Author: Momo Chan

I found myself in a novel as the malicious supporting character. But I haven’t done anything wrong. I’ve even become friends with the heroine and married the gentle second lead. I always thought I was happy until I stumbled upon my husband’s diary. It turns out he was reborn. All these years of kindness were just to prevent me from harming the heroine… ****** Holding the pregnancy test result and touching the tiny life inside me, I felt an unprecedented sense of security. I’ve been living in this world for 13 years, and at this moment, it feels like I’ve finally found a complete sense of belonging and attachment. I transmigrated into this novel world after my death, becoming the malicious supporting character with the same name as mine. But I thought I was lucky. I arrived before the story unfolded, so I hadn’t done anything to wrong the main characters. In fact, because of the female lead’s cheerful personality, we became best friends who could talk about anything. I turned into a guardian of love, encouraging her to pursue her romantic interests actively, watching her fall in love with the male lead, and sending her off as a bridesmaid when she married the man she loved. The female lead is the second person I want to share my good news with; as for the first, it’s obviously my husband. My husband, Andrew, was originally the gentle second male lead in the novel, always silently protecting the female lead. Perhaps due to the butterfly effect of my changes, he no longer follows the female lead but focuses all his attention and affection on me. Walking together for 13 years, I truly felt loved, so I married for love without hesitation. Now, our little family is about to welcome a new life, and I can’t wait to share this good news with him.   I thought about it, and instead of saying it directly, I decided to let him discover it himself. I sneaked into the study, sat in his chair, and casually opened a drawer. An old notebook caught my eye. It stood out because it didn’t match the neat and uniform files around it. It should have been at the bottom, but a corner was accidentally exposed in the owner’s rush. I carefully picked up the notebook and couldn’t help but laugh. It was the type of girly notebook cover we used in our school days, worn with age, but the owner likely opened it frequently to record things, as the edges were curled, and the pages were yellowed. We never had secrets between us as a couple, so I opened it without any hesitation. On the title page was written in large English handwriting: Forever Love. I lowered my head with a shy smile, my face flushing. Could this be a love letter he wrote for me? I took out the pregnancy test result, planning to place it inside. I wanted to give him my most precious “love letter.” I carefully opened the first page and was instantly dumbfounded—my eternal love, Tina. Tina is the female lead in the story. Suddenly, I felt my blood reverse, and my whole body froze as if my throat was stuffed with heavy cotton, making it hard to breathe. My fingers trembled, yet uncontrollably, I read page by page. With a kind of obsessive self-torture, I read the entire diary word by word. Rather than a diary, it’s more like a love letter that can’t be sent, summarized in just a few words: Andrew loves Tina but can’t be with her. It turns out Andrew was reborn; it turns out Andrew always loved Tina deeply; it turns out all of Andrew’s care and affection for me was just an act! He needed to keep an eye on me to prevent any possibility of me harming the woman he loves. The joy of being pregnant vanished, leaving only bitterness in my heart. For 13 years, I never thought of harming Tina, but at this moment, I truly envied her. I envied her for the brief kindness and warmth she once gave, which made a man remember her deeply for 13 years, even at the cost of entangling with the malicious supporting character to ensure her happiness. My heart was in turmoil, tangled with pain and despair, and I couldn’t even remember how long I cried, just feeling that everything around me turned into a terrifying illusion.

Exhausted, I fell asleep on the sofa until Andrew came home and woke me up. He was reeking of alcohol, staggering as he walked. “Honey, I’m back…” he said with a smile. “Sorry, I had a business dinner tonight, so I came back late.” I smiled bitterly, the smile not reaching my eyes, yet I still fulfilled my duty as a wife. I went to help him, undoing his tightly buttoned tie and loosening the collar. “Thank you, honey, you’re so good.” I gazed at Andrew, realizing his gratitude was very perfunctory. If he paid a bit more attention, he would have noticed the redness and swelling in my eyes. Perhaps pretending to deal with me has become a habit for him. I helped Andrew to the bed, undressed him, and prepared to clean his face and body. Drunk, Andrew’s willpower slackened, as if he let down his guard, revealing his true feelings with weary vulnerability. “Tina…” I flinched, thinking I was hallucinating. I stared at Andrew, my nails digging into my palms. “Tina.” The cruel reminder echoed again. In a self-destructive manner, I subconsciously imitated Tina’s tone. “Andrew.” Andrew suddenly grabbed my hand tightly, his drunken eyes filled with tenderness and affection. “Tina, as long as you’re happy, everything I do is worth it.” A short sentence fixed me once again in the cage of deception. I felt breathless, everything before me becoming bizarre, and I fled from the bedroom in a mix of running and hiding. It turns out the love I chose without hesitation was a joke from start to finish.   I didn’t sleep well. The various things the malicious supporting character Amelia did in the novel replayed crazily in my mind. Amelia bullied the female lead with her group, hired thugs to humiliate the female lead, and used her family background to oppress the female lead, and so on… In the dream, Amelia suddenly turned back, with a face identical to mine. That face was twisted and ferocious, even I found it terrifying. In dreams, time flies, the male lead and the second male lead quickly grow and then take revenge on me. Andrew’s cold, indifferent eyes calmly stared at me, as if looking at a dead object. “Since you like ruining others’ innocence, go experience it yourself.” In despair, I was humiliated to death and discarded by a filthy garbage pile, dying in agony. “No!” I shouted, waking myself up! I looked up into Andrew’s concerned eyes, overlapping with the brutal and fierce image in the dream, and I trembled in fright. Andrew was covering me with a blanket, looking confused. “Honey, what’s wrong? Why are you sleeping on the sofa, you’ll catch a cold.” “Honey, are you mad at me for drinking too much last night? Sorry, the client was important.” I shook my head, engulfed in fatigue and fear, not wanting to say anything. There’s no guest room in our house. Andrew once promised he would never make me mad enough to send him to sleep in a guest room. Even if he did upset me, he’d be sensible enough to sleep on the floor beside me. But when conflicts really arose, I didn’t even have a space of my own. I was indeed under his watchful eye. Andrew didn’t notice anything unusual about me, frowning pitifully. “Honey, I had a tough time at the business dinner yesterday, my head hurts a lot, where’s the hangover soup?” “I forgot.” I didn’t make any at all. Andrew’s family isn’t wealthy, while I’m a typical rich second generation. He always said he wanted to earn my father’s approval through his own efforts, to achieve more to deserve me. So Andrew worked hard. He didn’t accept help from the Aiden family, choosing to start his own business. In the early years, to secure projects, he drank heavily with partners, almost getting a stomach ulcer. I loved Andrew deeply, and as his wife, I always took care of him personally. For the sake of his health, I found many remedies and often stayed up all night to help him recover from hangovers. If I were unaware of his true feelings, I might have continued being a dutiful wife. However, in reality, my efforts were all one-sided. [Amelia used her family background to harm Tina, I can’t let her have any chance to harm Tina. I must achieve success in the business world, have enough power to rival Amelia’s old man. If they harm Tina like the last life, I’ll make the Amelia family pay a painful price!] Andrew’s desperate efforts were merely to gain real power, to protect his true love.

“Honey, what’s wrong today? You don’t look well. Are you feeling unwell? Let me take you to the hospital.” I stared blankly at the man before me, wondering how much sincerity was in his concern. I hesitated about confronting Andrew when suddenly my phone rang. The caller ID showed two big words—Tina. Andrew quickly picked up the phone and handed it to me, signaling with his eyes, “Take it.” I numbly pressed answer, and Tina’s cheerful voice came through. “Amelia, darling, remember we’re going to the art exhibit today?” “I remember.” “Let’s meet at the Coffee Shop in front of the Art Gallery, okay? Old Ho is dropping me off on his way to work.” “Okay.” Before I could speak, Andrew said, “You have plans with Tina today, let me drive you there.” “No need, your office isn’t on the way.” Andrew lovingly touched my cheek. “Silly, driving my wife anywhere is on the way. Go change your clothes!” Andrew went back to the room to freshen up, his back radiating happiness. He’s going to see his beloved, of course, he’s thrilled. “Remember.” “Let’s meet directly at the Coffee Shop in front of the Art Gallery. He can drop me off on his way to work.” “Alright.” I hung up the phone, and before I could say anything, Andrew spoke first, “You have plans with Tina today? Let me take you there.” “No need. Your office is out of the way.” Andrew affectionately touched my cheek. “Silly, taking my wife anywhere is always my pleasure. Go get changed!” Andrew got up to freshen up, his back radiating happiness. Of course, he’s thrilled to see the one he loves. He seemed to have forgotten that he just mentioned taking me to the hospital because I looked unwell. In Andrew’s world, nothing is more important than Tina. — When Andrew dropped me off at the Coffee Shop, Tina was happily sipping a Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino. She naturally handed me a cup of hot milk, greeting me cheerfully. Andrew gently reminded me, “Girls shouldn’t drink too many cold beverages. It’s bad for your health and can cause discomfort at certain times. You’re not a kid anymore; you should be more careful.” Tina teased with a smile, “Wow, showing off your affection right in front of me.” Andrew replied with a smile, “You too, drink less cold stuff!” So much preamble for a simple reminder to her. The hot milk in my hand felt uncomfortably warm. Actually, I don’t like cold drinks. His concern was never really for me. “Got it, got it. You’re so naggy. Only Amelia can put up with you.” Andrew chuckled and turned to me, “I’ll pick you up for lunch. I remember you saying you wanted to try the new Spanish restaurant in Amelia City.” Once doubt creeps in, you realize how insincerely his concern is acted. It wasn’t me who wanted to try the Spanish restaurant; it was Tina. But I was blindly in love, and he played his part well. Now that the truth is out, I see I was just blinded by my own ignorance. Tina held me close. “Okay, okay, you should go. Don’t interrupt our girl time.” She pulled me inside, mumbling non-stop. “Amelia, I’m so excited for Master Gu’s work…” I instinctively looked back at the man in the distance. He was watching us with a scrutinizing gaze, but when our eyes met, he quickly hid his emotions. He put on a performance of deep affection, acting all affectionate. Andrew, aren’t you tired? Certainly!

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The moment I opened my eyes, my father, John, snatched the university acceptance letter right out of my hand. “Alright, what’s there to look at? Even if you got into a top-tier university, you’re still a worthless drain on resources.” “I finally managed to feed you for eighteen years, hoping you’d start earning money to support the family and help your brother, but you just *had* to keep studying. You’re a truly ungrateful, white-eyed wolf.” My mother, Sarah, was cracking sunflower seeds nearby, her expression sour. “Avery, don’t think just because you got into a fancy college, you’re suddenly some hotshot. Let me tell you, Dylan’s the only one with a future in this family.” “This girl is far too ambitious. It’s a curse.” Seeing my silence, my younger brother, Dylan, his bloated stomach protruding, shoved me hard. I stumbled to the ground, my elbow hitting the floor with a piercing pain that made me gasp. He just bared his teeth and chuckled with glee. “Hey, sis, you haven’t given me my allowance this month. You used to give me five hundred, but since you got into that university, it’s good news, so let’s make it a thousand this time.” Dylan was half a year younger than me, a good-for-nothing. He constantly demanded money, and if I refused, he’d beat me mercilessly. My parents always favored him, watching my bruises and cuts with cold indifference. So, for years, I worked odd jobs after school, not only saving for my tuition but also feeding Dylan, that bottomless pit. But this time, I shook my head and refused him. “I don’t have any money.” As expected, Dylan threw a fit, grabbing the broom from the corner, ready to strike me. My mother, who always indulged him, quickly intervened. “Whoa, my little darling, have you forgotten? Your sister can’t have any more scars on her body right now!” 2. Hearing my mother’s words, Dylan’s fury instantly shifted to a mocking smirk. “Right, sis is too precious now.” “Whatever, it’s just a thousand dollars. Give it or don’t.” John patted Dylan’s shoulder, praising him for being sensible. “My oldest son is the only one who understands things. A thousand dollars? What’s that? I’ll buy you anything you want in a couple of days.” In my past life, I actually believed that because I was the valedictorian of our district, my parents had finally developed a conscience. I never knew they’d already decided to sell me to an old, repulsive bachelor in the county suburbs, Mr. Henderson. My hard-won acceptance letter became not a lifeline, but my bill of sale. Mr. Henderson, though wealthy, was riddled with sores, monstrously ugly, and nearly sixty years old, yet still unmarried. When my parents approached him, he grinned ear to ear. Two hundred thousand dollars for an eighteen-year-old top student as a wife? He couldn’t have been happier. In the dead of night, when my parents delivered me to his house, I struggled in despair, begging him to let me go. After finally escaping with my last ounce of strength, I was hit by a truck and died instantly. After my death, I became a wandering spirit, watching my parents use the money from my sale to feast and drink with Dylan. Mr. Henderson loudly demanded his money back, and that’s when they learned of my death. But they refused to claim my body. “Once a daughter is gone, she’s gone for good—like water poured from a cup. Even without papers, she was yours the moment we handed her over. What does her death have to do with us?” “Avery, that damn girl, deserved her bad luck. She wasn’t meant for a good life. Just bury her wherever.” “We made it clear the money and goods were settled. We handed you a perfectly healthy young woman. If you couldn’t keep an eye on her, don’t blame us.” Recalling all the horrors of my previous life, I pretended not to notice John hiding my acceptance letter. And Sarah’s unsettling smile. I knew that tomorrow night, they’d send me away again. But they didn’t know the apocalyptic heatwave was coming in three days. This time, I would have my revenge, ensuring every person who wronged me would die a gruesome death. 3. The next day, as expected, Sarah burst into my room in the middle of the night, a length of rope clutched in her hand. But she found me already dressed in a simple dress, sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for her. “Mom, I’m going to wear this to meet Mr. Henderson later. Does it look appropriate?” Sarah was stunned for a moment. “You knew we were sending you tonight?” I smiled faintly. “I overheard Dad talking on the phone yesterday.” “Honestly, I’ve had a change of heart. Instead of struggling through hard work and scholarships, it’d be much more comfortable living with Mr. Henderson.” “I heard he saved a lot of money from his business years ago. If I marry him, I’ll have delicious food, nice clothes, and endless blessings.” Sarah seemed unconvinced. “Don’t you dare try to fool me, you little brat. For years, you were so high and mighty, determined to get into that university in the capital. Now you’d give up so easily?” “Don’t even think about sneaking away!” Seeing her outward toughness but sensing a slight softening in her attitude, I leaned closer and whispered. “Mom, I heard Dad asked Mr. Henderson for two hundred thousand dollars, but he lied to you and said it was only one hundred thousand. The other hundred thousand… guess where he plans to use it?” If I hadn’t died once, I would never have known John and Ms. Miller from next door had been together for ages. He was secretly keeping it from Sarah, planning to use that hundred thousand to fix up Ms. Miller’s house. Sarah’s teeth gritted in fury when she heard this. But she had no concrete proof, so she didn’t dare confront John outright. I seized the opportunity to persuade her further. “Mom, Dad is completely infatuated with that woman now; he’s been spending a lot on her.” “Dylan is still in high school, and everything in this family costs money. Right now, Mr. Henderson is the only source of easy cash.” “But if I’m tied up and delivered to his door like a piece of merchandise, he’ll look down on me and won’t be willing to spend much more on me.” “If I go happily, willingly knocking on his door, I can charm him. Then, forget one hundred thousand; he’ll give us five hundred thousand later.” After my speech, Sarah was finally swayed. She put down the rope and quickly frisked me. Then, she dragged me out the door. John was waiting in the truck downstairs. Seeing I wasn’t tied up, he was about to erupt in anger. Sarah leaned over and whispered a few words to him. When he turned back, John was all smiles. “That girl actually has some sense.” 4. Mr. Henderson had bought a two-hundred-square-meter single-story villa in the county suburbs, not far from the city. When the door was knocked, he eagerly flung it open, revealing a wrinkled, smiling face covered in age spots. And a forehead glistening with sweat. “Oh, so this is Avery? She’s even prettier in person.” “Come here, let Grandpa feel your little hand.” He extended his bony hand, grabbing my wrist and refusing to let go, stroking my soft palm over and over. I forced a smile, fighting down my revulsion, and gently pushed him away. “Grandpa, stop messing around. My parents are right here.” John fawned, presenting my university acceptance letter. “Mr. Henderson, here’s the merchandise. My daughter is the real deal, the valedictorian of our district.” “You won’t lose out on this deal.” He certainly wouldn’t. Mr. Henderson was grinning ear to ear. He promptly transferred the money to John, then impatiently pulled me into the house. The moment the door closed, I heard John’s triumphant laugh. “After raising this worthless girl for eighteen years, today, at least, I’ve recouped my investment.” I turned back to see Mr. Henderson, his eyes filled with sickening greed, eager to pounce. I desperately dodged him, gripping his hands. “Grandpa, why don’t you take a shower first?” Mr. Henderson refused, leering as he tried to kiss me. “Girl, don’t play games with your Grandpa. Your old man just took two hundred thousand dollars from me.” At this point, I couldn’t show even a hint of disgust. I just pretended to be shy, turning my face away. “But it’s my first time, and I just want to create a beautiful memory.” “Besides, I came to your door willingly. How much more sincere can I be?” “We’re going to be husband and wife living together from now on. I won’t lie to you.” After I sweet-talked him for a bit, Mr. Henderson’s heart swelled with joy. He had been disliked by everyone his whole life, plagued by illnesses, and had never been with a woman. Let alone an eighteen-year-old girl. “Fine, a shower it is. We’ll shower together.” I chuckled softly, guiding him into the bathroom, then dimmed the lights and told him to start running the water to prepare. Then I turned and walked into the bedroom, pulling out the electric fish stunner I knew was hidden under the bed. 5. In my past life, I was tied up and thrown into Mr. Henderson’s house. Seeing my fierce resistance, he had a twisted look on his face as he pulled out the electric fish stunner. “I spent two hundred thousand dollars to buy you, the valedictorian, not to put you on a pedestal!” “If you don’t willingly sleep with me and give me babies, I’ll electrocute you to death!” With that, he used it to shock my calf. The intense, searing pain made me scream. The more I cried out in agony, the more he leered in excitement. When I desperately tried to escape through the door, the spasms in my calf made me lose strength, and I couldn’t run to the other side of the road in time. That’s how I was struck dead by the oncoming truck. My ribs pierced my lungs, and even in death, the pain was excruciating. Now, I pushed open the door and looked at Mr. Henderson in the bathtub, his face beaming with spring-like delight. I gave him a gentle smile. “Mr. Henderson, close your eyes first. Let Avery give you a surprise.”

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After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, I locked myself away, waiting for death. Every day, waves of agonizing pain tormented me endlessly. To distract myself, I downloaded an AI digital avatar app. This AI was peculiar; it seemed to know everything about me, startlingly in tune with my thoughts and feelings. Until one day, I had a deeply intimate FaceTime call with it that soothed both my soul and my body. Afterward, I collapsed on the bed, utterly exhausted yet feeling a rare, long-lost sense of satisfaction. I thought, maybe God was pitying me, allowing me to steal a moment of pleasure before I died. However, in the digital avatar app I had forgotten to close, a conversation suddenly started playing. “Blake, are you serious? That idiot really thought you were an AI?” “I told you, these low-class types, they’re always so devious. Look at her, moaning like that to an AI.” “Chloe, that was a brilliant idea. Using your family’s app, we exposed that poor trash’s true colors.” Then, my ex-boyfriend’s voice cut through the static, cold enough to chill me to the bone. “She dumped me because I was ‘poor.’ Now she’s so desperate, she’d go for an AI? She’d literally take anyone.” “Tomorrow, I’m uploading the video and audio online. She’ll regret ever crossing me!” Blake Harrison, you swore up and down back then that you were an orphan with nothing to your name. I broke up with you precisely because I had a terminal illness; I didn’t want to burden your life. And now, you’re telling me this multi-billion dollar app is *yours*?! Fine. You think I’m a joke? I’ll give you a show you won’t forget!

The phone’s ringtone pierced the deathly silence. On the caller ID, the name I thought I’d never see again flashed frantically: Blake Harrison. I slid to answer, remaining silent. On the other end, his voice sounded frantic, carrying a raw panic he hadn’t even recognized himself. “Willow! Something happened! Your… your video and audio, someone uploaded them to the dark web, and they’re about to be publicly auctioned off!” I lay on the bed, feeling the agonizing gnawing of cancer cells through my very core, my insides utterly desolate. Video? Auction? Oh, so that’s the stuff they tricked me into recording with their digital avatar app. They were finally making their move. Seeing my lack of reaction, Blake’s tone grew more urgent: “Willow! Are you even listening?! If that video leaks, your entire life will be ruined! Do you understand?!” My ‘life’… I tugged at the corner of my mouth, a ghost of a laugh escaping my throat. A cold, bitter sound. Blake Harrison, do you even know how many ‘days’ I have left of this so-called ‘lifetime’? I used every ounce of my remaining strength, forcing a single word from my dry throat: “Oh.” I knew he was waiting for me to break down and beg. Waiting to see me crawl at his feet like a whimpering dog. Too bad for him, he miscalculated. On the other end, a sharp female voice erupted, just as I expected: “Blake, I told you! These poor people don’t care about dignity, only money!” It was Chloe Sterling. “Shut up!” Blake roared at her, then, suppressing his anger, said to me: “Willow, I talked to the seller. He can pause the auction. I’ll give you one night to come up with a million dollars and buy it back. This is your last chance!” A million dollars. He was testing me. Testing if I would cry and beg him, beg my ex-boyfriend to be merciful, to generously open his wallet. Then, he could stand on the moral high ground and openly mock my materialism and my vanity. How many days did I have left to live? These elaborate farewell gifts you so painstakingly planned for me. It was utterly laughable. “Oh.” I said it again. This time, Blake completely lost it. “Fine! Fine, Willow! I must have been damn blind! I thought you were just materialistic, but I never imagined you’d have no shame left!” He roared hysterically, then slammed the phone down. Listening to the dial tone, I slowly closed my eyes. It was over. Let it be. However, not long after, my phone rang again. An unknown number. I answered, and a middle-aged man’s voice came through the receiver: “Is this Ms. Willow? I’m from the property management of your mother’s old residence. We’d like to confirm that your mother has sold the property. When would be convenient for you to come and clear out her belongings?” …What? Mom sold the house? A powerful wave of unease shot through me like a jolt of electricity. The physical pain was instantly overshadowed by this dread. I sprang from the bed like a madwoman, pulling on whatever clothes I found and tearing out the door. I hailed a cab and sped towards Harrison Tech Tower. That was Blake Harrison’s company. Before the car even stopped, my gaze cut through the crowd and fixated on the center of the plaza. There, on the polished, reflective floor, under the indifferent or curious gazes of countless people. My gray-haired mother, Eleanor, was on her knees, kneeling before Blake Harrison and Chloe Sterling.

I lunged through the onlookers like a maniac, rushing to my mother. “Mom! Get up! What are you doing here?!” But the whispers around me drowned me out first. “Well, look who finally showed up, the main attraction!” “Is that her? She looks so innocent, but she’s quite the player, isn’t she?” “No self-respect, and she makes her old mother clean up her mess. How filial.” Those poisoned words, like invisible steel needles, pierced my soul, leaving it riddled with holes. I didn’t want to listen. I just wanted to drag my mother away from this place of utter humiliation immediately. “Mom, let’s go home! There’s nothing to say to them!” But Eleanor clutched my hand with all her strength, her nails almost digging into my flesh. She cried and shook her head: “No, Willow! I can’t just watch them ruin you! Those videos… they absolutely cannot get out!” My tears instantly broke free, a torrent I couldn’t stop. “Mom!” I practically shrieked, “I don’t have many days left! What do I care about reputation?!” At that, Blake’s face darkened, enough to wring water from stone. He stepped forward, his initial shock quickly replaced by contempt and disgust. He pointed a finger at my nose and demanded sharply. “Willow! To save a few bucks, you’d make up a lie like that, cursing yourself? Saying you’re dying in front of your mother? How could your heart be so cruel! You’re not just materialistic, you’re utterly vicious!” Eleanor was sobbing brokenly, her heart utterly shattered. “Willow, don’t say such nonsense! Listen to me,” she pulled a sweat-wrinkled bank card from her pocket, trembling as she handed it to Blake, “I’ve sold the old house, and I took out your father’s pension. I’ve gathered nine hundred thousand. We’re only ten thousand short… Please, I beg you, give my daughter back her videos…” Dad’s pension… his life’s sacrifice, Mom’s last shred of security. Now, that money had become the ransom for my shame. My heart felt crushed by an invisible hand, a dull ache making it almost impossible to breathe. I took a deep breath, wiped away my tears, pulled my own bank card from my bag, and threw it at Blake’s feet. “Here’s ten thousand. The PIN is six zeros.” That was the money I’d set aside for my painkillers and my funeral arrangements. “Now, the million is complete.” I met his gaze, the last trace of warmth in my eyes gone, replaced by a cold, as if I were a lifeless object. With that, I didn’t look at him again. I turned, helped my trembling mother to her feet, and led her away. Behind us, Chloe’s acidic mockery echoed: “Blake, see that? That’s your ‘perfect’ ex. Your taste is really something.” Back in the dingy, sunless rental apartment, shielded from the outside world. Only then did I dare to hold my mother, letting my body tremble uncontrollably. “Mom… you sold the house, and gave them Dad’s pension… What will you do now?” Eleanor held me, tears streaming down her old face. “My Willow is almost gone. What future is there for me alone…?” Just then, my phone chimed. A push notification popped up, the icon for that digital avatar app.

The phone screen suddenly lit up, a push notification appearing with a cheerful sound effect: 【Congratulations! You’ve been selected as this week’s lucky user! Claim your $100 lucky bonus now!】 A hundred bucks. What exquisite irony. What a malicious crumb of charity. They took my mother’s entire life’s savings, and now they were using a hundred dollars to buy my dignity. I wanted to uninstall it immediately, but my fingertips searched my pockets, only finding rough fabric and a few specks of dust. Mom had given them all her money; we were penniless, and even a decent dinner was a luxury. I swallowed a towering wave of hatred and humiliation, and clicked 【Claim】. The money instantly hit my account. The next second, Chloe’s call came through. “Willow, I just bet Blake you’d take it. He didn’t believe me; he said no matter how pathetic you are, you wouldn’t take money from the app that ruined your reputation. And? Haha! Not even a second! You poor trash, you’ll do anything for money, won’t you?” My dead silence apparently bored her. “Whatever, you’re silent as a dummy, no fun at all. I’m going to bet Blake again!” The call didn’t disconnect. I could clearly hear her walk over to Blake, her voice laced with provocation: “Blake, let’s bet again. I bet if we set a ‘bark like a dog for $10’ task, she’ll still do it! Want to bet?” On the other end of the line, Blake’s silence was heavy. Seconds later, a new pop-up appeared on my phone screen, stark and unmistakable. 【Fun Challenge: Impersonate a dog’s bark to receive a $10 cash reward.】 I stared at the words, my blood froze in my veins, then exploded a second later. I wanted to smash the phone. But at that very moment, a fresh wave of agonizing pain seized my insides without warning! My abdomen felt clamped by red-hot pincers, twisting and tearing me apart. I gasped, my vision blurring, and cold sweat instantly soaked my clothes. I stumbled towards the pill bottle, only to discover in despair that the painkillers were empty. I had no money. Not a single cent. I didn’t even have enough to buy the cheapest box of painkillers. The pop-up on the screen, like a devil’s eyes, silently sneered at me from the darkness. I stood there for three minutes, which felt like three centuries of torment in hell. Finally, I trembled, clicked the record button, and two dry, raspy sounds rolled out of my throat: “Woof… woof…” On the other end of the line, Chloe’s hysterical, utterly triumphant laughter instantly erupted, followed by the dull thud of a fist hitting the table from Blake. I didn’t care. I claimed the $10, rushed downstairs, and bought the cheapest painkillers at the pharmacy. I didn’t even wait to get home, swallowing a handful of pills dry and desperately. Before the medication fully kicked in, the pain still raged wildly inside me. I couldn’t hold on any longer. I squatted on the dirty roadside, clutching my knees, and sobbed uncontrollably. Just as my consciousness blurred, the screech of brakes ripped through the air, deafeningly close. A black van slammed to a halt beside me, aggressively. The door slid open with a loud WHOOSH. Before I could react, strong arms clamped down on me, dragging me roughly inside! 【Cut-off Point】

When the blindfold was ripped from my eyes, the heavy scent of rust and mildew instantly choked my nose and mouth. I was in an abandoned factory, cold ropes digging deep into the flesh of my wrists. Several figures closed in like predators, their bodies reeking of stale cigarettes, cheap liquor, and sweat, making my stomach lurch violently. “Help… help…” I shrieked in terror. One man grabbed my chin, a lecherous grin on his face: “Little girl, you were moaning like that for an AI. We’re real men, we’ll make you even happier!” With that, they ripped my clothes. I struggled desperately, but my cancer-ravaged body was utterly helpless against their brutality. Blows and kicks rained down, numbing me. Finally, I was pinned down hard on the cold, rough concrete floor. The moment the first man pressed down, my consciousness seemed to detach from my body. My senses became numb, only a buzzing sound filling my ears. Humiliation, excruciating pain, despair… countless emotions were crushed, ultimately forging into a single thought: I just wanted to die, right now. I don’t know how much time passed. I lay curled on the ground, barely clothed, like a discarded, broken doll. I stared blankly at the peeling paint on the ceiling, until a crisp “tap, tap, tap” sound approached from afar. Chloe Sterling walked in. She wore a dazzling, star-spangled dress and delicate rhinestone heels, her makeup perfect as if she were attending a grand ball. She looked down at me, a high-and-mighty queen, looking down at the pathetic mess I was. “Oh, Willow, darling,” she exaggeratedly covered her mouth, her eyes glinting with venomous glee, “Did you enjoy the little gift I sent you? Isn’t playing with real men much more fun than with an AI? It’s been a while since you had such a good time, hasn’t it, ever since you broke up with Blake?” I looked at her, my cracked lips trembling, squeezing out a few words: “…Just kill me.” “Kill you? That’s too easy.” She slowly squatted down, her nails, painted a vivid crimson, tapping maliciously on my face. “I want to turn you into the most depraved, disgusting piece of trash in Blake’s mind.” “Tomorrow is Blake and my engagement party. I’ll bring you there, so everyone can get a good look at what kind of woman Blake’s ex-girlfriend really is.”

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Julian Blackwood was a name whispered in fear across the city’s underworld. The night before he was set to finally leave that life behind and marry me, Isabella Hayes, I stumbled upon a phone in his closet I’d never seen before. The wallpaper showed a sweet-faced girl. No suspicious messages, no explicit photos – nothing overtly intimate. I wasn’t about to play dumb. I slammed the phone down in front of him, my voice shaking with rage. Julian didn’t say a word, didn’t try to soothe me. He stayed in his study all night, only walking into the bedroom as dawn broke. He pulled me into a hug. “She’s someone I owe a debt to, a debt I can never truly repay. That’s all there is to it.” Twelve years we’d been together, through hell and high water, from a life of danger to finally finding some peace. And he expected me to just let go, based on a few innocent-looking chat logs? No way. The next day, I tied his tie for him and let the wedding proceed as planned. But just as we were about to exchange rings, one of his men burst in. “Mr. Blackwood! Chloe Davies knows you’re getting married… she jumped!” My hand froze in mid-air. Julian, without a single backward glance, spun around and rushed out. My eyes burned with tears as I screamed after him: “You step out that door today, and you’ll never see me again!” He hesitated for a split second, then left, his back a cold, unyielding wall between us. … My hands trembled as I stared at the chat logs on the phone, my wet hair clinging to my cheeks. I scrolled through every single message. Not one was overtly intimate. Just mundane good mornings and good nights, daily shares, an occasional song recommendation. My wet hair and tears dripped onto the screen as I tortured myself, re-reading every single message. It wasn’t until Julian walked into the study and gently pulled me into his arms. “What are you looking at? Why didn’t you dry your hair after your shower?” “Want me to do it for you?” Before all this, I would have dragged the girl out, thrown her in front of Julian, publicly exposed his infidelity, and then, completely unburdened, told him I never wanted to see him again. But now, I’d spent twelve years by his side, helped him leave his dangerous life, finally putting an end to those tumultuous, uncertain days. Tomorrow was my long-awaited wedding day. Trembling, I handed the phone to Julian. He didn’t offer a single word of explanation. Instead, he just slowly wiped away the tear stains from the girl’s face on the screen, then walked out of the room without a backward glance. He didn’t return until dawn the next day, slowly stepping into the study, reeking of the familiar scent of stale cigarettes. Julian’s voice was hoarse. “Her father died protecting me. His dying wish was for me to look after Chloe.” “I admit, I felt a deep sense of pity for her, a responsibility.” My heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vice, every breath a fresh stab of pain. Julian held me in a desperate, bone-crushing embrace, his searing hot tears soaking into my back. “But Bella, we’ve been through too much to just give up now. I promise you, I’ll keep my distance from her from now on.” Twelve years. He had already become an inseparable part of my life. I choked back the agonizing pain and chose to forgive him. But now, the wedding was at its most crucial part—the exchange of rings. Just as he was about to slide the ring onto my finger… He casually tossed the ring to the floor because of one panicked sentence from his subordinate. The wedding instantly dissolved into chaos. He left me there, humiliated and abandoned, without a moment’s thought. He had broken his word after all. 2 The guests’ hushed whispers were like a thousand tiny needles, pricking at my heart, over and over. Both sets of parents rushed to my side, looking utterly bewildered. Jason, Julian’s right-hand man, stood awkwardly to the side, his face bright red, completely lost. “Bella, Mr. Blackwood was set up by some old rivals. Chloe was alone at the villa, and only Mr. Blackwood could sort it out. He had no choice…” Jason had been with Julian for ten years, always greeting me warmly as “Boss’s wife.” But now, his eyes darted nervously, and his words stumbled out. I wondered how many secrets he’d kept about Julian and Chloe. Perhaps, from the very beginning, I was the only fool kept in the dark. I numbly picked up the ring from the floor. My parents quickly came to embrace me. “What on earth happened? Who could possibly be more important than you today? Did he just leave you here alone?” Mr. Blackwood Sr. anxiously called Julian, while Mrs. Blackwood Sr.’s eyes turned red with guilt. “Bella, this is that ungrateful son’s fault! I’ll make him come back and apologize to you right now!” I clutched the diamond ring so tightly it cut into my palm. I stared blankly at my bleeding hand. It was already a bloody mess. My dream wedding, fantasized countless times, had turned into this humiliating disaster. Eight long hours, 199 missed calls. Julian answered none of them. Suddenly, I felt dizzy, and the last thing I heard was my mother’s frantic cry. When I opened my eyes again, the pungent smell of disinfectant hit my nose. A nurse was changing my IV drip. Seeing I was awake, she gently said: “You’re two months pregnant. You need to manage your emotions carefully; don’t let it affect the baby.” I gave a bitter smile, watching both sets of parents struggle to hide their excitement. Tears silently streamed down my temples. At ten that night, Julian, who had been missing for eight hours, finally appeared. A flicker of guilt crossed his eyes. Julian’s parents, standing at the doorway, solemnly urged him to explain himself to me, to apologize properly. Julian knelt beside the bed, holding my cold hand, his voice raspy. “Canceling the wedding was a mutual decision, Bella. It has nothing to do with Chloe.” “She’s not like you, Bella. You forged a strong heart surviving that life. She’s never been through any of that. Chloe just woke up, we can’t upset her anymore.” His true priorities, his raw instincts, always showed first. In the first moment he saw me, he didn’t ask about my bloodied hand, nor did he mention leaving me alone to face the chaotic mess. His words were entirely focused on protecting Chloe. Tears rolled down my pale cheeks, landing heavily on the back of his hand. In twelve years, I could count on one hand the times I’d cried in front of him. I mustered every ounce of my remaining strength and nodded. He visibly relaxed. “Chloe’s very emotional right now. We’re postponing the wedding.” “She’s always depended on me. I need to stay by her side for a while. In three months, we’ll have a makeup ceremony in Switzerland, like we always wanted.” Julian’s words weren’t a question; my opinion clearly didn’t matter. I had waited twelve years; what was another three months? But then I thought of the cherished photos in my safe, and suddenly, I felt it wasn’t worth waiting anymore. I slowly caressed my lower abdomen. This was the child we had so longed for, but now, it felt like he had nothing to do with it. I pulled my hand free, wincing from the pain, my voice calm. “Julian Blackwood, when I first met you, I was just as innocent and clueless as her.” “I remember the first time you taught me to hold a gun, how I trembled all over. You held me close, whispered reassurances until I felt safe.” “I remember, to mark our love, you tattooed our initials onto my hip with your own hands. That night, you kissed it, and me, over and over.” “These years, you shaped me, made me who I am – from a sheltered girl to a woman who could stand her ground. You promised you’d always love the strong, passionate woman I’d become.” “Through all the turmoil of these twelve years, I never felt it was hard, because we were in love.” I buried my face in my hands, helpless, letting tears seep through my fingers. “But today, I suddenly feel… you don’t love me anymore…” Twelve years of memories flashed before my eyes in a whirlwind; we had been through so much. Julian’s eyes, for once, welled up. He sighed deeply. “She’s the complete opposite of you, Bella. She needs my protection so much more.” That sentence utterly shattered the last shred of hope I had. I suddenly laughed, tears streaming down my face. “Then you take good care of her.” He lightly kissed the top of my head, then turned and walked away without a backward glance. 3 On the day I was discharged from the hospital, I saw them both at the nurses’ station. Julian, usually so cold, gazed with pure tenderness at the girl in his arms. She was frail, dressed in a hospital gown, with big, Bambi-like eyes and a cascade of dark hair. So this was the girl who made him abandon me at our wedding. My gaze must have been too intense, because her eyes, timid and wide, met mine nervously. She cautiously shifted behind Julian, gently clutching his pinky finger. Only then did Julian turn to look at me. He instantly rushed to my side, his voice edged with accusation. “I told you Chloe’s not like you, Bella! Are you deliberately trying to make a statement, to intimidate her?” Chloe, behind him, looked like her eyes were about to well up. “Sister, Julian and I really have nothing going on… You’re scaring me.” I tucked the pregnancy test results behind my back and offered a small, detached smile. “Nothing. I’m just getting discharged.” With that, I ignored them and turned to leave. A strange flicker crossed Julian’s eyes, and a sudden, inexplicable emptiness hit him. As I walked out of the hospital, he suddenly rushed after me and grabbed my hand. I instinctively looked down, and the first thing I noticed was a stain on the scarf he had bought me. I casually pulled it off, and he reached out to take it. “Give it to me, you love that scarf. I’ll send it for cleaning.” I ignored him completely, dropping the scarf straight into a trash can. “I’ve worn it for years; it’s just gotten… dirty. Time for a new one, you know I don’t like anything that’s not clean.” Julian’s hand froze in mid-air at my words. He knew I wasn’t just talking about the scarf, but our relationship. He opened his mouth as if to say more, but I had already turned and walked away. When I reached my doorstep, my phone vibrated. It was Julian. “I bought you that sweet pudding from the place downtown. Remember to drink it, don’t be mad.” Julian used to love bringing me this. Even if he had to wait in line for three hours. Holding that bowl of sweet pudding, my eyes suddenly stung. I took a bite, numbly. It was too sweet, sickeningly sweet. Over the next few days, Julian didn’t come home. But I heard through mutual friends that Chloe had caught a cold, and Julian hadn’t left her side. Ending a twelve-year relationship felt like ripping out a part of my soul. I looked at our meticulously decorated home, and my nose burned. I started packing all my belongings, memories washing over me like a tide. The year I met Julian, he lived a life on the edge. Two years later, he’d earned the respect—and fear—of most, and he handed me a Desert Eagle and a set of keys. “Bella, this gun proves my life is yours. I am yours. You’ll always be the lady of this house.” That day was cloudy and rainy, yet it felt warmer than the brightest sunshine. We ran wild in the rain, kissing with reckless abandon. I knew he didn’t want me to live a turbulent life; he wanted to give me a home. We designed every corner of our house together, with our own hands. We’d laugh, curled up on the sofa watching romantic movies. He helped me fill the balcony with the roses I loved. His cheeks were smudged with dirt, but his eyes sparkled like constellations. “Bella, I will always protect you, keep you vibrant and free, never fade, never wither.” But now I realized, this home no longer had a place for me. 4 The setting sun cast long, slanting shadows as I packed the last item into a storage box, three days later. When I called for a moving truck, both sets of parents showed up. I hadn’t told them about Julian’s infidelity, so they still couldn’t understand how people who had been together for so long could bear to separate. Mrs. Blackwood Sr. grabbed my suitcase, refusing to let go. “Bella, please give Julian another chance, okay?” “I’m sure he has a reason…” I ignored her, just told the movers to keep going. Just as Mrs. Blackwood Sr. was about to fall to her knees, begging me not to leave, Julian suddenly returned. And he brought Chloe with him. She wore Julian’s jacket, clutching his hand tightly. Mrs. Hayes stepped forward, trying to separate them. “Julian… who is this girl? Are you… How am I supposed to face your parents?!” Mr. Hayes trembled with rage. “You! What exactly do you think you’re doing!” Julian didn’t respond. His gaze landed on my suitcase, and he spoke calmly. “You’re going home?” He showed no other reaction, as if everything was under his control. He thought I was generous, generous enough to accept him bringing another girl home. I nodded lightly. “Yes, just going home for a bit.” Julian gave my hand a brief, dismissive squeeze. “Be careful. I’ll pick you up before the wedding.” He dismissed it so casually, then began to formally introduce Chloe. “This is Chloe Davies. Her father entrusted her to me on his deathbed. She’s been very emotional lately, so I’m looking after her for a while.” He sounded so matter-of-fact, as if absolutely nothing had happened between them. Chloe flashed a saccharine smile and handed Mrs. Hayes a bouquet. “Mrs. Hayes, Julian has been taking such good care of me. It’s all thanks to you and Mr. Blackwood Sr.’s wonderful upbringing.” “These are the flowers I picked for you, but next to you, they pale in comparison.” Mrs. Hayes’s face was a complicated mix of emotions. She slowly pushed the flowers back. Chloe’s face instantly crumpled into a wounded expression, and she looked up at Julian. “Julian, is Mrs. Hayes misunderstanding something…?” But then she turned her head, looking at me, her lips forming two silent words: *You lost.* She was right, I had lost. But I didn’t care anymore. I ignored her, turning to walk away. But the next second, Chloe let out a piercing scream. My eyes widened in shock, watching my mother shove Chloe to the ground and slap her across the face. “Mom… you…” My mother’s tears streamed down her jaw, her voice trembling. “You’re my daughter, how could I not know you?” “You’ve been with him since you were seventeen, for twelve whole years!” “Do you really think I didn’t know what Julian did? You got hurt for him, you put yourself in dangerous situations every day just so you wouldn’t hold him back… Unless it was a matter of fundamental betrayal, would you truly have been able to let him go?” “I accepted him because I thought he treated you well. But now? He brings another woman to our home, right to your face. I won’t stand for it! You don’t want to make a scene? I’ll do it for you!” My mother’s voice was low, but it vibrated with an undeniable authority. Chloe huddled in the corner, whimpering softly. Julian immediately pulled Chloe into his arms, his eyes bloodshot. “Isabella Hayes! I told you, don’t drag Chloe into this! She’s innocent!” I didn’t wait for him to finish. I slapped him several times across the face, then pulled out that Desert Eagle and pressed it against his forehead. “Julian Blackwood, *you’re* the one who deserves to die!” With that, I pulled a pregnancy test result from my bag and slapped it hard across his face. “Julian Blackwood, open your eyes and look at what this is!” 5 Julian picked up the paper, and as his eyes registered the words, he looked at me with an expression of pure disbelief. “Bella… I… I’m going to be a father?” He released the trembling Chloe from his embrace and strode towards me, opening his arms as if to pull me into a tight hug. “That’s wonderful! Bella! We’re having a baby! Why didn’t you tell me sooner!” His breath, smelling of his usual stale cigarettes, ghosted over my face, and for the first time, it made my stomach churn. The second before he touched me, I lurched back, avoiding him with every ounce of my strength. “Don’t touch me!” My voice was sharp and cold. “Julian Blackwood, who are you putting on this show for? Don’t you think it’s utterly pathetic?” His outstretched hands froze in mid-air, the wild joy on his face instantly replaced by hurt and confusion. “Bella, what are you talking about? We’re having a baby! We’ve waited so long for this!” I laughed, a bitter, empty laugh, as if I’d heard the funniest joke, tears welling up in my eyes. “Do you even have the right to say ‘we’? When you left me alone at our wedding, did ‘we’ even cross your mind?” My words were like ice-cold blades, plunging deep into his heart. Chloe, whom he had cast aside, was now crying her eyes out, tears streaming down her face. She clutched his jacket, as if it were her only lifeline. She sobbed, inching closer to Julian. “Julian, I’m so sorry… It’s all my fault… I shouldn’t have come and disturbed you.” As she spoke, she forcefully pushed the jacket back into Julian’s hands, shaking her head as she cried. “Sister is pregnant; it’s wonderful news. I shouldn’t be here making her angry… Take this jacket back, thank you for taking care of me these past few days.” “I… I won’t bother you anymore.” Every word she spoke was meant to absolve herself, yet every word was also a subtle reminder to Julian of how understanding, how wronged, she was. Sure enough, Julian’s expression instantly changed. He unconsciously tightened his grip on the jacket, his gaze at Chloe filled with guilt and heartache. He looked at my cold face, then back at Chloe’s resolute, tearful figure already at the doorway, clutching the frame. The conflict in his eyes was almost palpable. He finally called out to Chloe. “Stop right there!” I watched it all unfold, the last flicker of warmth in my heart vanishing completely. I spoke calmly, interrupting their sickening emotional tug-of-war. “Do you actually think that with this baby, everything you’ve done can just be wiped clean?” He turned back to me, his explanation rushed. “Bella, I didn’t mean that! I just…” Fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead, his lips pressed into a tight, grim line. He looked at my unyielding eyes, then glanced back at Chloe, sobbing uncontrollably at the doorframe. Chloe’s sobs were soft, but they were like a needle, precisely piercing his fragile sense of responsibility. Finally, he gave me a deep, complicated look, one I couldn’t decipher. There was pain, reluctance, but more than anything, a helpless, resigned compromise. He uttered words I would never forget. “Bella, just calm down for a moment.” “Chloe’s very fragile right now, I’m scared she might do something stupid. I just need to check on her, I’ll be right back. The baby… we’ll talk about the baby when I return.” With that, he didn’t even dare to meet my eyes again. He clutched the jacket in his hand and rushed out, without a backward glance. ***截断点*** In that moment, I laughed. A bitter, empty laugh. My heart was utterly broken, completely resigned. Twelve years of love, it was all just a cruel joke. 6 I went back to my parents’ house.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298722”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

My parents always favored my sister, Vivian, ever since we were kids. The most desperate time in my life was when Julian Thorne, my father’s much younger acquaintance, appeared. He was eight years my senior, a top-tier magnate in the city’s elite circles, a ruthless devil feared by all, with a brutal, cold-blooded approach. Yet, he held me in the palm of his hand, doting on me beyond reason. I said I liked ginkgo trees, so he bought an entire street and planted it full of them. I mentioned craving the artisanal churros from that famous shop across town, and he’d drive at 3 AM to bring them to me. When I had period cramps, he’d fly back from overseas for over a dozen hours, holding me and comforting me all night long. Every woman in the city’s high society wanted to marry him, but his eyes were only for me. On our wedding day, he knelt on one knee to put on my shoes, making the city’s most prominent socialites burn with insane jealousy. After we married, his adoration knew no bounds. When I had morning sickness, he’d cancel cross-continental meetings to stay with me. If I got leg cramps in the middle of the night, he’d wake instantly to massage my leg. When I was seven months pregnant, I returned to the family estate for a formal dinner party. Suddenly, a fire erupted, with thick smoke billowing everywhere. My always-partial parents, one on each side, shielded Vivian as they rushed out, leaving me to be knocked to the ground, my abdomen hitting the sharp corner of a table with a sickening thud. At death’s door, a figure burst through the flames. Julian, his hands covered in blood, scooped me up. “Don’t be scared, Seraphina. I’m here.” Tears streamed down my face in his arms. In that moment, I finally believed I was deeply loved. It wasn’t until three days later, waking up in the hospital, that I stumbled, dragging my IV pole, to find him. As I reached the hallway, I overheard a chilling conversation – “Who gave you permission to set the fire?!” Julian’s voice was like a blade of ice. “She’s only seven months along. You were so eager to drug her and cut the baby out. Were you trying to kill her and the child?!” My parents’ voices were barely a whisper, meek and submissive. “We had no choice… Vivian’s leukemia is getting worse, she desperately needs the baby’s bone marrow. We couldn’t wait any longer…” “I want to save Vivian more than any of you!” His deep, suppressed tone made my blood run cold. “Otherwise, why would I have gone to such lengths to get close to Seraphina, to get her pregnant?!” Seraphina Sterling’s world imploded. “You are not to act on your own again,” he said, slowly and deliberately. “I have my own plan.” My parents nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, we were too hasty…” Seraphina stumbled away from the hallway, her legs so weak she could barely stand. She leaned against the cold wall, silent tears streaming down her face. So, Julian married me, doted on me, got me pregnant… All of it was to use my baby to save his beloved Vivian Sterling. So, he loved Vivian too! I clutched the IV pole, my nails digging deep into my palms, but I felt no pain. My mind replayed countless moments from the past, uncontrollably. My mother had a difficult labor when she had me, almost losing her life, so she resented me from childhood. My father was famously devoted to his wife, which meant he despised me too, showering only Vivian with affection. For Vivian’s birthday, my parents rented out an entire amusement park. For mine, I didn’t even get a slice of cake. When Vivian was sick, my parents stayed up all night by her bedside. When I had a fever of 104 degrees, I could only curl up in my bed alone, trying to tough it out. I thought no one would ever love me. Until that day, when I went to the Thorne family’s party. Vivian deliberately pushed me into the pool, mocking me as a pathetic, unwanted wretch. I was soaked, humiliated, surrounded by laughter. Just when I was at my most desperate, Julian appeared like a godsend, taking off his suit jacket and placing it over my shoulders. His cold gaze swept over the crowd. “Anyone else laugh? Try me.” In that moment, I fell in love with him at first sight. I never imagined Julian would also like me. He pursued me relentlessly, and after we married, he doted on me to the heavens. Yet, every night, he would take me fiercely, refusing to let go even when I cried and begged. I thought he was my salvation. It turned out… He loved Vivian too. Three years ago, Vivian was diagnosed with leukemia. My parents immediately did a matching test, and even dragged me along. Neither of us was a match. I remember distinctly hearing the doctor say, “The only way now is for Ms. Sterling to have a child and see if the baby’s bone marrow is a match.” So, this was Julian Thorne’s purpose in approaching me, pursuing me? For Vivian, he was even willing to sacrifice himself. His love was also a lie… I was heartbroken, staggering back, but at Vivian’s hospital room door, I heard her on the phone. “Don’t worry, my leukemia is fake,” Vivian’s voice held a triumphant laugh. “I just wanted to see Seraphina get more and more desperate.” “And Julian, he thinks it was me he fell in love with at first sight all those years ago, which is why he’s so good to me. But he has no idea that the person playing the violin in the garden that day was actually Seraphina!” “I won’t let her steal Julian from me, never!” I froze, my blood ran to ice, freezing me in place. So… Julian had loved the wrong person all along. His heart and soul were focused on Vivian, yet he didn’t know the one who truly captured his heart was me. And I, because of this misplaced love, was thoroughly used. I numbly raised my hand, realizing I had recorded the entire video. I don’t know how I got back to the doctor’s office. “I want an abortion,” my voice was hoarse, yet exceptionally firm. The doctor looked at me in shock. “Ms. Sterling, the baby is already seven months old. Are you sure you don’t want to keep it?” “I’m sure,” I said, each word feeling like it was tearing my heart out. The doctor looked troubled. “But Mr. Thorne explicitly said this child is very important. We can’t perform the surgery without his consent. If you insist, this consent form must be signed by Mr. Thorne…” I closed my eyes, picked up the consent form, and turned to leave. As I pushed open the door, I collided with Julian, who was rushing over. He was impeccably dressed, his features as striking as a Greek god’s, but at this moment, he showed clear signs of anxiety. The moment he saw me, his frown eased, and he strode forward to pull me into his embrace. “Where did you run off to, sweetheart?” His palm rested on the back of my neck, his voice low and husky. “Were you trying to worry me to death? Hmm?” His crisp cedarwood scent enveloped me. The warmth that once brought me comfort now felt like a knife. I looked up at him, asking softly, “Are you very afraid of something happening to me?” Julian frowned slightly, his thumb gently stroking my cheek. “Of course. Who in the whole city doesn’t know you’re my life? Especially now that you’re carrying our child.” Child… My heart fiercely constricted, the pain almost making me lose my footing. I lowered my eyes to hide my emotions, handing him the consent form. “I’m going for a check-up, and I need your signature.” Julian took the document, his gaze pausing as it scanned the paper. “What kind of check-up?” I instinctively used my hand to cover the bottom half of the content, my voice as light as falling snow. “A routine… late-term pregnancy screening.” He frowned, about to look closer, when his phone suddenly vibrated. A SnapChat message from Vivian popped up: “Julian, I’m feeling so unwell…” Julian’s expression changed drastically. He didn’t look at the document again, hastily signing it and pressing it back into my hand. “Seraphina, I have an urgent matter.” He cupped my face and kissed me. “You go for your check-up first. Once I’m done, I’ll be with you and the baby.” Before his words fully faded, he had already turned and left, his silhouette disappearing around the corridor corner. I stood there, staring at his flamboyant signature on the consent form. My tears fell on the bolded words “Induction Abortion,” blurring them into an illegible smear. … On the operating table, cold instruments pierced my body. Because it was an induction, no anesthetic could be used. Every inch of flesh tearing apart was excruciatingly clear. I bit down hard on my lip until the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, yet my mind uncontrollably replayed the past. When we first met, he took off his suit jacket and placed it over me, his eyes cold yet tender. “Don’t be scared.” On our wedding night, he knelt on one knee to put on my shoes, his fingertips gently caressing my ankle as he whispered, “Seraphina, I’ll be good to you for a lifetime.” When I had morning sickness, he personally fed me porridge, speaking softly like he was coaxing a child. “Just one more bite, hmm?” … All of it was a lie. “Ah—!” The pain suddenly intensified. I finally couldn’t hold back a scream, my nails digging deep into my palms. In a daze, I thought I heard a baby’s cry, but it might have just been a hallucination. “Julian Thorne…” I whispered his name in my heart, tears mixing with sweat. The baby was gone. So were we. I lay in the hospital for a day. No one came to see me. Not my parents, and not Julian. I completed the discharge procedures alone. As I passed the VIP ward, through the slightly open door, I saw the scene inside— My parents sat on either side of Vivian’s bed, looking heartbroken as they peeled fruit and gave her water. Julian stood nearby, holding a medical report, his brows slightly furrowed, talking softly with the doctor. Vivian tugged at his sleeve, as if pouting playfully. He immediately leaned over, gently tucking her blanket. I stood outside the door, my fingertips unconsciously digging into my palm. I remembered when Vivian and I both had fevers as children. My parents stayed by Vivian’s bedside all night, but never even poured me a glass of water. Later, I got used to it. Even later, I met Julian Thorne. The love he gave me was so abundant that I no longer needed to envy anyone. But now, For the first time, I saw Julian treat Vivian better than he ever treated me. It turned out, truly, no one loved me. … Back at the villa, I bought a fake pillow, stuffed it under my clothes, pretending to still be pregnant. Then, I placed the eight-month-old fetus I had aborted into an elegant gift box, preserved it in formaldehyde, and carefully locked it in a drawer. This would be my gift to Julian Thorne. After doing all this, I picked up my phone and dialed the number for St. Agnes Monastery. “Hello, I’d like to join your order,” my voice was soft, yet exceptionally clear. There was a moment of silence on the other end, then a slow reply. “My child, to enter our monastic order, one must sever all worldly ties and attachments, never again to be stained by the dust of this world. Are you sure you have thought this through?” “I have,” I replied. “Then please come to the monastery in two weeks, and we will hold your initiation ceremony.” I softly hummed in agreement and hung up the phone. Not long after, footsteps sounded outside the door. Julian pushed the door open, his brows slightly furrowed. “Seraphina, why did you discharge yourself without telling me?” He walked closer, placing his palm on my abdomen, his voice deep. “Don’t do that again, you hear? How were the test results? Is the baby alright?” Before I could speak, Vivian walked in, a sweet smile on her face— “Sister, how could you come back without a word? You don’t know how worried Julian was, he almost tore the hospital apart.” I looked up at Julian. The man immediately explained, “Vivian wanted to be discharged recently to recover, and the air here is good, so we brought her to stay for a few days.” Vivian smiled innocently. “I’ll be imposing for a few days.” Her eyes were full of provocation, as if waiting to see me collapse, go mad, or become hysterical. But I just calmly nodded. “No imposition at all.” … For the rest of the day, I sat on the sofa, watching silently. I watched Julian personally arrange for the staff to clean Vivian’s guest room, giving meticulous instructions: “The mattress must be the softest, her back isn’t good.” I watched him at dinner, remembering all of Vivian’s dietary restrictions.

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My roommate, Brandon, under the guise of assisting me, systematically swiped 99 of my discarded code drafts from my computer. After that, he entered various coding competitions, raking in awards left and right, quickly becoming the undisputed campus superstar. It wasn’t until he stole my very last discarded code, using it to compete in the National Collegiate Tech Competition finals. During the live final presentation, his program suddenly crashed. A massive red warning and a countdown timer exploded onto the screen. He stormed into our dorm with his advisor, Professor Hayes, and Dean Miller, accusing me of implanting a virus in his computer and sabotaging his competition. I simply presented the original logs, detailing every instance he had stolen my code. “What he submitted isn’t just a regular program. It’s a test version of my mentor’s confidential project.” “That countdown? It’s the final warning before the system self-destructs.” … The atmosphere at the live National Collegiate Tech Competition finals was electric. My roommate, Brandon, was beaming with triumph, basking in a tidal wave of adulation. The online live stream soared to nearly 200,000 viewers, the live chat a molten torrent, flooding the screen with comments. [Genius! This kid is a cross-disciplinary programming prodigy!] [Who would’ve thought an art design student could write such a sophisticated recognition algorithm? A total game-changer!] [Brandon, my heart belongs to you!] I sat calmly in the bustling audience, observing it all. In just three short months, he’d transformed from a tech novice who could barely set up a Python environment into a celebrated prodigy bathed in the spotlight – our university’s unquestionable top star. On stage, Brandon had reached the final step of his presentation. The hall erupted in thunderous applause. He nodded subtly, addressing the judges and the audience, his voice clear and elegant: “Esteemed judges, ladies and gentlemen, I will now fully demonstrate the real-time recognition and tracking capabilities of my ‘Falcon’ system on complex dynamic images.” His fingertips gracefully tapped the Enter key on the keyboard, his posture utterly composed. On the massive main screen, a CG animation simulating a rescue operation in a complex urban environment began to play. Dozens of drone models weaved, flipped, and dogfought at high speed through intricate building complexes, their trajectories chaotic and almost impossible for the naked eye to follow. Yet, the “Falcon” system, within moments of activation, precisely locked onto each drone with different colored tracking boxes, flawlessly planning the optimal search and rescue paths and directing them to execute their tasks in perfect order. “Oh my God!” “This… this already surpasses most commercial recognition systems on the market!” “Unbelievable! The logic of this algorithm is simply flawless!” On the judges’ panel, several well-known professors and corporate executives from the industry could no longer maintain their composure. They rose to their feet, their faces etched with shock and disbelief. Brandon’s chin lifted slightly, relishing every moment. His gaze cut through the cameras, past the sea of bobbing heads, finally landing on my quiet corner. I knew he was flaunting his success at me. Declaring his victory to me, the stepping stone he’d used to climb to the top. The very next second. The colossal demo screen on stage flickered, a momentary freeze. Then, all the dazzling tracking boxes, the intricate CG animation, vanished instantly. In their place was a dead, unsettling blue screen. A line of white error code flashed briefly across the top of the screen. The applause and cheers in the hall abruptly ceased. Everyone froze. Murmurs rippled through the crowd. “What’s going on? Did it crash?” Brandon’s smile froze. He frantically tapped the keyboard, trying to restore the program, but it was all in vain. Then, the blue screen disappeared. A massive, pixelated red skull, grinning mockingly, dominated the center of the entire screen. Below the skull, a line of equally blood-red, constantly flashing giant numbers abruptly popped up. **[60]** Gasps swept through the audience, a commotion spreading like ripples in water. “What the hell is that?!” **[59]** The live chat instantly exploded. [OMG! What is this? A virus?] [The finals system got hacked?!] **[58]** Brandon was in full panic mode. He stared at the grinning skull on the screen, his body involuntarily stepping back. He stammered incoherently into the microphone: “No… no, it’s not that, this… this is just an accident, the program… the program just had a tiny bug…” His voice trembled, utterly unconvincing. The judges’ panel was in disarray. Staff members rushed onto the stage, clumsily trying to control the screen, pulling out power cables, but that blood-red countdown stubbornly pulsed on the dark screen. **[22]** **[21]** … In the midst of the extreme chaos, Brandon furiously rushed off the stage, heading straight for me. He abruptly raised his hand, his trembling finger pointing directly at me. “You did this, didn’t you?!” Countless eyes turned to me. The students around me whispered. “He’s Brandon’s roommate, isn’t he?” “How despicable, to pull such a dirty trick behind his back.” I just smiled faintly, saying nothing. He mistook my silence for guilt. He spun around, went back to the stage, grabbed the microphone, and yelled. “It’s him!” His voice, amplified by the microphone, shrilly echoed through the entire venue. “It’s my roommate, Asher, who planted a virus in my program!” Under the gaze of everyone present, I calmly closed my laptop and slowly stood up. All eyes in the audience snapped towards me, filled with scrutiny. I walked calmly onto the stage with my backpack. The moment Brandon saw me, it was as if he found an outlet for all his emotions. He pointed at me, sobbing hysterically: “It’s him! Professor Hayes, it’s him! He’s jealous I won the championship, jealous everyone’s paying attention to me! So he wants to ruin me! He’s ruined our school’s reputation!” His advisor, Professor Hayes, rushed onto the stage, his face ashen, and demanded in an undeniable, stern tone, “Asher! Why would you do this?!” “This competition is a testament to our school’s honor! This malicious act of sabotage is extremely serious! Do you have any idea how much negative impact you’ve caused the school?!” Dean Miller, one of the competition judges and our department head, now stepped forward, his face etched with heartache. He placed a hand on Brandon’s shoulder, comforting him in a paternal tone: “Brandon, don’t be afraid, we’ll get justice for you!” Then, he turned to me, his voice even graver: “Now is not the time to pursue motives, but to solve the problem! Asher, I order you to immediately hand over the virus you planted and explain how you did it! Cooperate for leniency! Otherwise, the most severe disciplinary action from the school awaits you!” On this nationally live-streamed stage, I was unequivocally branded as someone who had maliciously sabotaged the competition and tarnished the school’s reputation. Meanwhile, the live chat was in a frenzy. #AsherMaliciouslyPlantedVirus #ProdigyBrandonSabotagedByRoommate #ComputerScienceDepartmentDisgrace These hashtags instantly went viral. Countless uninformed viewers subjected me to online harassment with the most vicious language. On stage, three pairs of eyes glared at me, filled with anger and disdain. Brandon’s sobbing continued. He cried while accusing me of my “crimes,” portraying himself as a pure, innocent victim cruelly wronged. “Professor Hayes, Dean Miller, you must stand up for me! I sacrificed so many sleepless nights, so much effort for this competition… I was so close to success, and he ruined it all… I… I don’t want to live…” His performance was tearful and utterly convincing. Facing this overwhelming wave of slander and curses, I remained unusually calm. My composure seemed to infuriate them further. Professor Hayes’ face darkened even more: “Asher! What kind of attitude is that?! Do you think staying silent will get you off the hook?!” A staff member handed me a microphone. I took the microphone, feeling its cold metal. My gaze bypassed Professor Hayes and Dean Miller, falling directly on Brandon, who was still sobbing on the floor. I looked at him, a faint, almost imperceptible curve playing on my lips. Then, I spoke softly, my voice carried clearly through the microphone to every corner of the venue. “Brandon, I just have one question for you.” “What was the original filename of the program archive you submitted, as it appeared on my computer?” Brandon’s sobs abruptly stopped. His body stiffened instantly, a flicker of extreme panic flashing in his eyes. He opened his mouth, emitting a guttural “Uh… uh…” sound that, amplified by the microphone, sounded particularly harsh. Yet, he couldn’t utter a single word in response.

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My parents, behind my back, took out a three-million-dollar accidental death insurance policy in my name. That weekend, my dad took me fishing for the first time, out in the secluded area by the reservoir. He even bought me a hotdog, something usually only Chloe got. He knelt down, his voice heavy with emotion, as he adjusted my collar. “My little girl, don’t blame your dad.” “Your sister needs to study abroad, and we just can’t come up with that kind of money.” “Just help the family one last time, okay? Just go to sleep, and all the pain will be gone…” The words barely left his lips before he kicked me, hard, right into the reservoir behind us. 1 The icy, bone-chilling water instantly filled my nose and mouth. I couldn’t swim. Pure survival instinct made me thrash wildly, my arms and legs flailing without purpose. On the shore, my dad watched me with cold indifference, like he was looking at a dying insect. Beside him, my mom pulled out her phone, seemingly checking the time. Chloe, my sister, took out a compact mirror, meticulously touching up her lipstick, her voice laced with impatience. “Dad, why is she flailing for so long? What if someone sees?” Mom calmly reassured her. “Don’t worry, no one’s around at this hour. I checked. Adults drown in three to five minutes. She’s just a kid, it’ll be even quicker.” Dad nodded, his voice devoid of any warmth. “Just wait a little longer. Once she sinks, we’ll call 911 and say she accidentally fell in.” My strength was draining away, bit by bit. My consciousness started to fade. Why? All because Chloe wanted to go to an exclusive boarding school in the UK, which cost a million dollars a year. And the beneficiary of that three-million-dollar accidental death policy? My mom and dad. So, that hotdog I’d never been allowed to eat? It was my last supper. And my dad, calling me “my little girl” so gently for the first time? It was to send me to my grave. I hated them. A tearing pain ripped through my lungs, and I choked on several gulps of water. Just as I was about to lose consciousness completely, my body slowly sinking, a blinding light suddenly shone from not far away. Then, a man’s furious roar. “What the *f*?! Who’s out there?! Crew! Where’s the freaking crew?!” “Is someone in the water over there?! Get help, now!” I heard my parents and Chloe scream in panic on the shore. “Run! Someone’s coming!” In the chaos, something plunged into the water with a splash. I felt strong hands pulling me up to the surface. The last thing I saw was the anxious face of a young man in a black T-shirt. 2 When I woke up again, I found myself lying in a customized production van. A dry jacket, smelling faintly of tobacco, was draped over me. A gorgeous, super stylish woman with flawless makeup was gently drying my hair with a towel. “Awake? How do you feel?” I tried to speak, but my throat was burning, and no words came out. The stylish woman handed me a cup of warm water. “Drink slowly. You choked on a lot of water; your throat’s all scratched up.” I took small sips, looking around. Besides the beautiful woman, there was a man with silver hair, even more handsome than a movie star, leaning against the window, playing on his phone. And a burly guy with a buzz cut sat in the driver’s seat, his brows furrowed tightly. I remembered it was him who jumped in and saved me. The van door suddenly slid open, and a grizzled, middle-aged director with a scruffy beard and a wrinkled vest poked his head in. “She’s awake?” His voice was the same furious one I’d heard before I passed out. He sized me up, his tone impatient. “Hey, kid! Where are your parents? What are you doing by the reservoir in the middle of the night? If you’re having suicidal thoughts, don’t do it near our set! This is *so* freaking unlucky!” The stylish woman glared at him. “Director Jensen! She’s just a child!” The man, Director Jensen, grunted. He reached into his pocket for a pack of cigarettes, started to light one, then glanced at me and irritably shoved them back. “Alright, alright, Ava. Ask her for her family’s number. Get her folks to pick her up, so she doesn’t delay our shoot.” Family’s number… My body started to tremble uncontrollably. I couldn’t go home. If I went back, they’d push me into the water again, or find another way to kill me. Seeing me shake, Ava thought I was cold and wrapped the jacket tighter around me. She asked softly, “Skylar, right? Your student ID was in your pocket. Can you tell me your parents’ number?” I bit down hard on my lip, shaking my head desperately. The tears just wouldn’t stop. “I… I don’t want to go home…” Director Jensen got even more annoyed. “Hey, are you going to freeload off us now? If you don’t go home, are we supposed to feed you? I’m telling you, our crew is flat broke, we can’t afford any freeloaders!” The silver-haired man, Liam Hayes, put down his phone and spoke lazily. “Jensen, why bother getting upset with a child?” He walked over to me, knelt down, bringing his eyes level with mine. “Hey, kiddo, did you run away from home after an argument? Running away won’t solve anything. How about I take you home?” I cried, shrinking back and burying my face in Ava’s arms. “I didn’t run away… I just fell in by accident…” “My parents… they don’t know I’m here…” I didn’t dare tell them the truth. They were strangers. Why would they believe that my own parents tried to kill me? If they sent me back, it would be a death sentence. I had to lie. 3 Director Jensen looked at me, puzzled. “You fell in by yourself? What about your parents?” I clutched at the hem of my shirt, lowering my head and whispering, “They… they’re always very busy with work. I’m usually home alone.” “Then why were you out at such a secluded reservoir?” “I… I heard the scenery here was nice, so I wanted to come see…” My lies were full of holes. How could a teenage girl be out alone at a secluded reservoir in the middle of the night? Liam Hayes smiled faintly, saying nothing. Leo Stone, the guy with the buzz cut in the driver’s seat, looked back at me, his voice low. “Director, maybe we should call 911? Let the police find her family.” Call 911! The police would definitely contact my parents! I shuddered, grabbing Ava’s arm suddenly, pleading. “No! Please, don’t call 911!” My reaction was too intense. The three men in the van froze, all staring at me. Ava patted my back, soothing me gently. “Okay, okay, no 911, don’t get so worked up.” She looked up at Director Jensen. “Director, look how scared she is… How about we let her stay here for tonight? We can figure it out tomorrow?” Director Jensen’s brow furrowed so deeply it looked like he was trying to crush something between them. “This is a film set! Not a welfare center!” Though he said that, he still waved his hand, then turned and got out of the van. “Fine, fine! Just one night! But she has to be gone by tomorrow!” The door closed, shutting out the cold wind. Ava found me a clean set of clothes to change into and poured a bowl of hot porridge from an electric cooker. “Eat up. It’ll warm you.” The millet porridge was fragrant and soft. I held the bowl, and tears started to fall again. Ever since my grandma passed away, no one had made me hot porridge. Mom said cooking wasted time and interfered with her career. Meals at home were always made by the cleaning lady. The cleaning lady only knew how to make two dishes: plain steamed veggies and boiled plain veggies. Because Chloe had to watch her figure, Mom said plain veggies were best. And I just had to eat whatever they ate. Ava saw me only drinking the porridge and not speaking, and thought I didn’t like it. She dug a bag of teddy bear cookies out of her bag. “Not to your taste? Want some cookies instead?” I quickly shook my head, drinking the porridge clean, even licking the edges of the bowl. “It’s delicious! Thank you, Ava!” Ava smiled, stroking my head. “Silly girl.” That night, I slept on the long bench in the production van. Though it was narrow, I slept incredibly peacefully. But that peace was utterly shattered the next morning. I woke up to a commotion. Opening my eyes, I saw my parents and Chloe standing outside the van. Mom was holding Director Jensen’s hand, looking distraught and crying dramatically. “Director, thank you so much for saving our Skylar! We looked for her all night!” Dad’s eyes were red too, as he thanked them repeatedly. Chloe stood by, and when she saw I was awake, she immediately yelled at me. “Skylar! How could you be so thoughtless?! Threatening Mom and Dad by jumping in the water just because you don’t want me to go abroad! Do you know how worried everyone was about you?!” 4 Chloe’s words exploded like a thunderclap among the crew. Everyone looked at me with strange eyes. Turns out, I was the malicious sister who, out of jealousy for her sibling, jumped into the water to threaten her parents. Director Jensen’s face instantly darkened. Ava frowned too, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. I was ice cold, unable to speak. Mom rushed into the van and hugged me tight, but her hand viciously pinched my lower back. “Skylar, you scared your mother half to death! Come home with Mom, we can talk about anything there, don’t bother these nice people here!” The sharp pain made me gasp, and tears welled up involuntarily. To everyone else, it looked like a touching scene of mother-daughter reunion. Chloe also got into the van. She affectionately linked her arm through mine, but her nails dug into my flesh. She leaned close to my ear, whispering in a voice only we could hear, “Skylar, you got lucky. But it doesn’t matter, we have plenty of ways to deal with you at home.” “You’d better be a good girl, or next time, it won’t be as simple as pushing you into a reservoir.” I was so scared I stiffened, my legs completely unable to move. Dad walked over, a ‘kindly’ smile on his face, and said to the director, “I’m truly sorry, children can be so naughty and cause trouble. We’ll take her away now.” He reached out, trying to grab my arm. I flinched back in terror, screaming, “No! I’m not going with you!” Mom’s face hardened, her voice laced with threat. “Skylar! Stop acting up! Do you want me to discipline you in front of strangers?” Dad also lost his patience. He reached out directly, roughly dragging me out of the van. “Come on! Just wait till we get home, you ungrateful little monster!” The crew watched, but no one stepped forward to help. In their eyes, this was just a typical family dispute, parents disciplining a disobedient child. Despair instantly swallowed me. I was doomed. Just as my feet were dragged out of the van, and I was about to be shoved into my family’s car, a cool, clear voice suddenly spoke up. “Wait.” It was the silver-haired man, Liam Hayes. He leaned against the van door, slowly dangling something in his hand, a half-smile playing on his lips as he looked at my dad. “Mr. Miller, before you go, shouldn’t you explain this first?” My dad followed his gaze, and his face instantly turned chalk-white. In Liam’s hand was my dad’s car key, which he’d dropped by the reservoir yesterday. Attached to the key was a customized metal keychain. Engraved on it were the words: “Wishing Chloe success in her studies abroad and a bright future.” Liam jingled the key, smiling like a fox. “Your daughter ‘accidentally’ fell into the water in the middle of the night, and you, her parents, searched for her all night, yet you didn’t even realize your car key dropped at the scene of the incident?” He paused, his gaze sweeping over my parents, finally settling on my sister, Chloe. He spoke meaningfully, “And these words… wishing your esteemed daughter success in her studies abroad?” “Also, that three-million-dollar accidental death insurance policy, that must be for her tuition, right?” The words “accidental death insurance” dropped, and my parents and Chloe’s faces completely changed. 5 Mom shrieked, “What are you talking about?! What accidental death insurance?! We don’t know anything about it!” Dad also blustered, “Who are you? How dare you slander us! I’ll sue you for defamation!” Liam raised an eyebrow, ignoring their shouts, and turned his gaze to Director Jensen. Director Jensen understood. He cleared his throat and yelled to the surrounding crew members, “What are you all staring at?! Set up the cameras! It’d be a shame not to record such a brilliant scene as footage!” “Lights! Point the lights at their faces! Yes! I want that interrogation room effect!” The production assistants and lighting technicians immediately sprang into action. Several powerful lights instantly focused on my parents’ and Chloe’s faces. Leo, the cameraman, lugging his heavy camera, pointed it directly at my dad. “Mr. Miller, how do you manage to maintain your perfectly styled hair and spotless shoes after searching for your daughter all night? Could you share your grooming secrets?” Another PA held a boom mic right up to my mom’s mouth. “Madam, you just said you searched for your daughter all night, but your makeup is exquisite, and you don’t look like you’ve been up all night. Could you recommend the brand of foundation you use to our actresses?” My parents were stunned by this setup and couldn’t utter a single word. Chloe, being younger, couldn’t keep her composure. She pointed at Liam and shrieked, “You… you’re invading our privacy and infringing on our image rights! I’ll call 911!” “Call 911? Fine.” Liam smiled. He took out his phone and, right in front of them, dialed 91

“Hello, Officer? This is at Apricot Lake, just outside the city. Our film crew was shooting, and we’ve discovered a case that appears to be intentional homicide to defraud a large sum of insurance money…” At the words “intentional homicide,” my mom’s legs gave out, and she nearly collapsed. Dad’s face also turned from white to green, his lips trembling, unable to say a word. “Don’t… don’t call 911!” Dad finally reacted, snatching Liam’s phone and quickly hanging up. He forced a smile that looked worse than a cry. “Misunderstanding, it’s all a misunderstanding! We were just playing a joke with our child…” “A joke?” Liam took his phone back, his eyes turning cold. “Kicking your child into a reservoir, you call that a joke?” Dad’s cold sweat instantly broke out. “How… how do you know…” “Oh, I forgot to tell you.” Liam pointed to an inconspicuous corner on a nearby hillside. “We installed high-definition night vision cameras over there for our night shoots. The kind with audio recording.” “Every word you spoke and every action you took on the shore last night has been clearly recorded.” At these words, my parents and Chloe lost their last shred of color. Mom dropped to her knees with a thud, clutching Director Jensen’s leg and wailing. “Director, we were wrong! We’re not human! We were just confused for a moment! Please, let us go!” Dad also knelt, repeatedly bowing his head. “We’ll never dare again! Please, delete the video! We’ll pay whatever it takes!” Only Chloe remained standing. She glared at me viciously, her eyes like poisoned daggers. “Skylar! You bitch! How dare you conspire with outsiders to harm your own family! May you die a horrible death!” *SMACK!* A crisp slap echoed. It was Ava. She had gotten out of the van at some point and stood in front of Chloe, her eyes as cold as ice. “Watch your mouth. Say one more curse word to her, and I’ll rip your tongue out.” 6 Chloe clutched her face, looking at Ava in disbelief. “You hit me? Do you know who I am?” Ava sneered. “I don’t care who you are. I hit you because you’re an ill-mannered brat.” Chloe trembled with rage, wanting to lunge at Ava, but Dad yanked her back. “Stop it!” Dad roared, wanting nothing more than to defuse the situation. Director Jensen waved his hand, signaling Leo to move the camera. He walked over to my parents, looking down at them. “The video can be deleted.” My parents’ eyes lit up, as if they’d found a lifeline. “However,” Director Jensen’s tone shifted, “you must agree to one condition.” “What condition? Not just one, we’ll agree to a hundred!” Director Jensen pointed at me. “From today on, this child has no more connection to your family. You are not allowed to look for her again, nor are you allowed to harm her. ” “She’s with our crew now.” Mom paused, then a look of ecstatic joy spread across her face. “Good! Good! No problem! We promise never to look for her again!” To my mom, I was nothing but a burden. Now that someone else was willing to take me, she couldn’t be happier. Dad also nodded repeatedly, afraid Director Jensen would change his mind. Only Chloe, unwilling, cried out, “Dad! Mom! Are you crazy?! What about the three million? What about my tuition?!” Dad glared at her fiercely. “What’s more important, money or jail?!” Chloe immediately deflated. Director Jensen pulled a piece of paper and a pen from his pocket, tossing them in front of my dad. “Words aren’t enough. Write an agreement, in case you go back on your word. Clearly state that you voluntarily give up your parental rights to Skylar. From now on, her life, death, and everything in between, has nothing to do with you. And I’ll delete the video in front of you.” Dad picked up the pen without hesitation and quickly wrote the severance agreement, even pulling Mom to press her fingerprint. After doing all that, Dad didn’t even glance at me, looking expectantly at the director. “Now can you delete the video?” Director Jensen pulled a USB drive from his pocket and, in front of them, burned it with a lighter. “This was the only backup.” Seeing the video completely destroyed, my parents breathed a sigh of relief. They grabbed Chloe and fled in disarray. As if chased by ghosts. Watching their heartless backs, my heart felt like it was soaking in ice water, cold and numb. A warm hand gently rested on my head. It was Ava. She knelt down, gently wiping the tears from my face. “Don’t be scared. We’re your family now.” Liam also walked over. He took off his jacket and draped it over me. “Come on, let’s go get some good food.” Leo silently brought the production van closer. Director Jensen, his face stern, stuffed the severance agreement into his pocket and grumbled, “Raising a kid is such a pain in the ass.” Though his tone was harsh, I saw that his eyes were red. That day, they took me away from the reservoir, to the best restaurant in the city. For the first time, I ate lobster bigger than my face, and for the first time, I drank sweet fruit juice. That night, Ava took me to the mall and bought me many beautiful new dresses, and a big, fluffy teddy bear. Holding the teddy bear, lying on the soft bed in the hotel, I felt like I was dreaming. A beautiful dream where I wouldn’t drown, wouldn’t be abandoned. 7 The film crew’s schedule was delayed by the incident, so they had to rest in the city for a while. I also gained a new identity – Director Jensen’s “distant niece” and the crew’s little assistant. My job was simple: serving tea and water, and handing out things. Everyone on the crew was very kind to me. Ava cooked delicious meals for me every day, and after a month, I finally gained a little weight. Leo was a man of few words, but he would quietly slip me the sweetest fruits and, when he saw I had mosquito bites, silently buy the best insect repellent. Liam was a bit of a jerk, always teasing me and calling me “little pity,” but he gave me all the expensive snacks his fans sent him and taught me how to play video games. Director Jensen always complained that I was clumsy, but he would spend an entire afternoon patiently teaching me how to read storyboards and position cameras. He said, “A girl needs to learn a skill to support herself, can’t always rely on others.” I took his words to heart. During the day, I studied with the crew, and at night, I read books in my hotel room. All my textbooks were lost when I was pushed into the reservoir, so Liam downloaded a full set of digital textbooks onto his tablet for me. I didn’t want to fall behind in my studies. Director Jensen was right; I needed my own skills. Two months of peaceful days passed. One evening, Ava suddenly received a phone call, and her face turned grim. After hanging up, she looked at me, hesitant. “Skylar, your… your parents are looking for you.” My heart sank. They found me here. Turns out, they never intended to let me go. That severance agreement was just a temporary measure to get themselves out of trouble. Sure enough, the next day, my parents, along with Chloe, stormed into the hotel where our crew was staying. Behind them were several reporters carrying cameras. As soon as Mom saw me, she rushed over, clutching me and wailing dramatically. “My daughter! My mom finally found you! You were kidnapped by these human traffickers, you must have suffered so much!” The reporters’ flashbulbs immediately started flashing wildly at us. Chloe also squeezed closer, grabbing my hand and crying to the cameras, “My sister was tricked by this film crew! They won’t let her come home and are forcing her to work! Please, everyone, help us!” Dad, with a look of indignant grief, pointed at Director Jensen. “It’s him! He tricked us into signing some contract and is holding our daughter here, not letting her leave! They’re gangsters! They’re human traffickers!” In the hotel lobby, all eyes were on us. I watched my parents and Chloe’s shameless performance, twisting the truth, and trembled with anger. Director Jensen’s face was as black as a thundercloud. Liam was so angry he actually laughed. “Holy shit, I’ve seen shameless people, but never *this* shameless.” 8 Ava shielded me, looking coldly at my mom. “Madam, you can eat whatever you want, but you can’t just say whatever you want. It was written in black and white, you voluntarily gave up your parental rights.” Mom immediately scrambled to her feet, pointing her finger at Ava. “You little slut! You’re the one who seduced my daughter! You guys used violence to threaten us into signing! We were forced!” A reporter immediately thrust a microphone in front of my mom. “Madam, are you implying that the film crew used illegal means to force you to relinquish your daughter’s custody?” “Yes! That’s exactly it!” Mom cried even louder for the cameras. “They saw that our Skylar was pretty and wanted to control her, to make her act in inappropriate films to make money! They’re a bunch of beasts!” This was a vicious and poisonous smear. “Acting in inappropriate films”—that accusation was enough to destroy the entire film crew. Director Jensen’s lips trembled with rage. “You… you’re slandering us!” “I’m slandering you?” Dad sneered. He pulled a stack of photos from his bag and scattered them on the ground. The photos showed me working on set. There was one of me handing water to Liam, one of me helping Ava with a makeup case, and one of me sitting behind the director’s monitor, learning. But these photos were taken from extremely tricky angles. The photo of me handing water looked like I was subserviently serving Liam. The photo of me carrying Ava’s case looked like I was being exploited as a laborer. And the photo of me sitting behind the monitor was blurred, the screen’s contents unclear. Combined with what my mom had just said, it easily led to wild speculation. Dad pointed at the photos, heartbroken, and said to the reporters, “Look, everyone! My daughter is only a teenager, still a student! They’re enslaving her like this! How is this any different from child labor?!” The reporters were like sharks smelling blood, turning their cameras on Director Jensen and Liam. “Director, do you have any explanation for this?” “Mr. Hayes, as a public figure, did you participate in the exploitation of a minor?” Liam’s face was incredibly grim. He was an up-and-coming star; this kind of negative news would be devastating to his career. Director Jensen was too angry to speak. They were the ones who saved me, and now, because of me, they were being slandered as human traffickers and beasts. My heart ached as if being cut by a knife. It was all my fault. I had dragged them down. Looking at my parents and Chloe’s smug faces, a huge wave of anger and powerlessness washed over me. I broke free from Ava’s protective embrace and shouted at the reporters, “No! They didn’t trick me! I didn’t want to go home myself!” Chloe immediately ran over, covering my mouth, looking at me with a ‘heartbroken’ expression. “Sister, don’t be scared. With the reporters here, they can’t do anything to you. Have they brainwashed you?” As she spoke, she whispered into my ear with a venomous voice, “Skylar, you can’t fight us. Just come back home obediently, or I’ll make sure this film crew, everyone here, is ruined.” 9 Chloe’s threat was like a poisonous snake, coiling around my heart. I looked at Director Jensen’s ashen face, at Liam’s clenched fists, at Ava’s worried eyes. I couldn’t drag them down. I took a deep breath and pushed Chloe away. Then, to everyone’s shock, I fell to my knees in front of my parents with a thud. “Dad, Mom, I was wrong.” I hung my head, letting the tears fall. “I shouldn’t have run away, shouldn’t have made you worry. I’ll come home with you.” My parents froze, clearly not expecting me to suddenly back down. The reporters were also stunned. Chloe was the first to react. She immediately helped me up, smiling ‘relievedly’ at the camera. “That’s wonderful, my sister finally came to her senses.” Mom also immediately got into character, hugging me and crying disingenuously. “It’s good you’re back, it’s good you’re back. Mom doesn’t blame you.” Only I knew what I was truly thinking. Compromise was only temporary. I was going home. Back to that hell, to find the direct evidence they wanted to kill me for. I was going to personally send them to real hell. Director Jensen and the others started to come forward, but I subtly shook my head at them. Their eyes were filled with worry and confusion, but in the end, they didn’t move. And so, I followed my parents, ‘escorted’ by the reporters, out of the hotel. The moment the car door closed, the smile on Mom’s face vanished. She delivered a stinging slap across my face. “You little slut, you’ve gotten brave, haven’t you?! Finding helpers?!” Dad also turned around from the front seat, his eyes vicious. “We’ll deal with you properly once we get home!” Chloe sat next to me, smiling triumphantly. She pulled out her phone and played a news report about the commotion at the hotel. “Sister, look, now everyone knows you’re a thoughtless, ungrateful little monster. That film crew is finished too, their movie will never see the light of day.” She leaned closer to my ear, her voice a devil’s whisper: “Forgot to tell you, that three-million-dollar insurance policy expires next month. So, this month, you *have* to die ‘accidentally’.” “Tell me, this time, should we have you fall from a high-rise? Or… maybe an electrical accident?” Outside the car window, city lights sped by. My face was burning with pain, but my heart was calmer than ever before. I looked out the window, silently saying to Director Jensen and the others:

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My period was two months late, so I went to the OB/GYN. The doctor, pushing up her glasses, looked at the report I’d just received. “Where’s your husband? Didn’t he come?” I shook my head, a sinking feeling growing in my stomach. “He’s buried in work, as always. No time for me.” The doctor, a woman in her forties, looked at me with a hint of pity. I was terrified, praying it wasn’t what I thought. “If you’re pregnant, he should take good care of you. No matter how busy work gets, your wife is the most important.” Sure enough, I was pregnant! “The baby’s perfectly healthy. Just take some folic acid.” I walked out of the consultation room in a daze, clutching the folic acid prescription, and slumped onto a bench downstairs. It was early spring, and the sun felt warm on my skin, but I was ice cold inside. Because I didn’t have a husband. Just an ex-boyfriend. And we’d broken up just last week. I had no idea what to do about this baby. I couldn’t bring myself to abort it. Maybe I’d keep it for now. Worst case, I’d become a single mom. It would be tough, but I could do it. — Monday, I went to work as usual. Julian emerged from his office and stopped in front of me. He’d left for a business trip right after we broke up, exactly as I’d expected. He still looked the same, utterly unaffected, unlike me who’d been a wreck for a whole week. “Is this document yours? Do you even know how ridiculous these figures are?” Julian was always like this at work—absolutely merciless. We’d been together for over two years, and not once had anyone in the company found out about us. I’d chased him relentlessly back then, convinced I could melt that icy heart of his. But I never became his exception. Julian’s eyes, framed by his glasses, were drilling into me. He saw me lost in thought and his tone sharpened. “Audrey Miller, did your brain go on vacation for the weekend? Need another day off?” He was much fiercer than usual, and I didn’t know why. Even though he didn’t know I was carrying his baby, pregnant women tend to be emotional. I felt a mix of anger and guilt. “Oh yeah, the guys at the club were so hot, I’m still reeling from it.” His eyes turned colder, his lips pressed into a tight line. I knew this was a sign he was extremely angry, but I wasn’t scared at all. If Julian so much as glares at me again, I’m packing my bags and walking out. I quit! After mentally drafting my resignation letter, Julian spoke again. His gaze was complex, and he took a deep breath. “Get this to me before noon.” This wasn’t what I’d expected. Usually, when he was that angry, he’d either ice me out or find some other way to make my life hell. This time, he was so calm. It really seemed like there was nothing left between us. I picked up the file. I’d asked Willow, the new intern I was training, to submit it for me last Friday. I checked the document carefully and found that the data was completely different from what I’d put together. Good thing I had a copy saved on my computer. I cross-referenced everything and confirmed there were no issues. When Willow returned from the breakroom, I walked over to her with a smile. “Willow, did you submit that file for me last Friday?” Her eyes darted away. “Yes, I did.” “Really? I remember my data was all correct, but Mr. Vance said I made a mistake.” Willow jumped to her feet, her eyes welling up with tears. She lowered her head and apologized pitifully in front of me. “Audrey, I’m so sorry. I accidentally spilled something on the file, and the data was unreadable, so I reprinted it… I didn’t realize I got the data wrong…” We had many similar documents in our company; the templates were all the same. You just had to change the title and data to print a new one, so she wasn’t necessarily lying about that part. I scoffed. “Then why didn’t you call me?” Willow looked behind me, her tears falling even faster. “I… I did call, but I don’t know why you didn’t answer.” I rolled my eyes. This ‘innocent’ act is starting. Last Friday, I was in a rush to go home and throw out all of Julian’s things. My phone was in my pocket the whole time. She definitely didn’t call. I pulled out my phone, found my call log for last Friday, and showed the screen to Willow. “See for yourself. Did you call me?” Willow’s voice was tiny, as if she were scared. “Audrey, you could’ve just deleted it…” I was about to say more when Julian’s voice came from behind me. “Is it that hard to admit your mistake?” I didn’t know who he was talking to. I turned around, ready to snap back at him, but then I realized he was staring at Willow. “She gave you the file out of trust. It’s your mistake if you soiled it. She’s perfectly entitled to ignore your calls outside of work hours.” Willow’s face went pale. She looked at me for help, but I ignored her. She seemed to just throw caution to the wind, losing her earlier fragile demeanor. “Then isn’t it her fault for giving the file to an intern like me?” Julian gave her a cold glance. “Her mistake was giving the file to someone so scatterbrained. Are interns incapable of even submitting a document correctly?” Willow had nothing to say. She glared at me with resentment. I was a bit confused. Julian was the one who fired her! What did that have to do with me? It made no sense for her to hate *me*! Was it just because he was good-looking? “Head to HR and get your final check. We don’t have room for incompetence here.” Julian’s words were always sharp. He used to talk to me like that when we were together, always making me absolutely furious. It was actually pretty satisfying to watch him do it to someone else. Julian finished speaking and then looked at me. “Come to my office.” I didn’t know what he wanted now. More trouble for me? He leaned back in his office chair, his eyes fixed on me through his glasses. I felt like he was about to rip into me. A minute passed. I felt incredibly uncomfortable. Just as I was about to bolt out the door, Julian spoke. “I’m sorry.” “What?” I looked up in surprise. This was the first time I’d ever heard Julian apologize. He ran a hand over his forehead, seeming a little exasperated. “I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that before.” Julian’s apology made me feel awkward. If he had yelled, I could have yelled back. But an apology? I really didn’t know how to react. “It’s my fault too. I shouldn’t have been lazy and given the file to her.” This was the first time we’d spoken calmly since the breakup. I still remembered the hysterical scene on the day we broke up. I must have looked awful, screaming so loudly. We fell into a sudden silence in the office. The atmosphere was awkward and loaded with unspoken tension. I just wanted to escape. “How… how have you been this past week?” This was the first time Julian had ever asked me a personal question during work hours. When we were dating, I used to flirt with him in the office when no one else was around, and he’d just sternly glare at me. I shrugged it off with a smile. “Oh, pretty good. I’ve been fine.” A flicker of sadness seemed to cross Julian’s eyes, but the next second, he put on a serious face again. I wondered if I’d imagined it. “Good. It’s good you haven’t let personal emotions affect your work.” “You can go now. Keep up the good work.” His eyes were a little red. I thought he looked like he wanted to cry. Then I immediately dismissed the thought. Must be my pregnancy brain messing with me. Julian? Cry? No way. Willow was already packing her things. She’d only been working a couple of days, so she didn’t have much. She was done in no time. As she was leaving, she came up to me and whispered something. “Wishing you and Julian a lifetime of happiness.” My hand tightened around the tea mug. How did she know? No one in the company knew about Julian and me. How did *she* know? I’d always felt like Willow looked familiar. Suddenly, I remembered seeing her when I was taking a walk with Julian in our neighborhood. But what good was thinking about it now? We were already broken up. The thought made me a little sad, but I still smiled at Willow. “Thanks for the blessing. We will be happy.” I got to see Willow’s face twist instantly, and I felt like a triumphant queen bee. Please. After two years with Julian, I’d picked up a few tricks from him on how to really get under someone’s skin. Willow, a mere intern, thought she could contend with me? The company was efficient, so someone quickly filled Willow’s position. The new intern, Noah, wasn’t just good-looking; he was sweet-talking and diligent too. Definitely more likable than Willow. “Audrey, are you free after work?” I glanced at Noah. He had a pretty, baby-faced look. No wonder all the older ladies in the office always looked out for him. “What’s up?” “Brenda and the others are having a get-together, and they asked me to invite you.” I looked at Brenda, whose eyes were blinking incessantly. I instantly understood what she meant. She was trying to set me up again. Brenda and the others didn’t know I’d had a boyfriend before. They always thought I was twenty-five and had never dated. But in reality, I’d just broken up and wasn’t looking to start a new relationship so soon. “Maybe not.” Noah seemed a little disappointed, lowering his head. “Are you not going because of me, Audrey? Brenda said you usually join them for these get-togethers.” “If you’re not going because of me, then I’ll just go home tonight. I don’t want to bother you all.” “After all, I’m just a new hire. I haven’t earned the right to join your gatherings yet.” Damn it, Noah’s act reminded me so much of Willow’s ‘innocent’ act. She used that same expression every time she tried to shirk work. But still, Noah was kinda charming. Brenda must have overheard Noah’s words, a small smile playing on her lips. “Fine, I’ll go.” Noah immediately looked up, his bright, sparkling eyes fixed on me like a puppy who’d just gotten a treat. “Then wait for us after work, Audrey!” “Okay.” A sweet, puppy-like guy! He was so adorable! I started to scold myself mentally. I’m pregnant. I shouldn’t be thinking about unhealthy thoughts. Suddenly, I felt a chill. I turned around to find Julian holding a teacup, staring at us with a blank expression. I had no idea how long he’d been listening. His eyes were red again. I figured there must be something wrong with his eyes. They’d been red on and off lately. Should I subtly suggest he get them checked at the hospital? Never mind. He’s just my ex. It’s none of my business. The dinner was at a fantastic BBQ restaurant. There were five or six of us, so we got a private room. Noah sat right next to me. While we waited for the meat to arrive, Brenda started. “So, Noah, how old are you this year? Do you have a girlfriend?” Noah seemed a little nervous. “Twenty-two. No girlfriend.” Brenda’s eyes twinkled with delight. Everyone else was looking at Noah… and then at me next to him. “Do you have anyone you like?” Noah’s ears turned bright red. He timidly glanced at me. “…Yes.” I was mortified. It couldn’t be what I was thinking, could it? Noah liked *me*? I barely remembered us knowing each other for a few days! Brenda finally shut up, her suggestive gaze flickering between Noah and me. Everyone else was grinning and secretly chuckling. I felt awkward and tried to lighten the mood. “Oh, where’s the meat? I’m starving.” “Noah, could you go check?” Noah, his face bright red, left the private room. The moment he was gone, the room erupted in chatter. Brenda was laughing the loudest. “Oh Audrey, look how attentive Noah is to you.” I feigned annoyance. “Brenda, stop kidding around. Noah’s shy.” Brenda covered her mouth, still giggling. Just as she was about to say something else, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen before cautiously answering. “Hello, Mr. Vance.” “Yes, that’s right.” “You’re coming too?” “Okay. It’s at [XX BBQ Restaurant], room number [XX].” Brenda hung up the phone, looking hesitant. I picked up a slice of marinated lotus root from the table and asked casually. “What? Mr. Vance is coming too?” Brenda sighed. “Yes, he asked if we were having a get-together and said he wanted to ‘exchange feelings’ with us.” “…” The room instantly fell silent because no one believed a word Julian said. He’d never joined us for a get-together before. Who knew what crazy idea he had this time? Remembering his serious work demeanor, I silently put down my chopsticks. Maybe someone had messed up again, and he was here to interrogate us. Wasn’t causing trouble also a way of “exchanging feelings”? When Noah returned, he was carrying two plates of meat. He set them on the table and immediately started grilling. “It’s busy tonight, and the kitchen still needs to slice more meat. I brought these two plates first. Dig in, everyone.” He was very skilled at grilling meat; he clearly did it often. Once it was cooked, he first placed a piece on my plate. “Audrey, eat up. You said you were hungry, right?” Everyone eating with us was a close colleague, so no one was displeased. Instead, they teased us. I got hungry easily after becoming pregnant, so I didn’t care about feeling embarrassed right now. “Thanks. You should get some for Brenda and the others too.” Brenda waved her fork and said to everyone around, “Oh, no need. Noah, just take care of Audrey. We’ll help ourselves.” Her words were full of innuendo, and Noah’s face turned red again. I ate my grilled meat, sighing inwardly. Noah was indeed a fresh graduate. He couldn’t handle such obvious teasing very well. Look at his face, red as a baboon’s behind. He still needed more practice. “Excuse me, I’m late.” Julian pushed open the room door, his deep voice filling the private room. Everyone stood up. “Mr. Vance.” He pulled out the chair next to me and gestured for everyone to sit down. “Eat up, everyone. It’s on me tonight.” For a moment, no one in the room spoke, only the sizzling sound of the grilling meat. Julian frowned. “Why is no one talking? Is this how you usually have dinner?” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and mutter softly. “With you here, who dares to speak?” I don’t know if Julian heard me, but he softened his tone. “Am I causing trouble for you? Don’t worry, just treat me like a regular colleague.” Even though he said that, no one in the room spoke up. Seeing his furrowed brows, I still felt a pang of sympathy. Two years of feelings—how could they be forgotten so easily? “Noah, get some grilled meat for Mr. Vance to try.” Noah was startled for a moment, then picked up several pieces and placed them on Julian’s plate. “Mr. Vance, this is really good. You should try it.” Julian glanced at me, then thanked Noah in a cool, detached voice. “Thank you. You’re quite skilled.” Noah had only been with the company for a few days, so he wasn’t as intimidated by Julian. Hearing Julian praise his skill, he became embarrassed. “Oh, not at all. It’s really simple. Mr. Vance, if you like it, have more.” “Mm.” Julian lowered his head and picked up the grilled meat from his plate. The atmosphere in the room began to ease. Gradually, people started talking. I breathed a sigh of relief. The dinner party was finally back to normal. The thought of how I’d just helped Julian out made me want to give myself a huge slap. Never mind. The dining environment was important. I’d just do it for the little one in my belly. “Here, Audrey, eat more.” Noah was incredibly proactive, continuously putting food on my plate. “Thanks. You eat too.” “Mm, you first, Audrey.” Since everyone was relaxed now, Brenda started joking around again. “Oh, I see Noah is really good to Audrey. Why don’t you two just get together?” I instinctively glanced at Julian next to me. His eyes were dark, and a cold smile played on his lips. This was not a good sign! Noah next to me scratched his head. “Brenda, stop kidding around.” Julian suddenly spoke, picking up a piece of meat for his plate as he did, as if it were an offhand remark. “Doesn’t Audrey Miller already have a boyfriend?” Brenda and Noah froze. I gritted my teeth. “We broke up.” Brenda recovered. “Audrey, you’re so secretive! You had a boyfriend and didn’t even tell us. But since you’ve broken up, don’t dwell on him. You have to move forward, right?” I nodded. “Yes, I have to move forward.” Noah was also curious about my breakup. He asked me, “Who initiated the breakup?” Brenda glared at Noah, signaling him not to ask such a question, but it was clear she was just as interested. Anyway, it had been a long time since we broke up. Besides who my boyfriend was, there was nothing else to hide. “I did.” Facing a host of curious gazes, I shrugged indifferently. “I caught him having a clandestine affair with another woman.” I stated it plainly, but everyone else seemed more agitated than me. They were all righteous indignation, wishing they could drag my ex-boyfriend out and punish him on the spot. “What?! What kind of jerk is that?” “He just couldn’t control himself?” “Audrey, you’re amazing. Why would you stay with him?” “Audrey, he’s terrible. If I had you, I would never do something like that.” “…” They had no idea that the male lead they were cursing and despising was right here, eating with them. Julian’s face grew darker and darker. “Alright, everyone, eat up.” The moment he spoke, everyone in the room instantly calmed down. Perhaps out of consideration for me, they started talking about harmless topics. Noah looked at me with a complex expression. “Audrey, you’re so wonderful. How could you have fallen for such a jerk?” I glanced at the ‘jerk’ Noah was referring to, feeling incredibly pleased. “I must have been completely blind back then. I just liked him because he was handsome.” Noah seemed to pluck up his courage. He looked at me. “Audrey, I… I’m handsome too. That’s what all the girls at school say…” Before he could finish, Julian’s glass suddenly fell to the floor and shattered. He stared expressionlessly at the broken glass. Noah’s words were interrupted, and he seemed to lose his nerve, lowering his head, his long eyelashes obscuring his eyes. “I’ll go call a waiter to clean it up.” I got up and walked around Noah, leaving the private room. I had originally intended to turn him down, but now that he hadn’t finished speaking, I couldn’t refuse him. “Sigh.” “Are you disappointed? Because he didn’t finish his confession?” Footsteps sounded behind me, and Julian grabbed my arm. “It has nothing to do with you.” I looked at Julian coldly, wanting him to let go. “Ha.” He scoffed softly, and my scalp began to tingle. Oh no, he was starting again. “Nothing to do with me? Audrey Miller, how long has it been since we broke up? And you’re already falling for someone else?” Julian’s eyes were bloodshot, and it looked like tears were welling up in them. The private room was on the third floor, and there was no one else in the corridor here. I didn’t have to worry about anyone finding out about our relationship like before.

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Five years into my marriage with Julian Thorne, the golden boy of the city’s elite, everyone whispered about how fiercely he adored me, how he’d give his life for me. But because I couldn’t get pregnant, his parents’ subtle hints turned into outright demands. The man who, on our wedding day, vowed to protect me forever, eventually shed tears. “Harper, I can’t hold on anymore.” It turned out a man’s promises could be so fleeting. Less than two months later, I saw him carefully helping a pregnant woman. They were at the prenatal clinic. … “My baby is definitely going to look just like his daddy when he grows up—sharp features, striking eyes, incredibly handsome. He might even have a red mole near his eye, just like his father.” The boastful female voice was piercing in the quiet hallway, drawing glances from others. I, Harper Reed, couldn’t help but look twice. She wore a mask, but the triumph in her eyes was unmistakable. Listening to her describe her baby’s future looks, I couldn’t help but think of someone else: my husband of five years. Julian Thorne, the famous scion of the most powerful family in the city. He also had a red mole near his eye. Just as I was about to approach them, the public address system called my name. Across the table, the doctor holding my test results wore a grave expression. It made my hands clench involuntarily, my heart squeezed tight, making it hard to breathe. I don’t know how long passed before the doctor’s pronouncement echoed in my ears: “Ms. Reed, all your current physical indicators are normal.” “As for why you haven’t been able to conceive all these years, we’re not sure. Perhaps further examinations….” I couldn’t hear anything else the doctor said. My mind was flooded with the fact that my body was normal, yet for all these years, I just couldn’t get pregnant. Stumbling out of the clinic, I sank onto a nearby chair, dazed, staring at the report. Tears fell, one after another, slowly soaking the paper. Julian and I were childhood sweethearts, inseparable since we were kids. Everyone in our circle knew I was his ‘White Moonlight’ – a pure, untouchable ideal. When I was seventeen, he called me under a sycamore tree. His face flushed in the moonlight, he pulled out hundreds of love letters he’d written over the years and stammered out his confession. The day I turned twenty, the legal age for marriage, he proposed to me without hesitation. He said, “Harper, I was afraid if I waited even a moment longer, someone else would snatch you away.” Because I preferred to keep things private, and because he wanted to protect me completely, our wedding reception was only for close family and friends. Few outsiders knew about it. But that didn’t diminish Julian’s love for me. Especially after I discovered I couldn’t conceive, he consistently comforted me, taking all the blame, insisting it was his fault. When his parents pressured me, he stood firmly in front of me, his face cold, declaring that he was the one who didn’t want children. If they continued to pressure me, he would give up his position as heir. I was deeply touched, but also consumed by guilt. To get pregnant sooner, I started trying all sorts of unconventional treatments. Eventually, I became a regular at the fertility clinic. But five years passed, and my womb remained silent. I left the hospital and pulled out my phone, wanting to call Julian. I desperately wanted to see him right now, to have him hold me close. But then I remembered he was still at work, so I put my phone away, deciding to take a cab to his company instead. As I entered the company building, I saw a man whose back looked exactly like Julian’s, carefully helping a pregnant woman up the stairs. “Julian…?” I tentatively called out his name. Julian instinctively turned his head. Seeing me, his body stiffened slightly. He quickly said something to the woman beside him. After she left, he descended the stairs and stood in front of me, blocking my view. A surge of confusion hit me. Why was he acting so anxious? “Who was that, just now?” Julian’s expression was composed. “Just a stranger. She was pregnant and struggling, so I simply offered a hand.” Since childhood, Julian had always maintained strict boundaries with other women. He never touched anyone but me. Even all the secretaries at his company were men. Our social circle even called him a total wife-guy, and he never felt ashamed, readily admitting, “Yes, I’m a wife-guy. Except for Harper, I’m allergic to all other women.” How could someone so reserved around other women suddenly reach out to help a stranger, a pregnant one at that? But my questions were quickly cut short by Julian. “By the way, what did the doctor say about your report?” A pang of disappointment flickered in my eyes. The wave of sadness I’d just pushed down came crashing back, and my eyes began to well up again. He instantly realized what was happening, pulling me into his embrace, gently patting my back to comfort me. “Harper, it’s okay.” “I’ve always told you, don’t put so much pressure on yourself about getting pregnant. I can completely accept not having children. In my heart, you’re the only one that matters.” “Don’t cry, it breaks my heart to see you cry.” He finished, lovingly brushing away a tear still clinging to my cheek with his thumb, then leaned down to kiss me. After a long while, his tenderness finally soothed my emotions, and I squeezed his large hand in return. Back at the villa, Julian went into the bathroom. I sat alone on the bed, about to put the examination report into a drawer. Suddenly, a text message notification chimed, and the hand holding the report froze. My body trembled uncontrollably. After a long moment, I took a deep breath, picked up my phone, and opened the message. Sure enough, it was another reminder from Eleanor about having a baby. Ever since I couldn’t get pregnant, Eleanor would text me every now and then, asking if I’d had check-ups, and when I’d finally conceive. It had gotten to the point where any text message notification would fill me with an inexplicable sense of dread. Until the phone screen went dark, I closed my eyes, struggling within myself for a long time before reopening them. I opened the closet and pulled out a dress I’d kept hidden away. The bathroom door silently opened, and a pair of delicate hands wrapped around him from behind. Julian’s body stiffened. Before he could turn around, I slowly buried my head in his neck, my soft lips gently brushing against him. “Julian… I want…” A flicker of tenderness crossed his eyes. “Harper, you don’t have to do this. We’re not in a hurry about a baby.” My slender fingers traced down his abdomen, and his breathing hitched. “But I want it right now…” Julian’s eyes deepened. He scooped me up into his arms, then gently dropped me onto the bed, leaning over me. His burning kisses rained down, one after another, our breaths growing heavier and heavier. “Harper…” Just then, a jarring ringtone pierced the air. But Julian ignored it, his kisses continuing to shower my neck and shoulders. I gasped for air, pushing at him. “Julian… your phone…” Julian still didn’t answer the call, simply pulling me back closer. “Forget it, just focus on us.” The insistent ringing continued, finally shattering the intimate atmosphere. Julian kissed my forehead reassuringly. “I’ll just take this call and be right back.” He said, then grabbed his phone and walked out the door. I also got up and walked towards the balcony. Julian never took calls away from me, no matter how big or small the matter. What kind of call required him to hide it? Just as I was about to push open the balcony door, Julian opened it first. His brows were furrowed as he spoke softly, soothing the person on the other end. Seeing me approach, he cupped the receiver and looked at me apologetically. “Harper, something urgent came up at the company. I have to go immediately.” Without waiting for my reply, he grabbed the keys from the table and disappeared into the night. The light in my eyes instantly dimmed, and a bitter taste welled up in my heart. Ever since Julian took over the company, he rarely came home. The time we spent together in bed had become incredibly scarce. Now, this precious opportunity had vanished like a bubble. I stood there, lost in thought for a long while, before bending down to pick up the scattered clothes on the floor. As I carried the clothes to the laundry room, a piece of paper slipped from Julian’s pocket. I was about to pick it up, but my pupils suddenly constricted when I saw the words on it. My heart began to pound uncontrollably. The words “PRENATAL CHECK-UP REPORT” stared back at me. And in the space for the family member’s signature. Julian Thorne’s name was boldly written! A ‘buzz’ filled my ears, drowning out everything else. My trembling hand picked up the prenatal check-up report. At first, I thought I had misread it. After all, there were so many people with the same name in the world. But after scrutinizing it for a long time, I could no longer deceive myself. Ever since I was a child, Julian had signed all my report cards.

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“Professor Thompson, I’d like to apply for the Orion Project.” Jade Miller’s voice echoed with crisp clarity in the silent room. Professor Thompson, on the other end of the line, sounded utterly surprised. “Jade, didn’t you turn it down last time because of your boyfriend? What changed your mind so suddenly? This is a classified project; once you’re in, you’ll be isolated for five years with no contact with the outside world. You really need to think this through.” Jade had already made up her mind before calling, so her resolve was firm. Seeing her so decisive, Professor Thompson relented, “Alright, if you’ve thought it through, then find some time to come to the university and sign the agreement. The project starts in half a month, and someone will pick you up then. I thought you and your boyfriend had a good thing going. Remember to tell him about this.” Jade knew Professor Thompson meant well. But she just lowered her gaze to the silver ring on her finger, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes. “No need to. I’ve already decided to break up with him.” Just as the words left her lips, a soft creak came from the unlocked wooden door. Liam Thorne, in a black T-shirt, pushed the door open. His physique was tall and lean, his profile sharply defined. “Who are you on the phone with?” Jade looked up at him, quickly found an excuse, and hung up the call. “Just my roommate, talking about post-graduation plans.” Liam didn’t press further. A smile playing on his lips, he walked over, pulling a bracelet from his pocket and showing it to her. “I worked part-time for a whole month to finally get you this gift. Do you like it?” Jade merely glanced at it, her tone flat. “It’s pretty.” Her unexpected coolness took Liam by surprise. After all, no matter what he gave her before, she would immediately take it, then, touched and a little heartbroken for his efforts, she’d throw her arms around him. He carefully observed her expression. “You don’t like it?” Jade shook her head. “I do, it’s just too expensive. Let’s skip such gifts in the future. We should save money, didn’t we agree to buy a house and get married right after graduation?” Ah, so she was just worried about him spending too much again. Liam chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “It’s fine, I’ll just pick up a few more part-time jobs. My Jade deserves to have what every other girlfriend has.” Jade forced a smile, glanced at the clock on the wall, and headed to the bathroom to get ready. After the door closed, she walked to the mirror and saw Liam’s phone, lying on the counter, vibrate. She picked it up and tapped it open, immediately seeing a message from a very familiar profile picture. “Liam, thank you for the newest Bvlgari necklace you gave me today. I love it.” The accompanying photo was dimly lit, but it couldn’t hide the dazzling sparkle of real diamonds. Remembering the ridiculously cheap bracelet, probably something from a discount online store, lying on the table, Jade smiled silently to herself. Steam rose, misting the air. She watched her face slowly blur in the mirror as memories flooded her mind. Two years ago, Liam Thorne transferred to State University’s Business School, making a splash with his striking good looks. But for some unknown reason, he pursued Jade Miller, an ordinary girl who, apart from her excellent grades, wasn’t exceptional in anything else. They quickly became a couple, falling into a typical student romance: holding hands, kissing, dates, strolls… A year ago, both of them moved out of the dorms, renting a tiny, cramped studio apartment for cheap rent, officially starting their cohabitation. They promised to buy a house and get married after graduation. For that promise, Jade tirelessly juggled three part-time jobs a day in her spare time, all to achieve their dream sooner. But three days ago, while working as a delivery driver at a bar, she unexpectedly ran into Liam, who was supposed to be at his part-time job. He stepped out of a sports car, making a big entrance, loud and boisterous, with a group of his friends. Wearing her helmet, she passed by and overheard their casual chatter. “Liam, how much longer are you going to keep up this act with your cheap girlfriend? If she knew your real identity, she’d probably freak out.” “Can’t help it, right? Summer Kingston just *had* to find a cheap boyfriend, and Liam, trying to spite her, just *had* to find Jade Miller as his cheap girlfriend.” “Living in that rundown rental and dating such a cheap girl, I’d be depressed. But not Liam. The capital’s golden boy, from one of the most influential families, endured it for three whole years just to see Summer every day. What a lovesick fool.” Facing these almost mocking jests, Liam simply sat aloof, sipping his drink, silent. It was only then that Jade realized the boyfriend she thought was from an ordinary background, just like her, was actually the capital’s golden boy. And Summer Kingston, the girl they spoke of, her best friend, was a socialite princess, from an old money family in the capital. Summer had also transferred two years ago. New to the city and a bit spoiled, only Jade was willing to look out for her, and they slowly became inseparable. Jade had initially known Summer transferred to this university for her boyfriend, Finn Gallagher. But she never imagined Liam transferred to State University because Summer was here. Liam had been in love with his childhood sweetheart, Summer Kingston, all along. The reason he chose her as his girlfriend was merely to spite Summer. Just because she was “cheap” enough. She didn’t know how she eventually left that bar. All she remembered was walking all night in the rain, drenched and disoriented, almost losing half her life. She came back with a fever, her dreams alternating between sweet romance and the nightmare of being deceived. She endured it alone in the cheap rental for three days; Liam never returned. When her fever broke, she saw a photo Summer had posted, subtly revealing Liam’s hand feeding her porridge. In that moment, her heart completely shattered. She was tired. She didn’t want to play along with these childhood sweethearts anymore. They were never from the same world, so why force it? Since they insisted on continuing their act, this time, she would be the first to step away. After showering, Jade was drying her hair, then handed the phone over to him. “You left your phone inside.” Seeing her faintly flushed face and still-damp, fair skin, Liam’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He casually tossed his phone onto the bed and pulled her into his embrace. His warm breath tickled her neck, and an intimate atmosphere filled the room. Jade gently pulled his hand away from her waist, her voice cool and controlled. “I’m not feeling well. Not tonight.” He caught on immediately and didn’t press her further. He obediently fetched the hairdryer and dried her hair for her. After getting ready, it was already late. Jade, feeling sleepy, went straight to bed. Soon after, Liam turned off the light, got into bed, and softly said, “Goodnight.” Jade closed her eyes, offering no reply. She slept soundly, without dreams. The next day, Liam was woken by the sound of things being rummaged through. He opened his eyes to see Jade tossing things into the trash can. Cups, shirts, keychains, phone cases… Each item was a carefully chosen, matching couple’s item she’d bought. Why was she throwing away these little trinkets she used to love so much? Liam jolted awake, slowly propping himself up. “They’re not even broken. Why are you throwing them all out?” “They’re old. I’ll buy new ones later.” Jade offered a casual excuse, then left the apartment, carrying a box. As she walked upstairs, Mrs. Peterson, the landlord, called. “Jade, why are you suddenly moving out? Did you fight with your boyfriend? He works odd jobs from dawn till dusk for you, and when your favorite restaurant closed, he even went to learn their recipes just so you could taste your favorite dishes. He even ran miles in the dead of winter to get you her favorite winter treat, those special gourmet cookies from that little bakery way across town. He’s such a good guy, don’t be foolish!” Listening to Mrs. Peterson’s earnest advice, Jade’s lips curved into a bitter smile. Before knowing the truth, she had never doubted Liam’s sincerity. After all, his kindness to her was real, evident for all to see. But precisely because she had genuinely been touched by it, she couldn’t accept the fact that she had been deceived for two years. After all, for him, she had given a heart even more sincere and pure than his own. Only to become a synonym for “cheap.” She gave a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “Mrs. Peterson, there’s no future for us. Please process the move-out papers.” Back home, Liam was changing. Just as Jade closed the door, the phone rang again. Seconds later, Summer Kingston’s tearful voice echoed through the cramped apartment. “Jade, are you busy today? Can you come keep me company? I just had a big fight with Finn…” Liam, hearing the familiar voice, paused buttoning his shirt and moved closer. Through the mirror, Jade saw his anxious and worried expression. She spoke softly, “You’ll have to wait a bit. I need to this afternoon…” Before she could finish, Liam interrupted her. “Wait for what? Go now. Summer must be upset after such a big fight. I’ll drive you.” Jade looked at him steadily, then asked a question that caught him completely off guard. “Aren’t you supposed to work at the coffee shop this morning?” Liam was stumped. He froze for a few seconds before fabricating an excuse about the shop being closed today, then pulled her along, and they set off on his scooter. He drove fast, as if in a great hurry. Jade looked at his wrongly buttoned shirt, remembering how, whenever Summer and Finn argued and Summer came to her to vent, he would also rush her to go and comfort her. It wasn’t that she hadn’t suspected his intentions, hadn’t tried to test him. He had listened, then looked at her with his clear, bright eyes, rubbed her face, and smiled helplessly. “What are you thinking? It’s just because Summer is your best friend, so I care about her too. I don’t want her breaking up with Finn to upset you. If she weren’t your good friend, I probably wouldn’t even know she existed.” He’d said all the right things, perfectly playing on her emotions. Jade was immediately moved, never suspecting anything again. Now, thinking back, she felt incredibly foolish. The small rental apartment was dark, no lights on. The room was a mess, clearly the aftermath of an argument. Summer Kingston sat on the floor, knees hugged to her chest, sobbing uncontrollably. Seeing her sitting barefoot on the cold floor, crying so miserably, Liam could barely hide the pain on his face. He rushed forward to help her up, kneeling on the ground to put her scattered slippers on her feet. He then gently wiped her tears with a tissue. “There, there, stop crying. Your eyes will get all puffy and then you won’t look pretty.” As expected from childhood sweethearts who had known each other for years, Summer immediately stopped crying. Jade stood by the door, silently observing everything unfolding before her. Once Summer had calmed down, Jade finally asked, “What was the fight about this time?” The topic reignited Summer’s anger. “I just went camping, bought a dress, and spent a little money, and he threw a fit at me!” Looking at the designer logo on the scattered shopping bags on the floor, Jade’s words of advice caught in her throat. Before, she’d thought Summer was from an ordinary family like hers, just a bit spendthrift, which was why she had taken such care of her. Now, it seemed it was just a spoiled rich girl throwing another tantrum. She didn’t want to waste any more energy on such a trivial matter, so she watched coolly as Liam pulled out all the stops to cheer up his childhood sweetheart. After a thorough coaxing, Summer changed her clothes and agreed to go out with them for a change of scenery. Their destination was the city’s largest amusement park. Usually bustling, the park was unusually quiet today, completely empty. Before they went to find Summer, Jade had overheard Liam on the phone, requesting the amusement park be booked out for the day. So, she wasn’t surprised by the emptiness. She just quietly followed behind them, watching the surprise Liam had personally arranged. Groups of mascots appearing with bouquets of flowers brought a brilliant smile to Summer’s face. She looked like a princess, receiving care and affection from the world. Inside the dark haunted house, she shrieked freely in Liam’s arms, venting the suppressed pain of her long-suffering love. On the thrilling water roller coaster ride, Liam tightly held her hand, shielding her from the intense water spray. Meanwhile, Jade was pushed into a corner by the mascots, almost falling and getting hurt. She was terrified of the dark, but she fumbled her way through the haunted house alone, ending up with bruises on her body. Giant water jets drenched her completely, and her still-recovering cold made her cough intermittently. All day, Liam hadn’t even looked back at her once. She was like an invisible extra trailing behind the main characters, completely ignored. As night fell, the gradually quieting amusement park began to light up with fireworks. Vibrant, dazzling colors erupted, streaking across the dark sky like countless shooting stars. All of Summer’s bad mood vanished. Her eyes sparkled, her voice filled with undisguised delight. “Fireworks shows are usually only for holidays, right? Why is there one today?” Liam smiled, looking at her with doting affection. Jade knew he had orchestrated it all. When he was buying ice cream earlier, he had been constantly messaging someone, probably arranging this firework display. But Summer didn’t stay to watch the entire surprise prepared just for her. Halfway through, she received a call from Finn. Whatever he said, her face lit up, and despite Liam’s desperate pleas, she insisted on leaving. After her figure completely disappeared, Liam, who had been euphoric all day, deflated like a spent firework. He seemed indignant that his day’s efforts had been cut short, and he angrily kicked over a box of fireworks that hadn’t been set off yet. When he turned back, his eyes, full of loss and anger, met Jade’s calm gaze. In the moment their eyes met, Liam remembered her presence. He quickly reined in his inappropriate emotions and walked swiftly to embrace her. “Jade, weren’t the fireworks beautiful?” Looking at the letters “S.K.” (Summer Kingston) blooming in the sky, Jade softly hummed in affirmation, then pushed him away. Liam froze, thinking she had noticed something, and frantically tried to explain. “Today I…” Jade didn’t give him a chance to explain. She didn’t want to hear any empty justifications. So, pretending not to care, she clasped her hands together. “They say fireworks are like shooting stars, they can make wishes come true. Why don’t we make a wish?” Liam seized the perfectly timed opportunity. Perhaps to cover up his blatant attention to Summer all day, this time, he vocalized his wish. “I wish for my Jade and I to be together forever, to save enough money after graduation, and to get married smoothly.” Jade had heard these wishes many times before, and each time, her eyes would well up with tears. But hearing them again now, her heart felt no ripple of emotion. She simply closed her eyes and made a wish to herself. “I wish that after leaving Liam Thorne, he and I will never cross paths again for the rest of our lives.” After making her wish, she opened her eyes and met Liam’s smiling gaze. “Jade, what did you wish for? Why won’t you tell me?” Jade averted her eyes and smiled. “Wishes don’t come true if you tell them.” After taking some time to go to the university and sign the agreement, Jade went to the store where she often worked part-time and handed in her resignation. The manager agreed, asking her to work her last shift today. She worked all morning, delivering dozens of orders, feeling dizzy from the scorching sun. Her first delivery in the afternoon was to a villa in a wealthy neighborhood. She took off her hot helmet, carried dozens of pounds of food, and painstakingly knocked on the door. A few minutes later, the villa door opened, and a familiar voice sounded in her ear. “Coming.” She looked up at the sound and met a pair of familiar eyes. The moment he saw her, his pupils widened, and a mix of emotions flooded his face. Nervousness, surprise, panic… It was all there on Liam’s face. “What are you doing here?” Facing a flustered Liam, Jade remained calm, taking the initiative to ask. This was actually a good opportunity for him to come clean. Liam could have directly revealed his identity, but what tumbled out of his mouth was still a lie. “A friend’s birthday… he invited me to hang out.” Jade took a few steps back, looking at the grand, palatial villa, and spoke softly. “You know friends this rich?” Liam, afraid of revealing too much, quickly changed the subject. “Why are you delivering food? It’s so hot out; it must be exhausting.” Jade looked at her sun-darkened arms, her tone flat. “Next month is your birthday. Didn’t you want a new laptop? I was saving up to give you a surprise.” That had indeed been her original intention, but now she realized how foolish she had been, completely strung along. Hearing this, for some reason, Liam felt a tightness in his chest. He followed her gaze and saw the red, bruised marks on her sunburnt hands, a strange emotion flickering in his eyes. A young master, accustomed to a life of luxury, had never encountered a girl who would work as a delivery driver just to buy him a gift. His heart tightened abruptly. Just as he was about to say something, a few of his friends, seeing he hadn’t returned, came out to see what was happening. “Liam, why aren’t you coming in…?” Upon seeing Jade, they exchanged glances, then quickly covered for him, their tone shifting from deferential to urgent. “Brother Zack’s birthday, he invited us for drinks. Why are you dragging your feet just picking up a delivery?” “Is this your girlfriend? Come in and have a drink with us!” With that, his friends cheerfully pulled them inside. Once inside, Jade looked around and saw many familiar items. A display cabinet full of collectible figurines, a rose bear on the sofa, crystal sand-art ornaments in the display case… She had seen identical items in Summer Kingston’s Ins posts. She used to wonder why Summer, from a supposedly ordinary background, received such expensive-looking gifts. It turned out they were all from Liam. One pink and one blue, one male and one female, one large and one small – clearly matching couple’s items. Jade looked at them one by one, her gaze finally settling on a small dog. A pure white poodle bounced out, wearing a light blue skirt. What caught Jade’s eye wasn’t its cute appearance, but the tie wrapped around its neck, tied like a bow. Blue print, with an LV logo, and a tiny ‘C’ embroidered at the end, stood out glaringly. That was her two-year anniversary gift to him, bought after she slept only three hours a day and worked part-time for six whole months! She wanted to give him the best, so she bravely walked into a luxury store for the first time with her hard-earned money. She never imagined he wouldn’t just scorn it, but casually put it on a dog! Jade’s nails dug deep into her palms, and she felt her breathing grow shallow. From the moment they entered, Liam had been watching Jade, afraid she might notice something. Just then, a group of drunk friends started a game, and he quickly pulled her in, hoping to distract her. As soon as they sat down, his phone rang. He initially planned to hang up, but after seeing the name, he hesitated for a few seconds before going out to the balcony. As his figure slowly disappeared behind the door, the game began. “Alright, alright, let’s play ‘I Have, You Don’t!’” Jade wanted to refuse but was forcibly pulled into the game by the group. “I have a villa on the bay! Fold a finger if you don’t!” “I just bought the newest Maserati sports car! Fold a finger if you don’t!” “The most expensive item auctioned at Sotheby’s this year is in my house! Fold a finger if you don’t!” Jade had none of the things these rich kids mentioned. That wasn’t her world. Halfway through the first round, Jade had already folded all ten of her fingers. The group, who had been watching her with mischievous intent, grew excited. “The first one out! Time for a punishment, time for a punishment!” “The punishment is: crawl on the floor and race the dog to the door! If you lose, you get a new punishment!” Jade’s head snapped up. She stared at them in disbelief. She stood up, refusing to accept such a demeaning punishment. Seeing her unwillingness, the playful group of rich kids wore mocking expressions. “Can’t play, huh?” “Are you scared of losing to a dog? That’s just pathetic!” “The game rules were set from the start. You can’t just say no.” It was only when she saw their insistent stares that Jade finally understood: they were doing this on purpose. Perhaps they felt Liam, the capital’s golden boy, had endured two years with someone as “cheap” as her, and they wanted to get back at her for him. Sensing their malicious intent, she quickly got up to leave, but someone nearby yanked her, causing her to stumble. “Ah!” She fell hard, hitting her head on the corner of the table. Blood immediately started to well up. The group showed no remorse at the sight of blood, instead growing even more excited. They picked up the dog, placed it beside her, and yelled continuously. “Come on, everyone, let’s see the human-dog race! Ready, set, go—” Their words were cut short by an angry shout from the doorway. “What do you think you’re doing?!” At the sound, the entire living room fell silent. Everyone averted their eyes, pretending to be unconcerned. “Just a little game, no harm done, no harm done!” A few friends stepped forward to smooth things over, but Liam didn’t even look at them. He pushed them aside, rushed in, scooped up the injured Jade, and strode out. Liam flagged down a taxi on the side of the road and gave the hospital address. All the way there, he used his handkerchief to wipe the wound on her forehead, his face full of distress, apologizing repeatedly. “I’m sorry, Jade. I shouldn’t have left you alone.” Jade didn’t know if what had just happened had anything to do with him, or if it was an accident or a staged act. But whether intentional or not, everything she endured today was undeniably linked to him. So she didn’t want to accept his apology. She just suppressed the sharp pain in her heart, her eyes red, and retorted, “Aren’t you worried about offending your rich friends for my sake? Won’t they hold a grudge?” Seeing her reddened eyes, Liam froze. He thought she was still worried about him, and a pang of guilt shot through him. He shook his head, his voice dropping several octaves, sounding muffled. “It doesn’t matter. To me, you’re the only one that matters.” If she hadn’t known the truth, Jade might have been swayed by his expression. But she knew the truth, and she knew his expression, his words, his affection—it was all a lie. She took a deep breath, about to say more, when his phone dinged several times. He glanced at it, then lied again. “Jade, my professor needs me at the university. Can you go to the hospital alone?” She stared at him for a long time before giving a self-deprecating nod. The car pulled over. As his figure disappeared into the traffic, Jade’s mind replayed the conversation she had glimpsed earlier. “Liam, I want to break up with Finn!” “Where are you? I’ll be right there.” After getting her wound treated at the hospital, Jade looked at her shattered phone and went to an electronics store to buy a new one. In the past, she would have just replaced the screen and made do for a while, but now she didn’t want to economize anymore. She bought the newest iPhone, spending over ten thousand dollars, which was more than a tenth of her hard-earned housing down payment savings. Back home, she logged into all her accounts. Coincidentally, she saw a new update on Ins and clicked on it. It was a live photo Liam had just shared. She used an Android phone before and couldn’t hear live photos, but now that she had an iPhone, she tapped it open and heard the sound from the background. “Liam, it’s just a proposal, why are you making it so grand?” Her body stiffened slightly. Summer had just talked about breaking up, and Liam was already preparing a proposal? Well, good. She looked up at the red-circled date on the calendar. Only seven days left until she would be gone. Over the next few days, Liam didn’t come home, citing part-time work as an excuse. Jade knew he was busy with his proposal, while she was busy packing, so she didn’t expose him. It wasn’t until late one night that Liam returned. He was dead drunk, barely conscious. The moment he entered, he clung to Jade, mumbling continuously, his eyes red-rimmed. “Those roses were your favorite, and the ring was specially custom-made for you. All our friends wished us well, hoping we’d be together, but in the end, it couldn’t stand against his ‘I’m sorry,’ could it?” “Why won’t you see me? I was the one who was with you for over a decade. What’s so great about him that you can’t forget him?” As he spoke, his voice grew deeper, punctuated by choked sobs. Watching his disheveled, disheartened state, Jade remained unmoved. Because she knew he had mistaken her for Summer Kingston. Through his drunken ramblings, she had a rough idea of what had happened today. It was simply that Liam had proposed, and Summer had rejected him again. She listened in silence, not taking care of him, and simply turned off the lights and went to bed. Liam woke up the next day, shivering. The AC had been on all night, and he’d fallen asleep on the sofa without changing, not even with a blanket. His head was foggy, his stomach churning, and he felt uncomfortable all over. But when he struggled to get up and went into the kitchen, he found nothing. Usually, whenever he got drunk, Jade would have prepared hangover soup in advance. Why wasn’t it ready today? He went into the bedroom to ask, but saw her folding clothes in front of the closet, a large suitcase on the floor. He suddenly panicked, a wave of alarm he hadn’t anticipated washing over him. “What are you doing with that suitcase? Are you going somewhere?” Jade’s hands didn’t stop, and she didn’t even glance at him. “It’s almost time for the season change. Just taking some clothes out to clean them.” Liam was about to ask more questions, but Jade had already turned and entered the bathroom. Over the next few days, Summer Kingston continuously posted videos and photos showcasing her relationship on Ins. Liam had no mind to dwell on Jade’s strange behavior; he was completely dejected, spending his days at home in a daze. Jade watched him silently, busy with her own preparations. Three days before her departure, she went home to inform her family about joining the classified research project. Two days before, she met up with friends and said her goodbyes. On the last day, Summer Kingston called, inviting her and Liam for a lake tour. Jade didn’t really want to go out, but Liam, re-energized by the call, insisted on taking her. When they arrived at the lake, Liam’s face instantly turned cold as he saw Finn Gallagher by Summer’s side. Once on the boat, Jade found a seat, enjoying the misty lake scenery. Liam, though sitting beside her, kept glancing at Summer Kingston. Mid-lake, a sudden downpour began, accompanied by strong winds that caused their small wooden raft to sway precariously. Thunder rumbled, and a dense fog rolled in. Soon, the increasingly violent wind and rain overturned the raft, sending everyone without life vests tumbling into the water. Summer and Jade couldn’t swim. Driven by a will to survive, both struggled, clinging desperately to the edge of the raft. Upon falling into the water, Finn’s first reaction was to paddle towards the shore, completely disregarding everyone else. Liam’s eyes were solely on Summer. He abandoned Jade, who was right beside him, and without a second thought, swam to the other end of the raft, pulling Summer, who was on the verge of drowning, into his arms. The icy rain beat down on a hypothermic and exhausted Jade. Her teeth chattered uncontrollably, and her face was completely devoid of color. She watched, wide-eyed, as their two figures receded into the mist, her consciousness growing increasingly hazy. The wind and waves never ceased, crashing over her again and again. She finally couldn’t hold on, losing her grip on her only lifeline. She let go, sinking straight down to the bottom of the lake. When she next awoke, Jade found herself in a hospital. A nurse, seeing her stir, quickly came over to check on her. “You’re awake? The park staff who brought you in have already left. Call your family to handle the discharge papers.” Hearing this, Jade realized she had been rescued by park staff. She looked around the empty room, then picked up her phone and opened it. Not a single call, not a single message. Recalling the last image she saw before losing consciousness, Jade gave a silent smile. She pushed her weak body out of bed to handle the discharge. Just a few steps out of the room, she heard familiar voices from the adjacent ward. Glancing over, she saw Summer Kingston, crying with tears streaming down her face, in Liam Thorne’s arms. “Liam, this time I’m really breaking up with Finn. I fell into the lake, and I can’t swim. He knew, and he still ran off on his own. He’s not worth it at all. If it weren’t for you, I really would have died in that lake.” “I know you’ve liked me for many years, I know you transferred to State University because of me, and I know you weren’t truly willing to be with Jade.” “Before, I was foolish and couldn’t see your goodness. Now I’ve come to my senses. Will you be with me?” Amidst this heartfelt, tearful confession, Liam showed no trace of excitement or emotion. He didn’t immediately agree to the proposal he had longed for for years. He stood there, frozen, saying nothing. Through the window, Jade glanced over. She was a little surprised but didn’t think much of it. Perhaps the surprise was too sudden, and he hadn’t had time to process it. But they were bound to get together eventually. So, she didn’t have the patience to wait for the inevitably happy ending. She turned and went downstairs. After completing the discharge procedures, Mrs. Peterson sent a message, reminding her that today was the move-out date. She checked the time; it was one in the afternoon, still enough time. So she hailed a cab back to the rental apartment. All that remained of her belongings in the room was this suitcase. Aside from that, there was a gift box she had packed earlier, filled with all the gifts Liam had given her over the past two years. She took out some sticky notes and, following prices she had searched online, labeled each gift. Stardust bracelet, $5 each, his graduation gift to her; Couple’s rings, $7 a pair, his first-anniversary gift to her; Three pairs of earrings, $9.9 with free shipping, his birthday gift to her; Dress, $19.9 with free shipping, his two-year anniversary gift to her; … The box was full of items that looked shiny and new, but their total value was less than five hundred dollars. All these years, in his eyes, She was just a “cheap girl,” so she only deserved these “cheap” gifts. Jade gave a self-deprecating smile, placed the breakup letter she had already written inside, then closed the lid and went to the courier station, sending the box off. The recipient address was Liam’s villa. After doing all this, Jade returned to the rental apartment, transferred an extra month’s rent to Mrs. Peterson, and asked her to clear out Liam’s remaining belongings when she took back the apartment. Anyway, he was with Summer now; he wouldn’t be coming back. The moment she hit send, her SnapChat buzzed with over a dozen messages, all from Liam. Jade didn’t open them, didn’t read a single one. She simply blocked and deleted all his contact information. At the same time, Professor Thompson’s call came in. “Jade, we’re leaving soon. We’re already downstairs at your place. Come on down.” Jade didn’t hesitate. She picked up her suitcase and left the dilapidated rental apartment that had once been called home. She would never come back. Jade didn’t reply to a single message. Liam remembered that on the way to the hospital, the park staff had contacted him, saying Jade had been taken to the hospital. He assumed she was fine and didn’t rush to contact her. But as time ticked by, and it was almost dark, he finally couldn’t hold back. Once Summer fell asleep, he went to ask the nurse. The nurse checked and told him that Jade had been discharged as soon as she woke up. Knowing she was okay, Liam felt a slight sense of relief and called her. One call after another, still no answer. His heart grew increasingly anxious. As he fretted, Mr. Davies, the butler, called, saying a same-day package had just arrived and asking if he wanted to sign for it. A package? Liam didn’t remember buying anything recently and didn’t give these minor things much thought, hastily hanging up the phone. He was about to send another message to Jade when Summer suddenly woke up, complaining she was hungry and wanted to eat. He could only temporarily put aside his concerns and take her out. They went to a French restaurant, and even after they finished eating, Liam remained distracted, constantly checking his phone. Summer quickly noticed his unusual behavior and asked a few concerned questions. “What’s wrong? Is something important happening?” Liam froze at the question, then shook his head. He didn’t want her to realize he was worried about not being able to reach Jade. After the life-or-death situation that morning, Summer had finally seen Finn Gallagher for who he truly was, broken up with him, and extended an olive branch to Liam. But this time, it was Liam’s turn to hesitate. He had always thought that when he finally won Summer, he would feel as if he had found a treasure, overjoyed to the point of tears. But now that the moment had truly arrived, his heart was a chaotic mess. The first emotion that arose wasn’t shock, but worry. He was worried that if he actually said yes to Summer, wouldn’t that mean Jade would find out everything? He couldn’t imagine how she would feel, or what her expression would be, once she knew the truth. After all, during their two years together, she had truly poured her heart and soul into their future. So he didn’t immediately agree to Summer; instead, he said he needed more time to consider. Summer, knowing Jade was a barrier between them, didn’t force the issue, only telling him he had a week to sort everything out. After dinner, Liam drove her home. All the way, she chattered incessantly, just as she always had. But he couldn’t hear a word, his mind still replaying the day’s events, wondering if Jade was angry. Seeing he wasn’t responding, Summer grew a little annoyed by the silence and playfully tugged his ear. “What are you spacing out about? Are all men the same, taking things for granted once they have them? We’re not even officially together yet, and you’re already not listening to me!” Her petulant complaint, however, made Liam uncomfortable. Because in his decade-plus relationship with Summer, she rarely showed such a vulnerable, ‘little girl’ side. As the object of his pursuit, she had always held the upper hand in their relationship, seldom revealing her personal emotions when he showed affection, simply accepting or rejecting based on her momentary whims. He was accustomed to her discerning, haughty expression, accustomed to tirelessly planning surprises only to be pushed away repeatedly. He could no longer bring himself to inhabit the role of Summer’s official boyfriend. He even felt less like a suitor and more like an older brother, repeatedly indulging her capriciousness. And his years of persistent declarations and pursuits were nothing more than a game they tirelessly played. When this thought arose, Liam shuddered. He couldn’t help but turn to look at Summer. Fourteen years had passed since they first met. She was no longer the princess in a frilly dress, the carefree, innocent socialite. Over the years, she had dated, broken up, and navigated the turbulent waters of romance, becoming adept at manipulating men’s hearts. And he, clearly, was the one she had the most success manipulating. Realizing this, Liam finally couldn’t hold back. He asked her a question. “Summer, this isn’t your first relationship, nor your first breakup, but it’s the first time you’ve agreed to be with me. I want to know, what is it that finally made you see me?” Summer hadn’t expected him to ask such a question so suddenly, and for a moment, she too was perplexed. To be honest, she didn’t know how to answer him. After all, in her perception, emotions were merely a flavor enhancer in her otherwise bland life. Born into a family of old money, she had grown tired of all the delicacies since childhood, seen all the sights in the world, spending every day eating, drinking, and having fun. Summer had lived this copy-and-paste life for over twenty years, finding it utterly boring. Before she was nineteen, she had two relationships, both with rich young men, and they were the same old routine, nothing interesting. It wasn’t until she met Finn Gallagher, and spent three years with this ordinary boy, breaking ties with her family and running away from home for him, having all her cards stopped and falling to the bottom, that she finally experienced something different. What piqued her interest wasn’t the impoverished life, but human nature. The complex human emotions and manipulative tactics she hadn’t encountered before, she learned one by one by Finn’s side. And being naturally intelligent, she even started playing with people’s hearts, just like them. For example, Jade Miller. This kind-hearted girl from an ordinary background, with a bit of street smarts, thought they were from the same social class, felt sorry for Summer’s situation, and thus showed her all sorts of kindness. Whenever she saw Jade’s sympathetic or pained expression, Summer found it incredibly amusing. Because she knew they weren’t from the same social class at all. Her family was incredibly wealthy. All she had to do was show a little remorse and she could return anytime to enjoy her life as a socialite princess, unlike Jade, who worked herself to the bone just to buy a house for security. She had plenty of suitors and admirers around her. Even living in a rental was her willing choice. If she showed just a hint of liking, someone would deliver whatever she fancied, unlike Jade, who would be moved to tears by a small act of kindness. She didn’t need to put anything into a relationship. From her perspective, everything that happened in love was like a play. She merely played the role of the heroine, needing to fully immerse herself and act out joy, anger, sorrow, and madness. But once the curtain fell, she would return to her original place, unlike Jade, who poured everything into a deceptive love. So, in this friendship, from beginning to end, Jade was merely an extra in the play Summer directed. And this drama about a rich girl falling for a poor boy had now reached the climax: the rich girl’s awakening and the loyal male second lead finally getting his chance. She had naturally abandoned Finn and chosen the unswervingly devoted Liam. Didn’t that fit the romantic drama narrative perfectly? So Summer remained silent for a long time, unable to think of a specific reason. In the end, she could only tell Liam, “Because it wasn’t until today that I realized that over these past decades, you’ve already left an indelible mark on my heart. I’ve unknowingly fallen in love with you.” She mimicked the expression of a heroine in a TV show, trying to convey remorse and deep affection with utmost conviction. As for whether these words were true or false, did it matter? Probably not. Liam loved her so much, he would be ecstatic that she agreed to be with him, wouldn’t he? Why would he question the truth? She was very satisfied with her performance and the answer she had given, feeling she had achieved perfection. She couldn’t help but want to see Liam’s expression and reaction. But when she turned her head, the expected shock and surprise weren’t there. He was looking down, his face full of wistful regret, yet with a hint of clarity in his eyes. As if he had woken from a daze. After dropping Summer off at home, Liam returned to the rental apartment alone, but he didn’t go upstairs. He stood under the tall sycamore tree, silently looking up at the now dark room, his mind constantly wondering what Jade was doing at that moment. Was she already asleep? Or fumbling in the dark with her phone? Or tossing and turning, unable to sleep because he had abandoned her earlier that day? She must have felt resentment, otherwise, she wouldn’t ignore his messages and calls. But Liam wasn’t worried about that now, because he knew Jade was easy to appease. His concern was how to navigate the complicated relationship between the three of them. So he didn’t know how to face her, didn’t know whether to tell her the truth now. Avoidance was shameful. After standing downstairs for two hours, Liam finally came to this realization. He pondered for a long time and decided he should go upstairs. But Jade was clearly angry, and returning empty-handed was definitely not a good idea. So he went back to the villa and retrieved the necklace he had recently acquired. Before leaving, he saw a box lying by the entryway, and quickly glanced at it. The handwriting on it looked familiar. But he couldn’t recall where he had seen it. It was almost midnight, and he didn’t have time to deal with such minor things, so he planned to open it when he returned. After buying a ton of Jade’s favorite late-night snacks at the night market and grabbing a few cans of beer, he tiptoed back to the rental apartment and took out his key. He turned it around and around, but the door wouldn’t open. The sound-activated light in the hallway flickered on and off. He turned on his phone flashlight and then saw that the lock had been changed. Was she *this* angry this time? Liam’s heart sank. He gently knocked on the door, softening his voice. “Jade, it’s me. Are you asleep? Can you open the door? It’s too hot out here.” In the past, when he had forgotten the time while out having fun and returned late at night only to find he’d lost his keys, he would use these exact words. But today, it seemed even pleading wouldn’t work. No matter how many times he called, no one came to open the door. Liam had no choice but to knock on Mrs. Peterson’s door next door. The landlady was a heavy sleeper, so her son, Danny Peterson, came to open the door. Still groggy, he went to fetch a spare key for Liam after hearing he couldn’t get in. Armed with the new key, Liam effortlessly unlocked the new lock. The room was pitch black, so quiet he couldn’t even hear breathing. It seemed she was fast asleep. Liam, afraid of waking her, didn’t turn on the light. He tiptoed in through the dark. He placed the late-night snacks on the dining table, then crept into the bedroom, putting the necklace on the bedside table, making sure she would see it first thing in the morning. Then he walked to the closet, intending to get out his pajamas. He reached in, but the closet was empty. There was nothing inside. Where were his clothes? His brow furrowed instantly. He quickly shielded his phone with his body and tapped the screen. The faint light illuminated the empty closet. Liam instinctively turned his head, wanting to ask Jade, but saw that the bed, just two steps away, was reduced to only a mattress. No blankets, and no one there. It was only then that Liam finally realized something was very wrong. He quickly turned on the room lights, but the scene that greeted him made him freeze. The closet, the bed, the vanity, even the corners – all were completely empty. The clothes, the杂物 (miscellaneous items) that once filled this small rental apartment, were all gone without a trace. Only that expensive necklace, worth more than a dozen of these rental apartments, glittered brightly in the dim light. So dazzling, yet so out of place. “Jade moved out this afternoon, she even transferred me a thousand dollars to clear out everything in the room. I saw the old lock, so I changed it. You didn’t know?” Mrs. Peterson, woken in the middle of the night, explained. Her words struck Liam like a bolt from the blue, his mind roaring. He looked at the constantly complaining Mrs. Peterson, who was grumbling about him being “inconsiderate and moody,” feeling as if a giant rock was pressing down on his chest. He could barely breathe, and his voice was weak. “She, why did she move out? Did she leave any message? Did she say where she was going?” Mrs. Peterson hadn’t expected him to be even more clueless than her. She immediately felt indignant. “Well, she was moving out, so she must have been mad at you! What message did she leave? Just told me to clear out everything in the room. As for where she went? That’s a young lady’s privacy; how would I, a landlord, know? Isn’t that something you, her boyfriend, should know?” Liam’s panicked heart tangled into a mess with her words. He finally realized that something major must have happened without his knowledge, leading to Jade’s silent departure. He could no longer remain calm. He fumbled for his phone to contact Jade, turning to leave at the same time. Seeing him so distraught, Mrs. Peterson quickly called out to him. “The key, give me the key back! You two have moved out, I need to rent it out again!” “Mrs. Peterson, you don’t need to find new tenants for this apartment. I want to renew the lease for another year. I’ll transfer the rent to you later.” With that, Liam frantically rushed to the roadside and hailed a cab. He wanted to go back to the university first, but the dorm gates were already closed. He could only call Jade’s roommate in the middle of the night to ask about her. The person on the other end of the line groggily told him Jade wasn’t there. He could only tell the driver to go to another address. All night, he went to every place he could think of, but still found no trace of her. At dawn, he arrived at the last place: Willow Creek Park. A year ago, it was in this very park that they had written down their wish to get married and buy a house after graduation. But this time, Liam was still met with emptiness. He hadn’t slept for twenty-four hours; he was utterly exhausted, with no energy left to rush around. He looked up at the wishing ribbons rustling in the morning breeze and took a picture with his phone. Then he sent it to Jade. The photo didn’t go through. A small red dot appeared on the screen, along with a message asking to add a friend. Jade Miller had blocked and deleted him? The moment he realized this, Liam’s muddled mind instantly cleared. He stared wide-eyed at his phone screen, his face full of disbelief, his fingers rapidly tapping. TikTok, QQ, Ins, Twitter, even PayPal – he had been unilaterally blocked and deleted from everywhere. And all those posts that had documented the little moments of their love had been cleared. This resolute act of cutting ties pushed Liam’s already stretched willpower to the brink of collapse. Scenes from the past few days began to replay in his mind. He desperately tried to recall every tiny detail, attempting to pinpoint the real reason for her departure. Was it because he hadn’t saved her? Or because he had been so down lately that he forgot to comfort her? Or because he forgot her birthday… As he reviewed each item, the neglect and oversight he had cast aside slowly resurfaced. He finally noticed some clues, some hints that might have led to Jade’s disappointment and departure. His meticulously crafted image of a perfect boyfriend was, in fact, riddled with flaws. In trivial matters, he was attentive and thoughtful. But whenever Summer Kingston was involved, he would instinctively abandon Jade. He had always thought she couldn’t detect his hidden intentions, so he acted recklessly, confident that there would be no consequences. But now, looking back, had she truly been oblivious? Liam dared not think further. He looked up, trying to draw fresh air into his suffocating lungs with deep breaths. *Snap*. A red ribbon above him loosened and fell straight down, hitting him in the face. He was already somewhat numb. He slowly picked it up, facing the rising sun. “Work hard to save money, pay the down payment for a house right after graduation, then get married!” At the end of the hopeful wish, the names signed were Liam Thorne and Jade Miller. The handwriting was Jade’s; he knew it intimately. It was exactly the same as the writing on the package by the villa entryway. Realizing this, Liam suddenly stood up and bolted out of the temple. And that red ribbon, now without a resting place, was simply carried by the wind towards the mountains, never to be seen again. Like a prophecy. And like a punishment. On the way back, Liam had vaguely guessed the truth. But his heart vehemently denied and argued against it, unwilling to accept the established facts. And when he finally got the package, opened it, and saw what was inside, that half-dead heart finally extinguished completely, turning into a pile of ash. Two years. All those cheap trinkets and jewelry he had instructed his housekeeper to buy were all in the box, each meticulously labeled with its price. It was only today that Liam truly knew how much those things cost. Five hundred dollars. It was Jade’s half-month food budget, saved through countless sacrifices. It was also the price of an insignificant bottle opener when he splurged on drinks. Equivalent to the pair of shoes Jade had bought him, which he was wearing now. He wasn’t used to wearing such shoes, so two months ago, when she took him to the mall, he had strongly advised against it. But she had seriously told him that he was graduating soon, starting an internship, and needed a new pair of shoes, which was why she bought them for him. Liam had worn them for two months and slowly got used to them. Just like the carefully chosen clothes and daily necessities she bought him, though they didn’t catch his eye, with time, he stopped being so picky and particular. He started eating street food with her, figuring out how to save money with coupons, and fretting over a faucet that wasn’t properly turned off… To others, he was still the extravagant heir from the capital’s elite circles. But with Jade, Liam genuinely experienced the myriad flavors of everyday life. It wasn’t a grand, illusory palace built with real gold and silver, but the tangible details of life that flow like a gentle stream. The cheap rental apartment he once disdained had, unknowingly, replaced the villa as his home. On countless drunken nights, in his unconscious state, he would give the address of their old apartment. After being rejected by Summer, his first instinct was also to return there for solace. On holidays when his family mansion was empty, he would cook hotpot at the dining table, waiting for Jade to come home. In those inconspicuous moments, he was genuinely touched by those small yet sincere emotions. But sincerity is fleeting. The letter Jade left contained only a few short sentences. “You must have found it difficult to spend two years acting out this play by my side, but all the pain ends today. I’m returning your gifts. Goodbye, and never again.” Not a single word about the pretense, deception, or manipulation was mentioned. But in Liam’s eyes, every word was a heartbreaking accusation. He didn’t know how to describe his current state of mind. If he had to, he was a ship lost at sea in a night ravaged by a storm. The sail, forged from his heart, was being lashed and battered by waves of endless guilt and regret. Gales carried memories, long buried deep in his mind, crashing down on him, blowing this shaky ship towards the deep sea. He was engulfed in this belated storm, on the verge of destruction. Tears, tears mixed with complex emotions, fell onto the letter. *Drip, drip*, like the last distress signal he could emit. But no one answered. When Mr. Davies, Summer Kingston, and a group of friends entered, they immediately saw Liam sprawled by the door. His face was ashen, his eyes so red they looked ready to bleed. His fingers unconsciously gripped the leg of a cabinet, and from the excessive force, his knuckles were cut and bleeding. Everyone there had grown up with him and had never seen him like this. They were all stunned, not daring to approach or disturb him. Only Summer had the nerve. She crouched down, frowning, and waved a hand in front of his eyes, her voice tinged with curiosity. “Liam, what’s wrong with you? Did you lose your mind?” Hearing her voice, Liam looked up at her. His unfocused eyes finally sharpened a little, as if he was struggling to recognize her. Seeing he didn’t speak, Summer frowned and her gaze shifted downwards, instantly spotting the box on the floor. She could tell at a glance that these bead strings and trinkets were cheap market goods; she wouldn’t even want them as a gift. Why had Liam collected a whole box of them? Was this some new kind of collecting habit? She picked up a string, then saw the sticky note underneath, marked “$9.9.” She couldn’t help but let out a little laugh. “This imitation is pretty good, but why is it only worth $9.9? That’s probably not even enough for shipping!” Hearing her speak, the friends behind her, emboldened, also crowded closer. Each picked up a string, finding these items rather novel. “Liam, where did you dig up all these things? You’re not thinking of giving them to… what’s her name?” “I bet he is. Those cheap girls haven’t seen anything good; they’d definitely love these inexpensive trinkets!” “Giving so many at once? Won’t that lessen the impact? Maybe give them in batches? She’d probably be moved to tears.” The incessant chatter jolted Liam’s wandering mind back to reality. He looked at their mocking expressions and disdainful eyes, feeling as if every word was an arrow, piercing his heart. He swallowed the lump in his throat and rebuked them in a hoarse, icy voice. “Put them all down.” The entryway fell silent again at his words. Everyone could hear the suppressed rage in his tone and quickly put the items back in place. Only Summer seemed oblivious, fiddling with the bead string in both hands. With a slight tug, the string snapped, and a dozen star-like beads scattered and rolled away. Liam’s gaze, following the bouncing beads, grew incredibly dark. “Get out.” The tone of these two words was even colder than the last. His friends knew today was not a good day for a gathering and didn’t dare cross him, so they all tried to slip away. Summer, however, was unfazed, her face full of indifference. “Just some cheap junk. Why are you being so fierce? If you keep ignoring me like this, I’ll get mad!” Facing her warning, Liam had no inclination to humor her. He lowered his head, using his bloodied, scabbed hands to pick up the scattered beads one by one. Seeing him like this, Summer’s spoiled temperament flared up again. She snatched the box, ran furiously to the trash can, and dumped everything inside. “That’s for ignoring me!” Liam, supporting himself against the wall, stood up. Seeing her action, his face immediately darkened, veins bulging on his forehead. “Pick them up!” Hearing this command, filled with fury, Summer froze. It was the first time she had ever seen Liam lose his temper with her. All over a box of cheap beads. Her face also darkened, and she kicked the trash can over. “These worthless pieces of trash belong in the garbage!” Liam’s suppressed pain and anger from the entire night erupted at that moment. He immediately called for Mr. Davies, telling him to escort everyone out. Summer, however, stubbornly refused to leave, looking at him fearlessly as she declared loudly, “Liam Thorne! Is this your attitude? If you force me out that door today, even if you beg me on your knees later, I won’t give you another chance!” Hearing this, Liam showed no reaction, but his friends behind him grew anxious. They quickly stepped forward to mediate. “Oh, Liam was just kidding, Summer. Why are you getting mad at him? He likes you so much, how could he be mean to you? He was actually scolding us!” “Yeah, yeah, we were clumsy, getting in your way. We’ll leave right away, just don’t fight!” “Liam, apologize quickly! Summer isn’t like Jade Miller; you need to really sweet-talk her. Otherwise, if she gets mad, you’ll regret it.” Summer’s expression slowly softened. She adjusted her mood and looked at Liam, but only saw his dark, cold eyes. “Out! Everyone!” Those two words ignited the anger in Summer’s chest as well. She had never imagined that her ever-smiling protector, who always tried to please her, would publicly disrespect her in front of so many people. She picked up a cup from the coffee table and smashed it to the floor. “What do you mean by that? If you weren’t begging me to be with you, do you think I’d come to find you? Plenty of people pursue me; I don’t need you, Liam Thorne!” Facing her unreasonable accusations, Liam had no desire to humor her. He clenched his fists tightly, looking at her coldly. “Then go find them!” Summer’s face, flushed with anger, slowly lost its color at his words. She stared at him, her eyes filled with disbelief. “Liam Thorne, you’ve been with Jade Miller for too long, your brain must be fried, right? It’s just a few crappy beads; why are you treating them like treasures? You’re not going to give them to Jade Miller, are you? No wonder, a pauper with cheap junk, a perfect match! Go ahead and be with her; don’t stain my eyes!” Liam had witnessed Jade Miller’s kindness to Summer all these years. When Summer was ostracized by classmates for her spoiled personality, Jade stepped forward to calm the rumors. When Summer argued with Finn late at night, Jade would rush over to comfort her, even with a fever. Every time they went out, Jade would be busy helping her with her things, taking photos… He had believed there was genuine affection between the two of them. It wasn’t until today that he realized Summer had never truly considered Jade a friend. But on second thought, such nonchalant disregard for emotions was quite characteristic of her. After all, he had pursued her for fourteen years, and she enjoyed his affection without ever reciprocating. So, everything Jade had given probably meant nothing to her. How could she be grateful or nostalgic? The drama finally ended with Summer leaving in a huff. His friends all urged Liam to chase after her. But he remained unmoved, silently crouching down to wipe the dirty beads with a tissue. Seeing him like this, everyone became even more baffled, jumping up and down in agitation. “Liam, what are you thinking? You finally got her to agree after chasing her for so long. If you really break up, you’ll regret it!” Liam’s face was devoid of expression, and he had no desire to discuss the matter. It was then that everyone caught on to a different meaning, exchanged glances, and tentatively asked a few questions. “Are you really not going to coax her? Not going to chase her anymore? Why the sudden change? Is it really because of Jade Miller? Liam, did you actually fall for her, blurring the line between acting and reality?” “How can you talk to Liam like that! Our brother is so handsome and charming. Summer is so ungrateful; it’s better not to be with her, it’ll save so much trouble!” “Right, Jade, Jade Miller is less trouble. Liam, you don’t have to pretend anymore. Give her a proper title; I think she’s quite devoted to you.” Liam knew this group of friends were shrewd opportunists, quick to say whatever suited the situation, and he knew they were just trying to cheer him up. But now that Jade knew the truth and had left, their words felt like pouring oil on a fire, salt on an open wound. He felt utterly exhausted, with no energy left to waste words on them. He picked up the box and went upstairs. He woke up again to darkness. His phone on the bedside table flashed. Liam picked it up and saw a message from his assistant. “Young Master, I’ve found everything you asked me to look into at midnight. There’s no passenger named Jade Miller on the recent three-day maritime and air outbound lists. But I did go to State University and learned that Miss Miller’s college has been selected for a national classified project, which should have already started.” A classified project? Remembering Jade’s renowned professor, Liam’s heart sank. Although Jade was only an undergraduate, her exceptional talent had earned her Professor Thompson’s high regard, and he intended to mentor her. If she had truly joined this project, wouldn’t he be unable to contact her again? The thought sent Liam into an unprecedented panic. He messaged his assistant, asking him to inquire about the project. He knew hope was slim but still wanted to try his best. The assistant quickly messaged back. “Young Master, this project has a top-secret (SSS) classification. We only got this much information because the college gave a hint out of respect for the Old Master. It would be best if you didn’t get involved.” Mr. Scott was an old-timer who had served his grandfather for years. If he said so, Liam knew it was impossible. The surroundings were pitch black, vast and silent, as if threatening to swallow him whole. Liam’s eyes were open, but he could see nothing. A film of moisture formed in his eyes, and countless memories flooded him like a tide, drowning him completely. The warmth of two people embracing for comfort on a cold winter night; her eyes brighter than stars when she received a gift; soft kisses on his brow and lips… Each scene was so vivid, so clear and bright. As if it were just yesterday. But Liam knew those were all from a long, long time ago. Back then, his heart and eyes were filled with another girl, so he proudly ignored the genuine affection she offered. Now that he had awakened and looked back at those days, he saw nothing but scattered wreckage. The mirage of love he had constructed with ninety percent pretense and one percent truth had been burned to ashes by her departure. The beautiful illusion vanished in an instant, becoming smoke that blinded him. That small fraction of genuine affection burned like embers, scarring him all over. He was powerless to resist. He could only reap what he sowed. Graduation season. The State University campus was filled with traces of farewells everywhere. Liam returned to campus to pick up his diploma, walking alone through familiar pathways. The garden, the sports field, the library… With every step, every group of girls in graduation gowns taking photos, every couple holding hands he passed, a layer of melancholy settled over his heart. As State University’s campus heartthrob, many younger students knew him. Seeing him alone and disconsolate, they couldn’t help but whisper. “Why is Liam alone? Where’s his girlfriend? Did they break up?” “Breakups are normal during graduation season. Jade is so brilliant; she’s definitely going into research. It’s tough with long distances.” “But I heard they were going to get married after graduation? Guess things just changed.” Every word was like a needle pricking Liam. It wasn’t a gut-wrenching pain, but a continuous, pervasive ache he couldn’t escape. He lowered his bloodshot, tired eyes, hiding the painful, forlorn emotions within, and avoided the crowds, walking towards a side gate. The flow of people did thin out there. But after only a few steps, he heard a familiar voice. “Finn Gallagher, we broke up. Can you stop bothering me?!” It was Summer Kingston. She was cornered by Finn, unable to break free, her voice furious. Finn was a reckless character; to put it nicely, he was uninhibited; to put it bluntly, he was a philanderer. He was handsome and loved to have fun, so women often threw themselves at him. Summer Kingston was one of them. And the reason he agreed to be with her wasn’t because he was interested in her wealthy background, but merely to use it as a stepping stone. But he hadn’t expected the Kingston family to be so ruthless, even willing to kick their only daughter out of the house to quash his delusions. Initially, he thought there might be a chance to reconcile and continued to sweet-talk Summer. But as time went on, he gained no benefits and instead watched this spendthrift socialite princess deplete his savings, so he lost patience and started arguing with her. After each argument, he’d think that since the money was already spent, he might as well get something back, so he’d go back and say a few kind words to coax her. This cycle repeated for three years. This time, because of the lake incident, Summer again threatened to break up. He thought she would cool off as usual. But it had been over half a month, and she still refused to reconcile. Finn finally realized she was serious this time. After three years of torment, ending up with nothing, he naturally couldn’t swallow his pride and insisted on getting a clear answer from Summer. But she had Kingston family protection wherever she went, making it impossible for him to get close. Now that he had finally caught her, Finn naturally wouldn’t let her go. “You say break up, and that’s it? Did I agree? Summer, I’m devoted to you; how could you just abandon me?” “You’re hurting me, let go! Finn, you know my identity. If you keep bothering me, don’t blame me for not being sentimental!” “Not sentimental? How un-sentimental? Are you going to have someone kill me? Go ahead and try it. Don’t forget, I have those videos and photos. If anything happens to me, I’ll release them, and you, Princess Summer, won’t get off easy!” Seeing him so shameless, Summer couldn’t hold back anymore and slapped him. “You’re despicable!” Finn, however, wasn’t ashamed. He just laughed. “Yeah, I’m despicable. So what? You don’t actually think you can get rid of me, do you? I’ve been with you for three years; how could something so good happen?” Summer’s hand was red from his grip; she was on the verge of crying in frustration. She was wondering how to get rid of him when her peripheral vision caught Liam Thorne not far away. Her eyes lit up as if she had seen a savior. “Liam, quick, come…” Her words stopped halfway. Because Liam ignored her and turned to leave. His resolute attitude angered Summer even more than Finn’s badgering. Her voice was tinged with hatred. “What do you mean by that?” Liam didn’t stop, nor did he feel like explaining. He didn’t want to clean up her messes anymore. Everything she was experiencing now was her own doing. She deserved to face the consequences herself. After graduation, Liam took over the Thorne Corporation, starting from the ground up to learn how to manage corporate affairs. He immersed himself in busy work every day, often working late into the night. But no matter how busy he was, he would always find time to return to that rental apartment and stay for a while. He bought many things, restoring the once empty room to its original state. From the clothes in the closet to the vase on the table, to the toiletries in the bathroom… Every item was something Jade used and loved. Yet there was no trace of her. He was clinging to a past that wouldn’t return in this cramped space, waiting for someone who might never come back. Time passed quickly, but when one was in it, each day felt interminably long. Five years later, Liam passed his evaluation and became the CEO of the Thorne Corporation. After the grand inauguration ceremony, he declined the celebration party and drove himself back to the rental apartment. As usual, he bought a lot of street-side barbecue, grabbed a few cans of beer, and then went home. On the way, he met Mrs. Peterson, who sighed upon seeing him. “Liam, it’s been five years, and Jade hasn’t come back once. Why do you insist on waiting here?” Those words struck the most hidden part of Liam’s heart. For him, Jade’s departure was like sealing off his past self. He rarely showed emotion to the outside world anymore, operating like an emotionless robot following a program. As he grew older, the Thorne family also began to worry about his marriage, constantly introducing him to potential partners. But he rejected everyone, saying he wanted to focus on his career. The Thorne family had no choice but to advise him while letting him be. No one knew why he was so restrained. Only he knew that the Liam Thorne who returned to this cramped, rundown rental apartment was the real Liam Thorne. Only when he pushed open that door would his tense nerves completely relax, and his exhaustion slowly fade. Everything in the room was exactly as he had left it yesterday, untouched. Seeing its spotless, clean appearance, a faint sense of disappointment flickered in his eyes. After putting down his things, he took a shower, changed into clean pajamas, and then opened a can of beer. Since starting work, he hadn’t touched alcohol in a long time, so after just one sip, his face flushed slightly. The continuous overtime had exhausted him, and he fell deeply asleep on the sofa before even finishing one can of beer. When he woke up again, it was already dark. His phone vibrated continuously, startling Liam awake. He rubbed his tired eyes, and after a long moment, picked up his phone. The dozen-plus people and hundreds of messages that popped up left him stunned. He tapped on several, realizing everyone had sent the same link. It was a news article. With confusion and doubt, Liam clicked on the link. He was initially lying on the sofa, but as he scrolled to the middle, he abruptly sat up. “The ‘Orion’ robot, developed by State University’s Aerospace Institute, successfully landed on Mars aboard the Shenxiong-7… Led by Professor Thompson, with team members Jade Miller, Scott Feng, and others…” Seeing that familiar name, Liam felt a sense of unreality. He meticulously read through the entire report, then at the very bottom, he saw a group photo. In the picture, 26-year-old Jade Miller had cut her hair short, her skin was much darker, her eyes firm and bright, and she wore a gentle smile for the camera. It was only then that Liam finally realized. Jade Miller was no longer the young woman who shared a cheap rental with him, her eyes solely on love and marriage. She had grown like a tree, spreading her magnificent wings before the entire world. So radiant. So brilliant. After the “Orion” project concluded, all project participants returned to the capital. Returning to the city they had been away from for so long, looking at the increasingly prosperous streets, Jade felt a sense of unreality. Having spent five years in a remote, resource-scarce, and solitary research base, she had grown accustomed to the dry, hot weather. She was still somewhat unaccustomed to the cool autumn days in the capital. After getting off the plane, the group boarded the car sent by State University, preparing to return to the campus. Jade chose a window seat in the back. Soon after, Professor Thompson came to her side and patted her shoulder. “Jade, what are your plans now that you’re back?” Looking at the teacher who had changed the trajectory of her life, Jade was filled with gratitude. “Professor, I’ve learned so much in these five years and also realized my own limitations. So, after my upcoming scheduled trips and seminars, I want to return to university to continue my studies.” Though she spoke modestly, Professor Thompson highly appreciated her spirit of lifelong learning, giving her an approving look. “Now that this project is over, many institutions and academies must be offering you positions, right? I’m so pleased that you can maintain your integrity amidst the temptations of fame and fortune, and choose to continue your studies. I’ve mentored you from the start, and I admire your tenacious, ambitious spirit. But I also hope that while you pursue the extraordinary, you don’t push yourself too hard. Family, friends, partners – these are all important parts of life. You need to balance them with your real life.” Jade knew Professor Thompson meant well. But having experienced that relationship, which now seemed somewhat childish, she had truly grown. For her now, romance was no longer the main theme of her life. Through the “Orion Project,” she had witnessed the distant and mysterious universe, found a broader career, and set grander goals. She wanted to converse with the cosmos. Though this wish seemed impractical, if humanity could land on Mars, what else was impossible? She wanted to challenge these impossibilities. Not as Jade Miller, the individual, but as a representative of all humanity. To initiate a dialogue with the unknown universe. After checking into the hotel, Jade had dinner with her colleagues and then returned to her room. She opened her suitcase, took out her toiletries, and was about to go shower when her phone started dinging repeatedly. University roommates, family relatives, and the professors who had always looked out for her – all sent greetings and congratulations. After replying to each one, she suddenly saw a new friend request. “Jade, can we talk?” With just a glance at the profile picture and name, Jade knew who it was. Liam Thorne. Thinking of him again, she felt no recollection of the past, nor any emotional波動 (fluctuation). It was as calm as if the person on the other side wasn’t an ex-boyfriend from five years ago, but merely an unimportant stranger. She felt she had nothing to talk about with him, and she didn’t want to waste any more time on him. So she didn’t accept the request, and with her pajamas in hand, she entered the bathroom. After showering, she felt completely relaxed. Lying on the soft, large bed, she quickly grew sleepy and drifted into a hazy slumber. Jade had a dream. In her dream, she became a shooting star, drifting through the vast, brilliant Milky Way, pulled by gravity. Above her were the stars and universe she pursued. And below her was Earth, her life source. Although an unknown silence suddenly brought a sense of loneliness. She knew she was completely free. Someone must have leaked the news. When the project team members woke up, they found the hotel surrounded by reporters and aerospace enthusiasts, an impenetrable crowd. At nine in the morning, they had a report meeting, followed by another seminar in the afternoon. Their schedule was tight; they couldn’t afford a single delay. But looking at the situation outside, let alone making it to the meetings, they probably couldn’t even leave the hotel. They were all worried. Just as it seemed they would be late, nearly a hundred bodyguards suddenly appeared outside the hotel, helping to maintain order and clear a path. Once the bus emerged from the crowd, the driver estimated they would arrive at the venue on time. The project team members all breathed a sigh of relief, discussing who had helped them out. Jade didn’t join in the conversation. She glanced at the company logo on the work badges worn by the bodyguards outside the window, then pulled the curtain shut. After two important meetings, there was a welcome banquet in the hotel lobby that evening. Having sat for ten hours, Jade felt her body stiffening. So, after making the rounds and greeting everyone at the banquet, she decided to head back to her room to rest. Rubbing her temples, she walked into the elevator, immediately catching a faint scent of sandalwood that instantly cleared her mind. Looking up, Jade met a pair of familiar eyes. After five years, Liam Thorne had matured greatly. There was a world-weariness in his eyes that belied his age, and a new, aloof demeanor that kept others at bay. Seeing her appear, that aloofness abruptly dissipated. His hands, previously tucked into his pockets, unconsciously dropped, and a mix of complex emotions flickered in his eyes. He looked a little flustered and nervous, as if he had been waiting for a long time. “Long time no see, Jade. How are you?” Jade glanced at him, then averted her gaze. She took out her elevator card, swiped it, and then replied. Her tone was calm and detached. “Thanks for asking. I’m fine.” The reunion they had both imagined countless times seemed about to end in these few words. Liam was unwilling to let the conversation stop there. “I didn’t mean to bother you, I just wanted to tell you I’m sorr—” Before the “—ry” could leave his lips, the elevator doors opened. Jade had no patience for his tiresome excuses. She stepped forward to enter. Watching her move, Liam’s heart pounded in his chest. He felt something rapidly draining from his body, and he instinctively reached out. And grabbed her wrist. Her movement restricted, Jade finally looked back at him. She said nothing, but the fleeting flicker of displeasure in her eyes struck Liam like a lightning bolt. He felt all his strength drain away, leaving him with no energy to hold her back. He could only let go. *Ding*. The elevator doors slowly closed. Watching her face disappear from his sight, Liam felt his entire heart clench. He slowly slid down the wall to the floor, lowering his head. His颓废 (decadent/despondent) and bewildered face was reflected on the polished floor. He remained there, frozen like a statue. He didn’t know how much time passed until the sounds of approaching footsteps, as the welcome banquet dispersed, jolted him from his endless pain. He struggled to his feet, took one last look at the elevator, and slowly walked out of the hotel. The evening breeze was cold, and he was lightly dressed, shivering from the chill. His secretary, who had been waiting outside for a long time, saw him emerge and quickly opened the rear car door. “Mr. Thorne, where to now?” After a moment of silence, Liam finally uttered a few words. “The office.” He needed to immerse himself in busy work to distract his thoughts. To briefly forget everything that had just happened. Liam pushed on until four in the morning before finally feeling sleepy. It was late, and he was too tired to bother going home, so he grabbed a blanket and slept in his office. He had barely slept a few hours when he was woken by the secretary suddenly pushing the door open. “Mr. Thorne, there’s a problem.” These words, like cold water, instantly jolted Liam’s muddled mind awake. He frowned, sat up, and took the document the secretary handed him. With just one glance, he froze. #ThorneCorpCEOandMysteryWomanLateNightRendezvous# The topic came with pictures, clearly secretly taken in the elevator yesterday evening. Ever since Liam Thorne took over Thorne Corporation, public discussion about this leading heir to one of the capital’s top conglomerates had surged. Half of it was due to Thorne Corporation’s inherent influence, the other half due to Liam Thorne himself. He was decisive and efficient; his first act after taking power was to change Thorne Corporation’s fundamental strategy of relying on real estate, announcing their foray into artificial intelligence. This unique vision and audacity were highly praised by the younger generation, attracting a large fan base. In addition to focusing on his career, many people also gossiped about his appearance and private life. So, as soon as this topic emerged, netizens eager for gossip quickly uncovered the female lead. Liam picked up his phone and opened the comment section, seeing countless highly upvoted comments. “State University alumni here to confirm! The woman in the photo is his ex-girlfriend, Jade Miller, the super genius from the Aerospace Engineering Department, a once-in-a-century talent!” “Holy crap, Jade Miller? Isn’t she the designer for the robot project that landed on Mars… Do all you big shots only date other big shots?” “Huh? Huh? Huh? When they finally reveal a relationship, it’s this huge? Aerospace designer and domineering CEO, what a novel come to life! I’m shipping them, what about you guys?” Watching the trending topic climb rapidly, Liam’s right eyelid twitched, and panic bubbled inside him. His mind raced, trying to figure out how to handle the situation, when his grandfather’s call came in. “Liam, is the news online true? Is that newly famous aerospace designer really your ex-girlfriend?” After a long silence, Liam replied in a low voice. “Yes.” A sharp intake of breath came from the other end of the line. A moment later, Old Mr. Thorne happily clicked his tongue. “So what did you two talk about when you met yesterday? Is there a chance of rekindling things?” Talked about what? Recalling Jade’s cool demeanor and her terse, few words, Liam felt a catch in his throat. Receiving no answer for a long time, Old Mr. Thorne probably understood. He sighed, then earnestly advised him. “I knew it. You haven’t been willing to get married because you still have someone in your heart. From the news, she seems like a wonderful girl. If you two can really get back together, your grandpa would be thrilled. But you can’t force love; she’s not an ordinary girl. If there’s truly no destiny, then forget her. Don’t torment yourself. She’s not a bird that will perch on your branch; no matter how long you wait, it will likely be futile!” Liam understood these truths perfectly well. But how could he just let go? After all, this relationship wasn’t as pure as ordinary love. The dirty self-interest and manipulation intertwined within it—how could a simple “let go” explain it all? Even after five years, revisiting everything that happened back then, even a trivial detail, would fill Liam with so much guilt that he couldn’t sleep. If chasing Summer had been his unwavering obsession before he met Jade, then from their breakup until now, confessing everything to Jade and sincerely apologizing had become his new obsession. These obsessions, more than any unrequited desire from the past, made him feel desperate and tormented. They made him feel like he’d rather die. While Thorne Corporation was holding an emergency public relations meeting, Jade Miller had already issued a public response. After the morning news, there was a live interview about the “Orion Project.” After receiving approval from above, a reporter asked about the trending topic that had erupted last night. Under the gaze of billions, Jade calmly answered the question. “Thank you for your concern, but that relationship discussed online has already ended. From the start of the project until its conclusion, I have been single, and I will not be considering any romantic relationships in the near future. I will be fully dedicated to new work and studies. Please focus on the ‘Orion Project’s’ exploration journey on Mars, and please continue to follow the new surprises brought to you by State University’s Aerospace Engineering Institute.” With a few simple words, she deftly defused the entire situation, immediately quashing the relationship’s buzz. Because the rumors involved a researcher in the aerospace field, the entire office breathed a sigh of relief after watching the interview. Except for Liam Thorne. He replayed the news several times before waving his hand to end the meeting. Outside, a continuous, vast fog shrouded the city. Standing amidst it, a chilling sense of isolation that came with his high position arose. The morning sun shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto him, but he felt no warmth. After everyone left, his secretary brought him a cup of coffee and cautiously asked, “Mr. Thorne, the situation has calmed down. Do we still need to respond?” Silence lingered in the room for a long time before Liam’s somewhat hoarse voice replied. “No. Find the newspaper that took the photos and send a lawyer’s letter.” After half a month of intensive work, all officially arranged schedules concluded. Jade Miller returned to State University with her modest luggage, becoming a student of the Aerospace Engineering Department once again. She resumed her studies under Professor Thompson, now bearing the title of a new graduate student. Suddenly transitioning from the resource-scarce, monotonous, and lonely base back to the ivory tower of university, she still felt a bit unaccustomed. Especially seeing the fresh faces, some students half her age, some even two academic years ahead of her, calling her “Head Student,” she genuinely wasn’t used to it. Professor Thompson, seeing her embarrassed expression, couldn’t help but chuckle and openly teased her. “Jade, you’ve been with me for five years; by now, you should almost be graduating with your doctorate. In my opinion, everyone’s calling you correctly! It’s just that things were rushed when you left, and we forgot about the paperwork. Now we’re just completing the procedure. With your skill and experience, teaching these younger students is no problem at all. Everyone knows you’re my most accomplished student, don’t worry about it!” Hearing this, the younger students below cheerfully called her “Head Student,” and the atmosphere became incredibly harmonious. Hearing it often enough, Jade slowly became desensitized and no longer worried about such trivial matters. Due to her special status, State University arranged a dedicated apartment for her to ensure her normal study and life. During Thanksgiving weekend, she took some time to go home and visit her parents, whom she hadn’t seen in five years. The three of them had a lively holiday dinner, talking about many things. She was also of age, so her family naturally asked about her marriage, inquiring about her thoughts. Jade knew her parents had probably seen the news and were worried, which was why they were asking. She didn’t want them to worry too much, so she told her true feelings to her elderly parents. “Dad, Mom, you know my last relationship didn’t end well. It actually took me almost two months to fully emerge from that dark cloud. During that time, I kept thinking about what I truly wanted: a happy family? Or a successful career? I was confused for a long time.” “It wasn’t until the day I created the first model component, and I heard my professor say that this inconspicuous little item in my hand, carrying the hard work and sweat of myself, all the base staff, and billions of humans, would fly alone into the mysterious, unknown outer space, to see landscapes we can’t see with our naked eyes, to collect information from the universe for us, and to take a crucial step for humanity’s future—that’s when I suddenly saw clearly.” “A person’s life is very long, yet so short; a hundred years can pass in the blink of an eye. But it is precisely the accumulation of countless hundred-year periods, and countless humans sacrificing themselves to pass on the torch of civilization, that has led to this vast and long history of human evolution. If I can leave my name in this historical scroll, wouldn’t that be more thrilling than fleeting affections?” “Everyone is born with their own mission. Since you gave me this rare talent and intellect, I should develop these gifts, letting them produce more light to illuminate the paths of more people, shouldn’t I?” Mr. and Mrs. Miller, who only had high school educations, fell silent. Their original intention was merely to worry about their daughter, not wanting her to be lonely in old age. But after hearing their daughter’s words, they understood that the dream she pursued was far grander and more brilliant than their worries. They might not fully comprehend the nature of her work. But they respected her choices, and her pure heart dedicated to science. All they wanted was for their daughter, when her life came to an end a century from now, to look back and feel happy and content. For them, that was enough. After gaining her parents’ understanding, Jade’s last lingering worry completely dissipated, and she threw herself wholeheartedly into her new work. In addition to completing her basic studies, she also joined the National Academy of Sciences at Professor Thompson’s recommendation, taking on even heavier responsibilities. Yet she reveled in it. Every task she received, every new set of data she calculated, every new discovery she made, filled her with extreme excitement. People around her saw her constantly running between the lab and the research institute, even working during holidays, and urged her to relax, not to push herself so hard. Jade explained countless times that it was voluntary, but everyone still didn’t believe her. Professor Thompson, in particular, after several criticisms, and seeing her still unchanged, grew a little frustrated. He took her out one weekend, insisting she join him for a hike. Autumn Ridge Park in the fall, with its maple leaves glowing like fire, and a clear, cloudless sky, brought smiles to the students breathing in the fresh air. Jade leisurely ambled at the back of the group, picking up a few pretty maple leaves, intending to make specimens from them. Eventually, she fell far behind the younger students. Seeing them disappear from sight, she didn’t bother to catch up. She simply found a spot in a roadside pavilion to rest. Hiking, after all, was about relaxing and clearing one’s mind; reaching the summit wasn’t important. Jade comforted herself with this thought, took out her phone, snapped a few pictures of the clear blue sky, then posted an update on Twitter. “Exercise is good for the mind and body!” Looking at the rather old-fashioned caption and photos, Jade couldn’t help but chuckle. *I’m really getting old!* Perhaps the autumn wind was too comfortable; Jade dozed off while resting. She didn’t know how long she napped, but when she woke up, she saw photos of the magnificent mountain top scenery sent by her junior students. “Head Student, why aren’t you up here yet? We’re already planning to head back down!” “Professor Thompson said you fell too far behind, your fitness is terrible! He’s punishing you by making you attend all future group activities!” Looking at the messages in the group chat, Jade stretched. Just as she was about to send a “Copy that” reply, a shadow suddenly appeared before her. She looked up and instantly frowned. Why was Liam Thorne here? Did she still have an un-deleted mole in her contact list? She’d have to thoroughly check it when she got back. Liam Thorne didn’t know what she was thinking. The only reason he followed her was to formally apologize to her. So, even though he caught a fleeting glimpse of displeasure in her eyes, he could only swallow his disappointment and speak with difficulty. “Jade, I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry.” Jade, however, had no desire to accept his apology. Because “I’m sorry” meant nothing to her. If she accepted it, it would imply that she was still dwelling on the past five years. But she had completely moved on; she simply didn’t want any further interaction with him. So she only replied with one sentence. “I don’t need your apology, and I don’t want to see you again. Do you understand?” This single sentence, far more than a thousand reproaches or accusations, tormented Liam’s heart, which was already steeped in regret. If an apology was meaningless, it meant he could never atone for the mistakes he made in his youth. Realizing this, he felt a pain spread through his entire body, tugging at his nerves. He could no longer control his emotions, and his voice choked up. “I, I was so stupid back then. I didn’t know how precious genuine feelings were. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have used you, and I shouldn’t have lied to you…” This tearful scene of remorse, however, struck Jade as more tedious than any gossip on the trending topics. She took out her water bottle and drank a few sips, not interrupting him, her mind blank, not listening to a single word. Only when he finished and looked at her with a helpless gaze did she finally speak. “Are you done?” “I don’t want to comment on anything you’ve said, because that’s your business, not mine.” “The only thing I want to say is, when I left, I returned all the gifts you gave me. Five hundred thirty-one dollars and twenty-five cents, not a cent more, not a cent less. You should have received it, right?” Seeing a flicker of confusion in his eyes and a slight nod, Jade continued, “Then shouldn’t you return everything I gave you? Cash is fine too. How about forty thousand or so, plus five years of interest, to make it fifty thousand? You can have your secretary send it to the State University Aerospace Institute’s office, just use my name.”

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