Author: Momo Chan

Three years after my death, I suddenly ‘woke up.’ No flesh, no memory, just a wisp of a soul. I was trapped, tethered to Jason’s side, forced to watch him and his wife in their blissful ignorance. Then, one day, his wife was cleaning out the attic and stumbled upon a photograph of me. “Who’s this?” she asked offhandedly, a casual chuckle on her lips. Jason’s voice was flat as he tossed the photo into the trash. “Just a dead person. Elara, I think? I can barely remember her name anymore.” Elara. So that was my name. A forgotten ex-wife. But that very night, I saw Jason secretly drugging his wife. Through the reflection in the glass, his eyes met mine. “Elara,” he whispered. “See? I’m avenging you.” For a moment, I almost believed Jason could actually see me. My soul quivered, the words right there. But Jason simply held the milk, turned, and walked away. Such a shame. He still couldn’t see me. Seraphina, suspecting nothing, drank the milk and fell into a deep sleep. The moment she did, Jason rushed to the trash and carefully retrieved my photo, clutching it to his chest. “I’m sorry, Elara. I’m so sorry.” “I made you dirty, did it hurt when you fell? It’s all my fault.” Jason’s voice was low and hoarse, filled with guilt. He repeatedly wiped the glass frame with the cuff of his expensive suit, then suddenly let out a cold laugh. He pressed his warm lips to the glass, gently coaxing. “Just a little longer. Soon, five days at most.” “I’ll make Seraphina lose everything. Her wealth, her reputation, everything she stole from you. Then I’ll send her down to apologize.” “And then, Elara, we… we can be together again.” Jason picked up his phone and dialed a number. His voice instantly turned cold. “You can proceed. Make sure it’s clean.” After that, Jason held my photo, practically frozen in his study. Sometimes he would weep uncontrollably, large tears splashing against the glass. Other times, a gentle, yet chilling, smile would twist his lips. And then, he’d press his forehead to the frame, letting out strangled, guttural sobs. For three whole hours, Jason acted like a madman, crying and laughing. He was more terrifying than I, a mere ghost. A belated realization dawned on me. This man, Jason, he seemed to… truly love me. Until his phone screen lit up again, a distinctive vibration breaking the silence of the study. Jason snatched up his phone. The message was concise. “Mr. Jason, it’s done. Mr. Thorne fell to his death after drinking too much.” He didn’t reply, simply putting my photo frame away carefully. He rose and walked towards the master bedroom, pushing the door open forcefully. Seraphina on the bed seemed disturbed by the rough sound, stirring uneasily. But the sleeping pills worked their magic, and she didn’t wake. Jason walked to the bedside, gazing at her for a few seconds. His eyes were as cold as if he were looking at an inanimate object. Suddenly, Jason did something utterly insane. He lunged out, not to wake Seraphina, but to grab her hair viciously and smash her forehead hard against the solid wooden headboard! A dull, sickening thud echoed in the room. Seraphina jolted awake from the extreme pain and terror, letting out a piercing scream. The moment her eyes flew open, I watched the coldness vanish from Jason’s face, replaced by feigned concern. He pulled her into his arms, his voice soft. “Seraphina, what’s wrong?” “How did you manage to hit your head just sleeping? Was it a nightmare?” “Shhh, it’s alright now. I’m here.” Before she could even begin to collect herself, her phone on the nightstand erupted with a shrill ring. “Hello?” The next second, Seraphina’s pupils constricted, her face turning ashen. “No! Dad! That’s impossible!” She desperately grabbed Jason’s arm, sobbing incoherently. “Jason! My dad… my dad had an accident. They said he fell from a building, and he’s gone.” “What do I do, Jason! What am I going to do!” Jason reacted quickly. He immediately pulled Seraphina tightly into his embrace, his voice carrying just the right amount of shock and grief. “What! How could this happen?” “It’s okay, I’m here for everything. If the sky falls, I’ll hold it up for you. Calm down, tell me slowly.” Seraphina clung to Jason even more. Her face buried in his chest, she wept, murmuring words. But where Seraphina couldn’t see, I clearly saw Jason’s expression. There was no grief on his face; instead, he smirked at me with a twisted, eerie smile. Yet, the words he spoke were so gentle and reassuring. “Seraphina, your family’s problems are my problems!” “I’ll handle everything!”

“Jason, thank god you’re here.” Mrs. Thorne wiped her tears, clutching his hand. “With her father gone… who knows what those vultures outside might do to our family without you here.” Jason’s face was a mask of sorrowful resolve. He squeezed her hand in return. “As long as I’m here, no one will ever dare touch the Thorne family.” Then, he drew a sealed envelope from his pocket. The words “To My Dearest Wife” were written on the front. “I… came across this in Mr. Thorne’s study,” he said, his voice gentle as he handed it to her. “It must be for you.” He paused and handed it to Mrs. Thorne. “Perhaps you should read it when you feel a little stronger?” With that, Jason left. Mrs. Thorne’s trembling hands tore open the envelope. That letter was a fake. I had watched Jason forge it. He seemed to have practiced Mr. Thorne’s handwriting for a long time, his fingertips calloused. As he wrote each word, a pang of sorrow and melancholy welled up in me. I vaguely sensed that the Jason I remembered shouldn’t be like this. He should have been the bright, flamboyant young man, pure as a fresh breeze and clear moonlight. Not this… this twisted, dark, ruthless man, almost a demon driven to madness, all for me – someone who didn’t remember him at all, someone who had been dead for three years. Jason, you should have lived your life well. When Mrs. Thorne returned after reading the letter, her expression was already dazed. Jason feigned tenderness, stepping forward to support her, and whispered words that pierced her heart. “Mrs. Thorne, what Mr. Thorne said in the letter is true, isn’t it?” “It was you, thinking you were so clever, working with Seraphina to murder Elara. It was you who raised Seraphina to be just like you, a useless person who only knows how to kill to solve problems. The Thorne family has been caught red-handed; there’s no way to recover. “The Thorne family was destroyed by your hands. He’ll never forgive you, even in death.” Mrs. Thorne’s body began to tremble violently, her gaze fixed on her husband’s portrait. “I didn’t! I never mean to kill Elara.” She mumbled. “She was just an orphan. Who cared if she died? It’s been three years. No one will-” “Won’t they?” Jason cut her off, his voice dropping to a venomous hiss. “After Elara fell to her death three years ago,your people chopped her body into twenty-eight pieces. Each piece cemented into the building.” He continued, the words cold and precise. “I hear they’ve started renovations on it recently. They might have already dug her up.” “If someone discovers it, the Thorne family will be completely finished. Tell me, will you also be chopped into twenty-” Jason didn’t finish his sentence. Mrs. Thorne suddenly let out a shrill, ear-splitting shriek, pushing Jason away violently. She had completely lost her mind. She lunged towards Mr. Thorne’s altar, screaming, laughing, falling into complete delirium, repeatedly yelling. “I didn’t mean it! Old Thorne, I did it all for Seraphina.” “That slut was hogging Jason, so I killed her. Only then could my daughter take her place! I wanted to throw her down! To chop her up!” Mrs. Thorne then grabbed Seraphina’s hand, trembling and pleading through tears. “Don’t come for me, I already cemented you in the concrete.” “Elara, you’re dead. Why don’t you reincarnate? Why are you tormenting me! Don’t extort the Thornes anymore, we’re out of money!” Seraphina had been lost in grief over her father’s death, but hearing her mother’s words, she was utterly terrified. She grabbed her mother, blurting out. “Mom! What are you talking about? Are you crazy?”

But it was too late. The altar, which had been deathly silent, erupted into a greater uproar. Everyone’s eyes darted frantically between the delirious Mrs. Thorne and the ashen-faced Seraphina. Some people even started recording videos. Just then, Jason steadied the swaying Seraphina. His voice was grave and urgent. “Seraphina, listen. Your mother is having a mental breakdown right now; she’s speaking nonsense.” “So many people have heard it, and some are secretly recording. If someone makes trouble and calls the police, they’ll definitely investigate. Then not only will your mother be finished, but you’ll also be questioned repeatedly. The Thorne family will be completely ruined!” Seraphina was stunned by Jason’s words, clutching his clothes, trembling. “Then… then what do I do? Jason, I’m so scared.” A cold glint flickered in Jason’s eyes, but his tone grew even calmer. “There’s only one way. forcefully send your mother to a mental hospital.” “You must maintain a consistent story externally, saying that your mother suffered too great a blow from your father’s sudden death. That she’s experiencing severe schizophrenia and delusions. This is the only way to protect her, and to protect you. Understand?” A dazed Seraphina had long lost her judgment, relying completely on Jason. Tears streaming, she nodded frantically. “Okay!” Under Jason’s ‘guidance,’ Seraphina shakily signed the admission papers. Several burly ‘staff members’ in uniform stepped forward, unceremoniously grabbing the still delirious, screaming, and struggling Mrs. Thorne, one on each side. “Let me go!” “Seraphina, I’m not sick! I’m your mother! Say something, they’re trying to hurt me!” “I don’t want to go! Seraphina, don’t let them take me!” Mrs. Thorne shrieked as she was forcibly dragged from the altar, her black high heels kicking off and clattering to the ground. I floated out after them. I saw that the vehicle waiting wasn’t an ambulance at all, but an unmarked black van. She was shoved roughly into the back seat. Her struggles lasted only a moment. A cold-faced man in the passenger seat raised his hand and slapped her, again and again. Smack! Smack! Smack! “Be quiet! You murderer!” Mrs. Thorne was knocked sideways into the seat, left with only terrified whimpers. The man emotionlessly pulled out his phone and reported. “Mr. Jason, the person has been picked up. Following your instructions, we’ll ‘take good care’ of her!” By the time I floated back to the altar, the guests had left. A funeral that should have been solemn and dignified had turned into a deeply embarrassing farce. Seraphina, shocked and enraged, simply fainted. But this time, Jason didn’t help her. He watched her coldly. Then, with the tip of his shoe, he disdainfully and scornfully prodded Seraphina’s limp body. His contempt was undisguised. “Wake her up.” A bucket of ice water was splashed on Seraphina. Seraphina jolted awake in the biting cold. “Jason, what… what are you doing? Why…” Jason curved a cold smile, leaning down to look at her. “Why what?” “I just don’t want to pretend with you anymore.” Seraphina’s voice instinctively trembled. “Pretend? Is it because the Thorne family has fallen, and you think I’m useless now?” “Jason, you weren’t like this before, you used to constantly say you loved…” Jason angrily cut Seraphina off. “Enough! What right do you have to speak of ‘love’! In that villa, there was never a single photo of Elara. Everything that belonged to her, I took care of three years ago, cleanly, not a trace left.” “When you deliberately let me see it, I knew. You were testing me.” Jason took a step forward, the invisible pressure almost suffocating Seraphina. “You asked me who she was, didn’t you?” “Now, I’ll give you the answer.” Jason’s gaze drifted upward, all pretense gone, his cruel nature laid bare. “Her name was Elara. She was the only wife I’ve ever had.” “Three years ago, at the abandoned factory west of the city, you pushed her. Your mother had the body dismembered into twenty-eight pieces to cover it up. Your father arranged for them to be cemented into the factory’s foundation during the renovation.” I floated in the air. I watched, cold and detached, as Seraphina trembled in absolute terror, too afraid to even sob. Jason gripped Seraphina’s neck, his eyes burning with monstrous hatred. “I married you,” he snarled, “to get close to my wife’s murderer. Closer and closer…” “…until I could kill you. Slowly.”

The body beneath his hand went limp. Seraphina, overwhelmed by terror, fainted again. “Mr. Jason, should we wake her up again?” A bodyguard whispered, seeking instructions. “No need. Lock her in the basement. The game… is more fun when played slowly.” Jason’s voice was devoid of emotion. He turned and walked directly towards the study. The moment the wooden door closed, his shoulders sagged slightly. Looking at his back, I instinctively felt a bone-deep weariness and vulnerability. Jason walked to the bookshelf, pressing certain book spines. With the sound of mechanical movement, a hidden compartment popped open. I expected top-tier jewelry, confidential documents, or something similar. But no, there was only a neatly folded, old dress, a faded hair tie, a few polaroid photos with worn edges, and… my meticulously clean photo frame. A sense of familiarity and fragmented memories surged. I knew those were my things. “Elara…” Jason murmured, his voice terribly hoarse. “Did you see? I made her afraid, she’s finally afraid.” He chuckled, but as he laughed, tears unexpectedly streamed down, turning into suppressed, painful sobs. “Elara… twenty-eight cuts. Were you scared then?” Jason questioned, clutching the photo frame. Standing behind Jason, my soul trembled. I frantically shook my head, hoping he wouldn’t continue to torment himself like this. But I was just a wisp of a soul, only able to helplessly float around him. Jason’s tone grew increasingly obsessive and deranged. “I was your husband, and I failed to protect you. I couldn’t get there… I’m guilty.” “Elara, I should also suffer twenty-eight cuts!” As soon as he spoke, Jason abruptly pulled a sharp utility knife from the study drawer. I gasped in alarm, immediately wanting to grab his hand to stop him, but I could only watch my soul fruitlessly pass through Jason’s arm. Jason didn’t hesitate, raising his hand and savagely slashing his left arm. Blood instantly gushed out! “Does it hurt? Elara.” He stared at the photo, his eyes unfocused. It was as if he was looking through it at me, who had suffered all those years ago. I was frantic with tears, silently comforting him. It doesn’t hurt anymore. Jason, it stopped hurting a long time ago. “Was it… was it this painful back then?” The second cut was deeper. Blood instantly stained most of his white shirt. I was in unbearable agony, but no matter how I pleaded or cried out. Jason couldn’t hear or perceive me. Just as I tried to stop Jason’s self-mutilation again, my “hand” desperately brushed against the computer keyboard. Clack! One of the keyboard caps pressed down ever so slightly, yet distinctly. I could actually press a key! The sound was faint. But in the study’s deathly silence, a silence broken only by the blade slicing through flesh, it echoed like thunder. Jason’s movements froze instantly. His hand, poised to make another cut, halted mid-air. His bloodshot eyes stared in disbelief at the computer screen. There, on the screen, in a blank document I had personally pulled up, a few words slowly appeared. “It doesn’t hurt” Time itself seemed to freeze.

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My wife came home from her business trip and found me in a compromising position with the nanny on our living room couch. She exploded. She called her family. They dragged me outside, tying me to a tree in our courtyard for a public shaming. “Leo Thompson, why?” Chloe wailed in front of everyone. “Was I not enough for you?” Her intern, Alex, hit me with a branch. Called me scum. I tasted blood and tears. I looked straight at Chloe. “Does this scene look familiar, Chloe? It’s just like the day Lily died.” Chloe froze. “You… you remembered?” “Leo Thompson!” Chloe’s voice was a raw, furious roar, her eyes blazing. “Our daughter has been gone for a month. One month! And you’re already screwing the nanny in our home? Do you have no shame?” Chloe’s eyes were blazing red, her voice a furious roar. I calmly lit a cigarette. “Feel free to cheat too. I wouldn’t mind.” “Stop acting so innocent. You’re never home. You’re probably already screwing someone else.” The nanny, Maya, pulled on her black stockings with a smirk, twisting the knife. I chuckled. Chloe completely lost it. She lunged at Maya, hand flying toward her face for a slap. But I caught her wrist in a tight grip. And I let Maya walk away. “Leo! You’re actually protecting some outsider? You scumbag! You bastard!” Chloe’s eyes were wide with shock. She started wildly punching my chest. “Stop being crazy!” I impatiently shoved her away. Just then, Alex, Chloe’s intern, arrived with her family. They saw Chloe collapsed on the floor, and everyone erupted. Alex charged at me, grabbing my collar. “Leo Thompson!” he snarled. “Not only are you cheating, you hit your wife? Are you even a man?” “Do you have any respect for Lily’s memory?” His spit sprayed across my face. “You don’t get to talk about my daughter!” I snapped. My fist connected with his jaw, sending him stumbling back. Chloe panicked. “Have you gone rabid? Why did you hit Alex?” Her family saw I wouldn’t back down. Rage burned in their eyes. “My daughter gave you everything! he didn’t care that you came from nothing, with no car and no house, and she still married you.” “How could you betray her?” “We shouldn’t have been soft-hearted! Even if you’d knelt in the rain until you died, we shouldn’t have allowed this marriage!” “Today, I’m going to let everyone see your true colors! And I’ll make sure you can never work in the medical field again!” All her relatives swarmed me. I was overwhelmed. They dragged me, helpless, to the center of the complex and tied me to a tree. They ripped my clothes off, leaving me in nothing but my boxers. “Everyone, come look! Look at this cheating, wife-beating bastard!” “Someone tell me,” a relative wailed, “why is my niece so pathetic? She gave her all to her family, and her husband runs off with the nanny!” “This animal was fooling around with the nanny right in front of his own daughter’s memorial photo! It’s an outrage!” Chloe’s family cried and screamed, drawing the entire neighborhood to crowd around. When people heard what happened, they stared at me with pure fury, cursing me as subhuman, saying I deserved to die. “You were hospitalized after your accident, and Chloe cared for you day and night! After just a few days, this is how you repay her? Where is your conscience?” “You pathetic, weak pig! I’ll kill you!” Chloe’s parents slapped me wildly. Encouraged by this, some in the crowd spat on me. Others grabbed dirt and rocks and started throwing them.

I was utterly humiliated. Chloe’s eyes were hazy with tears as she questioned me. “Leo Thompson, tell me! Why did you cheat?” I let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh. “You know why.” “Was I not enough for you? But that closet full of lingerie, I bought all of it for you! What more do you want?” Chloe cried even harder, almost screaming in despair. That was all the provocation the crowd needed. Their fury ignited. “Chloe, this bastard is hopeless. Today, I’ll make sure you get your revenge.” Alex first wiped away Chloe’s tears, then picked up a branch from the ground and savagely lashed me. “You rotten scumbag!” Again and again he struck, until my body was a mess of bloody welts. And the crowd cheered. “Hit him harder!” Chloe’s family yelled. “Don’t let him off easy!” Only Chloe stopped Alex. “Leo, we’ve been together for ten years, it wasn’t easy.” “If you admit your mistake and promise in front of everyone that you’ll change, I’ll give you one last chance.” The crowd praised her for her kindness, lamenting that such a wonderful woman was wasted on a man like me. “Admit my mistake?” I ground my teeth until I thought they would crack. “Chloe, doesn’t this scene look just like the day our daughter, Lily, died?” Chloe’s pupils immediately constricted. “You… you remembered everything?” “It was over a hundred degrees,” I pressed on, seeing her freeze. “Lily was surrounded, being screamed at by a crowd.” “Your favored and beloved intern, Alex, didn’t help. He locked her in a dog cage to ‘teach her a lesson’.” “Do you have any idea how desperately she cried?” Chloe’s fists clenched tightly, and she murmured, “Alex didn’t mean to.” Hearing her words, a few blood-tinged tears slid from my eyes. “Chloe! Lily was your own daughter! How could you be so heartless?” “That day, Lily couldn’t even get a sip of water. The sun peeled her skin, and her lips cracked and bled.” “When you saw her dead, didn’t your heart ache?” My accusations rang out. Chloe trembled all over, and Alex beside her looked nervous. The residents of the complex all stared at them, their gazes becoming strange. “Her own daughter was killed by her intern, and the mother still keeps him around? Is she sick?” “They probably have something going on.” “No wonder the husband cheated for revenge, his heart must have turned to ice.” Besides that. Mrs. Thompson also glared at Chloe, demanding, “Didn’t you say Lily’s death was an accident?” “Alex, what exactly happened?” Mr. Thompson glowered at Alex, waiting for an explanation. “It’s all my fault…” Alex slapped himself, feigning remorse and sobbing, “That day, I took Lily out to play. I just went to buy water for a second, and when I turned around, Lily was gone.” “Later I found out she ran into a bakery to steal bread, was caught by the store owner, thrown into a cage, and put on the roof as punishment.” “During that time, Chloe was busy with surgery. I sent messages and called Leo, but no one answered.” “I’m sorry, I didn’t watch Lily properly, I deserve to die!” After saying that, he wildly slapped himself again. “Okay, stop hitting yourself.” Chloe was heartbroken and quickly stepped forward to stop him. “I didn’t get any calls or messages from you that day, you killed my daughter…” Before I could finish. Chloe turned and slapped me, raging, “How many times have I told you? It has nothing to do with Alex! It was the bakery owner who committed the evil act, and he’s currently wanted by the police.”

“Besides, if you hadn’t abused Lily, not given her food, would she have stolen bread?” I suddenly froze. “As a mother, don’t you know your own daughter? Would she really steal like that?” “Don’t you know how much Lily adored me?” Chloe was always busy with work, performing multiple surgeries every day, so I decisively quit my job at the hospital to care for Lily. If Lily wasn’t eating enough or dressed warmly, she would have been malnourished long ago. Moreover, Lily was a sweet and well-behaved child, she would rather starve than steal bread! Chloe remained silent. Alex, however, indignantly said, “Leo Thompson, stop making excuses!” “I investigated at the daycare. The teacher said Lily fainted a few times, but always recovered after eating something or having a drink.” “I have surveillance footage as proof!” With that, he pulled out his phone and played a video. The teacher was playing games with the children. Lily suddenly fainted. “I have dozens of videos like this! Leo Thompson, what more do you have to say?” Alex said coldly. “You bastard, you actually didn’t give Lily food? What kind of father are you?” “My poor granddaughter must have been starving to steal bread. It’s all your fault, you irresponsible father.” Mr. and Mrs. Thompson cried out, rushing forward to hit and curse me. The other relatives followed suit. The surrounding residents cheered again, wishing they could all rush up and strangle me on the spot. Chloe looked at me, saying disappointedly, “Alex kept this quiet out of respect for me.” “But what about you? You repay kindness with cruelty, actually slandering Alex!” “Killing Lily wasn’t enough, you want to kill Alex too? When did you become so malicious?” Hearing her righteous accusation. I smiled bitterly, tears in my eyes. “Chloe, some things aren’t facts just because you see them with your own eyes.” “What if I told you Lily had low blood sugar? Would you believe me?” Chloe momentarily froze. Alex sneered, “Leo Thompson, are you trying to use this to say you didn’t cheat? That what Chloe saw was all fake?” “Exploiting your deceased daughter, you’re truly disgusting!” At his words, Chloe raged, “Leo Thompson, I’m not just Lily’s mother, I’m also a doctor!” “Do you think I wouldn’t know if she had low blood sugar?” “Don’t try to twist the facts to justify your cheating!” Mr. and Mrs. Thompson and the others cursed me as an animal. In the endless barrage of insults, I stared intently at Chloe and shouted, “I never cheated! You and Alex framed me!” “Bullshit!” Alex immediately retorted, “You were caught red-handed and you’re still denying it! You have no shame!” “Still spouting nonsense, I’ll smash your mouth!” Mr. Thompson pulled off his shoe and viciously threw it at my mouth. My mouth bled profusely. Yet my attitude remained unchanged. I said coldly, “I can prove my innocence in a moment, but some people won’t be so lucky.” I stared fiercely at Alex and Chloe, my eyes filled with hatred. “Enough!” “Do you really think people will believe you with empty words? Are you treating us like I was born yesterday?” Chloe put a hand on her hip, indignant. “I’m telling you now!” “The moment you admit your mistake today, is the moment we let you go. Otherwise, you’ll stay here under the blazing sun!” I didn’t utter a word. The surrounding residents all said I was stubborn to the core, utterly despicable. I was still under the scorching sun, like a skewer roasting, burning from the inside out.

Sweat soaked my clothes. But evaporated just as quickly. Dehydration left my mouth parched, my lips cracked, and my head spinning. I thought of my daughter. She was in this very weather, alone on that rooftop, calling out to no one, crying for help that never came. Her tiny life, slowly slipping away, eventually dying of dehydration. She must have been so desperate, so in pain. She surely wished her mommy and daddy would suddenly appear like superheroes, handing her a bottle of water and a popsicle. “I bought watermelon and popsicles, and various cold drinks, everyone can have them for free!” Alex’s shout broke my thoughts. He had someone bring a cart of watermelons and three portable ice chests, offering relief to everyone around. “Alex, you’re so thoughtful.” Chloe took the cold drink Alex offered, a happy smile playing on her lips. “It’s nothing, just what I should do.” Alex smiled, then distributed cold drinks and popsicles to Chloe’s family. “This young man is so capable.” “He’s eighteen times better than some scumbag!” Mr. and Mrs. Thompson praised him profusely. The surrounding residents also gave thumbs up. Only I felt sick to my stomach. Alex took a popsicle, walked up to me, and sneered in a low voice, “Hot and thirsty, aren’t you?” “Just call me ‘Dad,’ and I’ll give you some. Otherwise, you’ll just end up like your daughter, baked to a crisp.” “I even recorded how pathetic she looked back then. I rewatch it every night…” My eyes were bloodshot. I spat a bloody phlegm at Alex, cursing, “You monster!” Chloe rushed over, glanced at the bloody phlegm on Alex’s face, and immediately lashed out at me. “Leo Thompson!” “Alex was kindly offering you a popsicle, and you repay his kindness with cruelty, you ungrateful jerk!” “I must have been blind to ever fall for someone like you!” Still not satisfied, she raised her hand to slap me. “Keep your filthy hands to yourself!” Just then, a playful female voice cut through the air. Everyone looked over. It was Maya, the nanny, who had returned, followed by a team of police officers. They immediately untied me. Chloe was furious, glaring at Maya. “You homewrecker, you actually dared to come back!” “I’ve seen shameless people, but never someone this shameless. Being a homewrecker and then having the nerve to call the police!” Alex also cursed her with disgust. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson’s fists clenched, grinding audibly, as if they wanted to tear Maya apart. “Anyone can talk big.” “What evidence do you have to call me a homewrecker?” Maya asked. “I… I saw it with my own eyes!” Chloe gritted her teeth. “So, you have no evidence, huh?” Maya’s lips curved into a smile. She turned to the police officers and said, “Chloe Thompson and Alex slandered me as a homewrecker and deliberately assaulted Leo Thompson.” “Please arrest them!” At her words, I, who had played along, also smiled. The show was just beginning! Alex immediately panicked. “You homewrecker, you’re actually playing the victim! You’re utterly despicable!” “Can’t afford to live anymore? A homewrecker being so arrogant!” Chloe frowned, looking at me. “Leo Thompson, if you’re still a man, admit it!” I took a sip of the cold drink Maya handed me. “I’m innocent, why should I admit to anything?” “If you think I cheated, then show me the evidence.” Hearing me, Chloe threw the popsicle in her hand, indignantly saying, “I saw you two intimately close on the sofa with my own eyes!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “306120”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

I found a box of condoms in my husband’s gym bag. I didn’t confront him. I just quietly poked a few holes in each one. Two months later, my best friend told me. She was unexpectedly pregnant and wanted someone to take responsibility. My husband, Ryan, had been a different man lately. Suddenly, he was pinching the fat around his waist in front of the mirror, eating like a bird. Even more out of character, he’d splurged on a top-tier gym membership. Before, he’d come home from work and flop onto the couch. Now, come hell or high water, he’d grab his bag the moment he walked in, heading straight for the gym. Something was definitely off. While he was in the shower, I snuck into his gym bag. The canvas pocket reeked of sweat. My fingers delved inside, brushing against a square, hard box. My blood ran cold. I pulled it out: condoms. My hands shaking, I pried open the box. The foil packets were neatly arranged. My gaze swept over them, freezing instantly. One, two… Any last shred of doubt withered and died. Two were missing from the box. My fallopian tubes were severely blocked, making natural conception impossible. We never used condoms. He had used them. With whom? A buzzing roar filled my ears. My body went numb, as if plunged into an icy abyss, chilling me from head to toe.

I stealthily retrieved his phone. The screen lit up, the lock screen still our Maldives wedding photo from three years ago. Ryan’s arm was around my waist, and my eyes curved into crescents from smiling in the sunlight. My fingerprint still unlocked it. He hadn’t thought to hide this from me yet. My SnapChat was pinned at the top, our chat history stopping at this morning’s – Remember to buy milk. His text messages were all delivery notifications. The call log for the past week only showed me, his mom, and the delivery guy. I tapped on the DoorDash app; all the order addresses were for the Downtown Tech Hub and Maplewood Residences, Unit 902. His Uber rides were strictly between work and home. Too clean. Clean like a meticulously scrubbed crime scene. I was about to lock the screen. Ding! A Mobile Legends notification popped up: Your friend “InvincibleRyan” has invited you to a ranked match. My finger, seemingly of its own accord, tapped open the game. It led me into a private chat. There were only two people: my husband and “SugarBaby.” I scrolled through the private chat. The world spun around me.

“Baby, did you enjoy that?” [InvincibleRyan] “You were moaning so loud against the glass, the whole building probably heard, hehe~” [InvincibleRyan] “Where’s your wife? Still playing dead fish, waiting for you to honor her with your presence?” [SugarBaby] “Her? She’s long asleep. Having sex with her is like having sex with a corpse, she doesn’t even make a sound. Every time we finish, I’m so disgusted I have to come find you. Nothing like you, baby, last time you screamed so loud my ears were ringing~” [InvincibleRyan] “So, are you coming over tomorrow night? I bought a new lace collar you’ll love~” [SugarBaby] “Yeah, I’ll be there, baby. I’ll make you come so hard you’ll see stars.” [InvincibleRyan] “Okay~ But, do you think she’d burst into tears if she knew you had to think about me just to get hard every time you were with her?” [SugarBaby] “Her? She’d probably just cower in her bed, too scared to even breathe.” [InvincibleRyan] “Then I want to do it right under your wedding photo, let her stare blankly at the headboard every day. Since her belly can’t produce anything, why not let me carry one?” [SugarBaby] …

Reading those chat messages… The raw mockery, the vile obscenities, the venomous personal attacks – they made my whole body tremble with rage. Suddenly, my stomach lurched, bile rising in my throat. I clapped a hand over my mouth, stumbling to the balcony. Clutching the cold railing, I dry-heaved a few times. Tears mixed with snot, a pathetic mess streaking my face. How could this be? This was Ryan, the man who once ran several blocks in a downpour to save cab fare, soaking wet but meticulously shielding the hot soup he was bringing me. This was Ryan, who spent his first paycheck on a necklace for me and ate cheap ramen for a month. This was Ryan, who woke up at 5 AM to stand in line for two hours just because I casually mentioned I wanted a pastry from that popular spot across town. This was Ryan, who cried more than I did at our wedding, declaring, “Marrying you is the greatest blessing of my life.” … Three years ago, when I had that terrible flu. I was burning up, drifting in and out of consciousness. He stayed awake all night, constantly cooling my forehead, neck, and hands with a warm cloth. In the early hours, I was so parched, I rasped out a soft moan. He startled awake, immediately got out of bed, and went to the kitchen for water. The water was too hot, so he poured it back and forth between two cups, repeatedly, until it cooled. He blew on it, tested the temperature himself, and then carefully brought it to my lips. “Slowly, drink slowly…” His eyes held nothing but anxious concern. During that time my career hit rock bottom. My boss was making things difficult, my proposals were rejected again and again. I’d come home late, exhausted, and collapse onto the hallway rug. He always heard me, always came over in silence. He never asked why. He just quietly knelt down and opened his arms. I’d bury my head deep in his embrace, like a lost ship finally finding its safe harbor. He would simply hold me gently. His embrace held a quiet power, shielding me from every storm. Even when my check-up revealed blocked fallopian tubes, meaning I couldn’t conceive naturally. He just held me tight and said, “Don’t be silly! I’d be jealous, a kid would just steal your love from me!” I even felt guilty for his boundless acceptance, believing I owed him a complete family and should repay him with boundless love and devotion. But who would have thought… One person could wear so many masks. Behind that gentle affection lay such repulsive filth. He hadn’t just betrayed his vows. He had casually, brutally, shattered everything we had built together, my genuine heart, my unwavering trust!

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The night before my wedding, I was scrolling through TikTok when a video popped up. The location? My fiancée’s apartment complex. “One last night as lovers, then we’ll be the closest strangers.” I opened the caption, and my entire world imploded. “At 18, sponsored by my adoptive parents, I became her nominal brother.” “At 23, we burned with passion, and she cried out, lost in pleasure beneath me, so beautiful as she begged for more.” “At 24, she bore me a son. I thought we’d have a happy family.” “But fate, with a cruel twist of its pen, dictates she’s marrying someone else tomorrow.” “My love, the mother of my child, I wish you a happy wedding.” In the video, the blurry child’s hand wore a distinctive thick gold chain. It was the high-end custom bracelet, engraved with his initials, that I had personally given to my fiancée’s nephew, Leo. “Dude, how could you post something so messed up? You put this out there on purpose, hoping the groom would see it, right?” “OMG, my eyes are burning! Is this something a normal person would say?” “Bump this! Get the groom to see it, he needs to run! If he marries into this family, he’ll be dealing with baby mama drama and a secret family for life.” Staring at the familiar gold chain, the familiar address, even the familiar shape of the child. I swallowed the shock churning in my gut. I just couldn’t believe something like this was Chloe Miller, my girlfriend of five years. I screenshotted the video and immediately dropped it into our family WhatsApp group. “Was the gold chain I gave Leo stolen?” Less than a minute later, the video’s privacy settings changed; it was no longer viewable. Chloe quickly responded. “No way! He loves it, never takes it off.” “What video? Why are you still up so late? We have the wedding tomorrow, stop scrolling and get some rest.” A chill crept through me. I didn’t reply. That disgusting phrase, “one last night as lovers,” echoed in my head. Right then, I initiated a group FaceTime call. “Chloe, Liam, pick up the phone. I need to talk to you.” The next second, Mrs. Miller, who always played dumb and stayed hidden in group chats, sent a message. “What’s going on? Calling so late? Can’t it wait till tomorrow? Liam’s exhausted from groomsman duties, he’s already asleep.” Chloe quickly followed. “Yeah, tomorrow we’ll be legally married. Why call when we can see each other every day after that?” “Plus, you know we have this tradition, a superstition that the bride and groom shouldn’t see each other the night before the wedding, it brings bad luck.” Mr. and Mrs. Miller chimed in, echoing her words. I frowned, my voice unwavering. “If you don’t pick up in one minute, the wedding is off.” The group chat instantly fell silent. My parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, rushed into my room. “Ryan, you’re not joking, are you? What on earth is going on?” I recounted the entire video content. My parents’ expressions instantly turned grim. “No way, really? Could it be a coincidence?” I looked at them, my resolve firm. “I don’t believe in coincidences like this. If this isn’t cleared up, I’m not marrying her!” Soon, the group chat exploded. “What does this mean? He’s canceling the wedding over some random video?” “Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, you be the judge! Does the world revolve around him? He’s canceling the wedding over a minor disagreement? Is that reasonable?” My dad glanced at me. “Traditions don’t matter as much as whether someone is trustworthy! If they’re truly committed! My son has his reasons, and we support him.” At his words, the group chat seemed to go quiet, as if suddenly guilty. A minute later, the FaceTime call connected. Chloe and Liam were in their separate bedrooms, in their own beds. “Ryan, I was going to take Leo home, but Mrs. Miller said it was too late, so I just stayed here. Don’t get the wrong idea.” Her words made it sound like I was being unreasonable. I didn’t say anything, just noticed that Leo, who usually never left his dad’s side, was sleeping next to Chloe. I couldn’t ignore any suspicious detail. “Why isn’t Leo sleeping with Liam?” Chloe’s eyes, still red-rimmed, paused. “He probably just misses me.” Just then, Leo seemed to stir, startled by my voice, and rolled into Chloe’s embrace. As he shifted, a sheer pair of boxer briefs, half-hidden beneath him, became visible.

My heart plummeted. I’d seen Liam wearing an identical pair when he tried on his groomsman’s suit last time. “Wait, Ryan, don’t misunderstand…” As she stammered, I quickly took a screenshot and sent it to the group chat. “There’s a clear distinction between genders. Aren’t you worried about misunderstandings if you’re so careless?” Soon, Liam’s voice, hoarse and low, cut in. “I’m so sorry, Ryan… The main bathroom pipe broke, so I just used Chloe’s bathroom to shower. I might have forgotten to pick them up.” “Don’t get the wrong idea, it was just this once. It won’t happen again.” “I forgot, I actually washed it with their clothes this afternoon. It was probably an oversight when I was putting things away.” “It might have even hung on Leo’s clothes hook and accidentally got carried over. It’s nothing serious, really!” Three different explanations for one item. The more they explained, the guiltier they sounded. I couldn’t help but remember that Chloe had undergone a vaginal rejuvenation surgery. My fists clenched. “Alright. Then I want to see a DNA paternity test for Chloe and Leo. We’ll get married when the results are in.” Silence again filled the group chat. But almost immediately, Mrs. Miller’s message popped up. “Hey, what exactly do you mean by this? First the gold chain, then a video late at night, and now you want a DNA test? Are we even getting married tomorrow? You’re pushing it too far, acting like our feelings don’t matter!” Through the audio message, I could faintly hear suppressed sobs. Chloe disconnected the FaceTime and called me directly. “What do you want? We’re getting married tomorrow, why are you acting crazy? They already explained it, it was an accident with the laundry! Is it really that big of a deal?” I took a deep breath, steadying my voice. “We’ve moved past that. I’m talking about the paternity test now. Chloe, if you have nothing to hide, take Leo for the test. Otherwise, this wedding is off tomorrow.” A few seconds of silence on the other end. Her voice was helpless. “I have nothing to hide, but Leo just fell asleep. And it’s so late, where can we even go for a test? What if he throws a tantrum? Please, just listen. We’ll get married tomorrow, and I’ll take him for the test right after, okay?” She was trying to appease me, just like she always did. But a cold dread spread through me. “Do you know that when you’re guilty, you’ll accept anything, no matter how outrageous?” “You haven’t once asked why I’m asking you for a DNA test with a child who’s supposedly your adoptive brother’s. A normal person would find such a request absurd. Only you find it normal. What does that tell you?” She was silent for a while. The next instant, Leo started crying. Mrs. Miller’s angry voice came through the phone. “This is a disaster! This son-in-law hasn’t even entered the family and he’s already tearing our home apart! Liam may be a sponsored child, but I’ve raised him as my own!” “Chloe! Is this the good son-in-law you found me?! Insulting family like this, are you trying to kill us with anger?!” Chloe sighed. “Ryan, you can mess with me all you want, but please don’t mess with my parents. They have to get up early tomorrow.” “And I told you, Liam was tricked into raising a child that wasn’t his when he was younger.” “Stop fighting, go get some rest.” She hung up. I pulled on my clothes and headed straight for the Miller house. I wouldn’t find peace until this was cleared up. My mom looked at me hesitantly. “Ryan, are you really sure? The video’s gone, what if they manipulate us? Her mom is already difficult, and now…” I shook my head. “I trust my gut.” When the three of us arrived at the Miller house, it was in chaos. Liam was wailing hysterically. “I should just die! Why did I ever come back? Why was I soft-hearted enough to take in this child and be misunderstood like this?!” Mrs. Miller glared at me, annoyed. “Are you determined to cause trouble? You’ve come to our house now. Do you just want to see us fall apart?”

I looked at them calmly. “I’m not causing trouble. My demands are simple: First, I want to see Liam’s phone gallery and any hidden videos on his social media. Second, I want Chloe and Leo to get a DNA test right now. If these two things aren’t resolved, I will not get married.” They stared at me in shock. Chloe frowned. “It’s one thing to fight on the phone, but to come to my house and cause a scene? Do you think it’s appropriate to keep my family up all night with your drama?” Before I could speak, Liam knelt on the floor and handed me his phone. “Ryan, you can look all you want. I really don’t know what you’re talking about with that video! Are you misunderstanding something?” “I don’t know why you’d misunderstand me, or Leo, but he’s truly just a child I was tricked into taking in. Do I really have to rip open old wounds for you to believe me?” I ignored him, opening his phone. His social media profile showed no activity and no hidden drafts. A flicker of doubt rose within me. But when I clicked on his photo gallery and saw it was completely empty, even the recently deleted folder, I knew he’d tampered with it. Meeting his feigned innocent eyes, I let out a light laugh and tossed the phone onto the floor. “What does this prove? Phones can be faked, who knows if you deleted everything beforehand. I only believe what I see with my own eyes and my first instinct!” His face was pale, his eyes downcast. “I’m sorry, Ryan. I shouldn’t have mixed my clothes with theirs. I shouldn’t have forgotten my place as an outsider.” “But there’s nothing going on between us! If you think it’s inappropriate for me to have a child and be here, if you don’t want to see me, I can leave. I promise after tomorrow, I’ll never bother you again!” “Please, don’t insult me like this. I’m begging you!” Mrs. Miller immediately sat on the floor, hugging Liam and Leo, and burst into tears. “This is a tragedy, a tragedy! If you leave, I’ll leave too!” “He’s so arrogant now, who knows what life will be like after they’re married! I might as well just leave too, so I won’t be despised!” Mr. Miller’s face was ashen, clutching his chest, gasping for air. “This is the kind of person you picked, Chloe! Our whole family is in a mess! Causing such a scene the day before the wedding, where do we put our faces? He looked at the phone, what more does he want?!” Chloe looked exhausted. “Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, he’s being childish and making a fuss, but why are you two going along with it?” My dad’s expression was serious. “Whether it’s a fuss or not, you just do what my son says. If he truly is making a fuss, I’ll discipline him and give you a satisfactory explanation.” “But my son is always sensible and reasonable. He wouldn’t do this if it wasn’t serious. Besides, that video had your family’s location.” “The bracelet on the child’s hand was a gift my son custom-made for Leo for the engagement. He’s three years old this year. Liam is twenty-seven, and he’s your sponsored child. If you’re innocent and have nothing to hide, then openly go get that test done!” At his words, the entire family’s faces darkened. Liam’s eyes welled up with tears. He hugged the child tightly and abruptly rushed to the balcony, his voice trembling with despair: “Fine! Since you see us as a stain on this family, since you can’t tolerate us… then I’ll take Leo and go! We’ll disappear completely, just as you wish!” Chloe’s face instantly went ashen, her voice shaking: “Liam! Calm down! Bring Leo back, it’s too dangerous up there!” “We’d rather die to prove our innocence than let our presence jeopardize your marriage with Chloe!” Leo cried hysterically. “Grandma, Grandpa, I’m scared!” Chloe’s eyes immediately turned red, her body trembling. “No, no! Liam, don’t be crazy. Bring Leo down quickly, it’s too cold up there, don’t scare Leo. Can you let me handle this?” Liam gritted his teeth and pushed open the balcony safety screen. “Mr. Miller, Mrs. Miller , I’m so sorry. It’s my fault for being so foolish and soft-hearted, becoming a stain in Ryan’s mind. I’m willing to die to ensure their marriage is happy.” “I’m just sorry I can’t repay your kindness in this life. I’ll repay you well in the next!”

With that, he extended one foot outside the window. The biting cold wind made the child cry ceaselessly. Mrs. Miller rushed forward, grabbing his leg. Mr. Miller seized the opportunity to pull the child back inside. “No! No one can kick you out of this house! You didn’t do anything wrong, why should you sacrifice yourself? We don’t need a son-in-law who’s so aggressive anyway!” “Liam, your adoptive mom can’t live without you, can’t live without Leo. Don’t be impulsive, I’ll stand up for you. Come down now, don’t let Leo catch a cold!” The group clung to each other, unwilling to let go. Liam looked at me sheepishly. “But if Ryan doesn’t want me, then I still don’t want to live!” Before he could finish, a resounding slap landed on my face. After a moment of dizziness, I saw Chloe’s furious, bloodshot eyes. “Ryan! When did you become so unreasonable? These are two human lives, are you really going to make them pay with their lives for your baseless suspicions?!” In our five years of dating, this was the first time she had ever laid a hand on me. My dad, furious, moved to strike back, but I held him off. I gritted my teeth, looking at her coldly. “Chloe, remember that slap. You’re going to regret it.” After a moment of surprise, a flicker of guilt crossed her eyes, and she reached for my hand. “Ryan, I…” I dodged her grasp and strode towards Leo. In his frightened gaze, I carefully removed the gold chain. “Since you’re being so evasive, the wedding is canceled. I’ll return the dowry in full. You can inform your own relatives.” With that, we turned and left. My dad shot her a scathing look. Downstairs, my mom looked conflicted. “Ryan, are you really canceling the wedding?” I looked at the bracelet in my hand, its design almost perfectly matching the video screenshot, and nodded. “Mom, I can’t accept someone who’s constantly lying.” I had asked Chloe for a strand of Leo’s hair to be woven into the chain when it was custom-made. That strand of hair was still inside the bracelet. Getting a DNA test from it would confirm everything. Back home, I dug out the “lovers’ knot” bracelet Chloe had given me years ago, woven with her own hair. Back then, she’d said she’d shield me from harm and weather any storm. I swallowed the bitterness, taking both strands of hair to the hospital that very night, arranging for an expedited DNA paternity test. An hour later, staring at the result showing 99% certainty, I felt as if I’d plunged into an ice-cold abyss. My parents were equally disbelieving. “That damn Chloe, she actually… she actually had another man’s child!” “This is a disaster! Why did this have to happen to us?!” Seeing my parents’ grief, I suppressed the ache in my chest. Cutting my losses now was what mattered most. I posted on Ins about our “relationship issues” and the “wedding cancellation.” As expected, my phone was bombarded with inquiries. Then my phone rang. It was Ashley Smith, my childhood friend. “The invitations are out, the venue’s booked. And you’re just canceling it like that?” “You can be reckless, you can do what you want, but what about Mr. and Mrs. Hayes? They’re old enough, do they have to clean up your mess? What will all those relatives think of them?” I choked back a sob. “What do you mean? Are you kicking me while I’m down too?” She had never approved of Chloe, always feeling that Liam had ulterior motives and that their dynamic was strange. I’d thought she was being a little harsh and hadn’t paid much attention. It turned out she was right. She sighed. “No, what I mean is, don’t cancel the wedding. And don’t let your parents become a laughingstock.” “We’ll switch brides. I’ll stand by you and put on a respectable show.”

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I was the Sterling family’s true heiress. But when Briar, the girl they raised as their own, and I were kidnapped, and they could only redeem one of us… My parents, who swore they’d never play favorites, didn’t hesitate for a second. They chose Briar. Even Julian, my fiancé, who’d vowed eternal love, made the exact same choice. Five years later, Lysander Thorne, the long-lost heir to a powerful international conglomerate, was photographed at the airport. My slightly weary figure, holding my child, was also captured, making headlines. Someone immediately recognized me as Elara, the true heiress of the Sterling family, who was supposedly murdered by kidnappers five years ago. Before the Thorne family’s evening gala, my parents saw me. The moment we met, my father, Richard, slapped me across the face. “Elara, I can’t believe you’d stoop so low as to get pregnant by a kidnapper just to save your own life. How utterly disgusting.” My mother, Victoria, wiped away tears, accusing me, “You’re a Sterling. Even if you were forced, you shouldn’t have given birth to a bastard child. It’s utterly disgraceful!” Briar, the fake heiress, pretended to intervene, “Richard, Victoria, don’t talk about Elara like that. She was just trying to survive. But Elara, you really shouldn’t have brought that mongrel back.” Julian, my ex-fiancé, sneered, “Good thing I married Briar later. I couldn’t be with a woman like you, utterly devoid of dignity.” But seeing Briar holding a child who looked nothing like Julian, all I felt was bitter irony. When I didn’t respond, my parents finally looked at me with condescending pity. “As long as you get rid of that illegitimate child, we can take you back and you can be a Sterling heiress again.” Later, as my son and I were being tormented, a dark, low voice echoed from behind us. “Who are you calling a bastard child?” They all spun around, and when they saw who it was, their faces drained of all color.

“This is our final concession. We hope you’ll think carefully.” Victoria had just finished speaking when Richard cut her off. “Think carefully about what? Why would you throw away a perfectly good life as a Sterling heiress to work as a servant and raise an illegitimate child? We can’t afford that kind of shame.” “Elara, quit your job right now, come home with us, and cut ties with that bastard. We can’t afford this embarrassment. If people find out the Sterling heiress is working as a servant, where do you think that leaves our reputation?” I smirked inwardly. How did they figure out I was a servant? I glanced down at myself. My clothes were dark gray, the fabric looked plain, and I was holding a platter of sliced fruit. It certainly made it easy for them to misunderstand. But that was only because Leo had been begging for the fresh peaches from the backyard, and I, seeing it was still early for the gala, hadn’t changed into my dress yet. I’d just thrown on some casual clothes to go pick the peaches. Who knew I’d run into them all? Dressed in their exquisite evening wear, they must be here for the gala, which is why they assumed I was a servant. I coldly dodged Richard’s outstretched hand. I looked him straight in the eye, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “The Sterling heiress? If I recall correctly, in front of the kidnappers all those years ago, you explicitly stated that the Sterling family only had one heiress: Briar.” That painful memory instantly flooded back—when the kidnappers ordered them to choose only one of us, they hadn’t hesitated for a second. Victoria had cried to the kidnappers, “Let our Briar go! She’s the Sterling family’s only daughter, our future hope!” Richard’s face flashed with a hint of guilt, as if recalling his words from back then. He was about to speak, but Briar cut him off. Briar looked at me with a pained expression. “Elara, don’t throw a tantrum about what happened back then. We’re here today at the Thorne’s gala for their grandson, hoping to secure an important partnership. If they find out you’re working as a servant in their home, what will they think of Richard and Victoria?” “You should quit quickly, before they find out. Otherwise, if you prevent our cooperation, you’ll ruin the Sterling family.” “And that bastard child of yours, while not many people know, you should send him away immediately. Otherwise, it’s the Sterling family’s reputation that will suffer.” I sneered, looking at her with mockery. “I won’t send my son away. Because he’s not a bastard child.”

Because he was the guest of honor at tonight’s gala: Leo Thorne’s welcome party, the only son of Lysander Thorne, heir to the international conglomerate. Mr Thorne had initially thought his son, Lysander, had died in a shipwreck and had been heartbroken and despondent for a long time. Now, not only had his son returned, but he also had a grandson. He couldn’t be happier. He’d give Leo the moon and the stars. Just one day after his return, Mr Thorne had already transferred fifty percent of his assets to Leo. Now, if he were to find out that someone called his grandson a bastard child, I doubt they’d ever be allowed into the Thorne mansion again, let alone dream of any cooperation. Julian sneered, “A child of yours and those thugs, what else would it be but a bastard?” “Elara, we saw the news reports. That child looks at least four years old. You were kidnapped five years ago. Whose child could it be if not the kidnapper’s?” “Now, come back with us immediately. Stop making a scene. We might still throw you a bone. Otherwise, don’t blame us for being rude.” With that, he roughly grabbed my arm. The platter in my hand clattered to the ground, and the freshly picked peaches were ruined. These were the two freshly ripe peaches from the tree, Leo had been talking about eating them since last night. Enraged, I forcefully pushed Julian away. “Enough! Stop calling him a bastard. My son has a name. He’s called…” Smack! Richard slapped me again. “I knew you were trying to deliberately cause a scene here, didn’t I?” “News of your return is already out. Everyone’s talking about you. The gala hasn’t officially started, not many people have seen you yet. Come home with me right now. Otherwise, once more people arrive, do you want us to become their laughingstock?” I clutched my stinging face, staring at Richard in disbelief. This was the second time he’d slapped me today. He wanted to take me away, not because he cared for me, but because he thought I was an embarrassment. My eyes burning red, I looked at him. “I’m not leaving. And this is the Thorne estate. You can’t take me away.” Seeing my defiance, Richard’s chest heaved with anger. He grabbed my arm and started dragging me towards the gate. “We’ll see about that! I won’t let you stay here and disgrace us, no matter what.” I struggled fiercely. “You have no right to take me! Let go immediately, or I’ll scream for help!” Looking at the empty backyard, I suddenly remembered that my husband and I didn’t like too many staff around, so the servants weren’t present before the banquet. Julian also came over to help Richard drag me. “Enough! Stop struggling, or we won’t be so polite.” Briar, her eyes red, pretended to console me. “I know you resent Richard and Victoria for choosing me, Elara. That’s why you’re being so rebellious and embarrassing them.” “If you just listen to Richard and Victoria this once, don’t work as a servant here, and send that bastard away when you get home, I’ll even leave the Sterling family and let you have Richard and Victoria all to yourself.” Victoria, looking heartbroken, pulled Briar into a hug. “Briar, what are you saying? Richard and I have raised you for so many years. You are our most beloved child. No one can make you leave us.” Briar shot me a triumphant smirk. I was already being dragged out of the mansion, about to be forcefully shoved into a car. Just then, an angry shout came from behind. “What are you doing? Let go of my mom!”

It was Leo. He must have come looking for me since I’d been gone so long. He rushed over, pushing fiercely against Julian. “Let go of my mom! If my dad finds out, he’ll never forgive you!” Julian’s eyes flashed with disdain. He lifted his foot and shoved Leo hard, sending him sprawling to the ground. Leo’s elbow scraped against the concrete, immediately leaving two red marks. My heart ached as I tried to run to him. “Leo!” “Mommy, my arm hurts so bad!” Leo sat on the ground, his eyes red, looking at me. But my arms were restrained by Richard and Julian. No matter how much I struggled, I couldn’t break free. Tears streamed down my face as I watched Leo. “Do you know who Leo’s dad is…” “Shut up!” Victoria glared at me fiercely. “Still shouting? Afraid people won’t know he’s a bastard? “His father is an animal! Why are you still yelling? What, can he come help you? “If he dares to show up, I’ll make sure he never leaves!” Just as I was about to be shoved back into the car, Leo, crying, started punching Richard. “Let go of Mommy! Don’t take Mommy away! Or I’ll tell Grandpa!” Richard’s eyes turned cold. I screamed at Leo, “Leo, watch out!” But it was too late. Richard kicked Leo, sending him flying to the ground. “No!” Leo’s forehead hit the hard concrete path, and blood immediately started to flow. Richard scoffed, spitting on the ground. “What a piece of trash, daring to touch me!” “First ‘Daddy,’ now ‘Grandpa’? What, are your whole family a bunch of kidnappers and thugs? Do you think I’m scared of them? Let them come, I’ll kill them all!” Leo sobbed indignantly, yelling, “My Grandpa isn’t a kidnapper or a thug! You’re trying to steal Mommy, you’re the bad guys!” “I’ll tell Grandpa to have them all locked up!” “How dare you curse my grandfather, you little mongrel! I’ll beat you to death!” Briar’s son, Cody, rushed out, straddled Leo, and started punching and kicking him. “No!” I screamed, then used all my strength to break free and lunged towards Leo. Cody was pushed away and fell to the ground, instantly crying loudly in pain. I hugged Leo tightly. Seeing his tender, pale face bruised and swollen, my heart shattered. “I’m so sorry, Leo. Mommy didn’t protect you well.” “Mommy will take you home to Daddy, okay?” “Mm-hmm.” Leo nodded tearfully. “Let’s tell Daddy, and he’ll deal with these bad guys.” I picked up Leo and started to leave, but they blocked me. Briar, eyes red, looked hurt. “Elara, how could you hit Cody? Look, his hand is all red from falling.” I looked at the small red mark and couldn’t help but sneer. “Did you not see him hitting Leo just now? All the bruises on Leo’s face are from him!” Victoria pointed at me, yelling, “How can you compare your bastard to Cody? Cody is our precious darling! Yours is just an illegitimate child!” Julian spoke up, “Exactly! You laid hands on my son, you’ll have to pay the price!” I held my son, looking at him. “And how do you intend to make me pay?” “Kneel down and apologize to my son right now, or don’t blame us for being impolite!” Cody’s eyes gleamed with malicious joy. “Yeah! And I want that bastard to kneel and kowtow to me, and let me ride him like a horse!”

“What?!” I looked at them in disbelief. “You want me to kneel and apologize to him, and make my son let him ride him like a horse? You people wouldn’t live long enough for that.” Briar put on a weak, fainting act. “Elara, I only asked for an apology, but you’re cursing my son and Julian’s. That’s too much!” I looked at her with a half-smile. “Briar, he might be your son, but is he really Julian’s?” A flicker of guilt crossed Briar’s eyes, then she slapped me across the face. “Elara, you’re going too far! I know you resent me for replacing you and marrying Julian, but we didn’t know you’d ever return back then. You can’t just make up lies because of that!” “Julian, you have to believe me! Cody is our son!” Julian put his arm around her, looking heartbroken. “Of course I believe you. Don’t worry, I’ll make her apologize to our son right now.” Then Julian walked towards me coldly. “Are you going to kneel down yourself, or should I help you?” I tried to run, but he grabbed me. He tried to snatch Leo from my arms, but I held on tight. But Richard and Victoria joined in. Richard kicked the back of my knee, and I stumbled, almost falling. Leo was then easily snatched away by Julian. He squeezed Leo’s neck. “Are you going to kneel or not?” Leo’s small face turned deathly pale, but he still shook his head at me. “Mommy, don’t kneel! Leo isn’t scared!” Terrified, I collapsed to my knees with a thud, begging them. “Please, let go of Leo! He’s not a kidnapper’s child, he’s…” Smack! Briar reached out and slapped me. “Elara, I didn’t want to hit you, but you’re slandering my name. I have to teach you a lesson!” She slapped me a dozen times before stopping. My cheeks burned with agonizing pain. I looked at her coldly. “You’ll regret this. My husband is…” Before I could finish, Richard grabbed my hair, forcing my head down to hit the ground. “Still daring to use your low-life husband to threaten us? You’re going to bow to Cody now until he’s satisfied!” I resisted stubbornly, refusing to bow, so he threatened me, “If you don’t bow, don’t blame me for being rough with that illegitimate child of yours!” Leo’s cries continued. I instantly lost all strength to resist, and Richard forced my head down, making me hit the ground repeatedly. I don’t know how many times. He only stopped when the ground was stained red with my blood, and blood flowed continuously from my forehead. “I told you not to spout nonsense. This is your lesson!” I felt the world spinning, and Richard flung me aside like a piece of rotten meat, sending me sprawling to the ground. “Mommy!” Cody cried, trying to help me, but Julian held him down firmly. “You little bastard, you haven’t given my son a ride yet!” Leo, eyes red, screamed, “I won’t! You’re not allowed to do this to me! I’ll tell Grandpa to come save me!” “No! Let Leo go!” I weakly crawled on the ground. Briar stepped on my hand, grinding her heel into it. “You little mongrel, if you don’t let my son ride you like a horse, I’ll teach your mom a lesson!” “I will!” Leo immediately knelt on the ground. “I will! Please, let my mom go!” “Haha, I didn’t realize you two had such a touching mother-son bond!” Leo knelt on the ground, carrying Cody, crawling around in circles. Cody punched him on the head, but Leo didn’t dare to resist. My heart was breaking. “When you see his father, you’ll regret this!” “Hmph, just a bastard. Why would I be scared of a bastard’s dad?” Just then, a dark, low voice echoed from behind us. “Who are you calling a bastard child?” They all spun around, and when they saw who it was, their faces drained of all color.

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My brother called me to his school, and his serious tone totally freaked me out. I rushed to his teacher’s office, only to find him, his teacher, and the female student I’d unexpectedly helped last semester, all sitting inside. The girl, clutching her slightly bulging belly, dropped to her knees in front of me, right there in front of the teacher. Tears streamed down her face. “Honey, I know this unplanned pregnancy is a lot to handle, but you can’t just abandon me and our baby because of it!” She reached out, trying to grab my shirt, but I sharply stepped back, turning to leave. Her cries behind me were absolutely gut-wrenching: “How can you be so heartless?! If I’d known you’d just use me and then forget about it, I never would’ve gone to that hotel with you!” The teacher shot me a look of pure resentment: “Look, being young is no excuse, young man. A guy needs to step up and take responsibility!” A crowd of onlookers was gathering outside the door, their whispers and disdainful stares practically drowning me. In the middle of all this chaos, my brother, Alex, leaned against the wall and casually chimed in: “Hey, sis, aren’t you going to stick around and see your unborn child?”

At his words, Brittany’s tears fell even harder. “Honey…” She gazed at me mournfully, her voice choked with grievance, “Even your brother admits this baby is yours. Why can’t you just accept it?” Alex, caught off guard, stumbled over his words, quickly interjecting: “Wait! Is there a chance I just called her ‘sis’?” “Alex, do you think I’m deaf?!” Brittany shot up, her fingers trembling as she pointed at me, her voice catching: “Ever since I got pregnant, you’ve been calling him ‘brother’ in front of me!” “You two brothers are ganging up to lie to me. How long do you plan to keep this up?!” I stared, shocked, at Alex, who was in the corner with his hands clasped together, his eyes practically screaming: *Hayden, I was just messing with her to embarrass her! I didn’t mean to screw you over!* “I’m pregnant and unmarried; my reputation is ruined… I just want the baby’s father to take responsibility, is that so wrong?” Brittany gently stroked her belly, looking at me with tear-filled eyes: “Hayden Hayes, my mom always says bald men are the most heartless… I didn’t believe her, but you’ve disappointed me so much!” *What the hell is with ‘bald men’?!* Okay, yeah, I’m 5’11”, and my voice is pretty low. But seriously, come on! If you’re going to scam someone for money, at least make sure you’ve got my gender right! *I’m a woman!* I touched my prickly, recently shaved head, feeling like snowflakes were suddenly drifting outside the summer window. If I’d known this was going to happen today, I never would’ve taken her to the hospital when she passed out from period cramps! “Brittany, you’ve seriously got this wrong. I shaved my head just to keep cool, actually, I’m—” “Enough!” Mr. Thompson sharply cut me off. “I know you’re young and scared of responsibility! But Brittany is a girl; she’s paying a much bigger price! And you just dismiss everything with a ‘misunderstanding’?” He looked at me, still trying to argue, with a disappointed expression: “Look at you. You don’t look like a man at all!” *Exactly!* *Where do I look like a man?!* “Teacher, I’m really a—” “That’s it!” He waved his hand, cutting me off again: “Call your parents, now!” He paused, then continued: “Brittany’s parents are divorced, and her family situation is special. It would be best to have your parents come discuss the baby’s situation first!” As soon as Mr. Thompson finished speaking, Brittany lunged at me: “Honey! I have no one else in this world! If you abandon me and our baby too, I won’t be able to live!” “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” I frantically waved my hands, backing away in a panic: “Don’t call me honey, I…” “I know!” Brittany cut me off, her voice choked: “You’re mad that I didn’t use protection and got pregnant, but I promise, if you just acknowledge me and the baby, I’ll listen to everything you say from now on!” At the same time, the crowd of onlookers outside erupted: “Holy crap! My fists are clenching! What kind of man gets his girlfriend pregnant and then tries to run?!” “Look at his shaved head, you just *know* he’s bad news! Scumbag!” “Record this! Record this! He needs to go viral on campus feeds! Let the whole school judge him!” “You guys, seriously! I caught a live scumbag right outside the teacher’s office! Drop a Super Chat, and I’ll go in and film for everyone!” Phone cameras, like black muzzles, aimed straight at me. Alex clearly hadn’t expected things to escalate this much. He stepped in front of me, his forehead veins throbbing with anger: “What the hell are you filming?! This is my sister—”

But the mockery and slander didn’t stop; they only intensified: “Alright, stop making stuff up! You two brothers are both bad news!” “These days, scumbags have seriously deep schemes. Girls, remember this if you ever scroll past it!” In less than an hour, I, who had done absolutely nothing, became the target of online hate. I stopped Alex from trying to defend me and looked at Brittany, who appeared so fragile and easily victimized. *Okay, so you want to sling mud, huh?* *We’ll see who ends up standing clean in front of everyone!* I looked at Brittany, still sobbing, and curved my lips into a slight smirk: “What evidence do you have to prove that the baby in your belly is mine?” The crowd instantly quieted. Those holding phones to livestream instinctively pointed their cameras at Brittany, awaiting her answer. A flicker of panic crossed Brittany’s face, but it was quickly masked by an even more torrential flow of tears: “Evidence? You’re asking me for evidence? That night at the hotel… you, you mean you’ve forgotten everything?” “Which hotel? Which night?” I asked calmly, as if discussing the weather. “What was the room number? Where’s the booking record? Or…” My gaze swept down to her abdomen: “Can you produce anything that proves I had physical contact with you? Anything that proves I have a biological connection to the child in your belly?” A trace of embarrassment flushed Brittany’s face: “How can you ask me to talk about something like that? Isn’t the baby the best proof?” Mr. Thompson frowned, seeming to think my questions were a bit much. “Hayden, this is getting out of hand! How could Brittany, a girl, produce specific evidence for such intimate matters?” “Can’t produce it?” I raised an eyebrow, my voice suddenly louder, sweeping my gaze over the cameras at the door: “So, you’re saying it’s all based on her word? Whoever she *says* the father is, *is* the father?” “Then today, could I stand here and point to any male student, or even to *you*, and say the baby is yours?” “You’re talking nonsense!” Mr. Thompson was furious. I scoffed, finally letting my anger show: “Teacher! Before you accuse me of being out of line, why don’t you consider this: based solely on her unilateral accusation, with no substantial evidence, you’re forcing me to take responsibility for her. Is that fair to me?” No sooner had I spoken than Brittany’s voice rang out again: “You want evidence? Fine!” She pulled out her phone and displayed several screenshots: “This is the movie ticket you bought for us, this is the receipt from the dinner you treated me to, and this… this is the record from the first time we stayed in a room together…” She paused, lowering her voice, but it was loud enough for everyone present to hear: “The baby in my belly was conceived the third time we stayed in a room. Honey, are you still going to deny it now?” *No wonder she kept asking me out after that first meeting—she’d been planning to frame me all along!* I glanced at those so-called “evidence” pieces, a cold smirk playing on my lips: “A few questionable tickets and receipts, plus a record that could easily be Photoshopped. And you think you can make a fool out of me? Not cool!” “Oh my god! This guy is disgusting! Didn’t he ask for evidence? Now that she has it, he denies it!” “Jerk, he’s clearly just trying to shirk responsibility!” Hearing the public opinion overwhelmingly against me, Brittany’s tears welled up again: “Honey, how can you slander me like this?!” “I know our families are very different, and you think I’m not good enough for you, but the baby is innocent!”

Mr. Thompson, even more disgusted, stepped directly in front of Brittany, his voice filled with disappointment: “Brittany is a young woman; would she really stake her innocence and reputation to falsely accuse you?!” He shook his head sorrowfully, as if looking at a lost cause, a degenerate youth beyond saving: “I initially thought you were just young and afraid of responsibility, but now, it seems you have a serious character issue! You can’t tell right from wrong, you twist facts and deny reality! No school would tolerate a student like you!” He took a deep breath, seemingly making a firm decision: “This matter is severe. It’s no longer just a private emotional dispute, but a serious violation of school rules and regulations that harms the school’s reputation! You must immediately and sincerely apologize to Brittany and fulfill your responsibilities as a man! Otherwise, I will contact your university’s leadership, and you will face serious consequences, up to expulsion!” Behind Mr. Thompson, Brittany flashed a triumphant smirk. She tugged at the teacher’s sleeve, speaking softly: “Mr. Thompson, please don’t! Hayden is just confused right now. I believe he’s not bad at heart… As long as he acknowledges me and the baby, I don’t need his apology!” This display of understanding instantly won over everyone’s sympathy, indirectly nailing me to the wall as a heartless jerk. Online discussions were spiraling out of control. Seeing the worried look in Alex’s eyes, I knew that simply stating I was a woman wouldn’t work anymore. More and more people would jump on the bandwagon, believing it was just an excuse to escape responsibility. If that happened, I wouldn’t just fail to prove my innocence; my gender and orientation might become public gossip. I took a deep breath, deciding to escalate the situation even further. Turning to the nearest camera, I spoke softly: “Fellow students, netizens, what’s happening here is not only unexpected but utterly absurd.” I paused, my gaze sweeping over the varied expressions of the crowd: “But now, I know any feeble defense seems powerless in the face of so-called evidence and a victim. In that case, I am willing to use a more scientific, more direct method to prove my innocence.” I looked at Brittany, my gaze calm but with an undeniable pressure: “Brittany, since neither of us can convince the other, let’s go to the hospital. Now, immediately, in front of everyone, let’s get a prenatal paternity test. Let science tell us whether I am, in fact, the father of the child in your belly.” Brittany’s face instantly went ashen, and she refused almost immediately: “No… no way!” This sudden refusal was too abrupt, instantly drawing everyone’s attention, even Mr. Thompson looked at her, confused. I pressed on: “Why not? Isn’t this the most definitive way to prove who’s lying? Brittany, you’re feeling guilty!” Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Brittany’s gaze darted around, and her fingers instinctively twisted the hem of her clothes. Soon, she seemed to make up her mind: “Fine, let’s go! Hayden Hayes, you’re forcing my hand! If… if the test results come back proving the baby is yours, you *must* take full responsibility for me and the child! In front of everyone, admit your wrongdoing!” Her reaction was somewhat unexpected, but that momentary guilt didn’t seem faked. I scoffed internally, readily agreeing. And so, a farce moved from the teacher’s office to the city’s most authoritative testing center. News spread like wildfire, attracting not only students from the school but also several sharp-nosed media outlets and some local big influencers, who packed the hospital corridor. No one wanted to miss the first-hand scoop on this story.

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My boyfriend took me to the emergency room late at night because of severe stomach pain. But before I could even finish describing my symptoms, The doctor cut me off with a dismissive tone. “I told you last time, you can’t have ten abortions!” “You insisted on doing it because it wasn’t your boyfriend’s baby. Now you come to me, and there’s nothing I can do!” At first, I denied it, then, realizing what she was implying, I angrily demanded to see her supervisor. But Hugh held me back, pulling me toward the next examination room. “I believe you’re not that kind of person. The priority is getting you treated. We can complain about her later.” But I never got to complain. That whole clinic visit went viral. My reputation was shredded. Under the weight of public ridicule and mockery, I fell into a deep depression and took my own life. After I died, The doctor apologized to me, tears streaming down her face. “I just saw how much pain she was in and wanted to distract her. Who knew she’d take it so hard?” Hugh, meanwhile, was heartbroken. “Maybe she had a guilty conscience. You shouldn’t blame yourself!” I opened my eyes again. I flung Hugh’s hand away and dialed 91

“Hello, I believe I’ve had ten abortions without my knowledge. I suspect I’ve been drugged!” 1. “It’s supposed to hurt.” “While abortion procedures are common now, they’re not truly harmless. Right now it’s just stomach pain, but there’s worse waiting for you down the line!” “But maybe you’re not afraid of any of that. After all, you’re a mess from head to toe, except for your hair. You’re probably used to it by now, aren’t you?” Dr. Riley, the on-call doctor, looked at me with utter contempt. But when she looked atHugh her face completely changed, a flirtatious glint in her eyes that was impossible to miss. In that instant, I knew. I had been reborn. It was exactly like this in my past life. I was in excruciating pain from a severe stomach flu, and Dr. Riley just glanced at my medical history before spouting nonsense. It nearly made me furious enough to die on the spot. Because I was desperate for medical attention, I didn’t cause a scene then. But the next day, Dr. Riley posted a blurred video of my visit online. “Doctors nowadays really have it tough. Ten abortions, and she still asks me why her stomach hurts. It’d be weird if it didn’t hurt.” “You weren’t there, you didn’t see her glare. Anyone would think I was a doctor, but honestly, it felt like she thought I was one of those awful men who got her pregnant and then left her to deal with it.” Even though Dr. Riley blurred the video in my past life, some people still “recognized” me. I faced a barrage of hate online. I tried desperately to explain that I had never done any of the things they accused me of. But no one believed me. Everyone said: 【If you didn’t do it, why are you running? You ran away because you knew it was true and couldn’t face it, right?】 【Exactly, a normal person who’s wrongly accused would fight back, scream, and complain.】 【Good thing the doctor released this surveillance footage first, otherwise, she might have turned it around and blamed the doctor!】 I developed depression because of it, and eventually, I just… died in a haze.

Maybe it was the memory of that desperate and painful death, but now the stomach pain felt significantly less severe. I didn’t panic. Instead, I pushed Hugh’s hand away and looked calmly at Dr. Riley. “Dr. Riley, isn’t it? Were you joking just now, or were you serious?” Dr. Riley hadn’t expected me to be so composed. She froze for a moment. But she was clearly good at making things up, so her mental fortitude was impressive. She quickly nodded. “Of course, I’m a doctor. How could I make things up?” “I used to be in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and I’ve recently moved to the emergency room. You and I are old acquaintances. Pretending not to know me won’t work.” Dr. Riley then suddenly turned to Hugh. “Which boyfriend are you of Chloe’s? I haven’t seen you with her before.” “She always comes here with different men.” Hugh didn’t answer. He was pinching his thigh hard, struggling to keep from laughing out loud. Last time, when Dr. Riley slandered me, he just pulled me away as if nothing had happened. He said he believed me, and at the time, I was touched. Now, I just found it pathetic. Of course, he believed me; he and Dr. Riley knew better than anyone how innocent I was! My expression remained calm, and my voice didn’t waver. “This is my boyfriend, Hugh. I’ve never had an abortion, nor have I ever visited an OB/GYN with other men.” Dr. Riley looked like she suddenly understood. “Oh, I see. Is this your *official* boyfriend?” “No wonder you’re trying to say I was joking. Well… alright, alright, Chloe’s right, I was joking. This isn’t due to an abortion; it’s… it’s stomach flu, or appendicitis. Quickly, I’ll order some tests for you. Let’s get you treated.” Although Dr. Riley sounded like she was clarifying things for me, her sarcastic tone made it obvious to anyone that she had no choice but to back down!

Dr. Riley finished writing the test orders and handed them to me, but I still didn’t move. I stared into her eyes. “Just saying it was a joke isn’t enough. Since you claim I’ve had ten abortions, then show me my medical records.” “If you can’t produce them…” I held up my phone. “Then I won’t let you off the hook.” Dr. Riley’s face darkened even further. She slammed her hand on the desk. “What do you mean? Are you threatening me, saying you’ll complain and report me?” “I admit, I violated protocol by revealing your medical condition directly, but I was just worried about you. Your attitude makes it seem like I’m trying to harm you.” I ignored her, simply continuing to demand to see the records. Seeing Dr. Riley’s scowl, Hugh stopped smiling too. “Chloe, don’t make a scene. Someone must look a bit like you, or have a similar name, so the doctor got it wrong.” “I believe you, and I know you. I know you’re not that kind of person. We don’t need to waste time here. Aren’t you in pain? Let’s go see a doctor first.” “We can complain about her later.” Without thinking, I slapped Hugh across the face. “Are you even a man? She’s slandering me right to my face, and your solution is to hide?” Hugh was stunned by the slap, unable to utter a single word. Dr. Riley was both pained and furious. “You’re the one who did something to betray your boyfriend, how dare you hit someone here?” “I was originally going to spare you some dignity so you could stay with your boyfriend.” “But since you don’t appreciate kindness, then take a look!” Dr. Riley finished speaking and slammed the desk again, roughly spinning her computer screen around. As the screen turned, I was a little stunned. Because on that computer, there really were pages and pages of my medical records. Every single entry was from the OB/GYN department, either for abortions or other treatments. According to this, Dr. Riley wasn’t lying; *I* was.

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My boyfriend took me to the emergency room late at night because of severe stomach pain. But before I could even finish describing my symptoms, The doctor cut me off with a dismissive tone. “I told you last time, you can’t have ten abortions!” “You insisted on doing it because it wasn’t your boyfriend’s baby. Now you come to me, and there’s nothing I can do!” At first, I denied it, then, realizing what she was implying, I angrily demanded to see her supervisor. But Liam held me back, pulling me toward the next examination room. “I believe you’re not that kind of person. The priority is getting you treated. We can complain about her later.” But I never got to complain. That whole clinic visit went viral. My reputation was shredded. Under the weight of public ridicule and mockery, I fell into a deep depression and took my own life. After I died, The doctor apologized to me, tears streaming down her face. “I just saw how much pain she was in and wanted to distract her. Who knew she’d take it so hard?” Liam, meanwhile, was heartbroken. “Maybe she had a guilty conscience. You shouldn’t blame yourself!” I opened my eyes again. I flung Liam’s hand away and dialed 91

“Hello, I believe I’ve had ten abortions without my knowledge. I suspect I’ve been drugged!” 1. “It’s supposed to hurt.” “While abortion procedures are common now, they’re not truly harmless. Right now it’s just stomach pain, but there’s worse waiting for you down the line!” “But maybe you’re not afraid of any of that. After all, you’re a mess from head to toe, except for your hair. You’re probably used to it by now, aren’t you?” Dr. Riley, the on-call doctor, looked at me with utter contempt. But when she looked atHugh her face completely changed, a flirtatious glint in her eyes that was impossible to miss. In that instant, I knew. I had been reborn. It was exactly like this in my past life. I was in excruciating pain from a severe stomach flu, and Dr. Riley just glanced at my medical history before spouting nonsense. It nearly made me furious enough to die on the spot. Because I was desperate for medical attention, I didn’t cause a scene then. But the next day, Dr. Riley posted a blurred video of my visit online. “Doctors nowadays really have it tough. Ten abortions, and she still asks me why her stomach hurts. It’d be weird if it didn’t hurt.” “You weren’t there, you didn’t see her glare. Anyone would think I was a doctor, but honestly, it felt like she thought I was one of those awful men who got her pregnant and then left her to deal with it.” Even though Dr. Riley blurred the video in my past life, some people still “recognized” me. I faced a barrage of hate online. I tried desperately to explain that I had never done any of the things they accused me of. But no one believed me. Everyone said: 【If you didn’t do it, why are you running? You ran away because you knew it was true and couldn’t face it, right?】 【Exactly, a normal person who’s wrongly accused would fight back, scream, and complain.】 【Good thing the doctor released this surveillance footage first, otherwise, she might have turned it around and blamed the doctor!】 I developed depression because of it, and eventually, I just… died in a haze.

Maybe it was the memory of that desperate and painful death, but now the stomach pain felt significantly less severe. I didn’t panic. Instead, I pushed Liam’s hand away and looked calmly at Dr. Riley. “Dr. Riley, isn’t it? Were you joking just now, or were you serious?” Dr. Riley hadn’t expected me to be so composed. She froze for a moment. But she was clearly good at making things up, so her mental fortitude was impressive. She quickly nodded. “Of course, I’m a doctor. How could I make things up?” “I used to be in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and I’ve recently moved to the emergency room. You and I are old acquaintances. Pretending not to know me won’t work.” Dr. Riley then suddenly turned to Liam. “Which boyfriend are you of Chloe’s? I haven’t seen you with her before.” “She always comes here with different men.” Liam didn’t answer. He was pinching his thigh hard, struggling to keep from laughing out loud. Last time, when Dr. Riley slandered me, he just pulled me away as if nothing had happened. He said he believed me, and at the time, I was touched. Now, I just found it pathetic. Of course, he believed me; he and Dr. Riley knew better than anyone how innocent I was! My expression remained calm, and my voice didn’t waver. “This is my boyfriend, Liam. I’ve never had an abortion, nor have I ever visited an OB/GYN with other men.” Dr. Riley looked like she suddenly understood. “Oh, I see. Is this your *official* boyfriend?” “No wonder you’re trying to say I was joking. Well… alright, alright, Chloe’s right, I was joking. This isn’t due to an abortion; it’s… it’s stomach flu, or appendicitis. Quickly, I’ll order some tests for you. Let’s get you treated.” Although Dr. Riley sounded like she was clarifying things for me, her sarcastic tone made it obvious to anyone that she had no choice but to back down!

Dr. Riley finished writing the test orders and handed them to me, but I still didn’t move. I stared into her eyes. “Just saying it was a joke isn’t enough. Since you claim I’ve had ten abortions, then show me my medical records.” “If you can’t produce them…” I held up my phone. “Then I won’t let you off the hook.” Dr. Riley’s face darkened even further. She slammed her hand on the desk. “What do you mean? Are you threatening me, saying you’ll complain and report me?” “I admit, I violated protocol by revealing your medical condition directly, but I was just worried about you. Your attitude makes it seem like I’m trying to harm you.” I ignored her, simply continuing to demand to see the records. Seeing Dr. Riley’s scowl, Liam stopped smiling too. “Chloe, don’t make a scene. Someone must look a bit like you, or have a similar name, so the doctor got it wrong.” “I believe you, and I know you. I know you’re not that kind of person. We don’t need to waste time here. Aren’t you in pain? Let’s go see a doctor first.” “We can complain about her later.” Without thinking, I slapped Liam across the face. “Are you even a man? She’s slandering me right to my face, and your solution is to hide?” Liam was stunned by the slap, unable to utter a single word. Dr. Riley was both pained and furious. “You’re the one who did something to betray your boyfriend, how dare you hit someone here?” “I was originally going to spare you some dignity so you could stay with your boyfriend.” “But since you don’t appreciate kindness, then take a look!” Dr. Riley finished speaking and slammed the desk again, roughly spinning her computer screen around. As the screen turned, I was a little stunned. Because on that computer, there really were pages and pages of my medical records. Every single entry was from the OB/GYN department, either for abortions or other treatments. According to this, Dr. Riley wasn’t lying; *I* was.

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Three days before my wedding to Ashton, I walked in on him cheating with his secretary. They were right there, in our new bed. For twenty years, I’d never seen him break. Now, his hands trembled. Tears fell. He blamed the booze. Swore it would never happen again. But one look at Valerie told a different story. Her face, a mask of cool contempt, said this was a well-practiced routine. When my mother asked if I still intended to marry him, I let out a wet, broken laugh and nodded. “The wedding is on.” Only this marriage could save my father’s failing company. It was just disappointment. Love was long gone. It didn’t matter who I married anymore. My wedding day was a storm of chaos. I sat at my vanity, detached from it all. My father found me there. He led me to the ballroom doors, his hand trembling as he fought back tears. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. My heart clenched. I forced a faint smile. “Don’t be. Ashton… still cares for me. I’ll be happy.” He fell silent. His shoulders slumped in defeat. Finally, the grand doors swung open. Ashton waited, poised in a crisp white suit, a bouquet in his hands. Forcing a smile, I stepped forward. And the memories crashed over me. Our families, the Reynolds and the Bennetts,were once neighbors, equal. Ashton, three years my senior, had always watched over me. The day I took my first steps, he stood before me, holding my tiny hands, guiding me forward. At ten, he wiped milk from my lips, then stole a kiss. My face burned. I pushed him away, my lecture on personal space firm and swift. Ashton stared back, his eyes blazing with a possessive certainty. “What are you afraid of? I’m going to marry you someday.” The memory faded. My steps faltered, then stopped. Ashton came to me, holding the flowers. My father placed my hand in his, his voice a low, desperate plea. “Please, be good to my daughter.” Ashton’s eyes were red as he promised. “I will.” It was just like when I was eighteen, when he’d held my hand tight before our families, vowing to love only me, forever. Back then, I’d blushed, believing every word. I was full of hope for a loyal, unwavering love. Now, at twenty-three, I was finally marrying him, just as I’d always expected. Then the officiant’s voice cut through. “Do you take this man…? Then, the dam broke. All the sadness I’d held back came rushing out. I lost control. Tears streamed down my face. Ashton’s face blurred behind the veil of tears. For a terrible moment, I couldn’t even see who I was marrying. I just closed my eyes and a choked whisper escaped my lips. “I do.”

The wedding was over. We were home. He was drunk, the driver helping him onto the sofa. I wrung out a cloth and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead. He frowned, eyes suddenly opening. He stared at me for a moment, then pulled my hand to his, laughing softly. “I finally married you. Wifey… wifey? That sounds so good. Will you call me that too?” His possessiveness had always been overwhelming. Since we started dating at eighteen, he’d been eager for me to call him ‘husband.’ But I believed in acting the part and never gave in. Back then, he’d just shake his head with a helpless smile, ruffle my hair, and call me his ‘good girl.’ Now, meeting his expectant gaze, I just smiled and loosened his tie. “You’re drunk. Let me help you to bed.” Ashton’s grip on my hand tightened sharply, making me wince in pain. “Why won’t you say it? Just once! Call me ‘husband’!” I pressed my lips together, staring at him, utterly silent. Finally, Ashton closed his eyes. A wave of pure torment seemed to crash over him as he collapsed into frustration and rage. “Fine! I messed up, I know! Are you still angry, Chloe? Then why won’t you yell at me? We have twenty years, and this is the only thing I’ve ever done wrong! Just this one thing!” His voice was laced with desperation. As if I was the one who was guilty. The Reynolds family had invested poorly this year, and our company was teetering on the brink of collapse. Our previously equal standing with the Bennetts had suddenly plummeted. I even felt a pang of insecurity, feeling unworthy of Ashton. My father’s company had a massive funding gap. But then Ashton suddenly proposed at that very moment. “After we’re married, we’ll be truly family. Then it’ll be my duty to help your father, and you won’t have to worry anymore.” Ashton held me close, chuckling softly against my ear. “Besides, you were always meant to be mine, weren’t you?” That day, I sobbed uncontrollably, overwhelmed by a twisted mix of gratitude and relief. The greatest burden on my heart had been effortlessly lifted by this man, once again. A tidal wave of immense love enveloped me. I wanted to give him everything. I truly felt like the happiest person on earth. I hugged him back fiercely, vowing to love him for the rest of my life. With three days left until the wedding, I was a bundle of excitement and anxiety. I was sending him messages almost constantly. If he didn’t reply within half an hour, I’d get so anxious I’d want to cry. As a bride-to-be, I had been staying at my parents’ house during that time. One day, Ashton’s messages were delayed. I waited for a long time, and for some reason, I suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to visit the new home Ashton and I had bought. My mother drove me there. When I opened the front door, a shockingly high-pitched scream echoed from the bedroom. The sounds rose and fell, one after another, sickeningly familiar. One listen was all it took. I instantly went cold, my hands and feet numb. Instinctively, I pushed my stunned mother back outside. Step by step, I walked to the bedroom door. Ashton was thrusting like some primal beast, a disgusting grin plastered across his face. His sweat-soaked hair was slicked back, revealing those wild, captivating eyes. He was spewing vile, demeaning words I’d never heard from him before. Bitch. Whore. I stood there like a puppet, frozen. My purse slipped from my hand, hitting the floor with a soft clack. Every hope, every dream, shattered with that sound.

Ashton explained to me. He’d gotten drunk, and Valerie, his secretary, had brought him back to our new house. It was a drunken mistake. His eyes red, he swore to me. It was just this one time, he’d only made this one mistake. Under the massive shock. I inexplicably leaned forward, sniffing his breath. No alcohol smell. Instead, a pungent, indescribable scent. It felt utterly, sickeningly filthy. I gasped for air. My awareness and emotions clashed violently within me. I was in too much pain to even cry out loud. My life had always been smooth sailing, following every rule, every expectation. The biggest setback I’d ever faced was my father nearly going bankrupt. And even that problem had been effortlessly solved by Ashton. From my earliest memories to my first blush of love. This man was everywhere, inside and out. In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to slap him hard. Then, stand tall. And with dignity, announce the cancellation of our wedding. But then I saw my mother’s anxious figure at the door. Reality slammed back into my mind. I forced a smile, stretching my stiff lips into a grotesque grimace. After that day, the wedding proceeded as planned. Ashton and I maintained a silent, unspoken facade of decency. Only I knew. Everything was different now. … Now, Ashton was still waiting for my answer. As if, if I just acknowledged his role as my husband. Everything could still be salvaged. I opened my mouth. But my throat seized up. Ashton sighed, standing up first. “Never mind. It’s late. Let’s just go to bed.” He took a step, then paused. Turning back, he looked at my hand gripping his jacket sleeve, a surprised joy spreading across his face. “.Wifey?” I managed a strained smile, my voice meek. “Husband.” Ashton’s face lit up. He turned back and hugged me tightly, pressing kisses all over my face. It wasn’t until my eyes met his, blazing with raw desire, that I suddenly clapped a hand over my mouth. A wave of nausea hit me.I clamped a hand over my mouth, gagging as I pushed him off. I pushed him away before stumbling to the bathroom to throw up until nothing was left. I never saw his expression darken in that instant. I never saw his fists clench.

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I was the ultimate simp. My bestie must have told me to dump Jake a hundred times. I never listened. When my boyfriend announced he was a business genius and decided to open an herbal burger joint with his girl best friend, Sam, I didn’t hesitate. I drained my savings for him. Then he claimed they were desperately short-staffed. I quit my $18,000-a-month job to work for free. Then I caught them. Jake said he was off for a “business meeting” with Sam. The business was her, naked in our bed. As I sobbed, Sam had the nerve to shrug. “Don’t overthink it, Chloe. Best friends can have super intense meetings under the covers. It’s all for you, so Jake can marry you!” Like an idiot, I almost believed her. Until the business went bankrupt, and Jake ran off with Sam and all the cash, leaving me with $700,000 in online loans. The debt collectors drove me to the roof’s edge. I jumped. Then I opened my eyes. I was back on the day Jake first pitched his brilliant business idea. My bestie Harper burst in, her eyes red. “Chloe, ‘love blindness’ is a real condition now. Insurance covers it.. You HAVE to get treated!”

“Harper, what are you talking about?” Jake stomped over, scowling. “Are you trying to sabotage my relationship with Chloe again?. Then he turned to me, his tone dripping with possession. “Chloe, I’m planning to open an herbal burger joint.I’m short on cash. Hand over your savings.” My love-blind self was already nodding, ready to agree. “No!” Harper cut in fiercely. “An ‘herbal burger joint’? Does that even sound like a real business? Chloe, do NOT give him your money! Come with me. Now!” Harper squeezed my hand so hard, I nearly cried ou. But when I met her tear-filled, red eyes, the truth slammed into me. Harper and I had both been reborn. The last time I saw that look in her eyes was right after I jumped. She had cradled my broken body, sobbing hysterically. And I, a mere wisp of a soul, could do nothing to wipe her tears away. My eyes instantly welled up too, and a sudden calm washed over me. I spoke to Jake, my voice stiff. “Jake, I suddenly don’t feel so good. I’m going to have Harper take me home to rest.” “I’ll figure out the money situation later.” Jake frowned, annoyed, and let out a dismissive “Tsk.” “Fine, whatever. Just send the money over as soon as you can.” I nodded, then pulled Harper and turned to leave. As we walked, Harper vented, shaking her head in frustration. “Chloe! Snap out of it!” “You just said you weren’t feeling well, and he didn’t even care! All he thought about was getting his hands on your money.” “Are you seriously going to keep being a ‘love-blind’ idiot for a guy like that?!” Once we were in the car, I urgently prompted her. “Harper, hurry! Let’s go to the hospital!” Harper’s eyes lit up. “Chloe, what did you say?!” I looked into her sparkling eyes, stating each word with serious intent. “You’re right. ‘Love-blindness’ is covered by insurance now. I’m going to get my brain fixed!”

Lying in the hospital operating room, the anesthesia needle slowly sent me into a hazy state. In my dream, I saw the debt collectors from my past life again. Last time, Jake used my phone to take out $700,000 in online loans. After the herbal burger joint went bust, he just ran off with Sam. He left me with nothing but a huge mess and those $700,000 in debts. Several tall, mean-looking guys with tattooed arms blocked my front door, yelling and banging, their mouths spewing obscenities. “You damn bitch, pay up now!” “No money? Then go sell yourself! If you don’t pay, we’ll drag you off and sell you to traffickers!” I huddled in my room, trembling and crying, calling Jake. “Jake, please, pay me back…” Jake just coldly replied, “You’re the one who owes the money, not me. Figure it out yourself. Don’t bother me.” From his end of the call, I heard Sam’s voice, sickly sweet yet trying to sound tough. “Ugh, women are so annoying with all their crying.” “Jake, forget her. Come on, have a drink with Daddy!” The next second, the call was cut, leaving only the endless “beep, beep, beep” of a busy signal. In the silent darkness, I curled up in the corner of my room, shaking and in tears. The banging and shouting from outside were terribly loud and terrifying. The scene shifted. My dream moved to the rooftop. I stood at the edge, dialing Jake’s number one last time. “Jake, I’m dying. The debt collectors are killing me…” What came through the receiver, though, was the sound of heavy, breathless panting, enough to make anyone blush. Jake was gasping, his voice hoarse but brutal. “If you’re going to die, just do it. You don’t need to tell me.” Sam’s voice echoed with an ambiguous laugh, a teasing purr. “Women are so annoying, Jake. Just block her.” The call was disconnected again. When I tried calling back, Jake had actually blocked me. In that moment, my heart turned to ash. I leaped, falling from the rooftop onto the hard concrete below. Bright red blood stained the ground. It hurt so much, truly agonizing… “No! Stop!” I jolted upright, my eyes filled with regret and terror. Harper, sitting by my bed, immediately grabbed my hand. She gently patted my back, soothing me. “Chloe, don’t be scared. The surgery is over.” “Your ‘love-blindness’ has been cured.” Two days later, I was discharged, completely recovered. After my insurance covered it, the whole thing cost me less than $500. And my love for Jake? It was completely wiped clean. This time, I was going to make them pay tenfold for all the pain they’d inflicted on me! My phone suddenly rang. It was Jake. He impatiently demanded, “Chloe, why haven’t you sent me the money for the shop yet?!” “I need to pay the store’s deposit! Hurry up and send me the money!”

After hanging up, I went straight to the bank. I locked all my savings into a long-term CD and canceled all my credit cards. Then I changed my phone password to stop Jake from taking out more loans. Only then did I go to inspect Jake’s chosen location. I stared at the three-story building. My unpaid workplace for six months. And I laughed. It was sandwiched between a McDonald’s and a KFC. A Burger King stood directly across the street. And Jake wanted to open his “herbal burger” joint here, under siege by fast-food giants. The very idea turned my stomach. Who would ever eat that? But the biggest fool was my past self who funded it. Not this time. I put on a troubled face and fidgeted. “Jake, my parents locked my savings in a long term CD,” I said. “And I maxed out all my credit cards last month. I cannot get any money right now.” Seeing Jake frown and ready to explode, I cut in quickly. “Jake, you said you saved $28,000 for our wedding. Why not use that? When we marry, I won’t ask for a single dollar. Consider it my investment in your startup.” His frown deepened, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. I smirked inside. That wedding fund was a fantasy, an empty promise he never meant to keep. I didn’t press him, instead shifting gears with a tone of innocent concern. “But… your herbal burgers don’t sound very appetizing. Will people actually eat them?” The moment I questioned him, Jake’s annoyance flared. “This is a project Sam and I researched personally! It perfectly merges health consciousness with modern food trends!” “What the hell do you know? Just keep quiet if you don’t understand!” Sam chimed in from the side, “Ugh, women just have such a narrow view, no vision at all.” “Our herbal burger joint is entering a completely blank market right now. There’s so much money to be made!” I wanted to burst out laughing. Seriously, Sam? Have you ever stopped to think why the market is blank? It’s because this garbage won’t make any money! But Sam was still lost in her self-proclaimed brilliant vision. She slapped Jake on the butt, winking and grinning. “Jake, Daddy here has found us the ultimate path to riches! We’re going for it, even if we have to take out loans!” “We’ll take over this whole three-story building! Herbal burgers on the first floor, boba tea on the second, and a trendy rooftop patio for Instagram on the third! It’s going to be an instant hit the moment we open!” Last time, they did exactly the same thing. Before they even opened, they blew nearly $100,000 on renovations for all three floors. But after opening, nobody bought the herbal burgers, and the generic tea shop on the second floor was completely ignored. As for the trendy rooftop patio? Only mosquitoes and flies ever ‘checked in’ there. In my previous life, I tried to convince them not to invest so much money all at once, to just try one floor first. But then I was called timid and lacking vision. This time, I mentally gave Sam a huge thumbs-up! Go for it! Take out massive loans! You two deserve to experience what it’s like to be hounded by debt collectors, driven to despair. But on my face, I maintained a worried expression, deliberately questioning, “Can that really work? What if your judgment is wrong and you lose everything?!” Sure enough, Jake, who couldn’t handle even the slightest challenge, got even more hyped up. “What the hell do you know?! Sam and I picked this project! How could we lose money?” “We’re listening to Sam! We’re taking all three floors and making it a huge, bustling success!” They exchanged a sweet glance, lost in their delusional dreams of getting rich. Watching their public display of affection, in my previous life, I would have been consumed by jealousy and self-doubt. Now, I just felt utterly disgusted.

I was about to make an excuse to leave when Jake dropped another task on me. “Chloe, you’re an interior designer. The design and renovation are all on you.” Memories of my past life flooded back-a brutal experience that would make a slave driver wince. Sam was impossible. She wanted American style one day, vintage the next, then industrial. She bombarded me with hundreds of photos but never gave a clear direction. “Just show me what you come up with,” was all she said. My designs changed constantly, shifting styles, sometimes reverting to the first draft. She made impossible demands, like asking for “a colorful black,” just to mess with me. I went back and forth 99 times before she finally approved one. When Jake found out, he patted Sam’s shoulder sympathetically. “Poor Sam, you worked so hard. It’s Chloe’s fault for being so incompetent.” The memory makes my blood boil. But not this time. I’m done playing. Let’s see what masterpiece Sam can create without her free, devoted labor! So, I put on my troubled face again. “I sprained my hand a couple of days ago. The doctor said I need a lot of rest, so I can’t draw any designs for at least two months.” Jake raised his voice, agitated. “Two months?! We can’t wait that long!” “Why did you have to sprain your hand at such a bad time?” I put on a hurt and regretful expression, looking down, but in my head, I’d already cursed that selfish jerk eight hundred times. Sam, looking completely confident, spoke up. “Forget it, I don’t think she’d design anything good anyway.” “I’ll handle the design and renovation. I’ll make it so dazzling it’ll blind you all!” A few months later, Sam’s renovation finally blindsided me. She had spent nearly $200,000. The result was pure apocalyptic junkyard chic. It looked like she’d just dumped a bunch of hideous, eye-sore second-hand furniture into a bare concrete shell. That was it? Any customer walking in would probably burst into tears from the ugliness. But Sam proudly declared, “Look at my design style! Isn’t it super cool? Super badass?” Jake’s expression was a little complicated. He awkwardly glanced around a few times before finally managing to squeeze out, “It definitely… has style…”

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