I knelt on the floor, my fingertips touching the cold tiles as I scrubbed at invisible stains.
“A blind man, good for nothing but eating,” my mother-in-law’s acidic voice pierced my ears. “Hurry up, you can’t even clean the floor properly. What use are you?”
I gripped the rag tightly, enduring it all.
“Mom, I’m sorry,” Claire’s voice chimed in, full of impatience. “Why are you bothering with this? We could just hire a maid.”
“I don’t like strangers in the house,” my mother-in-law replied coldly. “Besides, James isn’t doing anything else. A little exercise is good for him.”
“Whatever you say,” Claire sighed. I heard the sound of her bedroom door closing.
The last glimmer of light in my heart extinguished. She hadn’t said a single word in my defense.
I felt my way to standing, picking up the bucket of dirty water to empty it. Suddenly, a foot shot out, tripping me hard.
There was a loud splash as the icy, foul-smelling water drenched me. I lay sprawled on the floor, utterly humiliated.
My mother-in-law stood nearby, her tone mocking: “Useless as always. Can’t even do a simple task.”
Claire came out after hearing the commotion but showed no concern for me. I silently crawled to my feet, feeling my way around to clean up the mess.
Afterwards, I retreated to the kitchen. As I closed the door, I could clearly hear an argument breaking out.
“The company has to be mine. Don’t even think about interfering!” Claire shouted heatedly.
“I gave birth to you, raised you. How can the company not include me?” my mother-in-law fired back.
“I have my own plans. You’ll get your share,” Claire conceded reluctantly.
I numbly picked up a knife, feeling my way around the cutting board. The cold blade sliced my fingertip, drawing blood, but I felt no pain.
Claire pushed open the door and took the knife from my hand.
“Honey, why are you cooking when you’re sick?” Her voice was suddenly sweet. “Let Mom handle it next time. I want fish for dinner tonight.”
Claire gently stroked my hair. I froze, bitterness spreading through me. She hadn’t even noticed my injured hand.
“I made your favorite, stir-fried peppers and pork,” I said, my voice shaking.
Her hand that had been caressing my face suddenly withdrew. Her tone turned icy.
“Who likes that? James, do you not love me anymore? You won’t even make what I want to eat.”
Alarm bells went off in my head. I was afraid Claire would stop caring about me because of this. I frantically tried to grab her hand, my arms flailing in the air.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” I couldn’t catch her, so I fell to my knees, begging her not to leave.
“You’re acting like a lunatic now.” Claire’s voice was filled with undisguised disgust.
I knelt on the floor, listening to her departing footsteps. Suddenly I remembered how she used to snuggle in my arms, saying happily: “James, you have to make me stir-fried peppers and pork for the rest of our lives.”
I wished so badly that I could regain my sight right now. Then Claire wouldn’t despise me anymore.
At dinnertime, Claire’s family was gathered happily in the living room. They seemed to be expecting dinner guests tonight.
But none of this had anything to do with me.
I huddled alone in my room, silently eating leftovers. They said a blind man like me would be an embarrassment at the table.
A familiar voice that sent chills down my spine suddenly rang out by the door.
“Have you started eating? I guess I came at a bad time.”
My body instantly stiffened. That fear spread from my core to every inch of me.
It was my half-brother, Ethan – my father’s illegitimate son.
The cheerful chatter in the living room came to an abrupt halt.
Claire jumped to her feet, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.
“Ethan! You’re here!” The undisguised joy in her voice was a stark contrast to how she spoke to me.
Even my usually critical in-laws’ tones became warm and welcoming.
“Ethan’s here, come in and sit down!”
It was as if Ethan was the true master of this house.
Ethan laughed, “I saw the flowers in the yard and picked one for you.”
Those were the jasmine flowers I had planted. Claire said she loved the scent of jasmine.
I used to pick them one by one, drying them into tea cakes to brew her favorite floral tea.
“Oh, you,” Claire’s voice was coy and flirtatious. “You didn’t have to bring anything.”
I stood in the doorway of my room, completely out of place in this home.
Claire noticed me and her tone instantly dropped to freezing.
“James, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and welcome your brother!”
My feet felt nailed to the floor, anger and resentment churning in my chest. I couldn’t accept Claire telling me to welcome the man who had ruined my once-happy life.
It was because of Ethan and his mother’s interference that my own mother couldn’t accept the reality. Her heart condition relapsed, and her health deteriorated from then on.
Ethan spoke up in false concern, “Claire, don’t be like that. He’s my brother after all, and he’s still unwell. How can I let him wait on me?”
“Ethan, you’re too kind,” my mother-in-law immediately chimed in. “A blind man, clumsy as he is, what can he do anyway?”
“James, if you don’t go now, I’m really going to be angry,” Claire threatened.
My throat tightened as I desperately held back tears. I reminded myself this blindness was only temporary.
Afraid of upsetting Claire, I felt my way to the kitchen and grabbed a clean set of dishes. I walked over to Ethan and gently set them down beside him.
Ethan looked at me and sneered, “My brother is still so capable.”
I was in no mood to respond to him. A familiar scent had caught my attention.
It was Claire’s favorite perfume, with its cool, woody notes. But it was coming from Ethan.
I whirled towards Claire, grabbing her wrist. “Why does he smell like your perfume?”
The room fell deathly silent.
“James!” Claire yelled at me. “You’re being paranoid again! Can’t you act normal for once? It’s exhausting being with you!”
Ethan sighed, adding fuel to the fire. “Claire, don’t be angry. James has always been like this, prone to overthinking. Now that he’s sick, it’s normal for him to be sensitive and suspicious.”
But my instincts told me this wasn’t just my imagination. At the same time, I prayed that I really was overthinking things.
Claire, I only wish you wouldn’t choose Ethan.
Claire’s voice was full of disgust. “I don’t want to argue with you. There’s an urgent project at work. I need to go on a business trip.”
I reached out, trying to grab her, but only grasped air.
“Claire…” I was at a loss. It was my blindness that made her despise me so much.
I had to win back Claire’s heart, which meant I needed to regain my sight.
When she returned from her trip, I wanted to surprise her with a husband who could see again, who was healthy.
Claire left on her business trip the next day. I immediately contacted my childhood friend to arrange a corneal transplant.
Luckily, my surgery was successful. When the bandages came off, the light stung my eyes and brought tears.
My mind was filled with thoughts of how to win Claire back, of the happy life we would have together.
But fate had other plans.
Before I could fully take in the world around me, my phone buzzed with a message.
It was from Ethan: “Too bad you’re blind, little brother. Otherwise you’d be able to see your woman in my bed right now.”
A photo was attached to the message.
Claire lay on her side in bed, hair disheveled, covered by a sheet that revealed only her shoulder, marked with kiss marks.
The implications of the photo were crystal clear.
The background was the master bedroom of Ethan’s apartment. That bed – I had gone with Claire to pick it out. She said it was a gift for a friend.
My heart ached so badly I could hardly breathe.
Just then, my assistant called.
“Mr. Song, Mrs. Song has ordered the preparation of CEO appointment documents.”
Hearing those words, the world was no longer dark, but my heart felt colder than when I was blind.
“I’m coming back now.”
I locked myself in my office for five days and nights.
The desk was piled high with documents, the floor littered with coffee cups and cigarette butts.
On the fifth day, my mother-in-law called.
“James! I see you’ve grown too big for your britches. Where the hell have you been?”
I hung up without a word.
Immediately after, Claire’s number lit up my screen.
“James, have you lost your mind? What are you playing at now?” Her voice was shrill and grating.
“Oh right, you’re not capable of running the company now. Just transfer all the stocks to me.”
“Otherwise don’t even think about coming back to this family!”
I replied calmly, “Alright.”
My calm demeanor caught her off guard.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m staying at my friend’s place to clear my head. I won’t be coming back for a while.”
On the other end of the line, I could almost hear her sigh of relief.
“You… you understand then.” Her tone shifted to one of command. “Since you’re free anyway, Ethan’s been so busy he hasn’t eaten dinner yet. Go bring him something to eat.”
I arrived outside the CEO’s office.
The door was ajar, and Ethan’s voice drifted out.
“Claire, don’t blame James. He’s become sensitive and paranoid since losing his sight.”
“Once I take over the company, you won’t have to work so hard anymore.”
As I listened to Ethan’s voice, my blood suddenly ran cold.
After hitting me, the driver had rolled down his window to make a phone call.
It was this very voice.
I pushed open the door.
Seeing me enter, Ethan didn’t realize I had regained my sight.
He smirked provocatively, wrapping his arm around Claire’s waist and kissing her shamelessly.
Claire showed no shame in doing this in front of me.
Perhaps they had done this countless times before in my presence.
They were so engrossed in their kiss that Ethan only noticed my empty hands when he finally looked up.
He released Claire, frowning in displeasure.
“Where’s the food?”
“James, I’m warning you, stop playing games. Otherwise Claire really will leave you.”
I grabbed the glass from the desk and smashed it against his head.
Blood trickled down from Ethan’s temple.
Claire screamed.
Ethan was stunned too, clutching his head and staring at me in disbelief.
“You can see?!”
“Security! Get this madman out of here!” he shouted towards the door, while shielding Claire behind him.
“Claire, you go out first!”
Two security guards rushed in. Having not exercised in a long time, I was quickly overpowered.
In the chaos, I lunged at Ethan, grabbing a shard of glass and pressing it against his carotid artery.
“Nobody move!”
The guards froze.
Ethan’s face turned ashen.
“James, let go of me!”
I ignored him, my gaze fixed on Claire who was making a call outside.
After a moment, Claire walked up to me and played a video.
“James, look at this.”
On the screen, my mother with her heart condition was strapped to a bungee jumping platform.
“If you let go of Ethan now, I’ll have them stop the machine.”
With each rise of the platform, my mother’s face grew paler as she clutched her chest in pain.
“Let go. Kneel down.” Claire’s voice was ice cold, devoid of any emotion.
A searing pain shot through my chest. I coughed up blood.
I released Ethan and fell to my knees.
Claire put away her phone with satisfaction and took Ethan’s arm.
“Take him away.”
I was brought to an auction hall.
Claire stood on the stage.
“The position of CEO of Song Corporation, starting bid one million dollars.”
She smiled, looking down at my disheveled form like I was a dog.
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In the operating room, my surgeon husband and his mistress nurse abandoned a patient for forty minutes, leading to the patient’s death.
Afterward, my husband demanded I sign a medical malpractice waiver.
That’s when I realized he thought my own mother was on the operating table.
I silently pushed the waiver back to him.
“It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to sign this. The deceased’s son should sign it.”
“Sign this.”
Dr. Victor Thorne slammed the document onto my desk. His face showed no remorse, only impatience.
I glanced at the paper. “Medical Malpractice Waiver” read the title.
I was confused. Then Tiffany Davis, standing next to Victor, spoke up, her voice dripping with sickly sweetness.
“Dr. Hayes, my condolences. Victor did his best, but your mother just didn’t make itā¦”
She pretended to look sad, lowering her head, but her hand clutched Victor’s arm tightly.
I froze, instinctively looking at Victor. “What happened? It was just a thyroidectomy, right?”
Victor scoffed. Tiffany immediately chimed in, her tone falsely understanding.
“Dr. Hayes, you’re a doctor too. How can you say something so unprofessional? There are always complications during surgery. Your mother was old, in poor healthā¦ You can’t blame Victor. He’s probably more heartbroken than you are.”
He’s more heartbroken than *me*?
I frowned, staring at Victor.
āAnd why wouldn’t he be?
My gaze seemed to offend him. Victor roughly shoved the waiver back in front of me.
“Cut the crap, Amelia! Sign this now and hand it to Director Miller yourself! Also, tomorrow morning at eight, the moment our cooling-off period is over, we’re going straight to the courthouse to get divorced!”
He paused, then pulled Tiffany closer, flaunting her. “And, Tiffany and I are getting married tomorrow. Your mom’s funeral is just too much of a downer, so I won’t be going.”
With that, Victor didn’t even spare me another glance. He walked away, arm around a smug-looking Tiffany.
My mom’s funeral?
My eyes fell back to the “Medical Malpractice Waiver.”
The patient’s name seemed to be a printer error, with some ink bleed, making it barely legible. I could just make out “M. Thorne.”
“Due to insufficient care by the family, the patient died from postoperative complications. The hospital and lead surgeon, Dr. Victor Thorne, bear no responsibilityā¦”
I read each line, feeling nothing but a sickening sense of absurdity.
Victor only had one surgery scheduled today.
The patient was his own mother, Martha Thorne.
The unsettling feeling inside me grew stronger. I went straight to the monitoring room to review the surveillance footage of that surgery.
The recording showed Victor and Tiffany arriving late. The patient was already anesthetized, her face covered with a sterile drape, when they strolled into the operating room as if nothing were wrong, taking their sweet time.
Victor was the lead surgeon, and Tiffany was the instrument nurse.
But those two had no focus on the surgery at all. Their flirtatious glances never stopped.
Nurse Jenkins cleared her throat, beginning to verify the patient’s information.
“October 17th, OR 1, first surgery, patient verification. Patient Marthaā”
“Alright, alright, don’t waste time. What does the patient’s name have to do with the surgery? It’s just one thyroidectomy today, can’t get it wrong.”
Victor cut Nurse Jenkins off and immediately started the surgery.
Tiffany gave Nurse Jenkins a slight, smug bump, signaling her to move away from Victor’s side.
Nurse Jenkins, already annoyed with Victor, just stepped aside.
Soon after the surgery began, Tiffany absentmindedly handed over the wrong size clamp when passing a vascular forceps.
Nurse Jenkins immediately spoke up.
“Tiffany, that’s the wrong one.”
But instead of admitting her mistake, Tiffany rolled her eyes at the experienced nurse. “Oh, who cares if it’s wrong? Why are you so loud? You startled me!”
“This is an operating room! It’s a matter of life and death! You’re wrong, and you’re still arguing?”
Tiffany was so flustered, her eyes welled up.
Victor instantly bristled. He slammed his scalpel down into the tray with a loud *clank*, pointing at Nurse Jenkins’s nose and yelling,
“I’m the surgeon, and I didn’t say anything! Who are you to boss anyone around here?!”
After yelling, Victor grabbed Tiffany’s arm. The two of them stomped out of the operating room, leaving the patient mid-surgery, abandoned on the operating table!
Chaos erupted in the operating room. A young nurse quickly ran after them. Nurse Jenkins, meanwhile, directed the others to continue the surgery while making a call to report the situation to a superior.
I fast-forwarded the recording. It took a full forty minutes for Victor and Tiffany, the two culprits, to reappear on screen.
Their faces showed no urgency at all. Instead, they had an arrogant, exasperated expression, as if we had to beg them to return.
It was at that moment that the heart monitor’s waveform grew weaker and weaker, finally emitting a piercing “beepā” and flattening into a straight line. The shrill alarm echoed throughout the operating room.
Victor shuffled over to the operating table, pretending to press the patient’s chest a few times, just going through the motions.
“Alright, can’t save her.”
From start to finish, he didn’t even bother to lift the drape covering the patient’s face to take a look! There wasn’t a single shred of guilt in his eyes!
Even if he didn’t know it was his own mother lying there, such disregard for life and utter irresponsibility made my blood boil, and my stomach churned with disgust!
As I unlocked the monitoring room door and stepped out, I bumped into Sarah Olsen, a new nurse from our department, in the hallway.
The moment she saw me, she rushed over, her face a mix of cautiousness and eagerness to show concern. “Drā¦ Dr. Hayesā¦ about your auntā¦ my condolencesā¦”
“It was my mother-in-law who passed away,” I calmly corrected her. “Not my mom. But thank you anyway.”
“Oh?!” Sarah’s eyes widened, her face flushing with embarrassment. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Dr. Hayes! I misunderstood. When your aunt came to see you that day, she said she was your mother, so I just assumedā¦”
Of course, I knew my mother-in-law, Martha Thorne, had made a scene when she came to the hospital last time. I wasn’t surprised she’d become gossip fodder for the younger nurses. I shook my head, indicating I didn’t mind.
Sarah still looked regretful.
“Yesterday, when I was scheduling surgeries, I even specifically told Dr. Thorne that today’s patient was Dr. Hayes’s mom. He heard me and agreed readilyā¦ Sigh, how could an accident happen?”
“What did you say?!” I cut her off. “You told Victor that my mom was on the operating table?!”
Sarah jumped, stammering, “Y-yesā¦”
Sarah was new and had no idea Victor and I were married, nor did she know that my mother-in-law was Victor’s actual mother. She looked at me with confusion.
I took a deep breath, utterly flabbergasted.
No wonder! No wonder that scum, Victor, was forcing me to sign a waiver for *his own mother*! No wonder he could cruelly say my mom’s funeral was “a downer”!
Because he always thought it was my mom lying on that operating table!
Suddenly, my heart lurched. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
Victor, before entering the operating room, already “knew” my mom was inside!
So, those forty minutes he and Tiffany were goneā¦ was it truly a spur of the moment fit of pique, or was it deliberate?
Medical accident, and intentional killing, are two entirely different things.
The next morning, I went to the courthouse and finalized my divorce with Victor.
Victor clung to Tiffany the whole time, openly affectionate. As soon as the divorce certificate was issued, he loudly declared they were going to get their marriage license.
I didn’t waste another word on him. I drove straight back to the hospital; patients were waiting.
After two surgeries, I stepped out of the operating room, only to be cornered by Victor.
“Amelia! What the hell do you want?! Why didn’t you sign that damn waiver?! You got me reamed out by Director Miller! All my bonuses are gone! Are you happy now?!”
“Victor,” I said, looking at his pathetic display, my heart calm. “It wasn’t appropriate for me to sign that waiver.”
“Not appropriate for you?! I think you did it on purpose! You just want to screw me over! Surgery always has risks! If you’re so filial, why didn’t you operate on your own mom yourself?!”
“Surgical risks?” I scoffed. “Was it a surgical risk, or was it the lead surgeon leaving with his little nurse for a full forty minutes in the middle of the surgery? Victor, should I pull up the surveillance footage and post it online, so everyone can learn about your ‘surgical risks’?”
“Youāyou really did it on purpose!” He jumped. “Just because your mom died on my operating table, you had to get revenge! You just want to ruin me!”
“I’m telling you, Amelia! You owe me this month’s bonus! And that waiver! You need to go right now! Immediately! Sign it for me! Do you hear me?! Director Miller is waiting!”
“First, Victor, we’re divorced. You have no right to lay your hands on me. Second, only the deceased’s direct next of kin can sign a waiver like that. We’re divorced, so I can’t sign it.”
“Are you out of your mind, Amelia?!” He couldn’t believe his ears. “What does our divorce have to do with your mom?”
“You’re the one who’s out of their mind.” I stared into his stupid, angry eyes, pushing the waiver back to him. “We’re divorced, so your mother has absolutely nothing to do with me. That waiver? The deceased’s son should sign it.”
I paused, looking at his bewildered face, enunciating each word with a touch of malicious satisfaction:
“Victor, do you still not know the name of the patient who died on your operating table yesterday?”
“Her name was Martha Thorne.”
“Your own mother.”
Victor froze for a moment, then, like a lit firecracker, his voice suddenly shot up in volume.
“Amelia! You actually dare to curse my mom to death?!”
Victor, this man, was vain, arrogant, disloyal, and unfaithfulāhis flaws were countless. His only redeeming quality was his filial piety towards his mother.
He was genuinely filial. Out of his twelve thousand dollar monthly salary, he’d send eleven thousand to his mom, give me one thousand, then eat and live off me, claiming he was supporting me.
Then, as if to prove his accusation, he shoved his phone in front of my face.
“See for yourself! This is the death registry list!” he roared. “Open your damn eyes and see who’s on it!”
On that list, a name was crudely circled in red marker, standing out like a sore thumbāEleanor Hayes.
Eleanor Hayesā¦ that was my mother’s name. Even the ID number after it was indeed my mother’s information.
How was that possible?
This morning, just a few hours ago, when I left for work, my mom had just made me my favorite pan-fried buns.
They were hot, with thin skin, generous filling, and delicious soup.
She even watched me eat, congratulating me on finally escaping the hellhole that was Victor. She was so happy she wanted to go downstairs and light some fireworks to celebrate my new beginning.
I knew my face must have turned incredibly pale and stiff right then.
Victor clearly noticed my distraught appearance and misinterpreted my reaction.
“Nothing to say now, huh?! Amelia, to spite me, you’re actually neglecting your own mother’s funeral arrangements? The person is dead, and you’re still calmly working here? Do you have no conscience?! If your patients knew, who would dare to put their lives in the hands of someone as cold-blooded as you?!”
Even though I knew there was a high chance of a mistake, I nervously pulled out my phone and dialed my mom’s number.
The phone rang with a “Dooādooā” but there was no answer for a long time.
Victor stood across from me, a smirk on his face, enjoying the show.
“Still putting on an act?” he said coldly, his voice full of schadenfreude. “Hurry up and sign that waiver, then go to the morgue to find your mom’s body, hahahaha!”
Victor laughed and walked away. I ignored him, continuing to dial my mom’s number over and over.
Just as I was about to give up and rush out of my office to drive home and check, the call finally connected.
“Hello?” A voice I knew better than my own filled my ear.
It was my mom’s voice! It really was my mom!
In that instant, my nerves, stretched to their breaking point, suddenly relaxed.
I almost cried out, “Mom! Why did it take you so long to answer?! You scared me half to death, do you know that?! I called so many times! Where were you?!”
“I was looking for my insurance card!”
my mom complained on the other end.
“I was rummaging through everything. My phone was charging in the living room, so I didn’t hear it. I remember having it when I went to your hospital last time, how could it just disappear? It’s so strangeā¦”
I let out a long sigh of relief, leaning back in my chair, feeling all the strength drain from my body.
Listening to my mom’s rambling, I suddenly remembered the scene half a month ago when my mother-in-law, Martha Thorne, came to see me.
Half a month ago, I’d been working non-stop at the hospital for over a week. Going home was out of the question; even getting a decent sleep in the on-call room felt like a luxury.
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For her first birthday after marriage, Riley had saved every spare penny from her part-time delivery job for six months to buy her husband, Julian, a tie.
It was a beautiful light smoke-gray, absolutely perfect.
She planned to hide it at the bottom of the closet and surprise him when he came home that night.
But instead, at the very bottom of the closet, she found a marriage certificate.
The photo on the certificate was still a picture of her and Julian.
But his name had an extra initial in front: J. Julian.
And the womanās name was Chloe, her twin sister.
Sounds came from outside, Julian seemed to be back.
Someone else was with him, probably his assistant.
Riley hid in the closet and listened to their conversation.
āMr. Fuentes, the handbag Miss Chloe liked while shopping today? Iāve already arranged to have it delivered to her home. We told her she was a lucky winner chosen during the mall’s anniversary sale, and the bag was her prize.ā
Julian nodded. āWell done.ā
āMr. Fuentes, I donāt quite understand. If you like Miss Chloe so much, why not just reveal your identity and confess directly? Why go undercover and pursue her twin sister first?ā
Julianās voice sounded a little desolate.
āChloe has rejected me ninety-nine times, but I canāt let her go. I will only ever love her. As for Rileyā¦ she looks eighty percent like Chloe. I just wanted to use her to take the wedding photo on the marriage certificate. Chloeās ID was used for the actual registration.ā
āYou truly are devoted to Miss Chloe. Even after being rejected so many times, you still find a way to be with her.ā
Julianās voice turned dark. āEven if I canāt win her heart, I wonāt let her marry another man. She can only be mine!ā
āSo, you disguised your identity to make it easier to escape later?ā
āExactly,ā Julian said. āIāll accrue massive debts under the name Julian, so Riley will have no choice but to let go.ā
That night, Riley stayed in the closet, not coming out.
She clutched the marriage certificate, a bitter laugh escaping her lips.
So, she was just a tool, used by Julian in his ruthless pursuit.
From the very beginning, he had only loved Chloe.
All that talk about him being a slave to the corporate grind earning only four thousand a month, or not being able to afford a proper wedding ceremony or flowers ā it was all a lie!
He was the heir to the colossal Fuentes Group empire, wealthy beyond imagination. What couldn’t he afford?
He hid his identity and skipped the wedding because she wasn’t the woman he truly wanted to marry!
She wasn’t worthy!
The next morning, Riley went straight to the department store and returned the tie.
Then, she bought a plane ticket.
The staff member asked her, āMaāam, where would you like to fly?ā
Riley handed her all the refund money. āSee how far this can get me. Just pick the furthest destination possible.ā
Soon, she received a text message confirming her ticket.
Seven days later, her flight would depart for Nigeria.
She looked it up on the map. It was a small country in Africa.
Perfect. Africa was far enough.
When she got home, the lights were off.
Julian didn’t seem to be awake yet.
Just as she was about to unlock the door with her key, she heard a sound from inside.
Julian was holding a womanās hair tie, kissing it frantically against his lips. āChloeā¦ Chloeā¦ good girl, I love youā¦ā
At the same time, his hand moved rhythmically below, until he found his release.
Round after round, he seemed tireless, continuing for a full three hours.
Riley waited outside the door for three hours. Only when the sounds completely ceased did she push the door open and step inside.
Julian saw her, and the intoxicated look on his face instantly morphed into indifference. āWhere have you been? Why werenāt you home all morning?ā
Riley opened a window to air out the room, letting the heavy, cloying scent of stale desire dissipate.
She and Julian had been āmarriedā for over half a year, but Julian had never touched her.
Several times, she had tried to be intimate, but Julian would merely push her away gently. āIām exhausted from work. I donāt have the energy for anything else. You should rest. Iāll sleep on the couch.ā
At first, she genuinely believed he was just a corporate drone overworked by a soulless company, so she didn’t mind and even felt bad for him.
But now that the truth was out, she finally understood the reason for his coldness all these years.
It was all just an excuse.
Riley said, āThe supermarket on the west side of town had a sale on groceries this morning, so I went to queue for it.ā
Julian looked at her empty hands, puzzled. āThen where are the groceries?ā
**Chapter 2**
Riley said, āI accidentally tripped on the way back. The groceries were crushed, so I threw them away.ā
Julian simply hummed in response, saying nothing else.
Riley asked, āArenāt you going to ask if I got hurt when I fell?ā
Julian snapped, āSo, did you get hurt?ā
āNo, Iāll just take care of it myself.ā
Julian frowned, a hint of impatience in his voice. āIām already incredibly busy and tired. Donāt keep testing if I still love you. Itās really annoying.ā
Riley let out a bitter laugh.
A womanās intuition is rarely wrong.
Ever since they got married, she had constantly doubted whether he truly loved her.
So, she would often test him.
But now she understood: if she doubted, it meant he didn’t love her.
Riley said, āDonāt worry, I wonāt do these pointless tests anymore.ā
Julianās expression finally softened. āGood. Just remember that. Donāt keep bothering me.ā
I will remember.
Because in seven days, Iāll be gone from your world forever.
You donāt need to cook up some massive debt to drive me away. Iāll leave on my own. I won’t cling to you.
āJulian, tomorrowās the weekend. Will you come shopping with me? I want to buy my father a birthday gift.ā
Julian frowned irritably. āNo time. I have to work overtime.ā
āChloe will be there too.ā
As expected, at the mention of Chloeās name, Julian conceded. āSince itās for my father-in-lawās gift, then as a son-in-law, I suppose I should make an appearance.ā
Saturday morning, she and Julian went to the department store.
Chloe waved at them from a distance. āSister, brother-in-law, weāre over hereā!ā
Julian immediately turned his back, not letting Chloe or their parents see his face.
He whispered to Riley, āYou go ahead and shop. Iām going to the restroom.ā
Then he hurried away.
Chloe quickly ran over, affectionately linking her arm through Rileyās. āSister, why did brother-in-law run off again? Since you two got married, Mom and Dad and I still havenāt seen what he looks like.ā
Riley offered a faint smile and said, āYouāll see him eventually.ā
When Iām gone, heāll definitely take you by force, bring you home, and lock you up.
Then, even if you donāt want to see him, heāll force you to.
As for these in-laws, heāll probably be eager to claim them as his own.
Chloe linked her arm through their fatherās, coaxing, āDad, what gift do you want? Iāll buy it for you! Iāve been making money tutoring lately!ā
Their mother quickly interjected, āYouāre still in school, where would you get the money? Your thoughtfulness is enough. Let your sister buy it.ā
After that, her mother specifically turned to Riley. āYour sister has been tutoring lately and her little face has gotten so thin from exhaustion. As the older sister, you should feel for her. The money for your fatherās gift should come from you.ā
Riley actually wanted to ask.
If Chloe was tired from tutoring, was she not tired from working as a delivery driver?
And she was only born one minute before her sister. Did that mean she had to tolerate and support everything about her sister? Why?
Her father saw that she didnāt immediately answer and instantly rebuked her. āItās just a bit of your money, and youāre acting so unwilling. How much did I spend raising you? You canāt even bear to buy a gift. Youāre truly selfish, a heartless ingrate!ā
Chloe feigned concern, crying, āOh, Mom and Dad, donāt talk about Sister like that. Sister didnāt say she wouldnāt buy it. Come on, letās go pick out a gift! Sister is the most filial. As long as Dad likes it, sheāll definitely buy it, right, Sister?ā
Her father glared fiercely at Riley, but when he turned to Chloe, his expression immediately softened into a doting smile. āOur Chloe is the most filial and sensible one.ā
āDad, when I start working, Iāll buy you anything you want!ā
āOh, my sweet girl, Dad doesnāt need you to buy gifts. As long as youāre healthy and happy, thatās enough. Just buy things for yourself with your money.ā
Her father, mother, and Chloe walked ahead, browsing and picking things out, like a happy family of three.
Riley walked behind them, ignored by everyone, spoken to by no one, as if she were merely an attendant responsible for paying today.
Her father picked out a watch and gestured to her. āRiley, I think this oneās good.ā
Riley glanced at the price. A Tudor watch. While not an excessively luxurious brand, even the lowest-end model cost at least twenty to thirty thousand.
Almost all her money had gone towards buying the plane ticket; she didnāt have much cash left.
She said, āDad, why donāt you look at something else? There are plenty of other stores aheadā¦ā
āJust say you donāt want to buy it! What kind of excuse is that? I like this one. Are you buying it or not?!ā
Chloe started to tear up. āDad, maybe I can get another part-time job and save up to buy it for youā¦ā
Just then, the manager of the watch store walked out with a beaming smile. āYou must be Miss Chloe, correct?ā
Chloe nodded. āYes, but how do you know me?ā
The manager was overly flattering. āYour friend just instructed us that anything in our mall today, anything you and your family like, you can take with you. Heāll take care of the bill! Sir, you like this watch, right? Iāll have someone wrap it up for you immediately!ā
**Chapter 3**
Her parentsā eyes lit up with surprise. āChloe, when did you get such a rich friend?ā
Chloeās face flushed. āIā¦ I donāt know either.ā
Just then, a commotion erupted downstairs.
It turned out the mallās entire security team had been deployed, clearing the entire place in moments.
The entire mall was now serving only the Miller family.
A man who looked like an assistant approached, speaking to Chloe with great respect and politeness. āMiss Chloe, my master has instructed that today, you should simply browse with Mr. and Mrs. Miller. Just tell me what you like, and Iāll carry it for you.ā
Chloe asked, āSir, please, what is your masterās name?ā
The assistant smiled. āApologies, Miss Chloe, but my master said itās not yet convenient for you to know his true identity. Once he handles a few matters, he will naturally come to meet you.ā
Riley watched from the side, a subtle ache in her heart.
Handle a few matters?
It was probably about divorcing her.
No, that wasn’t right. They hadn’t even truly registered their marriage. The registration was done with Chloe.
Even their “marriage” was a sham.
He just needed to “dispose” of her, then he could reveal his true identity and, with the actual marriage certificate, present himself to his in-laws.
Chloe nodded, seemingly understanding, yet not. āOh, okay. If itās inconvenient for him, then I wonāt ask.ā
The assistant added, āMr. and Mrs. Miller can also choose freely. Our master said that since you are Miss Chloeās parents, you are also his elders, and it is right for him to show you respect.ā
Her father pointed to a watch in the nearby store. āEven something this expensive?ā
āOf course.ā
With a wave of the assistantās hand, the watch store manager immediately ordered, āHurry, wrap up all the watches in our store! Mr. Miller can wear a different one every day!ā
Her mother also became excited, asking, āChloe, I also need a handbag to match my outfitsā¦ā
Upon hearing this, the assistant immediately said, āMaāam, Iāve arranged for all brands of handbags in the mall today to be delivered to your home. You can take your time choosing.ā
āAll of them? How much would that cost?!ā
āMoney is no object. If you like the bags, keep them. If not, just throw them away.ā
āOh, we couldnāt possibly!ā
āMy master and Miss Chloe are friends. As long as Miss Chloe is happy, he is happy.ā
Chloe acted coy, asking, āSir, is there anything I can do for this friend? I canāt just take so many valuable things for free.ā
The assistant said, āMiss Chloe, you are truly just as our master described: pure of heart and untouched by greed. How about this? Please give me your hair clip. Iāll pass it on to my master as your thank-you gift.ā
Chloe nodded, took off the hair clip from her head, and handed it to the assistant.
She said, āThis way, itās a fair exchange. I can accept the gifts with a clear conscience.ā
Fair exchange?
Julian was spending a fortune, and she was returning a cheap trinket from a street vendor.
Was that considered a fair exchange?
It just goes to show, when someoneās adored like that, they act like they own the world. Whether it was a hair tie or a hair clip, as long as it belonged to Chloe, Julian treated it like a priceless treasure.
Chloe leaned playfully against Riley, cooing, āSister, Iāve already bought Mom and Dad gifts. What about you?ā
Riley had noticed a scarf in the distance.
The price was reasonable, and the pattern was beautiful.
It was a branded item, over three thousand, and she had enough money to pay for it.
āDad, do you like that scarf?ā
Before her father could speak, the assistant said with a strained smile, āMiss Riley, our master said that everything in this mall today already belongs to Miss Chloe, including that scarf.ā
Riley chuckled, but it was humorless. āYour master isnāt leaving me even one item?ā
āThatās right. He only cares about Miss Chloe being happy. Everyone else, he canāt be bothered with.ā
Great.
āCanāt be bothered with,ā indeed.
Julian, you certainly draw a clear line between those you favor and those you donāt!
When it was time to leave, the assistant respectfully ushered her parents and Chloe into a car and drove them home.
When it was Rileyās turn, the assistant held out a hand to block her. āIām sorry, Miss Riley, but thereās no more room in the car. Youāll have to find your own way back.ā
Chloe murmured, āSir, let Sister come in. She can squeeze in with me.ā
āMiss Chloe, my master instructed that no one is to make you uncomfortable. If youāre squeezed, heāll punish me when we get back.ā
Chloe nodded regretfully. āOh, alright then. Sister, I guess youāll have to take the bus then~ā
Riley stood rooted to the spot, watching their car drive away.
Besides the assistant personally driving her parents and Chloe, there was a line of black sedans following behind, at least twenty or thirty of them, all carrying the bodyguards who had just cleared the mall.
Every car had empty seats, but without Julianās permission, no one dared to give her a ride.
Riley let out a bitter laugh. Oh well.
Sheād be leaving soon anyway, so what was the point of dwelling on it?
She turned and started walking towards the bus stop.
But suddenly, several figures rushed out from behind her, clamping their hands over her mouth and nose.
āWhat are you doingā mmmphā¦ā
**Chapter 4**
When Riley woke up, she didn’t know how much time had passed.
She had been taken to a desolate forest, where the roars of wild animals echoed around her.
Several men stood before her. The scarred leader raised a hand and slapped her across the face, asking fiercely, āYouāre Julianās wife, arenāt you?ā
Riley looked up, frowning. āWho are you?ā
āLet me tell you, that Julian kid owes us a huge sum of money, and youāre going to pay it back for him!ā
Riley chuckled.
Massive debts.
So this was where that was leading.
The scarred man slapped her again. āWhat are you laughing at?! Didnāt you hear me?! Youāre his wife, you have to pay his debt! Otherwise, weāll sell you to the lowest-class brothel, where youāll wish for death but never find it!ā
What was she laughing at?
Julian, oh Julian, to force me to leave, youāre actually making the act this realistic?
I know you couldnāt wait.
You used me to take wedding photos, and you registered the marriage with Chloeās ID. My usefulness has run out.
Youāre desperate to kick me out so you can rightfully be with Chloe!
If thatās the case, Iāll grant your wish.
She chuckled softly and asked, āAre you also going to say that if I leave Julian and have no more ties to him, I wonāt have to pay his debt?ā
The scarred man was stunned by the question, but still said, āExactly! As long as you have nothing to do with him, we naturally wonāt come looking for you for the debt.ā
āGood,ā Riley said coldly. āGo back and tell him that from today, from this very moment, I, Riley Miller, have absolutely nothing to do with him! May God strike me down if I go back on my word!ā
ā¦
When Riley returned home, it was already midnight.
Julian still had a sour expression. āDidnāt you ask me to go pick out a gift with you? I went to the restroom for a minute, and you were gone. Where did you go?ā
Riley looked at him talking to himself and just wanted to laugh. āYou know exactly where I was, donāt you?ā
Julian still insisted, āI canāt read your mind, how would I possibly know?ā
There were no buses at midnight.
She had walked all the way back from the forest.
Her feet were blistered from the walk.
Julian frowned. āHow did you get into this state?ā
Riley said, āNone of your business. Go about your own.ā
āIām your husband. If youāre hurt, I should at least ask.ā
Riley looked up. āAre you my husband?ā
āā¦ā
Youāre not my husband. Youāre Chloeās.
She took a deep breath, shaking her head with a faint smile. āJulian, someone kidnapped me today and said you owe a lot of money, and I have to pay it back for you.ā
Julian admitted it quickly. āI do owe a lot of money. I donāt want to drag you down, soā¦ perhaps we should separate.ā
āAlright,ā Riley readily agreed. āI told the kidnappers Iād cut ties with you. I hope they wonāt come looking for me anymore.ā
Julian said, āDonāt worry, they wonāt.ā
But no sooner had he spoken than the front door was kicked open from outside.
Over a dozen men in black stormed in, quickly pinning Riley to the ground. āDonāt move! This is a robbery!ā
A robber pressed a gun against the back of Rileyās head and shouted fiercely at Julian, āYou! Find all the bank cards in the house and tell me the passwords, or Iāll blow your wifeās brains out!ā
Julianās expression turned cold. āAlright, Iāll get them.ā
But the next second, his phone rang.
The moment he saw the caller ID, he almost erupted with joy. āChloe! You finally called me on your own!ā
On the other end of the line, Chloe still maintained a haughty tone. āā¦The library suddenly had a power outage, and Iām scared of the dark. Can you come pick me up?ā
āOkay, Iāll be right there.ā
With that, he turned and walked away.
Even the robbers were stunned. āStop! Are you going to call the police? If you take one more step outside, Iāll shoot immediately!ā
Bangā
A gunshot rang out.
Julian seemed not to have heard it at all, vanishing from sight in an instant.
**Chapter 5**
When Riley woke up again, she was in a hospital.
Outside her door, a young nurse was whispering.
āDid you see that guy in the VIP room? Heās so handsome!ā
āAnd heās incredibly sweet to his girlfriend. She just twisted her ankle in the dark, and heās called in all the famous doctors from the whole city!ā
āBut I think his girlfriend treats him pretty badly, ordering him around like heās her personal servant, yet he seems happy about it.ā
āSigh, that girl has such good fortune, unlike this one in room 502, who almost died and has no one even visiting herā¦ā
Riley felt an intense pain in her shoulder, making her hiss.
The robberās aim must have been bad; it didnāt hit a vital organ, so she was lucky to survive.
She got out of bed and struggled to the door.
She happened to see Julian passing by, supporting Chloe.
Chloe pushed him away in disgust. āDonāt touch me. I can walk on my own.ā
āNo, your ankle is newly twisted. Iām worried.ā
With that, he scooped Chloe up into his arms and quickly walked away.
Chloeās face turned red, and she playfully punched his chest with a small fist in his arms. āWhat are you doing? I only asked you to pick me up. I havenāt agreed to be your girlfriend yet.ā
āYouāll agree eventually, because youāre already my wiāā
Chloe blinked. āYour what?ā
Julian chuckled. āNothing. I meant, youāll always be mine. You canāt escape.ā
Riley retreated back into her hospital room, tears silently streaming down her face.
In the afternoon, Julian finally came to visit.
He stood, looking down at her. āI heard from the doctor. You werenāt hit in a vital spot. Youāll be fine after some rest.ā
Riley just hummed in response.
āLast night, I had some urgent work. I couldnāt not go.ā
āI know,ā Riley said coldly. āI want to sleep for a bit. You can go.ā
Julian didnāt waste a second, immediately turning and leaving.
Urgent work?
What kind of urgent work could be more important than a personās life?
Julianās excuse was too flimsy, but Riley was too tired to care.
She opened her phone and checked the calendar. Only three days left until her departure. In her current state, she definitely couldn’t get to the airport on her own. She needed someone to help.
So, she called her best friend, Harper.
Harper readily agreed.
āDonāt worry, Iāll take you when the time comes.ā
That afternoon, her father called her. āYour sister won an award in her aerobics competition this time. Come back for dinner with us.ā
Riley said, āDad, Iām injured. Iām still in the hospitalā¦ā
āYouāre not dead, are you? Whatās a little injury? You have to come back tonight, or Iāll have no daughter!ā
That evening, Riley dragged her weakened body back home.
Her mother had prepared a huge table full of dishes. Her father had called friends and relatives, and dozens of people filled the house, making it lively and boisterous.
Chloe, dressed in a pure white dress, looked like a little princess.
She was receiving praises and compliments from everyone.
āDid Chloe win first prize in her aerobics competition?ā
Her father laughed heartily. āEven though it was just a participation award, Chloe worked very hard. Unlike her sister, who, despite being a twin, is so unremarkable. Sheās truly an embarrassment to me.ā
Riley stood by, silent as a wooden statue.
She was the one who had gotten into an Ivy League school, while her sister only got into a community college.
But their family was struggling financially and couldnāt afford for both of them to go to college.
Her parents said that since she was the older sister, she should go directly to work and give the opportunity to study to her younger sister.
Riley agreed. She worked hard, earning money, and almost all her wages went to Chloe as pocket money. Yet, she still couldnāt earn a single word of praise from her parents.
It was as if her being an older sister meant it was her natural duty to always defer to and uplift her sister.
While she was lost in thought, a loud, clear voice rang out from the doorway.
āMr. Julian Fuentes, CEO of the Fuentes Group, sends his congratulations and gifts to Miss Chloe Miller on her awardā!ā
**Chapter 6**
Max, the assistant, entered with a team of people, each carrying priceless gifts.
A complete set of emerald jewelry from the British Royal Collection;
An entire seasonās worth of haute couture gowns, hand-stitched by renowned designers;
A famous calligrapherās special inscription for Chloe, āOde to Chloeās Unique Spirit,ā in elegant brushstrokes;
And countless antique vases, coral, and agate.
Finally, Max personally presented a set of keys.
He said, āMr. Fuentes has purchased a private jet and a private yacht for Miss Chloe. Both are adorned with Miss Chloeās photos and are exclusively for her use.ā
All the relatives and friends were stunned.
āThe Fuentes Group? Isnāt that the largest publicly traded company in the city?ā
āOh my goodness, the CEO of the Fuentes Group personally sending gifts to Chloe? Chloe is going to be the CEOās wife one day!ā
Immediately, everyone in the room began to fawn over Chloe.
They competed to heap even more compliments on her.
Chloeās face flushed as she shyly said, āAuntie, donāt talk nonsense. I donāt even know the Fuentes CEO.ā
Her aunt chuckled. āYou donāt know him, and heās sending you all these gifts? He definitely likes you.ā
Another older woman chimed in, āYes, Chloe. When you become the CEOās wife, donāt forget to help your cousins out.ā
āOh, nothingās set in stone yetā¦ā
Max, the assistant, stood nearby and announced loudly for all to hear, āMiss Chloe, Mr. Fuentes asked me to tell you: if you simply nod your head, tomorrow he will arrive with flowers and the most lavish, fairy-tale wedding to take you home!ā
ā¦
Riley stood alone in the corner, feeling utterly disgusted. She went outside for some fresh air.
She didnāt know how long she stood there, chilled to the point of numbness.
Suddenly, Chloeās voice came from behind her. āSister, it must be painful for you to see everyone liking me and revolving around me, isnāt it?ā
Everyone else was inside; currently, only the two sisters were in the yard.
Chloe had shed her āgood girlā facade, and her smile turned malicious. āBut thereās nothing you can do. Iām just more likable than you. Not only Mom and Dad like meā¦ā
She leaned closer to Rileyās ear. āEven your husband is my simp.ā
Riley hadnāt intended to argue with her, until she heard that last sentence.
āā¦You know Julianās true identity?ā
āOf course. Heās the CEO of the Fuentes Group! If I can marry him, Iāll be the envied Mrs. Fuentes! But I know that to make a man devoted, you canāt make it too easy for him. So Iāve been rejecting him, but every now and then, I give him a little hope. This push and pull makes him utterly obsessed with meā¦ā
Chloe held Rileyās hand and continued, āOh, by the way, Sister, you didnāt know this, did you? When we were little, Mom and Dad thought you stole money and beat you terribly, and from then on, they hated you. That money was actually stolen by me, and I secretly put it in your backpackā¦ā
That stealing incident was the root cause of her parentsā change in attitude.
Her parents found the money in her backpack, and no matter how she tried to explain, they were convinced she stole it. From then on, they started to detest her and instead pampered and adored Chloe.
So, everything, absolutely everything, had been Chloeās doing!
The long-suppressed anger finally erupted in an instant. Riley raised her hand to slap her.
But before her hand could land, Chloe herself collapsed to the ground.
She clutched her face, crying, āSister, itās all my fault! Iāll never do it again, boo hoo hooā¦ā
Her cries drew everyone from inside.
Her mother clutched Chloe, glaring furiously at Riley.
Her father directly laid hands on her.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
He slapped Riley three times.
āYouāre out of your mind! How dare you lay a hand on my daughter?!ā
Riley demanded sharply, āAm I not your daughter too?!ā
āI donāt have a daughter as rotten to the core as you! Youāre inherently wicked! I wish Iād strangled you at birth. I only consider myself to have given birth to one child, Chloe!ā
Slap!
Her father delivered another slap, making Rileyās ears ring.
He pointed furiously towards the door. āGet out! From now on, I have no daughter like you!ā
Riley scrambled up from the ground, wiped the blood from the corner of her lip, and sneered. āEven if you werenāt kicking me out, I wouldnāt want to stay here anymore. This place makes me sick!ā
Turning to leave, she collided head-on with a sharply dressed Julian, who was just arriving.
She sneered. āSo, youāre finally willing to show your true face?ā
**Chapter 7**
Julian coldly glanced at her and asked, āWhich hand did you use to hit Chloe?ā
āI didnāt even touch her! She fell down herself! Ahā!ā
Julian grabbed her throat, grinding his teeth, eyes wide with fury. āHow dare you touch Chloe! Youāre asking to die!ā
The men in black behind him quickly moved, several burly figures pinning her down tightly and dragging her into a car.
The vehicle bumped along for a long time until she was taken to a desolate, uninhabited area.
A sharp pain shot through her knee as she was kicked, forcing her to her knees.
A pair of black leather shoes appeared in her line of sight.
Julian looked down at her from above, like a devil from hell. āI was going to leave you one hand, but since you wonāt talk, you wonāt need either!ā
Rileyās hands were pinned to the ground by the men in black, and a thick, long steel nail was immediately driven into her palm.
āAh!ā
Then, the other side.
Excruciating pain flooded her senses, and Riley nearly fainted from it.
Julian said, āRiley, you two are twins, but itās always been you, the older sister, who received all the parentsā affection. Chloe has always tolerated and yielded to you since childhood, so why do you still bully her?!ā
Riley endured the intense pain, twisting her lips. āI bullied her? Is that what she told you?ā
āRiley, Chloe is my bottom line.ā
āSo, what then, Mr. Fuentes? Are you planning to get revenge for her?ā
Julian said, āI never explained my identity to you before, so you probably donāt know my temper. Riley, all the suffering Chloe has endured since childhood, youāll have to repay tenfold, a hundredfold!ā
Before leaving, he instructed the men in black: āDonāt touch her face, but I donāt want to see an inch of good skin anywhere else.ā
āYes, sir!ā
Not touching her faceāwas it because her face looked almost identical to Chloeās?
Julian, oh Julian, when you find out about her schemes, will you still love her so blindly?
A searing, tearing pain simultaneously erupted from every part of her body.
The men in black held glowing red branding irons, pressing them fiercely onto every inch of her skin.
The excruciating agony made her instinctively writhe and roll.
But with her hands nailed to the ground, she had no escape.
ā¦
Riley didnāt know how long she had been unconscious.
She was woken by a villager who happened to be passing by.
He said, āItās been raining for two days and two nights now. How did you end up lying here, covered in injuries?ā
So, two days and two nights had already passed.
Today must be her flight day.
Seven days went by so fast.
The kind villager handed her his phone. āDo you want to call your family?ā
Family?
She shook her head with a bitter smile. āI donāt have a family anymore.ā
She called Harper.
Harper immediately drove over when she heard Riley was in that remote place.
But Rileyās condition still made her gasp in shock.
She was covered in injuriesāburns, whip marks, stab wounds, all overlapping.
Because she had been soaked in the rain, all her wounds had reopened, and blood stained the ground.
Harper immediately burst into tears. āRiley, who did this?! Iām going to call the police right now and have them arrested!ā
āNo need,ā Riley said. āMy boarding time is almost here. Please take me to the airport.ā
āBut your injuriesā¦ā
Riley didnāt want to go to the hospital. She knew her injuries were severe and the hospital would surely require her to be admitted.
But she didnāt want to wait another moment.
The people in this land disgusted her; she didnāt want to stay here for another second.
Harper had no choice but to go to a pharmacy herself, buy some medications, and roughly treat Rileyās wounds.
When they reached the airport, there were only 10 minutes left before the gate closed.
Harper was practically crying the whole way. She pushed Riley in a wheelchair, choked up. āRiley, go. Go to a new place and start over.ā
Riley nodded with difficulty. āHarper, thank you for bringing me.ā
The moment she boarded the plane, she transferred all the remaining money in her account to Harper.
Then she broke her SIM card in half and threw it, along with her phone, into a trash can.
Goodbye, Julian.
Goodbye, everyone who hated me.
Because I, too, hate you all very, very much!
**Chapter 8**
At the hospital.
Chloe lay in her hospital bed, and Julian sat by her side, peeling an apple for her.
He was skilled, the apple peel coming off in one continuous strand.
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I had dedicated years to figure skating, and to repay the immense sponsorship from the Harrington family, I married Julian Harrington.
In our seven years of marriage, he’d taken on dozens of women, even setting them up in the same exclusive community. His twisted excuse? It made it easier for me, his legitimate wife, to ‘manage’ them.
I became adept at handling the women he grew tired of, all while maintaining my grueling training schedule.
Just as I was on the brink of winning the Grand Slam, a teammate accidentally grazed my neck with her skate blade during a competition.
Streams of blood dripped onto the ice, freezing into crimson streaks.
Julian merely glanced at me.
āIf youāre not dead, then get back on the ice and win!ā
Only later did I discover she was Julianās new favorite. This was her twisted display of power, his warning.
When I regained consciousness, I stared at the familiar room, yet couldnāt recall where I was.
All I knew was that my debt was paid. I could finally leaveā¦
āYouāre finally awake! Iāll call the family doctor!ā
Julianās sister, Elara Harrington, immediately sprang from the chair, rushing out to usher a team of doctors into my room.
āSkylar Xu is our Harrington familyās treasure! Make sure you check her thoroughly!ā
I lay there like a fish on a chopping block, pinned to the bed, letting them poke and prod.
Just answering a few robotic questions confirmed I was mostly fine.
As they left, I overheard someone sigh softly:
āTreasure? More like a cash cow, if you ask me.ā
I looked down at the countless scars, old and new, etched onto my body from years of intense training.
Even if they saw them, they never once asked if I was in pain or if I was tired.
The only thing they ever cared about was whether my performance on the ice could generate more income for the Harrington family.
āElara, Iāve done everything you asked. Can I leave now?ā
She stared at me, surprised.
āWhy the sudden urge to leave?ā
My gaze dimmed as I shifted my eyes from her face to the window.
Soon, her secretary rushed in, breathless, reporting everything that had happened during the competition.
Listening to him, she took a deep breath, her voice low and stern as she gave an order:
āBring Julian to me!ā
The usually decisive businesswoman, after hearing the full story, seemed to feel a pang of compassion.
Pity, regret, and a touch of helplessness mingled in her gaze as she looked at me.
āIām so sorry, Sky. I thought heād settle down once heād had his fun. I never imagined heād let some outside woman hurt youā¦ā
I shook my head.
āItās fine. It was my obligation to repay their kindness. Once itās fully paid, please let me go.ā
My phone rang at an inconvenient moment. I answered, and a voice, arrogant yet deceptively sweet, came through the line:
āSkylar Xu, youāre 27 now. Itās time for you to step down.ā
āYou should thank me. That cut was merciful; I didnāt aim for your face, but itās enough to end your glory days.ā
āWhether itās the Ice Princess or Julian Harringtonās wife, that position will finally be mine!ā
As soon as she finished speaking, she let out a delicate giggle and quickly hung up.
I lifted my head and met Elaraās gaze. The unspoken understanding between adults kept us silent.
Recalling Tiffanyās words, I almost wanted to laugh.
Did she really think being Julianās wife was as glamorous as it seemed?
Learning how to discreetly handle the women Julian grew bored of.
Knowing how to deal with those who would threaten suicide to demand legitimacy.
These were my mandatory lessons. From clumsy fear and cluelessness at the start, I had evolved into someone who handled it with practiced ease.
Outsiders only saw my calm exterior, unaware it was the result of five years of emotional attrition.
Five years that had mercilessly tortured a vibrant, beating heart until it barely clung to life.
Perhaps it was a womanās empathy, but Elara didnāt try to persuade me to stay. She sighed deeply.
āThe doctor said you injured your head, and it might cause stress-induced memory loss.ā
āYou need to avoid strenuous exercise and excessive fatigue for a while.ā
āOnce youāve recovered, Iāll help you get a divorce and send you abroad.ā
āAs for Celeste Johnson, I donāt want to hear that name from outsiders ever again.ā
She was warning me, subtly telling me not to leak the old scandal.
I softly replied, āI know.ā
My family was poor when I was little, but I was discovered to have a talent for figure skating.
The Harrington family covered the substantial cost.
The price of accepting their sponsorship was marrying Julian Harrington.
To win the Grand Slam and help launch Harrington Sportsā brand.
Originally, this kind of good fortune wouldnāt have fallen to me.
Julian Harrington had a long-term girlfriend, Celeste Johnson, who heād grown up with.
But then Celeste cheated on him with Julianās brother-in-law.
Elara caught them in bed. She didnāt want this incident to ruin the relationship between her and her brother.
So she found some random excuse to divorce and sent Celeste abroad.
To completely sever this toxic connection, she even went as far as to drug Julian and me, ensuring we ended up in bed.
Unexpectedly, Julian agreed to marry me without any fuss.
When we first got married, I had just graduated, at an age when my heart was easily stirred.
Plus, Iād secretly admired Julian for a long time, so marrying him felt like a dream.
During that time, besides training, I would carefully inquire about Julianās preferences.
I knew the staff looked down on me, thinking a country girl like me wasnāt worthy of their young master.
But I liked Julian. Even enduring their cold stares and impatience,
Iād brazenly ask them to teach me how to make Julianās favorite dishes and his preferred soups.
I meticulously remembered he disliked spicy food, loved sweets, preferred plain, understated clothes that made him seem composed.
Even for water, he likedā¦
What temperature was it again? I suddenly couldnāt recall.
I shook my head, but it didnāt help; instead, it triggered a headache, making me gasp.
Elara looked worried and asked, āAre you okay?ā
āIām fine. Iāll only stay for one more week at most.ā
Because in one week, I would be joining Team E, becoming their youngest-ever head coach for figure skating.
She nodded her agreement.
Before sleeping that night, I felt a faint blank spot in my memory, specifically about Julian.
I tried hard to recall it, but it wouldn’t come back.
Instead, it only brought on palpitations.
It didn’t matter. Let it be forgotten.
From the moment he started bringing various women home, being intimate with them right in front of me.
Whispering sweet nothings, entwined with them on the very bed we shared on our wedding night.
I should have given up on him then, instead of lowering my standards, endlessly tolerating him.
He knew I was allergic to smoke, yet after every session, heād light a cigarette and blow the smoke in my face.
He’d mock me in a contemptuous tone:
āThe moment you worked so hard to climb into my bed, and said all those bad things about Celeste in front of my sister, you should have foreseen this outcome.ā
āSkylar Xu got rid of Celeste Johnson, taking her place like a homewrecker. So you should know that after marriage, there will be other ‘Skylars’ who will get rid of you in the same way.ā
āDo their actions on my body look familiar to you?ā
āAre they just like the night you begged me for intimacy?ā
āIf so, youāre practically their mentor.ā
He suddenly leaned close, the smoke from his nostrils stinging my eyes, making tears stream down my face.
He clasped the back of my neck, a warning in his grip.
āNo matter how many Iāve slept with, none of them feel like you did that night.ā
āWhy donāt you personally teach them a few tricks, so they can please me better?ā
āOr perhapsā¦ā
He narrowed his eyes, looking at me like a predator about to bite my neck.
His gaze sent a shiver down my spine, an indescribable emotion swelling within me.
His hand expertly found my sensitive spots, leaving me utterly paralyzed.
āIs your bodyās sensitivity and softness the result of all that scandalous figure skating practice?ā
I stared at him, wide-eyed in disbelief, unable to believe those words came from his mouth.
In that moment, the romanticized image of him Iād held since childhood shattered into a million pieces.
I saw the ugliest, most primitive state of a man in him: vulgar and perverse.
I couldnāt bear it any longer. Tears welled in my eyes, my nails digging into his arm.
āJulian Harrington, you can say whatever you want about me, but donāt you dare desecrate the sport of figure skatingā¦ā
Amidst a whirlwind of thoughts, my pillow grew damp, my wet hair sticking to my cheeks.
It was itchy, and a little painful.
Drowsiness prevented me from discerning whether the pain came from my face or from the depths of my heartā¦
I just felt certain memories drifting further and further awayā¦
Julian returned the next day around noon, bringing Tiffany along.
The staff were all discussing it:
āThe young master has so many women outside, but this is the first time heās brought one home.ā
āLooks like the Lady Harrington position is about to change hands.ā
They never bothered to hide their discussions from me, nor did they ever show me the respect I deserved.
Tiffany overheard their words and shot me a challenging look across the room.
It was as if she was saying, āYou canāt even control the staff, how could you ever hope to keep Julianās heart? The position of Lady Harrington will definitely be mine!ā
I pursed my lips, a soft laugh escaping my nostrils involuntarily.
How to keep Julianās heart?
His heart was as hard as stone; no matter how sincerely I treated him, it wouldn’t stir him in the slightest.
Heād even think I was trying to flatter him or grab his attention.
It would only make him despise me more.
Julian pulled out a chair at the dining table and said, āGet me a glass of water.ā
The staff didnāt budge. For five years, theyād silently agreed that serving Julian was my job.
Just a little longer, I told myself. Five more days, and Iād be free.
I picked a clean glass and poured him some water, handing it to him.
He frowned slightly, took a sip, and set it down.
āAre you trying to scald me with this temperature?ā
āI only drink water at 55 degrees. Youāve never messed up before. Whatās wrong today?ā
Before he could finish, I reached for the glass, but he pressed my hand down.
āNew tactics now? Trying to provoke me, get my attention?ā
āAre you jealous?ā
I calmly met his cold gaze, speaking with detached composure.
āI forgot.ā
A flicker of surprise crossed his face at my reaction.
After all, I used to be obedient to his every word, quick to explain if I fell short.
My indifference today piqued his suspicion.
But he said nothing more.
At the dinner table, he proposed that I retire. The Harrington familyās club was planning to sign Tiffany.
He wanted me to coach her.
I had thought that by winning the Grand Slam and making my name known worldwide,
Providing free advertising for the Harrington brand, and helping Julian expand his business empire,
That would be enough.
Now, even my life after retirementāwas that to be invaded and exploited too?
It turns out that in his eyes, I had always been an inexhaustible, free resource.
āMy contract with the Harrington family is almost up. As for a club coach, I can recommend someone to you.ā
Thinking back, this was the first time I had ever refused Julianās demand.
As I expected, he flew into a rage.
āSo, you think your wings have grown strong enough to leave the Harrington family, huh, Skylar Xu? Iām telling you, donāt even think about it!ā
āYou would never have achieved what you have today without the Harrington family!ā
With that, he abruptly stood up and went upstairs with Tiffany.
I silently bowed my head, picking at my rice, tears steadily falling into it.
He wasnāt wrong, but my contributions to the Harrington family over the years had long exceeded the amount of their sponsorship.
I wanted to leave. I wanted my own life, my own plans.
To no longer be a puppet subservient to the Harrington family.
Heading upstairs to pack my bags, I passed Julianās door and heard quite a commotion inside.
āJulian, please divorce Skylar, okay?ā
āAnything she can give you, I can give you too. Anything she canāt, I have it all.ā
āTouch my skin, isnāt it softer and firmer than hers?ā
If I had known it was going to be such a disgusting conversation, I would never have stopped.
Just as I was about to leave, Julianās sharp voice cut through the air.
āI will not divorce her! Get rid of those inappropriate thoughts of yours.ā
āDo your job, become the next Skylar Xu, and donāt waste my investment in you.ā
Why wouldnāt he divorce me?
There was no love left between us, only hatred.
Perhaps this was his revenge, for me occupying Celesteās place.
To bind me in this marriage and torture me for the rest of my life.
At that thought, my head felt like it was splitting open, the pain radiating from my scalp to the tip of my nose, half my face going numb.
I lay rigidly on the bed, taking half an hour to recover.
When the pain finally subsided, the blank space in my brain, that missing memory, began to expand.
I felt like I had forgotten something, but I just couldnāt recall what.
The following days, I was busy with preparations to go abroad. As the contract still had a few days left,
I had to follow Julianās instructions, spending my free time training Tiffany.
The day I received my passport, I was called to the training rink.
Tiffany, wearing my competition outfit, paraded in front of me, tossing her head as she said,
āJulian said your support team and costume designers are all mine now.ā
I just softly said, āOh.ā
Suddenly, she lay down on the ground, placing her arm near my skate, and with her other hand, grabbed my clothes.
I momentarily lost my balance, and the tip of my blade carved a shocking gash on her arm.
āSkylar Xu!ā
Julian strode quickly towards us, roughly pushing me to the ground. He bent down, picked Tiffany up, and placed her on the mat.
Then he told someone to call the team doctor and dragged me into an empty changing room.
āAre you insane! If you want to hurt someone, canāt you find a place without cameras?ā
āIf this gets out, accusing you of bullying a teammate and intentional injury, what about your reputation? What about the Harrington familyās standing?ā
His actions lately, I understood them less and less.
His words contained no reproach for me harming his new favorite; instead, he seemed to be considering my welfare.
I was about to reply when he bent down and picked up a piece of paper from behind me.
āWhat is this?ā
He leaned closer to read it.
āAn offer from Team E?ā
My heart instantly clenched, sweat breaking out on my palms. I took a steady breath, then calmly pulled the offer letter from his hand.
āDidnāt I say Iād recommend a coach last time? Many people want to join Harrington Sports, so I had them submit their resumes for screening.ā
His expression visibly relaxed, then turned stern again.
āWhen did I agree to let you leave?ā
āHereās the new contract, another ten years.ā
He tossed a stack of documents into my lap.
I pretended to agree, but secretly, I deliberately misspelled my name on the contract, like random scribbles.
I also slipped a divorce agreement among the papers, watching him sign them all.
The huge weight on my heart finally lifted.
The day before I left, Celeste Johnson returned to the country.
She hadnāt changed at all, still as arrogant as before, tossing her jacket onto me.
āAre you enjoying your role as Lady Harrington?ā
āI know you had a crush on Julian back then. My five years away gave you a five-year trial.ā
āSo, you should probably be kneeling and thanking me.ā
āStill, Julian never forgot me, did he?ā
I released my grip, and her jacket dropped straight to the floor. I stepped over it.
āWas cheating fun? What do you think Julianās reaction will be when he finds out the truth?ā
She hadnāt expected me to know about it and, enraged, raised her hand and slapped me.
It was too fast; I couldn’t dodge. When I registered it, my face was stinging.
Seeing Julian approach, Celeste began to play the victim, clinging to his arm and whining,
āJulian, Iām back now. Itās time for this stand-in to leave, isnāt it?ā
I held back my tears, turning to go upstairs and change my flight. Iād leave tonight.
Julian sensed something was wrong. He paced outside my room, wanting to explain but unsure what to say.
When he finally twisted the doorknob and saw the empty room, he froze.
Realizing what had happened, he roared,
āWhereās Skylar Xu?!ā
Just then, Elara returned from her office, her brows furrowed in confusion at her brother’s frantic demeanor.
āDidnāt she tell you? Sheās becoming the head coach of Team Eās figure skating team tomorrow.ā
It was as if a light bulb went off in his head, finally understanding the source of his deep-seated unease all this time.
But he simply couldnāt accept the fact that I had truly left.
āImpossible! We signed a renewal contract just two days ago! If she just leaves like this, I can pursue legal action!ā
The undisguised fury in Julianās eyes was fully directed at Elara.
It was the first time Elara had ever seen her brother speak to her in such a tone.
His strong, hot hand gripped her shoulder, his gaze sharp, radiating an intense pressure.
Elara had a fiery temper herself. After their parents died, she truly became like a mother to her younger brother.
As the elder, she wouldnāt tolerate her brother treating her this way. She raised her hand and slapped him directly.
āYou canāt even keep your own wife in line, and now youāre coming to me asking where she is?ā
āThat contract isnāt valid.ā
Julian rubbed his stinging cheek, a bewildered look on his face. āWhat do you mean, not valid?ā
Elara sighed, a helpless expression washing over her face. āShe intentionally misspelled her own name. Her message was crystal clear.ā
āFor all these years, the revenue she brought to the corporation has long surpassed the Harrington familyās initial kindness.ā
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My boyfriend, Mason, was crippled and deep in debt after a brutal attack.
In just one month, he tried to end it all four times:
slashing his wrists, jumping from a building, carbon monoxide poisoning, and even mixing prescription pills with liquor.
Every single time, I found him just in time to stop him!
To make him abandon his suicidal thoughts, I worked multiple jobs and even pawned my mother’s heirloom jade bracelet to pay off his debts.
To get him back on his feet, I decided to be a living donor, offering my own spinal cord stem cells.
Just as I was thrilled about his improving health, I accidentally discovered that his legs were never paralyzed, and he wasn’t in debt at all.
Turns out, he was actually Mason Blackwood, the heir to the colossal Blackwood Conglomerate.
His poverty, his paralysis, our entire relationship…
it was all a sick, drunken bet among his trust fund friends: A “pauper’s love test”!
Ha! Well, Iād give *him* a test.
But then, why did *he* suddenly crack?
I pushed open the door and saw Mason, a bottle of liquor in one hand, a handful of pills in the other, lifting them to his mouth.
My heart seized. I practically flew across the room, swatting the deadly combo from his grasp.
“What are you doing?!” I cried out, my voice trembling with a raw, panicked sob.
Masonās voice was dead, his smile a tragic grimace. “What am I doing? Isn’t it obvious? I’m dyingā¦”
His eyes pleaded with me, filled with tears. “Please, Riley, have a heart, just leave me alone! Let me die!”
“I’m ruined. There’s no point in living.”
I buried my face in his chest, shaking my head frantically. This was his fourth suicide attempt this month. The last time, he tried carbon monoxide poisoning. Before that, he tried to drown himself. And before that, he tried to slash his wrists. Every single time, I found him just in time.
I couldnāt bear to imagine what would happen if I were even a moment too late.
“Mason, please don’t do this.” I cupped his face, my voice shaking. “We’ll face this together, okay?”
Mason shoved me away roughly. “Face what? The debt collectors?”
He pounded his fists on his own legs. “Look at these legs! Theyāre useless, they can’t move! How can I work like this? How can I earn money?”
“Don’t you get sick of looking at these useless legs every day? Because I do!”
My heart ached as I watched him. Ever since that brutal attack by the debt collectors, he hadn’t been able to stand.
Mason aggressively reached for the pills and liquor Iād knocked over. “Better to just end it quickly now, and get it over with! I won’t drag you down!”
I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his hands. “You’re not dragging me down! You’re all I have in this world! If you leave, what will I do…?” I desperately tried to convince him he was still needed, still useful. “Without you, how can I live?!”
Tears blurring my vision, I choked out, “If you can’t work, I can! It’s just money! I’ll pay it back, I’ll pay it back with you! I’ll even get your legs fixed, I’ll get you back on your feet…”
“So please, just don’t die!”
Mason scoffed, a cold, cynical laugh, calling me naive. “You’ll pay? You’ll even fix my legs? Do you know how much five million in debt, plus medical costs, adds up to? At least six million!”
He pointed at me, then at himself. “Look at you, then look at me. You earn next to nothing! Even if we saved every single penny, it would take us over a century to clear five million! Do you honestly think we’d live that long? Do you think those loan sharks would wait that long?”
I bit my lip, silent. Mason continued, “You say you’ll pay off my debts now, but what about later? When you’re exhausted, when you crave something decent to eat but can’t afford it, when you have to pinch every single penny… you’ll resent me! You’ll resent why I’m such a cripple! You’ll resent ever trying to save me!”
His voice suddenly turned icy. “Wealthy people stab each other in the back for profit. What makes you think *our* love, as commoners, is any different?”
“Wake up.”
I gripped his hand, my eyes locked on his. “That’s not how it works, Mason. Yes, I’m barely making minimum wage now, but I’ll get promoted. My salary will increase. And I can pick up extra jobs…”
“Mason,” I said firmly, “we’ll figure this out together.”
Mason turned his head away, refusing to look at me.
I stood up, grabbed my bag, and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” Mason asked.
“To find work,” I said, without looking back.
From that day on, I plunged into a frantic work-life.
During the day, I worked at the office. In the evenings, I tutored. On weekends, I delivered food, even squeezing in errands for colleagues to earn extra cash during my work breaks.
I was like a wound-up machine, working non-stop.
I slept only three hours a day, for a solid month.
I calculated my earnings for that grueling month: $36,880. The number was auspicious, but it made my eyes dry and ache. It wasn’t even a fraction of five million.
I collapsed my head onto my desk, softly banging it against the surface, choking out, “Only thirty thousand… just thirty thousand…”
It wasn’t even a fraction of five million. If I couldn’t pay off the debt, Mason would try to kill himself again.
Mark, a colleague, passed my cubicle and sighed when he saw me.
“Riley, you can’t keep going like this,” he said softly.
I looked up, my eyes red-rimmed.
Mark hesitated, then lowered his voice. “If you’re really desperate for money, I have some freelance design projects. Do you want to take them on?”
I shot up from my seat. “Yes!”
Mark was startled by my reaction. “I’ll take them under my name. We can negotiate a higher fee, but I’ll take a commission.”
“Don’t get the wrong idea, I’m notā”
I nodded vigorously. “I understand. Taking them under your name means you’re taking a risk on a newcomer like me. I won’t get the wrong idea. I’m incredibly grateful you’re helping me, Mark. Thank you.”
And just like that, I had yet another job.
Once again, I went three days without sleep, finally completing five design drafts that satisfied the clients and sending them over.
My phone chimed with the notification of the payment hitting my account, and I managed a tired smile.
In that year, at my peak, I worked seven jobs simultaneously, sleeping three hours a day. I earned almost five hundred thousand. Finally, it was a respectable fraction of five million.
I was about to accept another project when, with a breath, a sharp pain shot through my chest, as if someone was violently twisting my heart.
My body broke out in a cold sweat, my ears rang, and my vision swam.
“Riley! Are you okay? Riley!”
I vaguely heard Mark calling my name, but his voice drifted, now close, now far away.
Then everything went black.
When I regained consciousness, I saw white walls everywhere and IV lines connected to my arm. I realized I was in a hospital, and no one was beside me.
I pressed the call button. A young doctor with glasses and a nurse came in, their faces stern, to examine me.
“How do you feel now that you’re awake?”
I nodded blankly, a little guilty, and mumbled that I was fine.
“Hmph!” Dr. Alex scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’ve been asleep for two days, of course you feel fine!”
“Stress-induced coma! Gastritis, myocardial ischemia… You’re practically a walking medical textbook at your age! Impressive dedication to self-destruction!”
The nurse was startled by his sharp tongue, discreetly tugging at his shirt to remind him to be gentler, while offering me appeasing smiles to prevent me from complaining.
Two days!
I quickly latched onto the key point. I hadn’t been home for two days. What about Mason, alone at home?!
I panicked, wanting to demand discharge, but facing the doctor’s cold gaze, all my words caught in my throat. My eyes darted away, and I obediently listened to his lecture, burning with impatience.
“No matter how important the job, no matter how much money, you need to be alive to do it, to spend it…”
He continued to scold me as he checked my symptoms, finally clicking his tongue in dissatisfaction.
“Stay for a few days for observation to see if there are any other issues. And you better explain how you managed to run yourself into the ground like this!”
I suddenly raised my head, ready to protest, to refuse hospitalization. But under the doctor’s oppressive gaze, I offered a sheepish smile. “Dr. Alex…”
“You stay put, young lady! You’re staying here to save your sorry hide!” Dr. Alex shot me a stern look, then warned the nurse that I was prone to ‘pulling stunts.’
I lowered my head, looking miserable and silent. Just thinking about the hospital bills made my chest ache again.
Just as I was mentally plotting eight hundred escape plans to avoid Dr. Alex and the hospital, Mark arrived. I excitedly grabbed his hand. “Mark, Mark, please help me with the discharge papers.”
Mark refused. He said the doctor had informed him of my terrible condition and advised me to listen to Dr. Alex, to stay for a few days of observation. “Just relax for a few days. I’ll count it as paid leave for you.”
I insisted on being discharged. Not only was I worried about Mason being home alone and paralyzed, but I was also incredibly reluctant to spend money on hospital fees when I usually didn’t even buy medicine for a cold.
Mark frowned, clearly unable to accept my attitude. “Riley, Mason is an adult. And he’s in a wheelchair, not missing his hands! He can order takeout, he can take care of himself.”
But I still insisted on going back.
“Riley, you’re too much with him…” He cut himself off mid-sentence.
He looked like he was searching for the right words, then finally just patted my shoulder gently.
“Sometimes, what you see isn’t the whole truth. You need to open your eyes and really *see* people. Don’t believe everything you’re told.”
After Mark spoke, he walked out of the room with a complex expression to handle my discharge papers.
I didn’t understand what he meant, and my urgency to get back home left me no time to ponder his words.
I shakily stood up and quickly gathered my belongings.
I slipped out, slinking past the nurses, and headed straight home.
As I rushed home from the hospital, I tried calling Mason, worried something might have happened, while also mulling over Mark’s cryptic words.
“Open your eyes and see people”?
Was someone betraying me? Was someone trying to trick me? Or was he trying to hint at something?
I shook my head, discarding those chaotic thoughts.
Mason still wasn’t answering my calls, making me even more worried that something had happened to him.
The most important thing now was to get home and check on Mason.
The moment I pushed open the front door, my already anxious heart pounded even harder.
The apartment was a disaster zone, shattered fragments everywhere, furniture overturned like a hurricane had ripped through it.
Mason lay sprawled next to his wheelchair, unmoving like a dying fish.
A group of men surrounded him. One of them banged a stick against Mason’s overturned wheelchair. “Pay up, or we’ll carve out your kidneys!”
“Mason!” My voice cracked, a desperate shriek.
I rushed forward to help him up, but a rough hand seized my wrist.
“No money to pay, but you’re still wearing jewelry!”
The man glared at me, menacingly reaching for the jade bracelet on my wrist.
“No! That’s from my great-grandmother!”
I struggled desperately, but his strength was overwhelming. He easily ripped the jade bracelet from my arm.
“Fine, we won’t leave empty-handed today. This bracelet will serve as collateral. We’ll hold off on the kidneys for now.”
I told them it was genuine antique jadeite and, at market value, it should clear a million of their debt.
The man laughed, calling me naive. He said collateral never goes by market value.
“And it’s a dead person’s jewelry, bad juju! We’ll give you thirty-five thousand for it, at most.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but ultimately, I remained silent.
After the men left, I quietly began cleaning up the mess.
Suddenly, my phone rang.
It was the rehab hospital where Mason was getting treatment.
“Ms. Riley… International rehabilitation specialist Richard… next month… Yes… you can book an appointment…”
The nurse’s excited voice came through the receiver.
“If we can get him to see Mason, the chances of recovery will be much higher!”
Finally, a piece of good news amidst all the bad! I nodded excitedly, agreeing to book the specialist’s appointment. My gaze involuntarily fell on Mason.
His dull eyes subtly shifted, meeting my tear-filled, hopeful gaze.
His expression was complex, with a look I couldn’t decipher, but at least he seemed a little more human.
I hung up the phone, my heart hammering, a frantic drumbeat against my ribs.
Finally, there was hope.
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My boyfriend, Daniel, never lied.
He said I had a āfat geneā that would shorten my life, so I needed to diet. I bit back my protest and agreed.
He told me I was a bad omen for my parents, that my presence could harm their health, so I had to stay away. After much agonizing, tears blurring my vision, I agreed.
Then he claimed my features werenāt ārightā for our future, that they needed to be āadjustedā for our marriage to work. After agonizing over it, I still said yes.
The day of the surgery, lying in the operating room, it suddenly hit me: I was allergic to a certain anesthetic.
As I got off the bed to find a nurse, I accidentally overheard voices just outside the door.
āItās been six years since you broke up, and you still canāt let go of Lily?ā
Danielās voice, sickeningly familiar, came from just beyond the door. āYeah, Lilyās etched into my very soul. I canāt let go.ā
āSince Iām destined to marry someone else, Iāll just try my best to make Chloe look more like Lily, then even moreā¦ā
After a long silence, Danielās casual, almost dismissive voice floated back. āHonestly, Chloe is so easy to mold. I tell her anything, and she just goes along with it.ā
In that instant, I felt like the most ridiculous fool alive.
Luckily, it wasnāt too late. The wedding plans could still be adjusted.
āHello, wedding plans have changed. Please replace the bride with a scarecrow.ā
All these years with Daniel, he knew I was an introverted social recluse, always needing someone by my side.
So this morning, heād woken up early and prepared everything.
When I woke up, all that was left was to eat breakfast and follow him to the plastic surgery clinic.
Before he led me into the operating room, he even kissed my forehead, his eyes overflowing with what looked like deep affection.
āChloe, as soon as this surgery is done, weāll make it official.ā
āChloe, you know? I canāt wait to tie the knot with you!ā
Looking at the man before me, I felt so incredibly lucky and happy, convinced Iād found the perfect guy.
Lying in the operating room, I suddenly remembered I was allergic to a specific anesthetic.
Just as I reached the door, I saw Dr. Miller, the plastic surgeon, in his white coat.
I opened my mouth to speak, but then I heard Danielās familiar voice from just outside.
āSeriously, I canāt believe it. Itās been six whole years since you broke up, and you still havenāt moved on from Lily? Sheās married now, her kidās two years old! Youāre not still fantasizing about her, are you?ā
After a few seconds of silence, Danielās voice came through, filled with a bitterness Iād never heard before. āYeah, Lilyās etched into my very soul. All these years since we broke up, Iāve dreamt of her every single night. How am I supposed to let go?ā
āSince Iām destined to never marry Lily, I might as well find a woman whoās easy to mold and reshape her into Lilyās image.ā
āAnd honestly? This Chloe, sheās the easiest woman Iāve ever met to string along.ā
āShe believes everything I say. She even believes I never lie? Itās actually hilarious. Who in this world never lies?ā
Dr. Millerās voice came again. āBut you clearly love Lily, yet youāre marrying Chloe. Is that fair to Chloe?ā
Just seconds later, Danielās indifferent voice replied, āFair or not, whatās it matter? Iāll treat her well after weāre married, wonāt I?ā
āBesides, Chloe likes me so much. The fact that Iād even agree to marry her? She should buy a lottery ticket, sheās so lucky.ā
I leaned against the cold wall, and in that instant, I felt my body temperature drop even lower than the frigid surface beneath my back.
Before I met Daniel, I never believed anyone in this world truly never lied.
But then, I saw him risk everything to speak the truth for an old lady hit by a car, or choose to lose millions to be honest about his companyās finances.
Time and again, in countless crises, even life-or-death situations, he always chose the truth.
Iād known Daniel for seven whole years, and Iād only ever seen him lie once.
And that single lie, though it was for me, almost cost him his life.
Thatās when I learned that since birth, whenever he lied, his body would break out in rashes, severe enough to be life-threatening.
Yet Danielās casual āeasy to string alongā comment effortlessly negated seven years of my love for him.
Their conversation wasnāt over. Clenching my teeth against the searing pain in my chest, I picked up my phone and hit record.
āAre you really going through with this? If you do this surgery, youāll owe Chloe even more!ā
Danielās voice, now tinged with impatience, retorted, āOwe her? Whatās there to owe? Itās not like I dragged her here against her will, is it?ā
āThis was *her* decision, okay? What does it have to do with me?ā
āEven if I *do* owe her, Iām compensating her with marriage. Isnāt that enough?ā
Danielās voice was so familiar, yet utterly alien.
All this time, the Daniel I thought I knewākind, warm, thoughtfulādeserved every beautiful word in the dictionary.
Now, I realized that even the most profound, uncontrollable love could be faked.
He truly was a brilliant actor.
The marriage Iād dreamed of, to him, was nothing more than meaningless compensation.
At this point, I had no more courage left to listen.
I didnāt want to imagine what other āsurprisesā Iād overhear if I stayed.
Ignoring the two outside, I grabbed my coat from the side table and quietly slipped out through another door in the ward.
I saw Danielās car parked at the entrance, and a bitter, twisted smile pulled at my lips.
Iād always wanted to get my driverās license, but Daniel, under the guise of āitās for your own good,ā insisted he could drive me everywhere, always on call.
Now, it dawned on me: he was probably just used to chauffeuring his ātrue love,ā Lily, and didnāt want to change his routine.
I walked past the car, standing at a crossroads, watching the vehicles come and go, momentarily lost, not knowing where to turn.
Just as I was about to step away, a hand clamped onto my wrist from behind.
I knew that touch too well. I didnāt even need to turn around to know it was Daniel.
Iād never really liked his cologne; it was always too sweet, too cloying. I could never understand why Daniel, of all people, would wear such a strong, sugary scentāit completely clashed with his aura.
But he liked it, and after so long, Iād just gotten used to it.
Now, it all made perfect sense. That cologne was probably Lilyās favorite, wasnāt it?
The moment my eyes met Danielās, a jolt of shock went through me.
The man who was always so gentle and patient was now seething with rage.
As if sensing my shift, Daniel reined in his anger, forcing his usual gentle smile back onto his face.
āPear,ā he said. āWhy are you running off?ā
āPear, the surgery isnāt done. Let me take you back, okay?ā
āPear, I know youāre scared of surgery, but if you donāt do it, how can we tie the knot? Didnāt you want to marry me more than anything, huh?ā
Hearing āPearā over and over again, I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.
Soon after Daniel and I started dating, he started calling me āPear.ā
Iād asked him, confused, why he called me that. Everyone else just called me Chloe.
Heād ruffled my hair, his eyes full of what I thought was adoration. āMy favorite word is pear, and youāre my favorite woman. Of course, thatās what Iāll call you.ā
Back then, Iād just shyly buried my face in his chest, repeating his special nickname over and over.
Now, I realized. All these years, heād only been using me as a stand-in for Lily.
āDaniel,ā I said softly, my voice barely a whisper, āDid you forget? Iām allergic to anesthetic.ā
I quietly took half a step back, tears stinging my eyes.
My words made Daniel frown, but I distinctly saw a flicker of guilt flash in his eyes.
He took two steps forward, pulling me into his arms, his voice laced with obvious remorse when he spoke again. āBaby, Iām so sorry. Itās my fault.ā
āHow about we skip the surgery today? Iāll talk to the doctor later and adjust the plan. Will you wait for my call?ā
I pushed him away, my voice barely a choked whisper. āDaniel, canāt weā¦ just not do this surgery?ā
āNo, we canāt.ā
His tone was as gentle as always, but his eyes held a rare, unyielding resolve.
āDidnāt we agree? As soon as the surgeryās done, weāre tying the knot, babe!ā
āAlright, just sit in the car and wait for me, okay? Iām going to call the doctor.ā
His tone was supposedly ānegotiating,ā but Daniel didnāt wait for my answer. He simply pushed me into the car and casually shut the door.
I leaned against the car window, watching him on his phone, a strange, bitter ache coiling in my gut.
I pushed the door handle, trying to get out, but found heād locked the doors.
As I sat there, stunned, voices suddenly filled the car. It took me a moment to realize Daniel had forgotten his phone was still connected to the carās Bluetooth.
āWhat? Daniel, are you insane? You know sheās allergic to anesthetic, and you still want to go through with the surgery? Do you have any idea how painful plastic surgery is without it? Forget her, no one could stand that!ā
Danielās indifferent voice replied, āShe can just bear with it.ā
āWhat am I supposed to do? Stop the surgery just because sheās allergic to anesthetic?ā
āItās fine. She listens to me. Iāll just sweet-talk her later. You just schedule the surgery as planned.ā
I sat in the car, the heater blasting, yet I felt like Iād plummeted into an ice cavern, shivering uncontrollably.
I couldnāt believe it. The man who used to tear up if I just scraped my knee could be so utterly cold-blooded.
And there Daniel stood, just a short distance away, mouthing the most tender āI love you, babyā at me while simultaneously uttering the cruelest, most heartless words.
I couldnāt even manage a fake smile. Bitterness seeped into every cell, flowing through my veins, poisoning me from the inside out.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, perfectly timed. My hand trembled as I pulled it out.
It was the wedding planner, asking if there were any last-minute adjustments or additions I wanted for the approaching wedding.
Holding my phone, I stared at the man outside the car. After a long moment, I spoke softly, āYes, an adjustment. Please replace the bride with a scarecrow.ā
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On the day of the graduation ceremony, I mustered up the courage to confess my feelings to my long-time crush.
But I accidentally got hit by a car.
When I woke up, my crush was standing in front of me, looking at me with a cold expression.
“You’re awake? Perfect timing. Let’s discuss the divorce agreement.”
Me: ???
I haven’t even confessed yet, how did we end up talking about divorce?
0On the day of my college commencement ceremony, I finally mustered up the courage to confess my feelings to Aria, my long-time crush. Across the street, Aria was taking photos in her beautiful graduation gown. Excited, I ran towards her, not noticing the red light at the crosswalk.
A loud “BANG!” echoed, and I was struck by a car. Everything went black.
When I opened my eyes again, I found myself staring at a stark white ceiling. To my surprise, Aria was standing by my bedside. She was as beautiful as ever, and this was probably the closest we’d ever been.
Aria stood there, her gaze shifting from the IV drip to my face. As I looked at her, I noticed a ring on her left ring finger. My heart sank. Had the girl I’d loved for so long already found someone else?
Swallowing my disappointment, I forced a smile and greeted her, “What are you doing here?”
As I tried to sit up, I realized my arm was wrapped in thick bandages.
Aria sat down on the chair beside my bed, her voice cold and distant. “Mr. Liam, you really know how to make a scene. Risking your life for a divorce? That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”
I stared at her, completely bewildered. Divorce? I hadn’t even graduated yet, let alone gotten married. Where did this talk of divorce come from?
Just then, a nurse entered the room, carrying a tray of bandages.
“Dr. Aria, you’re still here? Sir, you’re so lucky. When you had the accident, Dr. Aria happened to be passing by and gave you emergency treatment. Otherwise, you’d be dealing with more than just a broken arm.”
The nurse carefully cleaned my wound as she spoke. As she gently placed my hand down, I noticed something shocking ā there was a ring on my right ring finger too! And it clearly matched Aria’s ring.
Panic and confusion flooded my mind. After the nurse left, I grabbed Aria’s sleeve.
“Your name is Aria, right?”
Aria frowned, looking annoyed. She jerked her sleeve away from my grasp and stared at me coldly.
“Since you’re awake, let’s discuss the divorce agreement.”
0
This was absolutely insane!
I was certain I had been on my way to the commencement ceremony when I got hit by a car. How did I wake up to this scenario where I was supposedly trying to divorce Aria by “risking my life”?
I was convinced that either I had gone mad, or Aria had.
“Wait a second!” I started, but before I could finish, a little girl suddenly appeared in the room, running straight into Aria’s arms.
I was stunned. What an adorable child! I reached out with my uninjured hand, wanting to pinch her chubby cheeks, but she shyly hid in Aria’s embrace.
“Hey sweetie, I’m sorry. You’re just so cute, I couldn’t help myself,” I said, trying to sound friendly.
Aria looked at me disapprovingly, reminding me that I had called her to wait but hadn’t explained why.
“Look, this might sound unbelievable, but I have no memory of what you’re talking about. The last thing I remember is going to the commencement ceremony…”
Aria impatiently cut me off. “So, you’re saying you have amnesia now?”
Amnesia? Yes, that must be it. It was the only explanation for why I had no recollection of all this.
I nodded vigorously and sincerely.
Aria’s face remained icy as she pulled out a document from her bag and tossed it in front of me.
“This is the divorce agreement. All the terms are as you requested. If you have no objections, sign it quickly.”
I opened my mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words. The little girl in Aria’s arms looked at me with a pout when she heard Aria mention divorce.
“Maybe we shouldn’t discuss this in front of the child,” I suggested. “It might not be good for her. Perhaps we could put this on hold for a while?”
Aria scoffed. “The child? Liam, you’re really playing this amnesia act well. This is our daughter.”
I hadn’t even processed her first statement when she continued, “And when you were having dinner with another woman, did you consider whether that was good for our child’s well-being?”
My mind went blank as I tried to absorb this information. Not only was I married, but I had a child too? And apparently, I had been unfaithful?
The little girl didn’t even look at me, burying her face in Aria’s neck.
It was too much information. My brain crashed like an overloaded computer.
0
It took me an entire day to process the situation in my head.
It seemed I really did have amnesia.
I was still me, and Aria was still Aria.
The only difference was that we were married and had a baby.
But the divorce papers on the hospital bed silently conveyed another message: our marriage was clearly in trouble.
The problem seemed to be that I might have cheated? But how was that possible? Why would I cheat on someone as beautiful and intelligent as Aria?
Had I lost my mind?
Where did things go wrong? How could I regain my memories?
I scratched my head in frustration, feeling completely lost.
“Daddy.”
I looked up at the sound of a soft knock. The door opened slightly, and the little girl’s cute face peeked in shyly.
“Mommy said to remember to disinfect your hand. Here’s the antiseptic. She said you should do it yourself.”
Her tiny hands clutched a bottle of iodine solution.
I reached out to her, gesturing for her to come in.
“Daddy’s hand hurts a bit. Can you bring it over for me?”
The little girl looked at me hesitantly but eventually nodded. She timidly ran to my side and placed the bottle on my bedside table.
I picked her up with my good arm and sat her on my lap, studying her features closely. She had my eyes – big, round, and bright. Her nose was like Aria’s, high and straight. She had Aria’s oval face shape too. She was absolutely beautiful.
This was my daughter with Aria.
I couldn’t help myself. I hugged her close and planted a big kiss on her cheek. The little girl smelled like milk, and I found her utterly adorable.
When I looked up, I saw that her face had turned bright red.
She froze in my arms for a moment, then wrapped her little arms around my neck and hugged me tightly.
She whispered in my ear, “Daddy, you smell nice.”
She was the sweetest thing in the world.
As I basked in the joy of being complimented by my baby, the door opened.
Aria’s familiar figure appeared in the doorway and walked towards us.
“Mommy!” The little girl in my arms immediately ran to Aria, stretching out her arms to be picked up.
Aria had clearly just showered, wearing casual home clothes that made her look both sexy and relaxed.
Her hair fell naturally over her forehead, with droplets of water sliding down her neck into her collar.
I swallowed hard, feeling the allure of her beauty.
As she came closer, my heart began to race even faster.
However, Aria’s words quickly doused my excitement.
“Mr. Liam, don’t you think it’s a bit late to start being nice to Coco now?”
“I’m not… I…” I wanted to explain, but one look at Aria’s cold expression told me she wouldn’t believe anything I said.
In the end, I chose to remain silent.
“Never mind. You can go about your business. I’m leaving,” she said.
As I walked out of the study, Coco peeked out from Aria’s neck and glanced at me. Seeing how close they were made my heart ache.
What good was having a wife and child if my wife wanted to divorce me and my child was closer to her mother?
I started to wonder why we had chosen to get married in the first place.
Outside on the balcony, a full moon hung high in the sky. The night breeze blew in, scattering my thoughts.
Everything else remained the same.
It seemed I was the only one who had changed.
0
The master bedroom had only one large bed.
The room’s decor was minimalist, with a simple black, white, and gray color scheme.
Apart from that, the room was kept immaculately clean, with a faint scent of gardenia wafting through the air.
I remembered that this was a fragrance I liked.
I walked to the walk-in closet, hoping to find some of my pajamas, but all I saw was a sea of black clothing.
…
With no other option, I knocked on the study door.
“Honey, I’m sorry to bother you,” I said, trying to sound as respectful as possible.
Aria, who was working at her computer, looked up at me.
“Do you know where my pajamas are? I looked in the master bedroom closet but couldn’t find any.”
Aria stared at me for a few seconds without saying anything.
Just as I thought she wasn’t going to answer and was about to leave, she suddenly stood up from her chair and walked towards me.
Aria smirked, hands in her pockets.
“What, are you planning to keep up this amnesia act?”
I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say. The problem was, even if I told the truth, she wouldn’t believe me.
Fortunately, she didn’t press the issue this time and walked past me towards another room.
I stood there, unsure of what to do.
She glanced back at me. “Aren’t you coming?”
I immediately followed her like an obedient puppy, making sure to keep a respectful distance.
“Thank you.”
Two minutes later, when I happily opened the closet door to get my pajamas, I immediately slammed it shut.
My face turned bright red.
It was too embarrassing to look at!
“This is…”
I didn’t finish my sentence, but I was sure Aria understood.
She was leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, silently watching me.
Her eyes seemed to say, “Go ahead and keep pretending. I’ll just watch without saying a word.”
…
I took a deep breath and slowly opened the closet door again. The clothing style inside was so revealing that I could hardly believe it.
The worst part was that Aria was still standing there, showing no intention of leaving.
I tried my best to ignore her gaze. With my back to her, I rummaged through the clothes from top to bottom, unable to find a single “normal” piece of clothing.
…
I sighed inwardly, turned around, and not knowing what came over me, I asked Aria,
“Honey, which one do you… prefer me to wear?”
Then, I clearly saw Aria’s eyes darken.
She scoffed and walked out, slamming the door shut behind her so hard it made me jump.
Why did she get angry?
As I took my pajamas to the bathroom, a thought suddenly occurred to me. Could our impending divorce be due to problems in our intimate life?
After showering, I put on a robe and went to Coco’s nursery.
The nursery was decorated warmly, showing that Aria cared a lot about the child.
I tiptoed in. Coco was already in a sweet dream, hugging a stuffed animal.
I gently tucked the kicked-off blanket back around her and carefully removed her thumb from her mouth, wiping it with a tissue.
It was at this moment that I truly felt like a father.
But I only knew her name was Coco; I didn’t even know how old she was.
I looked at my marriage certificate with Aria. The date was four years ago.
So Coco must be around three years old.
I stroked her head and then left her room. As soon as I closed the door and turned around, I saw Aria standing in front of me.
My heart started racing so fast I thought it might jump out of my throat.
“Are you done?” she asked.
“Yes,” I replied.
The atmosphere was awkward, and I didn’t know what to say.
“So… are you going to bed?” I asked.
Aria didn’t respond or make any move.
“I’ll go to sleep then,” I said, and quickly escaped to the master bedroom.
Without another word, I lifted the covers and lay down, keeping myself as still as possible.
Not long after, the bedroom door opened, and Aria walked in.
Seeing me lying in bed, she paused for a moment, her footsteps stopping as she just stood there looking at me.
Her gaze made my scalp tingle.
“Honey, which side do you usually sleep on?” I asked.
She didn’t answer.
I was starting to feel that Aria’s personality had become quite strange in the years I couldn’t remember.
She always liked to stare at people coldly without saying a word. I forced a smile and got out of bed.
“You choose first,” I said.
Petty Aria! I cursed her in my mind, knowing she couldn’t hear my thoughts.
But this time, she moved.
She walked to the other side of the bed, lay down, and ignored me, turning off the bedside lamp with a sharp click.
I…
I fumbled in the dark, getting back under the covers. The person beside me was breathing evenly.
Everything around was quiet, but I couldn’t sleep at all.
I couldn’t even think straight; my mind was a jumbled mess.
But I could feel that she was very close to me, so close that our breaths seemed to mingle silently in the air between us.
“Honey, are you still awake?” I asked softly.
“What do you want?” she replied.
“What?”
“You were the one who wanted to get married, and you were the one who went to great lengths to get a divorce. Now you’re lying here with me, trying to seduce me. Liam, I don’t have time to play your games. If you want something, just say it.”
“Seduce?” I stared at her with wide eyes, suddenly feeling a chill run through my chest.
I looked down and realized how revealing the outfit I was wearing actually was.
No wonder Aria thought my current behavior was an attempt to seduce her.
“I… I didn’t mean it that way. I’m sorry,” I stammered.
But Aria clearly didn’t want to continue sharing a bed with me.
She got up and left the bedroom, leaving me with these parting words:
“Liam, I don’t care what you’re thinking right now. I have no feelings left for you. I hope you understand that. Whether you’re pretending to have amnesia or trying to seduce me, it doesn’t matter to me anymore.”
“I’ll sleep in the guest room tonight. Do whatever you want.”
Aria left.
In the vast space of the bedroom, I was left alone with nothing but my sorrow.
0
I couldn’t sleep. I lay there, wide awake until dawn.
Around seven, I heard Aria talking outside, along with another woman repeatedly saying “okay, okay.”
I guessed it must be the housekeeper.
A moment later, the front door closed, and the sound of a car engine starting up told me Aria had left for work.
I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind in chaos as I began to reflect.
I had never been an outgoing guy; otherwise, I wouldn’t have secretly harbored a crush on Aria for so many years.
But now, finding out that not only had my crush been successful, but I had become her husband, I felt shocked, yes, but more than that, I felt an undisguised joy.
I thought this was a chance given to me by fate, but I never imagined I’d mess up this marriage so badly.
Low emotional intelligence really is a fatal flaw.
Lost in my thoughts, the bedroom door suddenly opened.
A woman wearing a housekeeper’s uniform walked in. Seeing me, she quickly apologized.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was in here.”
“It’s alright, I was just about to get up,” I said with a smile. She seemed relieved and slowly entered the room.
“Ms. Aria left for work. I thought this room was empty. Didn’t you used to sleep in your own room?” she asked.
My own room?
I suddenly remembered that when I went to get clothes yesterday, there was indeed a bed in that other room.
So, I had been sleeping in a separate room all along.
Does this mean we were living separately?
Thinking about it this way, all of Aria’s unusual behavior yesterday started to make sense.
I felt utterly embarrassed.
I buried my face in my hands, already regretting my actions many times over.
Coco must have heard our conversation because she came running to the bedroom door, barefoot. She looked at me expectantly but didn’t dare to come in.
“Coco, come here to Daddy,” I said gently, holding out my arms to her.
Hearing this, the little one excitedly ran towards me.
She pounced on me, knocking me back onto the bed, and flashed her little tiger teeth in a big smile.
“Daddy,” she said, nuzzling her head against my chest.
My heart melted.
She really was my adorable baby girl.
No matter how much Aria might hate me right now, Coco was still my daughter, and I was determined to be a good father to her.
I said goodbye to the housekeeper and took Coco out for a day just for the two of us.
We went shopping, and I bought her lots of pretty clothes. I also bought some normal clothes for myself.
After all, my post-marriage style was a bit hard to accept.
I carried Coco in my arms as she happily ate ice cream, her face covered in cream.
I gently wiped her face clean.
“Coco, what was Daddy like before?” I asked.
Coco looked at me, pouted a little, and said in a slightly hurt tone, “Mean to Coco.”
Then she added, “Grumpy.”
Children don’t lie, and her words made my heart ache.
It seemed the old me had changed so much that even I couldn’t recognize myself.
So why did Aria choose to marry me?
Was it because she liked me?
If so, she must have had quite unusual taste.
“Daddy, I want that!” Coco suddenly pointed her chubby little hand at a poster for the latest McDonald’s family meal deal.
Ah, the irresistible appeal of fast food to kids.
“Sure, let’s get it!” I said.
An hour later, Coco and I sat with our heads down on the couch in Aria’s office, looking very much like two kids who had been caught doing something wrong.
The cause of our predicament was the aromatic family meal deal sitting on the coffee table in front of us.
It all started with Coco’s filial piety. She felt that while we were out having fun, her mom was working hard alone, so she wanted to share her “delicious food” with her mom.
Aria’s workplace happened to be near the mall, and I couldn’t bear to refuse the little one’s request. So, we cheerfully went to Aria’s office.
But in Aria’s eyes, Coco’s “delicious food” was nothing but “junk.”
And that’s how we ended up in this interrogation.
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Clock Out. Or Die.
As quitting time approached, a pop-up notification flashed across everyoneās screens within the company network.
**[Please log off promptly at 6:00 PM. Otherwise, you might die!]**
I thought it was just some lame prank and was about to click it away when, the next second, a notification from our never-seen boss appeared: **[All departments will work until midnight tonight.]**
Only a few high-level executives had the permission to @everyone.
But this message came from an anonymous sender with a blank profile picture. There was no way to tell who it was.
Were they just rage-quitting?
“???”
“Who is this?”
**[@Sherry, HR Director, what the hell is going on?]**
**[Who enabled anonymous access?]**
…
Sherry, HR Director: **[Iām sorry, Iām checking immediately!]**
The group chat fell silent. Dead silent.
Ten minutes later, the companyās big boss, Mr. Harrison, whoād never once shown his face in the internal chat, finally popped up.
Just one sentence: **[All departments will work until midnight tonight. Project Alpha needs to launch ahead of schedule. Everyone, let’s push through. Your hard work is appreciated.]**
*Whoosh whoosh whoosh!*
Immediately, a flood of replies followed: **[Got it!]**
Mr. Harrison added another line: **[HR will calculate overtime pay as per policy.]**
Suddenly, the group chat was flooded with praise and adoration.
Even in the dead of winter, the brown-nosers were popping up faster than dandelions in spring.
Especially those thumbs-up emojis ā every single one of them was used with sickening, masterful skill.
Right after that, I heard Ms. Davenport, the HR VP, roaring: “Who was that anonymous sender?! Find them for me, now!”
I was just pulling my keyboard closer, resigned to bury myself in work, when the pop-up appeared again.
**Alert: [Dear diligent workers, quitting time has arrived!]**
**[If you insist on working overtime, please strictly follow the rules below!]**
**[1. Unless absolutely necessary, please avoid moving around. Outside your workstation, any other location may pose a fatal danger.]**
**[2. No smoking in public areas! Warning: The former smoking lounge poses extreme danger and is currently unusable!]**
**[3. Do NOT eat employee meals! Do NOT eat employee meals! Do NOT eat employee meals! Ordering takeout is permitted!]**
**[4. Be wary of takeout delivery personnel.]**
**[5. Do NOT make coffee! Do NOT make coffee! Do NOT make coffee!]**
**[6. These rules are active from 6:00 PM to midnight. Death quota: 4 people. May you survive!]**
**ā Anonymous User!**
At this moment, the clock struck 6:00 PMāthe exact time we were supposed to log off.
ā¦
Mr. Preston, our tech department head, was yelling: “Which damn jerk did this?! I’ll rip their hide off!”
Chad, at the desk to my right, and I exchanged glances.
Chad pursed his lips, then turned to our team lead, Derek: “Derek, should I go at him?”
Derek pushed up his glasses, not even bothering to look up: “Mr. Evans’s team is already on it.”
Chad shoved his keyboard away, clearly annoyed.
Derek used to be such a workaholic, leading our team to outperform others and earning serious respect from Mr. Harrison.
Too bad that was in the past.
To my left was Chloe, a new intern.
She was in her early twenties, full of life, and even in this cold weather, she was rocking a cute, trendy schoolgirl-style outfit with white stockings and pigtails.
Let me put it this way: in our tech field, women are already a rare gem, like finding a unicorn. And Chloe? She was a unicorn with a unicornās rare blood type.
As far as I know, at least a dozen male colleagues were constantly trying to get her attention.
But Chloe was sweet and well-behaved. She stuck by me after joining the team and wasn’t high-maintenance at all.
Chloe cautiously looked up at me: “Alex, is this company into these kinds of games?”
“Don’t sweat it, it’s clearly just a prank. We just need to keep doing our jobs.”
I said it easily, but my heart was thumping a bit too.
“Check your OKR progress. Itās perfect for a bit of overtime, isnāt it?”
Suddenly, Derek stood up and clapped his hands.
The ceiling lights cast a cold, stark white glow on his lean face.
“Stop discussing, everyone. Just focus on your work. Alex, pass me the topic list.”
“Oh, right. Sure.”
I gestured: “Chloe, can you print this for me? I’ll send you the file right away.”
Chloe pulled back her neck, a little scared, and mumbled softly: “Alex, the rules said not to leave our workstationā¦”
I almost laughed out loud. The girl was really taking it seriously.
“You actually believe that? Fine, I’ll print it myself then.”
“No, no, Alex! It’s just a small thing, you don’t need to do it. I’ll go, I’ll goā¦”
That’s more like it.
“Go on, then. Hurry up.”
Chloe had been with me since she started her internship, acting as both an assistant and a general helper.
Honestly, whether sheād get her full-time offer in two weeks depended entirely on my signature.
Chloe received the file, remotely sent it to the printer, grabbed her water bottle, and headed to the print room, apparently intending to get some water as well.
Three minutes later, Chloe placed a stack of documents on my desk.
I stared at the code on my screen, grunted, and planned to give them to Derek later.
First, the new project topic list needed more discussion. I still needed to think it over and talk about the specifics with Derek.
Second, since the beginning of the year, our team lead had become surprisingly chill. He dragged his feet on projects even more than we did. I figured he wasnāt in a hurry.
Iād heard a rumor that he landed a massive side gig last year and raked in a fortune!
Honestly, working when you’re broke, thatās sacrificing your soul!
But working when you’re loaded? It’s just… a lifestyle choice.
To be honest, if I weren’t broke, I’d probably be just as chillā¦
“Al-Alexā¦”
Chloe hadn’t left, her voice thick with tears.
“What’s wrong?” I looked up and asked.
“Alex, lookā¦”
My eyes scanned the printed documents, and I instantly flared up: “What the hell? Why did you print it in red ink? If I give this to Derek, he’d totally ream me out!”
“I didn’t, Alex!” Chloe cried, her voice trembling. “I really didn’t! I don’t know how, but it just printed like this!”
“Is the printer broken? Then switch to another one and print it again!”
“Iā¦ I don’t dareā¦”
“Huh?”
I glared at Chloe again, but the next second, I realized something was wrong, and my heart sank.
The words on the document were vivid red, abnormally so. Something wasn’t right!
I ran my finger over the paper, and a bright smear spread!
This wasn’t red ink at all. It looked more likeā¦ blood!
I shot up from my chair: “Which printer?”
“Number 3!”
“I’ll go check!”
I took a step, but then my body tensed, and I froze: “Chloe, go back to your desk first.”
Chloe meekly nodded, pulling her neck in, and sat back down.
“…Outside your workstation, any other location may pose a fatal danger!”
That warning echoed in my mind.
Could it beā¦
“Ahā¦!”
Suddenly, a piercing scream erupted from the direction of the print room!
“Someone’s dead!”
I didn’t have time to react. Those closest to the print room had already rushed in.
Then came the terrified shouts: “Quick! Someone! Call an ambulance!”
I instinctively followed the crowd towards the print room.
Just as I turned, I saw Chloe huddled in her chair, head buried.
Curled up like a pathetic little quail.
By the time I reached the print room, a chaotic crowd had already gathered.
The deceased, I remembered seeing him around, but I couldn’t recall his name.
Everyone immediately confirmed there was no point in trying to save him.
He was sprawled over a standing printer, his right hand clenched into a fist, pressed against his throat. A ballpoint pen was plunged into his throat.
A small section of it had even pierced through the back of his neck!
His death was like something out of a crime thriller, or those old-school detective shows where someone gets a pen jammed into their throat. It was exactly the same.
A large amount of fresh blood covered the printer, pooling onto the floor.
His shirt collar was hooked on the corner of the printer’s lid, which was why he hadn’t slid off after collapsing onto it.
And at his feet, there was a streak of water.
I could almost visualize the scene!
He was standing by the printer, waiting for documents, holding a pen, idly tapping it on the printer lid. Perhaps he got tired and shifted his weight, inadvertently slipping on the water.
His foot slid backward, and he pitched forward!
The upright pen in his hand pierced his throat!
It seemed perfectly logical.
But also far too coincidental.
Suddenly, someone yelled: “Why is there no signal?! I can’t call 911!”
“Then go outside and call! Someone died in the company, what the hell is going on?!”
“Everyone back to your workstations! Don’t panic! I’ll handle things here! Forget a dead body, even if the sky falls, Project Alpha *must* launch by midnight!”
The speaker was Trevor, whom we all called Big Trev.
He held the title of General Office Assistant, which was basically a useless position, only handling miscellaneous stuff.
He was a busybody, always riding on Mr. Harrison’s coattails, and incredibly recklessā¦
In short, he was a universally despised jerk.
But what could we do? He was Mr. Harrisonās cousin.
That bastard. This was his chance to really throw his weight around!
I quietly exited the print room. Outside, the atmosphere was already explosive.
“Damn, this is seriously messed up. Someone died in the company late at night, and we’re still not allowed to leave?”
“Do you think it has something to do with those rules in the chat? About not leaving your workstation because other places are fatally dangerous?”
“Stop BS-ing, you actually believe that?”
“Just wait and see how the company tries to hush it up if someone dies during overtime.”
“Our tech department is freaking amazing, they managed to jam all the signals in the entire company!”
Hearing that, I quickly pulled my head back.
I’m in the damn tech department too!
I thought that after someone died, everyone would be terrified and want to leave the office.
To my surprise, their panic didnāt last more than three minutes.
They were all eager to gossip, their eyes practically glued to the print room.
Just then, the window on the south side of the office space suddenly blew open with a bang!
The frigid winter wind rushed in like a blade.
“Quick, close the window! I’m freezing to death!”
Looking at the eerie green glow of the ‘Emergency Exit’ sign above the door, my heart tightened.
Chloe slid her chair closer, leaning over. There were tear streaks on her face, and her nose was red.
“Alex, can I go home? I’m too scaredā¦”
It was cold, and Chloeās lean exposed a glimpse of her thermal shirt underneath her cute schoolgirl-style uniform collar, but even so, my eyes couldnāt help but wander.
Still, my resolve was firm.
“Chloe, I understand you’re scared, but if you really leave now, whether you get your full-time offer might not be my call anymoreā¦”
I subtly gestured towards Derek, our team lead.
Chloe froze, then lowered her head and sat back down.
Faintly, I heard Chloe’s sniffles.
My heart softened. I looked up and asked Derek, who was three workstations away: “Derek, it’s getting too late. Chloe’s just a young girl, it’s not safe for her to go home alone. Besides, I don’t really have anything for her to do, so maybeā¦”
Derek pushed up his glasses, the light casting a cold, stark white on his face.
His voice was just as cold: “Either work overtime, or resign.”
I could only give Chloe a helpless look.
“Alex, did you get a good look? I couldn’t squeeze in! I heard the pen went all the way through his neck, blood was everywhere on the printer, and there were even blood spatters on the ceiling!”
Chad slid his chair next to me and whispered, leaning in.
“Man, that’s wild! Alex, do you know who died?”
“I’ve seen him before, but I can’t remember his name. I just rememberā¦ he always wore a blue plaid shirt, carried a thermos like an old man, and was balding at such a young ageā¦”
Chad slapped his thigh: “???! The King of the Grind died?!”
The mention of “King of the Grind” made my mind buzz, and I remembered too.
The King of the Grind was Kyle. He was a textbook example of the ‘overzealous underachiever.’
Constantly teetering between promotion and promotion failure.
He held the record for failing six promotions in one year!
“Ugh, well, that’s a relief. The group chat will be a lot quieter now. I was so sick of seeing his damn thumbs-up! Right, Alex?”
Every time overtime was announced, Kyle was always the first to respond with a thumbs-up emoji.
And heād drag everyone else down with him.
His work intensity was comparable to two full-time employees and a caffeinated dog.
He wasn’t even a programmer in our tech department, but at such a young age, his head was balder than Chad’s.
I thought, the manās dead, why keep mocking him?
I didn’t take Chad’s bait.
*Boom!*
From the direction of the print room, a dull explosion suddenly roared!
Then, a cloud of black smoke drifted out.
Across from me, Chloe jumped up with a start, tears streaming down her face.
“Holy crap, was his grudge so strong he blew up the printer?”
Chad clicked his tongue playfully, dragging his chair back.
My heart was pounding like it was caught in a snare, twitching harder with every beat.
*Click!*
Just then, all the lights in the entire company suddenly went out!
Everyoneās computer screens went black too!
“Ah!!!”
“It’s haunted!”
“What a crappy company! I’m out! Screw this!”
Instantly, screams and angry shouts erupted.
At first, when someone died and we weren’t allowed to leave, everyone held it in.
But now that the lights were out, even if nothing was wrong, it was enough to terrify everyone!
In the darkness, I felt a hand blindly reaching out, grabbing mine!
I considered myself pretty brave. I grew up in the sticks, and my grandma used to tell me all sorts of spooky old tales. I thought I’d heard it all.
But this time, it still scared the living daylights out of me!
“Alex, please, talk to Derek again. Let me go home, I want to go home, boohooā¦”
I instinctively tightened my grip, clutching Chloe’s soft hand.
“Chloe, don’t do that, you almost scared me to death!”
Honestly, my head was buzzing too, a complete blank.
Even though I’m usually a rational guy and don’t believe in ghosts, I was seriously creeped out.
Could it really be haunted?
“Everyone shut the hell up! The printer shorted out, the circuit breaker popped! I’ll just flip it back on. Everyone, sit down! Mr. Harrison said if the project launches tonight, everyone gets a two-thousand-dollar bonus!”
Hearing that, the restless colleagues actually quieted down quite a bit.
*Click!*
As power was restored and the lights came back on, everyone looked at each other, unsure what to do.
Chloe pulled her hand back, glanced awkwardly at her bag, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn’t leave. She sat back down.
Money truly makes the world go ’round, or at least makes people forget their fears. Two thousand bucks was roughly a month’s pay for Chloe as an intern before she even got her full-time offer.
Like puppets, everyone rebooted their computers and went back to work.
“Alex, look, who’s that? Why is someone covered in blood coming back from outside?”
Chad pointed towards the entrance.
I turned my head and, sure enough, a man, covered in blood, stumbled in.
“Mr. Preston? What happened to you?” a colleague asked, startled.
Mr. Preston was our department head!
My boss’s boss!
“It’s real! Those rules are real! Everyone, don’t run! Don’t run, just stay here, don’t move! It’s real!”
With that, Mr. Preston crumpled to the floor.
Luckily, Mr. Preston wasn’t dead.
He was covered in cuts, drenched in blood.
They laid him on a lounge chair, and he gasped for air for a good while before he finally recovered.
Thank goodness.
If two people died within such a short time, everyone would probably freak out.
Colleagues exchanged uneasy glances.
I forced myself to stay calm and restarted my computer.
After the computer rebooted, several windows popped up from the internal software again.
Without exception, they were all from the VP of Human Resources and Finance!
**@everyone: [There’s an unexpected situation at the company. Everyone stay calm and don’t move. Someone will handle it!]**
**@everyone: [Tonight’s project *must* launch on time. Any slip-ups will be traced to individuals!]**
**@everyone: [Considering tonight’s special circumstances, the company has decided to give every employee who clocks out after midnight a $2000 cash subsidy. $200 will be paid directly after logging off, and the remaining amount will be deposited into your bank account along with your salary over 9 months.]**
**@everyone: [After power is restored, ensure orderly work. Strictly forbidden to take photos or videos. Do NOT leak videos or images outside the company. Violators will be held accountable!]**
…
“Tsk, I knew it! The higher-ups are all the same, aren’t they? Two thousand bucks, and they’re paying it in installments? Why don’t they just go broke themselves!”
Chad muttered beside me.
“Alex, let’s go grab a smoke! It’s too stifling in here.”
Chad stood up, motioning for me to come with him.
He was right. All this back and forth had my nerves shot. I needed a break.
“Let’s go, let’s just tough it out until midnight, then I’m taking five days off tomorrow and just chilling!”
As Chad and I walked past the door, we got a pretty good idea of how Mr. Preston got his injuries.
“Ugh! Serves him right!” Chad spat.
He’d disliked Mr. Preston, our department head, for a long time.
To the left of the company entrance were the restrooms and the smoking lounge.
Straight ahead was the corridor and the shared elevator lobby.
To the right was the fire shutter leading to the stairwell.
We smokers sometimes used the stairwell when we were too lazy to go to the smoking lounge.
Normally, the fire shutter wasn’t lowered.
But now, it was not only half-lowered but severely damaged.
The rolled-up metal sheets were covered in blood, and there were blood spatters on the floor and walls.
Several grotesque bloody handprints were slapped on the wall, tearing chunks out of the drywall.
“Mr. Preston must have tried to go to the stairwell for a smoke and got hit by the shutter. He got caught in it, but luckily, he didn’t die.”
I felt a surge of relief for Mr. Preston.
I glanced at Chad and whispered: “It might be that what the group message said is trueā¦”
“Alex, don’t scare me. Dude, I’m a millennial barely making rent, the only thing I’m terrified of is going bankrupt. You think I’m scared of a prank?”
“I was just saying.”
Chad cursed: “You watch. That idiotic rule said the smoking lounge was dangerous, right? I’m gonna go try it! It’s all just the higher-ups messing with us!”
*Flick!*
Chad lit a cigarette and put it in his mouth.
Suddenly, I vaguely thought I saw a red dot on his forehead, which then vanished.
I shook my head, assuming I’d imagined it.
The red dot must have been the lit end of his cigaretteā¦
It was then that I felt something like a gust of wind on the back of my neck.
But when I turned around, there was nothing thereā¦
“Don’t smoke here! Let’s walk to the bathroom, quick, hurry!”
At this point, I was subtly starting to believe the anonymous rules in the group chat!
Rule 2: **[No smoking in public areas! Warning: The former smoking lounge poses extreme danger and is currently unusable!]**
I pulled Chad along, heading from the corridor towards the restroom, which was right across from the smoking lounge.
Chad, true to form, refused to believe in bad luck. He took a step and walked right into the smoking lounge.
“Ha, Alex, just watch. Nothing’s gonna happen. I bet Chloe was scared for nothing, hahaha.”
I paused for a few seconds. Seeing Chad was fine, I didn’t think much of it and started lighting my own cigarette as I walked in.
Butā¦
*CRASH!*
A grating sound tore through the air!
And then, I noticed Chad wasn’t moving!
His eyes were slits, and a faint tremor ran through his jaw.
The cigarette clenched between his lips dropped.
“Chad?”
The source of that horrific crashing sound was the metal trash can in the corner of the smoking lounge.
The trash can was bouncing wildly on the floor, completely split open, its metal sides covered in blood.
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The moment Isabelle filed for divorce, a single call was all it took for Marcus to drop everything, abandoning me to rush back to her side.
I tore the pregnancy test result from my hand, walking away without a single glance back.
Five years later, we ran into each other at the airport.
She was clinging to his arm, a dazzling smile, an ethereal beauty.
A perfect family of three. The way Marcus looked at themāit was filled with a tenderness, a devotion he had *never* once shown me.
I gripped Leo’s hand, wanting to leave, but we were stopped.
He looked at my son beside me, his eyes widening in a mixture of shock and something unreadable.
“Where did you get a child?”
In the crowded departure lounge, little Leo tugged at my sleeve, leaning in to whisper conspiratorially.
“Mommy, when can I have a daddy? I really envy that little girl.”
He spoke softly, gesturing towards the open hall not far away.
A tall man was holding a little girl, his strong arms tossing her up repeatedly.
Then catching her safely, simulating a game of flying.
The little girl’s crisp laughter, like little chimes, echoed through the entire lounge.
Every passerby who looked their way wore a warm, envious smile.
Only I, the moment I recognized that figure, felt like I was plunged into an ice storm.
Every nerve tightened, my scalp prickled with dread. One thought consumed me: *escape*.
I grabbed Leo, fleeing like a criminal, but accidentally bumped into a stranger’s camera.
The man roared in distress, grabbing my coat, demanding compensation.
I never imagined my next meeting with Marcus would be so utterly humiliating.
I was being yanked back and forth by his grip on my collar, my hair a wild mess.
Leo, frightened, hid behind me, jostled back and forth by my violent movements.
His eyes red-rimmed, he timidly but bravely cried out, “Don’t bully my mommy! You’re a bad man!”
The man frantically accused me of breaking his camera, spinning me around again.
Just then, a warm hand suddenly clamped onto my wrist, steadying me.
The man was startled by the sudden force, looking up at the person behind me.
“Who are you?”
He was agitated, glaring hostilely at the person beside me.
From above, that familiar deep voice was as steady and cold as ever.
An undeniable authority.
“Bullying a woman? What kind of strength is that?”
The man wouldn’t let up, ranting about how I’d shattered his camera ā what a prestigious brand, such a high-end lens, how it cost ten thousand dollars.
Marcus gave him a brief, dismissive look, then turned to signal Isabelle.
Isabelle immediately handed over several stacks of fresh cash from her purse.
Marcus took the money, glancing at it ā ten thousand dollars, not a penny more, not a penny less.
He coldly eyed the broken lens on the ground, his eyes still holding that sharp, unyielding intelligence no one could fool.
“More than enough to compensate you for this.”
The man realized Marcus knew photography and wasn’t easy to swindle. He quietly took the money and left.
But I had just landed, in the most humiliating, disheveled way possible, owing them money.
I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh, mocking my own fate.
Embracing my utter disgrace, I feigned nonchalance, smoothing my messy bangs back and greeting them with a bright smile.
“Hi, Marcus, hi Isabelle. Long time no see.”
Isabelle hadn’t recognized me at first, thinking Marcus was just being a chivalrous Samaritan.
The moment she saw my face, she was stunned for a split second. Then, her regret became painfully obvious.
She cautiously glanced at Marcus, but didn’t respond to me.
I dared not look at Marcus.
But even without looking, I could feel his gaze, sharp as a blade.
His stare made my skin crawl, my scalp tighten. I didn’t dare to look his way.
And he, very quickly, noticed the small figure hidden behind me.
Leo was already curious about Marcus.
To a child, an adult who could lift them high, tossing them into the air for a game, was practically a superhero.
The immediate tension had subsided. He rubbed away his tears, secretly poking his little head out to look up.
And his eyes met Marcus’s.
In that moment, my heart hammered, a frantic drumbeat in my chest. I felt lightheaded.
This was it.
Anyone with eyes ā even a blind man ā could see Leo was Marcus’s son.
Because standing together, they were a perfect adult and mini-me.
The same nose, the same eyebrows, even the same soft, perfectly shaped ears looked like they’d been cast from the same mold.
Even their daughter noticed it, tugging on Marcus’s sleeve.
“Daddy, that little boy looks just like you.”
Marcus’s face darkened further.
Strangely, Isabelle wasn’t angry. Instead, she seemed worried, clinging to Marcus’s arm, her eyes misting over as she looked up at him, feigning helplessness.
“Marcusā¦”
Marcus snapped back to reality. His Adam’s apple bobbed. He gave me a murderous glare.
His gaze was murderous, as if he wanted to devour me, or choke the life out of me a dozen times over.
He was so furious, he didn’t even register Isabelle’s feigned fragility. He yanked her hand away, coldly saying, “You go back first.”
Isabelle didn’t dare say more.
She gave me a deep look, her eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness.
But before leaving, she gently nudged her daughter.
The little girl, cunning even at her young age, mimicked her mother’s innocent, vulnerable look as she spoke to Marcus, “Daddy, come home soon.”
Marcus’s expression softened. He gently looked down, responding, “Okay.”
Marcus called his assistant, Ben, and handed Leo over to him.
Then, we sat in the car together, in silence.
He rested an arm on the window, his fingers idly stroking his lips, a deep frown etched on his face as he watched a distant plane take off.
I knew his concern.
“It’s fine. I won’t ask you for child support, and you don’t need to be responsible for Leo.”
Suddenly, Marcus exploded.
He snapped back to reality, seizing my wrist, pressing me back into the seat. His eyes were blazing red with fury, his voice shaking with raw anger.
“…You think I’m worried about child support? Aria, five years! You disappeared without a trace for five whole years! Do you have any idea how long I’ve been looking for you? I’ve needed sleeping pills every night just to get some rest! Every moment, every second, I’ve been terrified, dreaming of you being cruelly murdered, trafficked to some island, or having your organs harvested! Do you know how scared I was?!”
Scared?
I never thought those words would come from the formidable, legendary CEO Marcus.
But the bloodshot intensity in his eyes was real, not an act.
His reaction completely threw me off.
I was utterly bewildered.
This bewilderment only infuriated him again.
But this time, he looked deeply hurt.
“What? In your eyes, am I truly that heartless? That I wouldn’t care if you vanished?”
I scoffed.
“You’re married. Why are you putting on this ‘devoted lover’ act?”
When Marcus married Isabelle, I was on an operating table.
For this child, I worked five different jobs, even delivering food right up until I was seven months pregnant.
The constant strain led to complications, and even a C-section was touch-and-go.
As I lay there, bleeding profusely, fighting to save the child inside me, I heard the television from outside.
The TV was broadcasting a lavish, ‘wedding of the century’ ceremony.
The protagonists were Marcus and Isabelle.
I screamed, my voice raw from the pain, as they walked down the aisle.
My womb was cut open, a bloody mess, as their eyes met.
I lay on the operating table, pale and barely clinging to life.
They exchanged rings, gazing deeply into each other’s eyes, speaking vows of ‘never leaving.’
The way he looked at her was pure adoration.
In that moment, I felt like I had died.
The heartbreak was a searing pain, worse than childbirth.
But after the pain, a strange calm settled over me.
The nurse, wiping sweat from her brow after a frantic shift, wheeled me back to my room.
The wedding on TV was slowly drawing to a close.
Marcus and Isabelle embraced, kissing. The audience applauded thunderously, tears streaming down their faces as they blessed the couple.
Even the nurse who was administering my IV couldn’t help but sigh, “What a perfect match.”
Yes, what a perfect match.
Ever since high school, ‘perfect match’ had been synonymous with Marcus and Isabelle.
The whole world seemed to be rooting for them to get married, saying if they didn’t, love itself would cease to exist.
Isabelle, however, fell in love with someone else.
Marcus was heartbroken and furious. He drowned himself in alcohol, spiraling into self-pity, and then he confessed his feelings to me.
He was truly pathetic then, sobbing in my arms, asking if I’d be with him.
Against my better judgment, I said yes.
And just like that, we were together, our relationship surprisingly uneventful.
He did everything a boyfriend was supposed to do.
But whenever he saw anything about Isabelle, his handsome brows would furrow, and he’d fall silent for the entire day.
I foolishly believed he’d eventually get over her.
But even more heartbroken than him were the people who desperately wanted him and Isabelle to be together.
They were furious with him, demanding to know why he was with me, why he wasn’t fighting to win Isabelle back.
Marcus, clearly annoyed, retorted, “She chose to be with an ordinary man, so I’ll choose to be with an ordinary woman. If this fairytale is going to be shattered, let’s shatter it completely.”
So that was it.
I had just found out I was pregnant when I heard him say that.
I was in the room, carefully and excitedly holding the ribbon-wrapped gift box with the pregnancy test inside, planning to show it to him.
The moment I heard his words, my blood ran cold.
The ribbon-wrapped gift box in my hand suddenly felt incredibly ironic.
How could I have thought he truly liked me, that he’d want a child with me?
How could I have ever believed that *he* would fall in love with a woman like me?
I didn’t have Isabelle’s beauty, or the privileged background of a socialite, or her reputation.
I didn’t have the idyllic childhood she shared with Marcus.
Why did I ever think he truly wanted to be with me?
I had once believed he held at least a little affection for me.
But at that moment, I snapped to a harsh realization: he was only with me out of spite.
Out of spite against Isabelle.
That brief moment of clarity saved my life, and yet, it also shattered it.
I turned and threw the pregnancy test into the ocean.
Then, I went to the clinic and had an abortion.
I had to leave him.
Even if I wasn’t Isabelle, even if I didn’t possess her unique beauty,
I wouldn’t willingly be a pawn in his spiteful games.
I had my dignity.
That day, I went to the clinic alone, had the abortion alone, and left the clinic alone.
Dragging my weak, exhausted body back to the resort we were staying at to pack my bags.
When Marcus learned I wanted to leave him, he went ballistic, snatching my things and throwing them aside.
He gripped my hand tightly, so hard.
“What’s wrong? What don’t you like about me? Just tell me!”
It was the first time I’d seen him so furious.
His anger usually simmered, a cold, silent threat that sent shivers down your spine without a single word.
But that time, when I said I was leaving, his fury erupted, threatening to incinerate me.
He kept asking what I disliked about him.
I couldn’t say it. I couldn’t tell him he didn’t love me at all.
That he saw me as a mere pawn in his petty feud with Isabelle.
How could he possibly admit it? If he were that honest, he never would’ve confessed his feelings to me in the first place.
If he’d seen me as a human being, he wouldn’t have played games with me, deceiving me for so long!
It was my own fault for being so foolish.
How could I have believed he’d ever truly let go of Isabelle?
I didn’t explain anything, I just kept packing my bags.
Then, he proposed to me.
He got down on one knee, directly sliding the ring he had prepared onto my finger.
His voice was softer and more resolute than ever.
“You think I won’t marry you, don’t you? Fine, I’ll tell you now: I, Marcus Sterling, will take responsibility for you until the very end. I’ll spend my entire life with you.”
Every word reeked of ‘responsibility.’
Who needs your sense of ‘responsibility’?
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“When I went for the abortion today, the doctor told me I might have trouble getting pregnant again. Your family, with you as the only son, needs heirs. I’m not fit for that.”
When Marcus learned I’d secretly had an abortion, his anger morphed into something far more complex.
For a moment, I thought he wanted to strangle me. But then, reason seemed to pull him back.
He hated me, hated me for killing his child.
Disappointment, confusion, sadness, and even a flicker of fear flashed in his eyes.
His thoughts tangled, making his dark eyes seem even deeper, but in the end, it all just turned to ice.
He roared in fury, slamming his fist into the wall beside my head, drawing blood.
He gasped for air, so consumed by hatred he probably wanted to kill me, but all he could do was gasp.
I thought, with things like this, we could finally end it all.
But who would have thought? Instead of letting me go, he held me captive in the hotel.
He kept me there, refusing to let me see anyone or contact the outside world.
Then, one night, he appeared, completely wasted, and took me roughly.
āHis fierceness felt like it was tearing me apart.
And after that, he came every day.
Every day, he acted like he wanted me dead.
As if all his pain and hatred needed to be released this way.
He’d attend events with beautiful young women on his arm, but he refused to end things with me.
It was his twisted way of constantly trampling my dignity, watching me helpless as people ridiculed me, treating me like an idiot.
I tried to break up, he refused.
Every time I tried to sneak away, his bodyguards and Ben would block me.
That lasted for six months, until the news of Isabelle’s divorce broke.
Isabelle got divorced.
He left immediately, flying non-stop to Japan that very night.
He went straight to her Tokyo home, beat up the man who had wronged her, and it made international headlines.
The news showed a photo of him escorting Isabelle from her house.
Isabelle’s face was bruised and tear-streaked from domestic violence, and she clung pitifully to his chest.
His eyes were full of tender pity, laced with regret for not having protected her.
It was a perfect opportunity.
The first time in six months of trying to escape that his bodyguards and Ben weren’t around.
But I didn’t leave immediately. I was still holding onto a sliver of hope.
I called his cell phone.
At first, no one answered.
Then, finally, he picked up, only to say “What?” impatiently before hanging up.
Later, I called again in the dead of night.
The phone was answered, but there was no sound.
After a while, I heard Isabelle crying, and Marcus’s gentle comforting words.
He said, “It’s okay, I’ll take care of you from now on.”
I didn’t listen any further. I threw away the cell phone Marcus had bought for me.
I pried open a drawer, snatched every dollar he’d left behind, and left that very night.
The car’s AC wasn’t on. It was cold.
His breath plumed white in the cold car, his eyes bloodshot, as if he were holding back tears.
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In the midst of a zombie outbreak, my girlfriend insisted on delaying our evacuation. All for the sake of her cowardly, useless childhood friend to catch the last rescue helicopter.
This was the final evacuation operation after the zombie outbreak, and our only chance of survival for our group of survivors.
Seeing that her friend wasn’t coming, I had no choice but to knock my girlfriend unconscious and carry her onto the plane.
Her precious childhood friend ultimately died in the zombie horde.
I, however, managed to survive thanks to this opportunity and lived a happy, peaceful life with my girlfriend in the safe zone.
But on the eve of me taking control of the district and preparing to lead the human army in a counterattack…
My girlfriend drugged my water and threw me into a horde of zombies.
She stood on the wall, sneering: “If it weren’t for your selfishness, Jake should have had a chance to live too.”
“The pain he suffered, you must experience it yourself, and pay for it with your life!”
Given another chance at life, I returned to the day my girlfriend insisted on delaying the evacuation.
Since she’s so eager to live and die together with her childhood friend…
I’ll send her to feed the zombies along with him!
“This is our last chance to evacuate. If we don’t leave now, we’ll all die here!” Several team members were shouting themselves hoarse trying to persuade Mia, who was blocking the exit with her body.
“Jake hasn’t arrived yet. What’s wrong with waiting just five more minutes?!” Mia’s face was cold as ice, refusing to budge an inch.
“You want to risk all our lives just to wait for him?! Mia, don’t be so selfish!” The team members were anxious to the point of panic.
Someone who couldn’t stand it anymore rushed forward to pull her away.
But in the next second, Mia raised her gun and fired.
The bullet grazed past everyone’s scalps, instantly causing a chorus of shocked cries.
“Are you crazy?!”
Faced with everyone’s condemnation, Mia snapped back:
“You’re despicable! Shameless! Selfish!”
“Jake hasn’t arrived yet, so no one’s getting on that plane today! You cowards who are afraid of death, how can you bear to abandon a comrade at the critical moment? Do you even deserve to live?”
Hearing this, the deputy commander looked at me with a troubled expression:
“Alex, the military chopper is about to close its doors. If we delay any longer… I’m afraid we might…”
I smiled slightly, gesturing for everyone to calm down.
Then I walked over to Mia’s side and gently put my hand on her shoulder:
“Mia’s right. Our team has always upheld the principle of never abandoning anyone. Although Jake didn’t make it to the meeting point on time, how can we just leave him behind?”
Hearing these words, everyone present was dumbfounded.
They couldn’t believe I would say such a thing.
“Captain, what… what are you saying? How can you side with Mia just because she’s your girlfriend?”
“Shut up!” Mia raised her gun and fired another burst into the air.
“Alex has spoken. We must wait for Jake to arrive before evacuating together. Why are you all talking so much?!”
Armed with the truth and my support, Mia was unbearably smug at this moment.
She leaned close against my shoulder and said in a soft voice:
“Alex, I knew you were different from those guys. You always stick to your principles no matter what.”
I smirked and patted her head.
“Jake and I are brothers who’ve been through life and death together. How could I possibly abandon him?”
But Mia didn’t know that I actually didn’t need to squeeze onto this helicopter at all.
As a top virologist, I only needed to make one phone call, and the military would send an armed force and a private plane to pick me up at any time.
And in my team, except for Mia and Jake, everyone else was a top talent in their field.
If it weren’t for wanting to bring the weak and incompetent Mia along to evacuate in my previous life, I could have easily chosen a safer private plane and gone to the camp with my teammates.
In this life, I want to make her pay the most brutal price for her stupid and selfish decision.
Let her be dragged down to hell along with her precious childhood friend, whom she kept thinking about but who repeatedly almost caused the team’s downfall.
Seeing that no one dared to rebel, Mia became even more smug.
And so, time ticked by minute by minute, as the dark mass of the zombie horde gradually approached in the distance.
Until Jake finally arrived late.
“Mia, I knew you’d wait for me!” Jake was panting heavily, his eyes full of excitement.
Given his physical condition, it was almost a miracle that he managed to run from the east side of the city to the helipad.
Mia let out a long sigh of relief and smiled.
However, at that moment, a deafening explosion came from the distance
ā the last line of defense had been breached by the zombie horde.
The rescue helicopter also closed its doors at this moment, flying away from the helipad with some of the evacuees on board.
The team members left behind cursed loudly in anger.
“Mia, you f*cking psycho! You’ve cut off our last chance of survival!”
“And that good-for-nothing! Why the hell did you have to run back home to grab a guitar the night before evacuation? Who were you planning to play for, the Grim Reaper?!”
A chorus of curses filled the helipad. Jake was so frightened his face turned ashen.
“I’m… I’m sorry, this guitar is my most treasured possession. I didn’t think it would delay everyone’s evacuation…”
Seeing the hateful glares from everyone around, he quickly hugged his guitar and hid behind Mia.
The team members were also quite dissatisfied with me at this point, giving me looks of disapproval.
“Alex, you’ve led us through life and death situations so many times before. We trusted you as our leader, but how… how could you be so foolish?”
I put on a guilty expression and patted the team members’ shoulders:
“This time it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let emotions cloud my judgment. But there’s no use talking about this now.”
“Don’t panic everyone. I know of a temporary shelter nearby where we can take refuge for now.”
Mia, arm in arm with Jake, snorted disdainfully:
“Bunch of cowards. Isn’t Alex still here? He’s the one who’s led us through three zombie hordes before. So what if we missed this evacuation? There’ll be another one next time.”
Hearing this, the team members became even more furious. But given the current crisis, they had no time to waste words arguing with Mia.
Half an hour later, our group finally reached the temporary shelter.
As the heavy blast doors slowly closed, the roars of those zombies were shut out.
“Finally safe…” Everyone let out a long sigh of relief, collapsing to the ground in exhaustion.
But at this moment, one team member suddenly cried out: “This is bad! I just received news that today was the last batch of evacuation helicopters. The military… the military is abandoning this area!”
“Does that mean the military’s evacuation operation is completely over and we’re trapped in this godforsaken place forever?!”
The team members’ faces turned pale, their voices trembling.
At this point, Mia dismissively pursed her lips:
“Look at how pathetic you all are. The shelter’s food supplies are sufficient to last us at least three months. Even if the military doesn’t come to rescue us, we can always migrate on our own later.”
I opened the military communication device and skillfully entered the password: “Everyone, don’t panic. I’ve already contacted the military high command. They’ve promised to send special forces to pick us up in three days. Let’s all rest up and adjust our condition these few days.”
Hearing this news, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Mia was also beaming with joy, holding Jake’s hand excitedly: “Jake, that’s great! We’ll be rescued in three days!”
Seeing the two of them cheering jubilantly, the team members’ faces all darkened.
“Alex.” The deputy commander lowered his voice and pulled me to a corner, “Is the number of rescue spots you applied for from the military enough? Including those two, we have a total of eight people.”
I nodded slightly: “That’s right, but I only applied for seven spots.”
Hearing this, the deputy commander first looked confused, then seemed to understand something.
He probed in a low voice:
“Then doesn’t that mean one of us won’t be able to get on the plane?”
I glanced at Mia, who was feeding water to Jake, a cold smile tugging at my lips.
“Don’t worry, your spots are secured. As for this extra person, we’ll see how she chooses when the time comes.”
We exchanged knowing looks, while the oblivious Mia was gently wiping the sweat from Jake’s forehead:
“Jake, don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get to the safe zone safely.”
Watching this scene, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anticipation.
When the new round of rescue arrives, how will Mia choose?
Will she keep her promise to Jake as she swore?
Or will she expose the ugliest side of human nature when faced with a life-or-death decision?
With rescue on the way and ample supplies in the shelter, Mia completely let her guard down over the next few days.
She started wasting resources recklessly with Jake.
Using purified water from the water purifier to wash clothes, taking antibiotics meant for emergencies as health supplements, and even dismantling electronic equipment for batteries to power a music player.
Until the evening of the third day, just half an hour before rescue was due to arrive.
Mia suddenly barged in, interrupting my meeting with the team members.
“Alex, give me the serum quickly.” She ordered bluntly.
I frowned and looked up: “What do you need the serum for? Has someone been infected?”
But Mia’s answer made everyone’s jaws drop.
“No! But Jake has a fever. It’s up to 102Ā°F now. I gave him fever reducers but they didn’t work!”
“Stop wasting time and give me the serum. I need to inject it into him.”
I slowly stood up, my voice turning cold:
“Do you know what this serum means? I spent three years developing it. It can stop the zombie virus from spreading within five minutes of infection.”
“Although it’s still in the experimental stage, it’s humanity’s last hope right now, and I only have one dose left.”
“Oh come on, I know!” Mia waved her hand impatiently.
“But the anti-virus serum can kill all viruses, right? Jake is in a lot of pain right now. Stop dawdling, will you? Hurry up!”
The entire meeting room suddenly fell deathly quiet.
The deputy commander couldn’t bear to watch anymore and slammed the table as he stood up:
“Mia, did you lose your mind? You want to waste such precious serum on a mere fever?!”
“What do you mean waste?!” Mia shrilly retorted.
“Jake has always been weak. What if the fever causes complications? Besides… isn’t the serum meant to save people?”
Seeing that I remained unmoved, Mia’s eyes suddenly turned vicious.
She actually raised her gun and aimed it at my forehead.
“Hand it over. Don’t make me do this!”
“Mia, have you gone crazy? How could you…”
Just as a teammate was about to step forward to stop her, he was nearly shot by Mia.
Looking at this woman I once loved deeply, I suddenly felt incredibly absurd.
In my previous life, I had escaped death so many times to protect her.
And now, she was actually threatening my life for the sake of Jake.
As unwilling as they were, my teammates had no choice but to hand over that sole dose of serum.
We watched helplessly as Mia injected it into Jake.
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