelings were for Connor. To her, if Connor was willing to come back to her side, I would lose all value.

I suddenly remembered that Rachel often typed on social media pages, but I’d never seen her post anything. A possibility formed in my mind, and I searched for clues in her social media accounts. Rachel’s main account was completely blank, but in her following list, I found an account called “Missing Connor.” My hands trembled as I clicked on it. The IP address matched too. This account had been continuously updated for six years, with thousands upon thousands of posts. It was like accidentally opening Pandora’s box. The contents shocked me speechless. Everything was about Connor—every word filled with suppressed love and obsession. The account started as a record of their relationship, and later became Rachel’s endless longing for Connor. [November 9, 2021: I’m with someone else now. I won’t wait for you.] That was the day—I’d lost count of how many times I’d confessed to her—when Rachel finally relented and agreed to be with me. Turns out I hadn’t moved her at all. That was just the day Connor left the country. [March 10, 2022: I slept with someone else. That’s what you get for dating someone else.] I still remembered Rachel being drunk that night, clinging to me and not letting me leave, finally using sweet words to coax me into sleeping with her. [May 16, 2023: Are you really not planning to come back? I hate you. I’ll never forgive you!] That year, Rachel held me tightly and pulled a ring from her pocket to put on my finger. She looked at me with such tender affection and promised: “Adrian, I’m going to marry you.” I took a deep breath, lacking the courage to continue reading. I scrolled directly to the most recent update, posted not long ago: [I still lost to you. After all these years, I still can’t let go. I’ll only ever love you.] The photo showed the two of them together. They were holding hands tightly, their faces glowing with joy. Tears fell uncontrollably, dropping onto the phone screen and blurring my vision. I was pierced with wounds from the deception and betrayal, my sincere heart bleeding. So throughout our entire three-year relationship, Rachel’s love had never belonged to me for even a moment. Youthful passion burns hot and true, lasting for years. Rachel was willing to overcome every obstacle just to have Connor again. Even though he’d been gone for so many years, abandoning her, she still gave her heart to him willingly. But what about me? I trembled all over as understanding dawned on me. No wonder Rachel never argued with me—she simply didn’t care. No wonder Rachel never cared about my condition—I just wasn’t important to her. No wonder she’d gotten so excited she fell down the stairs—it wasn’t because she was rushing to see me, but because Connor’s sudden return had disturbed her emotions. I barely steadied my thoughts and took screenshots of everything, preserving the evidence. This was for the best. At least I wouldn’t have second thoughts now. If I hadn’t accidentally overheard what she said about me that day, if I hadn’t found her secret social media account, I might have been kept in the dark my entire life, mistakenly believing she’d really given up on her first love. I’d finally seen through Rachel’s dirty heart beneath her gentle exterior, realizing that all those tender moments of intimacy had been fake. Now there was no reason left to continue this farce of a relationship. At that moment, my supervisor called. I took a deep breath, trying not to let anything show. “Adrian, headquarters has an opportunity to work at the Paris branch. I wanted to ask if you’re interested.” “You’d go in directly as a director. It’s quite a rare opportunity.” Mr. Liu was earnest in his persuasion. Actually, this wasn’t the first time a promotion opportunity had come my way. Last time, because I wanted to settle down in this city with Rachel, I’d firmly declined the chance to go to France, even though it had once been a dream I loved. But now, there was no longer any reason worth abandoning my dreams for. “Thank you for this opportunity. I’m willing to work in Paris.” The determination to break up had never been this strong. My survival instincts were screaming at me. Even if my heart was being cut like a knife, I was willing to endure this pain. After hanging up, I decisively booked a flight to Paris for a few days later. After being discharged, I immediately went home and packed all my belongings. During this time, I didn’t run into Rachel. She was probably still busy keeping Connor company. The next day, sitting in the taxi to the airport, I saw an update on Rachel’s secret account from last night: [Seeing each other again, couldn’t help ourselves.] The photo showed her holding hands with Connor, fingers intertwined. I calmly scrolled past, though my heart still ached faintly. Rachel suddenly sent me a text—she must have seen the changes at home. [Did you get discharged yesterday? Where are you?] I didn’t respond. She called countless times, and I hung up on every one. Until one minute before boarding, an unknown number called. I answered. Rachel’s anxious, agitated voice filled my ear: “Adrian, where did you go? When did you get home?” I smiled silently and responded calmly. “Rachel, I know Connor’s back.” “He’s your true love, isn’t he?” I gave a self-mocking smile and ruthlessly exposed her scheme. “Now that the person you couldn’t forget is back, naturally the substitute should exit the stage.” The boarding announcement sounded at just the right moment. I heard Rachel grit her teeth and demand: “Adrian, where the hell are you?”

I didn’t respond and hung up directly. A few hours later, I arrived in Paris, France, half a world away. As soon as I landed, I immediately changed my phone number and went to the company to complete the entry formality. The workload was heavy. I was not only responsible for liaising with French companies but also had a large volume of domestic business. When I first arrived abroad, between the jet lag and the heartbreak, I suffered from insomnia night after night. Even after taking sleep medication and finally falling asleep, I’d dream about when Rachel and I first got together. Eventually I just stopped trying to sleep, letting work fill my life so I wouldn’t dwell alone on those past beautiful moments. After some time, I’d put Rachel behind me. The wounds from the relationship were healed by time. But I still couldn’t avoid hearing news about her. I learned that after I left, Rachel and Connor immediately made their relationship official. When I saw them announce this to friends, I quickly deleted Rachel’s and her friends’ contact information. But not long after, a mutual friend gossiped to me: [Rachel and Connor are about to break up.] I was a bit confused: [Weren’t they doing great together?] [Give me a break. Connor’s been driving Rachel crazy lately. She’s in the rising phase of her career. You used to handle everything in her life perfectly, but Connor just uses her card to eat, drink, and have fun. They fight every two or three days.] [And apparently! Connor was divorced abroad! He wanted to keep it hidden from Rachel, but she found the divorce certificate. Rachel wants to break up but can’t let go. They’re basically torturing each other.] I really hadn’t expected this plot development. After all, they’d seemed to truly love each other deeply. Though it was dramatic, none of it had anything to do with me anymore. My next intersection with Rachel came after I was sent back to the country for my first independent project. I’d anticipated this since our work overlapped. Opening the project file, it was Rachel’s company—Muller Corp. Not only that, but she was in charge of this project. Muller Corp was urgently seeking new investment for a project and was competing with other companies in a bidding war. The situation was intense. Fortunately, everything was communicated online, and I tried to avoid any chance of meeting her in person. I assigned all the offline negotiations to team members. The project concluded perfectly, and everything seemed to be developing in the best direction. Then my assistant Andrew suddenly burst into the office: “Adrian! Muller Corp’s financing failed!”

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After 66 proposals, Chloe finally said yes. She specifically told me to dress formally, promising a big surprise. But when I showed up in my finest suit, there was no bride. Chloe turned to my stepbrother Leo beside her, a smirk playing on her lips. “Leo, you always say weddings are boring. Well, today I’m going to show you a fun one. How does that sound?” My sister Sarah, the officiant, announced loudly, “Wedding paused!” Then my childhood friend Ashley pulled the string on the water balloon they’d rigged above my head, drenching me from head to toe. Chloe flashed a mocking grin. “Julian, lighten up. It was just a joke. You didn’t really think I’d marry you, did you?” The whole wedding was a cruel prank, staged just to amuse my so-called depressed stepbrother. Seeing my silence, Chloe chuckled. “If you’re that desperate to get married, why not just pick someone from the crowd and tie the knot?” But when I walked back in, arm in arm with my real bride, they were the ones who panicked.

My sister Sarah finished reading the vows on stage, but the bride never appeared. A murmur swept through the guests below. My heart sank. This was another setup, designed to humiliate me. Just as I expected, Chloe casually twisted the ring in her hand and turned to Leo with a teasing smile. “You said wedding ceremonies are tedious, right? Just two people reciting vows and swapping rings. Boring.” “Well, today I’m showing you a one-person wedding. Entertaining enough for you?” Sarah immediately caught on, grabbing the microphone. “Wedding paused!” Ashley shouted, “Leo, watch this!” The water balloon above me dropped. Even though I tried to duck, it still caught me off guard. My hair was plastered to my forehead, water dripping from my soaked suit. I clutched my lapels, knuckles white. Only then did Leo let out a small laugh. Chloe walked over, feigning concern. “What’s wrong, Julian? Not happy?” She nudged Ashley. “That was a bit much, wasn’t it? Didn’t you think about Julian being the groom today?” Just when I thought she might show remorse, she handed me the wedding ring—still in its box, the one meant for my finger. “You wanted to get married, didn’t you? I’m making your wish come true. I even got you an officiant, a best man, and guests.” Meeting my icy stare, she sneered. “Why are you looking at me like that? You didn’t actually think I’d be your bride, did you? I’m just helping you out.” Then, in a sickly sweet tone, she added, “Keep the ring safe. Wouldn’t want your bride to have nothing to wear.” “Oh, wait. There is no bride.” “No way, there’s no bride!” Ashley chimed in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “But look at Julian, all dressed up like he really believed it!” All eyes turned to my drenched formal wear. In the past, I would’ve swallowed my pride and begged Chloe not to embarrass me. This time, I just wiped the water from my face and said flatly, “Thanks for going through the motions. I was nervous earlier, but now I feel better. My real wedding will go smoother.” Chloe stared, then burst out laughing. “Are you stupid or just in denial? Still thinking I’d marry you?” “Can’t you see? This was all to cheer Leo up!” “A man this desperate for marriage is just pathetic.” Her mockery was now fully unveiled, and she didn’t care how much it hurt. Leo and the others laughed along, thoroughly amused. My heart felt twisted, squeezed by an invisible hand. I’d actually known about their plan for days. Chloe had called me earlier that week. “Julian, you want to get married, right? I’ll see you at the venue you picked.” Against my better judgment, my heart leapt. She knew I’d always wanted to get married. After Mom died, it was just Grandma and me. Now Grandma was sick, and her only wish was to see me married and happy. I’d booked the venue months ago, begging Chloe countless times. Even a fake wedding would’ve been enough to give Grandma peace. Her call had thrown me into confusion. I went to talk to Sarah, but instead overheard them in her study, excitedly planning the prank. Chloe laughed. “I just told Julian to get ready for the wedding. He actually thinks I’m going through with it! Isn’t he naive?” Sarah replied, “He has no idea. The shock will be perfect. Leo will love seeing him humiliated.” Ashley jumped in. “Let’s swap the glitter for water balloons. He’ll look like a drowned rat!” “Just don’t let Leo find out beforehand, or it won’t be as fun.” They sounded so pleased with themselves. I stood frozen at the door. The wedding I’d dreamed of was just a cruel joke to entertain Leo. The three people who once went to multiple stores to buy my favorite cake were gone. When had they changed so much? There was a time when Sarah, Chloe, and Ashley cared for me the most. But ever since Leo came into our lives, everything shifted. His “depression” was severe. So severe that just seeing me would “trigger” him. Each time, he’d beg Sarah and the others to stay. At first, they brushed it off, thinking he was faking. Gradually, their attention moved from me to Leo. This was Chloe, the woman I’d loved for seven years, and Sarah and Ashley, who’d been with me since childhood. Now they were willing to turn my wedding into a punchline, all for one of Leo’s smiles. Making Leo happy became their only goal. Even at my expense. They handled Leo with kid gloves, yet trampled over me without a second thought. A dull ache settled in my chest. Today, I was getting married. Just not to Chloe.

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to look composed. Raising the microphone, I announced, “Just a small hiccup, everyone. Please bear with us a little longer.” Then I gestured to my soaked jacket. “I’ll go change. Wouldn’t want my wife to see me like this.” Good thing I’d had a premonition and hadn’t worn my favorite suit. Chloe stared at me like I’d lost my mind. “Julian, you’re not actually delusional, are you? I told you—this was a prank! There’s no bride!” Sarah mocked, “Even if you’re embarrassed, there’s no need to lie! If anyone wanted you, wouldn’t I know?” The crowd chuckled. My relentless pursuit of Chloe was no secret. Ashley pretended to ponder. “Maybe he’s trying to make Chloe jealous? How pathetic.” Leo gently shushed them, then turned to me with fake sympathy. “Julian, this was their idea to cheer me up. I’m touched you played along.” “I know you like Chloe, but love has to be mutual…” “A man needs dignity. Mom and Dad are here, and so are the guests. Don’t drag this out.” His soft voice made me sound like the disgrace. I glanced down and saw Mr. Harrison’s furious face as he tried to calm the guests. I took a deep breath. “Today is my wedding. My bride is on her way.” I pulled out my phone and called the first contact. … It rang and rang, then went to voicemail. I tried several times. No answer. My heart sank. After all, we’d only met once. Chloe watched, enjoying the show. “Julian, I knew you were obsessive, but I didn’t know you were this good at lying to yourself.” Sarah scoffed, “Just give up. It’s pathetic.” Leo looked at me, then turned to Chloe with fake concern. “Chloe, maybe you should just pretend to marry him. He looks miserable.” Chloe refused instantly. “I only did this for you, Leo. I’d never marry Julian.” She even took a step back, as if to draw a clear line between us. Leo then glanced at Ashley. She was quicker to refuse. “No way! I’m not doing something that humiliating!” Watching them eagerly reject me to prove their loyalty to Leo, I suddenly remembered our senior prom. They’d both fought to be my date. They’d competed to surprise me, just to win my attention. My heart had long gone numb. I couldn’t stand Leo’s fake sincerity. “Don’t worry,” I said coldly. “I wouldn’t marry either of you. I want nothing to do with you.” “My bride is someone else.” Mr. Harrison finally snapped. He stormed up, yelling, “Julian! What is this charade? Are you trying to disgrace me?” “Can’t you be more like Leo? Do you have to prove to everyone that you’re a loser who can’t get a wife?!” I stood there, humiliated, but all he cared about was his reputation. Grandma, though, took my hand and stood firmly beside me. “My Julian doesn’t lie! Please, everyone, wait a little longer.” Just then, my phone rang. I answered. A woman’s voice, urgent yet calming, came through. “I’m so sorry, hubby. The traffic was insane, but I’m on my way.”

I told her to drive safely. Ashley stared mockingly. “Wow, committed to the bit, aren’t you? Did you hire an actress?” “Julian, you’ll do anything to save face.” “If you’re that desperate, why not just pick a woman from the audience?” Chloe, feigning kindness, grabbed a microphone. “Julian’s looking for a wife, right here, right now!” “Any single ladies? If you hit it off, you can get married on the spot!” “Anyone? Julian’s devoted—he’s been chasing me for years!” … The guests buzzed, some pulling out phones to record. My face burned with shame. Yes, I’d pursued her for years, but she’d always led me on with vague promises. Again and again, she’d stomped on my heart. A draft swept through the hall. I felt cold, deep in my bones. Someone in the crowd actually volunteered. Chloe led a woman onto the stage—someone in her late forties, who looked older than my father’s date. She grinned, a malicious gleam in her eyes. “Mr. Harrison, you’re quite the catch.” Ashley and Sarah pushed me toward her. I was too disgusted to speak. Sarah saw my reluctance and scoffed, “Isn’t this faster than hiring an actress? Just get it over with and stop embarrassing the family!” Leo added, “Julian, stop making a scene. We ‘carefully selected’ her for you. What more do you want?” I glared at these hypocrites, fists clenched. “My wedding is not your decision!” Then I remembered. I’d filed the paperwork yesterday. Our marriage certificate was in my briefcase. I strode over, grabbed my bag, pulled out the document, and slapped it open in front of them. “This is my marriage certificate. I told you—my wife is on her way.” Sarah stared, then burst into hysterical laughter. “Julian, you’re really committed!” “Do you even know who that is? You Photoshopped her picture and called her your wife?” Chloe took a look, and the whole room snickered. “Which fake certificate maker did you use? That’s Victoria, CEO of Everbright Group! I tried to meet her for a deal yesterday!” “Her assistant said she just got married and was busy with her husband!” “And you claim she’s your wife? That’s ridiculous.” I remembered yesterday. That woman had spent the whole day with me, suit shopping. Her phone kept ringing, but she insisted on staying until we were done. Leo looked at me with pity. “Julian, unrequited love isn’t your fault. But making up stories just makes you look like a clown.” Mr. Harrison finally lost it. He grabbed my arm and tried to drag me offstage. “Enough! Haven’t you embarrassed us enough?” But Chloe held my wrist, stopping me. “Didn’t you say she was almost here?” “Aren’t you going to introduce us to this legendary bride? Or was this all for nothing?” Sarah and Ashley held me back, and in the struggle, I nearly tumbled down the steps. Just as I thought I’d hit rock bottom, a woman steadied me. A clean, gentle scent enveloped me. “I’m sorry, hubby. I’m late.”

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In my previous life, my father, Robert, was in a terrible car accident, bleeding heavily. I begged my sister, Scarlett, to bring our adopted brother, Leo, to the hospital to donate blood and save him. Both Leo and Robert shared the rare Rh-negative blood type. But after Leo donated the blood, he jumped into the ocean, taking his own life. He left behind a suicide note, accusing our family of treating him like a blood bag. On my birthday, Scarlett pushed me off the hospital rooftop. “You’re a bastard! You manipulated Robert into that whole charade, causing Leo’s death. You deserve to die too!” When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of the accident. 1 A violent crash yanked me back to consciousness. I opened my eyes and saw Robert shielding me with his body, taking the brunt of the impact. My eyes welled up instantly; the scene was painfully familiar. In my previous life, Robert had protected me the same way, which led to his severe blood loss. “Robert, are you okay?” “Don’t worry, I’m fine.” But I clearly saw blood gushing from his abdomen. How could he be fine? I forced down my panic, pulled out my phone, and called 91

Then, gritting my teeth, I pressed hard on Robert’s wound with trembling but firm hands, trying to slow the bleeding. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught my reflection in the shattered car window—a face of grim determination, completely unlike the panicked, helpless mess I’d been in my last life. Back then, I’d been paralyzed with fear, only thinking to call Scarlett for help. Scarlett hadn’t believed me at first, dragging her feet for so long that Robert missed the critical window for rescue. He survived, but was paralyzed from the waist down, confined to a wheelchair for life. The ambulance arrived quickly, and I accompanied Robert to the hospital. The doctors rushed him into surgery. I stood guard outside, my eyes glued to the operating room doors. Before any doctor could speak, I quickly posted an urgent plea in a social media mutual aid group, asking for anyone with Rh-negative blood. I couldn’t rely on Scarlett and Leo again. But having more options meant more hope. I still called Scarlett. “Robert was in a car accident; he urgently needs Rh-negative blood. Please bring Leo…” “Still lying? Can’t you let him have one decent birthday without your malice?” Scarlett’s voice was icy. My heart sank. “No, it’s true, Robert, he…” “Shut up!” Scarlett’s voice turned shrill. “Robert isn’t seriously hurt, and the hospital has plenty of blood.” Her cold, confident tone came through the phone. “This time, I’ll protect Leo. I won’t let you bully him again!” Just then, a doctor walked out. He informed me the hospital’s Rh-negative blood supply was critically low. Scarlett heard it too. She scoffed dismissively, her laugh chilling even through the phone. “Oh, you even hired actors?” My heart pounded with anxiety. “Robert is bleeding out! It’s critical! Please bring Leo to the hospital now!” “Alex,” Leo’s voice, full of accusation, came through. “Do you really enjoy tormenting me so much? Can’t you let me have one decent birthday?” “Still using Robert as an excuse. You just have to cause drama on Leo’s birthday.” Scarlett’s tone was cold and unyielding, utterly convinced I was stirring up trouble. “Scarlett, I’m not lying.” My voice was tight, my eyes burning. “Enough!” Scarlett roared. “Do you think I’ll fall for your lies again? You’re always jealous of Leo, always making his life miserable. I won’t let you get away with it this time!” With that, she hung up. I was left clutching my phone, listening to the dial tone, fury and helplessness flooding my chest. 2 I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing down the turmoil. My back stiff, I leaned against the hospital’s cold wall. Just as I felt utterly hopeless, a message popped up in the mutual aid group. “Is this for City Hospital? I’m Rh-negative, and I’m nearby.” I quickly wiped my face and typed, “Yes! Please!” “Okay, I’m heading over.” But five minutes later, the person sent several voice messages. I played them, hearing a middle-aged man’s furious voice: “Are you kidding me? Sending fake messages to start drama with your adopted brother?” “Do you think everyone is just sitting around? You’re sick!” “…” The rest were relentless condemnations. I felt plunged into an ice bath. How could this be? It had to be Scarlett! She must have interfered! Then came a torrent of curses and mockery from others in the group. “Who pulls stunts like this in a hospital group?” “The nerve! Kick him out!” My body tensed, fists clenched until my knuckles cracked. Anger, despair, and helplessness threatened to consume me. I stared at my phone, watching the accusing messages, my nails digging into my palms. I quickly replied, “No, it’s not fake. The patient is bleeding heavily.” Then, I attached Robert’s hospital test results. “It’s City Hospital, you have to believe me!” “Please, I’m begging you, please come save my father!” The group fell silent. Then, some different voices emerged. “Is anyone near the hospital? Maybe check? What if it’s real?” “Yeah, those results look real.” The Rh-negative man also messaged, “I’m heading back. I hope you’re not tricking me again.” I finally exhaled in relief, thanking him profusely. While waiting for Mr. Clark, I scrolled through my contacts, searching for anyone who might help. Any sliver of hope, I wouldn’t give up. But after a round of calls, all I got was disappointment. Either they weren’t Rh-negative, or they were out of town. My only hope was Mr. Clark. Who would have thought hope would be crushed again? He sent another string of voice messages: “I seriously want to kill someone! Is it fun to trick me?” I quickly replied, “No! I’m right outside the OR! If you don’t believe me, ask the doctor. The accident was on Maple Street.” “You’re still lying! I just asked the doctor!” Mr. Clark’s voice grew more agitated. “The doctor told me the accident on Maple Street was minor. The patient only had superficial injuries!” “No! That doctor is lying to you!” As soon as I sent that, I was kicked out of the group. I tried to re-join, but the administrator rejected me. I tried again and again, all denied. I slammed my fist against the wall, a sharp pain shooting through my knuckles, but it was nothing compared to the agony in my heart. Just then, Dr. Hayes called. He was Scarlett’s friend. “Stop making a scene! I had the admin kick you out.” “Scarlett was right. You’re spoiled by Robert. Using such petty tactics out of jealousy.” “Your adopted brother is fragile. Just leave him alone; let him enjoy his birthday.” My throat tightened. I couldn’t utter a sound. 3 It wasn’t until Hayes hung up that I fully understood my path was blocked. But Scarlett wasn’t done. “Alex, you never learn, do you? Still trying to trick people in that group?” Scarlett’s voice was full of undisguised irritation. “If anything happens to Robert, I will make sure you and Leo pay.” My voice was hoarse with raw hatred. Scarlett paused, then chuckled. “You? Please. Once Leo’s birthday is over, I’ll take him back, and Robert will give you the scolding of your life.” “You’re so jealous you don’t belong here anymore. Pack your bags. I can’t trust Leo under the same roof as you.” I listened numbly. I couldn’t tell if the person on the phone was my sister or a demon wearing her skin. She used to care for me so much, adored her little brother. But all that shattered the moment Leo was adopted. Robert was always busy, flying all over the world. Scarlett took on looking after Leo and me. Every time Leo shed a tear, Scarlett immediately assumed I was bullying him. Such incidents happened constantly, and Scarlett grew increasingly distant from me. At first, I tried to defend myself, but that only led to harsher scolding and more doting on Leo. And now, Robert was in surgery, his life hanging by a thread, yet Scarlett was still focused on Leo’s birthday, even planning to kick me out. Hatred burned in my heart like wildfire. I hated Scarlett’s blindness, I hated Leo’s deceit, and I hated my own past weakness… The OR light remained on, every passing second a heavy blow. Just as I was spiraling into despair, an unfamiliar number called. I hesitated but answered. “Hello, are you looking for Rh-negative blood for your father? I’m a nurse at City Hospital; I just saw your message.” “Yes, yes, I am!” My voice was laced with urgency. “Easy, son. I checked the records and found a previous patient with Rh-negative blood. I’ll give you his contact; you can try.” Hearing this, I felt I’d grasped a lifeline. I quickly thanked the nurse and dialed the number. The person on the other end was silent for a moment, then said: “I can donate, but I’ll need compensation. Donating blood isn’t a small thing. I need one million dollars.” I agreed without hesitation. As long as Robert could be saved, I’d accept any condition. Ten minutes later, Mr. Clark arrived. I hurried him towards the doctors, but Dr. Hayes suddenly blocked our way. “What on earth are you doing now? Bringing your drama here?” Hayes frowned, thoroughly annoyed. Mr. Clark looked at me, confused. I told him to go to the blood donation center first. “The patient’s name is Robert Davies. Just tell the doctors you’re donating for him.” Mr. Clark nodded, still skeptical, and turned away. But Hayes tried to block him again. I wouldn’t let him stop me. I lunged forward, grabbing Hayes by the collar, glaring. “Hayes, I swear, if you try to stop him again…” He was just like Scarlett, always quick to believe one side. If he hadn’t interfered, Robert would have been saved already. I hated him. The raw hatred in my eyes made Hayes freeze. He actually forgot how to react. Until hospital security pulled me away. More people gathered, even Director Miller showed up. “What’s going on here?” “Director, he’s a friend’s brother. Just throwing a tantrum, causing a scene,” Hayes quickly explained. I tried to step forward, but security held me back. “Hayes, you’re an idiot! If I wanted trouble, why wouldn’t I just crash Leo’s birthday?” 4 Hayes flinched, then stubbornly continued: “Scarlett said Robert’s accident was just an excuse for you to call Leo for blood, to make him think we were using him as a blood bag. She said he has depression, and you wanted to push him to suicide.” I scoffed, my anger boiling over into a humorless laugh, and turned to Director Miller, my voice clear. “Did you all hear that? Your Dr. Hayes has repeatedly disregarded a patient’s safety, obstructing a life-saving effort! My father was in a critical accident and urgently needs Rh-negative blood, yet this man misled a donor and had me kicked out of the mutual aid group!” Hayes stubbornly insisted, “You’re a liar! I’ve seen you at your house countless times, and every single time you’re bullying Leo!” Director Miller was more rational. He quickly asked other staff. A nurse quietly explained, “Director, this young man’s father really was in a severe accident. He has Rh-negative blood and is in surgery now.” Hayes’s face went white. He mumbled, “No, no way… that can’t be right…” Director Miller didn’t listen to his excuses, leading his team towards the OR. Hayes followed, distraught. … The red light on the OR door was still on. I sat on the bench, finally able to slightly relax. Hayes was trembling, looking at me in disbelief. “How could this be… But Scarlett and Leo said…” I ignored him, my gaze fixed on the doors. Hayes angrily kicked a nearby trash can, then frantically dialed Scarlett. After a long wait, the call connected. “What is it?” Scarlett’s voice was nonchalant. “Scarlett, Robert is really hurt!” “Oh, so Alex bought you off too?” Hayes slammed his fist against the wall. “You’ve ruined me! How can you still be celebrating a birthday at a time like this?” “Alright, I’m done. I need to cut Leo’s cake now.” “You…” The call disconnected. Hayes turned to me, dejected, his eyes filled with shame and regret. “Alex, I’m so sorry. Your sister misled me. I’ll add you back to the group right now, and I’ll clear your name.” I stared at him, my eyes cold. “It’s useless. No matter what you do, I’ll see this through. Your career is finished, Hayes. You’re a disgrace.” Hayes stiffened, his face ashen. Hayes from my previous life was not innocent either. He was Leo’s friend and had helped him hurt me countless times. In my last life, Scarlett was able to drag me to that rooftop thanks to his help. Just before she pushed me, a security guard passed by. It was Hayes who distracted him. I would make them pay. Two hours later, the OR doors opened. “Good news, the surgery was a complete success!” I finally let out a long breath. Robert was moved to a room, and around 9 PM, he slowly regained consciousness. “Robert.” “Don’t cry, son. I’m just glad you’re safe.” Robert’s voice was weak, but his eyes were clear and warm. “Robert, Scarlett and them…” Robert lifted his hand, squeezing mine with a weak but firm grip. “Don’t worry, this time I’ll protect you. I’m so sorry, Alex. I failed you, letting you suffer for so many years.”

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