Author: Momo Chan

The wedding countdown stood at twenty-two days when I walked in on Liam Hayes and his secretary, Chloe, tangled together, stark naked, in my own bed. My fury erupted, and I demanded to break up right there, cancelling our long-planned wedding. Liam fell to his knees, begging me, claiming it was just one drunken mistake with Chloe. He swore I was the only one he ever loved, that I shouldn’t negate our ten years together over a single error. My heart softened at his desperate pleas and tear-soaked face, and I decided to give him one more chance. But three weeks later, he came to me, hand-in-hand with Chloe, clutching a positive pregnancy test. “Chloe is pregnant, and it’s mine. This pregnancy is incredibly difficult for her. If she were to terminate it, she might never be able to conceive again.” “She’s still so young, I can’t let her carry the stigma of being a home-wrecker. For the wedding, she should be the bride first, just until the baby is born and officially part of the family. Then, we can have an even grander wedding for us.” What he didn’t know was that since the night he cheated, Julian Hayes, the scion of a powerful family, had already approached me. He told me he wanted to marry me. But I, swayed by Liam’s sweet talk and manipulative pleas, had rejected Julian. Julian had proposed a bet to me: whether Liam would actually marry me. If I lost the bet, the price was marrying him instead.

Watching their fingers intertwined, I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. I tossed the wedding gift I’d prepared into the trash can. “Well then, I wish you both a lifetime of sweetness and happiness.” I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms, leaving painful crescent marks. Liam didn’t seem to catch my implied meaning. His entire demeanor brightened. He let go of Chloe’s hand and walked towards me. “Aurora, I knew you’d be the most understanding and mature one, you always are. You’d definitely get it.” “Chloe is only twenty, and she’s carrying a Hayes heir. We can’t let the baby be born without a mother, right?” As soon as he finished speaking, he gave a subtle gesture to Alfred, our butler. Alfred quickly moved Chloe’s luggage into *our* bedroom. Liam offered me a strained smile. “Aurora, the guest room is too small, and Chloe is pregnant, so it’s not convenient for her in there. She’ll stay in the master bedroom for now, and you can move into the guest room.” I scoffed, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “So, you’ll be staying in the master bedroom too?” His words faltered, and he weakly tried to find an excuse. “Chloe is in her early stages of pregnancy, so there are many things to be extra careful about. Staying in the master bedroom will naturally allow me to look after her better.” “But don’t worry, I won’t sleep in the bed. I’ll have Alfred bring in a sofa, and I’ll sleep on that.” A bitter laugh bubbled up inside me. They’d already slept together, and now he was putting on this act? He pulled Chloe in front of me, gently instructing her. “Quick, thank your sister-in-law! If it weren’t for her acceptance, our child wouldn’t receive such treatment.” Chloe, who moments ago had seemed so innocent in Liam’s arms, was now bursting into tears, faking distress. I hadn’t said a word, yet she immediately looked as if she’d suffered a great injustice. “Sister-in-law, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin your relationship with Liam. We just got drunk…” Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. Liam saw them, and his face was etched with concern. He gently wiped away her tears. “Chloe, don’t blame yourself too much. We were just swept up in the moment, our feelings were too intense to control.” “Don’t worry, your sister-in-law is a sensible person; she already forgave us, didn’t she? Getting too upset isn’t good for the baby. You’re carrying a Hayes heir now, I can’t let you suffer out here.” But Chloe still looked terrified of me, her gaze darting between Liam and me. She looked at me timidly. “But Liam, sister-in-law doesn’t seem very happy. Her face looks quite displeased.” The next second, Liam grabbed my arm and pulled me in front of Chloe. “Aurora, it’s no use me explaining things to Chloe. Why don’t you explain it to her? Chloe is sensitive; without your permission, she’ll just overthink everything, and too much stress isn’t good for the baby.”

I watched them, a perfect duet, my gaze turning icy. I didn’t know if he was truly clueless or just pretending. My heart was seething with resentment, and he was still trying to slap me in the face like this. I couldn’t hold back anymore. I yanked my hand free from his grasp. My eyes, red with suppressed rage, fixed on him. “Liam Hayes, are you saying that you got another woman pregnant, and now I’m supposed to rush over and comfort the home-wrecker you brought back? How dare you have such audacity?” Liam’s eyes, which had been upturned in smugness, instantly darkened when he heard my words. His voice deepened several octaves. “Aurora, how could you think that? Chloe is only 20! She’s still so young. Do you have any idea how much physical harm it would cause her if we forced her to have an abortion?” “I already took her virginity; I’ve already wronged her enough. And you can’t even tolerate *this* small thing?” The way he twisted his infidelity into such a grand, righteous excuse, it felt as if I’d never truly known him. Had he forgotten? I wasn’t even twenty when we started dating. And didn’t I give him my first time too? He turned away, no longer wanting to meet my gaze. But the words he spoke were like daggers, each one drawing blood. “Besides, we’ve been together for so long, and your womb has always been silent. Now, Chloe can give our family an heir. You should be on your knees, thanking her!” I let out a cold snort, responding flatly. “So, if I went and slept with someone else, got pregnant with their child, would you still kneel and thank me?” He spun around abruptly, his furious gaze almost devouring me. “Enough, Aurora! Don’t you think your words are truly disgusting?” “I always thought you were kind and sensible, that you’d understand everything I did. I never imagined you’d be no different from those jealous women.” He gritted his teeth, looking utterly exasperated. Perhaps in his mind, I was just as he described. All that talk of me being gentle, kind, and sensible was just an excuse for him to bring Chloe home. I let out a bitter laugh. “My apologies for disappointing you.” Chloe suddenly dropped to her knees, sobbing hysterically. “Sister-in-law, I’m so sorry, it’s my fault. I ruined your relationship with Liam.” “This baby shouldn’t be in my belly. I promise you, I’ll leave right now. I’ll get rid of the baby immediately and never appear before you again.”

With that, Chloe, still crying, rushed towards the door. With a “thud,” she fell directly to the ground. Liam’s eyes filled with panic. He rushed over without hesitation. Chloe clutched her stomach, whimpering. “Liam, help me! My baby, this is our first baby, I don’t want anything to happen to this baby…” Seeing Chloe’s pained expression, Liam’s eyes instantly reddened. He quickly scooped up the whimpering Chloe from the ground. His panic was visible, his lips trembling. “No, Chloe, I won’t let anything happen to our baby, don’t worry.” “You’re still young, we’ll have many more children, as many as you want, I’ll give them to you, okay?” Listening to his touching declaration, tears streamed uncontrollably from my eyes. Five years ago, I too was pregnant with his child. But back then, he claimed it was his career’s crucial period and told me to terminate the pregnancy. We were both young then, and I didn’t think much of it, so I went through with the abortion. The moment I was wheeled into the operating room, I suffered a hemorrhage and almost died on the table. That surgery severely damaged my uterus, making it difficult to conceive afterward. Liam knelt by my hospital bed, clutching my hand, sobbing uncontrollably as he repented. “Aurora, I’m so sorry, I truly didn’t know that abortion would cause such severe damage to your body. Don’t worry, I promise I’ll never fail you again. From now on, if we have a child, we’ll keep it, okay?” “If we really can’t have children, that’s okay too. I’ll be child-free with you.” What were once such moving and heartfelt vows now felt like a sharp blade piercing my heart. I turned, wanting to leave, but he, still holding Chloe, rushed up from behind me. Suddenly, he kicked me hard in the back. I lost my balance and stumbled, falling backward. I knocked over a nearby vase, and glass shards pierced my palm. “What are you standing around for?! Get the car ready! If something happens, can you take responsibility?!” “Chloe is pure-hearted; she thinks of everything for you, yet you say such vicious things to upset her. You’re so much older than her, can’t you be more mature?!” The crushing pain in my chest made it hard to breathe. I slowly got to my feet, pulling the glass shards from my palm. Blood instantly welled up. To avoid giving him any more leverage, I forced myself to endure the pain and went to get the car for him. Perhaps, as he said, there was a life in her belly. Blood dripped onto the steering wheel, while in the backseat, Liam and Chloe’s fingers were intertwined. After dropping them off at the hospital, I felt my task was complete. Trembling, I called Julian. “What you said last time, I agree.”

Julian didn’t seem surprised to hear from me. He told me to send him my address. After I sent it, he replied with a text. “Wait for me. Ten minutes.” For some reason, receiving Julian’s message filled me with a strange sense of calm. I took a closer look at myself; I was a mess, my hand still oozing blood. I decided to head to the doctor’s office first to get some medicine and a simple bandage. As I passed Chloe’s hospital room, through the half-open door, Liam was spoon-feeding her swallow’s nest porridge, blowing on each spoonful carefully. He gently wiped the porridge from her lips. “Eat slowly, little glutton, don’t choke.” Their eyes met in the air, and Chloe couldn’t help but lean in and kiss his lips. Liam didn’t refuse; he even closed his eyes. Watching this scene firsthand, my heart twisted painfully. As I pulled away, Chloe seemed to notice me. A hint of challenge appeared in the corner of her mouth, and she wrapped her slender arms around Liam’s neck. “Liam, don’t you think it’s all my fault? It’s because I’m pregnant with your baby that sister-in-law is so unhappy.” “You don’t know how scared I was when I saw the way sister-in-law looked at me. I know she hates me, but I really don’t want to ruin your relationship, and I don’t want her to hurt our baby. Maybe I should just leave.” Liam suddenly cupped her face, gently stroking her cheek with the same hand that had once caressed mine. “Silly girl, how can you say that? It’s Aurora who’s being childish. You’re having such a difficult pregnancy, and she keeps doing things to upset you. When I get back, I’ll teach her a good lesson.” “You’re carrying a Hayes heir now; I’ll naturally give you a proper status.” Chloe said, teary-eyed and full of feigned grievance, her tears coming on cue. “But what if Aurora really gets angry and leaves? Then I’ll truly be a sinner.” Liam placed the swallow’s nest porridge aside and sneered. “She won’t leave me. Everyone knows she’s been with me for 10 years; no one would want a ‘damaged good’ who’s cohabited with another man for a decade.” “She loves me to death, she’s like a persistent shadow, impossible to get rid of. This wedding, she was the one begging me to marry her.” So, in his eyes, all my efforts were just one-sided devotion. Hearing this, my stomach churned, and I rushed to the bathroom, dry-heaving. But there was nothing in my stomach, only bitter acid. Ten years. Memories flooded my mind like a torrent. All those solemn vows played out like a movie in my head. Liam Hayes, you were the one who pursued me back then. To be with you, I even risked cutting ties with my parents. And now, all I got was a dismissive “desperate fool chasing after me.” I dragged my battered body, slowly walking towards the hospital exit.

Liam, who had come out to get water for Chloe, spotted me and called out. “Aurora Hayes!” I instinctively stopped. He walked towards me, holding the kettle, and started to speak but then noticed my hands, wrapped in bandages. He frowned, a rare flicker of concern in his eyes. “Aurora, what happened to your hands?” He reached out to touch them, but I instinctively pulled away. “It’s nothing. You should go back and care for your little darling in the hospital room, Liam.” Hearing my deliberately distant tone, his outstretched hand froze in the air, and a rare hint of disappointment crossed his features. “Aurora, stop playing games, okay? Chloe is pregnant and her emotions are unstable right now. As her sister-in-law, you should be more generous.” “Didn’t you always want to travel? After the baby is born, we can go together, okay?” Watching his self-righteous demeanor, I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. In the past, whatever I did or said, he would agree without question. But ever since Chloe joined the company, he’d stood me up countless times. His promises, I no longer dared to hope for. As he spoke, his fingers were still busy replying to Chloe’s messages. I clenched my fists and looked up, meeting his cold eyes. “Liam Hayes, let’s get a divorce.” He was still engrossed in his chat with Chloe. When he finally registered my words, he froze. He lifted his eyelids, looking at me. “Aurora, what did you just say?” I repeated myself, word for word, enunciating even more clearly than before. “I said, Liam Hayes, let’s get a divorce.” Upon hearing this, he slammed the kettle to the ground. He paced wildly like a madman, hands on his hips, his bloodshot eyes fixed on me. “Aurora, do you even know what you’re saying?” “You’re overdoing this hard-to-get act, aren’t you? So what if Chloe got pregnant? Why are you sulking so much?” “You always said you loved me, but now, when our love is truly tested, you’re backing down? Do you think I’d still be a man if I let Chloe go and terminate the pregnancy? Do you want Chloe to end up like you, unable to bear children?” …He practically tore his throat screaming. Passing patients stopped to watch the spectacle of his madness. So, in his eyes, I had always been useless, a woman who couldn’t bear children. I bit my lip, trying my best to keep the salty tears from falling. My throat aching, I looked at him. “I’m not making her get rid of the baby, Liam. Listen carefully: this time, *I’m* leaving *you*.” A message popped up on my phone from Julian: “I’m in the parking lot. Come over.” I turned to leave, Liam’s furious voice echoing behind me. He ripped his throat screaming, “Aurora Hayes, go! If you leave, don’t ever come back!” “Divorce then, divorce! See how everyone will mock you, how you’ll become an abandoned woman everyone can whisper about behind your back in our social circle.” “Don’t come crying back to me for charity later.” No, Liam. From the moment you hurt me again and again for Chloe, I should have known I needed to leave. The hospital layout was unfamiliar, and I searched for a while but couldn’t find the parking lot Julian mentioned. Just as I spotted a parking sign and started walking towards it, a large hand suddenly grabbed me. A furious face appeared before me.

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I was the perfect corporate wife in our elite circles. When Blake Sterling got a model pregnant, I stepped in to make it all disappear. When Blake was caught sneaking into hotels with an A-list actress, I greased palms and made scandalous photos and videos vanish. Everyone in our elite circles said Blake Sterling had the perfect wife. Their knowing smiles were laced with ridicule, but I didn’t give a damn. After cleaning up his final mess, I simply vanished. Since then, Blake Sterling has been trying to find me, even across the ocean. Blake Sterling’s latest arm candy was a fresh face, Skylar Vance. Naturally, Blake was the lead investor in her debut film. Among Blake’s endless string of conquests, Skylar was the youngest, and by far, the boldest. She flooded my inbox with provocative photos, each one a blatant taunt. “Mrs. Sterling, everyone says you’re so magnanimous. Can you tell me if these photos are flattering?” I closed my email without replying, until Blake’s call came through. “How did those photos get out? Aria Hayes, are you done with your act?” His cutting tone sliced through the phone, and my heart ached for a few seconds before settling back into stillness. “I don’t know.” I spoke flatly. The next second, he hung up. My phone buzzed relentlessly with notifications from all my social media apps. #SterlingCEOCaughtInAnotherPhotoScandal The headlines screamed, the photos pixelated, but it wasn’t hard to tell they were identical to the ones Skylar had sent me. She was young, and her tactics were just as amateur. Editors from major media outlets flooded my SnapChat with messages. “Mrs. Sterling, seven figures should do it this time.” “Mrs. Sterling, we still have time for damage control.” I replied, “Not interested,” to each of them. The offers stopped coming. But then, screenshots of my replies to the editors exploded online. “Guess she’s finally given up.” “No kidding. Who could keep cleaning up their husband’s messes, time and again?” “How long until they divorce, do you think?” I took a deep breath, gazing at the empty mansion around me, a chilling emptiness settling in my chest. Blake Sterling, consider this my divorce gift to you. Soon enough, the scandalous photos evaporated as quickly as they’d appeared. The ‘screenshots’ of my replies were debunked as AI-generated fakes, and major media outlets started dumping dirt on other celebrities to divert attention.

The scandal was suppressed, and Blake sent me a SnapChat message. “Aria Hayes, you never cease to amaze me. You can put up with anything, can’t you? You’d do anything for money.” “How much do you want this time? What expensive meds does your father’s pathetic life need this time?” I replied flatly, “Nothing.” Silence stretched on his end for a long time before I put down my phone. Blake didn’t know that my father had passed away yesterday. While he and Skylar were enjoying a lavish spa day, my father had succumbed to acute kidney failure. I’d called him countless times, only to hear the answering machine. After crying for ten hours in the hospital room, Skylar’s message popped up. I got up, wiped my tears, and began to arrange my father’s funeral. Once everything was settled, I returned to the mansion Blake and I shared. It was only when those photos went viral that Blake finally called me. His first words were cutting accusations. But, it didn’t matter anymore. My most important task now was to divorce Blake. Our marriage had been nothing more than a business arrangement between the Hayes and Sterling families. A financial blunder by my father led to our company’s bankruptcy, and he’d collapsed from the shock. When Mr. Sterling Sr. was still alive, Blake treated me reasonably well. We weren’t madly in love, but we were respectful, almost like polite strangers. In those quiet days, my feelings for Blake grew. His transformation began after his grandfather’s death. That night, the rain poured down. Blake was in our master bedroom, getting intimate with a strange woman. I went wild, tearing at the woman, but Blake shielded her. It was also the first time he’d ever threatened me. “Aria Hayes, your father’s medical bills still depend on me.” Helplessness washed over me. That night, the strange woman stayed. After that, Blake began to indulge himself without restraint. I started cleaning up all sorts of scandals for him. In Blake’s eyes, I was just a woman pretending to be a virtuous wife for money. “Aria Hayes, you have no idea what my life was like before. Now, with no one to control me, it’s just so… comfortable.” Blake’s eyes were hazy as he said it. I just stared at him blankly.

Blake had indeed been tightly controlled before, even watching his grandfather’s every expression before speaking. A rustle of footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. Blake walked towards me, tugging at his tie, his expensive cologne heavy in the air. “Aria Hayes, not asking for money again? What new trick have you learned this time?” I looked at him, confused. “Don’t pretend. Skylar told me she saw you signing up for those ‘Win Back Your Husband’ workshops. What did you learn there?” “Suddenly not wanting money, what’s this move called? Playing hard to get?” Blake’s laugh was mocking. He sat next to me, pulling me into his embrace. I could hear his heartbeat clearly against my chest. “Aria Hayes, I’m giving you a chance. Start your performance.” He laughed again as he said it. I looked up at him. He was leaning back on the couch. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been this close to Blake. I raised my hand and touched his chest, feeling a tremor. “Aria Hayes, is that all you’ve got?” With that, Blake roughly pushed me away. His gaze was filled with utter contempt, as if I were something vile, a piece of trash. “Blake Sterling, let’s get a divorce.” I spoke calmly. Blake, who had been standing, froze. This was the second time I’d mentioned divorce to him. The first was the night I caught him cheating. My father had left me a substantial inheritance, and no one else knew about it. But Blake had refused to divorce, saying he wouldn’t let me have half his assets. He also didn’t believe I’d ever be willing to leave him. “Oh, really? When?” Blake smirked carelessly, pulling off his tie and throwing it at my face. A surge of surprise went through me; I hadn’t expected him to agree so easily. But then he suddenly pinched my chin. His handsome eyes scrutinized my face. After a long moment, he spoke flippantly. “Aria Hayes, you’re a terrible student. Find a different workshop.”

After saying that, Blake went back to the bedroom. I was left alone in the living room, the closed bedroom door a barrier between Blake and me. Thinking back to our days of polite respect, it felt like yesterday. Blake had changed so fast. Suddenly, Maria led a few men in. I knew them all—Blake’s closest friends. They didn’t greet me with the same deference as before, merely glancing at me briefly. Blake emerged from the master bedroom quickly, having changed into loungewear. The last one to enter the study turned back, his eyes full of pity, and looked at me. The study door was ajar, and muffled conversations drifted out. “Not many people for a proposal here, security’s good.” “Use all roses, girls always love custom diamond rings.” “Blake, are you sure about this? Your wife, she…” “I can’t give Skylar a proper title, but I can give her a grand gesture to compensate. Just don’t let this get out.” Blake’s voice cut off the conversation. So, he was going to propose to Skylar Vance. I turned and walked away from the study door. Blake had been back for so long, yet he hadn’t noticed my packed luggage. Hearing the sound of him seeing his friends out downstairs, I stepped out of the master bedroom. Looking down, I saw Blake humming a cheerful tune. Soon, dusk fell, and Blake changed into a tailored suit before heading out. I didn’t follow him, busy instead arranging my emigration. All these years, I’d been using my own money to clean up his dirty laundry. Blake automatically assumed I was using the supplementary card he’d given me, making him believe he controlled my finances. Looking at the decent balance in my bank account, I felt a calming sense of security. After confirming the house, the agent sent me the contract. Before I could even look at it, a message from Skylar Vance popped up. It was a ten-minute video. Blake’s declaration of love lasted six minutes, his gaze on Skylar full of adoration. I had to admit, out of all his women over the years, Skylar was truly the most favored.

“Pretty, isn’t it, Mrs. Sterling?” “I heard your wedding was just at a five-star hotel, no proposal, very rushed and perfunctory. Blake never gave you such a grand proposal, did he?” “Blake’s friends all say I’m the only girl he’s ever truly cared about.” Skylar’s voice message sounded utterly smug. She thought her words would drive me crazy. But my heart was eerily calm. For Blake Sterling, I figured there was only a sliver of love left. “Congratulations.” I simply replied with those four words. Her end went silent. The summer wind rustled the leaves, a dry, whispering sound. I slipped off my wedding ring and placed it on the dresser. That night, I dreamt of my father. When I woke up, my pillow was soaked with tears. One hundred and ten missed calls blared on my screen. Before I could even check them, Blake’s call came in again. The moment I answered, his barely concealed rage erupted. “Aria Hayes, I truly underestimated you. All these years, you’ve played the innocent, virtuous wife, but behind my back, you’re more devious than anyone!” “What?” I instinctively retorted. He hung up, and then I received a screenshot from Blake. That proposal video had already soared to the top of every major media platform’s trending topics. Editors from various media outlets had already sent me their prices. While I was asleep, Sterling Enterprises’ stock had plummeted because of the video. People were already speculating how much Blake would have to pay out in a divorce settlement. I looked at the screen full of notifications and felt utterly drained. Just then, the bedroom door burst open. Blake stood there, eyes bloodshot, gripping my collar. His eyes blazed with fury. If looks could kill, I would have died a thousand times over.

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My half-sister was reborn. She predicted a zombie outbreak, the end of the world, in two months. My husband and his whole family believed her. They went crazy hoarding supplies, even spending a fortune to turn their out-of-town estate into an impregnable fortress. My husband blew through all his savings and then borrowed from loan sharks. I clutched at his leg, begging him to stop, but he just kicked me out with nothing but a signed divorce agreement. Two months later, my husband called, scoffing, “The first infected person is about to appear. If you don’t want to die, come kneel at the mansion gates. Vivian is kind, she might just let you in.” But on the predicted day, the apocalypse never came. That’s when they finally panicked. **Chapter 1** I jolted awake from a nightmare, my phone ringing. “Ms. Harper, today is the deadline for your mother’s burial plot renewal. If you don’t renew it, her ashes will have to be removed.” I was on a business trip out of town. My hand trembling, I called my husband, Zane, urging him to renew it quickly, to not let anyone disturb my mother’s peace. Still shaken, I leaned back in my chair, the dream’s images still swirling in my mind. Two months later, a zombie crisis, erupting from City A, would sweep across the globe, turning the entire world into a living hell. During the outbreak, my family was trapped in our remote mansion. We waited two months, and just as we were completely out of supplies, the army finally arrived for rescue. Tears of joy streamed down my face. I urged my family to hurry and drive away with the army, but my sister, Vivian, insisted on putting on her makeup before she’d leave. As the army’s departure time drew closer, I wanted to drag her out, but Zane blocked my way. “What’s wrong with Vivian, a girl, wanting to look pretty before she leaves? It’s the army’s job to serve the people, so what if they wait a bit?” My father, Arthur, and stepmother, Martha, nodded in agreement, calmly sitting back down. I was in disbelief, but I didn’t have time to waste on them. I turned to leave, but Zane grabbed me, saying a family should stay together. He snatched my car keys. Finally, as Vivian leisurely applied her eyeliner, the zombie horde suddenly attacked. We couldn’t retreat in time and were all torn apart by zombies. The phantom pain of being bitten by zombies still lingered on my skin. Now that I had a chance to do it all over again, I absolutely wouldn’t make the same mistake twice! When my plane landed, I felt a faint unease. I changed direction halfway and headed to the cemetery. To my shock, a brand new tombstone, engraved with an unfamiliar name, stood on my mother’s plot. The staff looked bewildered. “After we called you last time, no one renewed the plot. To avoid any mistakes, we even notified your father. He specifically said not to renew it and that we could dispose of the ashes however we pleased.” A chill ran through me. My heart ached painfully. I went crazy, searching through countless unclaimed urns in the warehouse until midnight, finally returning home clutching a small, cold urn. I hadn’t been home for half a month, and the sight that greeted me in the entryway left me stunned, unable to recover for a long time. My cozy home, which I’d meticulously decorated, now looked like a frozen cave. All the appliances and furniture were gone. The beige curtains I’d carefully chosen were half-torn down, draped over the dirty floor. My husband, Zane, was directing the housekeepers to take down our wedding photo, which had hung on the wall for three years, and casually throw it in a corner. “What are you doing?” The scene before me made me feel like I was dreaming. After a long moment, I managed to squeeze out a question. A flicker of panic crossed Zane’s eyes. “Harper, why are you back so suddenly…?” I stared at him, my fingers trembling as I clutched the urn. “If I hadn’t come back early, how would I have known my mother’s grave had been dug up?” Zane’s usually gentle face showed a hint of helplessness, as if he were looking at an unreasonable child. “You don’t understand, Vivian was reborn from the future! The world ends in two months, and every penny in this house needs to be spent wisely. Wouldn’t it be better to buy more food with the money for the cemetery renewal? Why are you still being so difficult at a time like this?” **Chapter 2** It clicked then; Vivian had been reborn too. But I didn’t let it show on my face. I clenched my fists, my voice filled with anger and disbelief. “You actually believe Vivian’s talk about the end of the world? You’ve all gone insane!” “Dad’s company landed several big projects thanks to my predictions!” Vivian strutted down the stairs, looking cocky. “All the money earned from that was used by Dad to buy an entire warehouse of common medicines. Those will be more valuable than gold in the apocalypse.” Her eyes held a sneer. She moved close to Zane, delicately caressing his flat stomach. “I might as well tell you the truth, I’m already carrying Zane’s baby. If you’re smart, you’ll serve me well. In the apocalypse, I might even spare you a bowl of food.” My icy gaze flickered between their faces. It looked like they’d been having an affair long before the apocalypse was supposed to hit. Zane suddenly felt a chill run through him. “Harper, we’ve been married for three years and you haven’t had a child. I’m an only son, you need to consider carrying on my family name.” Only son, my foot. This nobody from nowhere acting like he had a royal lineage to pass down. I scoffed, pulling the plain silver ring off my finger and tossing it at Zane’s feet. “Since you put it that way, I definitely need to consider your family’s royal lineage. Since Vivian says there are two months left, let’s hurry and finalize our divorce before the end of the world.” Zane stared intently at the wedding ring I’d just discarded like trash, his brows furrowed. Our family backgrounds were vastly different. After he graduated college, I willingly gave up everything to help him start his business. We huddled together in a cramped, damp basement, finding warmth in each other. To make money, I worked five jobs a day, my hands raw and aching from washing dishes in freezing water, even in the dead of winter. He used the first money he earned to buy me this ring, a simple silver band with just a tiny chip of diamond embedded in it. Later, his business took off, and I, with my impressive qualifications, successfully joined a prestigious medical research institute. Yet, I still cherished that ring like a precious treasure. My reaction clearly caught him off guard. Zane could no longer keep up his gentle facade, looking utterly incensed. “Harper, stop throwing a tantrum! At a time like this, our family needs to unite to overcome this difficulty. Perfect, tomorrow, you should go around and borrow money from all your friends and colleagues. You’re well-liked, borrowing a few million shouldn’t be a problem!” I sneered, too lazy to bother with such absurd talk, and walked straight upstairs to rest. But when I woke up the next day, I was shocked to find my room door wide open, and my entire wardrobe, filled with all my gold, silver jewelry, and designer bags, was gone. I bit down hard on my lower lip, sharply demanding Zane where my things had gone. He acted completely unconcerned. “You were sleeping soundly, I didn’t want to wake you. Those jewelry and bags are useless anyway. Selling them means we can buy a few more bags of rice.” I could barely contain the rage bubbling within me. “What about the gold ring under my pillow? That was my mother’s only keepsake!” Zane’s voice faltered, then he sighed. “Harper, your mother passed away so many years ago. But you still have your father, Vivian is your blood relative, and I’m your family too. Why can’t you make some sacrifices for your own family?” His casual, entitled tone shredded what little sanity I had left. I suddenly burst out laughing, but big tears rolled down my cheeks. His breathing hitched. He wanted to say more, but I pushed him out of the room. I collapsed amidst the chaos on the floor, tears streaming uncontrollably, yet a helpless smile curved on my lips. **Chapter 3** Luckily, to be safe, I had secretly sold my most valuable jewelry under the cover of night, leaving only the cheap trinkets Zane had bought me and a few eye-catching designer bags. When Zane had to personally move the wardrobe so as not to wake me, a full ten million dollars had already landed in my bank account. But I never imagined he would stoop so low as to steal my mother’s keepsake to sell for money. The hatred from the previous life, where he had personally dragged me into a dead end, surged within me. I silently wiped away my tears, a plan slowly forming in my mind. Since your whole family is united in preparing for the apocalypse, how could I not lend a hand? After some time, my phone rang again, the caller ID showing one of my father’s company shareholders. “Harper, get to the company quickly! Your father’s gone mad! He’s going to sell all his shares!” My heart tightened. I rushed over, only to find my father, Arthur, and Vivian confronting a group of shareholders. This company was founded by my parents together. For it to become an industry giant today, my mother had poured her heart and soul into it. I couldn’t let him ruin it like this. My father saw me, his eyes lighting up. “You’re just in time! Hurry and transfer your shares too, and give me the money to reinforce the mansion.” Vivian lifted her head proudly, looking at me as if I were already dead. In her eyes, I had neither the good fortune of being reborn nor the willingness to humble myself, so I was doomed. Her family would stay in their impenetrable fortress, laughing at my miserable end. The shareholders were all company veterans, caught completely off guard by my father’s sudden move. Fearing he was being scammed, they clamored to dissuade him from doing something foolish. “If you don’t want the company to have problems, there’s another solution.” Zane walked quickly towards me, a polished smile playing on his lips. “You just need to buy out your father’s shares.” My fingers clenched so tightly my nails almost pierced my palm, my knuckles white. Zane’s expression was as calm as if he were discussing tomorrow’s weather, yet his words were like a dull knife, slowly carving into my heart. Vivian scoffed. “Her? Want to buy out Dad’s shares? Does she even have that kind of money?” Cold sweat trickled down my back. I couldn’t believe my former husband had schemed to this extent. My father had set the price very low for a quick sale, and all my liquid and illiquid assets barely amounted to enough. “So, even if it means spending your entire fortune, you want to keep this company, right?” Zane whispered softly in my ear. His voice was gentle as always, yet it felt like steel blades piercing me. He watched me with keen interest, like he was sizing up prey he was sure to capture. In two months, companies and shares would be nothing but garbage. And now, he wanted to squeeze every last bit of value from me using this garbage. After the apocalypse, if I wanted to survive, I’d have to swallow every humiliation and humbly bow at his feet. My gaze fixed on Zane’s utterly hypocritical face, my own pale and bloodless. “It’s a deal!” The paperwork was quickly done. My father, smugly thinking he’d offloaded a huge burden, had no idea he was giving up their last lifeline. Ever since my father remarried, the company shares had been tightly clutched by my stepmother. She never imagined there would be a day she’d hand them over to me on a silver platter. Vivian triumphantly announced that they had sold all their properties, and the whole family had moved into the out-of-town estate. The cash from selling all their assets was transformed into bags of rice and instant noodles in the warehouse, and long-lasting potatoes, winter melons, and cabbages in the cold storage. Construction crews were working feverishly at the mansion, building various illegal structures. Vivian smiled proudly, “When the zombies attack, these watchtowers will be the best observation points.” I snorted, about to leave, but Zane wouldn’t let me go. He forcibly dragged me away. A burly man with a scarred face looked me up and down, his lecherous gaze making me incredibly uncomfortable. “This is Mrs. Zane, quite the looker.” The man rubbed his hands together and placed a contract in front of me. “Mr. Zane is in a hurry to borrow fifty million. We don’t exactly distrust him. But we’d appreciate Mrs. Zane signing too. If something unexpected happens, a wife should naturally help pay it back, right?” **Chapter 4** Before I could even speak, Zane pulled me aside. “In two months, who’s going to care about these debts! Just sign it quickly! The things we’re hoarding can save lives! By then, even the government will be begging us to sell supplies. What’s this small amount of money compared to that?” He was already this insane, even borrowing from loan sharks. He was truly seeking his own destruction. I scoffed internally, but put on a heartbroken expression. I clutched his leg, pleading repeatedly, “You’ve taken all our money and gambled it away! Please, I beg you, come to your senses! You won’t be able to pay back a loan shark!” The man instantly became wary. Fifty million wasn’t a small sum. If Zane really gambled it all away, even dismembering him wouldn’t help. Seeing the money about to slip away, Zane was furious. He kicked me away. “Bitch, what nonsense are you spewing!” Vivian gracefully stood by Zane’s side, smiling with pursed lips. “Zane, Harper said she wants a divorce, so she’s hardly Mrs. Zane anymore, is she? I’ll sign it.” Zane glared at me, immediately scribbled a divorce agreement, and threw it in my face. I was almost laughing from pure rage. Every clause stated that all marital property was unrelated to me, meaning I was to leave with nothing. Though, given the current situation, there wasn’t much left of our marital property anyway. I added a clause at the end of the agreement. Zane scoffed, agreeing without a second thought. A month later, clutching my freshly issued divorce certificate, I felt a sense of immense relief, completely unfazed by Zane’s grim, thunderous expression. Time trickled by, drawing closer to the date Vivian constantly chattered about. Zane and the Arthur family believed they had made all the necessary preparations, and their actions became increasingly reckless.

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Just because she lost a game of Truth or Dare, my wife was passionately kissing her assistant in my car. The moisture even soaked my son’s car seat. The male assistant sent me the video, and I immediately forwarded it to my wife. “Going broke, Seraphina? Cheating in *my* car now?” She sent a voice message back, her tone laced with drunken charm. “This was an arranged marriage, Julian. Did you actually think I was *your* wife? It was just a dare! Are you seriously that petty?!” I scoffed. It was time to make her understand. You do something you shouldn’t, you pay the price. I immediately halted the Miller Group’s major overseas deal, scheduled for signing next week. The next moment, my wife, Seraphina Miller, started bombarding my phone. But my secretary, Sarah, blocked every call. “I’m sorry, Ms. Miller, Mr. Thorne is currently in a meeting.” Playing the silent game? I could play too. Not long after, Seraphina stormed into my office, heels clicking furiously, and slammed her palm onto my desk. “Julian, have you lost your mind? That was a $300 million deal! You’re going to destroy my company over a stupid dare?!” Seraphina, who always carried herself with such elegance and composure, was now acting like a raging lunatic, all for another man. I put down my report and looked at her enraged, contorted face. “You have fifteen minutes, starting now.” Ten minutes later, Seraphina sent a photo. The Maybach’s interior was back to pristine condition, undergoing a professional cleaning. I immediately notified my overseas department, “Proceed with the signing as planned.” Then, I sent Seraphina a photo. Her cherished designer gown was trampled on the floor, and her beloved custom-made shoes were soaking in a filthy mop bucket. “Seraphina Miller, this was also a dare. Remember my bottom line. This is just a warning. Cross me again, and the consequences will be beyond what you can handle!” Silence from Seraphina’s end. I knew she was furious, probably boiling with rage. But I was even angrier. Our family alliance had been orchestrated by her back then, and it was *her* who rejected the option of us leading separate lives after marriage. For six years, we went from a formal, polite relationship to one where we truly supported each other. Especially after our son was born, I poured all my energy into our family, ensuring both the Thorne and Miller families flourished and prospered. I thought we would stand by each other until we were old and retired. But she shattered our happy, stable life. That brief pause on the $300 million deal? It was just a warning shot.

That day, Seraphina didn’t come home for the first time. The next morning, I walked straight into the Miller Group, taking the internal elevator directly to the executive floor. It was completely empty outside. Our assistants should have been on duty. I hadn’t brought mine today, but where was *her* assistant? Loud laughter drifted from her office, seeping through the blinds. I caught a glimpse of her assistant, Kai, holding a hairdryer, solicitously drying her hair. Seraphina lounged casually in her office chair, chatting and smiling with him. Seraphina used to be very strict about personal space. No one, except me, was allowed to linger in her office for long. But her tenderness towards Kai now felt like a sharp blade piercing my heart. Even more glaring was the cold glint of the high-end watch on Kai’s wrist. That was clearly the watch she had carefully chosen and bought abroad as my birthday gift! Kai was just an intern assistant; he couldn’t afford a single screw on that watch even if he sold everything he owned! I pushed the door open. Kai dropped the hairdryer as if electrocuted, forcing out a sycophantic grin. “Mr. Thorne, what brings you to the Miller Group offices?” I looked at him coldly. “I’m a director and general manager of the Miller Group. It’s not for an intern to tell me where I can be!” “Go fetch HR. I want to ask her if the company’s hiring standards have fallen this low.” Kai looked to Seraphina for help, and she gestured for him to step out and let things blow over. Just as Kai was about to leave, I spoke, my voice chilling. “Take off the watch!” He froze, his hand covering the watch, looking pitifully at Seraphina. I stared intensely into Seraphina’s eyes. “Explain this. Why is my birthday gift on *his* wrist?” “The order receipt for that watch is still in my drawer!” Seraphina’s expression turned impatient. “He’s my assistant. He reflects on me.” “Just because you insisted on cleaning the car he sat in, making him look bad, what’s wrong with me giving him a watch to keep up appearances?” “Your assistant’s wardrobe, wasn’t that also bespoke that you shelled out for?” I scoffed. “My assistant is a man who earns his pay through his own merit. That good-for-nothing, why does *he* deserve it?” I pointed a finger at Kai. “Is it because he knows how to ‘serve’ you?!” Seraphina’s face instantly turned ashen, and fury boiled in her eyes. “It’s just a watch! Consider it compensation for his ‘suffering’!” “I’ll get you a better one for your birthday, alright?!”

I sneered. “A limited-edition watch? Who is *he* to even be seen with something like that?” “Seraphina Miller, people should act in accordance with their standing.” I took a step closer, my voice icy. “Mrs. Thorne wears limited-edition jewelry, custom-made gowns, and global limited-edition heels. That’s only natural.” “But for Ms. Miller to enter the exclusive world of haute luxury… money alone won’t get you in.” Seraphina exploded in rage. “Julian Thorne, we have important work to discuss! Assistant Kai has put in tremendous effort for this deal, please leave immediately!” She actually dared to yell at me for that useless piece of trash. I chuckled coldly. “Then let me see Assistant Kai’s *real* capabilities!” In a fit of pique, Seraphina hurled her bag at Kai and stomped out. Kai shot me a smug, sleazy grin, then scurried after her. Before the sound of her heels completely faded, I made a call. “As planned, have Mr. Thompson give them a proper welcome.” Then I ordered a coffee and sat by the floor-to-ceiling window. I’d only taken a couple sips when Seraphina called. Her voice was so shrill I had to pull the phone away from my ear. “Julian Thorne, you despicable schemer!” “Mr. Thompson publicly ripped up the contract, calling Kai a gold-digger who ‘sucks up’ to rich women!” “He even mocked me, saying I slept my way to the top, always wanting more and more!” “You orchestrated this! I must have been out of my mind to marry you!” I calmly set my cup down. “People will say what they want. How can I control that?” “If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.” Before I could finish, Seraphina screamed hysterically. “The deal’s off, Kai ran off humiliated—are you satisfied?!” My lips curved upward. “Satisfied? I’m just putting things back where they belong.” Seraphina, seething, hung up. I called Ms. Davies from HR and had every trace of Kai purged from the company records. At this point, I felt I had given Seraphina enough dignity and leeway. As long as she behaved herself and returned to being Mrs. Thorne, we could continue. But I never imagined she wouldn’t cherish the chance I gave her.

That day, Leo had a fever of 101.3°F and was particularly clingy. I stayed home, giving him IV fluids and playing with him. Seraphina, in her heels, was about to leave again when Leo called out in his tiny, milky voice. “Mommy, don’t go!” She hesitated for a moment, then finally sat down. Seeing Leo’s contented smile, I felt confident that giving her that chance earlier had been the right decision. But her jarring ringtone tore through the tender moment. Kai’s voice, laced with tears, rang out. “Ms. Miller, someone’s following me! Everyone online is calling me a sugar baby, a bootlicker, and a home-wrecker!” “Is Mr. Thorne trying to drive me to my death? Ms. Miller, please tell Mr. Thorne I won’t go near you again. Please beg him to let me go!” I didn’t even lift an eyelid, continuing to play with Leo. Kai being harassed was expected, but it wasn’t as bad as he claimed. Seraphina, however, reacted as if she’d been stepped on, slamming her phone onto the coffee table. Leo, startled, burst into tears. Instead of comforting our son, she pointed a finger at me, ranting like a wild banshee. “Julian Thorne, that’s enough! I’m sick of your smug, manipulative face!” “Kai’s already gone, why won’t you leave him alone?” “I married you, Julian Thorne, I didn’t sell myself to you! What right do you have to control everything I do?!” My patience snapped. I pointed outside. “If you want to argue, get out! Don’t scare our son!” She scoffed. “Julian Thorne, you want to hurt him? Well, I’m going to protect him!” With that, she ignored Leo’s cries and stormed out, slamming the door shut! I watched her retreating back, my gaze darkening. She’s truly lost her mind! After putting Leo to sleep, I opened my laptop. The scandal of Kai’s illicit affair and sudden promotion, which had been all over the internet that morning, had mysteriously vanished by afternoon. For that useless piece of trash, Seraphina had actually used the company’s PR team! Utterly pathetic! I tried to ignore it, but then I noticed Seraphina had issued an official company statement. The statement lauded Kai’s exceptional professional abilities, sternly rebuking malicious rumors and threatening legal action. A message from Ms. Davies from HR simultaneously landed on my phone: Seraphina had officially appointed Kai as Operations Manager, granting him an independent office on the executive floor and副总经理 (Vice President) level privileges. My assistant also sent me photos from Kai’s SnapChat, snaps of him looking ridiculously smug about his newfound ‘success.’ He was decked out in custom-tailored suits, proudly displaying that gleaming watch. I looked at the messages on my phone and let out a cold laugh. Seraphina Miller, if you insist on promoting this parasite, don’t blame me for showing no mercy! After dealing with everything concerning the Miller Group, I rushed home, only to find Leo gone! I anxiously questioned Maria, the nanny, who stammered, “Ms. Miller came back… and took the young master with her…” The rage in my heart could no longer be suppressed. After learning from my assistant that Seraphina was at the amusement park, I rushed there without delay. But I saw Seraphina and Kai whispering intimately ahead, completely unaware of Leo stumbling and struggling to keep up behind them. His little face, flushed with fever, was slick with sweat, and he pleaded in a teary voice. “Mommy… slow down… it hurts… wait for me…” Kai’s lips curved into a malicious smirk, and he casually extended his foot. *Thump!* Leo fell heavily to the ground, stunned for a moment, then burst into uncontrollable wails. Seraphina instinctively reached out to help, but Kai suddenly spoke, feigning hurt. “Ms. Miller, is the little master perhaps annoyed with me? Did he intentionally fall to fake cry?” Hearing this, Seraphina abruptly withdrew her hand and looked at Leo with a scolding expression. “Uncle Kai was kind enough to play with you, and you’re faking a fall? Why are you so naughty?” I lunged forward like an arrow released from a bow, scooping up Leo, who was now sobbing uncontrollably. Rage threatened to consume me. Seraphina’s expression flickered, and she rushed to explain, “Kai said I shouldn’t have left Leo when he was sick, so he suggested I bring him to the amusement park to make it up to him…” I looked at her coldly. “What can a two-year-old child do at an amusement park?” “Watch you two pathetic excuses for a couple put on a show? Or get deliberately tripped by him?” The air was dead silent. Kai’s smug smile froze on his face. Seraphina’s pupils constricted abruptly, and then her face hardened with anger. “Julian Thorne, you’re so ungrateful! We were…” I held my shaken son and cut her off. “Seraphina Miller, we’re getting a divorce!”

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Seven days before the wedding, my fiancé, my childhood sweetheart, proposed to the impoverished student he’d been sponsoring. I didn’t cry, didn’t make a scene. I simply stood there, in front of everyone, and wished them eternal happiness. His buddies tried to persuade me to be generous, to fulfill Chloe Miller’s long-held wish. He, Ryan Sullivan, was furious, accusing me of blowing things totally out of proportion. He glared, his eyes ice cold, practically daring me to beg for forgiveness. He looked down at me, condescendingly, and said, “I told you I’d come back and marry you after I helped Chloe finish everything on her wish list. You haven’t been good.” I knew. That was the last wish. I deleted those thirty-three wishes from my notes, my heart finally dead. Then, I dialed a number. “I’m willing to marry you.” The man on the other end of the line chuckled. “Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.” The cold wind cut right through me, and a dull, twisting ache tightened in my chest. From the upstairs private room, bursts of cheering drifted down to my ears, wave after wave. My fists were clenched tight, trembling uncontrollably. I hadn’t walked more than a few steps when Chloe Miller came running after me. “Alice, I never meant to ruin your relationship. Please don’t be mad at me, okay? I’ll give Ryan back to you! I… I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” Her eyes were teary, and her nose was red, like a startled bunny. I scoffed, watching her performance unfold. “I don’t need him. You two deserve each other, you utterly disgusting pair.” Chloe kept apologizing. “Alice, just hit me! Kill me! I shouldn’t have ever shown up here!” She dropped to her knees with a thud, then grabbed my hand, trying to force it to slap her face. But before I could even touch her, Ryan’s grip tightened fiercely around my wrist. A sharp, stinging slap echoed in my ears. I was stunned. A burning sensation spread across my cheek. He was shaking with rage, pulling Chloe protectively into his arms, wrapping his jacket around her. His voice was impatient, laced with irritation. “Alice, didn’t I warn you not to mess with me? You’ve changed. When did you become so obsessed with tearing other women down? Making me lose face in front of everyone like this.” “I only see Chloe as a little sister. Besides, this is my last night with her. After this, I’m all yours, understand?” Ryan’s eyes, those beautiful, familiar eyes I once loved, were now filled with nothing but disappointment. My own eyes burned. Ryan and I grew up together. When I was younger, I was in my ‘main character’ phase, a bit cringey, honestly, always calling myself a princess. He’d play all sorts of goofy characters, or my brave knight, carrying me on his back and boasting to other kids that I was his one and only little princess. He never wanted me to shed a single tear, or suffer even the slightest injury. Once, when I was hospitalized with a high fever, he stayed by my side for two days straight, not eating or drinking. He said he wished he could die for me, that he’d go to hell and beg the King of the Underworld to grant me a lifetime free of illness and misfortune. The privileged son of the Sullivan family even learned to do laundry and cook, all to take better care of me. I looked at Ryan’s face, feeling increasingly like he was a stranger. Had I changed? Perhaps Ryan himself hadn’t even realized it, but ever since Chloe appeared, his heart had already sailed across the ocean for her. Seven years ago, when Ryan and I first started dating, we decided to do something meaningful to celebrate. Chloe Miller was someone I spotted right away – a brilliant student, but with a tragic background. We brought her into our lives, helped her get into the best high school in the city, and promised to sponsor her all the way through college. At first, Ryan would complain about her to me. He’d say she was slow, clumsy, and had no common sense. He swore he’d never be interested in her kind. He predicted she’d have a tough time in the real world. The same girl he despised back then, he now cherished more than anything. I used to tell him to quit smoking, but he’d just grin and say he’d naturally quit when we were ready for kids. Then he’d light up one cigarette after another right beside me. Until the smoke made Chloe cough a few times. He quietly put it out, and from that day on, I never saw him smoke again. “Ryan, let’s cancel our wedding.” One week. That was enough time for me to pack my things and leave him. And to find a new groom.

“Alice, why are you being like this? Ryan just wants to fulfill Chloe’s dreams, that’s all.” “Yeah, Chloe’s had it rough all these years. It’s just a few wishes, you’re being so petty.” Ryan’s cronies, who had followed him out, chimed in, talking over each other. Even Blake Sullivan, Ryan’s younger brother, whom I had always had a soft spot for, spoke up. “Sis-in-law, my brother isn’t even married to you yet, you’re acting way too entitled.” “Don’t you believe my brother could drop you in a second? You’re just yesterday’s news, who’s going to pick you up now?” He finished speaking, and a few of them exchanged glances, then burst into snickers. Ryan, still holding Chloe close, scoffed mockingly. “Are you really sure about this? Don’t come crying and begging for my forgiveness later.” I was genuinely exhausted. I didn’t want to argue with them anymore. Just then, a familiar Maybach pulled up nearby. Without a word, I opened the passenger door and got in. Ryan’s face instantly crumpled like he was constipated. He roared, “Alice! Get out of there right now! We can still talk this through!” Julian Blackwood let out a soft chuckle, then leaned over to help me fasten my seatbelt. “Take me home first. I need to pack some things.” “Okay. Pack everything clean.” After so many years together, Ryan had given me a lot of expensive things. I called a luxury consignment store and arranged for them to pick up all my bags and jewelry. There was so much that they could only take a portion, promising to return for the rest tomorrow. I rubbed my throbbing temples, ordered some takeout, and started scrolling through Ins while I ate. My eyes landed on a kissing photo. Ryan was tenderly cupping Chloe Miller’s face, his gaze full of deep affection. Then, there were videos his friends had posted in their SnapChat group. The two of them were passionately kissing amidst cheers and whistles, the sickening sound of their kissing making my stomach churn. I felt like I was going to throw up. I immediately left the group. The next second, Ryan’s call came through. “Alice, we were just kidding around, how many times have I told you? These are my best friends, and you just left the group without a word. Are you planning to never speak to us again?” I just hummed softly. “What do you mean by that?” Blake’s voice cut in. “Don’t worry, bro, she won’t. She’s too dependent. She’ll be begging you to add her back in a couple of days.” I hung up the phone and let out a light, cynical chuckle. In the past, I really would have swallowed my pride and begged them, but not anymore. I needed to get far, far away from them. That night, as I tried to sleep, the wedding photos on my bedside table and dressing table felt like burning eyesores. I immediately took them down and replaced them with a photo of Ryan and Chloe that I found in his study. Ryan should probably thank me for that. The next morning, Ryan came back, looking surprisingly refreshed. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and he lifted his chin, looking at me confidently. “I knew you’d be waiting for me here at home, Alice.” “Alice, I really should have come back to you yesterday. It was all Chloe’s fault, she said she was afraid of the dark, so I stayed. It won’t happen again, I promise…” His expression froze when he saw the luxury consignment people carrying my bags away. He looked at me, a tense worry in his eyes. “Alice, why are you selling the things I gave you?” I replied calmly, “They were taking up too much space. I’m making room for new things.” He happily took my hand. “Good. I’ll get you new ones.” I frowned and pulled my hand away. He seemed to have completely misunderstood my meaning. I was talking about making room for Chloe’s things. I was moving out.

Ryan claimed he’d played games all night and hadn’t slept well, so he wanted to catch up on some sleep. He tried to pull me towards the bedroom. If I hadn’t caught a glimpse of the hickey on his collarbone, I might have almost believed his pathetic lies. “Alice?! What is this?” “Are you doing this just to piss me off? Where are our wedding photos?” He pointed furiously at the empty spot on the wall, his eyes bloodshot. “Threw them out.” Ryan’s body stiffened for a moment, his fingers trembling. “I’m already so tired, why do you keep making trouble? I’m sorry, I’ll apologize, okay? Just put the photos back.” “I don’t have feelings for her. I’m just purely helping her complete her wish list.” In the beginning, I, too, naively believed that Ryan was just doing Chloe Miller a favor. When she had a stomach ache, he personally cooked porridge and fed it to her. When the power went out, he stayed with her all night. He took her to the amusement park that *I* had always wanted to go to. He even went to the lingerie store with her and personally helped her pick out her underwear. Every single one of these things was on Chloe’s thirty-three-item wish list. She had personally sent it to me, neatly arranged, one scandalous wish after another. She sent it to me, then quickly unsent it. Claiming she had accidentally tapped the wrong person. That was the moment I finally understood how utterly stupid I had been. There was nothing innocent about their relationship anymore. “The cleaning lady took them away to dispose of them.” Ryan’s expression instantly shattered. I chuckled again. “We can take new ones later.” With Chloe. His warm hand gently placed itself on my shoulder. “Good. We’ll take even better ones in the future.” Just then, a sudden phone ring broke the awkward silence. It was the real estate agent for secondhand homes. She was asking if I was truly serious about selling the house. Because I was putting it on the market for almost half its value. All these properties Ryan had transferred to my name when he proposed. A large riverside penthouse, a suburban villa, and two four-bedroom apartments in prime downtown locations. “Yes, I’m really selling. The contract’s already signed. Please find a buyer as soon as possible; I need the money urgently.” Realizing something was terribly wrong, Ryan’s grip tightened on my wrist. I gasped, sucking in a sharp breath of pain. He seemed not to notice, his voice urgent as he questioned me. “Who was that on the phone?” “The agent.” “You’re selling houses? Which ones?” Seeing the panic on his face, I felt a secret thrill. I had originally intended to tell him, but now I just wanted to watch Ryan squirm, completely in the dark. “Someone asked me to inquire about them.” A faint trace of color returned to his pale lips. “That’s good.” “Alice, all my time belongs to you now. I won’t let Chloe bother us again.” I raised an eyebrow, but before I could voice my doubts, Ryan took another call. A few minutes later, he rushed out the door in a panic, not even bothering to change his slippers. I waved dismissively. And continued to pack my luggage. It wasn’t until I was almost done that Ryan called, attempting to explain himself. “Alice, Chloe’s depression has flared up again. I’m afraid she’ll do something stupid, you know she has suicidal tendencies.” I scoffed. “You don’t need to tell me. I don’t want to know.” From the other end of the line, Chloe’s sobbing voice drifted through. “Alice, I’m so sorry, I can’t control myself. I just want to end it all…” “That way, you can be with Ryan forever…” “Yeah, then die. Honestly, nobody really cares.” I held the phone, marveling at how well Chloe could act. My psychologist had clearly told me that Chloe was perfectly healthy. A sudden burst of noise came from the other end. Then, Chloe’s heart-wrenching sobs mingled with Ryan’s enraged roar. “Alice, you are truly evil! I wish I could rip you open and see if your heart is made of iron!” “You are the root cause of Chloe’s depression!” “If you hadn’t constantly misunderstood her, why would she have become like this?! Do you only find happiness by driving her to her death?!” I said, “Yes.” “You’re amazing,” he said through gritted teeth. *Slam!* The phone went dead. Ryan had probably thrown his phone. But that wasn’t my concern. There were still four days until our wedding, and I had finished packing all my belongings. Only a few minor things were left to handle. Soon, I would say goodbye to Ryan completely. I had moved some of my luggage out, waiting for the moving company to arrive. But Ryan got there even faster. His face was ashen, contorted into a terrifying mask of rage. He looked at my luggage, then scanned the empty, echoing room, his voice trembling. “Where are you going? Alice, tell me you’re not leaving me, right?”

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Damien Thorne, the ruthless underworld kingpin, confessed his love for the ninety-ninth time. And for the ninety-ninth time, I rejected him. That very night, he drugged me and held me captive. Damien’s eyes were wild, possessive. He held me close, whispering his love over and over, a chilling litany. I scoffed, my heart burning with hatred for him. I managed to escape, barely, only to be kidnapped by his enemies. To save me, Damien took three bullets. The first shot crippled his arm. The second blinded an eye. The third stole his life. As he lay dying, covered in his own blood, Damien stared at me, his gaze stubborn, yet heartbreakingly fragile. “Evelyn, why couldn’t you just love me, just once?” I opened my eyes again, and I was back. Back to the day Damien Thorne first confessed his love. This time, I took his hand. I thought we’d grow old together. But Damien, the man who died for me, betrayed me three times instead. On our wedding night, he deliberately ‘mistook’ rooms and slept with someone else. I swallowed the bitter pain and forgave him. Another time, a two AM call from someone else, and he left me stranded in the pouring rain in the middle of nowhere while I was three months pregnant. I miscarried. I wiped my tears, letting it go. But the third time? He threw my elderly mother off a sheer cliff, hundreds of feet above the crashing ocean.

The ocean wind howled, whipping my tears away before I could even try to stop them. Just a few steps away, my mother was brought forward, a burlap sack over her head. Her frail, elderly frame trembled violently. Even though I couldn’t see her face, I knew the utter despair consuming her. Damien’s face was a mask of cold indifference. A cigarette dangled from his lips, and in his right hand, he idly twirled a sleek, black handgun. Behind them, hundreds of feet below, stretched the vast, endless ocean. It hit me in an instant what he was about to do. My legs buckled. I fell to my knees, trembling, before him. “She’s my mom… my only family left in this world. Please, just spare her. Do whatever you want to me, but don’t hurt her…” Damien glanced at me, a casual, dismissive look. He lifted my chin with his hand, a mocking smile playing on his lips. “Did you ever think about Tiffany’s feelings when you recklessly hurt what she cherished? Now that the stick is hitting your own back, does it finally sting?” I stared at him, my heart heavy with a profound sadness. Just hours ago, Tiffany’s dog accidentally fell into a mud pit. Tiffany, feigning illness, had subtly ordered me to take on the ‘burden’ of bathing her pet. All because I accidentally got a little water in its nose while bathing it, Tiffany had cried hysterically, claiming I was trying to drown her dog. For years, Damien had treated her like a precious gem, so of course, he was utterly heartbroken for her. Damien gently comforted her, his smile easy and unbothered. I thought that would be the end of it. I never imagined that after comforting Tiffany, he would bring my mother here. I knew Damien’s methods all too well. I wouldn’t dare gamble with my mother’s life. So, I could only lower myself and beg him. “Damien, I truly didn’t mean to. Please believe me? My mom is old and her health isn’t good. Don’t scare her…” Damien scoffed. “You wanted to drown Tiffany’s dog, didn’t you? Then I’ll just have to let you taste what it’s like to have someone close to you drowned, Evelyn. When you do something wrong, there’s always a price to pay.” He looked into my eyes, a cruel smile twisting his lips. “Wouldn’t you agree?” A chill shot through me. I clutched desperately at his pants leg, pleading with him over and over again. But Damien was dead set on getting revenge for Tiffany. The next second, he slowly raised his hand, and his men immediately understood. “No! Don’t!” It was too late. My mother was thrown over the edge, like a rag doll— She plummeted downwards. *Splash!* The calm ocean surface erupted with a violent spray. My heart ripped into a million pieces. I lunged forward like a madwoman, only to be roughly held back by Damien’s men, pinned to the ground. Tears blurred my vision. In a daze, Damien’s blood-stained face from my past life, and his desperate, fragile eyes, flashed before me. Because of that look, I had made a solemn vow. If I ever got another chance, another life, I would love him truly. Fate, it seemed, had heard my plea. But tragically, in this second chance, the man from my memories had become utterly unrecognizable. Facing his repeated cruelty, I chose to bite my tongue and swallow the pain. I kept brainwashing myself: he didn’t mean it, if I just treated him well enough, he’d eventually remember his feelings for me. But reality slapped me hard across the face. My stubborn delusion had cost me an unbearable price. I had lost the only person in this world who truly cared about me: my mom. My tears became a torrent, and despair threatened to swallow me whole. Damien watched me for a long time, seemingly quite pleased with my reaction. He walked over, his fingertips tracing my face, gently wiping away my tears. Then he slowly pulled me into his embrace. “Sweetheart, do you finally understand your mistake?” His face held none of the loving warmth he once showed. Only cold indifference remained. The man who once died for me was long gone. Wrong. Of course, I knew I was wrong. I was wrong to keep softening my heart for him. Wrong to not walk away the first time he crossed my line. Wrong to bring the grievances of my past life into this one. I was terribly, utterly wrong. Time seemed to stretch endlessly. Eventually, Damien’s men retrieved my mother’s body from the water. Suddenly, I found a surge of strength from somewhere deep inside. I shoved him away, scrambling, trembling, to my mother’s side. Just as I reached out to open the burlap sack, Damien’s voice cut through the air again. “Alright, alright, I’m just messing with you. It’s just a dummy in there, not your mother.” I froze. Damien continued, “Sweetheart, if you ever dare to ‘misbehave’ again, what’s placed before you truly *will* be your mother’s body.” “Tiffany took a bullet for me. She’s my savior. Don’t provoke her again, understand? Be a good girl. Don’t make things difficult for me.” I stared blankly at him until his figure vanished from my sight. Only then did I wipe away my tears, my hand trembling as I dialed a number. “I’ve made up my mind,” I choked out. “I’m leaving Damien Thorne.”

After hanging up, as I dragged my numb, lifeless legs, ready to leave, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Tiffany. “Ms. Price, I assume the dummy has been retrieved. Why don’t you open the bag and take a look? There’s a little surprise for you.” My eyes involuntarily darted to the burlap sack containing the ‘dummy’ a short distance away. My entire body stiffened, a chilling dread blossoming in my chest. I was shaking uncontrollably, my feet heavy as lead. I couldn’t even move my legs. Suddenly, the burlap sack shifted. A muffled cry of pain seemed to come from within. I couldn’t take it anymore. I stumbled, half-ran, half-fell towards it. My hands trembled violently as I desperately clawed at the sack, tearing it open… Tiffany’s second text followed immediately. “I had someone switch your mother with the dummy, Ms. Price. This is the price of provoking me. I hope you can afford it.” My mother’s face was ashen, blood stark against her skin. She lay bound, soaked, barely clinging to life. At the sight, I nearly fainted. When I finally managed to get her to the hospital, practically dragging her, I was told all medical resources had been diverted to save a dog that had merely choked on some water. The nurse pursed her lips, sighing helplessly. “Just a dog, yet it’s worth more than a human life! I swear, my life isn’t even worth as much as that dog’s!” “Exactly. If a dog has issues, take it to the vet, right? Why waste all these medical resources on it? Besides, that dog looks perfectly fine, jumping around. People are making a fuss over nothing!” “Shhh! Keep your voice down! That dog belongs to Damien Thorne’s beloved! You want to talk trash about the Kingpin’s favorite, you’ve got a death wish!” My mother was barely breathing. Any more delay and it would be too late. There was no time to think. I had to find Damien. I found him in a VIP room upstairs. The moment I walked in, I saw Tiffany sitting on his lap, their bodies pressed intimately together as they passionately kissed. Normally, seeing such a scene would tear me apart with jealousy. But now, I didn’t even have the energy for it. I rushed over, grabbing Damien’s hand. “My mom… something’s happened to her. She’s in critical condition. Please, will you save her?” Damien impatiently shook off my hand, looking annoyed, as if I’d interrupted something important. “I threw a dummy into the ocean, Evelyn, not her. What could possibly happen to her in such a short time? Stop this drama. I don’t have time for your games.” As every second ticked by, helpless tears streamed down my face. “I’m not lying… My mom is really hurt. Tiffany swapped her with the dummy. She hit her head on a rock when she was thrown down, and she’s barely clinging to life. She’s right here in the hospital. Please, tell the doctors to go see her!” At my words, a flicker of uncertainty crossed Damien’s eyes. “Ms. Price, what are you implying? How could I possibly harm your mother? I haven’t even brought up you trying to drown my dog, and now you’re trying to frame me?” Tiffany started to cry as she spoke. Seeing her tears, Damien’s expression instantly darkened. He stared at me, a cold fury in his gaze. “Apologize.” My mother was teetering on the brink of death. For her sake, I had no choice but to endure. “I’m sorry, Ms. Reed. I was wrong. Please, for my elderly mother’s sake, save her!” A flash of triumph crossed Tiffany’s eyes, but before she could speak, Damien cut in again. “Good. Now, it’s its turn.” Damien pointed at the dog behind me, a sneer on his face. “You almost drowned it. Is it really too much to ask for you to apologize to it?” Even after enduring so much humiliation, I still couldn’t believe my ears. Damien Thorne was actually telling me to apologize to a dog. All color drained from my face. I stared at him, utterly incredulous. “You want me to apologize to a dog?” Damien chuckled, “What? Feeling wronged? Don’t you want me to send someone to save your mother? Just apologize to it, and I’ll agree.” I looked into his eyes, biting down hard on my teeth. The humiliation was so profound, I wished I could just die. But then I thought of my mother’s ashen face, and I realized I didn’t even have the luxury of death.

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Sixteen years of chasing him, yet his heart remained untouched. Then, one drunken night, I unexpectedly ended up in bed with my sworn enemy. My rival, tracing the marks I’d left on him, cornered me. “Alex, are you really going to keep running from me for that coward?” My childhood friend’s eyes were red, his voice raw with desperation. “I messed up. Just give me one more chance.” I stood outside the private room at the club. Clutching the carefully chosen gift, my heart hammered, threatening to burst out of my chest. It was Liam’s birthday today. My childhood friend. I’d planned this for an entire month, just to confess my feelings to him on this special day. My hand had barely touched the doorknob when I heard Liam’s voice from inside. “Alex? Don’t joke around. I’ve always thought of him like a little brother.” My fingers froze instantly, glued to the doorknob. “Really? But the way he looks at you is totally different.” Liam chuckled lightly: “Just a fleeting crush, nothing serious. He’ll get over it eventually. Besides, we’re practically siblings; dating would be weird.” I took two steps back. It felt like my heart shattered into a million pieces inside my chest. So, all the careful feelings I’d cherished for so many years were just a “fleeting crush” in his eyes? … Stepping out of the club, the cold wind hit me, and I realized my face was wet. My phone vibrated. Liam had sent a message: “Alex, where are you? Everyone’s waiting for you.” I stared at the screen for a few seconds, then just switched my phone off. Right then, all I wanted was to find a place to get blackout drunk.

“Another one…” I lay slumped on the bar, my vision blurry. The bartender looked troubled. “Sir, you’ve had too much…” *Slam!* I fumbled for my wallet and slapped it onto the bar. “Worried I don’t have money? I’m loaded!” Just then, a familiar figure sat down next to me. Tall, with broad shoulders and a lean waist. I squinted, a surge of wild joy rushing through me. “Liam? Did you change your mind?” The person seemed to say something, but I couldn’t hear it anymore. The alcohol had completely drowned out my reason. I lunged and hugged him, burying my face in the crook of his neck, inhaling deeply. “You smell so good…” It wasn’t Liam’s usual cologne, but it somehow made me feel strangely at ease. “Alex, you’re drunk.” The person’s voice was deep and magnetic, tinged with a hint of helplessness. I looked up at him. *Damn, he’s hot.* I leaned in and kissed him directly. The moment our lips met, he stiffened. I gnawed and bit at his lips like a puppy, my hands restlessly trying to slip inside his clothes. He grabbed my wandering hands, his voice hoarse. “Alex…” I giggled stupidly. “Don’t be shy… I know you like me too…” After that, my memories were fragmented. I remember him half-carrying, half-dragging me out of the bar, and my restless body rubbing against his in the taxi. Back at my place, he pinned me against the wall, warning, “Don’t move.” But I only got worse, biting his Adam’s apple… And then, a blank.

The sunlight stung my eyes. I groaned, struggling to open them, and found myself lying in a strange bed. “Awake?” My body stiffened. I followed the sound. And saw my sworn enemy. Ryder. He was leaning against the bedroom doorway, shirtless, watching me with a smirk. My gaze dropped, landing on his toned chest. There were several clear scratch marks there. “I… we…” My voice trembled. I pulled back the covers and saw I was only wearing my boxers. Ryder slowly walked over, looking down at me from above. “What, don’t remember what you did to me last night?” My mind went blank. Last night, while drunk, I seemed to have mistaken someone for Liam, kissing and touching them… “No way! How could I possibly—” Ryder raised an eyebrow. He pointed to a red mark on his collarbone. “You kissed and gnawed on me, then tore off my clothes?” My face went white. Flashes of last night flickered through my mind. I really did kiss someone, and said some… unspeakable things… “I’m sorry! I was drunk, I got the wrong person! I thought you were Liam—” Ryder’s eyes turned cold. “So all that passion was for Liam?” “Uh, it’s a misunderstanding. I’ll pay for your dry cleaning. Let’s just pretend nothing happened…” “Alex, you’re just going to sleep with me and not take responsibility?” He pressed me onto the bed. Up close, his handsome face made my heart pound uncontrollably. Ryder’s looks were truly flawless. A high nose bridge, thin lips, and those alluring, mocking eyes… *Wait, what am I even thinking?!* I struggled. “Nothing happened between us! I, I blacked out, there’s no way…” He frowned. “Do I need to describe in detail how you clung to me last night, kissing me while whispering, ‘I like you so much’?” My whole body burned. I was so mortified I wanted to crawl into a hole. “Those were just drunken words! Ryder, let’s just pretend this never happened!!” I abruptly pushed him away. Grabbed the clothes scattered on the floor and haphazardly pulled them on. Then, I fled.

It wasn’t until I ran out of the apartment complex that I dared to stop and catch my breath. I also switched my phone back on. There were dozens of unread messages and missed calls. All from Liam. “Alex, where are you? I’m so worried.” I stared at the message for a few seconds, a pang of bitterness in my chest. Just yesterday, this kind of concern would have made my heart race. But now, it only felt ironic. My finger hovered over the screen for a long time, but I didn’t reply.

Back at my apartment, as I stepped out of the elevator, I saw a familiar figure. Liam. His eyes lit up when he saw me. “Alex!” “Where were you last night? I looked for you all night, and you didn’t even come to the birthday party.” “…Something came up.” Avoiding his gaze, I pulled out my keys to open the door. But he grabbed my wrist. “You’ve been drinking? You still smell like alcohol—” His voice cut off. His gaze fell on my neck, and his pupils constricted. I pulled away. “I’m tired, I want to rest.” “Is that a hickey? Who were you with last night?” “None of your business! You said you only see me as a brother, right? My private life doesn’t need to be reported to you, does it?” Liam’s face turned ashen. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. I took the opportunity to open the door and quickly slipped inside. I tried to close the door, but Liam blocked it with his arm. “Move!” “Who was it? Ryder?” My heart skipped a beat, and the force in my hand loosened slightly. Catching my reaction, Liam’s eyes darkened. “It really was him? You were with Ryder last night?” I turned my face away. “I told you, it’s none of your business.” Liam grabbed my chin, forcing me to look him in the eye. “Alex, Ryder is known for being a player—” “So what? At least he doesn’t treat me like a child!” I slapped his hand away.

Ignoring his hurt expression, I firmly closed the door. Leaning against the door, I slowly slid to the floor, burying my face in my knees. My phone vibrated. Ryder: [You ran fast. Did you know your shirt was on inside out?] I looked down at my T-shirt. Infuriated, I threw my phone onto the couch. But a few seconds later, I couldn’t resist picking it up to reply: “Nothing happened last night, right?” [Typing…] This status lasted for a long time. Finally, he sent a photo. On a messy bed. My shirt and Ryder’s tie were tangled together, looking incredibly intimate. [What do you think?] “You took advantage of me!” [Who was it clinging to me, saying ‘You’re so hot, big brother’?] “No way! I never said anything like that!” Ryder sent a voice note directly. It was my own sticky, drunken voice: “Big brother… you’re so hot… way hotter than Liam…” I was so mortified my toes curled, almost crushing my phone. “Delete it! Delete it now!” [Beg me. Or, come to my place tonight and beg me in person.] “In your dreams!”

I tossed my phone aside and rushed into the bathroom for a quick, hot shower. As I was drying my hair, the doorbell rang. I thought it was Liam, back again, so I quickly threw on my pajamas and opened the door. “Did you forget anything—” The words caught in my throat. Standing outside was Ryder, holding a paper bag. “Your clothes.” “How did you know where I live?” “Hardly. Star debater for the Law School. Just had to ask around a bit.” I reached for the paper bag, but he suddenly raised his arm, using the momentum to slip inside. “What are you doing! You delivered the stuff, now leave!” Ryder closed the door behind him and took a step closer. “Alex, did you forget something?” “W-what?” He backed me against the wall, one hand braced beside my head. “Last night, you promised to go on a date with me today.” “…Do drunken promises count?” Before I could finish, Ryder pinched my chin, rubbing my lower lip. “This place… it was very enthusiastic in responding to me last night.” I was both mortified and angry, and pushed him away hard. “Ryder! What do you want?” His eyes darkened, and he dropped his playful expression. “Simple. Give me a chance.” “A chance for what?” “A chance to pursue you. I know you’ve liked Liam for years, but since he doesn’t appreciate it…” My heart jolted. “You… how did you know?” “Alex, did you really think Liam was the only one paying attention to you?” Before I could fully process the meaning of his words, He suddenly leaned in and kissed my forehead lightly. “Get some rest.” By the time I came to my senses, he was gone. At the same moment, my phone vibrated. Liam had sent a long message. I hesitated for a moment, then opened it: “Alex, we need to talk. About what I said last night… that wasn’t what I truly meant. Can you give me a chance to explain?” I stared at the message for a long time, my fingertip hovering above the screen, but ultimately, I didn’t reply.

Three in the afternoon. I sat down at a desk in the Law School library, dark circles under my eyes. The senior student across from me, Chloe, immediately winked. “Alex, you really missed out yesterday. Ryder completely crushed the Economics Department’s debate team. It was epic.” I was stunned. “He had a debate yesterday?” Chloe shot me a knowing, amused grin. “Yeah, in the lecture hall. Packed house. Speaking of… that thing on your neck, could it be…” I quickly covered my neck, my ears burning. “A mosquito bite!” Chloe’s smile deepened. “Oh, a very *big* mosquito~” I was so embarrassed, I wanted to crawl into a hole. Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind me. “Excuse me.” My body stiffened. I didn’t need to turn to know who it was. “What a coincidence?” Ryder sat across from me, taking his laptop out of his bag. Chloe’s eyes darted between us, and then she wisely packed up her things. “I just remembered I have a date. Gotta go.” Once Chloe was gone, I lowered my voice. “Are you stalking me?” “The Law School library is a public space.” “Then why did you specifically sit across from me?” He quirked his lips. “Because the lighting is good here… makes it easier to see your expression.” I ground my teeth in frustration, but there was nothing I could do. I buried my head in my case files. But his presence was simply too strong. Even without speaking, he made it impossible for me to concentrate. Ten minutes later, he suddenly spoke. “You keep staring at me.” “I do not!” “You’ve looked at me seven times since you sat down. If you want to look, just look openly. I don’t charge.” I flared up, mortified. “Ryder! Can you just—” “Shh, library. Quiet.” That’s when I noticed a few other students nearby were looking at us curiously. Suddenly, my phone vibrated. Liam: [I’m downstairs at the library, waiting for you.] Ryder glanced at my phone screen. His eyes immediately turned cold. “He wants to see you?” “None of your business.” I instinctively locked my phone. “That day, you hugged me and said, ‘I never want to like Liam again.’ You’re going back on that so soon?” “Those were drunken words!” “Then what’s the truth?” He clasped my wrist. “Alex, do you dare admit you feel something for me?” I shot up, my chair scraping loudly. Students around us all turned, but I didn’t care anymore. “Ryder, nothing will ever happen between us. That day was a mistake. Just let it go.” With that, I fled the library as if my life depended on it. iam leaned against a ginkgo tree nearby. When he saw me, he immediately straightened up. “Alex, Ryder didn’t bother you, did he?”

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The night before my wedding, Asher’s first love was betrothed to Veridia City’s most notorious, ruthless heir. He felt so sorry for her, supposedly crying her eyes out every single day. So, he ditched me to save her. At the wedding venue, he and Ivy were locked in a passionate kiss, their embrace lingering in a hotel room throughout the night. I was about to become the laughingstock of the city’s elite. But then, unexpectedly, Adrian Vance suddenly appeared at the wedding the next day. He cornered me against a wall, gripping my chin as he asked, “Asher took my fiancée. What he owes me, shouldn’t it be you who repays my loss, Mrs. Vance?” “I agree.” My answer seemed to catch him off guard, given how unfair his proposition was to me. Adrian stared at me, stunned for a good while, before he finally spoke again. “Good. As expected of the eldest daughter of the Sullivan family.” “I’ll marry you in a week. Don’t you dare back out.” With that, he released me, turning to leave. Before he walked away, he slipped a business card into my hand. I stood there for a long time, unable to process what had just happened. This Adrian was very different from what I’d imagined. Rumors painted him as ugly and ill-tempered. Soon after Adrian left, Asher finally arrived. My face darkened, and I couldn’t even stand to look at him. “Mr. Thompson, what are you doing here? Fresh from a romantic night with your new wife, and now you’re here to gloat?” A flicker of guilt, quickly masked, crossed Asher’s eyes. He tried to take my hand. “Chloe, can’t you understand me?” “Ivy’s health has always been delicate. How could she marry that kind of playboy? Her whole life would be ruined!” So, to protect Ivy, he was willing to break off our engagement and let me become the joke of all Veridia City? The moment I found out he went to Ivy’s place the night before, I decided to sever all ties with him. “Mr. Thompson, please leave. The wedding is canceled. I’ll return all the wedding expenses.” Asher wouldn’t let go, stepping forward, trying to hug me. “Chloe, I was wrong. Even though I signed the marriage license with her, my heart still belongs only to you.” “Ivy even said she’d be okay with sharing me, with us living together as a… trio.” I almost doubted my own ears. What era was this? Asher was actually dreaming about some archaic, polyamorous fantasy. As the eldest daughter of the Sullivan family, what kind of men hadn’t I seen? This was a complete insult. I scoffed, pushing him away. “Asher, you’re delusional. Get help.” Seeing my hostile attitude, Asher got annoyed. “Why are you talking like that? You can’t seriously expect me to go divorce Ivy right now? Can’t you consider my feelings for once?” Consider his feelings? Who did he think he was? I’d been too lenient with him, letting him say such outrageous things. Who ran off to cheat the night before their wedding? I, Chloe Sullivan, a prominent heiress, was stood up at the altar and became the laughingstock of Veridia City. How dare he ask me to consider *his* feelings? I was utterly disillusioned with him. My gaze firm, I repeated, “Didn’t you understand me? If you’re sick, go get therapy.” Seeing I wasn’t giving him an easy out, Asher finally lost his temper. His face darkened, a dangerous warning in his eyes. “Chloe Sullivan, you’re truly disappointing! So what if you’re the Sullivan family’s eldest daughter? You’re just some used-up trash I’ve played with for years. Who else would ever want you besides me!” He scoffed, turning on his heel and walking away, as if he hadn’t just insulted me to my core. I stared at his retreating back, tears blurring my vision from anger. The man who, just this morning, held me and whispered words of love, spent the night entangled with another woman. Now, he was Ivy’s husband. I should have seen it coming. Whenever it came down to a choice between me and Ivy, he always, without hesitation, chose Ivy. Six years of shared moments couldn’t compare to his two-month-old ‘first love’ infatuation. I should have let go ages ago.

I thought Adrian was just joking. It wasn’t until I was woken up the next day by the procession of cars outside the villa that I realized he was serious. There were three entire cars packed with luxury goods alone. A man who introduced himself as Mr. Jenkins, Adrian’s butler, handed me a black card, saying it was a small token of Adrian’s appreciation. My parents, concerned by the bad rumors, were unsure about Adrian and urged me to reconsider. But I had lost love, so I was no longer indulging in fantasies. Even if Adrian was known for being a playboy, the Vance family’s standing in Veridia City’s business world was unparalleled. I decided to treat this as a strategic marriage for our family business. I would make sure to utterly crush Asher and Ivy. The Miller family’s business had only recently grown from a small, privately-owned business into a minor company. Marrying Ivy off to Adrian was mostly for money. I instructed the house staff to bring the luxury items into the villa, just as Asher and Ivy were about to leave. They both walked in, looking confused. Asher sneered, scanning the cars full of luxury items. Ivy’s face twisted with jealousy, her teeth practically grinding. “Chloe, what is all this?” Looking at Ivy’s hypocritical face, I nearly threw up right there. The daughter of a small, barely-registered business, didn’t she know her place? Even the wedding gifts Asher’s family gave her didn’t amount to ten thousand dollars. I casually glared at her. “Does it concern you?” Asher snorted, mocking me. “Chloe Sullivan, you move on fast! I just married Ivy, and you’re already running off to find some other man.” “Oh, come on, honey. We should be happy for Chloe.” “Honey, didn’t you get a gift for Chloe? Go on, give it to her.” Ivy poked Asher’s arm. Inadvertently, my gaze snagged on the pink diamond ring glinting on Ivy’s finger. I involuntarily gasped, my heart aching anew. I couldn’t mistake that pink diamond ring. Even if the Thompson family wasn’t top-tier, they still had a recognizable name in the city’s business elite. Asking Asher for a forty-five thousand dollar diamond ring wasn’t unreasonable. But he’d made every excuse, unwilling to buy it for me. Now, it was on Ivy’s hand. As if noticing my gaze, Ivy deliberately held her hand up in front of me. Asher scoffed, pulling a sealed bag from his pocket. Inside was a plain, thin band, which he casually tossed to me. “For you.” When I saw what it was, I almost burst out laughing from sheer exasperation. I picked it up and dangled it in front of Ivy. Then I tossed it back to her. “You actually dare to bring out this trash? Ivy, my dear, seems to love it so much, so I won’t spoil your fun.” Humiliated on the spot, Asher’s face darkened. He pulled Ivy behind him and shouted at me. “Don’t push your luck! If you don’t want it, just throw it away.” Ivy, ever the drama queen, chimed in again. “Chloe, my husband picked this out specially for you.” “I know you like my husband. I’m even willing to let you share him with me.” “Consider this my welcoming gift.” “Bringing out something so shameful? My pets’ leashes cost thousands of dollars each.” Was Asher even worth sharing? Disgusting. I looked Asher straight in the eye, mercilessly. “You two truly deserve each other. Both of you are insane!” “Get out of my house!” They still thought I was joking. Ivy, holding the ring, grabbed my hand and tried to slip it on. “Chloe, you’re just upset right now.” “See how perfect this ring looks on you.” My patience snapped. “Get away from me! You’re disgusting.” I didn’t even lay a hand on her, but Ivy dramatically collapsed to the floor right in front of everyone, letting out a little whimper before putting on a wounded expression. “Chloe, I know you hate me, but how could you hit me, sob sob…” Asher immediately flew into a rage. He couldn’t stand Ivy being upset. “Chloe Sullivan, if you don’t want it, then don’t take it. What was the meaning of laying hands on Ivy?” With that, he scooped Ivy into his arms and walked away. Ivy gave me a provocative look over Asher’s shoulder. That look… it was strangely familiar.

Back then, the Miller family’s company had just started, and Ivy had pulled every string to attend a single business gathering. At the party, among all the heiresses, Ivy seemed completely out of place. She was even being picked on by Tiffany Hayes, the eldest daughter of the Hayes family. If I hadn’t stepped in to help, she would have been kicked out of the party on the spot. Later, I found out she was Asher’s first love. Every time Ivy faced trouble, Asher would defend her without a second thought, even secretly sending her many things behind my back. We had countless arguments because of this. Asher kept brainwashing me: “Ivy and I are long over. I just feel sorry for her.” At first, I even wondered if I was being petty, unfairly accusing Asher of ill intentions. It wasn’t until the night before my wedding, when Ivy was betrothed to Adrian Vance – the same man Asher tried to save her from. Asher ran off to crash *her* wedding. He offered me no explanation, no remorse, and spent the entire night entwined with Ivy in a hotel. That’s when I finally realized how important Ivy was to him. I had silently condoned his ‘kindness,’ and he repaid me by cheating? Today was my birthday, usually one of the most important days of my year, but this year, I couldn’t muster any enthusiasm. Every previous birthday, Asher had spent with me. My parents had offered to throw a birthday party for me, but I flat-out refused. This year, I would celebrate my birthday alone. I drove aimlessly, and without realizing it, I arrived at my favorite restaurant. Oddly, there was no one inside. Then I noticed a stand placed next to the restaurant entrance. **[THIS ESTABLISHMENT HAS BEEN BOOKED TONIGHT BY MR. ASHER THOMPSON. CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. ASHER THOMPSON AND MISS IVY MILLER ON THEIR WEDDING!]** **[THIS ESTABLISHMENT WILL NOT ACCEPT OUTSIDE GUESTS AFTER 10 PM TONIGHT.]** Exaggerated wedding photos of Asher and Ivy were plastered all over it. No wonder the place was empty. Asher was behind this. I sneered, about to turn and leave, when I bumped right into Ivy and Asher, who had just stepped out of their car. “Chloe? What a coincidence.” I rolled my eyes at her. How were these two so persistently annoying? Asher, with his arm wrapped around Ivy’s waist, seemed to understand something when he saw me, lifting his head arrogantly. “Oh dear! I’m so sorry, Chloe. I completely forgot this was your favorite restaurant. Asher, darling, insisted our first post-wedding dinner should be special.” “Sorry, I don’t frequent establishments that cater to trash.” I shot back immediately. This fake b*tch, playing innocent. Asher’s expression was priceless. He glared at me and retaliated. “Looks like someone’s got sour grapes, Chloe Sullivan. No need to stoop to her level, right, honey? Are you hungry, Ivy?” With that, they grandly walked past me and entered the restaurant. As soon as they left, Adrian’s car pulled up. Mr. Jenkins, the butler, stepped out. “Miss Sullivan, happy birthday. This is a birthday gift from Adrian.”

I stared at the transfer contract in my hand, speechless. Because this contract was for the very restaurant behind me. The moment I signed it, I would be the new owner of this establishment. This was the most thoughtful birthday gift I had ever received. My wedding to Adrian was tomorrow. I immediately signed the document and put the contract away. I wouldn’t hesitate at a moment like this. I didn’t sleep a wink. The next day, the entire Sullivan mansion was filled with joyous anticipation. I put on my pristine white wedding gown. I stared at myself in the mirror, feeling as if nothing was real. I was getting married. My husband-to-be wasn’t Asher, my boyfriend of many years, but Adrian Vance, Veridia City’s notorious playboy. The complex emotions were hard to describe. I patted my chest. Well, here I was. No turning back now. Whatever the future held, I would accept it. This was my choice, after all. Several cars pulled up in front of the villa. And out of them stepped… Asher Thompson. They weren’t fancy cars at all. Then I noticed the scratches on the lead car, and everything clicked. Asher truly didn’t listen. Not a single word I said yesterday sank in. With the pathetic display his family put on, he thought he could marry me? In his wildest dreams. Before I could even speak, Asher, seeing me in my flowing wedding gown, holding my bouquet, sneered. “Chloe Sullivan, can’t keep up the act anymore, can you?” “Who was it that didn’t want to share me with Ivy before? Now you’re so eager to put on a wedding dress.” He leisurely scanned me from head to toe, a look of absolute certainty on his face. How could anyone be so arrogantly delusional? “Asher, you’re really trying to pat yourself on the back, aren’t you? Who said I was marrying you? The man I’m marrying is Adrian Vance.” “My husband will be here soon. Now move these pathetic cars out of the way!” Asher didn’t get angry; instead, he laughed. He pointed at me. “Still playing tough, huh? You’ll regret this!” “If Ivy hadn’t begged me to give you another chance, I wouldn’t even be here today! I advise you to be smart, or you’ll really miss your chance to share me with Ivy!” Asher genuinely thought he was some kind of treasure. He and Ivy were like a trash can and a trash bag – who would want them? Suddenly, a long procession of cars approached. Asher’s eyes lit up when he saw them. “Whose heiress is getting married today?” Just as he spoke, Adrian Vance, impeccably dressed in a suit, stepped out of the lead car. He walked straight to me and intimately wrapped his arm around my waist. Adrian looked at Asher provocatively, his tone light. “Well, well, Mr. Thompson.” “Trying to steal my wife again?” Asher didn’t react immediately. After a few seconds of confusion, he realized the implication.

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I got into a car crash, slamming into the guardrail on my way to deliver medicine to my firefighter husband. The car doors were jammed, and smoke billowed from outside. I called Leo for help, but he was out on a mission. To keep him from worrying, I swallowed my fear and tried to free myself. The moment fire erupted, I pushed the car door open with all my might, but my leg was trapped, unable to move. Just as despair set in, Leo’s supervisor, Ben Carter, arrived with his team. Unintentionally, I overheard Ben Carter questioning Leo. “Skylar is pregnant! How could you choose Chloe’s kid over saving your own wife?” “Lily has pneumonia, and Chloe can’t manage her alone. I trust you guys to handle it here… ” Disappointed, I decided to join a remote teaching program in a mountain village. But the husband who had defended Chloe, tirelessly searched for me after I left. “Besides, if Chloe’s husband hadn’t saved Skylar back then, I would have been the one to suffer the pain of separation.” “Helping Chloe and Lily now is my way of atoning for Skylar.” Ben Carter ran a hand across his forehead, clearly exasperated, his voice laced with accusation. “No one truly knows what happened at that fire. Are you really willing to risk your future based on just a single word from Chloe? Is it worth it?” “Yes, it is. If the baby was gone today, or Skylar was seriously hurt, my guilt would be even less…” The water glass slipped from my trembling hand and shattered on the floor. Tears instantly welled up, and I clamped a hand over my mouth, desperate to stifle the sobs escaping me. I couldn’t believe this was my husband, the father of my child. I lunged forward, wanting to snatch his phone and demand an answer from Leo: which was more important, his wife and child, or his childhood friend? I forced myself up, bracing against the pain, but a sharp agony in my abdomen made me gasp. In moments, blood had soaked through my white dress. Ben Carter heard the commotion and rushed over to me. His face turned grim the moment he saw blood dripping onto the ground. He scooped me up and hurried towards the arriving ambulance. After examining me, the doctor shook her head with a helpless expression. “The patient is injured and highly emotional, with severe bleeding. It’s very difficult to save the baby. Please contact her family as soon as possible.” My gaze was filled with a deep sorrow, and my hands slowly caressed my swollen belly. This child was a blessing I had waited three long years for. Before I left home, I had just ordered his crib and clothes online for when he was born. Now, barely an hour later, they were telling me my baby was in danger. “Doctor, I’m not afraid of pain. Please, just help me. My… my baby is already over seven months. Even if you can just save him for one more month…” I pleaded with the doctor, my voice breaking into a sob. The doctor only gave me a fleeting glance, continuing her work. No one spoke in the ambulance. The only sounds were the medical instruments beeping and Ben Carter’s phone ringing. Watching his tightly furrowed brows, I knew Leo wasn’t answering. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and spoke, my voice tinged with disappointment. “Use my phone. My baby and I need him.” I wouldn’t give up. Even if Chloe’s husband had been the one to save me, at a critical moment like this, Leo should have been by my side. Besides, it wasn’t Chloe’s husband who saved me, it was Ben Carter. We had explained this to Leo countless times, but he only ever believed Chloe. The phone rang for a long time before Leo finally picked up. His voice, though, was laced with impatience. “Skylar, you’re not seriously hurt. Lily is scared right now and wants me here. I’ll come back to take care of you tonight.” Ben Carter shot me a glance, his voice involuntarily rising a few decibels. “Your wife is hemorrhaging right now, and the baby is in danger! You need to get to City Hospital immediately!” Leo didn’t respond directly, but I heard Chloe’s soft voice in the background. “Officer Carter just said she had minor injuries. Now, all of a sudden, she’s in danger? Is Skylar just upset that you’re here, and she’s faking it?” “No, it doesn’t matter if it’s true or not, you should still go see her.” Leo’s anger flared, and he sharply told Ben Carter to hand me the phone. I didn’t care whether Leo was coming or not; I just desperately needed someone to lean on. My voice choked as I began, “Honey, I’m in so much pain, I just want…” “Uncle, Lily wants strawberries!” My words were cut short by the little girl’s whining voice from the other end. My heart plummeted into a chasm of despair. I knew Leo wasn’t coming. The next second, he impatiently brushed me off. “Skylar, I know you’re scared after the accident, but you can’t take it out on the baby. Chloe lost her husband and it’s so hard for her to raise Lily alone. I’ll come back to be with you once Lily feels better.” I thought if I just humbled myself, Leo would find an excuse to come. But now I understood. When it came to Chloe, all his reason vanished. My plea was a fragile whisper, begging him to come be with me. The only reply was the click of a hung-up phone. My eyes, brimming with agony, searched for Ben Carter’s gaze, and I asked the question burning in my mind. “Has Leo been staying with Chloe and Lily for the past five days, not returning to the unit?” He saw he couldn’t hide it from me and simply nodded. I laughed, tears spilling from my eyes. Five days ago, Leo had wanted to bring Chloe and Lily home to live with us. I had refused, and we’d had a huge fight. He hadn’t come home since that day. Today, he called to say he ran out of stomach medicine. I thought it was an olive branch, a sign he wanted to reconcile, but instead, he had just pushed me further into the abyss. A scorching anxiety consumed me, and I kept pinching my arm, trying to numb the pain. The resentment festering inside me finally buckled under the weight of my weakening body, and I slipped into darkness. Faintly, I heard the doctors working to save me. I also heard Ben Carter’s furious shouts after calling Leo. Then, gradually, silence. But I still felt something leave my body. When I woke up, looking at my slightly deflated abdomen, I burst into heart-wrenching sobs.

I couldn’t save the baby. The doctor said that due to my emotional distress and the impact causing a third of my placenta to detach, I had lost him. When I heard the news, I nodded numbly. The searing pain in my heart had already spread to my limbs, making even breathing an agonizing chore. “You’ll have other children, you need to take care of yourself…” “Where’s Leo?” I interrupted Ben Carter’s comforting words, my voice hoarse. His face hardened, and his eyes darted away, avoiding my gaze. I knew then. It had been two full days since the accident, and Leo still hadn’t shown up. I let out a bitter laugh, tears falling freely. “He’s still with Chloe and Lily, so what am I? What was our baby?” Unwilling to tolerate it any longer, I called Leo. The moment the call connected, I heard a call bell ring on his end. My voice tinged with displeasure, I asked, “Are you at the hospital?” “Yeah, Lily’s still not feeling great, so we came to City Hospital to get her checked. I’ll head home once they’re settled.” My heart immediately ached, but I still managed to tell him I was hospitalized in the obstetrics and gynecology department. The words had barely left my lips when Leo exploded. “First you’re hemorrhaging, now you’re in OB-GYN? Skylar, what exactly are you and Ben Carter trying to pull?” “I already called the dealership. The car’s badly damaged, but there’s no blood. You’re spinning such lies just to stop me from helping Chloe!” “Skylar, remember this: you owe Chloe and Lily. I’m atoning for your sins.” My heart sank to rock bottom. He could call the car dealership to verify, but he couldn’t be bothered to come to the hospital and see if I was okay. I threw off the covers, enduring the sharp ache in my abdomen, and walked towards the pediatrics department. Seeing the word “Pediatrics,” I couldn’t help but let out a bitter chuckle. The furthest distance was just one floor, yet he couldn’t bring himself to take a single step up. I followed the sounds and walked towards the infusion room. Leo was dotingly coaxing a red-faced Lily, who was crying. Chloe, meanwhile, leaned on his shoulder, her eyes closed in repose. The sight was a dagger to my eyes. When I first found out I was pregnant, Leo had looked at my belly with that same doting expression. His eyes had been filled with longing for a happy life as a family of three. But now, my baby was gone, and he was reveling in the joy of being a family of three with them. With a broken heart, I pushed down the doorknob. My eyes met Chloe’s as she opened hers. She hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Leo. “Leo, Lily’s stable now. You should go home and be with Skylar tonight. I’m worried about her…” “Worried about what? Ever since she got pregnant, she’s been so paranoid, always thinking something’s going on between us. Now she’s even ganging up with Ben Carter to lie to me. She deserves to be left alone for a few days until her emotions stabilize, then I’ll go back.” His dismissive tone made my hand tremble, and tears immediately streamed down my face. I had thought that after five years of love and three years of marriage, we were inseparable partners. But now I realized this love was only my unwavering devotion. He was merely an actor playing a role. Leo placed the sleeping Lily on the bed, then reached out and pulled Chloe into his arms. He looked down at her with an apologetic gaze: “While she hasn’t given birth yet, I have time to take care of you and Lily. Otherwise, I’d feel too guilty.” Chloe got the answer she wanted, and her eyes, filled with triumph, challenged mine. My heart utterly died. The urge to demand “why” had completely vanished. I let go of the door and slowly walked upstairs. As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, I saw Ben Carter frantically searching for me. “Did you see Leo?” “I did, but I don’t want him anymore.” With those words, I closed my eyes. My mind began to map out my future path. Before marrying Leo, I was a high school teacher. To take care of him, I had resolutely quit my job and moved to his city. Now that I was sure he didn’t truly love me, I wouldn’t waste my heart on the wrong person any longer. Firm in my decision, I pulled out my phone and applied for a remote teaching program. I would set off with the new graduates in half a month.

A week later, I was discharged from the hospital. Looking at our familiar apartment complex, memories of Leo and me flooded my mind. Leo and I met during a fire drill at school. As a freshman, I was a bit reckless. I shoved aside a student guarding the path, thinking I could take a shortcut. Instead of a shortcut, I pushed myself straight towards the railing. Just as I was about to fall, Leo grabbed my arm. His single phrase, “You’ve got me, don’t be scared,” instantly captured my floating heart. From that moment, I embarked on a three-year journey to pursue him. Fortunately, my perseverance paid off, and he actually proposed. I had thought we would live happily ever after like any normal couple, but then, in our second year of marriage, an accident happened. I was at a shopping mall getting a massage when a fire broke out. Coincidentally, Chloe and her husband were there too, though I didn’t know who she was at the time. I simply followed Leo’s safety advice and found a relatively safe spot. Chloe’s husband disagreed with my assessment and tugged at her, insisting they leave. Just then, a signpost next to us toppled over. I pulled Chloe out of the way, but I wasn’t quick enough to save her husband. Chloe watched her husband fall into a pool of blood and blamed me for the accident. She believed I was responsible for his death. Seeing her spiral into hysteria, I didn’t want to engage; I just wanted to escape that terrifying place. When we met again, Chloe twisted the truth. She told Leo that her husband had died trying to save *me*. From then on, I became Chloe’s personal scapegoat. Anytime Chloe felt wronged, Leo would bring up that incident to confront me. No matter how many times I explained, Leo refused to believe me. Just then, a flicker of light sparked in my mind, and a mocking smile touched my lips. It wasn’t that Leo didn’t believe me; it was that he *didn’t want* to admit Chloe was lying. I should have understood this long ago, but to maintain our marriage, I chose to turn a blind eye. He wasn’t the only one acting. With renewed resolve, I walked towards our apartment. After packing my things, I seized a moment while drinking water to print out the divorce papers. I glanced at them, then signed my name. Just then, I heard the front door open. Leo walked in, holding Lily in his arms. Chloe followed behind, pushing a suitcase, her left hand draped over Leo’s jacket. They looked like a family returning from a trip abroad. Leo stared at me, frozen, then spoke, his voice low. “Clear out the master bedroom. Lily just recovered from being sick and needs more sunlight. You’ll have to make do for a few days.” I didn’t speak, didn’t move. I watched Leo meticulously arrange things for Chloe and Lily, like watching a pathetic clown show. Chloe, not getting a response from me, looked a bit awkward. She then took Lily from Leo’s arms. “Leo, Lily and I should just go home. It’s not convenient.” She said, glancing at me. Leo immediately caught the unease in her eyes and turned, sharply barking at me. “Skylar, what exactly are you trying to pull? Chloe was worried you wouldn’t be safe during late pregnancy and offered to take care of you. Who are you putting on this lifeless act for?” His words made me laugh out loud, my eyes brimming with tears. *For my good*? He walked in and didn’t even notice my abdomen was flat. *For my good*? He’d let someone who destroyed our relationship move into our master bedroom. If this was what he called love, I’d rather not have it. Leo’s face darkened at my hysterical laughter. He stepped forward and firmly gripped my shoulders. “Skylar, there’s a limit to your tantrums. This unreasonable behavior is making me look bad.” “Your embarrassment has nothing to do with me. Who are you to me anyway?” I shoved him away with force, wiping the tears from my face. Leo was infuriated by my actions. His face flushed, he glanced at Chloe, then leaned in close to my ear, his voice low. “I’m your husband, and the father of your child. I’ll send them away once Lily is better, then I’ll hire a nanny to take care of you and the baby…” Leo’s voice instantly stopped. He stared disbelievingly at my stomach, where his hand had touched. He stood there stunned for a long moment, then tentatively touched it again. It was still flat. His voice trembling, he looked at me. “The baby? Why is it flat? Did that day…” Chloe, hearing Leo’s distraught mumbling, gasped, covering her mouth. “Oh my goodness, Skylar, I know you’re upset Leo wasn’t with you during the car crash, but you couldn’t have just aborted the baby, could you? This was the child Leo longed for…” Leo glared at me, his eyes bloodshot and filled with resentment. “Skylar, are you crazy? If it wasn’t to atone for *your* sins, would I be running myself ragged between two places? And now you’ve gotten rid of my child? You’re absolutely too much!” Leo’s accusation made me laugh out loud. He didn’t believe anything Ben Carter and I said, but Chloe’s fabricated story became his excuse to blame me. Any last shred of love I had for him completely vanished. I placed the divorce papers directly in front of him. “You only hear what you want to hear. There’s nothing I can do to change that. So, Leo, let’s get a divorce.” Without waiting for his reply, I pushed my suitcase and turned to leave.

As soon as I closed the door, I heard Chloe’s voice, trying to persuade him. “Leo, no matter who’s right or wrong, it’s not safe this late. You should go find Skylar and bring her back.” “Let her go. Let’s see how much backbone she has. Someone with no family to fall back on, I don’t believe she’d dare divorce…” I let out a cold scoff, taking long strides towards the elevator. I had once seen him as my only salvation, sharing with him my childhood story of being raised by the community. I never imagined it would become his leverage against me. Eight years of my youth wasted on such a man. It truly wasn’t worth it. After calming myself, I hailed a cab and headed towards a secluded retreat. I had waited three years for my baby, and now he was gone. I wanted to pray for him. And to completely free myself from this relationship. The first thing I did upon arriving was turn off my phone, cutting myself off from the outside world. For seven whole days, my heart felt purified, emerging from the dark cloud that had hung over me. It wasn’t until the morning before I was due to leave for the teaching program that I turned my phone back on. Hundreds of messages and missed calls flooded in. Some from Ben Carter, some from Leo. I went straight to Ben Carter’s messages. [Skylar, I know you’ve been through a lot this time. The higher-ups will give you an explanation.] [Skylar, no matter what, you need to take care of yourself. Don’t hurt yourself because of certain people or things.] [Skylar, where exactly did you go? Are you safe?] … Every message was filled with concern, bringing a fleeting warmth to my wounded heart. Since meeting Leo, Ben Carter and I had become close friends, able to talk about anything. Over time, I learned that whenever he unexpectedly appeared, it was always at Leo’s request. Leo wanted to help Chloe but didn’t want me to know, so he used “being busy” as an excuse. To make it more convincing, he used Ben Carter as a shield, making me believe he was genuinely busy. At first, Ben Carter worried it would affect our relationship. He tried to stay away whenever possible. When I was pregnant, Leo took Lily to the zoo, leaving me to brave the snow and go for my prenatal check-up alone. We ran into each other halfway there, and he drove me to the hospital, which is how we exchanged contact info. This simple act, however, brought me an unexpected source of concern. Unwilling to let Ben Carter worry, I quickly sent him a message. After letting him know I was fine, I headed towards the train station. All the messages Leo sent me were deleted; I didn’t even open them. From now on, he and I were strangers. As soon as I sat down on the train, my phone rang. It was Ben Carter. The moment I answered, I saw his face was flushed, sweat beading on his forehead. He must have just finished training and called as soon as he saw my message. Seeing my vibrant spirits, he shook his head and chuckled helplessly. “You, you really scared Leo half to death this time. He’ll probably be obedient from now on.” The teasing in Ben Carter’s voice made me confused. I asked him why, and then I learned that Leo was searching for me everywhere. When I first left, Leo thought I was just throwing a tantrum. My angry phases usually only lasted two days, and he expected me to come back and apologize afterward.

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This Assassin Thinks I Can’t See Him, But He Always Undresses In Front of Me He hears me swallowing repeatedly. Assassin: “Are you hungry?” I nod: “Mm-hmm.” He came back reeking of blood. Although the scent was faint, I could still smell it. The assassin took off his dirty clothes and headed towards the bathroom. “I’ll make dinner after I shower.” I feigned shyness and asked coyly: “Want to shower together?” His body suddenly froze. He turned back to look at me. I quickly added, “I can’t see anything anyway.” “But I can!” he snapped, then turned and entered the bathroom.

My name is Olivia. I’m an orphan. Three years ago, I was adopted by a wealthy family, but none of their children liked me. Especially the youngest son. He pushed me down the stairs when I wasn’t paying attention. I hit my head on the steps, causing me to go blind. Actually, I’m not completely blind. My vision is just very blurry. To stay alive, I insisted I couldn’t see anything at all. After I was discharged from the hospital, the family sent me to a villa in the suburbs along with a huge sum of money, leaving me to fend for myself. I couldn’t be bothered to seek revenge. I lived comfortably every day, ordering takeout and opening packages. But two weeks ago, on a night I’ll never forget, an assassin suddenly broke in. He held a knife to my throat, ready to kill me, but when he realized I was blind, he hesitated. He only threatened me not to tell anyone. And so began our strange cohabitation. His whereabouts were unpredictable. Occasionally he would help cook meals. But a few meals were far from enough to satisfy me. As the landlord, I had to show him who’s boss. That night, I crouched outside the bathroom door, imagining his tantalizing body. The water stopped. The assassin walked out wrapped in a towel. Steam billowed around him. Even with my blurry vision, I could make out his broad shoulders and narrow waist. Tsk tsk, he smelled so good up close. The assassin saw me. “What are you doing here?” I faced his chest and cleared my throat. “Let me feel those abs, big boy.” He: “…”

The assassin stopped drying his hair and was silent for a long time before speaking. “Do you have a death wish?” “I’ll die happy after I feel them.” “…” He ignored me and turned to leave. I hurried to follow him, forgetting to grab my cane. My leg hit the corner of a table. With a thud, I fell to the ground. “Ow, it hurts…” I propped myself up, tears welling in my eyes from the pain. The assassin sighed and crouched down in front of me. Water droplets from his hair dripped onto my thigh. His face was very close to mine, but I still couldn’t see clearly. Judging by the outline, he was probably handsome. Come closer! Just a little closer and I’ll be able to see your face! I didn’t dare look too intently, afraid he would notice. The assassin looked down at my knee, his warm fingers brushing over the wound. “You’re bleeding. Do you have any iodine?” I answered irrelevantly, “I want to feel your abs.” “…” He was speechless again. I’m not joking, this little injury is nothing. I used to get hurt all the time. I had to act fast before he got dressed. The assassin sighed resignedly: “You just want to feel them?” “Actually, I want to kiss them too.” “…Don’t push your luck!”

Just when I thought he would angrily walk away, he grabbed my wrist and placed my hand on his waist. Me: “?” The assassin turned his face away and spoke with difficulty. “Go ahead.” I groped wildly, afraid he would change his mind. The skin under my hands was smooth yet firm, his muscles clearly defined. When I touched his side, the assassin’s body trembled slightly. His voice was hoarse: “Slower, it tickles.” I nearly got a nosebleed.

I was just feeling his abs… My movements slowed down. He also stopped trembling. I’m not sure if it was because I moved too vigorously or if the towel had a mind of its own. It fell to the floor. The assassin quickly tossed the towel from his shoulders onto my face, then hurriedly picked up the fallen towel. I pretended not to know what happened. “What’s wrong?” He replied somewhat awkwardly: “Nothing…” Hehehe. What an unexpected bonus.

When I woke up in the morning, the assassin had already left. I took out the phone I had hidden and held it close to my face, preparing to order some takeout. Suddenly, the front door of the villa was violently kicked open. Then someone shouted— “Olivia, get out here!” I’d recognize that grating voice anywhere, even if it was autotuned. Tyler. The bastard who pushed me down the stairs. I tapped my cane and slowly walked out. When he saw me, he started mocking me like he used to: “Well well, still alive I see.” “I thought you’d kicked the bucket by now. I even brought a hearse.” I couldn’t be bothered to respond. “What are you doing here?” Tyler rushed up to me, shoved me to the ground, and kicked away my cane. “This is my house, I’ll come whenever I want!” Tyler strutted around the living room with his hands in his pockets. “I’m taking back this house. You have until the end of the day to get out.” “Don’t bother cleaning, I’m going to throw out everything you’ve touched anyway.” I kept my eyes lowered to the floor and said: “Dad and Mom gave me this house. You have no right to take it back.” Tyler snorted coldly and spat on the floor, yelling: “They’re MY parents! You’re nothing but trash. Get the hell out of here!” With that, he stormed out without looking back.

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