Author: Momo Chan

After David finished his undercover operation, it was as if he had become a completely different person. He would often sit by himself, staring out the window, his eyes clouded with a sadness and melancholy that seemed impossible to shake. He no longer lifted our daughter in the air, spinning her around, calling her his little princess. He didn’t come home with surprise bouquets anymore, and even when I tried to be affectionate, he would awkwardly pull away. Then, on the night of Grace’s accident, I saw him standing in the rain, tenderly but desperately kissing another woman. I was still in a meeting when I got the call about Grace’s accident. Hearing the words “died on the spot” felt like a lightning bolt had struck straight through my chest, leaving me shattered. I rushed to Greenwood Memorial Funeral Home, nearly losing my mind, only to see my daughter’s twisted body lying on a cold metal table. The yellow floral sundress I had lovingly put on her that morning was now her burial shroud. The room was chaotic. Some people tried to comfort me, others were questioning what happened. The truck driver was nervously explaining, “She ran across the street! It wasn’t my fault, she came out of nowhere!” I collapsed on the floor, screaming in despair, “She would never run across the street! Where was her father? Where is he?!” “Mrs. Harris, your daughter got off the City Metro Bus alone. We didn’t see any adult with her,” the officer said gently, his voice full of pity. I had always been the one to take Grace to her after-school arts program, except for this one time when she carefully asked if her dad could take her instead. Since David had come back from his year-long undercover work, he had grown distant, cold toward both Grace and me. He spent hours staring off into space, avoiding eye contact, and had stopped calling me “Emma,” switching to the more formal “Mrs. Harris.” He’d make excuses to sit in the car smoking, and when Grace tried to cuddle, he seemed uncomfortable, sometimes even annoyed. Grace, once showered with his affection, didn’t understand why her daddy had changed. In her innocent way, she thought spending time with him might help. I agreed, sent them off, and went to my meeting. I never imagined that this one small decision would cost my daughter her life. I kept calling David, but all I got was a busy signal. With my mother-in-law Carol gravely ill and my parents far away, I was left to face the weight of this tragedy alone. Eventually, with my signature on a piece of paper, Grace was reduced to a small box of ashes. I returned to Pine Ridge Estates, holding her urn like a lifeless shell of myself, only to be stunned by what I saw. David was standing there in the pouring rain, gently tilting another woman’s face up and kissing her deeply. The woman was small and frail, slowly sinking into his embrace as he held her tightly. They kissed with such intensity, they didn’t even notice me standing there, watching. In my mind, scenes of Grace’s horrific death blended with the sight before me, creating a surreal, grotesque picture. At that moment, I didn’t know whether to feel rage or sorrow. I had no energy to scream or confront him. I just stood there, completely numb. I should have seen it coming. David’s job was always unpredictable, and when I married him, I knew I’d have to manage the household on my own. For seven years, I worked during the day and cared for my ailing mother-in-law at night. I took care of every detail of our new home by myself, even carrying tiles up six flights of stairs to save a few hundred dollars. When the neighbors tried to take advantage of me, I had to grab a kitchen knife just to defend myself. Later, during my pregnancy, I fainted in the bathroom and wasn’t found for seven or eight hours. I went through prenatal checkups alone, always feeling out of place among the couples at the clinic. When my water broke in the middle of the night, I took a cab to Saint Mary’s Hospital by myself and signed my own paperwork. In my saddest moments, David wasn’t there. In my happiest moments, he still wasn’t there. I was like a lone ranger, and when people asked where my husband was, I could only give vague answers due to the nature of his work. Eventually, people started to assume I was a widow.

I always told myself it was worth it. He loved his job, and I loved him. We had good times too. When he wasn’t too busy, he’d drive two hours just to buy me a small cake. He’d come home from work with a bouquet of roses. When I was recovering from childbirth, he stayed up all night taking care of Grace, changing diapers, feeding her, handling the housework like a pro. He used to cup my face in his hands, pressing his forehead against mine, and say, “Emma, you’ve done so much. Without you, we wouldn’t have this family.” “I’ll always love you.” Then he left for a year. I didn’t know exactly what his undercover work involved, but I once ran into him at a fish market, chopping fish with the skill of someone who’d seen more than he should. We pretended to be strangers that day, and for a whole year, I heard nothing from him. When David came back, it was like he was someone else. He could go an entire day without saying a word. He stopped caring about anything in the house. At night, he’d lie next to me in bed, but it felt like a chasm separated us. Our home was filled with awkward silences. I tried to bridge the gap between us, but David avoided me at every turn, eventually looking at me with a cold, almost mocking expression. “I never realized how much you wanted sex,” he said once, his tone dripping with sarcasm. It was only now that I finally understood what had gone wrong between us. I stood there for a long time, until the girl finally noticed me. She panicked, pushing David away, her face flushed with embarrassment as she hid in his arms. For a brief moment, David looked flustered too, before quickly regaining his composure. He shielded the girl behind him, calmly saying, “Emma, she’s innocent. Don’t take this out on her. I’ll explain everything when we get home…” “No need,” I said coldly, staring at the man I once loved. I asked slowly and deliberately, “I told you to take Grace to her after-school program. Where were you?” “I got a work call,” David replied, looking guilty. “I couldn’t get away. I saw Grace get on the bus. It was just two blocks after she got off, she knows the way.” A stabbing pain shot through my chest, bending me over as tears mixed with the rain on my face. Grace was only four years old, and he had left her to take a half-hour bus ride alone, then walk another mile. He knew better than anyone how dangerous the world could be, but he still chose to ignore the risks for his own daughter. “Was that work call to kiss this woman?!” My voice rose as I pointed at the girl trembling in his arms. She looked young, probably a college student. She bit her lip nervously, startled by my accusation. David instinctively held her closer, whispering reassurances before turning back to me with irritation in his voice. “Emma, stop scaring her. You used to be more understanding of my job’s demands…” I couldn’t hold back any longer. I lunged at him, slapping him hard across the face. The girl screamed, touching David’s face in concern, her expression filled with sympathy. “We’re getting divorced,” I said, my voice cold and final. Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away. Two hours later, David returned. When he saw that I had packed up most of the house, he frowned deeply. “I’m exhausted, can you stop acting like a child and throwing tantrums?” “You think this is a tantrum?” I asked, my voice drained of emotion. I was too tired to even argue anymore.

“David, do you even care about this family anymore? If you did, Grace wouldn’t have—” “Tiffany is like a sister to me,” David interrupted harshly. He fell silent for a long time before he finally began to tell me about the girl. “She’s been taking care of me this whole year. She’s done so much for me.” As he talked about Tiffany, his face softened. “She’s just a kid. She knew I was married, but she couldn’t help falling for me.” “She loves watching superhero shows, has a thing for saving people. She’s gotten into some dangerous situations trying to help me.” “She’s carefree, always wearing short skirts and not caring if they ride up. She even complains that I’m too strict about it.” “We spent so many nights huddled together for warmth, holding hands, legs tangled. She’d talk endlessly about her little problems—like missing credits for graduation or annoying roommates…” He smiled wistfully, as if reliving a more carefree time in his life. “I know our relationship has crossed a line,” he finally admitted, closing his eyes as if in pain. “She’s young and doesn’t understand, but I should. I’ve already cost her a year of her life. I can’t keep holding her back.” It was hard to breathe. Did David even realize what he was saying? He was standing there, telling his wife about his love affair with someone else. It felt like I was the one intruding on his and Tiffany’s love story, as if I was the third wheel, forcing him to give up his true love just to fulfill his responsibilities to our family. David remembered all that Tiffany had done for him. But what about me? Didn’t my seven years of love, my seven years of loyalty, mean anything? After a long silence, I managed to speak. “I’ll give you your freedom.” I grabbed my suitcase and pushed past him, heading for the stairs. David caught my hand, meeting my gaze with a hint of desperation. “Emma, I swear, tonight was the last time I’ll ever see her. I still love you. I want us to give Grace a complete family…” “Don’t you dare mention Grace!” I lost control and hurled my bag at him. The sharp edge of a decoration inside the bag sliced his face and neck, and blood started dripping down. He stood there, stunned, as I walked out without looking back. I rented a small apartment near my office. While dealing with lawyers and packing up my things, I also handled the painful task of arranging Grace’s funeral. In the midst of all this, the hospital called. “Mrs. Harris, your mother-in-law’s condition has worsened. Please come as soon as possible.” My heart clenched, and I quickly grabbed my bag and rushed out. Carol was in the final stages of cancer. Ever since I married David, I had taken on the responsibility of caring for her—handling her daily needs, fetching her medication, and managing her treatments. I couldn’t relieve her pain, but I did everything else I could for her. For seven years, through rain or shine, I made sure to be by her side at the hospital at least four days a week. But for the last two days, with everything happening after Grace’s death, I hadn’t been able to visit her. My mind had been consumed with my own grief and the chaos surrounding it. When I arrived at the hospital, I hurriedly pushed open the door, only to be greeted by the sight of Tiffany sitting at Carol’s bedside, smiling brightly as she fed her soup. She wasn’t dressed the way David had described—no short skirts, nothing carefree about her. Instead, she wore long sleeves and pants, modest and neat, looking like the picture-perfect girl next door. Seeing her, you couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of admiration. Carol seemed completely at ease with her, the two of them chatting happily, almost like mother and daughter. “…Mom,” I croaked, my voice hoarse from exhaustion. Carol turned to me with a warm smile, waving me over. “Emma, come here! This is Tiffany, David’s colleague’s sister. Did he tell you about her?” Tiffany froze when she saw me, her face immediately showing her nervousness. She slowly stood up from the chair, awkwardly fidgeting like a scared rabbit. She mumbled, “We… we’ve met before…” I didn’t say anything, and as the silence stretched, Tiffany’s eyes grew red, tears welling up as she hurriedly ran out of the room, only to bump into David, who had just entered. Seeing him, Tiffany let out a sigh of relief, clutching his sleeve like a lifeline as she hid behind him, her eyes still full of fear. David was holding a medical report in his hand, his brow furrowed as he looked at me accusingly. “Emma, if you have issues with me, that’s fine. But my mom has never done anything to you. Is this how you’ve been taking care of her?” He threw the report onto me, and the words “critical condition,” “organ failure,” and “imminent death” stared back at me from the page. Before I could even speak, Carol’s voice boomed from the bed, “You shut your mouth!” “Without Emma, I’d have died in this hospital with no one to look after me a long time ago! You, on the other hand, barely visit me once in a blue moon. What gives you the right to accuse her of anything?!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “294645”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #校园School #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic

My mum had been widowed for years, but all of a sudden, she turned into a hopeless romantic. She became the other woman, fully aware of the man’s marriage, and in the end, she actually succeeded in winning over a married man. After living through it once, I swore I wouldn’t let my family be her emotional collateral again. But then, she ended up killing the man she loved with her own hands. 1、 Granny sighed with both concern and frustration. “What on earth is your mum thinking? Leaving you at home with a fever like this and running off, completely neglecting you.” I lay weakly on the hospital bed. “Mum’s gone to bring food to Mr. Dean. Granny, don’t be too hard on her.” “It’s just a fever,” I muttered, trying to make excuses for her, “I’ll be fine after taking some medicine.” I was pale, my voice hoarse, yet I still defended my mum. Mr. Dean was Mum’s new match from an arranged date. After my dad passed away two years ago, Granny had introduced James Dean to her. Mum fell for James at first sight, but she had no idea he already had a wife. James’s wife, Martha, was terminally ill. She wanted to find him a good woman who could take care of him and their son after she passed. It was her dying wish. And so, James had reluctantly agreed to start dating again. As absurd as the whole situation was, Mum sympathized with James. She thought it showed he had a strong sense of responsibility. Granny had scolded everyone involved—Mum, James, and the matchmaker. If it hadn’t been for me ending up in the hospital with a fever, Granny might have never found out they were still seeing each other. Mrs. Daisy Fletcher, our neighbour, sighed as she stood nearby. “If that poor child hadn’t crawled out of the house on her own, who knows what would’ve happened.” “She hasn’t even gotten a new stepdad yet, but it seems she’s already got a new stepmum.” Granny stroked my head gently and sighed again. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I lowered my head. But inside, I was laughing coldly. In my past life, Mum had thrown one sentence at me before rushing out of the door: “Lizzy, you’re old enough now to understand. Mr. Dean needs me, and I’ve got to help him.” She’d hurried off to bring James his food, leaving me at home, burning up with a fever that wouldn’t break. I’d tried to call for an ambulance, but I couldn’t find my phone. By the time she’d taken me to the hospital, the damage was done—my brain was permanently affected, and I became… slow. But this time, I’d fought through the fever, dragged myself to the door, and crawled out into the hallway, where I was lucky enough to run into Mrs. Fletcher… The door to my hospital room creaked open, and Mum barged in, already complaining. “Mum, why didn’t anyone tell me Lizzy had been taken to the hospital?” Mrs. Fletcher, who had long lost patience with Mum, didn’t hold back, not even in front of Granny. “All you ever think about is men. You’ve got no time for your daughter, do you?” “If I hadn’t found Lizzy when I did, her brain might have been damaged beyond repair, and you’d be none the wiser.” “You’re so desperate to please that man, you don’t even care about your own daughter anymore?” Feeling the stares of everyone in the room, Mum flushed with embarrassment but stayed silent. Granny, though annoyed, tried to soften things. “Well, Lizzy said she couldn’t find her phone. Why don’t you give her a call?” Mum, quick to take the lifeline, pretended to rummage through her bag. When she finally pulled out her phone, mine tumbled out with it. A look of guilt flashed across her face. “Ah, I must’ve picked it up by mistake.” And then I understood. Mum knew full well I was burning up with a high fever. But to avoid being disturbed, she’d taken my phone, cutting off my only way to call for help. Granny immediately grasped the situation, her expression turning thunderous. Mrs. Fletcher let out a loud, cold laugh. 2、 During my hospital stay, no one treated Mum with any kindness. After the first couple of days, when she made a brief visit to see me, she spent most of her time rushing off to see James, almost forgetting I existed. Soon enough, I was discharged from the hospital. On that day, Granny made sure to call Mum, warning her to come and collect me. Mum showed up reluctantly. Thanks to Mrs. Fletcher’s talent for gossip, it wasn’t long before Mum’s affair became the talk of Maplewood Estate. As we walked in, I could hear the neighbours gossiping. “I heard from Daisy that Lizzy’s mum’s seeing someone new.” “Well, that’s her choice, but couldn’t she find someone who wasn’t married with kids? Shameful.” “When her husband was alive, he treated her so well. And now she’s neglecting poor Lizzy like this. Disgraceful.” “Ah, she’s back. Best not say more…” Mum, though fuming, couldn’t deny the truth of their words. Granny’s expression grew darker, her silence ominous like the calm before a storm. In my past life, after I became slow, Mum had played the victim, always crying about how tough life was for a widow with a daughter to raise. Everyone pitied her. No one knew that when I’d had a raging fever, Mum was busy trying to please James and his family. Back at home, Granny finally confronted Mum. “So, what’s really going on between you and James Dean?” Mum shifted uncomfortably. “James has had it hard, you know. His wife can’t bear to leave him and their son behind. He just wants to give her peace of mind.” “Mum, do you have any idea how rare it is to find such a responsible man? He’s been so good to his wife, even as she’s dying. Just think how happy we’ll be once we’re married.” “I have to help him, Mum. I can’t let him carry the burden alone.” Mum’s face radiated determination, as if she were some kind of saint. Granny’s legs wobbled, and she sank into the sofa. “This is being a homewrecker. People will talk behind your back for the rest of your life.” “James might be struggling, but what about Lizzy? Doesn’t she deserve better?” By this point, Mum had heard enough. The guilt she’d been carrying had long been replaced by irritation. “James is a single father. He has to work and look after his wife and child. He’s exhausted. I’m just helping out by bringing him food and doing a bit of housework.” “And besides, Lizzy’s fine, isn’t she?” Mum had been spoiled growing up, never having lifted a finger to do chores. Even after marriage, Dad had treated her like a queen, and she’d rarely had to do much housework. Now, out of some misplaced sense of affection, she was playing housekeeper for a man who wasn’t even her husband. What a grand display of love. Granny lost her temper and slapped Mum hard across the face. Mum clutched her cheek, stunned. Then she burst into tears, lamenting how hard it had been since Dad died. While they were distracted, I grabbed Mum’s phone and scrolled through the records. Dozens of bank transfers. Some for thousands, some for tens of thousands. All paid to the hospital. “Mum, Dad’s gone. I can’t lose you too.” Mum panicked, but I held tight, refusing to let her take the phone back. Granny’s anger dissolved as she took the phone from me, her hands trembling. She scanned the screen, reading the records carefully. Her expression softened as she squeezed Mum’s hand. “Don’t be afraid. If you’re ill, we’ll get you treated, even if we have to spend everything we have.” Mum looked down, her lips pressed together in discomfort. 3、 Granny was frantic. She immediately demanded to see Mum’s medical records. Mum, of course, had nothing to show. She stammered and fumbled for an explanation. Granny, not suspecting anything, grabbed her arm. “Come on then, we’re going to the hospital. There’s nothing to be afraid of, Mum’s here with you.” Terrified of the humiliation, Mum glared at me before finally admitting the truth. She had spent Dad’s compensation money. The day Dad died, he’d been driving by The Thames Riverbank when he spotted a child drowning. He saved the boy but didn’t have enough strength left for himself. He drowned. The boy’s parents were wealthy and influential. They gave Mum a two-million-pound compensation payment in private. She hadn’t told anyone about it. That money should have lasted her comfortably for years. But Mum’s romantic obsession had taken over. One day, she found James crying, guilt-ridden that he didn’t have enough money to treat Martha. Seeing him vulnerable, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. So, she decided to help. That was how it started, and soon she had spent over a million on his wife’s medical bills. Later, when Granny and the family struggled financially, Mum didn’t offer a single penny. I only discovered all of this after I died. My soul had wandered aimlessly, watching as Mum and James stood hand-in-hand at Martha’s grave. James had gazed at Mum with deep affection. “Thank goodness for your late husband’s inheritance, Lizzy. It made sure Martha left us with dignity. You’re an angel to our family.” Mum blushed and leaned on James’s shoulder. I had wanted to tear her apart. But my soul slowly faded away… Granny, after hearing the whole story, didn’t even seem angry anymore. Just… disappointed. In her youth, she had lived through the hardships of the post-war period and had seen plenty of men abandon their responsibilities. So, she had always taught me and Mum to love ourselves first before loving anyone else. But Mum clearly hadn’t absorbed that lesson. “Your late husband’s life paid for that money. And this is how you’ve wasted it? Even if you’ve lost your senses, how could you not think of Lizzy?” Granny dragged Mum to The Royal Bank, forcing her to transfer half of the compensation to me. That was one million pounds. I had already looked at Mum’s spending history, though. She had poured hundreds of thousands into Martha’s hospital bills. After transferring that one million, there was hardly anything left. Perhaps realising this, Mum began struggling in front of the cashier. “This is life-saving money! Why are you taking it from me?” she wailed as if she were the victim of a terrible injustice. The bank fell silent. People began taking out their phones to record us. One woman, with a face full of righteousness, stepped in front of Mum to defend her. “Girl, if you’re being wronged, just call the police. This is a law-abiding society; we’ve got nothing to fear!” Granny seemed momentarily stunned by the situation. But I quickly caught on, and my tears began to flow. “Mum, this is Dad’s compensation. Granny said it should be saved for my education. Why did you spend it all on Mr. Dean? Dad, I miss you so much. If you were here, I could go to university…” Sobs wracked my body as I struggled to speak. The people around us began whispering. Their eyes now turned suspiciously towards Mum. Mum, growing desperate, snapped, “Lizzy! Mr. Dean is my friend. What’s wrong with spending some money to help his wife?” “This is all my fault for spoiling you and making you so selfish.” I pretended to be frightened and kept my voice steady. “But you’ve already spent half a million. Last time, you even said Mr. Dean was going to be my new dad. But I don’t want him to be!” Mum, speechless, stood frozen at the counter, weeping uncontrollably. The security guard tried to calm her down, but it was no use. The bank had no choice but to call the police. When the officers arrived, I took the opportunity to speak up. “Officer, I believe my mum is being scammed.” The officers grew serious and escorted us to the police station. James Dean was also summoned. He looked every bit the part of a nondescript middle-aged man—dishevelled hair, a worn expression, and nowhere near as distinguished as Dad had been. I explained the situation simply. “I think he’s been manipulating my mum, tricking her into paying for his wife’s treatment.” Mum was even more panicked than James. “No, no! It was my choice! He didn’t trick me.” Granny glared at James with disgust. “Officer, this man has been using some kind of charm to make my daughter lose her senses. It’s like she’s not herself anymore.” The officer fixed his stern gaze on Mum. “Was this a loan or a gift?” If Mum admitted it was a gift, the police would dig deeper into the case. After all, Mum had no family ties to James, and they’d only known each other for a short time. To anyone looking, this would seem like a clear case of fraud. But James spoke first. “I borrowed it from Sarah.” I interjected. “Where’s the IOU, then?” James hesitated. “It was a verbal agreement. I’ll write one up now.” After that ordeal, Mum looked at me with a coldness that cut deep. Funny, wasn’t it? Her own daughter had become a stranger to her. In my past life, James had spent Mum’s money without a second thought, never once mentioning paying it back. Mum had been delighted, thinking it meant he didn’t see her as an outsider. With the police’s mediation, Mum reluctantly completed the transfer. Granny, not trusting her, insisted that both of us move back into her house. Mum, still bitter, refused. Later, I heard that she couldn’t stand the neighbourhood gossip anymore and had moved into James’s house. She loved him and wanted to save him. So, she began living in his house, paying the bills, doing the laundry, cooking, and looking after his children, all while covering Martha’s medical expenses. People even praised her for it, calling her a “selfless lover.” But, Mum… now that half your money’s gone, will you still be the hero? 4、 That summer, I found peace living at Granny’s house. Without Mum around to constantly drone on about James, my world was finally calm. And Granny made sure to spoil me with delicious meals every day. I was content, focused only on distancing myself from Mum and respecting the fate of others. Uncle Rob still lived with Granny as well. “Big news!” he shouted one morning, bursting into the room with a wide grin. “I finally got the job!” Uncle Rob had just finished his master’s degree and had been job-hunting for months. Ironically, the company that hired him was the same one James worked for. At the time, Martha’s health was deteriorating fast, and James was frequently taking time off to visit the hospital. It seemed like he was on the verge of being fired. Mum had pitifully begged Uncle Rob to help James with his workload. Out of sibling loyalty, Uncle Rob had agreed. But, just as in my past life, the constant overwork had taken a toll on his health. He’d worked himself into the ground with months of overtime. And then he’d dropped dead. Grief-stricken, Grandpa had a stroke, leaving him paralysed. Granny’s hair had turned white overnight. Mum had shed a few tears before returning to James’s side, taking care of him and his family, saying, “James is really struggling with everything. Someone needs to be there for him.” She had left us to handle Uncle Rob’s funeral on our own. I remembered those days vividly—Uncle Rob bringing back treats for me, Granny dressing me up in pretty clothes, and Grandpa taking me for long walks in the park. This time, I would protect my family. That day, someone had recorded Mum’s outburst at The Royal Bank and posted it on TikTok. The marketing accounts quickly picked it up, twisting the story into sensational headlines: “Woman Becomes the Other Woman for Love – What’s So Special About This Man?” “Widow Spends Her Late Husband’s Million-Pound Compensation to Save Her Lover’s Terminally Ill Wife.” The marketing accounts must have paid well because Mum actually agreed to give her side of the story, providing an audio interview for the added drama. “I don’t care if my family doesn’t understand,” she said. “Yes, I love James Dean, but I still have my dignity. I’m not some homewrecker. I just wanted to help fulfil Martha’s final wish.” “The medical bills, I paid them willingly. It was my choice. I just wanted to ease James’s burden a little. He works so hard.” “I know I’m not being scammed. Martha told me herself, before she passed, that James and his son would rely on me after she’s gone.” The interview quickly made the rounds among people who knew Mum. Soon, familiar faces began calling. Grandpa, furious, could barely contain himself. He’d always been a man of pride, and now people were mocking the family, saying we had no moral compass. Granny, too, regretted not raising Mum with more discipline. She’d believed girls should be spoiled, never made to do housework, and given the best of everything. When she’d vetted Dad, she had tested him harshly, only agreeing to the marriage because he was responsible and kind-hearted. Granny had been so sure that Mum, having experienced the best kind of love, wouldn’t fall for some shallow fling. But despite it all, Mum had gone completely off course. 5、 After the summer holidays, I entered my final year of Sixth Form. If everything went well, I could get an automatic offer to university. Returning to school was tough. I wasn’t sure I could maintain my previous academic level, but I knew I had to give it my all. I moved into the school dorms, only coming home once every two weeks. When I did, Uncle Rob joked that I was becoming a rare sight, like a national treasure. But the dark circles under his eyes told a different story. “I’ve been working for two weeks straight,” he said, rubbing his temples. “Finally got a break.” Instantly, I grew anxious and insisted that we go to the hospital for a check-up. The results were as expected—I was simply tired, but Uncle Rob’s health was riddled with problems. He hadn’t even been working that long, but he already looked like he was being ground down. Uncle Rob shrugged it off. “Every young person’s got a bit of wear and tear these days.” But I refused to take it lightly. In my past life, it was overwork that had killed him. I pressed him for details about his job, not letting him get away with vague answers. Uncle Rob hesitated for a while, then finally told me the truth about the overtime. Immediately, I ran to Grandpa and Granny to report what was happening. Granny picked up the phone and called Mum, giving her an earful. Mum broke down into sobs. “Martha’s had several close calls, Mum. James is struggling so much. He’s terrified of not being there for her final moments.” “It’s all going to be one family in the end anyway. Can’t you help me help him?” Granny couldn’t hold back the curses any longer. “Are you out of your mind? What’s James Dean got to do with us? Your brother is young, but his health is falling apart, and you don’t even care?” Mum tried to justify herself. “He’s young. He’ll recover. Mum, are you sure I’m really your daughter?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “294644”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #校园School #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic

Simon and I had been together for ten years, and we were finally getting married. But after we moved in together, his cat always seemed to hate me. Simon brushed it off, telling me I was reading too much into it. “It’s just a cat,” he said. But then, one night in the study, I saw something that shattered that illusion. I clearly saw his cat transform into a young woman, tangled in his embrace. In a soft voice, she whispered, “I don’t like your girlfriend. Do you really have to marry her?” I stood frozen at the doorway, feeling dizzy. Not because of the pair entwined in front of me, but because flashes of memories and visions overwhelmed me. The past, the present, and even the future. In those swirling images, I saw my entire life unfold. It turns out I’m just the villainess in a sugary romance novel. The novel is called I Became a Cat and Stole My Crush’s Heart. In the story, the heroine, Mia Yates, secretly loves the male lead, Simon Shaw. She thought they were destined to never be together—until a car accident changes everything. Mia wakes up, only to find she’s turned into a cat. Simon, unaware of her true identity, adopts her, and Mia becomes his treasured pet. One day, she mysteriously returns to her human form—in Simon’s bed. From that moment on, their story unfolds with stolen glances and hearts racing. As for me? I’m the villain, Simon’s malicious fiancée. I’m supposed to compete with a cat for his affection. Out of jealousy, I even plan to throw acid on Mia’s face, only for Simon to stop me just in time. In the end, I get my comeuppance and spend the rest of my life regretting my actions behind prison bars. Simon and I are about to get married, which is why we’ve moved in together. But ever since I arrived, Mia the cat has made her hostility toward me abundantly clear. Every time Simon and I are in the same room, she screeches at the top of her lungs or knocks things over to steal his attention. She never lets me near her. Every time I try to pet her, she scratches me. I thought she was just being defensive, like any cat might be with a stranger. I figured she’d get used to me eventually. But now, I finally understand. She’s no ordinary cat; she’s a woman pretending to be one. Certain things are cute when a cat does them. But when it’s a human? It’s far from charming.

The next morning. I sat at the breakfast table, watching Mia nestled beside Simon. He carefully cut his breakfast into small pieces and fed her bit by bit. How did I never see it before? I took a sip of milk and casually said, “Simon, don’t you think it’s time Mia was spayed? She’s always so agitated—getting her spayed might calm her down.” As soon as I said that, Mia’s fur bristled in outrage. She hissed at me, then quickly retreated into Simon’s arms, meowing pitifully. Sure enough, Simon stroked her back gently to comfort her before looking at me with irritation. “I don’t want to put her through that kind of surgery. It’s not right to take away her right to have kittens.” I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? So, you want Mia to have kittens? Maybe I can help by finding her a tomcat or two.” At that, Mia’s cries grew even louder. Simon’s face darkened. “Bella, why do you have to be so cruel to her? She’s just a cat! Can’t you see she’s just not used to you yet?” Just a cat? He’s been telling me that for ages, using it as an excuse whenever Mia acts out. But he knows perfectly well that Mia is no ordinary cat. He knows her every action is designed to push me out. Yet he still clings to his comforting delusion. I didn’t bother arguing with him. After breakfast, I drove to Mia Yates’ old house. Mia wasn’t always a cat. She used to be just a regular university student. She fell in love with Simon when he taught a few lectures at her university. But after she turned into a cat, the human body she later gained was beautiful—innocently alluring. Whose body was this? Could a ‘miracle’ like this only happen to Mia? These thoughts consumed me as I drove around her neighbourhood, asking about her. Sure enough, those who are hateful often have a tragic backstory. Her mother, I learned, never cared much for her. She favoured Mia’s brother and constantly pressured her to find a wealthy husband, one who could provide a dowry to buy her brother a house. Mia’s attraction to Simon? Well, that had a lot to do with his money. I smirked. Rich, is he? What if Simon lost everything? Would Mia still care for him then? On my way home, I stopped by The Bark & Purr Pet Shop. As soon as I walked in, a brown blur came bounding toward me. “Max!” Max, my beloved Labrador. I had to send him away because Mia hated him. Simon made me rehome him. Of course, I never actually gave him away. I’d just been keeping him at the pet shop, hoping Mia might accept him one day. Now? I couldn’t care less what Mia thinks. I knelt down and stroked Max’s head. “Max, I’m so sorry. I’ll never leave you again.” He seemed to understand, nuzzling into my hand. I hugged him tighter, relieved.

When I brought Max back, Simon predictably lost his temper. “Why did you bring that dog here? You know Mia is terrified of him!” I held Max close, not even looking at Simon. “You have Mia. I need Max with me.” He snapped without thinking. “How can that dog compare to Mia?” Anger flared up inside me. “So your precious cat gets to stay, but my dog gets kicked out?!” He stood there, speechless, before storming off with Mia, slamming the door behind him. “You’re impossible, Bella.” For the first time in our relationship, we had a real argument. It wasn’t that we never disagreed before. I’d just always been the one to compromise, to make concessions for him. But now? I didn’t mind this feeling. For once, I was standing up for myself. That night, Simon didn’t come home. And I didn’t care. Max and I slept soundly. The next morning, I made breakfast for both of us. Afterwards, I got ready for work. The Oxford Research Institute was always busy, and I had taken time off to plan our wedding. Well, there wouldn’t be a wedding anymore.

When I arrived at the institute, I could tell people were surprised. “Bella, you’re back! Weren’t you on leave for wedding prep?” “Yeah, where’s Simon?” Everyone knew about our relationship. We were both researchers at the institute. I made small talk and brushed off their questions. There was plenty of work piled up, and before I knew it, the morning flew by in a blur. Just as I finished, Jessica grabbed me for lunch. “Bella, I’ve got so much gossip saved up! No one else around here cares about celebrity news—they’re all too busy staring at data all day. I need to spill the tea!” Jessica, with her bubbly personality, was a rare exception in our research-focused environment. I smiled. “I’m all ears. I need a break from science talk.” She hugged me. “You’re the best, Bella!” But we didn’t get far before someone interrupted us. “Bella, there’s an urgent meeting. You need to come right away.” The person’s serious tone left no room for delay, so I hurried back to the conference room. Dr. Knight was furious when I arrived. “Who’s responsible for this project? How did such a massive data error go unnoticed?” The room was tense, and several people cast nervous glances my way before someone spoke up. “Uh… it’s Simon’s project, Dr. Knight.” I knew why they were all looking at me. Simon wasn’t qualified for the position he held. The institute had only promoted him to keep me on board. And over the years, he’d been rising through the ranks quickly—thanks to me. Dr. Knight was still fuming. “Where is he? I’ve told everyone repeatedly that this experiment needs constant supervision, especially at such a critical stage. Where was he yesterday?!” Mistakes like this usually led to demotions. Someone tried to make excuses. “Maybe he’s just been overwhelmed with the wedding plans.” “Isn’t Bella the one who took time off for the wedding? So why is she here, and Simon’s nowhere to be found?” “He’s got connections. That’s why he can get away with anything.” “Wish I had that kind of backup. Mess up this badly and still keep your job.” I listened to the murmurs of discontent, knowing full well the resentment Simon had caused by coasting on my reputation. I stood up and faced them. “If Simon’s responsible for this error, then he should be demoted as per the rules.” The room fell silent. Dr. Knight stared at me, surprised. In the past, I’d always covered for Simon, fixing his mistakes. But not anymore. The meeting ended, and as the others filed out, Dr. Knight pulled me aside. She looked at me thoughtfully. “Bella, you’ve been here for years. Your talent and dedication are the best I’ve ever seen. I’ve always worried that these personal matters were holding you back.” I nodded and smiled, reassuring her. “I understand, Dr. Knight. Don’t worry.” I took over Simon’s project. That afternoon, while I was working on the experiment, Dr. Knight’s words echoed in my mind. She had said, “I hope you keep moving forward, Bella. Your path shouldn’t end here. You’re meant to lead humanity to the next level.” My blood surged with excitement at the thought. By the time I left the institute, night had already fallen. But I wasn’t tired at all. In fact, I felt energized, surrounded by the work I loved. 4 When I got home, Max came bounding over to greet me. I patted his head, but my attention was drawn to Simon, who was sitting in the living room with a stormy expression on his face. “Why was I demoted? Did you have something to do with this?” he demanded. I felt a pang of sadness. Was this really the man I had spent over a decade with? I stayed calm. “Your project had a major issue, Simon. It’s only natural that it was handled according to the rules.” But he still didn’t believe me. “I ran those numbers multiple times—they were flawless. Dr. Knight has had it out for me for ages. I bet she had someone tamper with the data!” I couldn’t take it anymore. “Simon, when are you going to stop blaming everyone else for your mistakes? When will you finally learn to take responsibility?” He stared at me in shock before a sudden realisation seemed to hit him. “Oh, I see how it is,” he sneered. “This was all about you taking over my project, wasn’t it? You wanted me out of the way so you could get ahead.” His words struck me like a slap to the face. I looked at him, my voice breaking. “Is that really what you think? After everything we’ve been through for the past ten years?” “I…” Simon faltered, reaching out as if to wipe the tears from my eyes. But at that moment, a sharp hiss pierced the air. We both turned to see Max cornering Mia, growling low and threatening. It looked like any second he would tear her apart. Simon rushed over, pushing Max aside. “Get away from her!” He scooped Mia into his arms and turned back to me. “Bella, I’m willing to forget everything that happened today, but I’m warning you—keep your dog away from Mia. I won’t ask again.” Without waiting for a response, he stormed into the study, slamming the door behind him. I slid down the wall in defeat, feeling completely drained. Max nuzzled me, his head resting on my lap. Simon never used to be like this.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “294643”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #校园School #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic

My boyfriend’s uni mate got into trouble with loan sharks. I tried to stop him from getting involved, but I never imagined that she’d be pushed to the brink and take a bottle of sleeping pills to end her life. My boyfriend carried on as if nothing had happened, and we were preparing for our wedding. Until one night, when he was drunk, he caressed her photo tenderly and forced me to swallow an entire bottle of sleeping pills. He told me that it was my cold-heartedness, my selfishness, that had driven her to take her own life. If I had the chance to live again, I would never interfere in their mess. “Darling, how much money do you have left? Sophie’s family is in trouble again. You know we’ve always been close, and those people said if she doesn’t pay up today, they’re going to take her away and sell her off.” I blinked, still caught in a daze, the lump in my throat not yet gone when a large hand tugged at my sleeve. I had come back to life, back to the very day Tom Shaw was running around, borrowing money for Sophie White. Sophie was his uni mate—sweet and delicate, just like her name suggests. She was soft-spoken, with perfectly drawn features. But she had a father who gambled away everything. Word was he’d racked up an impossible debt over the years and ended up killing himself when he couldn’t repay it, leaving behind a beautiful daughter constantly hounded by loan sharks. To be fair, Tom had always been good to me. Everyone knew he loved me more than life itself. So, in my previous life, when Tom was scrounging for money for Sophie, saying she was like a sister to him and he couldn’t stand to see her in such a mess, I didn’t suspect a thing. But Sophie’s father owed over eight million pounds. That kind of money isn’t easy to come by, especially since those loan sharks were criminals. If Tom got too involved, he might lose more than just money—he could lose his life. Of course, I didn’t want my soon-to-be husband getting mixed up in that, so I gave him my savings, but on one condition: he had to stop helping Sophie and focus on our wedding. But I never expected Sophie to take sleeping pills and end her life. When I heard the news, I felt genuinely sorry for her. A young girl, barely out of her teens, with such a tragic fate. Tom only showed a brief moment of sadness. He didn’t say much to me about it. But what I could never have imagined was that he’d kill me for Sophie. Now, looking at Tom, who stood anxiously in front of me, all I could hear in my mind were his words before I died. “I told you, Sophie and I weren’t what you thought we were. Why, why couldn’t you just help her!” “Your family is well-off, aren’t they? You people with money would never understand this kind of desperation. Lucy Thompson, you’re such a cold-hearted, selfish person!” “You could stand there and watch her die, and you still expect me to marry a woman with a heart of stone like yours? People with money—none of you are any good!” I couldn’t help but laugh. My family, with its multimillion-pound income, had only one child—me. My parents never approved of Tom, who came from a modest background. They wanted me to marry someone who was our equal, but I was hopelessly in love with Tom. They cut off my finances, hoping I’d eventually give in. But Tom had grown so bitter towards me for not asking my parents to save his dear Sophie. Eight million pounds. Was I really expected to sell everything and sacrifice myself for him and his precious Sophie?

Seeing me silent, Tom cupped my face with an intensity I once loved. Now, that same touch made my skin crawl. “Darling, you know me. I just want to help her because I feel sorry for her. You know Sophie is sweet. She even said she likes you.” I brushed his hand away, my voice cold. “My parents cut me off ages ago to be with you. Where exactly am I supposed to get this money you need?” Tom didn’t seem to notice the sarcasm in my voice. “Darling, you’re an only child. Just explain the situation to your parents. They’ll help you, won’t they?” I asked him flat out, “Do you like Sophie?” There was a flicker of guilt in his eyes, quickly replaced by composure. “Of course not, darling. Everyone knows you’re the only one I love. Sophie’s just a close friend. I only want to help her because she’s in a difficult spot. Don’t overthink it.” I stood up and didn’t even look back at him. “She’s your friend, not mine. I have no obligation to fix her family’s problems.” Tom’s brow furrowed. “Lucy, you’ve always been so kind. Why are you suddenly so heartless? You’ve got money. Your parents are still alive and well. But Sophie—her mum died when she was little, and her father left her with all this mess. How can you be so indifferent?” As he spoke, he pulled out his bank card, didn’t say another word to me, and walked straight out the door towards Sophie’s house. I couldn’t believe the nerve of him, using guilt and moral blackmail to make me feel responsible for Sophie’s troubles, as if I were the villain in this story. I calmly packed my bags and sent him a text: We’re over. Then I blocked him from everything. Let’s see how long he lasts without my support this time around. Right now, Tom’s company was at a critical stage of development. In my past life, I begged my parents for help, drank so much at business dinners that I ended up with a stomach ulcer—all for him. And what did I get in return? Did he even really love me? On all those nights when we were so close, was he thinking of me, or his poor Sophie?

I returned home with my suitcase. My parents were visibly shocked to see me. My dad crossed his arms and scowled. “If you’re back because of him, don’t even bother coming in. Your mum and I are sick of it.” Seeing my parents, both healthy and still in their prime, made my eyes well up with tears. In my previous life, after Tom killed me, what kind of despair must they have felt when they saw my body? Overcome with emotion, I broke down at the door. My mum nudged my dad and frowned. “This is your fault, speaking so harshly. Look at her, she’s in pieces.” I buried myself in my mum’s arms and cried until I couldn’t anymore. The regret, the anger—everything came pouring out. “There, there, our darling girl. What happened? Did that Tom Shaw hurt you?” I nodded. “I broke up with him. I don’t love him anymore. I just want to come home.” The look on my parents’ faces was a mix of disbelief and joy. It was almost comical. As if afraid I might change my mind, my dad asked cautiously, “You mean for good, right? No getting back together?” I laughed through my tears and nodded. Then I told them everything. My parents were furious. “I told you that Tom wasn’t a good guy,” my dad said. “What kind of man runs a business and needs his fiancée to handle all the social events? You did all that for him, didn’t even come home, and he had the nerve to blame you?” I couldn’t help but feel guilty under their gaze. How on earth did I lose myself so completely over a man in my last life? “Well, you’re home now, and that’s all that matters.” Mum gently patted my back, comforting me just like when I was a child. After the whirlwind of events that day, I was exhausted and quickly fell into a deep sleep. When I woke up the next day, it was already noon. I opened my phone to find twenty missed calls from Tom, and a new post from Sophie on her Facebook. In the picture, she was sitting in Tom’s car, her eyes red from crying as he tenderly wiped away her tears. The caption read: No matter what happens, you’ll always be by my side. Even though I had prepared myself for this, seeing it still made my heart ache. Tom and I had been together for six years. People joked that if we didn’t get married, they’d stop believing in love. But feelings change, don’t they? My phone buzzed with a message from Sophie. Lucy, I’m so sorry for posting that on Facebook. You know how complicated things are with my family right now. Tom was just looking out for me last night. I heard you broke up with him, but please don’t let it be because of me. I’d feel terrible if that were the case. I didn’t reply. This kind of passive-aggressive guilt trip didn’t deserve my time. She posts something like that and then sends me this message—what does she want me to do? Am I supposed to beg Tom to stay with me, or storm over to her house and slap her? Sophie White and Tom Shaw—two of the most despicable people I’d ever known.

I once saw a conversation between Tom and Sophie. You’re so good, Tom. Lucy’s so lucky to have you. Lucy’s so fortunate. A perfect family, a boyfriend who adores her. I wish I could have what she has. And Tom? He ate it up. He insisted she was like a little sister, always delivering her lunch or coffee. When my best friend Chloe heard that I’d broken up with Tom, she insisted on dragging me out to celebrate. Watching her burst with energy, I found myself in a surprisingly good mood. “You’ve no idea how much I hated Tom,” she said, laughing. “Since you got together with him, it’s like you forgot all about me. You’re the poster child for ‘love makes you blind’!” I wrapped an arm around her shoulders, smiling. “I know, I know. I was wrong. I was blind. Satisfied?” Chloe nodded, then pulled me through all the luxury stores. It struck me how much I’d changed since being with Tom. I’d lost touch with who I used to be, a woman who lived life on her own terms. But because his business was just getting off the ground and money was tight, I hadn’t gone shopping at any of my favourite stores in years. “Wait, isn’t that Tom?” Chloe exclaimed suddenly. I followed her gaze. There he was, walking with Sophie, dragging a suitcase behind him, acting suspicious. I didn’t want to get involved, but Chloe’s curiosity got the best of her, and she dragged me over to see what they were up to. They walked into a second-hand luxury store. A sneaking suspicion began to form in my mind. “Isn’t that the bag I got you for your birthday two years ago?” Chloe pointed to a high-end, limited-edition handbag in the shop. I frowned. When I left Tom’s place, I hadn’t packed everything. I’d planned to have a moving company pick up the rest. But here he was, selling my belongings for cash to help Sophie. I stormed into the shop. Tom saw me and immediately looked guilty, then quickly switched to relief. “Lucy! What are you doing here? Why haven’t you been answering my calls? I was going to explain everything—” Smack! I slapped him across the face. Tom’s eyes filled with shock. Sophie rushed over to check on him. “Lucy! How could you hit Tom? You—” Smack! I slapped her too. “Hitting you was just an afterthought.” Chloe stood by, grinning as if she were watching the best show ever. Everyone in the shop gathered around to see what was going on.

“Lucy Thompson, you witch! Why are you hitting Sophie? What has she done to deserve this? Why are you targeting her?” Tom pulled Sophie behind him, shielding her like a mother hen protecting her chick. I pointed at the bags on the counter. “You sold my bags without asking, didn’t you?” Tom’s face flushed. “I… I was only borrowing them. It’s not like I wasn’t going to give them back.” “Borrowing my bags? Funny, I don’t recall giving you permission. We’re not together anymore. This is theft.” “Lucy, you’re so shallow. They’re just handbags. You can buy more. But a life? You can’t replace that. Are you really going to stand by and watch someone die just because of a few designer bags? Does that make you happy?” Tom grew more and more worked up, acting like I was the villain here and not him. I marveled at how shameless he could be. “Are you really trying to guilt-trip me?” “Too bad—I don’t have a conscience.” People around us started whispering, and a few even took out their phones to film the scene. “First off, we’re over. Secondly, these are my bags. Lastly, if you want to help your precious Sophie, go right ahead. But what’s it got to do with me? Do you expect me to raise your future kids too?” Tom was speechless. He knew he was in the wrong. Seeing the crowd gathering, he must have realised this wouldn’t end well for him. Reluctantly, he muttered, “This one, this one, and that one—those are the bags I bought you. I have the right to sell them.” Chloe and I exchanged looks, our jaws practically on the floor. Since when do men reclaim gifts after a breakup? “Fine. Whatever.” I didn’t want to waste any more energy on him. I turned to the shop owner and said, “The rest are mine. Can you give me an estimate on how much they’re worth and wire the money to my account?” Tom’s company was struggling for funds. There was no way he could scrape together the money to help Sophie, so here he was, resorting to this pitiful scheme. “Lucy, are you really breaking up with me? Think about it. You’re already 28. Don’t you know how old you are? If you break up with me now, who else would want you? You should be asking your parents for five hundred grand to pay off Sophie’s debts, and then we can move forward with our lives.” He was so serious, as if breaking up with him would leave me penniless and hopeless. “Tom, you’ve lost it. Lucy is way out of your league.” Chloe chimed in, “Besides, my brother is 32, single, six-foot-two, and looks like a young George Clooney. Lucy without you? She’s going to do just fine. You can run along with your scheming little Sophie now.” With that, Chloe grabbed my arm, and we strode out without a backward glance.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “294642”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #校园School #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic

My birth mom died in childbirth trying to have a baby boy, and not even two months had passed before Grandma Annie brought my stepmom Monica into the house. I thought Monica would give me a baby brother, but it turned out she couldn’t have children. Grandma Annie forced her to divorce my dad. As Monica was packing up to leave with nothing but her clothes, she suddenly asked me, “Do you want to come with me?” My mom, Lucy, was the typical traditional woman from a rural area. She was simple, hardworking, and a little naive. Since childhood, she had been bossed around by her family, and after marrying into my dad’s family, she continued to serve others. She didn’t really like me. To her, I was a constant reminder of her failure. She couldn’t give birth to a boy. After I was born, there were no special meals for her, no eggs, no sugar. Grandma Annie didn’t care, and Dad, Robert, was always away. Mom didn’t blame them, though; instead, she constantly blamed me for not being a boy. Being a girl was the biggest mistake in her eyes, the reason why she could never hold her head up. Her unhappiness became my burden to carry. One time, Dad bought a beautiful dress from the city, the nicest I had ever seen, with butterflies embroidered on it. It was clean and bright. Grandma Annie took one look at it and her face dropped, “What’s a girl need with new clothes?” I never had new clothes. I only wore hand-me-downs from aunts or cousins. A few days later, on New Year’s Day, I saw that very dress on the neighbor’s little girl. “It looks so pretty on her,” I heard Grandma Annie say while counting some money. “I even bargained for a few extra bucks. Now we can buy more meat.” Mom, Lucy, stared at the cash in Grandma’s hand and nodded in agreement. “Exactly. What’s a dead weight like her doing in such fancy clothes? She’s no princess.” In the end, I didn’t get to wear that dress or taste the extra meat that was bought. Dad looked at me, then at the meat in his bowl, sighed, but said nothing. He had no son and was the talk of the town. He could only blame me for that. At dinner, Grandma Annie, chewing on her food, pointed at Mom and said, “If you don’t give us a grandson this year, you’re out of here.” Mom, embarrassed, smiled awkwardly and agreed. After a few months, she got pregnant again. Her belly was pointed, and Mrs. Wilson, who had two sons, told us it must be a boy. Grandma Annie was overjoyed. That very day, she killed a chicken and made a pot of rich soup for Mom. She pulled up a stool, sat by Mom’s side, and stared at her belly. “Lucy, you better take care of yourself and that baby. My precious grandson needs to be born healthy.” While watching, Grandma glanced at me sweeping in the corner and asked, “Do you think your mom’s having a boy, Erin?” I nervously nodded, feeling uncomfortable with Grandma calling me by my name. “Yeah, it’s a brother. I even dreamed about playing with him yesterday.” Grandma’s face lit up, and she went to the kitchen to fetch me an egg. “After he’s born, you better not fight with him over anything, understand?” I ate the first egg of my life. It was so delicious. Is this what my brother would get to eat every day? Grandma even gave Mom money for a checkup. They took the early bus to the nearest town, rattling all the way there. After the checkup, the doctor frowned, giving me a once-over. “This girl is malnourished. You should feed her better.” Mom tugged me away. “We don’t have much money. She’s a girl. She’ll be married off anyway. It’s a waste.” Back home, Grandma Annie cut another piece of pork just for Mom. I stared at it, drooling. With my chipped bowl filled with nothing but cabbage, I tilted my head up and asked, “Is my brother coming next month? I can’t wait to play with him.” Grandma smiled, adding a few pieces of meat to my bowl. “Soon, Erin. You’ll get to play with him very soon.” The day we’d all been waiting for came, and Grandma called the best midwife from the village. She boiled a big pot of water early that morning. But then things took a turn. They say the first baby is hard to deliver, but after that, it’s supposed to be easier. Not for my mom. She had been struggling in labor for five hours, and my baby brother just wouldn’t come out. The midwife said it was a dangerous delivery and could take a while. Grandma Annie paced outside, anxiously asking for updates every few minutes. Bowl after bowl of bloody water was carried out of the room, and the midwife finally came out with a grim expression. “It’s critical. We need to decide who to save—the mother or the child.” Grandma Annie cursed under her breath, blaming my mom for not protecting her precious grandson. “It’s got to be my grandson! You have to save him!” A while later, the house fell silent. My mom had stopped screaming, and there was no newborn cry either. The midwife came out and told Grandma that the baby was stillborn. Mom hadn’t survived either. Grandma Annie collapsed in loud, uncontrollable sobs, and Dad, who had just returned, silently smoked a cigarette. A few days later, they buried my mom and my brother in a small coffin. Within half a year, Grandma Annie brought Monica into our home.

Monica was from out of town. She didn’t have any family and was working alone around here. Dad, Robert, gave her some money and quickly arranged a small wedding. Monica didn’t seem to like me much. She had a stern face like Lucy, and she wouldn’t let me touch her things. But at least she didn’t lash out at me like Lucy did when she was in a bad mood, looking for reasons to yell at me. Shortly after the wedding, Monica and Dad left to work, leaving Grandma Annie and me to take care of the empty house. The eggs from our chickens? I never saw them. I went to school on nothing but thin cabbage soup. Every morning, though, Grandma Annie would cook an egg—for Jacob, my cousin, who was the same age as me. He never ate it right away. He’d bring it to school and wave it in front of me, savoring every bite. “Your family’s eggs are the best, Erin.” Jacob was in my class and was a troublemaker. He either threatened me into doing his homework or broke his pencils and used mine. One day, I chased him home from school. He hid behind Grandma. “Grandma! Erin’s bullying me!” Grandma’s face turned cold as she patted Jacob on the head. “Erin, don’t bully your cousin. You’re the older one.” But I was only two months older than him. I wanted to explain, but the words were stuck in my throat like fish bones. Grandma didn’t care. She led Jacob to the kitchen with a smile. “Come on, sweetheart. Have another egg so you can grow up to be important.” After dinner, I approached Grandma and said, “Grandma, Jacob broke my pencil. Can I buy a new one?” Grandma frowned and scolded me. “Still holding on to that? Now you’re asking for things too? What does a girl need with all that schooling anyway?” The next day, Jacob showed off a new pencil, bragging, “I told Grandma, and she bought me this one. It’s expensive! You could buy ten cheap ones with this.” I ignored him, carefully pulling out the “pencil” I had found last night—it was actually Monica’s eyebrow pencil, but it would do. As I traced my name on the paper, I could hear Jacob’s mocking laughter. It made me wonder, why did everyone have high hopes for Jacob, who was always at the bottom of the class? And why didn’t anyone care about a girl like me who was top of the class? I lowered my head, too afraid to meet her eyes, nervously twisting the hem of my shirt. “I didn’t have a pencil… so I used it to write… I’m sorry.” The moment I finished speaking, I shut my eyes, bracing myself for the punishment I was sure would come. I expected her to yell or hit me, but instead, she sighed. She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a few pencils. “Don’t use my makeup for that anymore. Here, take these.” I held the pencils in disbelief, my mouth slightly open. I remembered how Grandma Annie always said I should respect Monica. “Thank you, Mom.” The word “Mom” felt strange coming from my mouth. Monica didn’t smile, though. She scolded me instead. “I’m not your mother. Focus on your studies. Go out there and see the world. Understand?” I thought about it for a moment, then went to my room and brought out my collection of bright red certificates. I handed them to her. The cold look on her face softened a bit as she placed the certificates at the bottom of a wooden box and fished out a few candies for me. “This is more like it. I’m not your real mom, Erin. You have to rely on yourself, okay?” I nodded, not fully understanding, but the sweet taste of the candy filled my mouth, a rare treat.

On New Year’s Day, while we were eating dinner, Grandma Annie began pressuring Monica to have a son. “You’d better not end up like Lucy, with no luck and only a worthless girl to show for it.” Monica barely looked up from her food, pretending not to hear. Grandma didn’t give up. She turned her attention to Dad. “Look at you, Robert. You can’t even hold your head up because of that girl.” She set down her bowl and started yelling at me. “What good is raising a daughter? She’s just going to belong to someone else eventually.” I stayed silent, stirring my food without looking up. “Mom, we’re eating,” Dad tried to defend me. Grandma’s face turned sour, and she started rehashing old grievances. “If you’re still kneeling outside the family shrine next year, don’t you dare come crying to me.” In our town, families without sons weren’t allowed to participate in the ancestral rites. After the New Year, Monica and Dad decided to stay for a few months to help with the busy season on the farm. Grandma Annie made it clear that she was expecting Monica to get pregnant soon. Our daily routine didn’t change much, except Monica would sneak me a few candies whenever I won an award at school. Meanwhile, Grandma would head to Monica’s room every day, pressing her about having a child. I thought this would all end once Monica got pregnant. I was even excited, hoping I’d finally get a baby brother and that Monica would become my real mom. But one afternoon, while I was walking home from school, I heard Grandma wailing from a distance. “You’re trying to end the family line!” Grandma was sitting on the ground, crying and pointing at Monica, who stood there, helpless. Dad was trying to calm Grandma down while the neighbors gathered around, whispering to each other. It turned out that Monica couldn’t have children. A local herbal doctor had visited the village, and Grandma, eager for a solution, brought him some eggs to see if he could help. After taking Monica’s pulse, the doctor shook his head and told Grandma that Monica had a cold womb and probably wouldn’t ever have kids. Grandma, furious, threw a fit, demanding that Dad divorce Monica. “It’s bad enough that you gave us a useless girl! Now you want to stay married to a woman who can’t even have kids?” Lindsay, my cousin’s wife, was watching the drama unfold. She whispered to Mrs. Wilson, “Robert has the worst luck. First, his wife dies, and now this one can’t have kids either.” After a day of arguments and pressure from the neighbors, Dad finally gave in and agreed to talk to Monica. That night, I listened from the other room, the dim candlelight casting shadows on the walls. I couldn’t see their faces, but I could hear the sadness in their voices. “We should get a divorce. It’s my fault,” Dad said, his voice shaking as he pulled out their marriage certificate. Monica stayed quiet for a moment before taking the certificate. “You promised me a home.” Dad clenched his jaw, pulling out a stack of cash from a drawer and placing it neatly on the table in front of her. “It’s my fault, but I need a son. You know how my mom is.” Monica didn’t take the money. She started packing her things instead. “We’ll go to the city tomorrow and finalize the divorce. Keep the money. Buy something for your daughter.” I stood by the door, gripping the broom tightly, my heart heavy with fear and a strange sense of sadness. “Is Monica really leaving?” I thought to myself. There would be no more candies when I did well in school, no more small gestures of kindness, and no more soft-boiled eggs waiting for me at the bottom of my soup bowl. Monica stepped outside to take down the laundry. She saw me standing there and, for the first time, smiled at me. She walked over and handed me a small piece of paper with a phone number scribbled on it. “Do you want to come with me?” she asked. I didn’t know what to say, my hands tightening around the broom handle. “I… I don’t know.” She didn’t seem upset. Instead, her smile grew warmer. “Call me if you change your mind. And make sure you keep studying.” The next morning, before the sun had risen, Monica left the house with her few belongings. She and Dad went to the city to finalize the divorce. I slipped that small piece of paper into my book, hiding it away. No one else could know about it.

A few months passed, and Grandma Annie found Dad a new wife. She had been married before and came with a daughter who was older than me. I was expected to call her “Maya.” Grandma liked her because “she’s got good childbearing hips.” The day after the wedding, Maya handed me a pile of clothes and told me to wash them in the river. The ice on the river had just melted, and the water was freezing cold. Carrying a wooden bucket nearly as big as me, I dragged it step by step to the riverbank. Sometimes, the holes I made in the ice would freeze over again, and I’d have to break them open with a hammer, plunging my numb hands back into the icy water. By the time I hauled the bucket back home, my hands were raw and shaking. Maya looked over the clothes and scoffed. “You’re old enough to know how to wash clothes. You want my mom to do it for you?” The new stepmom, Sarah, soon had a baby boy—Jimmy. Grandma, who didn’t care much for Maya before, now tolerated her bullying me. Maya became bolder, bossing me around and treating me however she pleased. Dad was thrilled to have a son and spent most of his time in the city working, leaving me to fend for myself. I was forced to move into a drafty shack outside, while Maya took over the warm, spacious side room. Sarah didn’t like me either. She’d bark orders while holding Jimmy in her arms, and when I didn’t move fast enough, she’d pinch me. Grandma Annie’s world revolved around her precious grandson now. To her, girls were worthless. “Erin, don’t provoke your mom. You know how bad her temper is.” Every night, after washing the dishes for the whole family, I would crawl into my creaky little bed, feeling the cold wind blow through the cracks in the walls. I missed Monica and the candies and soft eggs she used to give me. The year I graduated from elementary school, I got accepted into a middle school in the city. But the tuition was expensive. Maya’s grades were terrible, and she barely managed to get into the worst high school. Jealous, she would complain to Sarah. “Mom, Erin’s tuition is so expensive. We should save that money for Jimmy.” With Maya constantly whispering in their ears, Grandma and Sarah planned to send me to the worst middle school nearby, keeping the money for Jimmy. I wasn’t ready to give up. One night, I sat next to Dad and pleaded with him. “Dad, I want to go to the city for middle school. I promise I’ll make you proud.” Dad looked into my eyes but didn’t say anything. Later that night, I overheard them arguing. Sarah’s sharp voice cut through the thin walls. “It’s a hundred bucks a semester! Why not save that for Jimmy? He’s your son.” “But she’s got potential. I think she could do something with her life.” “She’s a girl, Robert! She’s going to marry off eventually. Have you forgotten that?” Dad’s voice grew quieter. “I’ll talk to her tomorrow.” The next morning, after breakfast, Dad stood in front of me. “Erin, we don’t have the money. Any school is a good school.” I don’t know how I managed to stay calm. I just said, “Okay.” As Dad walked away, Maya grinned at me, her eyes full of mockery. “What happened to our little genius? Not going to the top middle school anymore?” I ignored her, clutching the small piece of paper Monica had given me. I ran to the town office, pretending I needed to make a call to the school. My heart raced as I dialed Monica’s number. When I heard her voice on the other end, I felt my eyes fill with tears. “I’ve made up my mind. I want to go with you.” The next day, Monica appeared at the entrance of the village, looking just as I remembered. I led her straight to my dad. He was stunned. “What are you doing here?” “I’ve decided to adopt Erin.” Dad hadn’t expected this. He sounded defeated as he asked, “Why?” “She wants to go to the top middle school, and I’m willing to take her.” Grandma Annie heard the commotion and came running, holding Jimmy in her arms. Her sharp voice pierced the air, “I raised her, and she’s worth a lot in dowry money. You can’t just take her!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “294641”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #校园School #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic

As I opened my eyes, I found myself on the Isle of Wight, alongside four girls from Wellington High School who had bullied me. They had taken over the only house on the island, waiting for me to throw myself into the sea. But only I knew that the only way to escape was to use the rules to eliminate the others. “Day one: anyone who doesn’t have a shower today will be the first to be eliminated.” “Let the game begin.” This was the note I just found in a message in a bottle. I stared at the note, lost in thought. Today, we five were deposited on this island. The only silver lining was the two-storey cottage, which, of course, was commandeered by Chloe and her gang. Even after taking over, her sidekick, Sophie, came up to me, pretending to be sweet, and said, “Sorry, there are only four rooms. You might want to look for other buildings on the island.” I couldn’t tell if she was serious or just taunting me. But this island was barren; apart from the cottage, there was nowhere else to go. Staying here would mean starving to death, freezing, or possibly being swept away by the waves. But I knew they were hoping I’d just throw myself into the sea. I was seriously considering it when my legs dipped into the icy water, and I felt something cold brush against me. It was the message in a bottle I mentioned earlier— Its appearance felt oddly timed, and I couldn’t help but glance at that cottage. At that moment, the girls who had tormented me were likely inside, laughing. Back in school, Chloe had led her group in surrounding me, wrinkling her nose and fanning the air in front of her. “Ugh, you smell so bad! Why don’t you wash?” “Such a poor smell, how can you get rid of it?” Then they dragged me into the toilet under the pretense of washing away the poor smell, dousing me with two buckets of cold water. The cold was bone-chilling. My legs were shaking, and soon, Chloe came over and slapped me across the face twice. If I went to borrow their bathroom, wouldn’t it be… I could already imagine the humiliating taunts they’d hurl at me. Standing at the edge of the island, I watched the sunset paint the horizon, finally gathering my courage to walk to the cottage door.

The door swung open to reveal Emily, who looked surprised to see me. “What? There’s no room for you here!” She laughed and was about to close the door when I stuck my hand in the frame. “Can I have a shower?” A strange expression crossed Emily’s face. I recognised that familiar smirk in her eyes. Then she turned and shouted towards the interior, presumably to Chloe and the others, “Look who wants to have a shower!” The room fell silent for a moment before erupting with laughter like thunder. I stood outside, feeling the breeze snake around my exposed skin. I should’ve seen this coming… Just as I was about to turn and leave, Chloe’s voice came from behind the door: “Let her in!” “That poor smell definitely needs a wash.” The door swung wide open, and I entered, greeted by Emily’s mocking gaze. “You can use the public bathroom at the corner upstairs,” Jessica pointed out. I nodded and hurried up the stairs. The laughter from downstairs didn’t stop; I could vaguely hear their remarks. “Make sure you clean yourself well before you set off.” A chill ran down my spine… What did the elimination entail? Would it mean “setting off”? I felt a surge of vengeful satisfaction. After a quick wash, I didn’t dare linger. I rushed downstairs, and the four of them seemed puzzled by my haste. Jessica blocked the staircase, frowning as she scrutinised me from top to bottom. “Can’t you even wash properly? You’re down so quickly.” “Should’ve said, we could’ve helped you wash,” Emily chimed in with a laugh. “Enough.” I was shocked that this stopping remark came from Chloe. “You go to the island’s edge and see if any boats pass by. Maybe you can get in touch.” So they wanted me to help. I nodded, keeping my head down as I left the cottage. As the door closed behind me, my heart raced. If the rules were real, when would the elimination take place?

I sat at the island’s edge as darkness fell. The sea looked like a vast black hole under the night sky. I shivered, wondering if I might pass out from the cold. In the distance, I heard a shout: “Lucy!” I turned to see Chloe and the others running towards me, but Jessica was nowhere to be seen. Just as I felt a pang of curiosity. Chloe and her group reached me, and she raised her hand and slapped me hard across the face. I felt a ringing in my ears. “Jessica is dead; you did this, didn’t you?!” A strange sensation surged within me at the news. I covered my face and looked up. “What happened to her?” Sophie, likely shaken by the recent events, lost her usual bravado in front of me. “She said she was going for a shower and didn’t come out for ages. When we checked on her, she was already dead.” “She was the last one to wash?” “Yes.” A fire ignited in my chest. The rules were real.

“Because Jessica said today that you wouldn’t wash, you killed her!” Chloe yelled. Her accusation reminded me that Jessica had been the first to act when they doused me with water in the toilet. Feigning deep thought, I replied, “I didn’t have the means to kill her.” “But I heard some islands can be quite cursed.” The sea breeze whipped fiercely, and I noticed the fear flashing in their eyes. I lowered my head at the right moment. “Since she’s dead, it’s fine for me to stay in her room, right?” They opened their mouths, seemingly in disbelief that I dared to occupy a room where someone had just died. Before they could respond, I turned and walked back into the cottage. I dragged Jessica’s body outside in front of them. Jessica showed no signs of having been beaten, her complexion was not discoloured; she looked as though she had simply dropped dead. “Maybe she just stayed up too late?” I said it casually, not knowing if they’d believe me. After dragging Jessica outside, I returned to the cottage, my stomach growling audibly. “Is there anything to eat?” Emily looked somewhat reluctant, but now that Jessica was dead, we had become allies of fate. She pointed to the snacks on the coffee table. “That’s all there is.” The coffee table held only half-eaten snacks; did the cottage not even have basic staples? I nibbled on some, lost in thought.

The next day, while they were still asleep, I made my way to the island’s edge. Following yesterday’s routine, I submerged my legs in the sea, and upon feeling the message in a bottle, I quickly picked it up. “Day two: food supplies are hidden in the forest.” “Day two: no eliminations.” I looked at the dense trees behind the cottage, nervous about encountering unknown creatures. But eyeing the demands on the note, I steeled myself. I didn’t run into any beasts, so I easily retrieved a pack of noodles and a box of eggs to take back to the cottage. Chloe was stunned, her eyes wide. “Where did you get that?” “From the island’s edge; someone left it there.” Jealousy flashed in their eyes as I placed the items in the fridge. As I closed the fridge door, I remarked, “If you want to eat, you’ll have to cook it yourselves.” Noodles and eggs. That’s another story. One day, I brought noodles with eggs for lunch, and they laughed at me for bringing “poor food,” then, in front of everyone, they dumped my meal into the bin. Emily stood nearby, arms crossed, and joked, “Eating bin scraps is the same as what you made. Why don’t you try it?” That day in the cafeteria, my humiliation was exposed before the entire school. I wondered if they remembered that day about the noodles and eggs. But thinking of them now having to eat what they once derided as “bin scraps” brought a sense of satisfaction.

In the following days, I took advantage of their sleeping hours to sneak outside. Unfortunately, the messages in the bottles had not contained any elimination for several days. As I watched my noodles dwindle, I’d return to the supply area, picking up another pack and lying about having found it at the island’s edge. Days passed like this. In this isolated environment, Chloe and the others’ attitude towards me softened somewhat. I sometimes wondered if the bullies I once knew were the same people standing before me now. Until one day, as usual, I ventured into the forest. But that day was different. Branches behind me rustled as if something had brushed against them. I turned cautiously, spotting the branches swaying; perhaps it was a small animal. Thinking nothing of it, I walked towards the supply hut. Inside, there were many supplies, yet I only took the eggs and noodles. As I walked out with my loot, I was suddenly enveloped by three dark figures. It was Chloe and her two friends. A wave of fear surged through me. If they had been following me the whole time, they must have seen me at the island’s edge retrieving the message in the bottle. Chloe’s face twisted with rage, as though she could devour me whole. Emily pushed me to the ground as I stumbled. Chloe crouched down and locked eyes with me. “So this is the food you’ve been getting from the island?” She raised her hand and slapped me across the face again. “You’re trying to hog all the food, aren’t you?” Another slap landed on my other cheek. “I knew it; you’re not so generous after all.” With that, Chloe’s hand found my throat, gripping it tightly. As I struggled for breath, my legs kicked out helplessly. She had never changed; she was always the one who bullied me. This predicament only temporarily tied us together; we would never be friends. Just before I could fully suffocate, Chloe let go. I knew she was still afraid of killing someone. Once I could breathe again, I held my neck and gasped for air. “I was just afraid everyone would eat all the food at once.” I forced myself to sit up, still uncomfortable. “Honestly, that’s how it is.”

Emily supported Chloe, her eyes cold as they gazed at me. “Then let me ask you, how did you find this place?” “When you locked me outside, I had to find somewhere to stay.” “You looked for a place to stay in the forest?” I shrugged, “The island’s not that big; I almost considered diving into the sea.” As soon as I said this, I realised I might have gone too far. The three of them had bullied me for a long time, and I was just making a joke, but they might have genuinely hoped for something darker. I stepped back slightly. Sophie, who hadn’t spoken until now, took a step forward, her expression devoid of emotion. Just as I thought she would side with Chloe, Sophie shook her head at her. “Everyone is on this island; let’s not complicate things.” Chloe shot me an angry glare, unwillingly turning to leave. Emily followed behind, grabbing four or five instant meals from the fridge before joining Chloe. Back at the cottage, they had heated the meals, and the aroma of rice filled the air. I clasped my stomach, realising I hadn’t eaten yet. Seeing my actions, Chloe raised an eyebrow, reverting to her old domineering self. “Lucy, you’re not eating anything today; this is your punishment.” “Survive today, and I’ll forgive you. How about that?” Emily wore a smirk, clearly having fanned the flames in Chloe’s mind. Suddenly, I felt a surge of rebellion, disregarding their objections and marched straight to the fridge, grabbing a meal. “Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” Emily placed her hand on the meal, trying to snatch it from me. In the tussle, the meal ended up on the floor, rice scattering and sticking to the ground. “Have you lost it?” Emily huffed, stamping her foot and crushing the rice. Chloe watched our scuffle with narrowed eyes. “If you want to eat, you can get down on the floor and clean it up.” She raised her hand and slammed my head down onto the floor. I shot my head up, feeling a sense of defiance for the first time. But looking at Chloe and Emily with their arms crossed, and glancing at Sophie in the distance, I realised I was outnumbered. What was it if I didn’t eat for a day? I wouldn’t starve to death. I bolted outside, unable to suppress the anger swelling within me. At that moment, it felt like a switch had flipped in my mind—I thought of a place. I reached the island’s edge, the sea calm and serene. There were still no signs of any boats. I knelt by the shore, reaching into the water, hoping to salvage something. When my fingers brushed against a familiar cold object, I felt elated. “Day six: the last person to eat will be eliminated.” Seeing the familiar elimination made my heart soar with joy.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “294640”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #校园School #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic

The new pack of rubbers had been stolen again and again. Furious, I poked holes in every packet, determined to make that sneaky thief pay. Little did I know that just over a month later, my long-widowed mother-in-law started suffering from constant morning sickness. I began to suspect my husband, Andrew, was cheating on me. One morning, as I was tidying the bedside drawer, I noticed that several of the rubbers I bought during the last sale were missing. But Andrew and I hadn’t been intimate for weeks. I suddenly remembered that the bed linens had been changed more than once recently. I was shaking with anger, gripping the box in my hand. How dare he bring someone into our home! “Emily, why didn’t you separate the laundry? My white shirt’s been ruined—look at it!” Andrew’s voice came from the hallway. Still fuming, I yelled, “From now on, do your own laundry! I’m done.” “What’s wrong with you?” he muttered irritably. “Your temper’s getting worse every day.” Then Margaret, my mother-in-law, heard us and began wailing from the living room, “Oh, what have I done to deserve this? A daughter-in-law like you!” Storming out of the bedroom, I pointed at Andrew, standing uselessly on the balcony, and shouted, “You sit at home all day doing nothing, and you’ve got the nerve to complain?” “Who doesn’t have the wife doing housework? A man’s job is to earn money!” Margaret slammed the door behind her as she entered, glaring at me. “You can’t even manage the washing properly. Useless! I don’t know what Andrew saw in a woman like you.” Her sharp words only made my blood boil more. When Andrew and I got married, my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, felt sorry for Margaret, raising him all on her own, so they didn’t ask for anything. In fact, they even provided a house as a wedding gift. We had agreed I wouldn’t live with her, but Andrew insisted, saying she was too old to live alone in Derbyshire Village, and brought her to live with us shortly after the wedding. I had endured her endless criticism and meddling for Andrew’s sake, but I was done with it now. “My salary’s three times his, and the house you’re living in? It’s mine. What right do you have to insult me?” Andrew rushed over to comfort his mum and then glared at me. “Emily, apologise to Mum.” I looked down at the two of them on the floor, feeling more disgusted than I ever had. “Apologise? For what? This house, the car—what’s here that you’ve actually contributed to?” Andrew gritted his teeth and then, with a sickly sweet tone, approached me. “Honey, I know you do more, but Mum’s old now. Can’t you just be a bit more patient?” Margaret sat on the floor, smug, clearly expecting me to apologise. I scoffed, muttered a firm “No chance,” and slammed the door behind me as I left. That same day, I ordered a small camera online. If Andrew was cheating, I was going to catch him in the act and make sure he left with nothing. That day, I had just arrived at the office when my phone alerted me that someone was in the camera’s range. I scoffed, opened the monitoring app, and prepared to catch Andrew in the act. But to my shock, the screen showed my mother-in-law, Margaret, tangled up in bed with Colin Harris, Sophie’s father-in-law!

Not long after I arrived at work the next day, my phone alerted me that someone was in the room caught on camera. I smirked, ready to catch him red-handed. I opened the live feed on my phone, expecting to see Andrew with someone else. But what I saw instead shocked me beyond belief: Margaret—my mother-in-law—and Colin Harris, Sophie’s father-in-law, were in my bed! Shaking, I rushed to the bathroom, splashed cold water on my face, and tried to calm down. The absurdity of the situation was too much. The sounds coming from my phone made me feel sick. I quickly shut it off and leaned over the toilet, heaving. The thought of what had happened on my bed made my skin crawl. Furious, I couldn’t believe Margaret’s brazenness. It was bad enough she was acting like this, but why in my bedroom? I picked up my phone, ready to send the footage to Andrew and Sophie. Let them deal with their parents. But suddenly, I felt dizzy. Holding onto the door for support, I tried to get help but blacked out before I could make it out. When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed. “Doctor, what’s wrong with me?” “You had a miscarriage,” Dr. Richard Evans said curtly, looking at me with a strange mix of annoyance and pity. I sat up in shock. “I was pregnant? How is that possible? I’ve always been healthy—why would I miscarry?” “It was food poisoning. The tests show that someone had been putting large amounts of bacteria-laden pigeon droppings in your food.” I thought he was joking and denied it instantly. “That’s ridiculous. Who would put something that disgusting in my food?” Dr. Evans gave me a knowing look and continued. “In all my years at St. Bartholomew’s, I’ve come across a few strange remedies. There’s an old wives’ tale that says if you mix pigeon droppings into a tonic, it’ll guarantee a boy.” My heart dropped. Margaret had been giving me that herbal tonic every night. She’d said it was to boost my health. Now I realised it had nothing to do with that—she just wanted a grandson to carry on the Thompson family name. But her plan had backfired. Instead of ensuring a grandson, she had caused the death of her own grandchild. I laughed bitterly as tears streamed down my face. I placed a hand on my stomach, knowing that I had lost something precious—something I didn’t even know I had. Still dazed, I called Andrew to come to the hospital. The selfish man took all morning to show up, pretending to care, though his impatience was written all over his face. “What’s wrong, love?” “I had a miscarriage.” Andrew paused, barely reacting. “What happened?” I glared at him, fury burning inside me. “Your mother did this! She poisoned me with that tonic she insisted I drink every night. She killed our baby.” Andrew chuckled as if it was no big deal. “That tonic? All the women in my village drink it. No one else had a problem. The doctor must’ve made a mistake.” I threw the test results in his face, my hands clenched into fists, barely able to resist hitting him. “Tell your mum to pack her things and get out. I don’t want to see her in our house again.” Andrew sat at the edge of my bed, still smiling as though nothing had happened. “Mum meant well. She’s just desperate for a grandson. Don’t be so harsh. She’s lived here for so long—she wouldn’t know how to adjust if we sent her back to Derbyshire Village.” It was like he didn’t care at all that we had lost our child. Disgust rose within me. I had never been more disappointed in him. That was when I made up my mind. I was going to leave him, but not before making them both pay.

While I was still recovering in the hospital, Margaret showed up with a big bag of fruit. It was strange. She was notoriously stingy, so for her to buy all this… I knew something was up. “What are you doing here?” I asked coldly. I wasn’t ready to show my cards yet, but I couldn’t hide my disdain. “Oh, it’s nothing much. There’s just something I wanted to talk to you about.” I scoffed. Typical. She only came when she needed something. But the nerve of her! After everything she had done, she didn’t even have the decency to acknowledge her part in my miscarriage. Instead, she was here asking for help. “What is it?” I asked, barely able to mask my irritation. “When I spoke to the doctor earlier, he mentioned that your miscarriage might affect your chances of having another child in the future.” “So?” “Well, the Thompson family has always depended on Andrew to carry on the line. We can’t let it end with him, can we?” I froze, gripping the sheets tightly to keep from slapping her. “What are you suggesting? That Andrew divorces me?” She laughed nervously, sensing the danger in my tone. “No, no. You’ll always be our daughter-in-law. I was just thinking, perhaps Andrew could, you know, have a child with one of the village girls. Just to keep the family line going. Don’t worry, the child would call you ‘Mum.’” I stared at her, stunned. The audacity. She expected me to raise someone else’s child—her grandchild—from Andrew’s affair? “So you came here to tell me Andrew’s about to cheat on me, and I’m supposed to just accept it?” “It’s not cheating! It’s just having a child. You can’t let the Thompson family end, can you? Just be sensible and accept it.” I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. It wasn’t that I couldn’t stand up for myself—it was the overwhelming sense of helplessness that comes from dealing with someone so shameless. Andrew would never send his mother back to the village, and I couldn’t live with her anymore. We were at an impasse. “I don’t care,” I said finally. “Go talk to Andrew. If he’s fine with it, then I am too.” Margaret beamed, clearly thinking she had won. As soon as she left, I let out a bitter laugh. I had made my decision. I wasn’t going to tell them about the footage I had from the camera. If they wouldn’t let me have peace, then none of them would.

Back at home, I secretly poked holes in all the rubbers we had left. If Margaret wanted a grandchild so badly, she could have one with Colin Harris. Let’s see how Andrew and Sophie liked being “family.” I went back to work the next day and checked the video feed during my break. They couldn’t resist, and I saved every clip of their sordid little affair. Margaret was getting older. I figured it would take a while for my plan to work. But sometimes fate lends a hand. She had been feeling queasy for days and had no appetite. That evening, I made sure to cook something extra rich and greasy. The moment I set the food on the table, she bolted for the bathroom, gagging. Andrew, ever the doting son, followed her to check on her. “Mum, are you alright?” Margaret tried to dismiss it, but I could see the doubt flash across her face. She’d been through this twice before, after all. I couldn’t help but smirk. Still, I played innocent, bringing out a bowl of tonic. “Mum, you’ve barely eaten anything these last few days. Have some soup—it’s good for the body.” Margaret’s face turned pale at the sight of the tonic. She gagged again and ran back to the bathroom. Andrew stood helplessly at the door, rubbing her back. I leaned against the counter, my voice dripping with false concern. “You know, Mum’s symptoms are a lot like pregnancy. Andrew, do you think you might be getting a little brother? Maybe the Thompson family won’t be three generations of single heirs after all.” Margaret’s face went white, and she looked genuinely terrified. Andrew shot me an annoyed glance. “Stop talking nonsense. Dad’s been dead for years. Mum’s been faithful all this time. There’s no way she could be pregnant.” But Margaret’s panic was palpable. She lashed out, screaming, “Shut your mouth if you’ve got nothing good to say!” Watching her unravel was the most satisfying thing I had experienced in months. “Oh, don’t be mad. I’m just worried about your health. Here, have some tonic. You always said it’s good for the body.” I held the bowl out toward her, and she batted it away, spilling the hot soup on my hand. “Margaret! What are you doing?” Andrew gasped, rushing to my side. “Emily was only trying to help.” I shook my head. “It’s fine. We should probably take Mum to St. Bartholomew’s for a check-up though, just to be sure. Don’t worry, Andrew. Even if we have to sell the house, we’ll make sure she gets the best care.” Andrew was overwhelmed with gratitude, but Margaret looked guilt-ridden, trying to come up with excuses not to go. No matter what Andrew said, she refused. I pressed on, knowing I was pushing her into a corner. I was dying to see Andrew’s reaction when the truth came out. “Mum, it’s just a check-up. What are you afraid of? My uncle died of a perforated ulcer last year, and it started just like this.” With no other choice, Margaret finally agreed to go. The test results came back. Margaret was pregnant. “Mum, what’s going on?” Andrew looked at the test results, trembling with rage, his eyes turning red as he glared at his mother. “Who’s the father?” Margaret looked down, guilt etched on her face. “The test results must be wrong. I’m too old to be pregnant!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “294639”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #校园School #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic

I had once sponsored a poor student who was about to drop out, ensuring she completed university. But when I rejected her advances, she started spreading rumours that I was trying to keep her as my mistress. Suddenly, I found myself in the eye of the storm, bombarded by accusations and insults. The stress and long-term depression left me mentally shattered, and I ended it all by leaping from a window at Kingsbury College. Now, given a second chance, I will never sponsor that ungrateful wretch again. When I opened my eyes again, a tearful girl stood before me. I blinked, focusing—wasn’t that Victoria Bennett? What on earth? Had I not died? A quick glance at my phone confirmed the date. It was true—I had been reborn. This time, I wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes. “Mr. Clarke?” Hearing her tentative voice, I snapped back from my thoughts. “Yes, I’m listening. Go on.” “I won’t be coming to school from tomorrow. Mum says we can’t afford it anymore. Thank you so much for all your help these past few weeks.” Her eyes welled up with tears, a sight that had once moved me deeply. In my previous life, I had been so touched by her situation that, out of a sense of duty as a teacher, I sponsored her tuition fees and living expenses. I went above and beyond, fulfilling almost every request, all in the hope that she could one day live a better life through her own hard work. But she repaid my kindness with betrayal. After I rejected her subtle advances, she maliciously spread rumours that I was trying to “keep” her. I was powerless to defend myself. Not only that, but she even wrote a public post implying that if I didn’t have ulterior motives, why would I have been so generous? Why sponsor her out of all the struggling students? The insinuation was clear—I must have had something shameful in mind. The rumours spread faster than I could have imagined. Before long, people were whispering as soon as I stepped outside, and even online trolls managed to find my family. I was powerless to stop it. No one cared about the truth. They saw what they wanted to see. Depression consumed me until, one day, I was so out of it that I jumped out of a window at Kingsbury College, ending a life that should have been full of promise. The thought of it all sent a chill through my body. There was no way I would let the same thing happen again. “Well, if that’s what you and your parents have decided, then let’s go with it.” She looked shocked, clearly taken aback by my response. Still frozen in place, she stared at me, so I added, “Anything else? If not, you should leave.” Watching her walk away, I let out a long sigh of relief. Finally, that problem was sorted.

The next morning, however, Victoria was back in my 8 AM class. I frowned—wasn’t she supposed to be dropping out? Why was she still here? Though I was puzzled, I couldn’t ask directly. “Mr. Clarke, I’ve decided not to drop out. Henry Parker has offered to help me.” Henry? I remembered him. He’d had a crush on Victoria for ages. He had been a key figure stirring up trouble in my previous life. Victoria made a calculated move, throwing herself into my arms. Before I could push her away, Henry quickly snapped a photo. With both the evidence and witnesses in place, I’d never be able to explain myself. “Alright.” I replied curtly and stood to leave. But Victoria blocked my way. I frowned, annoyed. “What is it?” “Henry can only help with my tuition. But as for my living expenses…” She trailed off. “You’re an adult now. There are plenty of ways to earn money for living expenses. The college has lots of work-study positions. If you need help, I can assist you in applying.” She bit her lip, giving me that same pitiful look. “But those jobs are too hard…” “I’ve given you a solution. If you’re unwilling to accept it, then there’s nothing more I can do.” She might as well have stuck a sign on her forehead that read “Sponsor Me.” “If there’s nothing else, let’s keep some distance between us. It’s important for students and teachers to maintain boundaries.” Seeing that I remained cold and didn’t follow her lead, she reluctantly left. But as I watched her leave, I had a feeling this wouldn’t be the end of it.

James Rourke, the head boy, messaged me later that day. Victoria hadn’t shown up for the morning class and wasn’t in her student accommodation either. No one could reach her. My mind buzzed—what was she up to now? Losing contact with a student is enough to make any tutor panic, especially one with such malicious intentions. As I racked my brain, a place suddenly came to mind. I quickly found Victoria’s family address from the student records and drove straight there. But when I arrived, the house was empty. While I pondered where she might have gone, Simon Collins rang me. “Mr. Clarke, you’d better come back. Mrs. Bennett is causing a scene in the headmaster’s office.” Without a moment’s hesitation, I rushed back. As I was about to leave, an older lady stopped me. “You’re here to buy the Bennetts’ house, aren’t you? They told me to keep an eye on things if anyone came by. They’ll be back soon.” I stared at her, confused. “I think you’ve got the wrong person. I’m not here to buy a house.” Sensing my confusion must have sparked her gossip instinct, she continued eagerly. “Lucky for the Bennetts, though! That old wreck of a house, and someone actually wants to buy it to turn it into some sort of live-streaming base? I don’t get it, but they’re getting a tidy sum. They’ll be moving into a big house in the city soon.” So, Victoria’s family wasn’t as hard-up as they made out? After a quick goodbye, I headed back to Kingsbury College. Just as I arrived, I saw Mrs. Bennett leaving the headmaster’s office, a smug smile on her face. Instead of confronting her, I ducked into a nearby stairwell to eavesdrop. “You see, if I didn’t kick up a fuss, the college wouldn’t take it seriously. Didn’t you say your tutor was kind-hearted and would help you out because you couldn’t afford to stay?” She scoffed. “He’s not as great as you thought, is he? In the end, I had to step in. Once we sell the old house, we’ll be moving into the city. Be careful not to let anything slip. You’ve got four years at university without me having to pay a penny for your tuition or living expenses. We’ll save as much as we can.” “Alright.” So, they’d been planning this from the start.

As soon as Mrs. Bennett left, the headmaster summoned me to his office. “Mr. Clarke, what’s going on? How did this escalate to a student’s parent causing a scene at the college? We’re about to select teachers for merit awards, and if this isn’t sorted, you can forget about it.” The headmaster had always thought highly of me, and I knew his advice came from a place of concern. “I understand, headmaster. I’ll handle it.” He sighed, “It’s clearly a deliberate attempt to stir things up. The college has already promised to help them as much as possible, but it’s up to you to navigate this.” After nodding, I left the office and immediately called Victoria. “Meet me in Lecture Hall 1201.” I’d chosen that room because it was one of the few with functioning CCTV. When Victoria arrived, I could barely contain my frustration, though I kept a calm face. “You know, you can apply for student loans. If you’re unsure how, I can help you find someone to guide you.” Victoria hesitated. “But loans have to be repaid…” My tone sharpened. “And? Are you expecting a free ride?” “No, sir, but the loan is over £30,000. That’s a lot of pressure. What if I can’t pay it back?” As she spoke, the tears came again. It seemed they had become her signature move. Turning away to compose myself, I spotted Henry lurking in the corner, trying to stay out of sight. Ah, so we’re going to re-enact the past, are we? Fine. Let’s see them reap what they’ve sown. “Mr. Clarke… would you consider sponsoring me? I promise I’ll repay you once I start earning money. I’ll never forget how kind you’ve been to me.” I thought to myself, Who wants you to remember this for the rest of your life? Seeing that I remained silent, she seemed to believe she had a chance, so she pressed on. “If I drop out, I’ll have to return home and get married. I’m still so young—I don’t want to waste my life like that, Mr. Clarke.” I took a deep breath and replied as calmly as I could, “There are plenty of ways you can earn money to stay in school, but you’d rather sit back and wait for someone to hand you everything. I’ve already promised to help you with the student loan and work-study options.” Victoria’s expression shifted, growing more frustrated as she realised I wasn’t giving in. Suddenly, she pulled out a small knife and, before I could react, slashed at her own arm. It happened so fast that I barely had time to stop her. I rushed forward, grabbing her wrist to prevent further harm. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Henry raising his phone, snapping photos. I didn’t call him out. Instead, I hurriedly took Victoria to the college infirmary. Luckily, it was just a surface wound, nothing serious. Once we were alone, she leaned in and whispered, “I’ve made it obvious what I need, haven’t I? Are you really not going to sponsor me?” “No,” I said firmly. My voice left no room for argument. “Fine,” she muttered, a strange smile playing on her lips.

By the third day, Kingsbury College’s website was ablaze. An anonymous post had shot to the top of the student forum, trending faster than anything I’d seen before. The headline read: “Mr. Clarke from Business English 2 tried to use financial sponsorship to manipulate a female student into an inappropriate relationship. When the student resisted, he physically restrained her, leading her to self-harm in desperation. The college must investigate this immediately and ensure a fair resolution.” Attached to the post was a carefully angled photo. I had to hand it to Henry—he’d captured the perfect moment. The photo made it look as though I had forcibly grabbed Victoria, with no sign of the knife or the wound. If he had this much talent, he was truly wasted at Kingsbury. There was no need to check; I already knew it was Henry behind this. When I left my accommodation later that day, a crowd of students had already gathered. “Sir! Is it true? The post says you assaulted her! You always seemed so proper—how could you do something like this?” “You’re supposed to set an example for us! How could you act like this?” Some of my students, however, rushed to defend me. “Mr. Clarke isn’t like that! You don’t even know the full story—why are you jumping to conclusions?” “Exactly! You can’t just assume someone’s guilty before you’ve even heard their side!” The argument escalated, with both sides refusing to back down. At one point, it looked like a full-blown fight was about to break out. Security arrived just in time to break things up, but the damage was already done. The headmaster wasted no time in calling me to his office. As soon as I walked in, he was on the attack. “Mr. Clarke! I thought I told you to handle this discreetly. Now look what’s happened! It’s no longer about the merit awards—we’re talking about the reputation of Kingsbury College. Do you have any idea the kind of damage this could cause?” “I understand, sir,” I said, “But I assure you, I’m being framed.” “Whether I believe you or not doesn’t matter! Do you think the public will? What you need to do now is gather hard evidence to clear your name.” With a promise to the headmaster, I left his office determined to turn the tables. Henry had used the college’s Wi-Fi to post that message on the forum, and it wasn’t long before I had a technician trace the post back to his phone. With the evidence in hand, I confronted him in front of the class. “You took the photo, didn’t you? If you captured the moment so well, you must have seen the entire incident. So, why don’t you tell everyone what really happened?” Henry stiffened, clearly caught off guard by the sudden confrontation. His bravado faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. “Of course I saw everything. That’s why I posted the truth—I couldn’t stand seeing you act like a hypocrite.” “You’d better be sure of your words,” I warned, “because there are consequences for spreading lies.” Seeing I wasn’t backing down, Henry hesitated, but before he could respond, Victoria stepped in. “Mr. Clarke, there’s no need to push Henry. He was just standing up for what’s right. I can forgive him if you stop intimidating him.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “294638”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #校园School #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic

After the hard-won UK Government Scholarship was given to the Headmaster’s daughter, my tutor called me in for a chat. “Let Lily Brown take charge of your project from now on; you can assist her.” I was both angry and amused. Not only had they taken my scholarship, but now they wanted to steal my project outcomes too? I flatly refused. The tutor scoffed, “Once you enter the real world, you’ll see that these kinds of unspoken rules are everywhere!” The project outcomes had caught the attention of a national expert group, leading to the appointment of a professor to our university. The school sent Lily Brown to meet him, and the professor frowned. “Isn’t your daughter the head of this project?” Recently, the recipients of the highly competitive UK Government Scholarship were announced. Everyone in the department believed that I was the obvious choice for this year’s scholarship, and I thought so too. This wasn’t blind confidence; I genuinely stood out among the competitors. My academic performance spoke for itself. I had won first place in last year’s Student Start-up Competition and English Speaking Competition, had received national-level honours five times, and had even published a paper in a scientific journal last year. Thus, it was almost an unspoken agreement among everyone that I would be the scholarship winner. My flatmates had even booked a restaurant early on to celebrate my success. Everything was set; all I needed was the final confirmation. Little did I know, instead of a celebratory breeze, a bucket of cold water was about to be thrown over me. “I can’t believe some people can be so shameless! Popping champagne before the results, thinking they’re something special.” “Exactly! She’s like a clown, truly embarrassing for our department.” “Not to mention, our Lily was so understated and collected while winning the scholarship.” “Shh, keep it down; you don’t want her to hear you.” “Am I supposed to be scared she’ll hear me? She’s already made a fool of herself.” I tuned them out, expressionless as I walked into the lecture theatre. The previously noisy room fell silent in an instant. Everyone stopped what they were doing, all eyes fixed on me. I casually lifted my eyelids and scanned the crowd, finally resting my gaze on Chloe Smith, the one who claimed she wasn’t afraid of me. The moment our eyes met, her bravado faltered, and she quickly looked down, unable to maintain eye contact. Jessica noticed and smirked; she was known for her fiery temper. “Speak up! Cat got your tongue?” The students glanced at each other, like frightened birds scattering, leaving only Chloe with her head hung low, like an ostrich. “I’ve never seen someone so brazen, stealing from others and acting righteous about it.” “Exactly! I’ve never encountered someone so shameless. Who doesn’t know Lily only got the scholarship because of her father?” “Right? I’ve never seen such a devoted lapdog either.” My three flatmates chimed in, and Chloe’s face turned a mix of blue and white. A few people nearby chuckled. Chloe lifted her head, indignation etched on her face. “You…” “What’s that?” I shot her a sideways glance. She faltered, words caught in her throat, unable to decide whether to speak or stay silent, her frustration causing her to stomp her feet. After lunch, my tutor summoned me to his office. “Sophie, I know you’re a clever girl. For the past two years, you’ve consistently ranked at the top, winning numerous awards and bringing great honour to the school.” He started by flattering me, placing a metaphorical crown upon my head before shifting the topic. “But the scholarship isn’t just based on grades; there’s also your school conduct. Now, as for Lily Brown…” “Oh, you mean Lily Brown, the Headmaster’s daughter?” I interjected.

The tutor fell silent, staring at me, words caught in his throat. Finally, he let out a sigh. The office grew quiet, the hum of the air conditioning the only sound. If the award had gone to anyone else, I wouldn’t have questioned it. But there was nothing remarkable about Lily among the candidates. Coupled with her Headmaster father and the tutor’s reaction, it was clear there was foul play. Sure enough, what the tutor said next confirmed my suspicions. “In any case, the scholarship decision is final. I’m only here to inform you. Whether you accept it or not won’t affect the outcome. You’re a bright student; you should understand what I mean. Besides, you’re so talented that you can always try again next year. Think of this as a chance to be magnanimous.” “Let her have it?” I scoffed, “Why should I give up what’s mine?” “Sophie Carter!” The tutor slammed his hand on the desk, glaring at me. “I’ve been civil with you; don’t take it too far. I’m just trying to help you, so don’t bite the hand that feeds you!” His ugly side was laid bare before me. “Do you not understand? The scholarship has nothing to do with you anymore. What you think doesn’t matter. You can sugarcoat it by saying you’re letting her have it, but let’s be honest—this school is practically hers. She can have whatever she wants. If you want to blame someone, blame your lack of a good father!” The tutor’s tone grew harsh, veins bulging on his forehead. Seeing I remained unfazed, he took a deep breath and threw his water cup against the wall, the sound echoing in the silence. I frowned, suppressing my anger, my upbringing preventing me from acting out against a teacher. I inclined my head slightly. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.” With that, I stood up and headed for the door. Just as I reached it, I paused. “One piece of advice: be careful not to sink your own ship.” In response, there was another crash of objects being thrown. On my way back to class, I ran into a few flatmates. They noticed my foul mood and wisely chose not to ask. We chatted casually, and from a distance, I spotted those who had been gossiping earlier, now gathered around Lily, laughing. “Lily, you’ve truly brought glory to our halls!” “Of course! It’s a national award, not just anyone can win it—only our Lily is impressive!” Lily smiled coyly, pretending to be modest. “It’s all thanks to everyone’s support; otherwise, how could I have won the scholarship so easily?” “It’s all your own talent. Some people…” “You at least know your own worth, and understand you’re not deserving of it.” Jessica retorted sarcastically.

Chloe, who had been interrupted, was now as angry as a dog with its tail stepped on. “Jessica, don’t bully her!” Jessica turned, bewildered, “Where’s that barking coming from? Aren’t pets banned in school?” The flatmate shrugged innocently. “I don’t know, maybe it’s a wild dog that crawled in from some hole.” Fuming, Chloe marched toward us, but Lily swiftly held her back. Rising from her seat, she took a few steps toward me, looking apologetic. “Sorry, she was just happy for me, she didn’t mean to offend you.” I finally lifted my eyelids to look at her, curling my lips into a mocking smile. “I understand, after all, she hasn’t seen much of the world.” Lily’s expression darkened a bit, but she maintained her smile. “They’ve booked a restaurant tonight to celebrate; if you’re free, you should join us. The more, the merrier!” “Sorry.” I looked away, brushing past Lily. My tone was nonchalant. “I’m not interested in dining with those who thrive on the misfortunes of others.” Lily’s smile vanished in an instant, her hands clenching at her sides. I didn’t look back at her. The scholarship incident continued to spiral, with everyone chattering about it. Some felt Lily didn’t deserve the award, claiming it was obtained through dubious means. Others believed I was too arrogant, dreaming big without the capability to back it up. For the first few days, the outrage against Lily was dominant; after all, people were capable of reasoning. But by the third day, the tide turned, and many began to shift their criticism onto me, spewing insults—it was clear there was more to this situation. On Friday, my tutor summoned me again. He opened his mouth, and there was nothing good to hear. “From now on, let Lily handle the project; you’ll be there to assist.” I was incredulous. It was one thing to steal my scholarship; now they wanted to take my project outcomes as well? “That’s not happening.” The tutor froze, his brows furrowed in disbelief. “What did you just say?” “I said it’s not happening.” I met his gaze, “Is there a word in that sentence you don’t understand?” “Sophie Carter!” “My work will not be given to her. If she lacks the ability, she shouldn’t come looking for me!” “You think I’m asking for your opinion? I’m just informing you!” “Fine.” I scoffed, “Then I’m out. If she’s involved, I’m not.” “You’re threatening me? You dare to threaten me?!” The tutor’s face turned pale with rage, his eyes bulging. “Sophie Carter, I thought you learned your lesson from last time, but it seems not. Do you think your threats will matter? I’m just informing you, not asking for your opinion!” His face was turning red, and he sneered, “You think the world is fair? Let me tell you, when you step into society, you’ll see this kind of unspoken rule everywhere!” I laughed coldly. “You’ve been involved in quite a few, haven’t you?” The tutor’s posture stiffened, and he retorted, “What nonsense are you spouting? I’m only here to relay orders from above!” I smirked, looking at him with unabashed contempt, speaking slowly and clearly. “Those who do evil will inevitably suffer.”

The tutor’s face twisted under my gaze, his forehead bulging with veins as he trembled with anger. I turned my gaze away, brushing off nonexistent dust from my clothes and straightening up as I headed for the door. Lily was more pleased than ever, having taken my scholarship and now my project outcomes. She was completely swollen with pride. Rumours about me circulated more widely; everyone was waiting for me to fail. As for me, I was keeping my distance, enjoying life as usual. With no classes in the afternoon, I joined my flatmates at a nearby café to pass the time. I don’t enjoy bitter things, so I just ordered a small cake. We were chatting happily when the bell above the door jingled, and a group of boys walked in. I looked up and met James Thornton’s gaze. His deep, dark eyes locked onto mine. After a moment of connection, he smirked slightly and made his way toward me. He was one of the school’s stars, excelling either academically, like me, or coming from an impressive family background, like James. Even though he was from the adjacent art school, his reputation had spread widely. It was said that wherever he appeared, there was always quite a stir; luckily, the café was relatively quiet at this hour. “Sophie, the academic star.” He casually pulled out a chair and sat across from me. My flatmates immediately lowered their heads, pretending to look at their phones while secretly straining to listen. “I heard someone’s stolen your scholarship.” James lifted his chin slightly, his tone laid-back. “Want me to have someone teach them a lesson?” Before I could respond, I felt a piercing gaze boring into me. I looked up to find Lily and Chloe standing at the entrance, glaring at me. “Perfect timing,” James quipped, raising an eyebrow. “James, what a coincidence! You’re here too!” Lily exclaimed as she walked in. James ignored her entirely, not even glancing in her direction, his dark eyes fixed solely on me. Seeing that I wasn’t responding, he clicked his tongue. “Boring.” With that, James stood up, preparing to leave. Lily hurriedly called out, “James, tonight…” “Not interested; I don’t want to go,” he cut her off, amusement evident in his eyes. Lily turned pale, tears welling in her eyes. James subtly furrowed his brow before straightening up, waving a hand dismissively as he said, “I’m off.” “James, wait for us! We haven’t even gotten our coffee yet…” one of the boys protested. James smacked the back of his head playfully. “You’re such a nuisance.” The boy retorted, “You were the one who insisted on coming to the café…” “Shut up, grab your coffee, and let’s go.” I caught a glimpse of James’s ears turning red, but before I could see more, Lily stepped in front of me, blocking my view. “Sophie Carter.” With her arms crossed, Lily had a haughty demeanor. “You should know your place; some people aren’t within your reach. Consider this a warning: don’t dream unrealistic dreams.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “294637”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #校园School #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic

The day after my dad died, My mom, who had been missing for over twenty years, showed up with her children from another man, fighting for my dad’s estate. “They’re my kids too. Whatever you have, they should have it too.” Dressed in mourning, my eyes swollen from crying, I couldn’t help but let out a laugh. Oh, Mom, you don’t know, do you? After twenty years of being abandoned by you, I’ve become quite the vengeful little monster. “He’s dead! What’s the use of crying? Get up and start counting how much money that deadbeat left behind!” I was sprawled out in the funeral parlor, crying so hard that I felt weak and lightheaded, nearly passing out. I had no father now, and I was all alone in this world. But my mom—Margaret Gates—who’d disappeared for more than twenty years, was yanking on my mourning clothes, trying to pull me off the floor. “You’ve got no manners! It’s your first time meeting your brother and sister, and you’re not even saying hello? Just crying and crying—how pathetic!” I kept my head down, swallowing the fury rising in my chest. My dad worked himself to the bone his entire life, and I wasn’t going to let him worry about me from his coffin. When I didn’t respond, Margaret got even angrier. She grabbed a fistful of my hair and dragged me up off the ground, shoving me in front of a man and a woman. “This is Mark Cooper and Lisa Cooper, your brother and sister.” “Your dad’s gone now, and we need a man around the house. I brought Mark here so he could get familiar with the place. From now on, this will be his home.” “And stop pretending to cry your eyes out. Let’s get to counting your dad’s estate. By law, I get half, and the other half will be split between the four of us.” “I see this house was just remodeled not too long ago. I’ll decide—this house goes to Mark. Don’t worry, he won’t throw you out. He’ll leave you a room so you can stay here when you visit during the holidays.” She rambled on, getting more pleased with herself the longer she talked. I looked up at the man and woman standing in front of me, their eyes shifting around, greedily eyeing the house. The way they stared at my family’s mansion made me sick. “Let go,” I said, speaking to Margaret for the first time in over twenty years. She froze for a second, then slapped me on the back. “Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?” I looked up at her and slowly smiled. Satisfied, she raised her chin arrogantly. “That’s more like it. You’ve always needed a good beating to behave.” Before she could finish, I pulled out my trusty pocket knife and slashed her hand. “AHHHHH!!!” Margaret shrieked, letting go of my hair as blood dripped from her hand, leaving dark stains on the floor of our courtyard. Dad, look. No one can bully me anymore.

The night I was supposed to keep vigil for my dad turned into a scene at the police station. I leaned back in my chair, watching Margaret like she was the biggest fool on Earth. Maybe seeing the police officers standing tall in their uniforms made her feel like she had backup. Her face, which had been pale the whole way here, suddenly regained its color. She shoved her poorly bandaged hand toward the officers, wailing at the top of her lungs, “What did I do to deserve this? My own daughter pulled a knife on me!” The officer knocked on the table, frowning as he asked me, “What happened here?” I hadn’t even opened my mouth when Mark Cooper rolled up his sleeves and shouted, “Pay up! There’s no way we’re letting this go without compensation!” Margaret’s injury was minor, so as long as she agreed to drop the charges, the whole thing could be settled. I didn’t want to waste my time with them—I just wanted to get back to my dad’s vigil. So when Margaret, Mark, and Lisa finally whispered among themselves and asked for $2,000 in compensation, I didn’t hesitate to agree. Right in front of the officers, I took out my phone and transferred the money. Once the payment was confirmed, Margaret gleefully signed the waiver. As I watched her grinning ear to ear, I suddenly asked, “Don’t you feel any sadness at all?” She looked up, confused. “Sad about what?” I didn’t bother saying another word, just turned and walked out. As I passed by them, I overheard their whispered conversation. “Mom, she’s using the newest iPhone. It’s over a thousand bucks! You just got that money—buy me one.” “Mom, $2,000! She didn’t even blink when she agreed. Who knows how much her old man left her? We better come up with a plan.” I was halfway out the door when I heard Margaret ask the officer loudly, “Do you handle inheritance disputes too?”

The next day, after we buried my dad according to custom, I thanked all the relatives and neighbors from Maplewood Village who came to help. Once everyone had left, I stood alone in the now-empty mansion, the grief hitting me so hard I almost wished I’d gone with him. When I was just two or three years old, Margaret left my dad and me, running off with a butcher from out of town because she thought my dad was too poor. My dad became both mother and father to me, struggling to raise me on his own. Once I started elementary school and didn’t need to be by his side all the time, he finally had the time to start a small business. I didn’t know how big his business had grown, but I did know that life at home kept getting better. We built this mansion, and my dad loved buying me all kinds of luxury goods. I became the kid everyone at school envied—the rich girl who had it all. But no one knew there was a piece of me that was missing. That piece should’ve been my mother. During all the moments I needed her, she was never there. Over the years, I’d grown used to being the kid without a mom. I slowly packed up my dad’s belongings, crying as I went. I’d cry until I was exhausted, then fall asleep, wake up, and continue packing. Days blurred together until, eventually, I finished sorting through everything my dad left behind. I was shocked at just how wealthy my dad had been. During that time, I developed a habit. I’d sit in the courtyard, staring at the security camera on the wall, lost in thought. One evening, as the sky turned a beautiful shade of dusk, I sat in the courtyard quietly sipping the osmanthus wine my dad had made. The weather was perfect, the sunset gorgeous, and I hadn’t locked the front door. Margaret strolled in with Mark and Lisa, looking down at me from her position at the entrance. “It’s been days. You’ve gone through all the stuff your old man left behind, right?” “I brought Mark and Lisa. We need to figure out how to divide your dad’s estate.”

I smiled and motioned for them to sit down. Then, I went inside to grab paper and pens. “What are your ideas? Write them down, and let’s discuss.” Margaret seemed really pleased with how cooperative I was. She nodded. “I thought I’d have to beat some sense into you before you’d hand over the money.” “How much did your dad leave behind? Let’s see the inventory.” I handed her the list I’d prepared. As they looked it over, their eyes sparkled with greed. Margaret straightened up, taking on the role of the decision-maker. “Alright, I’ll decide how the inheritance gets split.” She’d clearly been thinking about how to divide my dad’s estate for a long time. Without hesitation, she scribbled her ideas down, her sloppy handwriting not affecting her excitement in the least. It didn’t take her long to finish. She handed me the paper with a flourish. “Lily, we’ll go with this plan. Tomorrow, we’ll get all the paperwork sorted, transfer the funds, and change the ownership of the house.” I looked at her deeply. “My name is Lily Gates, not ‘Lily.’” She gave an awkward smile. “Well, we always called you Lily when you were little.” I smiled back. “Funny how that works. When I was little, I had a mom too.” Lisa, growing impatient, snatched the paper from my hands, scanning it quickly. Her face fell. She slammed the paper down on the table. “Mom, you always talk about fairness. Why does Mark get the mansion and a few million dollars, and I only get $100,000 in cash?” I nodded enthusiastically, chiming in, “Exactly! I’m getting $200,000, but you’re her little princess. How is $100,000 fair for you?” Lisa wasn’t having it anymore. She threw herself on the ground, kicking and screaming. Mark, worried Margaret might take some of his share and give it to Lisa, grabbed her by the hair and slapped her hard across the face. “Shut up! Mom’s money, mom’s rules!” Lisa, shocked that Mark would hit her, froze for a moment before screaming and launching herself at him. “How dare you hit me? You want to die?” The two of them were rolling around, fighting like cats and dogs, while Margaret, frantic, jumped in to break them up. I quietly scooted my chair back, pulled out a bag of sunflower seeds, and settled in to enjoy the show. It was quite the spectacle in my courtyard, their howls echoing in the night. Margaret couldn’t pull them apart and even took a few accidental punches herself. Furious, she slapped both of them hard across the face. Her hand, still bandaged from my earlier cut, started bleeding again. Mark and Lisa weren’t much better off—one had a swollen eye, and the other had a split lip. Grinning, I said, “What’s going on here? You’re family! Why fight over a little money?” Margaret shot them both a dirty look and forced a smile at me. “Lily, you and Lisa are both my daughters. I can’t show too much favoritism. How about we take $50,000 from your share and give it to Lisa? Then you’ll each get $150,000. Fair enough?” I turned to Lisa. “Does that work for you?” Lisa glared at Mark, silent. Still smiling, I said, “Well, if everyone agrees, go ahead and sign.” I watched as all three of them signed the agreement, satisfied as I folded the paper and slipped it into my pocket. “Alright then, see you here tomorrow at ten. We’ll go finish up the paperwork.”

The next day, when Margaret, Mark, and Lisa showed up at my house, they were in for a surprise. The courtyard was packed full of people. Neighbors, relatives, everyone from Maplewood Village was there, chatting and munching on sunflower seeds, laughing and joking. When they spotted the three of them, Uncle Joe, the most respected elder in the village, put down his seeds and waved them over. Even though she’d run off over twenty years ago, Margaret had grown up in this village, and she knew all the elders. Uncle Joe was known for being fair and just, and no one in the village dared cross him. With everyone watching, Margaret reluctantly shuffled over to greet him. Though he was old, Uncle Joe was still sharp. Raising his voice, he asked, “Margaret, what are you doing here?” As soon as he spoke, the crowd went silent, all eyes on her. Seeing no point in lying, Margaret finally gave up and said, “I talked with Lily—uh, I mean, Lily—yesterday, and we’re here to finalize the inheritance today.” Uncle Joe shook his head, raising his voice even more. “These old ears aren’t so good anymore. What kind of inheritance?” Margaret bowed her head, biting her lip, not answering. Uncle Joe slammed his cane on the ground. “I asked you a question! What inheritance?” The force of his words made Margaret stumble back two steps. Mark stepped forward, unable to hold back anymore. He pointed at Uncle Joe, his voice filled with venom. “Old man, mind your business. My mom’s here to transfer this mansion into my name and to make sure the rest of that deadbeat’s money goes to me!” The crowd buzzed with shock and outrage. Margaret turned beet red as neighbors started shouting insults at her. “Margaret, you left John because he was poor! How do you have the nerve to come back now?” “Have some shame, woman! You’re an embarrassment!” Margaret swung her arm wildly, screaming back, “Shut up! I never divorced John! By law, I’m entitled to half of his estate—I’m the primary heir!”

Uncle Joe looked at me, puzzled. “Kid, what’s going on here?” I put on my most innocent expression. “I don’t know, Uncle Joe. Everyone’s watched me grow up here. Where did this so-called mom come from?” “Don’t give me that crap!” Margaret screamed, pointing at me angrily. She fished out a small, worn red booklet from her pocket and threw it onto the stone table. “Take a good look. This is my marriage certificate with that deadbeat. Stop going around telling people I ran off! I’m still legally his wife. Now that he’s dead, I have the right to inherit his estate.” “Well, isn’t that something!” I said as I leaned forward, picking up the little red book. After looking at it for a moment, I handed it over to Uncle Joe. “Uncle Joe, check it out. It’s a real marriage certificate.” Margaret lifted her head proudly, her face lighting up with a smug smile. “You can try to gang up on me all you want, but in the end, that deadbeat’s money? It’s all mine.” I couldn’t hold back my anger any longer. My face darkened as I said coldly, “Margaret, if I hear you call him a deadbeat one more time, you won’t get a single penny from me.” Margaret raised her hand, ready to slap me, but I stared back at her, hard. Uncle Joe’s cane thumped heavily on the ground, the sound reverberating through the courtyard. After a tense moment, Margaret spat on the ground in frustration. “You’ve seen the marriage certificate. No more questions, right? So, can we go ahead with the transfer now?” Uncle Joe and the other elders from Maplewood Village stood in stunned silence, not expecting this turn of events. No one said a word. Margaret’s smug grin grew wider as she turned to Mark and Lisa, flashing them a look of victory. I smiled too, lifting my finger to point at Mark and Lisa as I spoke lazily, “There’s still a problem. If you’re my dad’s legal wife and have inheritance rights, what about them?” Mark and Lisa’s faces paled, and they nervously glanced at Margaret. Margaret, still smiling, said, “Don’t try to scare me. I did my research. Non-marital and marital children have equal inheritance rights.” “They’re my kids. Whatever you get, they’re entitled to too.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “294636”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #校园School #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic