Author: Momo Chan

Seven years after my death, the person who murdered me was finally arrested and imprisoned. The killer, a notorious crime boss, showed no change in expression during the live court proceedings as he listened to the verdict. As the officer finished reading the list of victims, his hoarse voice cut in slowly: “One’s missing. The one I killed when I first started, the one who died the most brutally.” “Amend the verdict for me, and I’ll tell you who’s missing.” A chilling silence fell over the courtroom, broken only by the judge’s stern refusal: “Your crimes are heinous. You have no right to negotiate.” The crime boss waved his hand, confidently looking at the lead detective among the officers, Ryan Donovan. “Cassie Sterling. Detective Donovan, do you know her? Don’t you want to know where she died?” In the dead silence, Ryan endured everyone’s stares, speaking each word distinctly: “The person you’re referring to, she did exist. But Cassie Sterling isn’t dead. She’s not an officer anymore, but a fugitive who disappeared seven years ago.”

To make everyone believe him, the crime boss confessed the entire torture process in court. How he and his accomplices had knocked me unconscious and assaulted me. How they had pulled out my fingernails and teeth, coercing me for information about police informants. “She screamed terribly, but she refused to say anything. Out of — sympathy — I killed her, then personally disposed of the body.” As he calmly narrated, countless people held their breath, hearts constricting. Only Ryan’s eyes burned with fury, his body rigid and straight. “Keep acting. People like you, have compassion for cops? Ha.” The crime boss asked for a cigarette. “I’ve killed so many people over the years – those who betrayed me, those who stole business on the street, those who owed me money… I’ve never regretted it. She was the only one I ever felt guilty about.” But Ryan merely sneered. He suddenly stood up, his voice ringing out clearly: “I don’t believe a single word you’re saying.” The crime boss shook his head helplessly. “The time, the events, the participants — I’ve revealed everything I can. No need to lie to you. Anyway… now, only I know where she’s buried. Whether you want to give me leniency in my sentencing in exchange for information on her body, that’s up to you.” His superiors called for a recess, intending to pull him back for further interrogation. The public also demanded the police fully investigate. Only Ryan vehemently opposed it. He stormed into his superior’s office, pounding the desk. His superior lost his temper, too, sternly ordering him to personally lead the excavation at the site the drug trafficker described. The police cruiser roared to life. The accelerator was floored. Watching the rage barely suppressed on his face, my heart was consumed by a sense of helplessness. He probably genuinely believed I had willingly fallen from grace back then. For money, I had betrayed my ideals, and I had betrayed him. And now, I was supposedly disrupting the new life he and Selene Vance had just begun. But he didn’t know. I, the “old me,” was abandoned in the damp, cold underground. Suffering for seven years.

Seven years, and he seemed to have changed so little. His face was firm and righteous, his physique lean and tall. Only, he spoke less, his emotions buried deeper. The silent flash of red and blue police lights cut through the mountain road, stopping at a desolate field overgrown with withered grass. It was the dead of winter, the ground frozen solid. A shovel strike only left a white mark on the surface. He took command of the scene. “First, soften the ground with fire. The wind is strong; extend the downwind isolation zone by another five meters.” Selene Vance emerged from the volunteer team, unlatching a thermos. “Drink some hot water, Ryan. You’ve completely shredded your voice.” Ryan took a sip, asking softly: “Why are you here?” “It’s crowded and chaotic here; you should go home soon.” Selene rested her head on his shoulder, her voice filled with worry. “I watched the trial.” “Do you think… it could be true?” Ryan scoffed dismissively, but didn’t answer. He simply ran his fingers through the woman’s long hair, smoothing it from top to end, then curling a strand around his finger. Just like he used to comfort me. Back then, both our fathers were detectives. They worked together, went on missions together, and ultimately died in the line of duty together. During the wake, I clung to him, seeing him as my only support. He held me just as tightly, his hand smoothing my hair from the top of my head to the ends, then curling a strand around his finger. From that moment, we became inseparable. Later, we both got into the police academy, inheriting our fathers’ badge numbers. We were partners with shared ideals, and lovers completely devoted to each other. Before we got married, my mother laughed through her tears: “You scoundrel, you stole my daughter’s heart.” Ryan possessively pulled me into his embrace. “Not at all, Auntie. You just gained a son.” “Don’t worry, I promise I’ll never let Cassie suffer an ounce of injustice in her life.” And he kept his word. If I wanted to reopen an old case, he would pull several all-nighters to organize the case files. If I encountered armed criminals during a patrol, he would selflessly shield me with his body. I couldn’t eat spicy food, and the man who couldn’t live without it hadn’t touched a single chili pepper for years after we got married. Back then, we both believed there was no bond stronger than that of partners and comrades. Who could have known? This relationship ultimately crumbled because of a woman rescued from a drug den. I observed Selene Vance’s alluring face. It was hard to imagine that in just a few short years, she had transformed from a seductive streetwalker into a charming, sophisticated woman. Perhaps a woman’s tears were the ultimate weapon against a man’s steely heart. After Selene was rescued, she would often call Ryan late at night. Crying about not being able to find a good job, crying about how everyone discriminated against her for having been a prostitute and a drug addict. Ryan’s heart was softened by her tears. Pity and compassion sprouted like spring grass, growing uncontrollably. He brought her home, subsidizing her entirely with his salary, under the guise of “cleaning fees.” All household expenses fell on me, and we lived from paycheck to paycheck. Several times I tried to fire Selene, but he always insisted: “Cassie, Selene is very fragile and has suffered too much. We have to help her.” But over Ryan’s shoulder, I clearly saw her eyes filled with defiance, directed at me. I was furious. I grabbed her hair and dragged her out the door. She clutched her aching scalp, her tear-filled eyes seeming to hold back a thousand words. And Ryan, the man who had once sworn to protect me with his life—my lover, my partner. He didn’t hesitate to raise his hand against me. I was slapped to the ground. He, meanwhile, cupped Selene’s face, gently wiping away the tear streaks from her eyes with his thumb. “Don’t cry. I told you, no one will ever bully you again.” Then, he looked down and coldly reprimanded me: “When are you going to change your arrogant nature?” “Selene is also a victim. Are you worthy of the badge you wear by treating her like this?” But in this betrayed relationship, weren’t he and Selene colluding to “abuse” me? A thousand words clogged my chest in that instant. Ultimately, I just quietly packed my bags and moved into the police dormitory. Aside from work-related interactions, I didn’t speak another word to him. I actually knew that he and Selene had never had any physical relationship. I just couldn’t swallow it. He had given the tenderness and pampering that once belonged to me to another woman. Yet, all the responsibilities of our marriage were left for me to bear. We remained in this stalemate for a long time. Every day, I thought, maybe tomorrow we’ll make up. But the next day, the words died on my lips, replaced by a fresh wave of resentment. Sadly, fate had other plans, arriving sooner than any tomorrow. I never waited for him to come back to me. Instead, I unexpectedly discovered. Selene Vance had an undisclosed connection with the criminal organization we had been investigating for so long.

A sudden surge of activity interrupted my memories. The crowd suddenly erupted. “They dug it out!” “Careful, give them a hand!” Ryan was stunned, blurting out: “Impossible!” “You just wanted to see me disheveled and covered in sweat, right? There can’t actually be bones…” His voice was low, like he was talking to himself. Selene, biting her lip, looked worried. “Ryan, do you think… Cassie wouldn’t have killed someone, would she?” “She always had a fiery temper; she’s capable of anything when pushed too far…” Ryan’s lips instantly tightened, his muscles tensing. He strode into the crowd. “I’ll go take a look over there.” I hovered over the remaining fragments of bone, the cold wind whistling through the gaps, making me scoff. This was the true meaning of “bone-chilling cold.” He brushed the dirt from the fragments. Through his gloves, I could feel the warmth of his fingertips. My spirit trembled. Suddenly, I really didn’t want him to see me like this. If I could, I would rather him remember me. Forever the strong, headstrong, and vibrant girl. But now, I could only silently look up at the man I once loved. Lingering over the faint warmth of his fingertips as they grazed my remains. The coroner collected the bones, and the crowd gradually dispersed. Ryan remained alone in the spot. Until the faint morning light, when he suddenly pulled out his phone, frantically dialing a number. “Beep — beep —” “The number you have dialed is not in service. Please check the number and try again.” The wind in the desolate field was cold, turning his nose red. A few choked sobs were broken by the harsh wind. “Cassie, this isn’t real…” “This is a prank, right?” A pair of arms wrapped around his neck, the woman’s breath warm against his ear. Selene’s voice trembled: “Ryan.” “Do you… still have feelings for her…” Ryan’s body gave a sudden jolt. A silence heavy with unspoken emotions. He placed his hand over the woman’s lower abdomen, sighing softly. “It’s all in the past.” “Now, I only have you and the baby.” Selene’s arms tightened around him, and she sobbed softly. “Ryan, I’m so afraid you’ll leave—” “I’ve given you everything. Please, don’t betray me.” Seven years had smoothed out my temper. Now, I could calmly appreciate her performance. This woman was born with two faces. Always vulnerable and pitiful with Ryan; but full of resentment and defiance towards me. Sometimes I truly wondered, did we have a blood feud? Why did she hate me so much! It wasn’t until my dying moments that I finally understood. Yes, we did. Her father had died by my father’s and Ryan’s father’s gunshots while resisting arrest with a firearm. Stripped of protection, she quickly became a “shared plaything” of the gang. “Do you know what I hated most about you?” She squatted in front of me, her voice sinister. “We both lost our fathers, so why did you live so easily?” “Your classmates and neighbors cared for you even more than before, and no uncles or older men ever reached into your underwear.” “I’m smarter than you, prettier than you, and I understand people’s hearts better. But why did Ryan still love you more?!” I suddenly understood. It turned out both love and hate wound equally. Selene Vance had originally planned to avenge her father’s death on Ryan and me. But unexpectedly, she fell in love with Ryan. Thus, her hatred for me intensified.

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I spent three years in prison—all for my wife, Vivian Frost. When I finally got out, all I received was a symbolic one-dollar welcome-back bonus. I figured there must’ve been a mistake, but then I saw Leo Green, a young guy standing next to me, also holding just a single bill. Pushing my doubts aside, I forced a smile and stood by Vivian as she celebrated her company’s grand opening. That same night, though, I scrolled through Leo Green’s social media. He’d posted a photo of a check: [Huge congrats to Vivian Frost on the grand opening! My boss is so generous—she gave me a hundred million!] Vivian didn’t even bother explaining. Instead, she hurried to distance herself from me: “You just got out, and with your record, being seen together publicly isn’t good for my company’s image. Let’s keep our marriage under wraps for a while.” Then she turned around and liked Leo Green’s post. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and called her long-time rival, Cameron Reed. “From now on, I’m working for you.”

“You willingly went to prison for three years for Vivian’s career. Why the sudden change of heart to work for me?” “I remember she swore up and down that the department manager position would be yours once you got out. Are you sure you don’t want it?” Cameron’s voice came through the phone, a hint of amusement in her tone. I rubbed the one-dollar bill between my fingers repeatedly, a bitter laugh escaping me. “Yeah, I don’t want it.” The words had barely left my mouth when Vivian suddenly appeared in front of me, her eyes filled with suspicion: “Don’t want what?” I calmly hung up the phone and told her the truth: “The department manager position.” At that, a flicker of relief crossed her complicated expression; she seemed to let out a quiet sigh. “Perfect. I was planning to give it to Leo anyway. You can start as an admin assistant first.” My brows furrowed at her words. I’d served three years in prison for Vivian’s company. She’d promised me—sworn on it—that once I got out, that department manager spot would be mine. But who would’ve thought that in the end, I’d be stuck doing menial work? In that moment, Vivian herself shattered the promise she’d made three years ago. Yet I couldn’t detect even a hint of guilt in her eyes. My chest tightened, and a sharp, stinging pain flared in my heart. Seeing my silence, Vivian pulled a confidential marriage agreement from her designer handbag and tossed it onto the glass table. She said, her voice annoyingly calm, “This is a secret marriage agreement—just for the sake of the company.” The words “Secret Marriage Agreement” burned into my eyes. Three years ago, the day before I went to prison, Vivian and I got married. The only thing that kept me going, that helped me survive, was the thought of a happy married life after my release. But now, I was someone she was ashamed to acknowledge—a secret. She even wanted me to just disappear. I mocked myself silently, then grabbed the pen beside me without hesitation. Vivian turned around, her perfectly arched brows furrowing as she saw my hand move to sign. Why was I—the man who once wanted to shout our marriage from the rooftops—suddenly so decisive? She instinctively pressed down on my wrist, her words vague: “You’re not even going to think about it?” I didn’t lift my gaze, shook off her hand, and signed immediately. She got what she wanted, but then fell into a strange silence for a moment. After a beat, she cleared her throat, her voice deliberately softening: “Don’t worry, once the company is stable, I’ll definitely make it up to you.” I mumbled a noncommittal “Mhm,” just as a message popped up in the company Slack group. Leo Green had been announced as the company’s first department manager, and employees flooded the chat with congratulations. [Leo’s been with Vivian through thick and thin for the past three years, we’ve all seen it. This position is well-deserved!] [I think, you know, Leo’s department manager today, tomorrow he’ll probably be Vivian’s husband, right? We should really butter him up!] Leo then sent a shy emoji, tacitly confirming everything. [I still think Alex has it made, three years in prison and still gets an admin job at the company. Vivian’s so good to him!] He knew the truth, and he was clearly mocking me. I struggled to tear my gaze from the screen, only to inadvertently catch Vivian staring at her phone. The smile playing on her lips was one I’d never seen – so gentle. It made me wonder. Was she keeping our marriage a secret for the company, or for Leo Green?

To uphold our secret marriage agreement, Vivian moved from the master bedroom to the guest room. She’d also made it perfectly clear: I wasn’t allowed to ride in the same car as her. I wasn’t allowed to talk to her at work. And her relationship with Leo was just for show; I wasn’t to make a fuss about it. After laying down the rules, Vivian disappeared for three days. It wasn’t until I called in sick with a fever that she bothered to FaceTime me: “Been working only a few days and already taking time off? Aren’t you being a bit dramatic?” “You’ll have to go to the hospital by yourself, I’m still on a business trip and can’t take you.” The expected outcome. I mumbled a groggy “Mhm.” But no sooner had I spoken than a clear male voice echoed from her phone: “Vivian, I forgot my towel! Come help me!” Though Vivian quickly hung up, I still heard the hurried footsteps of her rushing away. I don’t know what her game was, but she started frantically texting and calling me. I only replied with one message: [This is my time off. Please respect that.] After getting my IV drip, I returned to the office. My colleagues, as usual, were cold towards me, piling my desk high with work. They probably thought I was just a lucky ex-con Vivian had taken in, so I should just suck it up. I composed myself, then gathered all the couple’s items from my storage cabinet and dumped them into a black trash bag. If I’d known they’d never see the light of day, I wouldn’t have bothered bringing them to the office. Just as I was about to go throw them out, Vivian returned. Before I could react, she angrily grabbed my wrist and dragged me into the stairwell. When she saw the trash bag in my hand, her face darkened: “You have time to clean out trash, but no time to answer my calls?” Her strong perfume made me unconsciously step back. I replied calmly: “I already texted you back.” At that, Vivian snapped, letting out a cold laugh: “You know I don’t like demanding men. You’d better not become someone I hate.” With that, she snatched the bag from my hand and furiously slammed it to the ground. Amidst the echoing crash in the stairwell, she stalked off, the crisp, decisive click of her heels fading away. Looking at the shattered photo frame and matching mugs, my heart ached. It was as if our years of shared feelings were destined to shatter just the same. I collected the broken pieces, then called my lawyer to draft divorce papers. Once the documents were ready, I printed a copy in the office. Just as I steeled myself to knock on her door, Vivian opened it herself. Meeting her icy gaze, I calmly handed her the papers: “Sign this when you have a moment.” Vivian didn’t even glance at it, flipping directly to the last page and signing. Then, with an air of indifference, she handed it back and instructed: “Come with me to a client dinner later. Be sharp—you’ll need to help me handle the clients.” I was confused. Vivian usually had an amazing alcohol tolerance, why would she need my help? Before I could ask, Leo Green emerged from behind her, a gentle smile on his face: “Vivian, you’re so thoughtful! You remembered my sensitive stomach can’t handle alcohol, didn’t you?”

Leo sat beside Vivian, his head tilted slightly toward her. Seeing me, he complained: “Vivian’s such a worrywart. It’s just a stomach issue, but she won’t let me drink or work late. If I hadn’t begged her, she wouldn’t even have brought me to this dinner.” Hearing him, Vivian affectionately patted his shoulder. “If I don’t look out for you, don’t come crying to me when you’re feeling sick.” The two of them clearly looked like a couple deeply in love. Her tender, charming demeanor was completely unfamiliar to me. Clutching the divorce papers in my hand, a strange sense of relief washed over me. Upon arriving at the restaurant, Vivian exchanged pleasantries with our business partners. Then she stepped back, beginning her introductions. “This is Leo Green, our company’s department manager.” When she introduced me, the head of the partnering company frowned slightly. “I distinctly recall this gentleman was imprisoned for corporate fraud. Vivian, you certainly are loyal.” Vivian tensed, glanced at me, then offered a forced smile and nodded in silent agreement. Throughout the project discussion, Vivian and Leo sat closely together. She shot me an annoyed look, signaling me to take care of Leo. During dinner, someone noticed their intimate gestures and jokingly remarked: “Vivian and Leo look so good together—I wonder if Vivian is married?” The words had barely left their lips when Vivian looked at me, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. The next second, we almost spoke in unison: “No.” Even though we said the exact same thing, she sharply turned her head, looking at me with shock. It wasn’t until the client excused himself to the restroom that she texted me: “It’s all an act, don’t take it seriously.” Vivian said it was an act, but I was telling the truth. After all, she had already signed the divorce papers. I glanced at the message, then flipped my phone face down. Seeing this, Vivian—who was sitting across from me—started to get up, but I turned and headed to the restroom. Emerging from a stall, I bumped into Leo. He stood with his arms crossed, clearly in a triumphant posture. “Alex, you’re truly pathetic as a man—to be despised by your wife like this. If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to show my face anywhere.” I ignored him, lowered my head to wash my hands, and said flatly: “That’s none of your concern.” Drying my hands, I prepared to leave. But Leo suddenly stepped in front of me, scrutinizing me from head to toe. “Why are you still wearing that old suit?” “Oh, I forgot. Vivian probably used all her money to buy me high-end custom clothes. My bad.” The platinum diamond watch on his wrist seemed to constantly remind me— the difference between one dollar and a hundred million. Instantly, the bitterness suppressed within me erupted, and I fled in a hurry. Back in the private dining room, I grabbed my bag, ready to leave. Vivian quickly stepped forward to stop me, her tone deliberately soft: “Don’t go yet, I’ll drive you home later.” I was about to refuse when Leo burst in frantically. He instantly drew everyone’s attention. Vivian immediately let go of me and rushed to ask what had happened. Leo fumbled through his bag, then checked all his pockets. Then, with a horrified cry, he yelled: “My diamond watch is gone! The birthday gift Vivian gave me!”

The words had barely left his lips when everyone in the private dining room started looking for Leo’s watch. As he searched, he kept muttering: “This was Vivian’s birthday gift to me, over thirty million dollars! I really don’t want to lose it!” Though I had no idea what game he was playing, I just wanted to leave immediately. But as I reached the door, Leo reached out and blocked my way. “Alex, why don’t you let me check your bag? Otherwise, you can’t be cleared of suspicion.” Whether I’d stolen his watch or not, I knew the truth. “I’m tired. Leo, you can find it yourself.” Seeing my insistence on leaving, Leo actually grabbed my bag. In the struggle, the contents of my bag spilled onto the floor. And amidst the scattered items, there truly was a dazzling diamond watch. I stared at the watch in shock, then met Leo’s provocative gaze. “Why are you trying to frame me?” Turning around, I saw everyone behind me looking at me with contempt. Especially Vivian. Her delicate brows were furrowed, her eyes filled with disgust for me. I instinctively tried to explain to her: “I didn’t take this!” But my explanation seemed so weak and pale in the face of such clear “evidence.” Next, Leo picked up the diamond watch. “This watch means so much to me. How could Alex steal it?” “I thought Alex had changed after prison, but I guess not. I don’t think I can work with you anymore…” Leo’s few words made everyone’s faces turn sour. The client manager broke the silence, his voice stern: “Vivian, I think we’ll have to call off this partnership!” With that, he stormed out of the private room with his team. I was about to chase after them to explain, but Vivian shoved me hard. I stumbled backward, hitting the wall. Meeting my incredulous gaze, there was no regret in her eyes. “I can’t believe you’re this kind of person!” “I brought you out tonight, not for you to steal things!” Vivian’s single sentence completely condemned me. Didn’t she know what kind of person I was? Had she forgotten why I went to prison in the first place? Seeing the fury in her eyes, I knew she wouldn’t believe me. I just gave a bitter smile and held out my phone. “Then call the police.” She glanced down at the phone, then looked at me with furrowed brows again, still not moving. The long stare seemed to make me see the woman before me clearly. After a moment, Vivian scoffed, “You’re impossible!” She turned around, carefully put the diamond watch back on Leo’s wrist, and gently coaxed him to leave. In the private room, I was left alone with the messy aftermath. I squatted down, picked up my scattered belongings, and headed straight for the airport without hesitation. Late night at the departure lounge. I had planned to draft my resignation, but I received Vivian’s termination notice first. Her message was laced with anger: [Don’t bother coming to the office anymore. Go home and reflect on yourself!] Seeing her absurd demand, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. Without a second thought, I took a photo of the signed divorce agreement and sent it to her. Along with the text: [Vivian, I wish you and Leo a lifetime of happiness together!] [But first, let’s finalize our divorce, or I’ll sue you for bigamy.] After that message, Vivian started calling me like crazy, as if her life depended on it.

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The first person I saw after regaining consciousness from amnesia was Seraphina Hayes, my mortal enemy. I was about to kick her out when my friend Liam stopped me. “Hold on, Jax. Seraphina is your wife.” I later learned that Seraphina and I had been married for six years, and in our friends’ eyes, we were madly in love. But when I was discharged from the hospital and arrived home, I saw two bodies intertwined on the sofa, making intimate sounds. My wife stammered, “We were just practicing our martial arts.” I didn’t argue with her. After all, I didn’t remember loving her at all. “What are you laughing at?” Seraphina’s flushed face showed a flicker of surprise. Her breathing hadn’t settled, and there were clear hickeys on her neck. Even Caleb hadn’t expected to see such a smile on my face. I hung up on Liam, clearing my throat. “Nothing.” The memories Liam had just recounted quickly flashed through my mind. Apparently, I’d been waiting anxiously for her to come home. So, without much effort, I plastered a surprised look on my face. “Honey, you’re finally back.” In reality, my gaze swept over Seraphina and Caleb, and my heart was doing a little dance of joy. Seraphina, a known germaphobe, was allowing this man to touch her so intimately. Looks like they were seriously involved. Seeing their clasped hands, and Seraphina’s protective expression, as if she feared I’d hurt him, filled me with immense satisfaction. This was exactly how it should be. The version of me from ten years ago, who was supposed to marry her, must have been an idiot. Now, I only hoped they’d be deeply in love and have a kid soon. Seraphina’s expression softened. She instructed the secretary standing behind her, “See? I told you, Jax loves me so much, he wouldn’t get mad over something so trivial. It was just a trick to get me to come home. Chloe, go buy some toiletries for the house, for Caleb to use.” My eyes lit up when I heard Seraphina wanted Caleb to move in. Was this really happening? Chloe, my trusted secretary, shot me a worried glance. “Mr. Hayes just got out of the hospital after a car accident. Isn’t having Caleb move in a bit insensitive to his feelings?” Seraphina glanced at me, explaining impatiently, “Caleb tripped on the way here tonight, and it’s dark. I don’t feel comfortable letting him go home alone. You’re not that unreasonable, are you, Jax?” I fought to keep the corners of my mouth from curving up to my ears, cleared my throat, and feigned calmness. “It’s fine.” Caleb secretly smirked, leaning into Seraphina’s shoulder. “Wow, you guys live so nicely. I’ve never seen a house this big.” I gave him a strange look. “What can you do if you can’t afford it? I bought all of this myself.” Seraphina, hearing this, paused. She whispered to me, “I’ve been so neglectful lately, haven’t given you a gift in ages. I’ll go with you tomorrow to pick out a new SUV.” “No need.” I’d feel dirty just accepting it from her. Seraphina frowned. “Why are you so…?” The word ‘obedient’ was still on her tongue, but I quickly glared, afraid she’d realize my amnesia. “Go with your little lover, then.” Her expression relaxed, and she let out a low chuckle, her arm naturally wrapping around my waist. “I know you’re jealous, but there’s really nothing going on between him and me…” Her touch made goosebumps erupt on my skin. I used two fingers to gently push her away. Her face changed. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Before I could come up with an excuse, I heard Caleb call out, “Seraphina, how do you turn on this shower?” She rushed over. “Don’t move, the floor’s slippery. Let me do it.” I seized the chance to slip back into my room and lock the door. The world finally went quiet.

When Liam called again, he was fuming. “This is too much! She made so many vows and did so many good things to marry you. And it’s only been a few years, and she’s already bringing a lover into your house!” I felt a pang of curiosity. “What did she do?” From Liam’s account, it was hard to reconcile this deeply devoted woman with the arch-nemesis I remembered. He said ten years ago, Seraphina and I had a huge fight over a project and both fell from a rooftop. She only needed stitches, but I broke bones and got an infection, ending up in the ICU. During that month I battled death in the ICU, Seraphina stayed outside my door, her palms raw and bleeding from clenching them, her eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep, refusing to leave. She croaked that she’d had a revelation; facing life and death, she realized how much time she’d wasted competing with me all those years. If fate gave her another chance, she would never let go. I woke up. This woman, always so proud and stubborn, never shedding a tear, publicly sobbed, holding onto me, and no one could pull her away. At the same time, she reined in all her temper, readily giving up the project. From then on, she never interfered with anything related to me. She even picked up a pan, despite never having done housework, just to cook for me and help me recover after surgery, wanting to make sure I was well-fed. Her previous string of rumored boyfriends also disappeared completely. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for my new company, she publicly swore that she would only love me for the rest of her life, and any man had to speak to her from at least ten feet away. She even fired people for it; any man who dared to approach her within ten feet was mercilessly dismissed, causing a huge scandal. Everyone knew this unattainable woman had changed her entire demeanor for me, loving me to her very core. Listening to all this, I felt a strange sense of irony. All I remembered was that Seraphina and I had been sworn enemies since childhood. If I got first place, she’d pour ink on my textbook; I’d retaliate by tearing up her class notes. During the joint final exams, she deliberately spread rumors about my mother’s affair, trying to mess with my head. I, in turn, brought her illegitimate half-sister over and had her call Seraphina “big sis,” turning Seraphina’s face green with rage. Things didn’t improve after graduation. Any field we entered quickly devolved into a bitter rivalry between us. We briefly became entangled during one of our toxic battles. We’d scream at each other in the office, and then, somehow, one of us would kiss the other, and that kiss would spiral out of control. When I got out of bed, I’d mock her, calling her boring, and she’d calmly retort that I wasn’t much of a catch either. But our encounters grew more and more frequent. She never said “we’re together,” nor did she mention “love.” Only on Valentine’s Day would she awkwardly send a single rose, with a card simply inscribed, “To my boyfriend.” When she was mad at me, she’d embrace a starlet and passionately kiss them by the fountain, her eyes constantly darting to me. I’d find it amusing, pull a pretty waitress close, wrap my arm around her waist, and enjoy her blushing cheeks, all while listening to the sound of breaking glasses from below. I never intended to be with Seraphina. I always thought we were like two fierce wild animals, sparking off each other to release tension, but without much real affection between us. So, reverting to the stage where I hated her, and finding out she had a new lover, felt incredibly satisfying.

I told Liam, “I’m getting a divorce.” “Divorce?” Liam didn’t believe me. “You love her so much, you’d actually get a divorce?” Liam’s conviction that I loved her to my core made no sense to me. From his account, Seraphina had indeed been very good to me, but I wasn’t someone who would be moved by such things. Was there something else going on? The next morning, I drafted a divorce agreement. Seraphina’s face darkened. “I just let him stay one night, and you’re already planning a divorce?” I stared at her in surprise. “You two were making so much noise last night. Aren’t you into each other? I’m just giving you my blessing.” For some reason, Seraphina’s expression worsened. She snatched the divorce agreement, tearing it to shreds. Then she pinned me against the door, her grip on my wrist painfully tight. “Remember this: the only way we part is if one of us dies, not divorce.” I slapped her across the face. “You’re crazy.” “Morning.” Caleb emerged from the bedroom, wearing Seraphina’s bathrobe, his neck covered in red marks from their night of pleasure. “It’s a bit warm,” Caleb said, deliberately pulling down his collar to expose a large patch of hickey-marked skin on his chest. He was expecting to see a defeated look on my face, but I simply walked over and pulled his robe up. “Chest muscles are so small, maybe keep them covered. Otherwise, people might think you’re malnourished.” Caleb’s face fell, and he instinctively looked at Seraphina. Seraphina grabbed my arm. “Apologize.” I thought to myself, I’m just stating facts, but I didn’t want to argue with them. So I casually gestured around the house. “Pick anything you want. Consider it my apology gift.” Caleb scanned the room, then pointed to a ring. “I want that one.” In the jewelry cabinet, there were hundreds of luxury watches and exquisite, opulent pieces, yet he precisely picked out Seraphina’s and my wedding ring. Seraphina looked at me. The housekeeper couldn’t help but interject, “That’s a very precious item. Perhaps you should choose something else?” But I walked over. “It’s fine. Take this one.” As an amnesiac, I only found the ring vaguely familiar, but I had no idea what it was for. I had so many pieces of jewelry; one less wouldn’t hurt. So I took the ring out of the cabinet and tossed it to him carelessly. Seraphina’s expression, however, was as if I’d committed a grave error. “You’re just giving it away like that?” I blinked uncomprehendingly. “Is it something really valuable?” She met my indifferent gaze, then gritted her teeth in anger. “Of course not.” She personally placed the ring on Caleb’s finger, intertwining their fingers. “Keep it safe.” After that, she started to lead Caleb away. The housekeeper reminded her again, “Today is Mr. Hayes’s birthday.” Seraphina and I both froze. Caleb feigned sadness. “You should go spend your birthday with Jax. Even though I’ve been looking forward to this cruise with you for months, I’m not that important.” Seraphina turned to me. “Caleb’s been looking forward to this for a long time. We’ve had so many birthdays, one day won’t make a difference. Don’t be petty.” I nodded. She frowned, sensing something was off, but before she could figure it out, Caleb pulled her away. I, meanwhile, called Liam to ask him to tell me how many businesses I owned in the present. After all, ten years ago, I was a total workaholic; compared to a cheating wife, I was much more interested in my career. Satisfied to learn I still had quite a few assets, I dragged my left leg and right arm, both in casts, out the door to inspect my businesses. However, my good fortune didn’t last long. Seraphina’s call came through, and she immediately launched into an accusation. “What did you do to Caleb? I’m telling you, if anything happens to him, you and I are through!”

I was baffled. “I’m at my office drinking coffee. You’re the one who took him on a cruise. If he’s missing, you should be asking yourself, not me.” Her voice was chilling. “Of course. Even if you’re not physically present, you still have a hundred ways to make someone disappear, don’t you?” A group of thugs suddenly burst into my office and dragged me away without a word. When the sack over my head was finally removed, I found myself on a cruise ship. Caleb, bruised and battered, was clinging to Seraphina, looking utterly helpless. “Honey, I was so scared. Someone tied my hands and feet, attached a rock to me, and just threw me into the ocean. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably be dead right now.” From his dramatic recount, I learned he’d been kidnapped and thrown into the sea. Luckily, Seraphina had arrived just in time to rescue him. And they both believed I was behind it. “I already explained why I couldn’t spend your birthday with you. Why can’t you just leave him alone? He’s never been on a cruise since he was a kid, and he’d been looking forward to this day for so long.” Seraphina glared at me, her eyes churning with disappointment and fury. I met her gaze. “It wasn’t me. What makes you so sure it was?” “If not you, then who? We bought this cruise ship together, and only you and I have the keys. Are you going to say Caleb just opened the door himself and let the culprit in?” I thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled. “You’re right. It was me.” My blunt admission stunned both Seraphina and Caleb. “After all, I’m jealous that he gets to be intimate with you, and what if he tries to replace me? As long as I’m your husband, I won’t let him off easy. This time, it was just a little dip in the ocean. Next time…” I deliberately paused, my gaze sweeping over his terrified face, my voice soft yet icy, “I guarantee it’ll be a one-hit kill.” She stared at me. “You’re a lunatic.” I scoffed. “Just some low-class fling who thinks a few nights in bed mean he can take over? I have plenty more tricks up my sleeve. Just wait.” Seraphina lunged forward, her hand swinging hard across my face. Then she grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up. I glared back, my cheek burning. Yes, this was more like us. She slammed a document down in front of me. “Sign this.” It was a divorce agreement. My eyebrow twitched. The person who, just this morning, declared “only death, no divorce,” was quick to change her tune. I signed it. But as I wrote my name, even without my memories, a familiar pang of pain and self-mockery welled up from deep within, a bitter taste spreading on my tongue. The emotion vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by a surge of joy. I was happily clutching the divorce agreement, ready to leave, when Seraphina grabbed my wrist. “You think it’s that easy to walk away?” “We’re divorced. What else do you want?” “You said you have plenty of tricks up your sleeve. How about you try mine first?” She forced a smile, but there was no warmth in her eyes. “Throw him into the ocean.” I looked up in shock. “Are you crazy? I’ll die in there.” She ignored me, gave the order, and disappeared into the cabin. I wanted to swear. After all, both my hands and feet were in casts; there was no way I could swim to shore. I was roughly bound, my hands and feet tied, and a heavy stone was even secured to my ankle. Caleb slowly approached, his earlier helplessness gone. He leaned in, whispering in my ear with a smirk, “Jax, you’ve held Seraphina’s spot for too long. It’s my turn now. I was wondering how to get rid of you, but you practically delivered yourself.” “Do I have a grudge against you?” He didn’t answer, just gave me a gentle push. Water rushed into my mouth, nose, and limbs. The wounds on my body stung with agonizing pain from the seawater. I struggled frantically, but the stone dragged me deeper into the ocean, the oxygen growing thinner and thinner. My consciousness faded. Then, a graceful figure approached me in the gloom. A soft, cold pair of lips pressed against mine, giving me a breath of oxygen.

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I knew Serena Harding’s wild reputation before our marriage of convenience. After we tied the knot, nothing changed. At the gala, she arrived arm-in-arm with another man. He even held up my wedding ring to humiliate me. “Serena bought this for you? What a loser.” My mother, Eleanor, nearly fainted. I stayed calm. “An arranged marriage isn’t about love.” Since Serena only enjoys sleeping around, then as her husband, I should take over Harding Industries. Mom stood frozen, clearly surprised by my unusual calmness. Curious gazes kept landing on me, waiting for me to punch the pretty boy and ruin the gala. I merely shifted my gaze indifferently and told my mother, “Focus on what you can control. You should go rest in the back.” Convinced at last I wasn’t unraveling, she gave a tight nod. “You know your mind. I trust you.” Turning back, Serena and Caleb Vance were already walking towards me, arm-in-arm. Caleb provocatively extended his hand, displaying the wedding ring. “Hello there, guest.” The word “guest” hung in the air, drawing everyone’s attention. Everyone at this gala was a Harding family friend or relative. Who didn’t know that Serena and I had been married for ten years, making me an undisputed Harding? A smirk touched Serena’s lips. Her gaze swung pointedly to my mother, who was about to leave. “This is my new secretary. He’s not intimidated by any occasion. Quite bold, isn’t he?” “Indeed, very bold. Daring to come to a place like this.” Mom’s face completely darkened. She never imagined Serena could be this outrageous, openly parading her boy toy in front of her mother-in-law. My eyes turned cold. “Serena, that’s enough.” I could tolerate Serena’s scandalous behavior around me because it brought me tangible benefits. But I would never allow her to involve my mother. After all, Mom had truly loved Serena like a daughter. Serena, however, scoffed, then smiled playfully at my mother. “I heard Liam’s dad used to hire a lot of secretaries, almost leading to a divorce with you. But don’t worry, I won’t be that outrageous. As long as Liam is obedient, he’ll always be the Harding family’s live-in husband.” The fact that my father, Richard Miller, nearly divorced my mother because of his affairs was a perpetual pain for Mom and a shadow over my childhood. Because I deeply loved Serena, ten years ago, when her family was on the verge of bankruptcy, I brought in billions in funding and married into the Harding family. Yet, she was now recounting my father’s scandal as if it were a joke. A profound chill superseded the pain of betrayal. Caleb suddenly stepped between my mother and me, winking playfully. “Just be a good little lapdog.” Serena affectionately stroked Caleb’s hand. “You’re so naughty.” Serena’s attitude was clear for all to see, and everyone’s gaze turned contemptuous as they looked at me. “Liam, that live-in husband gig must be so humiliating.” “Husband? More like soon to be replaced. Maybe it’ll be Caleb.” Serena ignored everyone, only looking at the person who mentioned Caleb. “Caleb is my kept man. I just happen to be particularly fond of him right now, that’s all.” The entire gala fell silent. Even though I was prepared, my heart still lurched. “Nonsense!” A thunderous, authoritative shout rang out. Mr. Harding, Serena’s grandfather, slammed his cane heavily against the floor. “Serena Harding, I think you’ve had too much to drink!” With that single sentence, he dismissed Serena’s behavior as drunken ramblings. I didn’t cause a scene as I had in the past, nor did I demand Mr. Harding intervene on my behalf. I simply calmly averted my gaze. Everyone was puzzled by my unexpected compliance until, after the gala, a contract worth ten billion dollars was placed before me. “Today’s incident was Serena’s fault. Consider this my compensation to you, and a repayment for your kindness to the Harding family ten years ago.” Ten years ago, the Harding family was manipulated and nearly went bankrupt. As the only son of Miller Enterprises, I still married into Serena’s family. But on our wedding night, I was kidnapped by Serena’s enemies. For three agonizing days, I suffered unspeakable injuries before being dumped in the busiest, most bustling street. She begged me on her knees, tears streaming down her face. “I will get revenge for you!” “My life is yours forever.” But a life is the cheapest thing; after all, she wouldn’t truly die for me. After the incident, humiliating photos of me were circulated widely online. Initially, Serena, fueled by anger, used the money I provided to rebuild her business. She not only reclaimed everything she had lost but also sent everyone who had harmed me to prison. Those shameful photos were completely deleted, and she strictly forbade anyone from ever discussing the incident. To defy her was to incur the wrath of the entire Harding family. But at some point, the story of my humiliation began to resurface within elite circles. Some even dared to ask Serena to her face if she had married a useless failure. I had just discovered the possibility of IVF using my sperm and wanted to share this joy with Serena. Though we could be intimate, my sperm couldn’t naturally fertilize her. Serena had wanted a child for many years, and I wanted to make her wish come true. Through a closed door, I overheard her coldly warning someone. “What’s there to talk about with an incompetent good-for-nothing?” She didn’t defend me as she used to, nor did she deny the “useless failure” remark. Her tone conveyed clear annoyance at being embarrassed. That seemingly casual remark was enough to make me faint from anger. Serena took me to the hospital, and the doctor on duty happened to be Caleb Vance. The moment he saw Serena, he gasped in surprise. “Is that really you!? Long time no see!”

As soon as he said that, his eyes welled up. “My sister was wrong back then. Although she’s paid the price, I still want to apologize to you on her behalf.” I looked at Serena, puzzled, but she just smiled and said, “It’s fine, it’s all in the past. You were just a kid ten years ago.” A terrifying suspicion formed in my mind. Before I could ask, Serena pushed me into the examination room. As soon as I pulled my pants back on, I heard Caleb speaking with a troubled tone to Serena. “Your husband… he has STDs, including genital warts…” Serena froze. “That’s impossible. He’s been faithful for ten years of our marriage, and I’m the only woman he’s ever been with…” “That’s not necessarily true. Men have many ways to find mistresses. You don’t have a tracking device on him, do you?” I stared at him coldly, demanding his evidence, but he just looked at Serena, aggrieved. “I’m a doctor. I have no conflict of interest with you. I’m just telling you his condition as it is. Why would I lie?” I clearly saw the name on Caleb’s ID badge pinned to his chest. I suddenly remembered the group of people who had harmed me ten years ago. Their leader was named Mara Vance. Ten years ago, her brother would have been just a teenager! So he escaped involvement. But Serena had explicitly told me she’d sent all the culprits’ families abroad to prevent me from remembering the past trauma. How could I be seeing Caleb at the hospital? I looked at Serena in disbelief, asking for her explanation. I wanted her to clarify Caleb’s identity and also to know if she believed his nonsense. But she merely smiled faintly and embraced me. “Alright, alright. No matter what illness you have, you’ll always be my husband.” Facing my shocked expression, Serena pulled me to leave. “The young boy is inexperienced and probably misdiagnosed. No big deal, don’t dwell on it.” From that moment on, my love for Serena abruptly cooled. Even my formerly strong possessiveness vanished. “Fine.” Thereafter, Serena began taking Caleb to all sorts of events. She even handed over all medical equipment deals to him. Even when it resulted in losses of hundreds of millions, she would calmly say, “He’s young and too naive. It’s normal for him to mess up.” But I discovered that all that lost money had ended up in the account of Vance Industries, the group Caleb was affiliated with. Caleb was not as naive as Serena claimed. Originally, I had no intention of dealing with Caleb, but now he was impacting my interests. In fact, he and I had the same goal. So, I couldn’t allow Caleb to stay. That was the first time I willingly cleaned up Serena’s mess, taking over the projects Caleb had botched and accepting responsibility. Serena wasn’t surprised; in fact, she seemed quite pleased. “It seems I spoiled you too much before. You’re much more agreeable now that you’re obedient and sensible.” She leaned in and kissed the tip of my nose. “I hope you’ll always be this obedient. Although you were harmed ten years ago because of me, it was truly humiliating. Losing all your manly dignity… My willingness to let you marry into my family and endure for ten years has already been a privilege.” As if realizing her words were too harsh, she pulled out an aquamarine wristwatch. “Take it. Caleb is too young for this old-fashioned color, but it suits your age perfectly, making you look more dignified and composed.” Having been in the business world for years, there was no way I couldn’t hear Serena’s subtle dig, implying I was too old and only fit for an ‘old-man’s watch.’ Yet, I accepted it with a smile. “Whatever makes you happy.” The old me would have tossed and turned for nights, anxious about whether I was truly getting old, because of Serena’s words. But now, all I cared about was whether this watch could be sold for ten million or twenty million. Let Serena play. The happier she was, the more she’d forget. And the more she’d forget, the more I would take. A wise man doesn’t chase a straying wife. He secures her assets. Serena was expendable. Harding Industries was not. After all, this was a company built on the blood and sweat of Miller Enterprises. I took the ten-billion-dollar contract Mr. Harding had given me and knocked on his office door. “Mr. Harding, since I married into the Harding family, I am a Harding. This contract is compensation for Miller Enterprises, and I don’t need it.” His eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t expected me to refuse the contract outright. “Your Miller family has been on the decline these past few years, with a market value of only a few billion last year. Are you sure you don’t want this contract?” Even though I had been married into Serena’s family for so long, Mr. Harding had never truly regarded me as a Harding, always fearing I would betray the family’s interests. I looked at him sincerely. “It would be a lie to say I’m not tempted. But as I just said, I married into Serena’s family, so I am a Harding. How could I take Harding assets to benefit Miller Enterprises? I’m not like those confused fools..” Mr. Harding’s eyes flashed with approval. “Alright, if that’s your position, then you deserve a proper stake.” “A Harding should hold Harding stock. The board convenes at month’s end. Be ready. You’ll have my vote.”

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My company just got dragged online by an intern. She ranted, claiming we weren’t the most employee-friendly place everyone talked about, and that we didn’t even offer free housing. But my company gives out over $5,000 in monthly allowances for housing and transportation! I immediately called a meeting, asking if anyone had issues with our company benefits. Chloe Jensen, the new intern, loudly declared: “If you want to build an employee-friendly company, you should cover all our living expenses, including housing and meals, and even send drivers to shuttle us to and from work every day!” My existing employees then started threatening to quit. But after I accepted their resignations, why were they all crying, begging to come back? Seeing that long string of complaints and insults, I finally knew for sure. The person who posted it was Chloe, the company’s newest intern. Because “Firefly” was the name I gave to the company. That post sparked a ton of comments. 【OMG! It’s Firefly Corp! My friends and I have always wanted to work there. I heard their benefits are amazing, like a four-day work week!】 Chloe replied: 【You’re so naive. A four-day work week? You’ll be working until midnight every single day, and then you won’t be so excited.】 【No way! Firefly Corp is famous for its perks. My company only gives two hundred for car allowance, Firefly probably gives two thousand!】 Chloe argued: 【Well, what if you live far from the company? Two thousand might sound like a lot, but it won’t buy back your wasted time!】 That person was instantly swayed, thinking Chloe had a point. Then someone else commented: 【I heard a rumor that the Firefly boss is a rich kid, just treating it like a fun little project.】 I don’t know where this person heard that rumor. But she wasn’t wrong. My family is loaded. Like, super loaded. I could literally do nothing for ten lifetimes and still be set. I was just bored, so I started this company. Honestly, I never aimed to build an empire. I just wanted to create an extremely employee-friendly company, so I set the benefits really high. We worked two days, took one off, then worked two days, and took two off. It basically averaged out to a four-day work week. Not only that, our allowances for housing and transportation were at least five thousand. If anyone struggled with rent, they could even get that five thousand bucks in advance. Whenever I wanted an afternoon coffee, everyone always got their own. Holidays, festivals, employee birthdays? Those went without saying. I’d prepare all sorts of surprises and gifts for everyone. More than working, I actually enjoyed doing all this stuff. So, even if everyone just chilled, I could still keep them all afloat. However, because the company benefits were so generous, the employees felt incredibly guilty. So, to repay me, they worked even harder. Three years in, I hadn’t just avoided losses; I’d even made a significant profit. Even my own family was a little surprised. That’s why I stuck with it for three years. But the internet didn’t see it that way. The comments under Chloe’s post almost turned into a full-blown argument. 【Oh, so it’s run by a rich kid? No wonder! She probably has no idea how to manage a company, just out here slumming it!】 【This company hasn’t gone bankrupt yet, probably because her family’s loaded!】 【No wonder her company’s benefits are so good, but no employees ever brag about them online. Who knows if they’re genuinely good or just a facade.】 【The person above just hit the nail on the head! If you ask me, working at a company like that is the scariest. If you piss off the boss, you’ll never find another job!】 I pursed my lips, feeling a moment of silence. Could it be that people didn’t post online because they didn’t want to attract too much competition? After all, my company had incredibly stable staff. In three years, I could count on one hand the number of people who voluntarily left. I didn’t comment. I just forwarded the post to our company’s WhatsApp group. I wanted to see Chloe’s reaction.

After I shared the link, the group chat went silent for over half an hour. Then, the first reply finally popped up. It was from Chloe. 【Yeah, I posted it. So what? I’m just reasonably raising a discussion!】 Raising a discussion was fine, but she was completely making things up. I couldn’t be bothered to argue with her, so I just typed out a message. 【Meeting tomorrow morning at 9 AM to sort this out completely!】 I thought I’d made myself clear enough earlier that day. I wasn’t against providing housing. I just wanted them to discuss it, give me a unified answer, and then I’d make arrangements. Who knew they’d still have issues? And I subtly noticed that while other employees hadn’t spoken up, they probably had their own doubts stirring. We’d worked together for so long; I knew them too well. If this had been before, no matter what I posted in the group chat, everyone would have responded enthusiastically. It looked like Chloe hadn’t just stirred up trouble behind my back; she’d actually succeeded. The next day, when I walked into the conference room, everyone was already there. The atmosphere was totally different from yesterday. I walked to the front, hands braced on the table, before I even had a chance to speak. Then I heard a voice from below. “Seraphina, have you figured out how to solve this yet?” I followed the voice and saw Chloe looking at me with a confident smirk. For a moment, I couldn’t tell if she was just being impulsively young or if she had deliberately come to the company to cause trouble. I ignored her, just giving her a quick glance before looking away. I asked the other employees, “What are your thoughts?” The air was silent for a few seconds before Maria Rodriguez, one of my older employees, spoke up. “Seraphina, I actually think covering housing would be much more convenient. Chloe might be young, but her point is valid!” “We never thought of it before, but since Chloe brought it up, I support it.” I nodded, acknowledging her. I recalled that when Maria first came for her interview, I’d asked her why she left her previous job. I found out she was a driven career woman whose family responsibilities had held back her career, making it hard to find a job later. So, I hired her. For the past three years, she’d been so dedicated and hardworking, always grateful for the opportunity I gave her. This was probably the first time she’d ever voiced a dissenting opinion. Right after, I heard another employee, David Miller, speak up: “Yeah! Last month, my landlord decided to take back the apartment, and I had to quickly find a new place and move. If the company covered housing, that wouldn’t happen.” With a first speaker, others started voicing their opinions freely. “I agree too! That way we wouldn’t have any worries and could just focus on our work!” As everyone spoke, I faintly sensed Chloe’s defiant stare. It wasn’t until most others had spoken that Ashley Chen and Brianna Lopez, sitting in the corner, stood up and said: “Seraphina, we don’t have any issues. We’re happy to follow the company’s arrangements.” These two employees had only joined last year. Because of their introverted personalities, they’d struggled to find jobs. They weren’t great at expressing themselves publicly, but their messages to me were always full of gratitude. To say I didn’t feel a drop in my heart in this situation would be a lie. But these two, right now, comforted me. My mind gradually calmed down. Again, before I could speak, Chloe snapped impatiently: “Are you guys stupid?! We’re fighting for our own interests! Ugh, seriously!” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at Chloe. She was a fresh college graduate. A week ago, during her interview, my impression of her was “sweet and well-behaved.” I never expected her true colors to show so quickly. I gave a faint smile and said calmly: “Since you’ve all unified your opinions, we’ll implement it starting next month. From now on, the company will provide all-inclusive housing and transportation, and the housing and car allowances will be canceled.” I was granting their wish, yet their faces changed the moment they heard that.

I didn’t pay it any mind, just saying: “If there’s nothing else, the meeting’s dismissed.” I waited two seconds. When no one spoke, I prepared to leave the conference room first. However, just as I reached the door. I heard Chloe’s voice behind me again. “Seraphina, what’s the meaning of this? Are you trying to threaten us by canceling the allowances?” I looked at her strangely, feeling a hint of confusion. “Where did you get that idea from?” The next second, her tone became righteous. “If you weren’t trying to threaten us, why would you cancel the housing and car allowances?” For a moment, I didn’t grasp the hidden meaning in her words. I instinctively replied, “Didn’t you all want housing provided?” “Just because you’re providing housing, you’re canceling all those benefits? Aren’t you a rich kid? How can you be so cheap!” Hearing the accusation and resentment in her voice, I almost laughed. If I still didn’t understand what she meant now, I’d truly be a complete pushover. I glanced around, and everyone else had the same approving look on their faces. So, after all this, they wanted both? They wanted the $5,000 in allowances, AND they wanted all-inclusive housing and transportation. What kind of fantasy world were they living in? If they weren’t going to respect me, I didn’t need to indulge them. My whole life, even my parents never made me feel this way. Now I’m the boss, and I have to put up with my employees’ attitudes? What kind of nonsense was that? I tossed the stack of contracts onto the table and said to them coldly: “You want me to cover housing and transportation, and you want the allowances? Are you too naive, or am I too stupid?” “You’ve worked at so many companies; I just want to ask, which one had benefits as good as mine? And now you’re being manipulated by an intern? It’s laughable!” Seeing my anger, their faces finally showed a hint of guilt. It seems I’d been too nice, making them think I had no backbone. No one else dared to speak, but Chloe wasn’t afraid of me. She continued to challenge me: “It’s just five thousand bucks, right? Do you really need to be like this? It’s not like you’re short on five thousand!” “Or is your ‘rich kid’ status fake?” I didn’t understand where her malice towards me came from. But I wasn’t going to investigate. Whether it was just youthful impulsiveness or jealousy, she wasn’t important to me. So, I didn’t need her approval, nor did I need to explain anything to her. I gave her a long, hard look, then concluded: “Since you’re not genuinely trying to secure benefits for yourselves, then this matter is closed. We’ll stick to the original arrangements, and I will no longer accept any further requests on this topic.” After that, I shifted my gaze back to Chloe. My voice carried a warning: “Instead of wasting your time trying to stir up trouble here, you should focus on passing your internship. If you don’t pass, the company’s benefits, no matter how good, mean nothing to you!” Chloe’s face paled, likely realizing my unspoken threat. I smirked internally, then turned back to the others. “If you’re not satisfied with the company’s benefits, you’re free to resign and seek better opportunities. I won’t stop you!” “But if you continue to cause trouble in my company, don’t blame me for getting serious!” After that, when I left, no one dared to stop me. However, no one came to resign until closing time. I didn’t bother with it, leaving the office and heading home. Who knew that same evening, I casually checked the post and found Chloe had updated it again. This time, the content read: 【She’s just some mistress being kept by an old man! No wonder she’s so cheap, looks like her sugar daddy isn’t giving her much!】

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The moment Lilian’s knife plunged into my abdomen, the live stream chat was flooded with comments like, “True love wins all.” In my past life, I tried to stop my sister, Lilian, from being a surrogate for a gay couple, and she stabbed me to death. Reborn, I fully supported her surrogacy plan. Simultaneously, I exposed Kevin Davis’s STD records and Ryan Hayes’s fraud evidence to the entire internet. They went live to slander me; I released all our SnapChat messages. They pleaded with me to delete the posts; I used my financial leverage to permanently ban them. When Lilian, touching her pregnant belly, asked me why I saved her in the shelter, I sneered, “Because your miserable life has just begun…” 1 I lay on the ground, blood gurgling in my throat, choking my screams. My phone lay three steps away, its screen still bright – Lilian’s TikTok live stream was ongoing, viewers rapidly surpassing a hundred thousand. “Alright, everyone, watch closely!” my sister Lilian’s voice blared from the phone speaker. “This is what happens when you stand in the way of true love!” The camera shook, then focused on my convulsing body. The comments scrolled wildly: [Holy crap, is this for real?] [Must be a script? That blood bag looks so fake] [Call 911, hurry!] I tried to lift my hand to switch off the live stream, but Kevin’s foot pressed down on my wrist. The man, a former fitness instructor, loomed over me. The tiger head tattoo on his arm glowed a sickly greenish-black under the emergency light of the stairwell. “Anna, don’t blame me,” Lilian crouched down, her face close to the camera. Her colored contacts gleamed unnaturally bright in the dim light. “Kevin and Ryan’s love is the purest thing in the world. They just want a child, why did you have to stop them?” I wanted to say it was illegal, that surrogacy in California required legal procedures, that they couldn’t even provide basic financial stability for her – but blood blocked my windpipe, and I could only make rasping sounds. “You always know everything, don’t you?” Lilian’s face hardened. “Silicon Valley elite, data expert, a hundred and fifty thousand a year – so what? But do you understand love? Do you understand the courage of two men who stand together against the whole world?” Kevin pulled the knife out. I convulsed again. The live stream viewership surpassed two hundred thousand. “This blood is real!” Lilian shrieked at the camera, a bizarre excitement in her voice. “See? This is the price of prejudice! Kevin, give her another one!” The second knife plunged into my abdomen. I heard the live stream notification sound from my phone – TikTok officially issued a violent content warning. But it was too late. Lilian’s face twisted and distorted in my fading vision. She transformed from the little girl who used to follow me around asking for candy, into this stranger, crazed by her idea of “LGBTQ+ love.” Mom and Dad always said, “You’re the older sister, you have to let your sister have her way” – so I gave up my college tuition, gave up internship opportunities, gave up the share of affection that should have been mine. And this was what I got in return. Finally, someone in the comments recognized the address. I heard sirens wailing in the distance. Kevin panicked: “Lilian, the police…” “Don’t be scared!” My sister gripped his hand. “Our love will be remembered by history! You bitch, remember this – you forced our hand!” She kissed Kevin in front of the camera, my blood staining her lips. The sirens grew louder, but I couldn’t hear them anymore. One last thought, like a sharpened steel spike, jabbed into my mind: If there’s a next life, Lilian, I will personally send you to the hell you crave. 2 The day after Lilian moved in with Kevin and Ryan, I did three things. First, I liquidated my assets. Five years in Silicon Valley, after-tax savings of two hundred eighty-seven thousand dollars. The thought of buying a house, which I had in my previous life, was completely extinguished. I found a lawyer specializing in high-net-worth clients and established an irrevocable trust fund, removing Lilian’s name from all beneficiary lists. Second, I forged documents. Not fraud charges, that was too crude. I had my lawyer draft a Temporary Restraining Order for Domestic Violence, citing Lilian’s repeated threats to “sabotage my career and social standing, aiming to coerce me into supporting her financially.” The document date was left blank, and the signature line empty. Third, I contacted Simon Smith. His private assistant replied to my encrypted email: “Mr. Smith looks forward to meeting you tomorrow morning at ten AM at the Fairmont Hotel.” I finished these tasks by seven AM on Thursday. I changed into a Theory suit and drove to work. “Anna, did you check Slack?” Jackie slid her chair over the moment I sat down. She was referring to the “No-Burnout” channel – our team’s anonymous venting space. I shook my head, opening my phone. 99+ unread messages. At the top was an encrypted link from Mark, with just one word: WTF. I clicked it. It required two-factor authentication. The page loaded for five seconds, then a photo popped up. A hotel suite in San Francisco. On the carpet, a dozen naked male bodies were tangled together, like failed exhibits of modern art. Faces were blurred, but body details were sickeningly clear. I was about to close it when my gaze snagged on the bottom right. A man’s arm rested on the sofa armrest, a tiger head tattoo, with the letters “KR” – Kevin and Ryan’s initials – inked below it. The tattoo’s position, size, and color were identical to the one I last saw before I died. My heart slammed against my ribs. I clenched my phone, my knuckles white. “Scared you, didn’t it?” Jackie whispered. “Mark said it blew up on some anonymous forum he follows last night. They say it was a private party in the Bay Area’s queer community, someone secretly recorded and sold it.” “Which hotel?” “The St. Regis, the one in Union Square.” She leaned closer. “Heard some married guys were there, and a fitness instructor who sells videos on OnlyFans…” I took a screenshot, zoomed in. There was a small mole next to the tiger head tattoo, in the exact same spot. Heh, Kevin. The man who stabbed me in the stomach in my previous life was now entangled with a dozen men on camera in this one. “Did the police get involved?” I asked, my voice surprisingly calm. “The forum admin deleted the post, but it’s already spread,” Jackie sniffed. “What do these people even think they’re doing? Aren’t they afraid of getting sick?” I closed the page and opened the tracking software on my computer. This was an internal company tool, used to analyze user behavior data – theoretically strictly forbidden for private use. But rules were made for those who followed them. I typed in keywords: Kevin, fitness instructor, San Francisco, tiger head tattoo. Three seconds later, the system returned 17 matches. I filtered out the 3 most likely accounts and started scraping data. By ten AM, I had: 1. Kevin’s OnlyFans backend data: Monthly income $2,800, 57% from married male users. 2. His Grindr login records: Login locations over the past three months included the St. Regis Hotel, Ryan’s apartment, and the address Lilian was currently staying at. 3. Bank statements: Balance $1,207.33, with a $500 expense last week noted as “party ticket.” Ryan’s data was even more interesting. Credit score 582, four credit cards maxed out, and a recent $2,000 transaction – paid to “Bay Area LGBTQ+ Family Legal Consulting,” service item: surrogacy agreement drafting. They’d even found a lawyer. I saved all data to an encrypted hard drive, cleared my browsing history. My phone vibrated then. Lilian sent an ultrasound photo – a blank template found online. Caption: “Anna, I’ve decided, I’m getting the implant next month. Kevin said he’ll take care of me forever.” I replied: “So proud of you.” Then I opened Reddit, registered a new account, username: Truth_Teller_10

My first post was on r/sanfrancisco, title: “Beware of Bay Area LGBTQ+ Surrogacy Scam.” The content was just two sentences: “A gay couple is inducing young women to act as free surrogates. One of the men is involved in multi-person sex parties, with STD transmission risks. More details to follow.” I didn’t post evidence, didn’t mention names, just planted a seed. Three minutes after the post was published, there was one reply: “Do you have specific info? Can contact local LGBTQ+ organizations.” I closed the page. The seed was planted. Now I had to wait for it to sprout, wait for Lilian to get pregnant, wait for Kevin and Ryan to feel they had won. Wait for them to climb the highest ladder. Then I’d kick it out from under them. A calendar reminder popped up in the bottom right corner of my computer screen: “Tomorrow 10:00 AM, Fairmont Hotel, Simon Smith.” I dismissed the reminder and looked out the window. The San Francisco sky was a blinding blue. Last life, you made me bleed to death. This life, I’ll watch you rot away, little by little, in the sunlight. 3 Friday evening at seven, I unlocked my apartment door with my key. Lilian was sitting on my couch. She wore one of Kevin’s old T-shirts, a laptop resting on her lap, the screen displaying a pink-background baby name website. “Anna, transfer twenty thousand dollars to me,” she said without looking up. “Urgent.” I put down my briefcase, deliberately making my tone sound confused: “Didn’t Kevin and Ryan prepare a surrogacy fund for you? Legal surrogacy in California averages a hundred and fifty thousand, they should at least cover medical expenses.” Lilian snapped her head up, her eyes like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. “Our relationship can’t be measured in money! I’m protecting true love, not selling my womb!” “What about your tuition for next semester?” I walked towards the kitchen, pulling sparkling water from the fridge. “San Jose State University, I remember you still have three classes to retake.” “Being pregnant doesn’t affect going to school,” she waved her phone, the screen showing a screenshot of a class schedule. “I’ve arranged everything. Classes in the morning, prenatal education in the afternoon. Kevin says kids with highly educated moms are smarter.” I twisted the cap off the bottle, the carbonation hissing. In my last life, this logic would have made me laugh in anger. This life, I just felt pathetic – she didn’t even realize she was being conned, still helping the fraudsters count their money. “I can’t get twenty thousand,” I said, lying without batting an eye. “The trust fund money is frozen, and this quarter’s company bonus hasn’t been paid yet.” Lilian’s expression froze. “What do you mean? Mom and Dad get half your salary every month, you think I don’t know you have savings?” “That’s pre-tax,” I continued my lie smoothly. “After tax and 401k deductions, I take home less than four thousand a month. Rent is twenty-five hundred, car loan six hundred, the rest barely covers food.” She stared at me for ten seconds, then suddenly laughed. “Fine, then transfer two thousand first. Kevin’s gym commission comes next month, I’ll pay you back then.” I opened Venmo, entered the amount, and wrote “loan” in the memo. When the transfer successful notification sounded, Lilian’s expression relaxed. “Smart girl,” she said, closing her laptop and standing up. “I’m leaving. Implant surgery next week, don’t bother me unless it’s important.” “Do you need me to drive you to the clinic?” “No,” she was already at the door. “Ryan will go with me. He said… this is the first step of their love’s crystallization.” The door closed. I stood in the hallway for two minutes, then picked up my phone and called a cleaning service: “Tomorrow morning at ten, a deep clean of the entire apartment. Sofa, bed sheets, all textiles directly disposed of, expedited service.” Hanging up, I opened my laptop. On the screen was the resignation email I’d written last night – Silicon Valley tech company data security analyst, annual salary $160,000, 401k account balance $87,000. I clicked send. Then I logged into the company server for the last time. My access would expire tomorrow morning at nine; I had fourteen hours. Search keywords: Kevin, St. Regis Hotel, party video. The system brought up seven encrypted files, all sensitive content intercepted by the IT department last night. I downloaded all of them, using my own script to wipe the access records. The third file was the complete video. Twenty-three minutes, high definition, uncensored. I dragged the progress bar, stopping at eighteen minutes and forty-seven seconds – Kevin’s face flashed across the screen, blurry but identifiable. And the tiger head on his arm. I clipped a five-second segment, enhanced its clarity with an algorithm, then opened the three anonymous accounts I’d registered yesterday: Reddit: r/BayArea, title “Union Square Hotel Multi-Person Party Leak, Participants Allegedly Local Fitness Instructor.” I posted only the screenshot, uncensored. TikTok burner account: Uploaded the edited three-second video, face blurred but tattoo clear, caption “Bay Area queer community this wild? #HealthyLiving.” Local Chinese forum: Posted in Google-translated Chinese, title “Warning! Tattooed Man Scamming Girls into Surrogacy,” body text only “DM for details.” It was 9:17 PM when I finished posting. I closed my laptop and packed a suitcase. Not many important things: encrypted hard drive, passport, trust documents, and the envelope Simon Smith’s assistant sent this morning – inside was a photo of my biological mother, Victoria Smith, taken in 1989 in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, seven months pregnant. I touched the woman’s face in the photo. We looked so much alike. At ten sharp, I drove to the Fairmont Hotel. The short-term rental apartment near my former company was forty-two hundred a month, first and last month’s rent upfront. The front desk clerk, a Latina girl, looked at my ID: “Ms. Smith? Your suite is on the top floor.” I swiped my card and entered. Thirty-eighth floor, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire San Francisco night view. I tossed my suitcase in the corner and opened my phone. The Reddit post already had over two hundred comments, the TikTok video had over five thousand views, and someone in the Chinese forum asked: “Is the tattooed guy from that gym near Union Square?” Not enough. I logged into a fourth account and sent an email to the San Francisco Chronicle’s anonymous tip line: “Exclusive tip: Bay Area fitness instructor using OnlyFans income to pay for surrogacy, luring underage fans into multi-person sex parties, evidence attached. His current girlfriend is a San Jose State University dropout, currently planning illegal surrogacy.” Attached were screenshots of Kevin’s bank statements and Lilian’s text message: “Implant surgery next month.” All information was true, all accusations were traceable. I just put them all together. Sent at 11:03 PM. I put down my phone and went into the bathroom for a shower. Hot water streamed over my skin. I closed my eyes, Lilian’s image from my past life, holding her phone and live streaming my death, vivid in my mind. She’d said, “This is sacrificing for love.” Now it’s your turn, sister. Let’s see how much your love is worth.

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My adoptive brother, Landon Hayes, destroyed my piano career and said coldly, “It’s just two fingers. Don’t be so dramatic.” My biological brother, Kai Sterling, shut the door in my face and said, “My greatest wish is that you had never been born.” And my fiancé, Ethan Blackwood, at my lowest point, held another woman’s hand and told me, “She’s the one who was always meant to stand beside me.” Four years later, all three of them stood outside my door, eyes red, asking, “Can we come home?” I smiled. You three were eliminated together a long time ago. Four years later, I saw Kai again at the kindergarten entrance. I was picking up Sophia when a mom next to me suddenly leaned in: “Sophia’s mom, look at that guy across the street. He looks just like that singer… what’s his name again…?” I followed her gaze and saw him. “Kai!” The mom snapped her fingers, “Right, Kai!” I pulled my gaze away. “Don’t know him.” She looked a bit surprised. “You don’t listen to music? Kai! He’s the hottest singer-songwriter these past few years! Won so many awards! “Oh, and honestly, his face, it’s a bit like yours, you’re both so good-looking…” I smiled and shook my head, continuing to walk forward, holding Sophia’s hand. “Serena Sterling.” Suddenly, his voice came from behind me. I ignored him, just kept walking. “Serena Sterling!” Sophia looked up. “Mommy, is that uncle calling you? Why does he call you Serena Sterling?” I shook my head, smiling. “He’s mistaken.” But as we reached the parking lot, just as I was about to open the car door, someone suddenly grabbed my arm. I turned around, and it was a breathless Kai. “Serena, you… you’re actually alive?!” His words were as sharp and venomous as ever. Perhaps he’d run too fast, his eyes were faintly red around the edges.

I dropped Sophia off at the neighbor’s house. Walking back downstairs, Kai stood with his hands in his pockets. “Why are you living in this dump? Where’s your place? I’m coming up to see.” I shook my head. “There’s no need for that.” Four years ago, he himself had said that his only sister was Chloe. He’d also said that calling someone like me a sibling only disgusted him. When I was expelled from the Sterling family, abandoned by Ethan Blackwood, and had nowhere to go, I even thought of finding him, my biological brother. One snowy night, I stood outside his company building all night, nearly frozen solid. But in the end, all I got was him saying his biggest wish was that I had never been his sister. “If you hadn’t been born, Chloe wouldn’t have been swapped, and wouldn’t have suffered so much. “Sister? That’s laughable. The Sterlings don’t want you, and now you’re trying to cash in on our blood ties? “I’d never acknowledge someone like you as my sister.” Only then did I realize that no matter how kind I was to him, he hated me because of Chloe. Now, he still eyed me with a scrutinizing gaze, frowning. “That child of yours, is she Ethan’s? Did you run away just to have his baby?” I was silent for a moment. “She’s my child alone.” He scoffed, a corner of his mouth twisting. “Serena, that kid is a spitting image of him. Do you take me for blind? “You wouldn’t actually think that if you secretly had his child, you could win him back? Are you sick or something… “How pathetic, what an idiot…” “I said, she’s my child alone.” I cut him off. “I never thought of going back to New York, nor did I ever think of using my child to compete with your sister for Ethan. You can rest assured, and you don’t need to be so nasty. “Just like you said back then, apart from blood relation, we’re strangers. I’m not interested in your life now, and I ask you not to meddle in mine.” He froze. “If you have nothing else, please leave.” I turned. “Wait.” To my surprise, he suddenly grabbed me. He opened his mouth, then closed it. “You, you…” I frowned. “What?” “Why… why did you leave back then…?” I looked at him quietly. “You were a pampered heiress who couldn’t do anything. Were a few harsh words really enough to make you play the ‘run away with a baby’ card? “If I hadn’t run into you, how much longer would you have lived this kind of miserable life? And these four years…” He paused. “How… how did you survive?”

I watched his eyes, which were once again turning red at the corners. It was probably out of anger. He likely couldn’t believe I was alive, and my existence was a threat to Chloe’s happiness. How did I survive? Someone else gave their life so I could live. But I had no need to tell him. The old Serena Sterling couldn’t do anything, like a delicate hothouse flower. The current Serena Blackwood had long since stopped crying for help or relying on others. Seeing my silence, he grew anxious. “No, why has your personality become so wishy-washy? Could it be that the massive earthquake in that remote town years ago rattled your brain? “Running off to such a secluded place, it serves you right to face an earthquake.” At that moment, a neighbor walked past and greeted me, “Hey, Serena, not dinner time yet?” I smiled. “Almost.” Kai froze. “You should leave.” I said. But he gripped my arm tightly. “Why did you change your name? Blackwood?! Did you get married? No, whose name is that?” “Whose name it is, is none of your business.” I brushed his hand away, enunciating each word. “What my name is, how I’m living, Kai, has nothing to do with you.”

Kai was a celebrity. He couldn’t afford to be seen wrestling with me in public. I went upstairs, picked up Sophia, and through the hallway window, saw him still standing stunned downstairs. He had never cared about me before, so his current distress was probably just him being unaccustomed to my coldness. After all, four years ago, when I learned about his dream of becoming a musician, a talented artist struggling financially, I had nearly exhausted all my connections in New York just to find him a stage opportunity. Even his current agency, I found the best one for him. He was my biological brother, and he had suffered a lot, so I wanted him to do well. But such genuine efforts were ultimately misunderstood by him as ill intentions, an attempt to use him to isolate Chloe and make her miserable. “Mommy, was that uncle today your family?” I paused, then smiled, stroking Sophia’s head, “No, why would you think that?” “Just a guess. You look alike.” Family. Landon’s face suddenly flashed in my mind. I used to believe that no matter if we were blood-related or not, Landon would always be my brother. But four years ago, as he held Chloe, who had fallen down the stairs, his gaze at me was filled with fury. “Serena Sterling, you truly disappoint me. “From today on, the Sterling family has no place for you, and I have no sister named you. “My only sister is Chloe.” I cried, clutching at his pants, saying I didn’t push Chloe, begging him not to abandon me. But he kicked me away, still carrying Chloe, without a backward glance. I shook my head. “That person isn’t Mommy’s family.” She seemed a little disappointed. “I thought besides Uncle Mason, Mommy had other family.” I smiled and poked her nose. “Mommy has you and Uncle Mason, and that’s enough.” “But Uncle Mason isn’t here anymore…” She pouted, “I miss him so much.” I understood her feelings. But mere disappointment was far better than the heart-wrenching pain of gaining and then losing, of depending and then being torn away. I had experienced it, and I didn’t want my daughter to go through it again. Only I didn’t expect. The next day, I saw Landon.

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My boyfriend Liam said his childhood friend Sarah didn’t have much time left. Her final wish was to be treated like his lover, just once. So he took her to dinner. Stayed overnight. Held her hand. And eventually, slept with her. When I caught them, he wasn’t ashamed. “I just felt sorry for her, I was granting her wish. It doesn’t mean I don’t love you.” I understood— cheating can be forgiven, as long as it’s disguised as kindness. So I turned around—and sat in another man’s arms. Before the wedding, I went to pick up our wedding photos, but the bride in the pictures wasn’t me. It was Liam’s childhood sweetheart. As I stood there, dumbfounded, the shop assistant brought out another stack of photos and apologized: “I’m so sorry, these are your wedding photos.” I stared blankly at the same groom, two different brides, and two sets of wedding photos. In a flash, I pulled out my phone, snapped a picture of Liam and Sarah’s wedding photos, and posted it on social media. With the caption: “A match made in heaven, truly.” Liam called me immediately. “Olivia, are you serious? Sarah just wanted to fulfill a dream by taking wedding photos with me, and you’re being this petty?” I said calmly, “Let’s break up. I don’t want this wedding anymore.” Stepping out of the photography studio, I casually tossed my wedding photos into a trash can. Those were the wedding photos I’d dreamed of for ten years, now just a pile of garbage. Along with them, I tossed in ten years of my feelings. Back home, Liam was already sitting on the couch, looking furious. I ignored him and walked straight to the bedroom. Liam grabbed my arm. “Olivia, what exactly is your problem? It’s just a small thing, why are you making such a big deal out of it, and giving me attitude?” He took wedding photos with another woman and then dared to ask what my problem was. Right. I’d indulged him too much over the years, my boundless tolerance made him think he could walk all over me, that I didn’t even have the right to be angry. I lowered my eyes and said coldly, “No problem. I just find it utterly meaningless now.” Liam’s voice rose, his impatience practically overflowing. “I already explained it to you! Sarah just wanted to fulfill a dream by taking wedding photos with me. You know she has a heart condition and can never get married in her life. I’m the only one she trusts.” I stared at him, stunned. “Liam, let’s break up.” A flicker of panic crossed Liam’s eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. “Olivia, don’t try that with me. I, Liam, have never been threatened by anyone.” “Go apologize to Sarah right now. I’ll let this slide, and the wedding will proceed as planned.” In ten years of dating, this was the first time I felt Liam was truly repulsive. Before, I might have thrown a tantrum over Sarah, but now, it felt completely unnecessary. I ignored him, walked into the bedroom, pulled out the wedding invitations, gently tore them to shreds, and scattered them on the floor. The red paper confetti drifted down like snowflakes. “Liam, I’m not marrying you.” Liam sneered, “Olivia, you said it yourself. Don’t you dare regret it.” Slam! Liam slammed the door and left. I don’t know when Liam started acting like this. Whenever I questioned his behavior, I was met with either accusation or the silent treatment. Maybe he’d always been like this, and my love had just blinded me. Liam didn’t like having his picture taken. Our joint photos during our relationship were few and far between. I had to nag him for ages just to get him to agree to the wedding photos. According to him, taking such things was meaningless; they’d just gather dust at home. I disagreed. I thought even when we were old, looking at them would bring back beautiful memories. I visited countless photography studios before finally choosing a style I loved. During the shoot, Liam was completely uncooperative. He’d complain the clothes were uncomfortable or posing was too tiring. The two-day photo shoot we’d planned was crammed into a single day, leaving two outfits untaken. But who would’ve thought he’d turn around and take a full set of wedding photos with Sarah? Suddenly, I felt incredibly tired, utterly exhausted. I had loved him for ten years, endured him for ten years. Now, I just didn’t want to torment myself anymore.

I pulled out my phone and saw Sarah’s social media post. “Everyone, please don’t misunderstand. Big Brother Liam just sympathized with my poor health, which is why he took wedding photos with me. We’re just good friends, really.” The sickly sweet fake innocence was practically dripping off her post. Soon, several mutual friends of Liam and I started sending me messages. “Olivia, you shouldn’t bother with Sarah. Liam is just taking care of her. Everyone knows Liam only has eyes for you.” “There’s absolutely nothing going on between Sarah and Liam. They grew up together; don’t overthink it, okay?” “Liam just feels too sorry for Sarah. His true feelings are for you. Don’t take it out on Sarah.” I let out a bitter laugh as I read those messages. It just showed how much sway Sarah had, sickening me while making me out to be the jealous, petty one who couldn’t tolerate her. But it didn’t matter. I didn’t want Liam anymore, let alone these outsiders. I blocked everyone who had sent me messages, one by one. Next, I called the wedding planning company. The person on the other end was very enthusiastic: “Miss Olivia, your wedding plan has been revised according to your requests. When would you like to come in to finalize it?” I said blandly, “No need. My wedding is canceled. I apologize for all your work on the plan; you can keep the deposit.” From start to finish, Liam had shown no interest in the wedding. Whenever I asked for his opinion, he’d just say a wedding was a meaningless performance. For Sarah, it was “fulfilling a dream.” For me, it was “a meaningless performance.” What a double standard. Hanging up the phone, I let out a long breath. It turns out letting go of a fixation wasn’t that hard after all. Marrying Liam and starting a family had always been my dream. My family wasn’t well-off, so I got a part-time job in the campus cafeteria during college. Liam often came to my serving window. He said I was always generous with portions, making sure everyone got a full plate. I smiled and gave him an extra scoop of rice and a bit more soup. Later, Liam told me to quit, saying he could work part-time to support me. I laughed, calling him silly, wondering why I’d quit such a good job. We made a pact: every month after payday, we’d go out for a big meal. The rest of the money, we’d save. Every time we saved a sum, Liam would happily hug me. “Olivia, I’m one step closer to marrying you.” Those days, though poor, were filled with sweetness and hope. Now, we had enough money, but we detested each other. Liam sent me a message: “Friends’ dinner tonight. Get ready and come over.” “Sarah wants to explain things to you herself.” Explain what? To gather a bunch of people as Sarah’s advocates, just to criticize my pettiness again? I wasn’t that desperate. “Can’t make it, busy.” I refused directly. I wasn’t lying to Liam; I truly was busy, packing my things. This apartment was Liam’s; it was his pre-marital property. Since we were breaking up, I naturally had to move out. We’d lived together for too long, accumulated too many things. I needed to buy some large boxes. As soon as I stepped out, I ran into Liam. “Where are you going?” Liam grabbed me. “To buy some things.” I turned sideways, trying to leave quickly. Liam pulled me directly into his car. “Stop being dramatic. All our friends are here tonight, and you’re the only one missing.” The ride was silent. I was fiddling with my phone, but then I noticed the passenger seat floor mat had been replaced with a cartoon design. Sailor Moon, of all things. Liam saw me staring at the floor mat and said, a little sheepishly, “Sarah said my car was too boring, so she took the liberty of changing the floor mats.” I glanced at Liam’s feet; his side also had cartoon floor mats. Ever since Liam bought this car, he’d never allowed anyone to decorate it freely. I once bought a few cute ornaments for the passenger seat, and he’d immediately thrown them out. “Putting these things in a perfectly good car really cheapens it.” After that, I never bought any car decorations again. It seemed it wasn’t the ornaments that cheapened things, but me. Realizing this, I actually found it a little laughable. “Hm, they’re nice.” Liam opened his mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately said nothing. He just floored the gas pedal. I knew Liam was angry. He thought I was being petty and jealous again. In the past, I would have argued with him, but every argument always ended with my compromise. So, why bother making myself unhappy? When we arrived at the restaurant, before I even got out of the car, Sarah practically fluttered over like a butterfly, the small, delicate lucky bracelet on her wrist swaying and glinting under the lights. “Sister Olivia, you’re here!” Sarah intimately linked her arm through mine; anyone watching would have thought we were close sisters. We barely settled down. Sarah, acting like the hostess, began to address the others: “Everyone, please make yourselves at home. Big Brother Liam is treating us tonight, so don’t be shy.” That “Big Brother Liam” nickname made my stomach churn. Sarah raised a glass of wine to me, apologizing: “Sister Olivia, Big Brother Liam and I really didn’t have any other intentions with the wedding photos. I just wanted to experience wearing a wedding dress. You know I can’t ever get married because of my heart.” As she spoke, tears welled up and rolled down Sarah’s face, making her look utterly pathetic. The others started to chime in: “Exactly, Sarah is just a kid at heart. Olivia, don’t hold it against her.” “Sarah’s so considerate. Olivia, just drink it. You two will still be good friends afterwards.” Everyone stared at me, as if refusing Sarah’s apology would be a crime. I looked at Liam. His arms were crossed over his chest, his head down, wearing an expression of smug confidence. He was signaling that I had to drink this wine, whether I wanted to or not. Sarah’s wishes were his wishes. He was certain I wouldn’t dare publicly embarrass him. I smiled faintly, taking the glass from Sarah.

“My dear sister, since you’ve already taken the wedding photos, why don’t you stand in for me at the wedding too?” “If you’re going to experience it, go all out. Just taking wedding photos is so boring, isn’t it?” Sarah’s face instantly flushed a furious crimson, stammering, unable to form a coherent sentence. Liam stood up to shield Sarah: “Olivia, if you have a problem, direct it at me. Don’t pick on a young girl like Sarah.” “She’s not as venomous as you, and not as petty.” Ten years of our relationship, and to Liam, all that was left of me was venom and pettiness. Even though I’d already decided to sever ties, Liam’s words still pierced me deeply, like a thousand tiny cuts. My hand trembled uncontrollably. I took a deep breath to steady myself. I turned to Liam. “Do you think you’re some kind of saint? You’re old enough to know better, still playing that sickening ‘big brother, little sister’ act? Don’t you find it disgusting?” I poured the entire glass of wine over Liam’s head. “You said I was petty? Well, today I’ll show you what true pettiness looks like.” Liam wiped his face, his eyes wide with disbelief. I grabbed Sarah, ripping the lucky bracelet from her wrist. “If I’m not mistaken, this bracelet was mine, the one I got for you. You almost died in that car accident years ago, and I traveled all over just to find this lucky bracelet for you.” “Then you told me you lost it. Turns out you gave it to Sarah.” “Is this how you trample all over my sincerity?” I practically screamed the words. All the grievances of the past few days exploded out of me. My chest heaved violently. Everyone present was too stunned to utter a sound. Liam’s face, which had been contorted in anger, instantly deflated. He quickly stammered an explanation: “Olivia, it’s not what you think. Sarah had a heart attack and was in critical condition. I was afraid she wouldn’t make it, so I gave it to her…” “Enough.” I cut Liam off. Painful memories assaulted me one after another. Ever since Sarah returned, the cracks in my relationship with Liam had grown wider and wider. Sarah’s issues always took precedence over mine. On my birthday, one call from Sarah was enough to pull Liam away. During our vacation, Sarah claimed her heart hurt, and Liam abandoned me, buying a plane ticket to rush to her side. Even when my mother passed away, Liam stayed with Sarah at the hospital. I was consumed by grief, but Liam lightly dismissed it: “She’s already gone. What good would I do there? But Sarah only has me.” We had reached this point because the final straw had fallen, breaking the camel’s back. I picked up the bracelet, tracing its surface with my fingers, then, with a sharp movement, I smashed it onto the floor. Liam tried to grab it, but he was too late. The delicate silver bracelet bent and scratched, just like my relationship with Liam at that moment. I lifted my face, wiped away my tears, and forced a bright smile. “Everyone, Liam’s and my wedding is canceled. From now on, Liam and I are completely done, separate paths, no looking back.” Someone tried to intervene and mediate. I glared, my face dark. “If anyone else speaks up for Liam or Sarah, don’t blame me for ignoring our past acquaintance and turning my back on you completely.” From their messages trying to dissuade me, to orchestrating this dinner to support Sarah, I realized these people had never truly considered me a friend. They were Liam’s friends, Sarah’s friends, but not mine. Amidst everyone’s shock, I grabbed my bag and walked out. This whole dinner was a trap, a setup. I hadn’t eaten a thing, yet I felt nauseous enough to vomit. Liam chased after me from behind. “Olivia, are you really breaking up with me?” Did this man still think I was just playing games with him? I looked at him as if he were an idiot. “What else? Should I let your dear sister experience being the bride at our wedding too?” Liam’s expression visibly tensed, and then, as if realizing something, he embraced me. “I’m sorry, Olivia. I really lost my sense of proportion this time, and I hurt you.” “I promise it won’t happen again.” Liam’s body warmth radiated through me, so familiar. I used to love it when Liam held me; it made me feel so safe. But he hadn’t held me like this in a long time, so long that his scent felt almost foreign to me. Every time I tried to get close to him, he’d always make excuses about being busy or tired. Now, however, his embrace felt suffocatingly tight, making it hard to breathe. I struggled to break free. “Liam, honestly, there’s no need for us to stay tangled up like this.” “I’m setting you free. And in return, you set me free too.” Liam froze, stunned. He hadn’t expected my resolve to be so absolute. He tried to reach for me again, but Sarah, who had rushed out, called him. “Big Brother Liam, my heart hurts so much! I can barely breathe!” Liam looked back at Sarah, his eyes filled with undeniable panic. Wanting to quickly escape his grasp, I urged him, “Go check on Sarah! A heart attack can be fatal!” Liam, as if given permission, sprinted towards Sarah. He didn’t forget to yell back at me, “Olivia, I’ll come home to you after I’ve settled Sarah!” I quickly left, heading back to the apartment—Liam’s apartment, to be precise. After buying a few large cardboard boxes, I started packing my belongings. Ten years of dating, five years of cohabitation. The apartment was filled with Liam’s things and mine. We’d planned to redecorate before the wedding, but Liam was always busy and didn’t like anyone touching his things, so it was postponed. Now, it saved me the trouble. Once I moved out, the place would be empty. A quick clean-up, and it would be ready for a new occupant. I opened the closet; the tie and suit I’d bought for Liam for the wedding were still unopened. After a moment’s thought, I tossed them into a trash bag. Since he hadn’t used them, they were technically still my property. On the desk in the study was the only photo Liam and I had together. Liam hated having his picture taken; I had to resort to threats and bribes to get him to pose for this one. Looking at Liam’s stiff, unnatural expression in the photo, it was truly an eyesore. I casually tossed it into the trash can. There were also the uniquely shaped dishes I’d bought, which Liam had never used. And the plush toys in the living room, which Liam disliked because they shed, all piled in a corner. All of it, gone. Between throwing things out and packing, the large apartment quickly emptied, leaving no trace of me behind. I called a moving truck. As I left, the long-held weight in my heart lifted. The evening breeze blew past, and even my pores seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “Driver, to Silverwood Apartments.” When we arrived, Ryan, my former junior from college, was already waiting downstairs for me. “Ryan, I’m so sorry to trouble you with moving things so late at night. I’m really pressed for time; I’ll move out as soon as I find my own place.” Ryan’s face was slightly flushed: “It’s my honor to help you, Olivia.” “You can just stay here from now on. My family has plenty of apartments; it’d be a waste for them to sit empty.” In just a few moments, Ryan had helped me move my things into the apartment. When I called him for help, he hadn’t asked why I was suddenly moving out in the middle of the night; he just told me not to worry. I was grateful that Ryan was so considerate of my dignity at that moment. “Ryan, thank you.” Ryan scratched his head, a little embarrassed. “If you want to thank me, then treat me to dinner. Your cooking is amazing, Olivia.” “Absolutely,” I readily agreed. Over the years, to take care of Liam, I had painstakingly honed my cooking skills. He was a picky eater with a sensitive stomach, especially particular about food. To find the perfect dishes for him, I had learned so much, even studying under renowned chefs. Now, thinking about it, it all seemed a bit ridiculous. He barely came home a few times a month, and most of the meals I cooked ended up in the trash. All my efforts were just self-deception.

Liam’s call came in. I hung up, and it rang again. For the first time, Liam’s calls felt annoying, and I prepared to turn off my phone. But I accidentally pressed “answer.” “Olivia, where did you go? Don’t scare me. Give me an address; I’ll come find you.” Liam’s voice clearly showed panic. Ryan, who was still organizing my things, paused his movements when he heard the call. “If you have nothing better to do, go find a new hobby, maybe take up gardening or join a book club, don’t follow me around like a stalker. I have my own life to live.” Liam fell silent. On a holiday night that year, Liam said he was busy working overtime. I was home with a severe cold and fever, unable to get up, and called Liam, asking him to buy me medicine. But I had clearly seen Sarah’s social media post: “Everything’s great, thanks to Big Brother Liam for taking me to see the holiday lights.” On the other end, Liam’s breathing grew heavy. A few seconds later, he managed to squeeze out a few words: “I’m sorry, Olivia.” I snorted. “No need. Liam, we’re over. Please don’t bother me again.” Click. I hung up and blocked Liam. Seeing me hang up, Ryan slowly walked over to me. “Olivia, are you serious?” I looked up. “When have I ever not been serious?” Ryan mused, “Leaving the wrong person is progress. Congratulations, Olivia, you’re embracing a new beginning.” All these years, my focus had been solely on Liam, and I’d grown distant from old friends. It was rare that Ryan still remembered our past campus friendship. “Come over for lunch tomorrow. I need to celebrate properly.” Ryan smiled like a kid. “Then I’m in for a treat!” The next day, I spent the entire morning cooking a table full of dishes. I hadn’t eaten properly these past few days, and my stomach was empty. Ryan also brought a bottle of fine red wine. Once seated, Ryan looked at the feast and asked, puzzled, “Olivia, are you into healthy eating lately?” I glanced at the spread, realizing all the dishes were light and mild. For years, to accommodate Liam’s sensitive stomach, I’d given up spicy and rich foods. The dishes I learned were all mild, and now it had become a habit when I cooked. I chuckled self-deprecatingly. “It’s just habit after so many years. Next time, I’ll make something with different flavors for you.” Ryan’s brow subtly furrowed. “Do you cook often at home, Olivia?” I nodded. “Then why bother? Tonight, I’m taking you out for a big dinner.” Ryan’s tone left no room for argument. This kid was starting to get a bit of a CEO vibe now. That evening, Ryan mysteriously led me to a private dining restaurant. “Olivia, this place is pretty exclusive; not many people know about it or can get in.” “The food is amazing. Eat as much as you want and relax.” I definitely needed to relax my tense nerves these past few days. As dish after dish of tempting, colorful food arrived, I didn’t hold back and started eating heartily. Seeing me enjoy my meal, Ryan smiled. “Order more if you want. Tonight, you just need to eat well and feel good.” A sour and spicy tripe soup was especially authentic, and I wanted another bowl. But my spoon slipped, falling into the bowl, splashing soup all over my face and clothes. Ryan quickly reached for napkins to wipe my face. Just as I was about to take them to wipe myself, I heard a familiar female voice.

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The kindergarten teacher began teaching my daughter to hate me. She gave her candy, attention, and promises, then whispered to her, “Your mom doesn’t love you. I’m the one who truly cares about you.” My husband didn’t stop it—he encouraged it. My daughter cried and begged him to get a divorce, to replace me with a “new mom.” It wasn’t until I sent her the repayment statements that she finally understood: my husband wasn’t a man she could steal— He was a net liability I had been supporting for a full ten years. For our 10th wedding anniversary, I bought my husband, Nathan, a silver sports car to celebrate. The moment he saw it, his eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning. It wasn’t just any sports car—it was one of only ten limited editions in the world. Not something money alone could buy. Nathan had gushed about this car more than once, so I figured I’d surprise him. After all, our anniversary also happened to be his birthday. During the test drive, Nathan couldn’t wait to snap pictures and show off to his friends. But in his excitement, he accidentally posted it in our daughter Emily’s preschool group chat. The quiet group chat immediately exploded. “Oh my gosh, isn’t this one of those global limited-edition cars? I can’t believe the real deal is in our group!” “Emily’s dad, what kind of business are you in? You must be loaded!” I quickly messaged Nathan, telling him to delete the post. But it had been over two minutes—too late to retract it. All we could do was watch as the messages poured in. Some parents even started asking if Nathan could invest in their business ideas. And Nathan? He was eating it up. “Oh, no, no,” he replied humbly. “Just a small investment here and there. Made a bit of money, so I decided to treat myself.” Small investments? Sure. The only thing he “owned” was a failing internet café I paid for, and it had been hemorrhaging money since day one. With his lack of business skills, Nathan couldn’t afford a sports car in ten lifetimes. Still, he was my husband, and I wasn’t about to embarrass him in front of everyone. So, I kept quiet. That’s when Emily’s teacher, Miss Anderson, suddenly chimed in. At first, I thought she was going to tell everyone to stop chatting about unrelated topics in a preschool group. But instead, she directly tagged Nathan: “@Emily’s Dad, I’ve sent you a friend request. Please accept it—I need to discuss some things about Emily’s behavior at school.” Nathan immediately replied, “Is Emily in trouble? Did something happen?” Miss Anderson’s response came quickly: “Let’s discuss this privately.” I started to worry. Had something happened to Emily at school? I sent Miss Anderson a private message asking if everything was okay. She didn’t reply. Instead, she updated her profile picture. Her old photo had been a scenic landscape. Now, it was a close-up selfie—her wearing a white tank top, strategically revealing just enough skin to leave an impression. It gave off serious “pick-me” vibes. I called Nathan. “What did Emily’s teacher say?” He sounded casual. “Nothing specific. She just asked me to stop by the school. I’m heading there now.” “Drive safe,” I said, hanging up. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. I went back to work, assuming it was just a minor issue. A few moments later, Mrs. Peterson, one of the moms from the group chat, sent me a private message. Her family owned a beauty salon I frequented, so we’d gotten to know each other over time. “Emily’s Mom, don’t you think this Miss Anderson messaging your husband is a little… off?” I replied politely, brushing it off with a couple of vague responses.

Nathan and I had been married for ten years, and our relationship had always been stable. He came from a modest background but treated me with unwavering care and devotion. Whatever I needed, he made it happen. For me, he willingly stayed home, managing everything in the household with precision. When I came back late and drunk from work events, he’d pick me up and have a steaming bowl of hangover soup waiting for me. So I wasn’t particularly worried about Miss Anderson’s little schemes. Even if she was hellbent on seduction, it would only work if Nathan took the bait. What I didn’t expect was for her to target my daughter first. I’ve always been busy with work, but I’ve made sure to maintain a close bond with my daughter, Emily. Lately, though, she had grown distant, and her words had taken on a strangely sharp edge. One day, I picked her up from school, planning to take her to McDonald’s for a treat. But as soon as she saw me waiting, she started crying and whining at the school gate. “Why did you have to come? I don’t want you to pick me up! I hate you!” At first, I thought she was upset because I’d been so busy with work. I took a deep breath, crouched down, and tried to soothe her. After a lot of coaxing, she finally stopped crying long enough to get into the car, her eyes red and puffy. I smiled gently and said, “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Mommy’s been so busy with work these past few days. That’s my fault. I’ll spend more time with you from now on, okay? How about going to McDonald’s for some ice cream?” But Emily turned her head away, pouting. “I don’t need you to spend time with me. I have Miss Anderson! She’s the best person in the whole world. If I want ice cream, she gives me as many as I want. Not like you, always telling me what I can’t do.” Then she added, her voice trembling with tears, “And Miss Anderson was supposed to take me to the zoo with Daddy today. But now you ruined everything by picking me up!” Her tears started falling again, and she looked like she was about to completely lose it. I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. My voice slipped into a sharper tone. “Emily, that’s no way to talk to your mother!” Emily broke down completely, wailing in the car. “You don’t love me! I hate you! I hate you so much!” Then she added, her voice filled with spite: “Daddy said he’s going to divorce you soon. You won’t be my mommy anymore! I want Miss Anderson to be my new mommy!” I told myself it was just childish nonsense. Emily was too young to understand what she was saying. But someone had clearly been feeding her these words. When we got home, Emily jumped out of the car and ran to the front door. She shoved it open and shouted, “Daddy! Daddy!” Nathan emerged from the kitchen, wearing an apron and cleaning gloves. Emily ran up to him, tears streaming down her face. “Daddy, when are you divorcing Mommy? I don’t want to spend another day with her!” “Can you bring Miss Anderson home instead? Please?” At the mention of Miss Anderson’s name, Nathan froze for a fraction of a second, his hand instinctively rubbing his nose—a telltale sign he was guilty of something. But he quickly recovered, putting on his “loving dad” face. “Don’t cry, Emily. Daddy’s heart breaks when you cry! Whatever you say, Daddy will do. You want me to divorce Mommy? Okay, Daddy will do that.” He crouched down, wiping her tears. “Now, let’s go try those cookies Daddy made just for you, okay?” Father and daughter both turned to look at me then. Nathan’s gaze was full of helplessness, while Emily’s eyes sparkled with triumphant glee. I took a deep breath and asked, “Emily, who’s been teaching you to say such things? Don’t you know how to tell right from wrong anymore?” Emily’s tears started up again. She clung to Nathan’s leg like a frightened kitten and whimpered, “Daddy, look at Mommy! She’s so scary, like a wicked witch!” Nathan scooped her up into his arms, giving me an annoyed look. “Isabella, she’s just a child. Do you really need to argue with her?” “Can you leave your work persona at the door for once? You’re so strong and commanding at work, but this is your family. Stop bringing that attitude home.” With that, Nathan carried Emily to her room, leaving me rooted to the spot in the living room. I could still hear snippets of his soothing voice through the walls. “There, there, Emily. Bad Mommy won’t bother you anymore.” Alone in the silence, I realized my hands were trembling uncontrollably.

I’ve always been busy with work, so Nathan has taken on most of the responsibility for our daughter, Emily. Still, whenever I had free time, I made sure to spend it with her. We’ve traveled together, baked cakes, and I’ve spoiled her with pretty little dresses. Whenever she got sick, I’d drop everything to stay by her side, never letting her feel a lack of motherly love. Over the years, we’ve always been close. But lately, Emily had grown distant, and her attitude toward me had turned sharp and cold. I couldn’t help but wonder if Miss Anderson’s meddling had something to do with it. After some thought, I decided to have a heart-to-heart talk with Emily. I carefully pushed open her bedroom door, only to find her sitting in Nathan’s lap, video-calling someone. They didn’t notice me come in, as they were seated with their backs to the door. Emily held the phone close to her face, her voice sweet and eager. “Miss Anderson, when are you moving into our house?” “I gave that old witch a hard time today. As soon as Daddy agrees to divorce her, I’ll make her leave! Then you can be my new mommy!” On the other end of the call, Miss Anderson’s voice was filled with undisguised delight. “Emily, you’re such a good girl! But remember, once you pick a new mommy, there’s no going back. Are you sure you won’t regret it?” Emily tilted her head with a little huff. “Of course not! I can’t wait to have a new mommy!” She grinned and added, “Miss Anderson, Daddy already said he’s going to divorce Mommy. When you move in, can you let me have as much ice cream as I want? And can we get a bunch of puppies too? Please?” Nathan sat next to her, smiling gently, not saying a word to correct her. The atmosphere between the three of them was warm, cheerful—like a little family planning their future. I stood there, stone-faced, as I pulled out my phone and began recording the entire scene. Miss Anderson wasn’t just overstepping her bounds; she was digging her own grave. At one point, Nathan glanced at the screen and caught sight of my skirt in the background. His expression froze immediately. He gently set Emily down and stammered, “Isabella, wait, it’s not what you think! We’re just trying to make Emily happy—” Before he could finish, Emily jumped in front of him like a little guard dog, her tiny fists clenched. “Mommy, you’re just a mean old witch! Don’t you dare bully Daddy!” My anger flared. I snatched the phone from Emily’s hands and addressed Miss Anderson directly. “Miss Anderson, do you think it’s appropriate to poison a child’s mind against her own mother? Don’t you find your tactics a bit… pathetic?” Miss Anderson covered her mouth in fake surprise, her eyes gleaming with smugness. “Oh, Emily’s Mom,” she said sweetly, “we were just trying to make Emily happy. Why do you have to take everything so seriously?” She smirked and added, “No wonder Emily keeps telling me you act like a wicked witch. Growing up in such a tense household must be so hard for her.” Then, as if she hadn’t insulted me enough, she added with a condescending smile, “And I’ve heard you’re out wining and dining for work all the time. A woman should know how to carry herself. Unlike me—I’d devote myself entirely to my family if I had one.” Her smugness made my blood boil. I wanted nothing more than to reach through the screen, grab her by the hair, and drag her off her high horse. But I wasn’t about to stoop to her level. I straightened my back, my face calm and cold. “Miss Anderson, as a teacher, you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to destroy someone else’s family. You’re unworthy of your position, and you’re unworthy of the trust parents put in you.” I paused, then delivered my final warning. “If you keep meddling in my family, you’ll face consequences you won’t be able to handle.” Miss Anderson didn’t seem fazed by my threat. If anything, she doubled down, pretending to look concerned for Emily. “Emily’s Mom,” she said with a sigh, “even if you dislike me, you should think about what’s best for Emily. With your temper, you’re bound to hurt her emotionally.” She shook her head and added, “Sometimes, people should stop blaming others and reflect on their own shortcomings. If your family was truly happy, there’d be no room for anyone to ‘meddle,’ as you put it.” Then, she turned to Emily, her voice soft and pitiful. “Emily, sweetheart, you know I love you like my own daughter. But your mommy really doesn’t like me. If she makes a big fuss about this, I might lose my job. So, from now on, don’t call me when you’re at home, okay? But at school, I’ll still treat you like my real daughter.” With that, she sniffled dramatically, her shoulders shaking as if she were crying, and hung up the call. Emily immediately burst into tears, screaming at me and kicking my legs. “Bad mommy! I hate you! I don’t want to live with you anymore—I want to go live with Miss Anderson!” She stormed out of the room, sobbing. Nathan gave me a helpless look before running after her, leaving his phone abandoned on the bed in his rush. I picked it up and unlocked it, scrolling through his messages with Miss Anderson. At first, their chats had seemed innocent enough. Miss Anderson would send pictures of Emily at school, along with comments like: “Mr. Miller, Emily said her hair hurt today, so I fixed it for her. Looks like her mom doesn’t really know much about these things, huh?” “Emily often tells me what a great dad you are, but she doesn’t mention her mom much. Is she not very involved?” “Today, Emily cried because all the other kids had their moms pick them up. Maybe you could remind your wife to spend more time with her?” But as time went on, the tone changed. Miss Anderson started sending pictures of herself with Emily—her holding Emily on her lap, gazing at her with a soft smile. In some of the photos, her low-cut tops revealed far more than necessary. Then there were videos of Emily calling her “Mommy,” and even casual questions about Nathan’s job and income. Nathan, of course, had exaggerated the truth, claiming he ran a chain of restaurants and a public company—conveniently omitting the fact that it was my hard work that had built everything. Miss Anderson, clearly impressed, began sending him more revealing selfies. I clenched the phone tightly, anger bubbling inside me. I wanted to smash it into pieces and kick Nathan out of the house. But no. That would be too easy. If I was going to deal with them, I’d take them both down together. The next day, I met with the director of Emily’s preschool over coffee. After showing him the messages, his face turned pale. “Ms. Miller, I sincerely apologize. Miss Anderson’s behavior has seriously violated our school’s code of conduct. If you’re dissatisfied, we can terminate her immediately.” He wiped the sweat from his forehead and added, “And I can assure you, no reputable preschool will ever hire her again.” I smiled, satisfied. Miss Anderson probably didn’t know that I was a major shareholder in the school. And I wasn’t afraid to use my power.

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Back home from my trip, the housekeeper dragged my husband and me to court. In the courtroom, her pregnant belly proudly displayed, Chloe’s voice trembled with anguish: “Daniel Miller and his wife are absolutely disgusting excuses for humans! They used a job ad as a trap, lured me into their home, and then tied me to the bed and abused me!” “The child in my belly is Daniel Miller’s bastard!” Her mother, Martha, sobbed uncontrollably: “These two monsters completely ruined my daughter’s life! They deserve to be sentenced to death!” The moment she finished, the public gallery erupted in a chorus of curses directed at my husband and me: “That scumbag is so brazen, he didn’t even show up for court! Lock him up!” “Yeah! And look at his wife, she’s actually smiling! She’s utterly heartless, they should both just die!” The next second, I presented my evidence, making everyone gasp. The moment I got home, I habitually pulled out my phone to browse my SnapChat feed. Suddenly, a plea for help from a local online forum popped up. I tapped on it, and the title made my finger pause: [Housekeeper assaulted by male employer, what should I do?] The description below made me frown involuntarily: [Shortly after I moved in, the madam said she was going on a trip and left me alone at home.] [The moment she left, the master came back…] The words “on a trip” made me freeze for a second. I had just returned from a trip, and I had also hired a housekeeper. I scrolled down further: [He dragged me into the bedroom. I didn’t dare to fight back. Afterwards, he threatened me not to tell anyone. I’m so scared.] [Now I found out I’m pregnant, and the madam just got back. I don’t know what to do.] [Oh, and when he assaulted me, he said the madam knew all about it.] The comment section was already blowing up: [Call the police, girl! Don’t let those beasts get away with it!] [Husband and wife working together? That’s just sick!] [So much time has passed, it’ll be hard to prove. I suggest you talk to the employers privately first, see if you can get compensation.] I scrolled down further and saw that the poster had liked the last comment. And replied: [Thanks for the advice, I’ll talk to them first.] Just then, Chloe, who had been cleaning, suddenly spoke up: “Stella, there’s something I want to tell you.” My heart sank, inexplicably linking it to the forum post I’d just read, but I kept my face calm: “Go ahead.” Her voice was soft, almost a whisper: “I’m pregnant, three months.” “It’s… it’s Daniel’s.” I froze, my world tilting, the word “absurd” flashing through my mind. The “Daniel” she spoke of was my husband, Daniel Miller. I almost instinctively asked her: “Do you know what you’re saying?” Chloe nodded, tears welling in her eyes: “Stella, don’t worry, I have no intention of breaking up your family.” “Just give me five million, for child support, plus another two million for my personal damages.” “From now on, I won’t bother you or Daniel again.” At first glance, it sounded incredibly considerate, but in reality, it was an outrageous demand. Looking at her serious face, I only felt amusement. Because I knew very well that my husband could never do such a thing. I composed myself, staring at her steadily, enunciating each word: “This is extortion, and I won’t give you a single penny!” Chloe frowned slightly, looking at me: “As a woman, you should understand that no woman would lie about her honor.” “Besides, this amount of money is nothing to you.” “I don’t want to make things ugly.” I let out a cold laugh: “I’m not short on cash, but I’m not stupid!” Seeing that I wouldn’t budge, Chloe’s voice suddenly rose, her eyes sharp: “Are you sure you won’t pay? Fine, then I’ll expose everything! The forums, social media, your company – I won’t spare a single one.” I met her gaze: “Go ahead. I’m ready for whatever comes next.” Chloe glared at me fiercely: “Alright, let’s see if you’re still so tough in court!” With that, she turned and slammed the door shut. Chloe posted an edited version of that conversation online, quickly causing a massive uproar. The post went viral, and the comment section was filled with insults against me—”sick couple,” “scumbags,” “accomplice.” Less than a week later, I received a court summons. On the day of the hearing, I arrived at the courthouse on time.

The moment I stepped into the courtroom, I saw Chloe and her mother seated at the plaintiff’s table. As I passed, Chloe hastily lowered her head, shoulders slightly hunched, looking frightened. Her mother pulled her close protectively, staring at me with venom: “Don’t be scared, Chloe, Mom’s here.” “With so many people here today, those evil people will definitely get what’s coming to them!” I stopped in front of them, nodding in agreement: “You’re right. Evil people always get their comeuppance.” Chloe’s eyelashes fluttered. I said nothing more and walked straight to the defendant’s table. The gavel fell, and the trial officially began. The plaintiff’s attorney, Mr. Davidson, stood first: “First, let the victim describe the incident.” Chloe sniffled, her voice catching as she began: “Stella… no, Ms. Miller, she tricked me into her home under the guise of offering a job. At first, she said she lived alone and wanted me to prepare her meals and handle daily cleaning.” “After working for about a month, she said she was going on a trip and left me alone at home. Before she left, she gave me a drink. After I drank it, I felt dizzy. Then, her husband came back… and dragged me into the room.” As she spoke, tears streamed down her face: “That man… he pinned me down on the bed, and he… he assaulted me.” Chloe’s words immediately ignited the courtroom. The public gallery was outraged: “That’s inhuman!” “This is clearly a conspiracy between husband and wife!” Ignoring the insults, I stood up and spoke in a cold voice: “My husband would absolutely never do such a thing!” Then I looked at Chloe: “Why didn’t you report it to the police immediately after the incident?” Chloe, still crying, replied: “He said if I dared to tell anyone, he’d make sure my family and I would never have a good day again.” “I’m just an employee, I wouldn’t dare go against people like you. It was later, when I found out I was pregnant, that I gathered the courage to seek justice…” A hushed murmur of discussion broke out in the gallery, with a few curses filtering through: “Worse than an animal!” “The wife isn’t any good either, protecting a rapist!” Chloe’s mother seized the opportunity to wail mournfully: “My daughter’s life is ruined forever…” As she wiped away tears, a fleeting glint of triumph flashed in her eyes, aimed at me. I frowned deeply, raising my voice: “You’re lying. My husband couldn’t possibly have raped you.” Hearing this, Mr. Davidson immediately interjected: “Your Honor, we have crucial evidence.” Before everyone’s eyes, he produced a USB drive and inserted it into a computer. After some adjustments, a recording played through the courtroom speakers: First, a sharp cry: “Stella! Help me!” Then, a man’s low, mocking chuckle: “You’re asking Stella for help?” “Looks like you still don’t get it. Her leaving was just to clear the way for us.” “Just make me happy, and money, work, anything you want… Be a good girl.” This was followed by Chloe’s desperate sobs and sounds of struggle: “No! Please, let me go, I promise I won’t say anything! Please!” The recording ended abruptly with Chloe’s piercing whimpers. Chloe was already covering her face, trembling and sobbing. Her mother shot to her feet, pointing at us and screaming: “You hear that?! These devils conspired together! They tricked my daughter into their home just to force her!”

The public gallery erupted in gasps, some people’s eyes red with emotion: “Those mother and daughter are so pathetic, to run into this pair of scumbag spouses!” “Arrest the woman too! Accomplices are despicable!” Amidst the angry shouts, I clenched my fists: “How can you prove that voice is my husband’s?” Mr. Davidson looked at me: “The evidence is here. After technical comparison, there’s a 95% probability that this voice belongs to Daniel Miller!” Facing such evidence, I retorted emphatically: “Impossible, that voice is not my husband’s!” Because I knew perfectly well that Chloe could never have met my husband. Mr. Davidson frowned deeply: “Defendant, the evidence has been professionally authenticated! You can’t just dismiss it with an empty denial!” Chloe wiped away tears: “That was… when he had me pinned down, I desperately managed to secretly start the recording… every word, every cry is real! How can you still lie like this, even now?!” By the end, she was almost incoherent with sobs, her slender shoulders heaving violently, looking utterly pathetic. I let out another cold laugh: “There are plenty of people in the world with similar voices. How can you be so sure it’s my husband?” Mr. Davidson looked at me and scoffed: “Since the defendant finds the evidence unconvincing, I have a second piece of evidence.” He lowered his head and continued to operate the computer. Moments later, the large screen at the front of the courtroom lit up. A video began to play. It was surveillance footage from my living room, from the evening I left home. The living room lights were dim, and a man opened the door and walked in. He walked directly towards Chloe, who was standing in the living room: “You’re Chloe? Tsk, she didn’t lie to me, you really are… quite pretty.” Before he finished speaking, he reached out and grabbed Chloe’s wrist. The bottle in Chloe’s hand fell to the floor, and she struggled weakly, her voice terrified: “What are you doing! Let go! Help me—” The man easily overpowered her resistance. After a few rough tugs, he actually lifted her over his shoulder and strode towards the bedroom. The door slammed shut with a bang. Immediately after, faint cries and sounds of struggle seeped from under the door, startlingly consistent with the previously played audio recording. The video ended there. Mr. Davidson turned to the entire courtroom, his voice heavy with grief: “This is surveillance footage extracted from the defendant’s home camera!” “After professional comparison, the man in the surveillance video, his build and clothing, are highly consistent with Daniel Miller!” Then he turned to me: “Defendant, are you still going to say this isn’t Daniel Miller?” The public gallery murmured with disbelief: “Irrefutable evidence! The footage is crystal clear!” “She was so stubborn just now, let’s see how she spins it now!” Someone even stood up excitedly and shouted: “What’s there to say to an accomplice with no conscience like her?! Your Honor, pass judgment quickly! Make them rot in jail!” Under the countless burning, contemptuous, and angry stares, I slowly rose, my gaze fixed on Chloe: “You keep claiming that was my husband. So I ask you, have you ever actually seen Daniel Miller in person before this?” Chloe stood up, holding her belly: “I worked at your house for three months, how could I not have seen your husband?!” “And he opened your door so naturally, his build and clothes match, who else could it be but your husband?” The people in the public gallery also began to insult me: “The audio and video evidence are laid out, and she still won’t admit it!” “Helping a rapist bully a vulnerable girl, how despicable!!” “Just looking at her, you can tell she’s no good. The couple is just as disgusting!”

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