Author: Momo Chan

After relentlessly chasing and finally getting the brilliant but struggling Julian, I got bored. So, I pulled some flimsy excuse and broke up with him: 「My family’s loaded, yours isn’t. Our worlds just don’t mesh, Julian. We’re totally incompatible.」 I blocked him on everything right after, then bought a plane ticket and traveled for three months. I had the absolute time of my life, completely forgetting about him. But when I came back three months later, I found out Julian had completely transformed. He wasn’t just some struggling student anymore; he was the Sterling family’s most favored heir. My jaw dropped. I was completely speechless. The entire social scene practically exploded with laughter. Everyone was just dying to see me become the biggest joke in town. At the gala, Julian stood there, gripping a champagne flute, his face utterly cold as he stalked towards me. My legs practically gave out. I stumbled back against the wall, reaching out and clutching the edge of his designer jacket. I practically shrieked: 「I’m pregnant, Julian! And it’s yours! 「You can’t hurt me… not physically, not even with your words! 「*Sniffle*, Julian, I’m pregnant, and you’re still ignoring me?! You total jerk!」 After relentlessly chasing and finally getting the brilliant but struggling Julian, I got bored. So, I pulled some flimsy excuse and broke up with him: 「My family’s loaded, yours isn’t. Our worlds just don’t mesh, Julian. We’re totally incompatible.」 I blocked him on everything right after, then bought a plane ticket and traveled for three months. I had the absolute time of my life, completely forgetting about him. But when I came back three months later, I found out Julian had completely transformed. He wasn’t just some struggling student anymore; he was the Sterling family’s most favored heir. My jaw dropped. I was completely speechless. The entire social scene practically exploded with laughter. Everyone was just dying to see me become the biggest joke in town. At the gala, Julian stood there, gripping a champagne flute, his face utterly cold as he stalked towards me. My legs practically gave out. I stumbled back against the wall, reaching out and clutching the edge of his designer jacket. I practically shrieked: 「I’m pregnant, Julian! And it’s yours! 「You can’t hurt me… not physically, not even with your words! 「*Sniffle*, Julian, I’m pregnant, and you’re still ignoring me?! You total jerk!」 Even at the airport, when my brother, Leo, picked me up, he gave me a look that was way too meaningful, practically saying I had some serious guts. Later, at the party, Bianca sidled up to me, her face practically glowing with malicious glee as she spilled the beans. That “poor genius” I dumped three months ago, using his lack of money as an excuse, was actually Julian Hayes, the incredibly low-key heir to the Hayes empire. “You’re so screwed.” Bianca laughed, a wild, triumphant sound. “He was just playing it low-key, and you actually believed he was *poor* enough to break up with him? He’s absolutely seething, swearing he’ll tear you to shreds the moment he lays eyes on you.” I shivered. My fear skyrocketed the moment Julian practically shoved me into his car. I huddled against the door, watching in horror as he started pulling off his jacket and loosening his tie— “What are you doing?!” I forced a shaky bravado. “It was just a breakup, Julian! Adults break up and move on all the time. Why are you being such a drama queen?” “Breakup?” He actually chuckled, a humorless sound, clearly furious. “Is that what you call a breakup, Ava? You sent a breakup text, blocked me, and then jetted off on a trip overseas. If your dad and Leo hadn’t guaranteed you’d eventually come back, I would’ve assumed you just vanished.” He stopped undressing. He slid into the driver’s seat, pulled me into his lap, and his voice was a low rumble. “Explain.” “Explain what?” “Why did you break up with me for no reason?” Why else? Because I was sick of him. I chased him for three long years, from freshman year until graduation. And even then, it took a fourth year for him to finally give in – out of pity, not love. Being with him? That was the real nightmare. I was pretty, came from a good family, and my parents had spoiled me rotten my whole life. I lived on my own terms. But he *insisted* on setting rules for me. Eating snacks in bed? Absolutely not. Skipping breakfast? Not allowed. Staying up late gaming? Still a hard no. The endless, petty rules gave me a splitting headache. I’d try to argue, boiling with anger, only for him to give me the silent treatment. I’d sob hysterically, practically screaming, while he just sat there, calmly reviewing his files. After my voice went hoarse from crying, he’d finally look up and ask: “Are you done throwing a fit? “If you are, go eat. I have to work this afternoon.” That feeling of just hitting a wall, of having your anger just absorbed into nothing? It was beyond frustrating. As much as I’d liked him when I was chasing him, that’s how much I hated his controlling ways now. I was completely over it! My dad always told me that a pampered, high-maintenance girl like me needed a soft-spoken guy who would just indulge me my whole life. I never really bought it before. Now? Now I think Dad was absolutely right. I’m pampered, I’m willful, I’m dramatic, I’m a total diva. If Julian couldn’t handle indulging me, then I’d just find a boyfriend who could. But there’s no way in hell I could have guessed that Julian was *the* mysterious heir to the Preston family. If I’d known Julian was the Thorne family’s beloved heir, the one who had everything handed to him on a silver platter, I never would’ve broken up with him. Even though I don’t get involved in my family’s business, I still understand how many doors would’ve opened just by being connected to a family like the Thornes. But he never told me. He lied to me for four years. Thinking about it, a fresh wave of anger surged through me. I peeled myself off Julian, frowning as I looked at him. “Didn’t you lie to me for four years too? What right do you have to blame me for breaking up with you?” He probably realized he was in the wrong because he fell silent for a moment before saying, “Okay, then we’re even. No more keeping score. Let’s just pretend none of this ever happened.” He reached out, trying to pull me into an embrace again, his voice softening. “Chloe, let’s go home. I made your favorite—” *Snap!* I yanked my hand away from his. “Get this straight, I’m not throwing a tantrum. I’m genuinely breaking up with you. You lying to me means you betrayed me. Just because I’m not holding it against you doesn’t mean I’m going to stick around.” I took a deep breath, steeling myself against his rapidly darkening expression, and finally, the words came out. “Julian, I don’t love you anymore. Can we just end this respectfully, for both our sakes?” The underground parking garage was dimly lit. Liam glared at me, his brows furrowed with impatience as he warned, “Chloe, you’ve gone way too far this time. “Apologize to me now, and I’ll pretend I didn’t hear any of it. Otherwise, you won’t be getting out of bed tomorrow.” I shook my head without a moment’s hesitation. “I’m serious about breaking up with you. I’m not being childish, and I’m not throwing a tantrum. “Liam, I don’t like you anymore. Not at all. I genuinely dislike you. You annoy me just by existing. Do you understand?” I repeated “I don’t like you” several times. Liam’s face grew darker with each word. He swung his long arm, hauling me into his embrace, then leaned down, gripping my chin to kiss me. “Liam—” “Do you remember what I said when we first got together?” His voice was deep. Confused by the kiss, I fumbled through my remaining thoughts, finally digging out that memory from deep inside my mind— “My family is incredibly devoted. Once we commit to someone, it’s forever. “Chloe, once you’re with me, it’s for life. Are you absolutely sure about this?” Back then, I’d answered “Of course” without a second thought. …Weren’t those just empty promises couples whispered to each other? He wanted to hear them, and I could spout vows easily enough. But in real life, what good were they? “I never speak nonsense.” Liam nuzzled my cheek with his nose. “For me, dating and marriage are no different. It means I’ve already committed to one person. “There’s no divorce in my world, no breaking up. The only way we’d ever part is if one of us dies. Chloe, just *try* me one more time? Tyrant! I glared at Julian, seething, my hand itching to pinch the flesh on his arm. He just lay there, letting me, his other hand gently stroking my head. Suddenly, he spoke: “Your dad’s been trying to get a deal with the Maxwell Group lately. Did you know?” I shook my head. He continued, “Your family isn’t exactly a frontrunner for that project. It’ll be a tough fight to secure it. “I can help you, but you need to be cooperative. “Don’t bring up breaking up again, Jady. One more word about it, and I won’t be so understanding. Understood?” “…You!” I couldn’t believe it. “Are you actually using my family’s company to threaten me? “Are you even human, Julian? You’re a monster!” “You don’t have to pretend to be eloquent, Jady. No one’s forcing you to sound smart.” Julian sighed, pressing the space between his brows. “Jady, I just want you to play nice. “When you’re not behaving, my mind isn’t on my work.” “I told you I want to break—” “Enough, Jady. Push me any further, and I’ll actually get angry.” He lifted a hand, capturing my fingertips, gently caressing them. His voice dropped, low and dangerous: “Jady, you really don’t want to see me angry, do you?” I clamped my mouth shut instantly. When Caleb got mad, it wasn’t just ‘upset.’ It was downright *terrifying*. And I mean that literally. The last time he truly blew a fuse was when I pushed my body to the limit, pulling an all-nighter gaming. I ended up with a scorching fever that spiraled into pneumonia. Caleb nursed me back to health, but his face was a mask of cold fury the whole time. As soon as I was back on my feet, he practically dragged me to the track field and forced me to run five thousand meters. He ran right alongside me. I ended up collapsing, sobbing on the track, cursing him, calling him a lunatic. “Who are you to boss me around?!” I cried out. “You’re absolutely insane, damn it! Waaah, my legs are killing me…” “Good,” he said, nodding. “Still swearing, I see.” Caleb nodded slowly. “Great. Another five thousand meters. You don’t sleep until you’re done.” Seeing him stand up, dust off his tracksuit, and then move to haul me back on my feet to keep running, my head spun. I instantly latched onto his leg, bursting into tears. “Honey, I’m so sorry! I won’t do it again! No more late nights, no more gaming! I messed up, waaah, my legs really hurt so bad…”

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At my high school graduation party, my friend asked me about my ideal boyfriend. I stared at the guy with the bright red hair, so vibrant and bold, and deliberately said the opposite of what I felt. “I actually prefer guys with dark hair, glasses, the quiet and thoughtful type. And if he’s a doctor? Even better.” Ten years later, holding my best friend’s ultrasound report, I bumped into a guy in a white coat at the hospital. He adjusted his glasses, quickly scanned my ultrasound report, and his voice trembled slightly, “You’re pregnant?” “Huh?” I mumbled a response, hurriedly picking up the medical chart from the floor. I just assumed he was a kind doctor passing by. The next second, the kind doctor helped me up. “Did no one come with you?” I couldn’t help but look up at him. His face was covered by a mask, and dark, messy hair hid half his eyes, so I couldn’t make out his expression. I could vaguely see a few lingering ear piercings. This doctor was quite stylish. “Oh, my best friend is right over there.” I pointed behind him, then quickly walked past him. Ava was already stretching her neck, waiting. Her husband had died in a car accident a month ago, leaving behind only her and their baby, less than three months along. Ava wanted to keep the baby, but her emotions had been unstable. The doctor suggested regular check-ups at the hospital. “Got the report. Let’s go find the doctor.” I took her hand. But Ava didn’t move. A rare smile appeared on her face. “That doctor seems pretty handsome. He was staring at you.” Even at a time like this, she still had time for my gossip! I followed her gaze; the doctor was still standing there. I looked up, and our eyes met. The light from outside poured in, giving his white coat a halo. For some reason, he looked familiar.

By the time Ava and I returned from her appointment, the kind doctor was gone. She noticed I was a little distracted and teased, asking if I wanted to find someone to ask for his contact info. “Don’t let my baby be born before you’ve even dated anyone.” “Being single is fine too.” I fastened my seatbelt, ready to start the car. Ava leaned back in her seat, so tired her eyelids were fighting to stay open. “I always thought you and Liam would end up together.” “You said you liked smart guys, and in senior year, he stopped hanging out with his rowdy friends, stopped getting into fights, and spent all his time in the teacher’s office.” “You said you wanted to go to Pacific State University. When I collected the application forms, I saw Liam’s target school was Pacific State University. Back then, everyone thought he just filled it in randomly, no one took it seriously.” “Do you remember the high school graduation party?” Of course, I remembered, but all those faces had blurred, except Liam’s, which only grew clearer. “Yeah, I remember. Didn’t Liam have bright red hair back then, super flashy? And he had new piercings, totally decked out.” I commented, “He was pretty hot, though.” Ava was quiet for a moment, then said, “He actually planned to confess to you that day.” This time, it was my turn to be surprised. The car slowly stopped by the roadside, and I turned to look at Ava. “What did you say?” Ava was asleep.

These few short sentences practically had me pulling my hair out. What did “he actually planned to confess to me” even mean? Ava was finally getting some good sleep, and I didn’t want to disturb her, so I dug out that long-forgotten SnapChat account. The high school group chat was still there, but no one had posted in years. There were scammers, though, sending messages back and forth, selling diet teas. I found my old deskmate from high school and, without much hope, sent her an emoji greeting. To my surprise, she replied instantly. 【OMG, did you finally remember your password?】 After chatting for a bit, I hadn’t even mentioned his name, but my deskmate asked first. 【How are things with you and Liam?】 【That guy is so stubborn. Every time I mentioned your name, he wouldn’t say a word.】 I hadn’t heard that name in ages, yet today I’d heard it several times. 【Why does everyone think Liam and I would be together?】 I chuckled, typing into the chat box, 【Liam and I haven’t seen each other in ten years.】 Before I could send that message, my deskmate brought up that high school graduation party. 【Back then, Liam told everyone in our class, even our old homeroom teacher knew he was going to confess to you. We all kept it a secret for him.】 【We were all so nervous. I even specifically asked you what your ideal type was.】 I remembered, that really did happen. When my deskmate asked about my ideal type, all our classmates went quiet, turning their attention to us. It was a somewhat private question. My face started to flush slightly. My ideal type, with his bright red hair, was actually standing not far away. When you’re young, it’s hard not to be drawn to a guy as bold and dazzling as Liam. But I opened my mouth and said something against my heart. I said, “I just like guys with dark, neat hair, wearing rimless glasses, the quiet and thoughtful type. And if he’s a doctor, that would be even better.” This was completely opposite to Liam, who wanted to be a race car driver. The whole class went silent. My deskmate’s messages continued, 【He didn’t confess to you that day, probably because he realized he was completely different from your ideal type.】 【But, he’s Liam! I thought no matter how hard it was, he wouldn’t give up. I even thought you two would have been together by now.】

I stared blankly at the text. An unexplainable emotion welled up inside me. Ava didn’t sleep for long before waking up. I took her upstairs, reminding her to listen to the doctor and rest well. I told her I’d visit whenever I had time. “Wait!” She rummaged through her bag. “I think I left something at the hospital.” Ava’s missing item was a lipstick. Sometimes she’d put it on to look less pale, so her parents wouldn’t worry so much. I glanced at my phone; I had some free time. “I’ll go get it for you.” I thought since only half an hour had passed, the lipstick would still be there. I retraced my steps twice but still couldn’t find it, so I had to ask for help at the lost and found. “Lipstick?” “Yes.” “Let me check.” “The system shows Dr. Chen found a lipstick this morning.” Seeing that it was almost hospital lunch break, I asked for Dr. Chen’s office and hurried over. I knocked twice on the door. “Come in.” Dr. Chen was facing away from me, tidying his desk. His dark, messy hair swayed slightly. His back looked incredibly familiar. It was the same person I accidentally bumped into this morning. What a small world. I sighed to myself, then my sharp eyes spotted Ava’s missing lipstick. “Dr. Chen, thank you for keeping my lipstick safe.” I greeted him. Dr. Chen turned around. This time, he wasn’t wearing a mask. Rimless glasses sat on his high nose bridge, and his eyes were deep. That striking face was right in front of me. It felt like something just tugged at my heart. Liam. My gaze fell on the name tag hanging on his chest. It really was him. The world truly was that small.

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On my wedding day, just because my fiancé insisted on wearing an old, broken watch with the million-dollar designer gown I’d bought him, I called off the wedding right then and there. Julian looked at me in utter disbelief, “Just because of a watch?” I pulled out the divorce papers, urging him to sign quickly. “Yes, exactly because of a watch.” Everyone called me crazy, saying I’d torn apart ten years of love over a stupid watch, right at the altar. My dad stepped forward and slapped me hard. “You ungrateful brat, get on your knees!” Mrs. Hayes cried, screaming that I had dumped her son right at the altar, ruining the rest of his life. I looked at the watch on his wrist, pointing at 3:07, and smiled. I dialed my assistant Sarah’s number directly. “Those things? You can release them now.” “I want a divorce.” “Take off the watch.” The moment we were about to exchange rings, I gripped Julian’s hand, my gaze fixed on his wrist. It was an old, silver wristwatch, its face yellowed, the hands forever stuck at 3:07. The happy smile on Julian’s face froze. He instinctively tried to pull his hand back. “Stella, don’t mess around. Everyone’s watching.” I didn’t move. I just repeated myself, my voice not loud, but clear enough to echo through the entire chapel. “Take off the watch.” His face completely changed. A flicker of panic and sharp anger, something I’d never seen before, crossed his eyes. “What do you mean? You know what this watch means to me!” “I know.” I released his hand and pulled a pre-prepared document from my clutch. “Because I know, that’s why we’re getting a divorce.” Julian stared at me in disbelief, then at the document with “Divorce Agreement” on the cover. His body started to tremble. “Stella, say that again?” “I said, divorce.” I flipped open the page I’d already signed and pushed it towards him. “Because of this watch.” The entire crowd gasped. “Is she insane? The Sterling heiress wants a divorce because of a broken watch? What kind of joke is this?” “Is it an act? Just to add some drama to the wedding?” “Feel bad for Julian, marrying such a psycho. What humiliation on his big day.” The whispers were like a thousand needles, piercing Julian’s pride. Tears instantly welled up in his eyes, his rims red, his lips trembling, but he couldn’t utter a single word. His mother, my soon-to-be mother-in-law, was the first to rush forward, clutching my dress collar tightly. “Stella! You bitch! For a watch, you humiliate him like this in front of all these guests?” “That’s just a keepsake from his deceased friend. Are you so jealous you’re even competing with a dead person? You’re nothing like a woman.” She swung her fist, hitting my chest. I ignored her, my gaze fixed on Julian. Ten years, from high school sweethearts to walking down the aisle, I thought we were each other’s forever. But until this moment, seeing the way he protected that watch, I finally understood: I wasn’t even his starting point. “Why?” He finally burst into tears, clutching the agreement tightly. “Just because of a watch? What about our ten years together?” “Yes,” I nodded, my voice calm, almost chillingly so. “Exactly because of a watch.” I urged him, “Sign it. Let’s not make this any uglier than it needs to be.” Those words completely shattered him. Julian’s whole body trembled. He snatched the divorce agreement, tearing it into tiny pieces with furious hands. “Stella, I won’t agree!” His bloodshot eyes glared at me, like a cornered beast. “You want a divorce? Over my dead body!” I looked at his hysterical face and smiled. Turning away, I pulled out my phone and dialed my secretary. “Sarah,” my voice was soft, but laced with an icy satisfaction. “Those things? You can release them now.” “I’m ready for a divorce.”

My dad was the first to storm onto the stage. Having built his empire from the ground up, he was now shaking with rage, and slapped me hard across the face. “You ungrateful brat! Get down on your knees! If you can’t give me a good explanation today, I swear I’ll skin you alive!” A searing pain erupted on my cheek. My head snapped to the side, and I tasted a hint of blood. My mom followed quickly, grabbing me, tears streaming down her face. “Stella, tell me, what is going on? You and Julian grew up together, we saw your love, it can’t possibly be about a watch, can it?” “Exactly,” my dad pointed a finger at me, roaring, “Have you forgotten who used to follow you around with water, who stayed by your side for three days and three nights when you were sick? It was this boy right here! How can you treat him like this today? How can you be so heartless?” Julian sobbed, crying almost to the point of collapse in front of countless guests. “Stella, you hate this watch, don’t you? I’ll take it off, I’ll just take it off, please don’t leave me…” He cried as he tried to unfasten the watch strap, his movements clumsy and slow, as if every fiber of his being was resisting. “Don’t bother taking it off. It’s too late.” I said coldly. Those words hit him harder than any slap. Julian’s movements froze. He looked at me in disbelief. My dad’s blood pressure surged with anger. He kicked the back of my knee, forcing me to my knees in front of Julian. “Apologize! You rebellious daughter. You will get married today, whether you like it or not!” I stiffened my back, my chin held high, refusing to speak. The guests below had transitioned from shock to outrage. “Stella is truly an animal! The poor guy is willing to compromise, and she’s still so cold and heartless?” “The Hayes family must have the worst luck imaginable to end up with someone like her.” “Bitch! A total bitch!” Seeing that brute force wasn’t working, my dad softened his tone. “Honey, Dad knows you’re not unreasonable. There must be another reason. Tell us, and we’ll solve it together. Don’t break Julian’s heart.” All eyes were on me, waiting for my explanation. But I just smiled, looking up at Julian’s forlorn, tear-streaked face, and said, word by word. “I don’t want to marry you anymore. I’m bored. Is that not allowed?” Those words were like pouring cold water into boiling oil; the entire room exploded with chatter. Julian knelt before me, his body limp like a ragdoll, the light in his eyes completely extinguished. “Stella, you can stop loving me, but you can’t insult me like this.” His voice was barely a whisper, filled with despair. “Are our ten years of love really worth nothing to you?” “You’re a heartless bastard!” My mom’s gaze, too, shifted from heartbreak to utter disappointment. My dad clenched his fists, veins bulging, looking as if he wanted to strangle me the next second. But I didn’t look at them anymore. I slowly stood up, brushing the dust from my knees. Then, in front of everyone, I glanced disdainfully at Julian and uttered my final words. “Then, I’ll see you in court.”

The wedding became a colossal farce. My dad immediately announced his support for Julian, declaring that if I didn’t back down, he’d disown me. The next day, headlines like “Sterling Heiress Calls Off Wedding Over Watch, Ten Years of Love in Vain” and “Heartless Sterling Daughter Crushes Devoted Man” exploded across all social media platforms, topping trending lists. Someone had filmed the wedding scene, and my cold, contemptuous, insulting face towards Julian was turned into countless memes, going viral across the internet. I became the notorious “bitch of the century.” “Who does she think she is? Ruining an engagement over a broken watch? Typical entitled brat!” “Julian is so pathetic. Ten years of his youth wasted, and then publicly humiliated like that.” “I heard that watch was a keepsake from Julian’s deceased friend. Stella is so insecure she’s jealous of the dead! Is she even a woman anymore?!” My company address and private residence were doxxed by the all-powerful netizens. My front door was splattered with paint and eggs daily. Sterling Group’s stock plummeted by billions overnight. My dad swiftly held a press conference, reiterating that he had disowned me, and that all of Stella’s actions were her own and had nothing to do with the Sterling family. Relatives and friends who once fawned over me quickly blocked and deleted my contact info, afraid of any association. I became public enemy number one. Yet, here I was, lounging leisurely in a top-floor hotel suite, watching Julian’s exclusive interview on TV. He wore a plain white shirt, his face pale, eyes swollen like peaches—the perfect image of a deeply wronged yet resilient man. “Please, everyone, stop attacking Stella,” he choked, looking into the camera. “I believe she was just confused for a moment. Our ten years of love weren’t fake; there must be some misunderstanding.” “She was just… too concerned about me, which is why she was so sensitive about that watch.” “I’ll wait for her to come to her senses. We won’t get a divorce. We’re going to be together forever.” His words were perfectly crafted, not only portraying himself as a loving, forgiving gentleman but also nailing me to the pillar of shame as someone “jealous and overreacting out of love.” Reporters applauded his magnanimity, and the comment sections were flooded with overwhelming praise. I watched his flawless face on the screen and chuckled. Then, I dialed his number. The call was answered quickly. The reporters on-site, realizing it was me, the protagonist, immediately aimed their microphones at the speaker. “Stella?” Julian’s voice was full of surprise and anticipation. “You finally called me! Have you thought things through? I don’t blame you for the wedding. We can start over…” “Don’t get ahead of yourself.” I cut off his self-indulgent performance with a light laugh. “Just a reminder: tomorrow morning at nine, court. Don’t be late.” As my words dropped, I could clearly hear a sharp gasp from his end of the line. The entire press conference erupted into chaos. Immediately after, even more furious condemnations rained down on me. “Scumbag! Animal! Even after Julian’s words, she’s still so cold-blooded!” Julian’s sobs came through the receiver, broken and heartbreaking. “Stella… do we really… have to go this far?” I chuckled, then responded, my voice not loud but clear enough for everyone to hear, firm and resolute. “Of course.” “Not only are we getting divorced, but I, Stella, will reclaim every single piece of property, every share, every fund I ever gifted you. Not a single cent will remain.” “From now on, we go our separate ways, for good.”

The next day, I appeared at the courthouse entrance. Reporters swarmed like sharks smelling blood, surrounding me, making it impossible to move. “Ms. Sterling, are you truly divorcing Mr. Hayes, your love of ten years, just because of a watch?” “There are rumors you already have a new lover, and the watch is just an excuse for divorce. Is that true?” “How can you publicly humiliate Mr. Hayes like this? Doesn’t your conscience bother you?” Countless microphones practically jabbed at my face. Expressionless, I walked straight into the courtroom, security guards clearing a path for me. Julian was already there. He wore all black today, his face gaunt, tear tracks clearly visible at the corners of his eyes. Seeing me, he hoarsely called out, “Stella…” I ignored him, walking directly to the plaintiff’s seat. The trial began, and I stated my simple request: “I, Stella Sterling, request the dissolution of my marriage with the defendant, Julian Hayes.” The judge asked, “Reason?” Before I could answer, Julian broke down. He slammed his hand on the table, crying out: “I refuse to divorce! Stella, tell me why! We loved each other so much! Is it really just because I didn’t take off that watch? It’s a keepsake from my best friend! If something happened to you, I would cherish your memory with my life! Why can’t you understand?” His passionate words and insistence moved many in the gallery to wipe away tears. But I simply smiled faintly, meeting everyone’s gaze, and calmly said: “Yes, it’s because of that watch. No other reason.” He froze, as if he hadn’t expected me to be so blunt. “Really… just because of that?” “What kind of reason is that? It’s absurd!” Mrs. Hayes shrieked from the gallery. “Because of a broken watch, you’ve ruined my son’s life! You monster!” My dad sat on the other side, clutching his chest in anger, pointing at me, his lips trembling. “You rebellious daughter! You’ve disgraced our family!” The gallery erupted completely. “She’s crazy! Stella is absolutely insane! To ruin her engagement just because she’s jealous of a watch – she’s clearly sick!” “Julian must have been blind to his true nature, how could he fall for someone like this?!” “Bitch! A menace to society!” Several emotional netizens even threw eggs and rotten vegetables at me. Sticky egg yolk ran down my hair, blinding my eyes. I was a mess. The judge pounded his gavel, frowning slightly. “Order! Plaintiff, your reason for divorce is too tenuous; it does not constitute a legal ground for divorce. Do you have any other evidence?” I glanced down at my phone; the screen was still dark. The time hadn’t come yet. I could only shake my head. “No.” “In that case,” the judge picked up his gavel, ready to pronounce sentence, “Due to insufficient evidence from the plaintiff, this court rules to deny the plaintiff’s petition for divorce from the defendant…” “Wait!” Just a second before the gavel struck, my phone screen finally lit up. A massive weight lifted from my shoulders. I held up my phone, facing the judge and the entire court, a chilling smile on my face. “Your Honor, I just received my evidence. May I request to play it?” The next second, the courtroom’s large screen lit up. The projected image drained all color from Julian’s face. He froze in place. It wasn’t until a familiar name and a familiar face appeared on the screen that he finally realized what it was. He let out a desperate, piercing scream, rushing towards the screen regardless of everything. “No! Turn it off! Turn it off now!”

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I’d loved Julian Vance for ten years. I’d pulled every trick in the book, even driving away the woman he truly loved, just to marry him. Six years into our marriage, Julian had slept with pretty much every woman who crossed his path. But no matter how much he hurt me, I never thought of leaving. Not until I was huge with child, and walked in on him bringing a woman home, making love right there in our bed. I broke down, demanding answers. He just looked at me, a mocking smirk on his face. “Clara, don’t forget what you promised when we got married. You said you wouldn’t interfere with my private life, as long as you got to marry me. If you feel like you’re losing out, go find another man yourself.” He casually glanced at my swollen belly, his voice dripping with venom. “Just remember to use protection. Don’t go dirtying the Vance family’s child in your womb.” My emotions completely shattered. I lunged at him, but he coldly pushed me away. I tumbled down the stairs, losing both myself and my baby. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I caught him bringing that woman home. This time, I decided to let go of my decade-long obsession. I’d set Julian free, and finally, myself.

I’d just found out I was having a daughter. Excitedly, I rushed home with a huge bag full of pink baby items from the store, wanting to surprise Julian. And it certainly was a huge “surprise.” There was a faint, lingering scent of perfume in the house, not overpowering, but undeniably intimate. It meant another woman was here. My sense of smell was super sensitive because of the pregnancy, and perfume made me sick. I climbed the stairs, step by painful step, noticing clothes scattered along the way. Men’s ties and dress pants, women’s lingerie and a slip dress. They were entangled intimately, leading all the way to our master bedroom, the door slightly ajar. Listening to the sickening sounds coming from inside, my heart clenched in agony. I took a deep breath, my fingernails digging into my palms. Looking down, I saw the shopping bags I’d just bought had slipped from my grasp, scattered at my feet. They lay mixed with the clothes on the floor, a scene of utter devastation. The sight before me made me fully realize that I had been reborn. In my last life, I impulsively burst through that door, fought with those two disgusting people, and ultimately died, filled with bitter resentment, taking my unborn child with me. This time, I just slowly made my way downstairs, steadying myself against the wall. I sat quietly on the sofa and waited. I don’t know how long passed until Julian finally appeared, wrapped in a bathrobe, the lingering scent of their passion clinging to him. It made my stomach churn. He watched me, expressionless, as I kept gagging. “Do you have a guest over?” I wiped the corner of my mouth, my voice surprisingly calm, without a single tremor. Julian nodded nonchalantly, calmly walking towards me, step by step. I stood up, holding my belly, and took a step back, continuing, “And this guest is currently in our room?” Julian froze for a moment, probably surprised that this time, catching him red-handed, I wasn’t having a meltdown like the countless times before. But he still nodded, and just as he was about to speak, a woman descended the stairs barefoot, casually draped in my silk nightgown. I recognized her instantly: Serena Beaumont, the lead actress from the hit show I was just watching last night. She looped her arm through Julian’s, her eyes gleaming seductively. “Mr. Vance, who is this…?” As she spoke, she deliberately flaunted the visible marks of their passion on her chest. Julian reached out, wrapping an arm around Serena, and provocatively squeezed her soft curves, making the actress gasp playfully in his embrace. “Oh, she’s my wife…” Serena covered her mouth, her almond eyes wide with feigned surprise, her voice trembling dramatically. “Oh? You’re so naughty, why didn’t you tell me your wife was coming back…?” Julian kissed her neck, a lecherous grin on his face. “What’s there to be scared of? Isn’t this more exciting? Besides—” He looked at me with a sneer. “Mrs. Vance, didn’t we agree long ago that this marriage was a mutual arrangement, and we wouldn’t interfere with each other’s lives?” “These six years, you haven’t exactly lost out. I’ve been more than generous to your family.” He wasn’t wrong. If not for the two hundred million he gave us when we got engaged, my family’s business would have collapsed long ago. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly nodded. “I understand. I’m sorry, I seem to have interrupted you.” I opened the door and walked out, step by painful step. It was as if he sensed that I was walking out of his life forever. “Wait!” Julian called out, his voice shaking. I didn’t turn back. I didn’t say goodbye. Julian, I won’t wait for you anymore.

I trudged for what felt like ages with my heavy belly until I finally made it out of the gated community and flagged down a taxi. Opening the car door, I turned for one last look. This ending, perhaps, was the best for me. At least I wouldn’t end up like in my last life, throwing my life away to fight for a man who never loved me. I couldn’t go back to my parents’ house, so I headed to my small apartment, the one I owned before marriage. I threw all the bed sheets and duvet covers into the washing machine, then thoroughly cleaned the tables and floors, not missing a single corner or crevice. Finally, when everything was done, I realized it was already the middle of the night. A dull, cramping pain spread through my belly. I curled up in bed, hugging a pillow, and suddenly felt so utterly exhausted. My face felt strangely cool and damp. I reached up and realized it was wet with tears. All tears. Ten years of agonizing love, ending so abruptly. My heart ached. I wrestled with the decision of whether to keep the baby, lying awake through the night. But Julian? He was fully immersed in Serena Beaumont’s embrace, completely forgetting himself. The popular actress had been subtly flaunting their happiness on social media recently – candlelit dinners, expensive jewelry, designer bags… The backdrop of the photos and videos was all too familiar: my own marital home. One photo even showed the tall, handsome figure of a man cooking dinner, reflected in the glass window. That picture had sent her fans into a frenzy of delight. And it had left me in a daze for a long, long time. The man who once wouldn’t even pour me a glass of water when I had a high fever was now willing to cook a meal for another woman. A week later, on Monday, the day of the Vance Group board meeting. I used the opportunity to return to the villa. I quickly packed my bags, grabbed my documents, and headed downstairs. But I ran straight into Julian, who had rushed back. Seeing the things in my hands, he suddenly sneered, snatched my luggage, and threw it away. I frowned, looking at him. “What are you doing?” “Clara, I should be asking you that! Are you seriously pulling the ‘running away from home’ card now? What’s next? Are you going to throw a fit and threaten suicide like old times?” Julian’s brows were tightly furrowed, his face filled with disgust as he reprimanded me. “Why would I kill myself?” I scoffed, clutching the stair banister tightly. My past self was indeed foolish, resorting to threatening my life repeatedly to win him back. But after experiencing that last life, I understood that living was the most important thing. I never wanted to experience that kind of desperate, life-or-death feeling again. Besides, a man so heartless and devoid of loyalty like Julian was simply not worth my lingering affection. Julian sneered, his eyes filled with disdain. “What new trick is this? I’m busy. I don’t have time for your games.” “Your little stunts, they might work once or twice, but too many times and it’s just the ‘boy who cried wolf’ story.” I looked directly at Julian, explaining calmly, “You’re overthinking it. I’m here to pack my things and move out.” “Julian, let’s get a divorce.” Julian was uncharacteristically stunned, then looked at me with even greater impatience. “Divorce? You’re carrying my child, and you’re bringing up divorce now?” I didn’t answer him. I carefully walked downstairs, took out the pre-prepared divorce papers from my bag, and handed them to him. “Yes, I want a divorce.” “I don’t want anything from the Vance family. I just want to separate from you.” Julian and I had been married for six years, but apart from the upkeep of this villa, he hadn’t spent any money on me. To outsiders, I was the glamorous Mrs. Vance, but only I knew that every penny I spent came from my part-time novel writing. Since I hadn’t spent Julian’s money, I had no desire for any financial ties with him now that we were divorcing. Julian quickly scanned the document, his expression unchanged, and set it aside. A scoff escaped his throat, the sound like an ice shard piercing my heart. “Leaving with nothing? Clara, you’re thirty. Are you still this naive?” He casually tossed the divorce papers onto the coffee table, then suddenly rose and advanced on me, his shadow completely enveloping me. “Without the Vance family backing you, do you really think your father and brother have what it takes to survive in the business world?” “After a divorce, what will your family rely on to maintain your current lavish lifestyle?” I leaned back, avoiding his closeness, the swirling emotions beneath my eyelashes freezing into a cold frost. I stubbornly pressed my lips together. “Julian, even if you use my family as leverage, you can’t keep me trapped anymore.” As if stunned by the resolve in my eyes, Julian retreated, his features growing even colder. “Why?” He paused, then conceded, “Is it because I brought someone home and made you uncomfortable? I’m sorry, I was wrong this time. I promise I won’t let them appear in front of you again.” My nails dug into my palms. For the first time, I smiled openly and freely. “No need, Julian.” “For six years, I’ve had enough of your emotional torment and abuse. I’ve had enough of waiting day after day for a man whose heart was never truly with me.” I suddenly yanked off the only piece of jewelry he’d ever given me – a simple string of beads. The round beads clattered onto the carpet. “Even if it means my whole family has to bus tables and sweep streets, I will never be your puppet again.”

Julian, unable to suppress his rage, slammed the door and left. I thought a man of his pride would contact me within a few days to finalize the paperwork and kick me out. Instead, the first call I received was from my mother. She sounded delighted on the phone: “Clara, your husband just sent me a whole new season of designer clothes and bags! He bought your brother a new sports car, and even let your father develop that land in South City!” “Your father is beaming, saying you’re such a thoughtful daughter, knowing how to keep the Vance family’s golden goose happy.” “Clara, you truly are amazing. When I go out with the other wealthy ladies now, everyone compliments me on my good fortune, having such a wonderful daughter marry into the Vance family.” A wave of sorrow washed over me. It seemed my value as a “good daughter” was merely to marry into wealth and appease my unloving husband for my family’s benefit. Suppressing my anger, I told my mother, “Don’t accept anything from Julian Vance anymore. We’re getting a divorce.” I couldn’t hide the hurt as I explained that Julian didn’t love me, that he had always resented me for driving away his first love, and had been retaliating with a constant parade of women for years. But my mother was unconcerned. “Don’t throw a tantrum. Julian is a man of his stature and power; it’s perfectly normal for men like him to have a few women around.” “Be more understanding! Keeping your position as Mrs. Vance is what matters most!” “Besides, you’re pregnant now. If it’s a boy, who could possibly shake your position in the Vance family? If it’s a girl, then just try harder, get pregnant again soon.” My mother’s words reduced me to tears. I sobbed, asking her, “Mom, for the sake of the Hayes family’s prosperity, you forced me to marry Julian. Now you want me to use my child as a patch for this marriage?” “But Mom, I loved Julian for ten years! I truly can’t accept him constantly having other women!” Hanging up the phone, I went straight to Julian’s company. Seeing me, he showed no surprise. He leaned back in his leather office chair, casually twirling a pen, his dark tie making his features appear noble yet even colder. “Come to apologize?” “This time, seeing as you’re pregnant, I’ll forgive you. Don’t mention divorce again, just go home and be my dutiful Mrs. Vance.” He pulled out a card and slid it across the desk. “There’s five million in here, for your troubles.” I didn’t take the card, just looked at him calmly. “Julian Vance, you don’t love me, you even despise me. Isn’t it better if I just give up the position of Mrs. Vance now?” Julian snapped, “You don’t need to compete with those other women. I can tell you very clearly: after breaking up with Chloe, I won’t ever fall in love with anyone else, and no one can shake your position.” “You should understand that maintaining the status quo is the best outcome for both of us. You shouldn’t hope for love from me.” He paused, then added, “If you have any other demands, feel free to make them.” His pathetic act disgusted me. On one hand, he played the heartbroken romantic who couldn’t forget his first love, while on the other, he was constantly entangled with different women. Like a terrible actor, he’d kept up this charade of deep affection for so many years. I looked at Julian with cold detachment, stating calmly, “No need, Julian. I just want a divorce.” “That’s my only demand.” The air in the entire office froze. Julian’s obsidian-like eyes churned with a chilling, oppressive force. After a long moment, he picked up the divorce papers and quickly signed them. “Fine. As you wish. We’re getting a divorce.” A wave of relief washed over me. I carefully put away the signed papers. I smiled at him, genuinely. “Julian, thank you.” Thank you for making me realize that a love so fervent can twist into a blade, stabbing you right in the heart.

After leaving Vance Industries, I went straight to the hospital where I’d had my prenatal check-ups to schedule an abortion. The doctor repeatedly asked me to confirm, emphasizing that the baby was already six months old and perfectly healthy, questioning if I was absolutely certain about the procedure. My heart felt as though it was being pierced by countless tiny needles. I clenched my fingers tightly, my knuckles white from the strain. How could I not want this child? But I absolutely refused to bring a child into the world only for them to be used as a bargaining chip. Better a quick, painful end than prolonged suffering. I signed the consent form for the surgery. The next morning. I arrived at the private hospital alone for the procedure. I bumped into Julian, carefully escorting Serena Beaumont, whose stomach was still flat. Seeing me, Julian’s expression faltered for a moment, then quickly became impassive. He said faintly, “After your check-up, hurry home. You’re so far along, don’t wander around too much.” With that, he shifted his gaze and began to walk away, protecting Serena. But Serena suddenly spoke in a coy voice, “Darling, I left my daily vitamins in the car. Could you please fetch them for me?” Julian, unsuspecting, intimately stroked her hair and then turned to leave. Serena chuckled softly, then approached me. “What a coincidence, you’re also here for a prenatal check-up?” The word “also” was cleverly placed. No wonder Julian had agreed to the divorce so readily – he was giving his mistress a legitimate title. But now, I truly didn’t care. I walked past Serena, not intending to speak with her. She blocked my path, continuing her taunt, “Based on all the baby things you prepared at home, you’re having a girl, aren’t you?” “I already went to Hong Kong for a blood test. It’s a boy.” “Oh, right. Julian said the nursery you decorated at home should be for our son. You don’t mind, do you?” “And all those little girl dresses you bought, they were taking up too much space. I found them an eyesore, so I burned them all yesterday. You probably don’t need them anymore anyway—” Her sweet, mocking smile stung my eyes. Before she could finish, my palm connected with a resounding slap across her carefully made-up face. Serena stumbled, grabbing the wall for support, but her fierce glare instantly filled with tears. The next second— “Are you insane?!” Julian tore my wrist from her with immense force. I staggered backward, my back slamming hard against the fire extinguisher on the wall. The metal edges dug into my spine, sending a jolt of pain through me. The intense pain made white lights explode in my vision. My knees buckled, and I fell to the floor, clutching my belly. Julian didn’t even glance at my pathetic state. He carefully helped Serena to her feet, then turned to glare at me. “Clara, you’re the one who wanted a divorce! What are you doing, acting all jealous now?” “Serena is pregnant! If anything happens to her, I’ll make your whole family pay!” “Julian.” I tried to push myself up against the wall, but the pain made my vision swim. “Control your pampered mistress—” Serena suddenly began to cough violently, her pale fingers clutching Julian’s sleeve. “Julian, I just wanted to ask about her health…” “I’m sorry you had to go through that.” Julian picked Serena up. “Clara, you’re free. Tomorrow morning at ten, we’ll go finalize the divorce.” His voice was cold as ice, and he didn’t spare a single extra glance for me, curled up against the wall. Just then, the piercing sound of the hospital intercom blared through the corridor: “Patient Clara, operating room number 2 is ready. Please proceed immediately for surgery!” Julian naturally heard the announcement. He looked up at my name scrolling across the screen, his Adam’s apple bobbed twice, and his gaze instinctively swept towards me. But he ultimately carried Serena away, their figures disappearing down the hall. I pushed myself up and stumbled into the operating room, signing the pre-operative consent form. Lying on the operating table, the doctor confirmed with me again. “Ms. Hayes, the baby is already 6 months old. It could survive if born now. Are you sure you want to proceed with the induction?” The baby in my womb suddenly moved violently, as if protesting the impending farewell. My nose stung, and tears finally fell uncontrollably, dropping onto the cold operating table. “I’m sure.” Just as the anesthetic was about to be injected into my veins, urgent footsteps suddenly echoed from the corridor outside…

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Our new intern was lounging in the boss’s chair like she owned it, announcing she was pregnant with his baby. “From now on, cross me and you’re fired!” That was it. I’d had enough. I snatched my phone and called my boss. “Can you please take your pregnant mistress home?! She’s about to tank the company!” But my boss, currently on an overseas business trip, sounded absolutely furious. “Her being pregnant has nothing to do with me! What the hell are you talking about?!” I’d just dropped Liam off at the airport and was looking forward to a huge meal when my phone buzzed. It was Mia, a colleague, her voice low and frantic. “When are you coming back?” I stuffed a pastry into my mouth. “Probably half an hour. What’s up?” “Get back here now! Chloe’s claiming she’s pregnant with Liam’s baby!” “And she’s already trying to call the shots!” My jaw dropped so hard, the pastry in my hand clattered to the floor. “Chloe?” The intern who just started yesterday? I quickly got into my car. “Don’t panic, I’m on my way.” Honestly, Liam was really good at keeping secrets. As his executive assistant, I didn’t even know he had a girlfriend. I’d wondered how someone with Chloe’s thin resume got a foot in the door. Now, it all made perfect sense. Still, Liam could’ve given me a heads-up. Ten minutes later, I pulled into the company parking lot. Instead of the usual diligent hustle, everyone was clustered in a tight huddle inside Liam’s conference office. They stood half-bent, listening intently. A woman’s sharp, carrying voice rang out. She was acting like she owned the place more than Liam did. I hurried into the crowd. Chloe was half-reclining on the sofa, one hand protectively covering her stomach. When she saw me, her frown deepened. “Just getting back now? Do you know the entire company has been waiting for you?” “You certainly know how to make an entrance!” I quickly lowered my head, plastering on a fake smile. “Traffic was a bit backed up.” Before I could finish, she cut me off. “You’re losing this month’s performance bonus.” I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth, but in the end, I meekly apologized. The one who was practically bowing to me yesterday was now a completely different person. If I messed up and offended her, forget my bonus. I might even lose my job. I could always find another job,but never with benefits this good. I really didn’t want to leave. Seeing my submissive attitude, Chloe raised an eyebrow. “Since everyone’s here, let me explain the new rules.” A collective gasp rippled through the room, and my colleagues’ faces stiffened, looking uneasy. I was still confused when Mia tugged on my sleeve. “Her rules are totally unreasonable,” she whispered, just loud enough for me to hear. “Listen up, everyone!” Chloe’s voice cut through the tension. “I’m pregnant, and I’m carrying your boss’s precious baby.” She unconsciously stroked her belly as she spoke. “First, no more lunch breaks. No one is allowed to eat in the office.” Another collective gasp. I couldn’t help but speak up. “Chloe, everyone works really hard. If we don’t eat…” Before I could finish, a cup of scalding hot water splashed over me. “Who the hell do you think you are, using my first name?” “From now on, when you see me, you’ll call me Mrs. Miller!” My face twisted into a grimace, every nerve screaming in agony, and my body involuntarily trembled. Chloe scoffed, pointing at me. “You all saw that, right? This is what happens when you cross me.” That scene terrified my colleagues so much they didn’t dare to even breathe. “Second!” she declared, her voice rising, a haughty look on her face. “All of you are here to serve me. If I tell you to go east, you don’t go west.” “Third! All air conditioning units are to be turned off. The outdoor units give me a headache.” This time, no one dared to object, including me. The spot where the hot water had scalded me was already visibly red and swollen. “Did you all hear me?” “If you can’t do it, then get out!” She finished, glaring at me as a warning. My colleagues quickly nodded, respectfully acknowledging her words. After dismissing everyone, she kept me back alone.

“I hear you’re my husband’s executive assistant?” I offered a weak, forced smile. “I just help Liam organize documents and stuff he needs.” But she clearly wasn’t buying my answer. “Give me a shoulder massage first.” I moved behind her. “Is this pressure alright for you?” She lay back on the sofa, closing her eyes. “Actually, I’m not trying to be difficult, but my husband said…” “If I don’t lay down the law for you folks now, I’ll never have any authority around here.” “But I guess you wouldn’t dare to object, right? After all, you need this job to survive.” “And, my demands aren’t even that excessive.” She suddenly opened her eyes. “Are they excessive?” I quickly shook my head, my face plastered with a smile. “Not at all, not at all.” Watching her domineering behavior, I couldn’t help but question Liam’s taste. Was he getting old and desperate enough to settle for just anyone? All morning, I was treated like her personal assistant, running errands and catering to her every whim. She looked at the coffee I’d made with disdain, then casually tossed the cup aside. “How on earth did you even get this job?” “I asked for it warm, don’t you understand?” But at that moment, I wasn’t in the mood to listen to her. Because that cup of coffee, and wouldn’t you know it, landed right on Liam’s desk. On it lay a stack of contracts he’d already signed. My face fell. “Mrs. Miller, those contracts are due in two days.” Even with my quick reflexes, large coffee stains marred the documents. Chloe glanced at me, her tone utterly devoid of emotion. “It’s just a little dirty, who cares? Nowhere near as precious as the baby growing inside me.” She suddenly snapped at me. “From now on, you’re going to dedicate yourself fully to serving me, got it?” “You can’t even play the part of a decent assistant!” I swallowed my rising anger, my voice still trembling slightly. “Mrs. Miller, this contract is really important.” “What if I take it to get cleaned up right now?” Luckily, she nodded her approval. But the moment my fingers grazed the doorknob, she called out to me again. “Get two women in here to give me a foot massage.” I bit my lip. “Okay.” Stepping out, I immediately noticed the difference. It was hot, stiflingly hot! Colleagues who should have been engrossed in their work were all performing the same action: fanning themselves with whatever they could find. I stood frozen, then looked back at the central AC unit. It wasn’t just off; even the power cords had been removed. Everyone was groaning, their eyes pleading with me. Just as I was about to speak, Chloe emerged, holding her stomach. “Everyone, stop that!” Her sharp gaze swept over us. “I told you not to turn on the AC because the outdoor unit is too noisy.” “And what do you do?! Create a racket out there collectively!” “Are you intentionally trying to get on my nerves?!” Instantly, everyone dropped what they were holding. Their faces flushed with embarrassment, they all shook their heads, mumbling apologies. “But you’ve already made me angry!”

Chloe shot me a resentful look. “How did you even become an executive assistant? You have zero management skills.” I was about to respond when she pointed a finger, picking out random colleagues as if selecting sacrificial lambs. “You three, stand up.” “Start doing two hundred squats!” “What?” The selected colleagues looked a flicker of annoyance on their faces, but still spoke cautiously. “Mrs. Miller, we…” “Three hundred!” Seeing Chloe kept upping the ante, they didn’t dare to speak again. They immediately started their squats. She clapped her hands, then turned her gaze to me. “They’re being punished because they were fanning themselves too vigorously, making too much noise.” I followed her gaze. Those colleagues were drenched in sweat, huffing and puffing, clearly in agony. “Now, you need to do five hundred squats!” I pointed at myself, incredulous. “Me?” She curled her lip in disdain. “Who told you not to manage these people properly? You bear the greatest responsibility.” Suddenly, her face darkened. “Still not doing it?” I didn’t dare hesitate, immediately crossing my arms over my head and squatting down. She slowly addressed the other colleagues. “Hot? Is it really that hot?” “Why can’t I feel the heat?” Hearing that, I wanted to curse her entire family lineage to hell. Of course, she didn’t feel hot! She was chilling in his office with the AC blasting and wrapped in Liam’s silk throw blanket. How could she possibly feel hot? But these thoughts, I only dared to entertain in my head. Chloe pulled out a chair from the side and settled down. “The baby in my belly, our CEO’s precious heir, is hungry!” Her fingertips tapped an impatient rhythm on the armrest. “What should I eat?” “Hmm, I want a matcha latte from that artisan coffee shop across town. And truffle fries from The Diner on Elm Street.” She patted my shoulder. “You’re working so hard, Harper.” “It’s just that my baby wants to eat…” With that, she slowly re-entered the office. The moment she left, my colleagues collectively exhaled in relief. But the next second, she pulled the door open again, poking her head out. “Get me two women to massage my legs.” “No, wait, make it four. My feet need attention too.” With a bang, she slammed the door shut. All my colleagues looked at me, their faces crumpled. “Harper… what do we do now?” One of the colleagues doing squats burst into tears. “I have a contract; the client needs it this afternoon!” “What do we do?” Gasping for breath, I checked the time. Liam was on a plane right now, so calling him was out of the question. “Everyone, just hang in there a little longer. Liam’s plane lands at 4 PM.” “I’ll explain the situation to him.” After all, I was the biggest victim here!

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When Damien Thorne and I broke up, he held my fake pregnancy report and stubbed his cigarette butt right over my heart. “How dare you lie to me?” Those words cost me my decent job and left my face disfigured. The day I left the city, he announced his engagement to a wealthy heiress. I clutched my stomach and ran. Four years later, he pointed at the child in my arms, his eyes filled with a chilling certainty. “That’s my child, isn’t it?” I saw Damien again late one night at the hospital. My daughter, Lily, was nestled in my arms. She was already used to IV drips and injections, quietly enduring the entire process. Even when she saw Damien, she stayed calm, only tugging at me sleepily, a puzzled look on her face. I opened my eyes, instantly locking gazes with his cold, captivating ones. Past memories flooded back, making my heart seize. I stiffly stood up, ready to bolt, then realized my daughter was still hooked up to the IV. The moment my hand touched the IV bottle, Damien’s grip slammed down on it. “Long time no see, Elara.” “Is this your daughter?” Just a few light words, but my legs started shaking uncontrollably, turning to jelly. Lily tilted her head, asking who he was. He curled his lips into a cold smile, speaking slowly, deliberately. “An old acquaintance of your mother’s.” More than an old acquaintance, wasn’t he? Five years. Countless nights of desperate passion. But those heavy numbers, so significant to me, were nothing more than trash to the high and mighty Damien, discarded without a second thought. I buried my head, my face pale. In the silence, Damien’s friend walked over. At first, he didn’t get a clear look, playfully gesturing at Lily. “Look at you, Damien! What a lucky guy! A little stomach bug on a business trip, and your wife and daughter show up from miles away to comfort you!” Not long after I left the city, I saw news online about Serena’s pregnancy. I never imagined she’d also had a daughter. Taking a couple of steps closer, the man finally saw my face and let out a stunned, “Holy hell!” “Damn, you’re Elara, right? You’re actually still alive?” His surprised, mocking words stabbed at my heart, which had just barely begun to heal. I instinctively covered Lily’s ears, shielding her from harsher insults. “You faked a pregnancy, nearly gave old Grandpa Thorne a heart attack back then, and you still have the nerve to show your face to Damien?” “Don’t tell me you’re broke? Right, a woman who just relies on men for money, isn’t that right? You’re clearly just a gold-digger.” “And this scrawny little girl is your daughter? You’re not trying to say this is Damien’s kid, are you?!” Numb as I usually was, the last sentence made me snap my head up in shock. “No! She has absolutely no connection to Mr. Thorne!” My distant tone made both men pause. After a moment, Damien pushed his friend aside, stepping closer to me, his intimidating presence as oppressive as ever. “How old is the child?” “Three years old!” The words burst out of me almost immediately. He pressed in another step. “Your ID. Let me see it.” I stumbled back, forcing a faint smile. “My ID is at home. I forgot it.” He was about to speak, but I cut him off. “It’s late, Mr. Thorne. You should head home early, so Mrs. Thorne doesn’t worry.” Bringing up Serena seemed to make him ponder, a rare sight. A bitter laugh welled up inside me. Four years ago, I was so desperate, I knelt in the dirt, asking Damien why he didn’t believe me, why he was marrying Serena Maxwell. He’d gripped my throat, his eyes filled with disgust, icy cold. “She’s not like you. She’s pure, and she doesn’t lie.” “Besides, I love her.” I had been with him for five years, and he’d never once said he loved me. I thought someone as dignified as Damien was incapable of love. Until he said he loved Serena and wanted to give her a home. I’d always thought that love wouldn’t last. Now, it seemed, I was naive. Seizing his distraction, I swiftly pulled out the IV bottle and fled, my daughter in my arms, never looking back. I vaguely heard the man behind me say something. I didn’t catch it, and I didn’t care.

I didn’t stop until I was out of the hospital, my heart pounding fiercely. Lily touched my cold face, a puzzled expression. “Mommy, why did you lie to that uncle?” I kissed her soft, round cheek. “Mommy was protecting you.” Protecting you from being taken away. Damien now had a wife and daughter. Why would he want to snatch mine? Despite my doubts, I still took Lily to a small clinic. It was past two in the morning when we finally got home. Sleep wouldn’t come, so I opened Serena’s Ins. Every day, she posted about her lavish life and her precious, pampered princess. The comments were full of praise for her gentle beauty. It was hard to imagine that this was the woman who had personally slashed my face with a knife. Even now, no matter how hot it got, I dared not lift my thick bangs, exposing the ugly scar on my forehead. I only took half a day off for Lily. In the afternoon, I drove her to kindergarten in my old sedan. On the way home, a luxury car brazenly blocked my path. The window rolled down, and a beautiful woman peeked out. “Elara!” I froze, meeting Helena Hayes’ gaze. She looked even younger than she did back then. If we walked together, people would likely mistake us for sisters. I abandoned my car and hurried away, but she opened her car door and chased after me in her expensive leather heels. “Elara! Please, just look at me, darling!” Perhaps she ran too fast, as her voice was laced with a slight sob. I didn’t understand why she was chasing me. It was she who had cast me aside for wealth and status. It was she who, in front of everyone, had claimed I wasn’t her daughter. It was she who, to gain approval from her stepdaughter Serena, had personally forged my pregnancy report. Back then, her bright red nails had poked angry red marks all over my face. “You’re alive thanks to me! What right do you have to accuse me? If I’d known you’d obstruct my path to riches, I would have strangled you the moment you were born!” Lost in my memories, the driver, at Helena’s signal, slammed on the brakes, cutting off my escape. I was startled and fell to the ground. Helena reached out to help me up. “Elara, I just wanted to see you.” I violently pulled away from her hand, a sneer on my face. “See me? To see if I’m dead yet? Or to see if I’m still trying to steal Serena’s man?” “Don’t worry, Mrs. Hayes, I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t bother Damien and Serena’s married life, and I’ll stay far away from them and your lavish life!” Helena looked hurt by my words, her eyes reddening. “Elara, that’s not what I meant.” Her gaze fell on my custom-made phone case, adorned with a picture of Lily and me. Her tone shifted abruptly. “That child, back then…” Hearing that, my resolve crumbled. I stammered. “What child? That child was already taken care of by you, wasn’t she?” I desperately tried to hide my phone case behind me, the cold ground reminding me of the private clinic operating table four years ago. Helena’s sinister gaze had fixed on my belly. “This child must go! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. I will never allow you to have this bastard child and threaten Serena’s marriage!” To teach me a lesson, she hadn’t allowed any anesthesia. The operating room had been filled with my heart-wrenchwrenching screams. In the end, it was the compassionate surgeon who secretly helped me. Now, Lily was my everything. I didn’t want to relive the agony of nearly losing her, so I desperately insisted. “That child is truly gone! If you don’t believe me, ask the doctor. You saw the… the remains yourself, didn’t you?” “I truly don’t love Damien anymore, and I won’t go back to tempt him!” To convince her, I lifted my shirt, recklessly exposing the ten-centimeter scar on my abdomen, my voice urgent. “Look, the scar is still there. The child died ages ago, you can even feel it if you don’t believe me, it’s real!” I grabbed her hand and pressed it against the scar. The next second, she suddenly embraced me. “Elara, don’t… don’t do this…” I froze for a moment, then frantically struggled. She fell to the ground. I scrambled around her car and fled. After only a few steps, I tripped and fell hard. Ignoring the stinging pain in my knees, I scrambled to my feet and kept running. Back home, I immediately packed my important documents and money. Meeting Damien last night, then Helena today. This couldn’t be a coincidence! I submitted my resignation to the company where I’d worked for two years and called my landlord to terminate the lease. After buying train tickets, it was almost time for school to let out. I drove my old sedan to pick up Lily and complete her withdrawal from kindergarten. I planned to take her far away from here, never to return. However, at the school gate, Ms. Evans looked surprised. “Lily’s father already picked her up,” she said. Then her face paled. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I just assumed… The resemblance was so strong.”

After four years, I unblocked Damien. The moment he picked up, he chuckled softly. “I thought you were really willing to never contact me again for the rest of your life.” I stood in the cold wind, gripping my phone. “Where is Lily?” The words had barely left my lips when Lily’s innocent laughter echoed through the phone. Damien’s voice was like a snake’s hiss. “Elara, is Lily my child, or not?” I remained firm. “No, Damien. Give me back my daughter.” He scoffed. “It’s fine if you don’t admit it. I can get a DNA test. You remember what happened the last time you lied to me.” The cigarette scar he’d burned into my chest still hadn’t faded. Whenever my chest ached, it felt like that scar was throbbing, mocking me for loving a man I shouldn’t have. Thinking of it, I sank to the ground, trying to hold back the tears stinging my eyes. Damien abruptly hung up. I took a moment to compose myself, then stood up and headed towards his mansion. Four years later, I stepped onto the grounds of the Thorne family estate once more, memories flooding my mind. I remembered my first day moving in, clutching Damien’s hand and asking him, what if someone tried to kick me out? His smile was gentle, unwavering. “You’re my woman. Who would dare touch you?” Later, it was he who ordered his people to strip me of every piece of clothing he’d bought for me, driving me out of the mansion. It was snowing heavily. I walked through the snow, my body numb with cold, tears freezing on my face. He stood on the second floor, looking down as I struggled, step by painful step, out the mansion gates. To this day, photos of me naked in the snow still circulated online. The comments either condemned me as deserving, or believed I was dead, paying for my sins to Grandpa Thorne. I walked with my head down on the mansion’s path, the humiliation of the past rising up. I didn’t notice that the roses I once loved still bloomed vigorously in the garden. Damien was already waiting in the living room. Dressed in a black suit, he looked like a wolf who had planned his attack. I stood far away, controlling my anger. “Where is Lily?” “She played herself tired, she’s sleeping upstairs.” Hearing this, I rushed towards the stairs, but he swiftly grabbed my arm, pulling me into his embrace. The familiar woody scent hit me, sending shivers down my spine. “What’s the rush? We still have unfinished business.” I thought he was referring to the time I supposedly framed Serena for stealing creative work. Even though she had stolen my work. But no one believed me. In the end, I was fired from my company, all my projects met with scorn and boycott. However, years of hardship had worn away my pride. I pushed Damien away, dropping to my knees with a thud. “Mr. Thorne, I understand my mistake from back then, and I’ve paid the price. If it’s still not enough, I can even kneel and apologize to Mrs. Thorne, as long as you give me back my daughter.” My desperation did not soften him. He furrowed his brow, his voice icy. “Get up.” I didn’t move, speaking again with genuine plea. “Mr. Thorne, you can humiliate me however you want, as long as you return my child.” Damien let out a humorless laugh, crouching down to meet my gaze. “Your child? Whose child are you talking about?” I froze for a moment, then quickly replied. “My ex-husband’s.” Afraid he wouldn’t believe me, I pulled out my marriage certificate to show him. “Damien, I’m not lying. I really am married. Lily is my ex-husband’s and mine!” I was indeed married, but only to ensure Lily could have a legal identity and as a precaution. But he merely glanced at the certificate, then snatched it, tearing it to shreds. He pulled me up. “Elara, can’t you see how much this child looks like me?” I avoided his gaze, struggling to get free and run upstairs to find Lily. He grabbed me by the waist, threw me onto the couch, twisted my arms behind my back, and pinned me down, his eyes dark with menace. “I’m asking you one last time. Whose child is she?” My eyes widened, and I found myself struggling to breathe. In a haze, I remembered the memory of him aiming that gun at me after Grandpa Thorne’s death. That bone-chilling fear returned, and my tears spilled out uncontrollably. “Damien, I’m begging you, let me go! I can’t die, Lily is so young! She can’t lose me!” “She’s really not your daughter! If it makes you happy, you can do whatever you want to me, just leave me alive, just don’t take Lily away!!” He wiped a tear from my eye, his brow unfurrowing. “When did I ever say I was going to take your daughter?” I froze, a sudden thought flashing through my mind about Serena’s Ins posts. Her daughter, like her, had a congenital heart condition…

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I was the Boss Lady everyone admired. The day I caught my husband in bed with my best friend, I didn’t cry, or make a scene. “He’s trash,” I stated coldly. “Keep him.” My friends cheered my independence, praising how I’d never cling to a man. Meanwhile, my ex and my best friend rushed into marriage. Twins came the next year. His business boomed. They built a perfect, enviable life. And I? I fell apart. Depression hit me hard after the divorce. My career tanked. My relationships crumbled. I lost everything. Lost in thought, I stepped into traffic. Before I died, my best friend appeared at my bedside, her eyes gleaming with triumph. “I knew you prided yourself on being a ‘boss girl’,” she said. “That’s why I staged that scene for you to find.” I died, choking on regret and resentment. When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the scene of their betrayal. I lay in the emergency room, barely clinging to life. Just moments ago, the doctor had gravely informed me that my injuries were too severe; there was nothing more they could do. As I vaguely thought, “Well, if I’m going to die, I’ll die,” I heard the soft click of high heels, and Serena walked in. She was elegantly dressed, her skin glowing and full, looking even younger than she had eight years ago when I caught her in bed with Derek. She gazed at me with a mix of sorrow and pity. “Cassidy, I never imagined you’d end up like this.” “Fate is truly amazing, isn’t it? After all these twists and turns, it’s me who’s sending you off on your final journey… Since it’s come to this, let’s just consider this a confession session between us.” I had no idea why she was here. I wanted to turn my head away, too tired to look at her. But I couldn’t. Because I was dying. Serena sat by my bed, sighed softly, and began speaking, seemingly to herself. “I fell in love with Derek the moment I saw him.” “But for all those years, I could only watch you two date, then marry, watching you live a better life than me, buying a bracelet that cost my entire month’s salary without a second thought. I couldn’t understand it. We had similar backgrounds, similar education, similar looks. Why, just because you arrived at that coffee shop ten minutes before me, did Derek fall in love with you and not me?” “So, I decided to personally ‘adjust’ our fates.” “I managed to get into bed with Derek, but when he woke up, he was full of remorse and despair. He even offered me money to keep it from you. Later, even though he couldn’t resist and we did it a second and third time, he regretted it every single time.” She chuckled softly, “Well, that simply wouldn’t do, would it?” “I knew you always prided yourself on being the ‘boss girl,’ the one who always said if her husband cheated, she’d never cry or throw a fit like other women, but would get an immediate divorce and never look back. So, I begged Derek to be with me one last time, and… I deliberately made sure you’d catch us in the act.” I stared at her, stunned, unable to believe it. After the divorce, I quickly realized that the cool, nonchalant air of a strong independent woman was only temporary. Soon, I was overwhelmed by an emotional backlash, tormented daily by the betrayal from my most intimate confidante and the sheer social humiliation. Later, as I watched them marry, have children, and succeed in their startup, thriving in every way, I, having lost all faith in love, couldn’t continue my work as a wedding designer. I also didn’t dare start a new relationship, and my life only got worse. The contrast felt like a cruel torture, plunging me into anxiety, self-doubt, and a complete breakdown of faith. Every day felt like my heart was on fire, leaving me sleepless and consumed. I thought I was just unlucky, or weak and useless, even despising myself for not being able to bounce back. But it never once occurred to me that it was all a carefully laid trap. “Thank you, Cassidy! You certainly didn’t disappoint me. Your pride and dignity also left us with our dignity intact, which is why Derek and I were able to recover so quickly.” “Of course, I should thank myself the most. After all, I did so many things, including mimicking your tone and actions in front of Derek, paying to get you repeatedly fired, and even-” She suddenly smiled. “Going to a sperm bank abroad beforehand, picking someone who looked similar to Derek, and getting pregnant with twins…” My weak body had no strength left. But at that moment. Her words made my eyes snap wide open. After I got a swift divorce, Derek still wouldn’t let go, kneeling before me, confessing his heart only loved me, begging for another chance, and vowing on his life never to see Serena again. Until Serena said she was pregnant with his child… “Anyway, in the last few years, especially after having two adorable babies, Derek has been getting better and better to me. He really did fall in love with me, little by little!” “Cassidy, I finally got to live your life. I personally changed my own destiny, but it always felt a little regrettable that no one knew. Thank heavens, you gave me this chance to confess everything before you died. Cassidy, given how honest I’ve been with you, I hope you won’t blame me after you pass. Rest in peace.” She said, rising gracefully, her face beaming with smug satisfaction. “Oh, right, are you wondering how I ended up here?” “My favorite shortbread shop closes at nine, and my driver was worried I wouldn’t get there in time and would be disappointed, so he drove a bit fast. I hope you don’t blame him either; it was an accident. He might even develop psychological trauma because of you. Of course, I’ll compensate you fairly and legally. After all, no matter how much I pay, ha, it’s just the cost of one of my handbags.” “But…” She suddenly tilted her head, looking troubled. “You’re all alone now, with no family. Who should I pay the compensation to?” She laughed and shook her head, walking out gracefully in her high heels. I closed my eyes amidst the screaming of my soul. … When I woke up again, I found myself standing at the door of a second-floor room. Laughter and chatter from friends drifted up from downstairs. Inside the room. Two naked bodies were passionately entangled, their gasps filling the air. I froze for two seconds, then raised a hand and slapped myself. It hurt! Good, it hurt! The next second, I screamed with all my might. “You shameless Cheaters!”

Two flushed faces simultaneously turned, panting. The moment Derek saw me, his pupils constricted, his body stiffened, and in a panic, he completed his final movements. Serena let out a soft gasp for a moment, then pulled the covers over both their bodies, speaking in a hoarse whisper. “Cassidy, don’t be impulsive!” “It’s all my fault. I seduced Derek. Please don’t blame him. Hit me, curse me, just direct your fury at me alone!” I’d heard this script in my previous life. Back then, I was a wedding designer with a thriving career and a happy family. I believed that love and marriage should be flawless. A man who could be stolen was, by definition, unworthy of my energy. So I did what any self-respecting ‘boss girl’ would do. I looked down at them, my face a mask of icy disdain, and said. “He’s yours.” I didn’t even step into the room, turning and walking downstairs to leave. Now, Serena watched me, her eyes flickering, clearly anticipating my reaction. But I charged in. First, I grabbed the kettle from the table and hurled it at Derek’s face. After a “thud,” hot water cascaded over him, and he screamed, clutching his face. At the same time, nimble as a cat, I darted around to Serena’s side. My left foot swept all the clothes on the floor under the bed in one swift motion, and my right foot braced against the bed frame. With both hands, I grabbed Serena’s long hair and yanked her forcefully outwards. It was her meticulously cared-for, pride-and-joy long hair. Thick and long, perfect for a good grip and some serious tugging. This scheme was her doing. So, the retribution should start with her! I yanked a section of her hair, wrapping it around my fist, and struck her flushed face-smack, smack, smack-ten times without pause. When my hand ached, I switched and delivered ten more. The rhythm was brutal, precise, as if this violence was a native language my body had always known. Serena’s upper body dangled over the side of the bed, her seductive act vanishing. She stared at me in terror, making a desperate and deflating sound:”Pfft-pfft-pfft-pfft-pfft!” On so many bitter nights, I’d been haunted by regret.  Why did I play the noble boss lady and just walk away? Why didn’t I make them pay then and there! Why didn’t I expose their sordid affair to the world! After rehearsing it many times in my imagination, I realized nothing was as satisfying as slapping and hair-pulling to vent my rage. In short, when the people downstairs, drawn by my screams, rushed up, this is what they saw. I was tugging Serena’s long hair with all my might, like a game of tug-of-war; Serena, completely naked, clutched the blanket tightly, refusing to let go; Derek, one hand covering his face, the other instinctively pulling the other end of the blanket to cover his naked body. The three of us formed a bizarre, frozen tableau. Everyone at the doorway stared, mouths agape. Today, a group of friends had planned a weekend getaway at this Airbnb. I originally had work and intended to arrive tomorrow, but Serena called me, saying Derek had too much to drink tonight, so I changed my mind and rushed over. At this moment, Serena, dangling precariously, her face swollen like a pig’s head, let out a muffled plea. “Help me, please help me!” No one helped her. Everyone wore expressions of disgust and contempt. But last time, it hadn’t been like this. They hadn’t seen the cheating firsthand, only learned the details from our expressions and snippets of conversation. Seeing it and not seeing it were completely different. The visual impact was different. The level of disgust was different. In fact, years later, when Derek’s startup succeeded and Serena transformed into a glamorous socialite, they even exclaimed in admiration. “You two proved that true love can overcome all hardships!”

“Cassidy, please, just calm down.” Derek’s voice trembled. His head above the neck was bright red, his once handsome face covered in glistening blisters from the hot water, and his hair was still steaming slightly. He looked like a boiled lobster. Years ago, Serena and I had arranged to meet at a coffee shop. She was late. I opened my laptop, working on my senior project while I waited. Derek, sitting at the next table, smiled and asked me. “Hey, are you a design student too?” That day, Serena was ten minutes late, and Derek and I chatted so much that we only had eyes for each other. So much so that when Serena arrived, I completely missed the sparkling look in her eyes as she glanced at him. Derek was an art gallery designer. In everyone’s eyes, he was a gentle, kind, talented, and also sensitive and easily swayed person. He even remembered to carry a small bag of cat food for the stray cats on the street. But his kindness was a weakness. In my previous life, he had knelt before me, crying and confessing. He said Serena had confessed her feelings to him one night when she was drunk, crying that she had secretly loved him for years and had even remained chaste for him. She cried, saying she didn’t ask to be with him forever, only to have him once. He had refused her many times until he discovered she was trying to take her own life. Only then, out of a moment of weakness, did he agree. I was utterly disgusted at the time, wanting nothing more than to be as far away from those two wretched people as possible. Within a month, I swiftly settled the property and divorced. Now, I only hated that I had just two hands, unable to rush over and claw at his face, tearing open each blister on it. But I couldn’t be hasty. Serena only had this one chance. If she got away, there might not be another. And Derek… he had to come home with me… “How can I calm down?” I gritted my teeth, glaring at him. His face was crimson, his eyelashes fluttering, and he spoke, full of shame. “Cassidy, please let go of her first, let us both get dressed, please…” I sneered, “You want to play the hero? Fine. Serena and I swore that if either of us ever did anything to wrong the other, the wronged one could slap the other thirty times. I’ve slapped her twenty times, and now I’m tired. You can deliver the remaining ten, and then I’ll let her go.” Derek shook his head frantically, “Cassidy, I’m not trying to be a hero-” “Just do it.” Serena suddenly cried out. “It was me who seduced Derek, I drugged him, I’m the despicable and shameless one, I’m Serena, the disgraceful mistress. It has nothing to do with him. Just hit me, quickly, my stomach… my back can’t take this anymore!” Her voice was miserable and helpless. On one hand, she was playing the victim in front of Derek; on the other, she genuinely couldn’t hold on much longer. After all, she was pregnant with twins at this moment. My friends were all crowded at the doorway. They occasionally offered platitudes like, “Don’t be impulsive,” or “Let’s talk this out calmly.” But no one moved, their eyes glued to the unfolding drama. I thought Derek would hesitate. After all, he was a kind and soft-hearted man. But to my surprise, before Serena’s words had even faded, he wrapped the blanket around himself and scooted over to her side. Then, crisp sounds echoed through the room. One of the slaps was a bit light. I raised an eyebrow slightly, and Derek immediately increased the force. Serena, her nose bleeding, showed a flicker of surprise and hurt on her face. But she had planned this for a long time, her goal clear. She had gotten what she wanted. After the ten slaps were delivered, her pig-like swollen face actually managed a smile at the panting Derek. “I don’t blame you.” She spoke incoherently, looking at Derek with the eyes of a suffering couple oppressed by evil. But Derek averted his gaze. Two seconds later, he looked at me, his eyes trembling. “Cassidy, is that enough?” I was expressionless. “Of course not. You put such a disgusting cuckold’s hat on me. If I only hit the mistress and not you, people would look down on me, say I’m ‘man-loving,’ and only pick on other women.” Derek immediately nodded, closing his eyes and lifting his face, speaking in a tone of agonizing pain. “Cassidy, do it. I just want you to get this out of your system. We can talk everything else over when we get home.” I looked at the increasingly glistening blisters on his face, as if unknown fluids would splatter out with a touch. I changed my mind on the spot, lowering my gaze to Serena. “You do it.” She looked shocked, then shook her head sadly. “No, no!” Derek suddenly roared, “Just do it! Hurry! Anything is better than this!” So, Serena, in an awkward position, began to slap him mournfully. “Are you two flirting?” I asked. Derek gritted his teeth. “Harder!” When Serena pulled her hand back, I caught a glimpse of sticky residue on her palm. Finally, this ugly spectacle ended with Derek wrapped in the blanket and Serena in a bed sheet, both crawling on the floor to retrieve their clothes from under the bed. It was a small taste of vengeance, and it was sweet.

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The day Spencer and I got engaged, His childhood friend threw a huge scene at our party. She even slashed her wrists. The engagement ceremony was cancelled. And I was just… done. 0Outside the emergency room, everyone was frantic, Spencer included. Only my expression remained cold, utterly drained. “They’re coming out, they’re coming out…” The ER lights went off, the doors swung open, and a doctor in a white coat emerged. “She’s fine, we saved her.” I saw everyone sigh in relief, myself included. I took off my veil, holding it in my hand, and dragged my long dress toward a visibly relieved Spencer. He saw me approaching, took my hand, a weary smile on his face. “Thank god she’s okay.” Yeah, thank god she’s okay. If anything had really happened, not only would Spencer have been crushed, but so would I. I’m not the kind of person who would let my love push someone else to their death, am I? Spencer, at his parents’ insistence, went with Willow to her hospital room. I slumped onto a chair in the hospital corridor, leaning against the wall. Soon, four people stood before me. Willow’s mother’s eyes were red-rimmed. “Brooke, I know you’re a good girl, but you’ve seen how much Willow loves Spencer. If you two stay together, who knows? One of these times, she might not make it.” Willow’s father looked at me with hostility. “Willow and Spencer grew up together; we always assumed they’d end up together. Spencer choosing you now is just youthful folly. Once he matures, he’ll realize he belongs with Willow.” Spencer’s mother looked at me pleadingly. “I know this sounds unfair to you, but could you please do Spencer and Willow this favor? I know my son. He might seem indifferent, but deep down, he’s heartbroken. They share such a long history.” Spencer’s father was fuming, giving me a disgusted look. “I never agreed to them being together in the first place. You kept saying, ‘they’re young, they have their own choices.’ This is all your fault for spoiling him; otherwise, none of this would’ve happened today.” Their goal was unanimous: to force Spencer and me to break up. Spencer and I had been together for three years. Every time we got a little intimate, Willow would fall into a deep depression. She’d taken sleeping pills at least ten times, Gone to the rooftop seven times, and slashed her wrists five times. Each time, Spencer was consumed by guilt and self-reproach. Our relationship felt like a secret affair. Like we were working undercover. I felt like his dirty little secret. We finally managed to get engaged on the sly. And then she just showed up out of nowhere and cut her wrist. He’s not some rare gem, you know. Good guys are everywhere. But she just had to choose to try and end her life. She must be completely out of her mind. Honestly, they didn’t even need to pressure me. After today’s stunt, I was already terrified. I was afraid Willow would actually die. I’d carry that guilt forever. I was also afraid that Willow had serious mental issues. And what if Spencer, her childhood sweetheart, caught whatever she had? I couldn’t risk it. I valued my life too much. 0

But a breakup needed to happen face-to-face. “Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, you don’t need to convince me. I’ve already decided to break up with Spencer.” I pushed myself up from the floor. “Since Willow’s stable, I’m heading back. I’m truly exhausted.” Under the stunned gazes of the four adults, I calmly walked toward the exit. Back at the apartment Spencer and I shared, I went to bed without a second thought. My words today were enough to ensure those adults would pull out all the stops to keep Spencer by Willow’s side. Sure enough, Spencer didn’t come home all night, and there wasn’t a single call. We were breaking up anyway; I didn’t care if he came back or not. In college, Spencer pursued me for four whole years. He said I was his first love. After graduation, he followed me to my city. I saw how persistent he was, which is why I reluctantly agreed to be with him. If I’d known he had a childhood friend who threatened to end her life every other day, I wouldn’t have agreed to be with him even if you’d killed me. Three days later, Spencer finally returned. His face was etched with exhaustion. Seeing me, his eyes filled with a pained vulnerability. “Brooke, I’m so tired.” Seeing his weariness and longing, I felt a pang of pity. But if I stayed with him, I’d live in constant fear. A sense of utter powerlessness washed over me. Hesitation only leads to trouble. I slipped off the ring on my finger and held it out to him. “Spencer, we’re not right for each other. Let’s just end it.” The fatigue on Spencer’s face instantly froze, replaced by a bewildered disbelief, like he’d just been doused with ice water. He grabbed my hand. “Brooke? What are you saying? End what? Is it because I haven’t been back for a few days? Let me explain, Willow, she…” I yanked my hand back, the ring almost falling to the floor. “Stop. Don’t even mention Willow. Just hearing her name makes me sick to my stomach, and it makes me sick to look at you too.” I walked around him, heading straight for the walk-in closet, pulling out my largest suitcase. “This has nothing to do with your childhood friend. It’s purely because I feel like being with you is shortening my life.” He blocked the closet doorway, his tall frame casting a shadow, his eyes red-rimmed. “Shortening your life? Brooke! We were together four years in college, three years working. You’re throwing all that away just because I’ve been taking care of Willow?” He pleaded, “Don’t you know how I feel about you? I love you.” I scoffed, shoving clothes haphazardly into the suitcase. “Spencer, your love is too heavy. It comes with a ‘childhood friend’ who might bleed out any minute.” I snapped, “Your love means I have to live every day under the shadow of ‘what if she really dies and we’re the culprits?’” I shook my head, “Sorry, but I value my life. I can’t play these heart-stopping games.” I forcefully snapped the suitcase shut, the zipper grating loudly. “Here’s your ring. Let’s part on good terms. As for this apartment, live in it if you want, or sell it. Just send half the money to my account.” “I don’t agree!” he roared, grabbing the suitcase handle. “Why do you get to decide we’re over? What did I do wrong? Just because I’ve been taking care of her for the past few days? Brooke, it was a matter of life and death! Can’t you be less cold-blooded?” I almost laughed, enraged. I tried to pull the suitcase back, but he wouldn’t budge. “Fine, I’ll tell you exactly why I’m ending it. Because I’m sick of it.” I paused, staring him down. “I’m sick of your childhood friend who tries to hurt herself at the drop of a hat.” “I’m sick of you rushing off like a firefighter every time she stirs.” “I’m sick of both your families giving me those looks, treating me like I’m the other woman.” “And most of all, I’m sick of this constant dread, terrified that one day I’ll open my phone and see news of her successful suicide, and then everyone, including you, will look at me with ‘it’s all your fault’ eyes.” My voice was raw with frustration. “Spencer, your love is honey-laced poison. I’m afraid to die. I’m not taking another bite, okay?” I gave up on the suitcase, turning to grab another bag for my valuables. “Let go. Don’t make me call the cops and accuse you of unlawful detainment.” He seemed pinned to the spot by my words, his hand on the handle loosening then tightening, his gaze tormented and confused. “It’s not like that… Brooke, I love you… Willow, she’s just… she’s sick, she needs help…” “She needs a psychiatrist, not your endless indulgence and your entire family’s spineless pandering.” I grabbed my bag and laptop. “Move. I waited this long just to make things clear. I’m leaving tonight. Don’t make me say uglier things.” He finally, wearily, moved aside, like his backbone had been removed. He leaned against the doorframe, watching me drag my suitcase, walking toward the main door without a backward glance. The moment the door clicked shut, I heard a stifled, animalistic growl from inside. 0

I moved into a hotel, but the world didn’t become quiet. Spencer’s calls, SnapChats, and texts were a relentless bombardment. From initial pleas and apologies, they escalated to accusations and blame, finally transforming into a kind of obsessive persistence. He demanded an answer. “Why, Brooke? Tell me why?” His voice on the phone was hoarse and agitated. “Willow has pulled stunts before; you never cared then. I love you so much, and you love me too. What did I do wrong? Just tell me!” I leaned against the cold hotel window, watching the endless stream of car lights below. A profound weariness seeped from my bones. I cut short his frantic questioning. “Spencer, I made it very clear that day.” I stated firmly, “Love isn’t a magic shield. Your love won’t solve Willow’s problems, nor will it erase the fear her constant threats of suicide bring me. I’m tired. I don’t want to live like this anymore, always on edge. We…” Before I could finish, his other phone—the one he’d assigned Willow’s special ringtone to—suddenly blared an ear-splitting alarm. My heart sank. Sure enough, the next second, his hurried voice came through: “Brooke, wait. Willow… her mom called, she’s not doing well again, I have to go…” The call was abruptly cut, leaving only a dial tone. I held my phone, listening to the monotonous “beep-beep,” and a cold sense of absurdity washed over me. See? This was the answer. There would always be something more important, more urgent than me. There would always be a “not doing well” Willow, potentially harming herself, ready to sever his connection with me without a moment’s hesitation. Even as he was desperately asking why I didn’t love him. My heart was exhausted. More exhausted than it had ever been. A wild thought took root: Leave this city. Escape far away, let all these horrible people and things go to hell. But my finger scrolled across my phone screen, seeing the urgent project updates in my WhatsApp group chat. The impulse was immediately stifled. Give up years of hard-earned career stability for a man? Not worth it. 0

I had broken up with Spencer, and I thought I’d finally be free of them. But Spencer kept showing up at my office, trying to ambush me. Each time, I ignored him, making my resolve to end things abundantly clear. I managed to avoid Spencer, but I couldn’t avoid Willow. She showed up directly downstairs from my office, dressed in a plain white dress. “Brooke, please, will you give Spencer back to me? I really can’t live without him… Last time I cut my wrist, I truly wanted to die. I really wanted to set you two free.” Tears welled in her eyes. “But Spencer didn’t want me to die; he still loves me. So if you just give Spencer back, I can live. Please, save my life.” She grabbed my arm, her fingers icy cold and trembling nervously. A wave of intense irritation surged through me. I violently shook off her hand, stepping back to create distance. “Willow, listen carefully: First, Spencer and I are over. Completely over.” I held up a finger, “Second, he’s not an object; there’s no such thing as ‘giving him back.’ And third, your life is yours. Whether you can live or not has nothing to do with me or Spencer. If you’re sick, go see a doctor. Don’t bother me.” My coldness seemed to provoke her. She suddenly looked up, tears still clinging to her lashes, but her eyes now held a frantic glint. “You’re lying! You haven’t broken up at all. You’re definitely still seducing him, otherwise why would he keep looking for you? Why won’t he come back to me? It’s all because of you, because you’re in this city!” She stepped closer, her voice turning shrill. “Leave! You leave here! As soon as you’re gone, Spencer will give up on you and come back to me. Just go!” I almost burst out laughing, completely incredulous. “Are you out of your mind? Whether I break up or leave is my freedom. It’s not for you to dictate! I’ll say it one last time: Stay away from me.” “You won’t leave, will you?” The vulnerability on her face instantly morphed into a desperate, ruthless determination. “Fine! Fine! If you won’t leave, I’ll die right here in front of you, right outside your office! I’ll make sure everyone sees that you stole my boyfriend and then drove me to my death!” Another death threat. I annoyedly turned my face away, just wanting to get away from this crazy woman. “If you’re going to die, do it somewhere far away. Don’t contaminate my sight.” With that, I turned to walk away, dismissing her as mere theatrics. However, I underestimated her impulsiveness, or rather, her sheer madness. “Screech… Screech—” A deafening shriek and the sharp screech of tires echoed behind me. I spun around, my heart stopping cold—Willow had actually run into traffic. A black sedan skidded to a halt, almost grazing her body. The shaken driver stuck his head out, yelling obscenities. “You freaking suicidal maniac! Go off and die quietly somewhere; don’t try to frame me!” Willow was sprawled in the middle of the road, barely half a meter from the car’s bumper, her face ashen, trembling uncontrollably.

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My terminally ill boyfriend was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family in Starhaven City. And I was just a food truck vendor, selling grilled skewers on the street. Damon Blackwood was sickly and weak. When I was taking care of him, I always gave him the best of everything. But when twelve sleek black Escalades from the Blackwood family pulled up to my doorstep to take him home. He left me, taking my roommate with him instead. During an interview, a reporter pointed at me and asked him, “Who is this lady to you?” Damon replied, “Just the nanny who looked after me during this time!” Later, he became the billionaire everyone in Starhaven City looked up to, and I turned around and married his sworn rival. On our wedding night, Damon Blackwood sent people to take me away. He asked me: “Why did you marry an ugly freak?” I said, “Because he never treated me like a nanny!” The day the Blackwood family came for Damon, twelve Escalades lined up, blocking the alley I always took home. Reporters, cameras on their shoulders, swarmed the building, making it impossible to pass. My grill cart, packed up after closing, couldn’t get through, so I had to walk. My neighbor, Chloe Davis, saw me and enthusiastically linked arms with me: “Jade, you hit the jackpot! Your boyfriend is a Blackwood heir!” While I stood there, stunned, Damon Blackwood descended from the building, surrounded by a large entourage. I had never seen Damon like this. He wore a perfectly tailored dark suit, his posture straight, his aura refined and distinguished. Beside him was Serena Thorne, my roommate. When Damon looked at me, his gaze was different from before, filled with the disdain of a high-status individual. A sharp-eyed reporter asked him, “Mr. Blackwood, what’s your relationship with the lady in front of you?” Damon’s eyes shifted from me, and he replied coldly: “Just the nanny who looked after me during this time!” The neighbors gasped. They often saw me buying things for Damon, accompanying him to appointments. Everyone knew he was my boyfriend. In an instant, all sorts of gazes—sympathetic, mocking—fell upon me. I froze. I looked down at my $10 T-shirt, my $20 canvas shoes, and the exhaustion that clung to me. I did look a lot like a nanny. But I had cared for Damon for five years. Even if he’d just said I was his neighbor, I wouldn’t have felt this pathetic! I walked to the front of the lead car. Damon had just opened the door for Serena to get in when he suddenly remembered something. He turned and asked me: “You’ve taken care of me for so long. Is there anything you wish for? I can grant it, within reason!” Chloe immediately urged me, “Quick, quick, this is your chance! Make him take you with him!” But I didn’t budge. I just numbly shook the bag of medications in my hand: “Since you don’t have a terminal illness, how about you settle up the money I spent on your medicine these past few years? Oh, and living expenses!” “It all adds up to… one hundred thousand dollars!” I pulled out my phone and quickly calculated, announcing the figure. Those around me snickered, mocking my shortsightedness. Damon frowned, looking at me with a complex expression. But then he told his assistant to hand me a check. I glanced at it. It was for one hundred and two thousand dollars. He’d given me an extra two thousand! Serena, clinging to his arm, looked at me: “Jade, Damon is really generous to you. You asked for it, and he paid up. But from now on, you two are from different worlds. I hope you won’t say anything bad about Damon to anyone!” Damon also looked at me, pressing his lips together: “I don’t want anyone to know you and I were ever involved!” I understood. He was ashamed of me, afraid I’d tell the media he was my boyfriend. Don’t worry, I won’t. After all, having such a heartless jerk for a boyfriend isn’t exactly something to brag about. Damon left, and the curious crowd dispersed. Only Chloe, who was usually closest to me, seethed with indignation: “Jade, are you crazy? What can you do with $102,000? You can’t even buy a decent apartment!” I looked at her, my face pale: “But that’s all he owes me…” Loving him was my choice. Caring for him was too! I just loved the wrong person, and I’ll accept that. Chloe sighed, poking my head with her finger, calling me foolish. Back home. All of Damon’s things had been cleared out. Serena’s too. I’d worked the grill all night and then stopped by the hospital early that morning to pick up Damon’s medication. Now, I was so tired I just collapsed on the couch, not wanting to move. “Meow…” My little cat, Pumpkin, sat in front of me, tilting her head and meowing. I’d found her as a stray on the street. I dragged myself up to feed her and tidy up the house. In the evening, I went to my food truck as usual. Without Damon, my expenses were actually quite low. $102,000, at my spending level, would last me twenty years. But I wanted to buy a house, to have a place of my own. My grill cart was the busiest on the food truck street outside the university campus. Young college students loved to frequent my business. One day, a man in a sharp suit suddenly appeared in front of my stand: “Vendor, I’ll take five lamb skewers, ten lamb kidneys…”

Accustomed to serving energetic college students, this was my first time waiting on a successful businessman who clearly oozed wealth. I couldn’t help but steal a few extra glances at him. He was tall, about six feet three, with a physique like an ancient Greek statue. A silver Porsche Cayenne was parked at the end of the alley, its lights on, with a driver inside, presumably waiting for him. Having watched too many rom-coms, my mind immediately concocted a cheesy plotline: an overbearing CEO buying grilled skewers for his college-student wife. I asked him, “To go or eating here?” I guessed ‘to go,’ so I already had the takeout boxes ready. But he said, “Eating here!” Then, ignoring my surprised expression, he found a seat and sat down. He ordered about three hundred dollars worth of food. I grilled and served him skewer by skewer. By the time I finished grilling everything, dripping with sweat, he had eaten it all. “Your grilling is excellent. How are your other cooking skills?” I paused, pointing at myself: “Are you asking me?” “I’m a decent cook. I even studied culinary arts before I started this food truck!” The CEO’s eyes lit up. He immediately pulled a business card from his suit pocket and handed it to me: “Interested in becoming my private chef?” I took the card. HD Group CEO, Caleb Thorne. My expression grew strange: “Mr. Thorne, you…” “$20,000 a month!” At that salary, I didn’t hesitate. I accepted immediately. To buy a house in Starhaven City, where real estate costs a fortune, my food truck income would barely be enough even if I worked until I died! The next day, I went to the Thorne family mansion for the interview, clutching the business card. Caleb himself opened the door. The young man, dressed in a gray tracksuit, had just returned from a run. Seeing me standing at the ornate iron gate, he personally unlocked it and led me inside. The Thorne estate was huge. It took seven or eight minutes to walk from the gate to the living room. As I walked, I cautiously observed my surroundings, wary that he might have ulterior motives… Then, boom, I walked right into his broad back, hitting it so hard I saw stars. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Thorne! I… I didn’t mean to!” I apologized, clutching my throbbing nose. Caleb, exasperated, turned around and looked at me: “Do you seriously think I’d try something with you?” I looked disappointed: “You wouldn’t?” Caleb let out a sarcastic laugh. He raised a hand as if to hit me, but stopped himself, only saying: “Stop calling me ‘Mr. Thorne.’ Take a good look, who do you think I am?” I leaned in, shook my head: “Don’t recognize you!” “Tsk…” “Seriously, I don’t. I’m just a grill girl; how would I know a big shot like you? Maybe you’ve got the wrong person!” I knew it. Why would such a high-paying job just fall into my lap? Turns out the CEO was just mistaken, seeing me as someone else! Caleb gritted his teeth, a sinister smile on his face: “Jade, if you dare say you don’t know me again!” When the CEO got angry, a chill radiated from him. I instinctively hunched my shoulders, my gaze fixed on the man’s deep, handsome face. A scarred face, ravaged by fire, flashed through my mind. If those scars were removed from that face… I was startled, almost immediately recalling his identity, and then I took off running.

The next moment, my wrist was seized, yanked backward with force. My back slammed against the wall, Caleb’s face magnified before my eyes. He pinned my wrists above my head, looking down at me: “Jade, go ahead and run if you dare!” I couldn’t run. The disparity in strength between a man and a woman was too great! I was no match for him at all. Actually, before Damon, I had another boyfriend. In the summer when I was seventeen, a transfer student joined our class. His name was Caleb, and a large portion of his face was covered in scars from a fire. The other students were afraid of him, ostracizing him at every turn. No one even dared to sit with him at lunch in the cafeteria. Behind his back, everyone called him the ‘ugly freak.’ His desk partner demanded a new seat, claiming that looking at his face would give her nightmares. Our teacher, helpless, asked if anyone was willing to sit with him. His long fingers picked at the edge of the desk, betraying his inner tension. Just as everyone remained silent, not wanting to be his desk partner, I timidly raised my hand. At that moment, the class erupted in laughter: “Let Jade sit with him!” “The trash girl and the monster—they’re a perfect match!” Back then, my grandmother, who adopted me, was still alive. She raised me by collecting recyclables. And to help ease her burden, I would also collect scrap after school to sell. My classmates looked down on me, saying I smelled bad. Since freshman year, I had always sat alone at a separate desk. Our teacher knew my situation and sternly scolded the students not to mock me like that. But while a bottle can be stoppered, human hearts are not so easily sealed. Behind my back, they still called me ‘the trash girl.’ Now, ignoring their jeers, I clutched the hem of my shirt and nervously asked Caleb: “Caleb, would you mind if I was your desk partner?” I was afraid he’d also be repulsed by my smell. But Caleb nodded emphatically: “As long as you’re not scared, I’d be glad to!” Later, our interactions grew more frequent. I discovered Caleb was incredibly smart; his test scores were always the best in our grade. He tutored me. When I didn’t have money for food, he’d share half of his allowance with me. In our senior year, he suddenly confessed his feelings and asked me to apply to the same top-tier university as him. I accepted his confession and put down an Ivy League school as my first choice. But on the night the application deadline closed, I was working at a five-star hotel. I ran into Caleb and his family eating there. There was also a very beautiful girl sitting with Caleb. When both sets of parents went to the restroom, they discussed having the girl accompany Caleb abroad for treatment over the summer. And then, when they returned, they would announce their engagement. I admit I felt insecure. When I went back, I changed my university application and sent Caleb a message saying I had fallen in love with someone else and wanted to break up. Then I blocked all his contact information. No one knew which university I went to. And I never heard anything from Caleb again. “If Damon hadn’t gone home that day, and reporters hadn’t caught you on camera, I might never have known you were back in Starhaven City!” Caleb’s voice was laced with fury. “You broke up with me because of Damon?”

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I’m getting married, and my boyfriend of eight years has no clue. That’s because he recently hired a new secretary, and those two are practically inseparable, burning bright. For her birthday, Julian ordered a ten-tier cream cake. At the party, they smeared cake everywhere, utterly forgetting that I’m severely allergic to cream. After the ambulance rushed me to the ER, the moment I opened my eyes, I agreed to the marriage my family had arranged. Mom’s efficiency was truly something. Back from the hospital, I was just about to use my smart lock to enter our house when she flooded my SnapChat with a dozen wedding plans for me to choose from. “The wedding is set for three days from now. Take your time packing your things, no rush.” “Mom, you decide. I love all these designs.” Julian appeared behind me out of nowhere. Hearing the word “wedding,” he blurted out, “Wedding? What wedding?” He reached out, trying to peek at my phone screen, but I quickly pulled it away. He was about to grab it when his phone suddenly rang. I heard Chloe’s trembling voice on the other end: “Julian, I just went downstairs to grab something, and I think someone’s following me! What do I do? I’m so scared, I circled the apartment complex, but I can’t shake him!” Julian’s face instantly changed, his eyes filled with panic. “Chloe, don’t be scared! Find a well-lit area, the security office should have someone on duty. Go there and wait; I’ll be right there!” He hung up, the wedding completely forgotten. Once again, he didn’t hesitate to abandon me, turning and rushing out into the night. My expression remained utterly blank, devoid of any emotion, the entire time. After he left, I started packing, preparing to move out. It hit me then—I’d lived here for eight years. Before turning off my phone to rest, I decided I’d be out of here within three days. The next day, I planned to visit Aunt Linda before leaving. I never expected to run into Julian downstairs.

Chloe’s fragile figure trailed close behind him, both carrying groceries they’d just bought. They looked exactly like a young couple moving in together. Aunt Linda was coming down to meet me, and when she saw them, she started to open her mouth to question them, but I cut her off. “Mom’s delivery for you arrived. Remember to check the expiration dates, don’t let anything go bad.” I didn’t spare Julian a glance, but this time, he surprisingly took the initiative to explain: “Don’t get the wrong idea, it’s just that her previous apartment complex wasn’t safe, so I found her a new place. I didn’t realize Aunt Linda lived here too. Why did you buy so much stuff?” I waved my hand, directing the driver to carry my packages upstairs, while vaguely replying: “You don’t need to tell me about your work. My mom bought it; who knows when I’ll be back next, so she bought a lot.” Seeing that I hadn’t misunderstood them, Julian visibly relaxed. “No problem, Northwood isn’t far. Just let me know whenever you want to visit.” He still didn’t know I was moving back home, and I had no intention of telling him. Linda had been about to speak, but seeing Julian’s protective gestures towards Chloe, her face darkened. The four of us stood there in a tense silence for a while, until Chloe finally complained she was tired. Julian immediately spoke up, telling the driver to pause moving my things. He said his stuff was light, so he could use the elevator first. Looking at the several full bags of groceries in his hands, I stepped aside for him. A flicker of surprise crossed Julian’s eyes, and he hurried into the elevator. The moment the elevator doors closed, I thought I saw a reflection of my old self in Chloe. Back then, when Linda had just moved, he was just as eager to run errands for me, bustling around, doing everything. He moved all my belongings into his place, smiling as he declared he was welcoming the future lady of the house. Linda beside me sighed with a hint of regret: “Are you really not going to let me ask? You’ve known each other for so long, it would be such a waste if you broke up over a misunderstanding.” I shook my head. “No need. There are no misunderstandings between us. He never lets a misunderstanding linger; if there’s no explanation, that’s the answer.” Actually, Julian and Chloe hadn’t bought much; they could have moved it all in one trip. But even after I had delivered Linda’s things and said goodbye, I still didn’t see him downstairs. Out of politeness for an old friend, I pulled out my phone and messaged him, asking when he’d be back. The moment I sent it, he replied with a voice message. But when I opened it, it was Chloe’s sweet voice. “Ruby, Julian is helping me fix the wiring at my place. This apartment hasn’t been lived in, there’s so much to sort out. You should probably head back, so we don’t waste your time!” I was about to close my phone and call a cab when another message popped up from her. “Ruby, please don’t overthink it. Julian is just helping me out; he just feels sorry for me, living alone in this big city…” Thinking of my own parents, separated for years, I swallowed the words in my throat and closed the chat. After getting in the car, I was staring out the window, lost in thought, when Julian called. “Why were you so harsh with Chloe? She’s my subordinate, what’s wrong with me finding her a place to stay? The company doesn’t provide housing yet, isn’t it my duty to help out?” “Ruby, when did you become like this? At the birthday party, you were cold the whole time, saying you felt unwell and wanted to leave. I haven’t even had a chance to confront you about that, and now what are you throwing a fit about today?” Chloe’s aggrieved sobs echoed in the receiver. Her performance in front of me was a stark contrast to the innocent, naive intern Julian described. I took a deep breath, finally understanding her little game. But I was too tired to defend myself. “Yeah, no worries. My bad. I was just asking. You go back to your business. I’m already home; I didn’t wait for you.”

His unspoken accusations were choked back by my indifferent words. I hung up, and the car arrived at my apartment complex. As I got out, Julian’s company whatsapp group started blowing up with messages. When I tapped it open, the unread count was already 99+. At the very top, Chloe had posted pictures of Julian fixing her wiring and plumbing. “What kind of boss is this amazing?! I’d work my butt off for this company my whole life! I’d sign a contract for forever!” Below, all the other employees’ envious and jealous comments poured in. “I’ve never seen the boss like this. Didn’t the cleaning lady say he was a neat freak? Doesn’t look like it!” “OMG, he looks so hot without his suit! I’m totally stanning Mr. Sterling now! No one can stop me!” “That picture was posted by the future Mrs. Sterling, wake up! Work is your only way out.” Before Julian hired a secretary, I was the one helping out for free. Then he hired Chloe, and she took over my work. But I’d forgotten to leave this group chat. After reading all the replies, I deleted the history and left the group. I’d already decided to leave; seeing a preview of their life together didn’t hurt as much anymore. In a haze, I remembered back when I first joined the company after graduation, he used to post about my daily work routine in the group every day. The candid photos showed me either making coffee or writing out his schedule. Everyone in the company knew he was crazy about me. With love fueling me, even going to work became sweet. The dry work group chat buzzed with life because of his overflowing affection. But all that changed the moment Chloe appeared. She took over all my tasks. Julian started prohibiting any messages about me in the group. He openly and subtly favored his newly hired secretary. A colleague, who used to be close to me, merely commented that Chloe wasn’t as good at her job as I was, and Julian immediately docked her an entire year’s bonus. I ended up secretly transferring her $5,000 later, just so she wouldn’t impulsively quit out of anger. Back in the apartment that had been my home for eight years but still didn’t feel like mine, I quickly packed the essentials. My gaze fell upon a thick photo album, filled with pictures from the past ten years. I hugged it tightly, sitting on the edge of the bed, and flipped through it. Each photo represented a gift Julian had given me. Eight years ago, he’d promised that after giving me 9,999 surprises, we’d walk down the aisle together. He swore he’d bribe me with his sincerity, bit by bit, until I willingly became his wife. This specially customized album, meant for 9,999 pictures, now only had one blank page left. It seemed all his efforts were in vain. I carried the album downstairs to an empty spot and lit it with a lighter. I watched as the photos burned, slowly turning into ashes. And with them, my eight years of youth were incinerated. Julian returned to this scene, his face draining of color in shock. He rushed over, pushing me to the ground, trying to reach in and salvage it. But the scorching heat made it impossible to get close; his hands were red in seconds. Frustrated, he stomped on the album several times. Watching the flames rapidly devour each photo, He roared at me: “What are you burning it for? What the hell is wrong with you? Everything we saved for so long, you just ruined it all!”

I awkwardly scrambled to my feet, brushing the thick dust off my pajamas. The flames cast a warm glow on my face, but my voice was ice cold. “Nothing. I just opened it and saw some bugs crawling inside, maybe cockroaches. So I burned it.” Seeing my actions, he finally realized he’d gone too far. He took a deep breath before speaking: “Are you okay? I’m sorry, I was just too rushed. We’ve been collecting this album for ten years. Didn’t we say we’d show it at our wedding? Why did you suddenly burn it?” “If there were bugs, you could have waited for me to come home, or sent me a message. I would have figured something out.” I didn’t even want to look at him anymore. This man standing before me was no longer the boy who’d promised to protect me forever. “You haven’t been home in a while; you must be busy with work. I wouldn’t want to bother you with such a small matter.” He stood beside me, his gaze fixed on the burning pile, filled with regret and sorrow. The scene was nothing short of ironic. He was the one who destroyed our ten years of connection for another woman, and now he was playing the role of a heartbroken lover? I turned to go back inside. But he must have thought I was just being dramatic. He reached out, grabbing my arm, pulling me into his embrace. The sickeningly sweet scent of Black Opium perfume made me sneeze repeatedly. He still didn’t let go, instead growing concerned: “Are you catching a cold? I’m sorry, I admit I’ve been too busy lately and neglected your feelings. Once I’m done with work in a couple of days, how about I take you to retake all those photos? We’ll replace all the burned ones, twice as many!” If I had heard those words before, I might have forgiven him in a moment of weakness. But after being rushed to the hospital, I never wanted anything to do with him again. He could forget my life-threatening allergy for another woman; I couldn’t keep lying to myself about a relationship like that. Once he calmed down, I firmly pried his arms away. “You don’t need to apologize to me. If you really feel bad, how about you make up for it with a birthday party for me?” Because of my cream allergy, my birthday parties always lacked the main character and were never perfect. But I was leaving the day after tomorrow. I wanted to experience one last birthday celebration with him. Hearing my request was so simple, his eyes darted around anxiously. A subtle uneasiness crept into his expression. After nodding in agreement, he was about to ask something when his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and hastily explained: “Something came up at work, I need to deal with it. Don’t wait up for me tonight. I promise I’ll do what I said. Don’t overthink it.” He spoke quickly, his steps already backing away impatiently. By the time he finished his sentence, he was already dozens of feet away. I knew that was Chloe’s special ringtone. But I didn’t expose his lie to his face. The next morning, the party decorators arrived at the house. And so did Chloe. She claimed she designed the plan, so she was there to supervise. But after a full day of decorating, I realized the setup was just a simplified version of her own birthday party. In the evening, after the staff left, she walked up to me, her face full of provocation. “Ruby, everyone worked hard all day, what do you think? Is it good enough for you?” I stared at the necklace around her neck—the one I’d lost—and my voice turned icy: “Secondhand goods are all you deserve. Keep it.” The moment the words left my mouth, she glanced to the side, then suddenly picked up a crystal ornament from the cabinet and smashed it to the ground. Shards cut her foot, and she cried out in pain, a picture of false distress. Before I could react, Julian’s hand had already struck my face. “Have you caused enough trouble yet? Chloe took time off to help you decorate the party, what the hell is wrong with you?” “If you’re not satisfied, then you can decorate it yourself!” He didn’t give me a chance to explain, and after his outburst, he scooped up Chloe and rushed out. I sat alone on the sofa, watching the lively yet desolate living room, all night. When morning came, no one showed up for the party. Of course. For ten years, Julian was practically my only friend. When the birthday cake arrived, I unwrapped it and cut a small slice for myself. I lit the smallest candle, closed my eyes, and made a wish. I wished I’d never see him again for the rest of my life. Because of my allergy, I still didn’t eat the cake. When the countdown ended and my phone started buzzing wildly, I dragged my suitcase and left the place without a backward glance. On the way to the airport, I sent Julian one last message. “Let’s just end this. No need to contact each other again.” It wasn’t even a breakup, really. Just “an end,” and ten years of my youth were over. The moment I turned off my phone before boarding, he started bombing my phone with calls, like a maniac.

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