Author: Momo Chan

The day the zombie apocalypse hit, our school was rehearsing a stage play. Brittany, the queen bee who played the elf, got healing powers. The background extra, who played a tree, became invisible to zombies. Liam, my childhood sweetheart playing the knight, could skewer zombies like shish kebabs with his long sword. … They all stared at me, a makeup artist, holding nothing but ordinary makeup brushes. So, I was abandoned. Later, when our paths crossed again, their team of powered individuals watched me get swallowed by a zombie horde, each one cracking sarcastic jokes. But I used my makeup brushes to turn zombies into my own superpowered army, instantly turning the tide. You guys are gods, but I’m the one who *makes* gods. **1.** When bad luck strikes, even cleaning up makeup backstage can get you attacked by a zombie. I was tackled onto the dressing table, screaming for help, my voice raw. But the stage, which had been so noisy just moments before, was now as silent as a tomb. My will to survive finally kicked in. I cried and fought, luckily managing to wrap a prop chain around its mouth. My hands shook like a leaf as I pulled back the curtain, ready to bolt, only to see a group of perfectly made-up people staring silently in my direction. When they saw it was me, they looked genuinely surprised. “Rose, you can’t even lift a water cooler bottle, and you beat a zombie?” Brittany, the queen bee, playfully punched her updo, a smirk playing on her lips. “Looks like I lost that bet again. The zombies had like, a ninety-nine percent chance of winning. How did they lose? My luck is just the worst, seriously.” Alex, the student body president, chuckled and chimed in, “A bet’s a bet. For the next two days, you’re my shadow, ensuring my safety when I’m fighting zombies.” “Ugh! Lucky you! I’m the most valuable healer now, everyone’s begging for my help.” My heart instantly sank. I’d thought everyone was dead. After all, when the zombies first broke out, the screams and wails on stage were non-stop. I’d even felt guilty for surviving alone. But they had just stood by, using my life as a damn bet! “You were all here? So, you intentionally left me to die? Why?” Everyone stared at me in silence, as if my question was utterly ridiculous. Brittany gave a light laugh. “If we didn’t push you, you wouldn’t have known you could defeat a zombie, right? So, what’s your power, Rose?” I was shocked and confused, instinctively retorting, “What power?” “No way?” She gasped. “You only beat that zombie because you got lucky?” Seeing me still standing there dumbfounded, her smile widened, becoming even more radiant. “Alright, I’ll be merciful and show you.” She walked over to a classmate with a scraped arm, gently placing her hands on the wound. The injury healed at a visible rate, then vanished without a trace! The classmate touched his smooth arm, his voice filled with awe. “Brittany’s power is healing. She’s the core member of our little team now!” I stood there, stunned, watching them show off their various abilities. The strongman classmate who played the bouncer threw zombies hundreds of feet away. The classmate who played a stone wall was impervious to blades. Alex, the student body president playing the king, just gave orders, and all the background extras sacrificed themselves to save him… Their golden auras were so blinding I could barely keep my eyes open. “We figured it out. Everyone got powers based on the roles they played in the drama club production.” “This proves we’re the chosen saviors, picked by fate!” Finally, everyone turned to look at the makeup brushes in my hand. After an eerie silence, they burst into laughter, sharing a knowing glance, their voices dripping with mockery. “Rose, you seriously plan to fight zombies with *that*? Aren’t you just going to be dead weight?” “Makeup brushes aren’t bad, though. You can poke zombies’ eyes with them, then they won’t see you!” “Brittany won’t be able to save anyone else if she’s too busy saving just you. How’s she supposed to be useful?” “Why don’t you volunteer to stay behind and cover our retreat? At least you’d be somewhat useful then!” **2.** My face went ghostly pale. I looked out the window at the dense swarm of zombies, feeling like I’d fallen into an ice pit. How could a normal person like me cover the retreat for a group of superpowered individuals? That was a death sentence. I looked at Liam with pleading eyes. We’d been childhood sweethearts for twenty years. My parents had even saved his entire family from a house fire. He wouldn’t just leave me to die. Sure enough, his brows softened, and he started to plead on my behalf. “Maybe Rose’s power just manifested later. Let’s give her a chance, okay? I can’t leave her here to die.” Someone immediately shot back, “Then *you* stay behind and protect her! But don’t forget, even if you can pierce three zombies with one sword, you can’t defeat the horde outside. Are you really going to give up your life for a useless person?” “Oh my god, seriously! The apocalypse is the worst with dead weight and overly soft heroes. You don’t fear a godly opponent, you fear a teammate who’s a total liability.” “What if you accidentally stab Rose while fighting a zombie? That would be hilarious.” Alex, the student body president, was always the peacemaker. “Let’s not call anyone useless. We’re all classmates. Liam’s right, what if Rose’s power is just late to awaken?” I looked at him gratefully, then heard him continue, “So, why don’t you go outside and find a zombie right now to trigger your potential? Or you can stay here in the school, there might still be a glimmer of hope.” He smiled sweetly at me. But a shiver ran down my spine. Only then did I realize that Alex had always been this kind of two-faced person during my days of being excluded by classmates. How could I forget? How could I forget that this very group of people had just tried to kill me! I grabbed Liam’s hand, clutching it like my only lifeline. “Liam, save me! Don’t leave me alone!” But Brittany stretched out her arms to Liam. “Liam, we need your combat power. Don’t be too soft-hearted in the apocalypse, okay? Do you want to see me exhaust myself trying to save her?” Liam didn’t let go. The two sides were at a standstill. The zombies outside grew more agitated. Someone began to pull out their weapon, pointing it at us. “Stop acting like a hero! Either stay or go, don’t waste our time here!” “Exactly! We don’t *need* you! To be honest, with dead weight like her, your combat power is even worse than mine.” “Alex, let’s go! If we drag this out any longer, all the zombies in the school will surround us!” Liam was torn, still trying to explain for me. “Rose is really good at long-distance running. She definitely won’t slow us down.” “So, you’re saying she’ll abandon us and run for her life in a crisis? We absolutely cannot let that kind of ungrateful wretch come with us!” “No, I mean…” Before he could finish, someone unexpectedly flung open the auditorium doors. The zombies, seeing a group of living people, their eyes glowing green, surged in like a tide. Everyone unleashed their powers to fight them off. In the chaos, Alex shouted, “Charge!” Everyone bolted outside. Someone shoved me, and by the time I reacted, I was behind everyone else. Liam turned back to look at me, his pupils shrinking. “Rose!” He wanted to save me, but Brittany suddenly shrieked, “Liam! Help me! The zombies are grabbing me!” Even though everyone else ran towards Brittany after hearing her cry for help, Liam hesitated. He looked at me, then at Brittany. My heart clenched instantly. I struggled, running towards him. “Liam! Save me!” Just as I was about to grab his hand, he pulled it back. “Rose, I owe you. I’ll repay you in the next life!” Then, he turned his back and ran towards Brittany without a second glance. **3.** I stood there stunned, unable to believe he would do that. Twenty years of childhood friendship, plus saving his family’s lives from a fire… and he said he’d repay me in the *next* life? If he wouldn’t save me in *this* life, what was he going to repay me with in the next?! I was trembling with rage. But the immediate priority was to get away from these zombies. Though most of them had been drawn away by the others, a few stragglers were still around. Seeing me, they shrieked and lunged. I picked up a spear from the ground, trying to overcome my fear, and thrust it into their chest. *Splat—* The zombie’s head exploded with a single blow. Its rotting body toppled onto me, and I finally reacted, screaming and scrambling backward. “Can you stand up?” A gloomy guy looked down at me, his voice hoarse. It took me a while to remember he was a classmate who always lurked in the corner of the classroom. I think his name was Caleb. Caleb, like me, was an outcast. We were also the only two people who weren’t in the drama club production. The difference was, I was disliked by a lot of girls for being too close to the popular Liam. He, on the other hand, was cold and arrogant, offended a lot of people by being a loner, and was subjected to silent treatment. “Th-thanks…” He extended a hand and helped me up. “I was worried these guys would use me as a human shield, so I pretended to be dead and observed them. Heh, just as I thought…” “Zombies aren’t human. Stabbing their hearts does nothing. You have to go for the head, understand?” “Got it! Got it!” I nodded repeatedly. He turned and started disposing of the bodies. I cautiously ventured, “Um… Caleb, are we, like, allies now?” After a few minutes, he just gave a faint “Hmm.” I sighed in relief and eagerly started helping him. But when I knelt down to look, I nearly fainted from fright. Caleb was collecting zombie blood in a glass bottle! “What are you collecting that for?” My voice trembled. Caleb glanced at me, calmly saying, “To mask our scent. You didn’t see the situation backstage earlier, but zombies use their noses to detect humans, not just their eyes.” “If we coat ourselves in their blood, we can fool them and get out safely.” I see. Despite the disgust, the thought that it was for survival pushed down my urge to vomit. After collecting the zombie blood, I took out my portable makeup brushes and started applying it to Caleb. The fishy smell of blood and decay went straight to my head. I painted and gagged. Caleb was a tough cookie, though; he didn’t even change his expression. If his eyelashes weren’t subtly trembling, I would’ve thought the person in front of me was already dead. “Alright, later you can just smear some zombie blood on yourself.” Caleb opened his eyes, and I was shocked to see his pupils had turned white! “Caleb, what’s wrong with your eyes?” I hadn’t even put colored contacts on him! A thought flashed through my mind. I snatched the spear from Caleb’s hand and leaped away. The next second, Caleb lunged at me, trying to bite. He had turned into a zombie! Cold sweat poured down me. I cursed the heavens for being so unfair. Not only did I not have a power, but my freshly-made ally turned into a zombie! The problem was, Caleb hadn’t even said he was injured! Was this just a conspiracy to keep me from living?! Caleb didn’t give me a chance to react and lunged again. I dodged while aiming the spear at his head. But killing someone sounds easy; doing it is a whole different beast. Aside from the blood all over his face, Caleb looked exactly like a human. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it! Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a prop water tank on the stage. A lightbulb went off. I jogged, luring Caleb towards it. As he lunged, I used all my strength to tackle him down and hold him underwater. *Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle—* Caleb was submerged, the blood he’d just had on his face swirling in the water. He was still struggling. I hardened my heart and pressed down harder. Caleb slowly stopped moving. I finally let out a breath, collapsing weakly to the side, about to lament my unfair fate. Unexpectedly, Caleb suddenly convulsed, then gripped the edge of the water tank and climbed out. **4.**

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I possess the Sacred Blood, and the blood within me can heal any ailment. In my previous life, it was only after I cured the paralyzed legs of a billionaire CEO that I discovered the Mitchell Family had decreed that anyone who healed Ethan Mitchell would become the lady of their household. Ethan Mitchell was compelled to marry me. Fiona Johnson, who had risked her life to gather the Himalayan Snow Lotus for him, was so stunned by the news that she fell off a cliff and disappeared. A year later, Ethan found Fiona’s frozen body and forced me to cut my wrists to save her. “If only I had waited for Fiona to return with the Snow Lotus and heal me, we could have grown old together. You killed her!” “Lydia Smith, didn’t you claim your blood is a miracle cure? Then bring Fiona back to life!” I pleaded with him tearfully. “Fiona has been dead for a year. I can heal diseases, but I can’t bring the dead back to life.” But Ethan refused to listen to my explanation and watched as I bled to death. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day the Mitchell Family asked me to treat Ethan. Seeing Ethan sitting in his wheelchair with a gloomy expression, I smiled faintly. “Mr. Mitchell, these legs are beyond repair; no one can heal them.” ⋯⋯   Hearing my words, Ethan slowly raised his head to look at me, his eyes burning with growing anger. “Get out of here, you fraud!” I raised an eyebrow slightly and turned to Mrs. Mitchell beside me. “Mrs. Mitchell, if the Smith Family says an ailment is incurable, then it truly is. You might want to consider having another child while you’re still young.” As soon as I finished speaking, the teacup in Ethan’s hand hurled directly at me. I moved aside to dodge it. With a crash, the expensive teacup shattered on the floor. Mrs. Mitchell, startled, quickly apologized to me. “Miss Smith, I’m sorry. I apologize on Ethan’s behalf. It’s just his condition…” I brushed it off nonchalantly. “I understand. It’s normal for a crippled and impotent man to have a warped mind.” Seeing Ethan tremble with anger, I turned and left the Mitchell Family. Mrs. Mitchell chased after me, pleading softly. “Miss Smith, is there really no way? I’ve heard the Smith Family has a secret cure for all ailments. If you can heal Ethan’s legs, the Mitchell Family will fulfill any request you have.” But it wasn’t that he couldn’t be cured; it was that I wouldn’t cure him. In my last life, Ethan blamed me for Fiona’s death, stubbornly believing that if Fiona had brought back the Snow Lotus, it would have healed his legs. Had he thought calmly, he would have realized the Snow Lotus was merely a supplement. Its supposed miraculous properties were nothing but exaggerated tales. Yet, when he discovered I used my blood to heal his legs, he watched me die, hoping to resurrect Fiona. Before I died, I overheard the servants of the Mitchell Family talking.

It turned out Fiona didn’t fall off the cliff because of the Snow Lotus. She was discovered by the wife of her wealthy patron when she tried to marry into the Mitchell Family and was thrown off the cliff. This time, I won’t get involved in their entanglements. I wish them a long and happy life together. “Mr. Mitchell, these legs, I can’t help.” Ethan came out and heard my words, his deep voice filled with anger. “Mom, Fiona has already flown to the Rocky Mountains. Once she brings back the Himalayan Snow Lotus, my legs will definitely be healed.” “My affairs don’t concern others.” Mrs. Mitchell sighed deeply. “The Himalayan Snow Lotus only helps your legs recover. To stand again, it’s far from enough. The Smith Family is your last hope…” Ethan remained stubborn. “I said, Fiona can heal me.” I gave Ethan a long look and bid farewell to Mrs. Mitchell as I left. Just as I walked out of the Mitchell Family’s gate, a black business car stopped in front of me. A woman got out and knelt before me. “Miss Smith, please save my son…”   It turned out that a year ago, the accident injured not only Ethan Mitchell but also his arch-enemy, Nolan Johnson of the Johnson Family. After that car accident, Nolan became a vegetative state. Having endured a painful past life, I wouldn’t casually use my blood to save people again, so I refused Mrs. Johnson’s request. Mrs. Johnson didn’t press further and left in tears. A week later, I received an invitation to a Mitchell Family banquet. Fiona had returned with the Himalayan Snow Lotus. Mrs. Mitchell feared there might be issues with Fiona’s medicine and asked me to attend and check it. At the banquet, Fiona stayed close to Ethan. Mrs. Mitchell held my hand, her face full of worry. “I’m not afraid that Fiona’s medicine won’t work. I’m just worried that Ethan will be disappointed again and won’t be able to handle the blow.” “We’ve tried everything in the past year. I’ve watched the hope in Ethan’s eyes fade away bit by bit. As a mother, I really have no choice…” Before I could offer comfort, Fiona pushed Ethan over. “Aunt, don’t worry. I can definitely help Ethan stand up. I almost died in the Rocky Mountains for this Himalayan Snow Lotus.” Ethan held Fiona’s hand, looking deeply moved. “Fiona, when I stand up, I’ll throw you a grand wedding.” “Ethan, I believe in you.” Fiona turned to look at me, her smile ambiguous.

“I’m not like those fraudulent doctors. I’m confident I can heal Ethan’s legs.” As soon as she finished speaking, the faces of the renowned doctors who had treated Ethan’s legs turned sour. “Miss Johnson, you speak boldly. Are you sure you can heal Mr. Mitchell’s legs?” “You’re not even a medical professional, yet you dare to question our expertise?” “Even Miss Smith from the medical family Smith Family said Mr. Mitchell’s legs couldn’t be healed. I don’t believe a young girl like you has that ability!” Although Ethan felt Fiona spoke rashly, he still defended her. “I believe Fiona can heal me!” I couldn’t help but laugh. Fiona thought I was mocking her. She gritted her teeth in anger but forced a smile. “Miss Smith, I heard you’re the most outstanding doctor of your generation in the Smith Family. But you refused the Mitchell Family and then the Johnson Family. It’s hard not to suspect you can’t actually treat illnesses.” I smiled slightly. “Then I’m very much looking forward to the day Miss Johnson makes Mr. Mitchell stand.” Seeing me laugh instead of getting angry, Fiona bit her lip. “Are you upset I stole your thunder? I know Aunt favors you and wants you to marry Ethan. But now, only I can heal Ethan’s legs.” Sitting in the wheelchair, Ethan sneered. “Lydia Smith, even if you could heal me, I wouldn’t agree to marry you. Moreover, you’re just a fraud. When my mom introduced you, I thought you were someone impressive, but it seems you’re just so-so.” “Let me tell you, the only person I love is Fiona, and I will marry no one but her.” “No matter how many times you appear before me, I won’t spare you a glance.” Watching them act in sync, I just felt annoyed. “Mrs. Mitchell invited me to check Miss Johnson’s medicine. Since Mr. Mitchell trusts Miss Johnson so much, I won’t meddle.” After saying this, I wanted to leave, but Fiona blocked my way. “Lydia Smith, what do you mean by that?” I frowned. “Exactly what I said. If you don’t understand, look it up in a dictionary!” Fiona snorted coldly. “Lydia Smith, do you dare to bet with me? Bet on who can heal Ethan’s legs. The loser must kneel and admit defeat and never set foot in New York City again!” I paused, turned to her. “I’ll bet with you, but I won’t treat Ethan Mitchell. I’ll treat Nolan Johnson!”

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My stepbrother and I are the main characters in a step-siblings romance novel. After realizing this, I avoided him like the plague to stop these inappropriate feelings. However, he pinned me against the kitchen counter, biting my neck, and growled, “You can only love me.” The day Jack brought his girlfriend home, I had a ridiculous dream. In the dream, I was the female lead in a step-siblings romance novel, and my stepbrother Jack was the male lead. Jack’s girlfriend, Emily, was the antagonist in this story. In the book, Jack had liked me since childhood, and a strong sense of guilt haunted him throughout his adolescence. He had sneaked into my room countless times to kiss the corner of my mouth while I was asleep, and had woken up sweating profusely in the middle of the night, calling out my name. To let go of these abnormal feelings, Jack agreed to date Emily, who had a crush on him for six years. At this point in the story, I woke up from my dream. Frightened by the absurd scenes in my dream, it took me a while to calm down. Jack liking me? How could that be possible? I recalled Jack’s cold attitude towards me in daily life and shook my head slightly. But even so, I still felt uncomfortable. When I was young and naive, I did have a crush on Jack. I remember being encouraged by my best friend to knock on his door late at night, only to see the impatience and disgust in his eyes when he saw me. So, those secrets were gradually buried deep in my heart, rotting away.

The next day, when I went downstairs, Jack and Emily were sitting on the couch. Jack had his head slightly lowered, his long fingers playing with Emily’s bracelet. Emily greeted me enthusiastically, and I noticed how beautiful and charming she was. As my gaze shifted to her lips, I was slightly taken aback. The girl’s red lips were slightly swollen, making it easy to guess what they had been doing. I hurriedly tried to look away, but accidentally met Jack’s cold gaze. “Jack,” I forced a natural smile. Jack didn’t respond. Seeing this, Emily gave me an awkward smile and playfully pinched Jack’s arm. As I left the house, I thought to myself, it really was just a ridiculous dream after all. When I returned home that evening, Jack wasn’t back yet. I went to the kitchen and made a simple dinner for myself. While washing the dishes after eating, I heard the sound of the door opening. Jack had entered the kitchen at some point. I was slightly startled and asked, “Jack, do you want something to eat?” Jack didn’t answer me, he just walked up to me. That’s when I noticed his beautiful and delicate face had an unusual redness to it. He was drunk. I quietly took a step back and asked him softly, “Jack, did you have a fight with Emily?” Jack stubbornly took another step forward and forcefully grabbed my chin. I was forced to look into his eyes, and I realized his gaze was incredibly cold: “Jack?” “Don’t call me that.” Jack’s long fingers slowly caressed my cheek, “Are we even related by blood?” I froze on the spot. Seeing this, Jack let out a mocking laugh and released his hand, then asked with a smile, “What kind of sister would harbor such unspeakable thoughts for her brother?” I closed my eyes, suppressing the bitterness welling up inside. When I opened my eyes again, there was only calmness in my gaze: “But Jack, I don’t like you anymore.” “Liking you was too painful.” “So Jack, whether that dream was real or not, I don’t want to like you anymore.” Hearing what I said, Jack, who was about to turn away, paused slightly, but he didn’t respond to me.

That night, I had another dream. In the dream, Jack pinned me against the kitchen counter and kissed the corner of my mouth passionately. The kitchen door was wide open, and I could faintly hear our parents talking in the living room. I struggled, trying to get Jack to let go of me, but he lowered his voice and asked, “You don’t like me anymore? Hm?” “Jack, you already have Emily,” I said in the dream. Jack bit my neck without a care, his voice husky as he said, “I only want you.” I woke up from the dream once again, the stinging sensation of the bite on my neck still lingering. It was too strange. The dreams I’ve had these past two days were too strange. Could it be that Jack really liked me? I remembered the photos of me that Jack had secretly taken in the dream I had the other night. If the dream was real, would those photos be in Jack’s album? I picked up my phone and checked the time – 2 AM. Throwing on some clothes, I still went to Jack’s door. When Jack sleeps, he usually leaves his phone on the desk, quite far from his bed. If his room door wasn’t closed, I could just sneak in, take the phone, check it, and put it back quietly. If the door was closed, I’d give up for now and find another way to check his album later. But what I didn’t expect was that the doorknob turned easily without a sound. Jack’s room had a pleasant scent, the same as the one he carried. But ever since Jack found out I liked him, it had been a long time since I’d smelled this scent. I quietly walked to the desk, and sure enough, the phone was right there. Just as my hand touched the phone, a cold voice came from behind me: “What are you doing?” I trembled slightly in fright and immediately turned around: “Jack…” Jack was standing right behind me, just a step away. He stared at me for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out to touch the corner of my eye: “Why are you crying?” “I’m not crying.” Jack didn’t say anything, but his touch became rougher, his calloused fingertips rubbing my eye corner painfully. For some reason, I felt that Jack was very dangerous right now. “Let me guess what you’re doing?” Jack’s cool hand slowly slid down to my neck, his voice husky, “Were you trying to sneak a look at my phone?” Seeing that I didn’t answer, Jack let out a mocking laugh and picked up the phone himself, holding it in front of me. He unlocked it with his fingerprint: “What do you want to see?” “SnapChat, text messages, or…” Jack paused slightly here, his deep gaze fixed on me, “my photo album?” My eyelashes fluttered. Jack’s expression became even more dangerous. Just as I was about to explain, Jack suddenly grabbed my wrist and placed the phone in my palm, opening the main interface of the photo album. I couldn’t help but look down at my hand. The album was visibly filled with page after page of intimate photos of him and Emily. My hand holding the phone trembled slightly. Jack took the phone from my hand and stepped back, his voice turning cold: “Aren’t you leaving?” I didn’t leave, just stood there firmly and said word by word: “Are you serious about Emily?” Jack didn’t answer, but the usually cold person seemed to think of something, and a hint of tenderness and deep affection rippled in his eyes. His gaze now was identical to how he looked at me in the dream. My stepbrother and I are the main characters in a step-siblings romance novel. After realizing this, I avoided him like the plague to stop these inappropriate feelings. However, he pinned me against the kitchen counter, biting my neck, and growled, “You can only love me.”

Jack could only love me. For some reason, this thought suddenly popped into my head. That night, I couldn’t sleep at all. The desire to find the photos Jack had taken in my dream grew stronger. The next day, I bumped into Jack as I was leaving. Unusually, I didn’t greet him, and Jack didn’t say anything either. We tacitly acted as if nothing had happened the night before, calmly treating each other like strangers. What I didn’t know was that the moment I left, Jack’s eyes instantly darkened, all traces of his previous calmness gone. As a senior, I didn’t really have many classes, but staying in the same space as Jack made me even more uncomfortable. Jack and I didn’t always have such a strained relationship; at first, he was just a bit cold towards me. It wasn’t until the night before college registration five years ago, when I knocked on Jack’s door, that things changed. At that time, my feelings for Jack were at their strongest. Jack’s bangs were slightly damp, and his delicate features showed a hint of impatience. I lowered my head, then mustered up the courage to speak: “I like you, Jack.” Those few seconds felt like centuries. I didn’t dare to look up at Jack’s expression, but I saw his pale, slender hand hanging by his pants suddenly clench, veins popping out. After several seconds, Jack’s icy voice finally sounded above my head: “Lily, I’m your brother.” “I know, but we’re not blood-related…” “Look up,” Jack interrupted me. I obediently looked up at him. Jack stared at me for a few seconds, then suddenly grabbed my chin, his voice ice-cold: “You like me?” I nodded slightly. Jack smiled: “You want to be with me?” I hesitantly nodded. Jack chuckled, his voice mocking: “Are you worthy?” Those three words, “Are you worthy?”, became like a curse. Later, every time I saw Jack, these words would flood my mind, tormenting me. From that day on, Jack’s attitude towards me changed drastically, becoming cold and dismissive. After that day, I didn’t go home for about two weeks straight. Until I had to return home to get a USB drive. To avoid running into Jack, I deliberately chose a time when he usually wouldn’t be home, planning to grab the USB and leave. But I didn’t expect that as soon as I opened the door, I’d be pulled into an embrace that smelled of alcohol and faint mint. Jack’s usually cold voice now seemed to carry a hint of grievance: “Where have you been?” “What’s it to you?” “How is it not my business?” he said, half-pushing, half-carrying me towards the living room. After struggling in vain, I was brought along with him as we fell onto the living room couch: “Jack, what exactly do you want?” No one answered me. I looked up and realized that Jack had already closed his eyes. He looked heavily drunk, his face flushed, and his usually neat suit now wrinkled.

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Dr. Alex Reed turned, his face flushed a deep crimson, and he looked at me, a soft plea in his eyes: “I’m not… quite sure how to use this… Is this right? Could you… could you help me with it?” A smirk played on my lips, my eyes darkening. My voice came out a low rasp, “Didn’t realize you were so… *adventurous*, Dr. Reed.” I was inspecting my bar as usual when I spotted a man at the counter, completely wasted. I sighed. I walked up to him, grabbing his collar, feeling a surge of irritation. “Why are *you* always here, getting hammered?” But then I actually looked at him, and my grip loosened. I swallowed, feeling a pang of apology. “My bad. I totally mistook you for someone else. Hi, I’m Noah Hayes, the owner of this bar.” The man squinted at me, his voice soft and slurred. “Hi. I’m Alex Reed.” *Ding-dong.* Alex’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He answered it, swaying precariously, then stumbled out. I picked up the business card he’d dropped on the floor. The bartender came out from the back, looking a little troubled when he saw me. “Mr. Hayes, that customer… he didn’t pay his tab.” I just brushed a speck of dust from the card, a strange glint in my eyes. “Put Dr. Reed’s tab on my account.” I got a call and rushed to the hospital. My heart sank when I saw my father lying in the hospital bed. I stayed there all night. In the morning, the doctor who came to check on my father arrived. I stood up, and my gaze shot up, landing on a familiar face. I was surprised, but also a little pleased. It was the man I’d met last night. Dr. Reed looked at me, explaining the situation. “Dr. Miller, your father’s attending physician, has been transferred. I’m Dr. Reed, and I’ll be taking over his care now.” I looked at the man before me, now dressed in a crisp white coat, which gave him a cool, detached aura. I nodded to Dr. Reed. “Then I’ll be relying on you, Dr. Reed. But you look a little familiar. I think I saw you at a bar last night. Were you there, Dr. Reed?”

Dr. Reed paused for a beat, then shook his head. I yawned, said goodbye to Dr. Reed, and headed home to sleep. I was soaking in the tub, twirling Dr. Reed’s business card between my fingers. The photo on it, a younger version of him in what looked like a prep school uniform, flashed a confident, slightly mischievous smile right at the camera. I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Alex. Reed.” The next morning, I bought breakfast and headed to the hospital. I ran into Dr. Reed on the way, so I walked up to him and offered him the food. He was a bit distant with me, but I didn’t give up, pestering him every day. He always maintained a cold, indifferent attitude. One day, I bought breakfast again, looking for Dr. Reed. I ran into Dr. Miller instead. Dr. Miller smiled. “Looking for Alex again, huh? Alex isn’t on duty today. He should be resting at home.” I asked Dr. Miller for Dr. Reed’s home address. I reached an old, rundown apartment building, the narrow street reeking of… everything. I frowned, pinching my nose slightly. I knocked on Dr. Reed’s door for what felt like ages, but no one answered. So I just… kicked it in. Inside, I found him lying on a small, worn cot, covered in bruises and cuts. I had no choice but to carry Alex back to my place and call a private doctor. Seeing him so battered, a wave of pain washed over me. I went out to the balcony to clear my head. The weak figure on my bed slowly opened his eyes. I looked at him. “I’m awake?” Alex looked at me, his voice hoarse. “Where is this? How did I get here?” I sighed dramatically. “This is my place. I carried you here. Seriously, you’re so damn light. I’m not short, but picking you up felt like nothing. Like I barely used any strength at all.” Alex started to get up, ready to leave. I stopped him. “It’s already evening. Stay for dinner before you go. Don’t tell me you’re not hungry?”

Alex froze, but then followed me into the kitchen. I served him a bowl of porridge and some pasta. He sat stiffly, a little uncomfortable. I glanced at him. “Relax. I made it for both of us, and it’s not *that* bad.” Alex ate slowly. I watched him finish, then cleaned up. I couldn’t resist asking him, “Where did those injuries come from? If you don’t want to talk about it, then…” Dr. Reed cut me off, his voice flat. “Thank you for your hospitality. I know what you’re trying to do, but please, stop bothering me. You’re… a nuisance.” I froze, disbelief washing over me. Alex turned and left. I watched his retreating back, lost in thought. The next morning, I went to the hospital as usual, but instead of seeking out Dr. Reed, I headed straight for my father’s room. The door opened, and I looked up, surprised to see Dr. Miller, not Alex. Dr. Miller seemed to read my mind, offering casually, “Oh, Alex was transferred back to internal medicine. I’ll be handling your father’s case from now on.” I nodded absently, then, as if drawn by an unseen force, found myself at the bar. The moment I walked in, I saw Dr. Reed, his arm around another man. My gaze sharpened, my eyes darkening as I fixed on them. I didn’t know why, but a wave of irritation washed over me. I went to drink alone, getting a little buzzed. Then a hand snatched the glass from mine. I spun around, my gaze locking on Caleb Hayes. My irritation flared. “What are *you* doing here? What, aren’t you going to go find your ‘friend’ anymore?” Caleb seemed slightly embarrassed by my words. Then, without a word, he slid his hand beneath my shirt, his fingers trailing across my skin. I’d just been drinking, and his touch instantly set me on edge, a low hum of arousal stirring deep inside me.

I grabbed Caleb’s hand, my eyes narrowing, piercing him with a cold stare. “Stop it. Just stop touching me. I told you I’m not interested. So stay away from me.” Caleb immediately deflated. I glanced at the empty seat next to him, my face cold, and drank until midnight, finally stumbling home and collapsing into bed. My phone on the nightstand wouldn’t stop ringing, but I ignored it. When I finally woke up, I saw Alex Reed’s face hovering over mine. It took me a moment to realize I was in my own house. Seeing him there was unbelievable. I spoke calmly. “What are you doing at my place?” Alex placed a freshly made breakfast in front of me, taking his time. “Your father’s condition suddenly worsened yesterday, and I called you, but you didn’t answer. So I had no choice but to come find you. Your father’s condition is stable now.” I nodded in thanks. Alex left, and after resting for a while, I headed to the bar. Passing through a small alley, I heard a familiar voice. I stopped and walked into the alley. I saw Alex, someone grabbing his hair and slamming his head against the wall. I lunged forward, beating the guy senseless. The thug was furious. “Who the hell are you?! How dare you interfere!” I looked at the bruises on Alex’s face, my eyes darkening dangerously. I turned to the thug, my voice cold. “Did *you* do that to him? What right did you have?” The guy spat, a sneer twisting his lips. “Yeah, I hit him. That lowlife owes me loan shark money. I’m his creditor. Why *can’t* I hit him?” I let out a cold laugh, then unleashed a flurry of blows right to *his* face. The thug reeled back, blood gushing. It was only when Alex grabbed my arm, pulling me back, that I finally stopped. I pulled a card from my wallet and flung it at the guy, a sneer on my face. “This covers his debt and *your* medical bills. Don’t let me ever see you again.”

I carried Alex back to my place. I cleaned his wounds, my face remaining impassive the entire time. Alex, carefully, almost whispered, “Thank you. I… I’ll pay you back.” After I finished applying the ointment, I turned and went out onto the balcony for some air, ignoring Alex completely. He looked a little awkward, wanting to leave. I saw his hesitation, my voice flat. “I doubt you can even go back to your place right now. So, you want to sleep on the street?” Alex stopped, then finally conceded. I went to the bathroom to shower. Seeing the photos hanging on the wall only fueled the anger churning inside me. After my shower, I found Alex sitting on the couch. I walked up to him, pushing him down onto the cushions, fighting to control the rage in my heart. “Alex Reed, do you think you’re some kind of martyr? Letting yourself get beaten like that without fighting back, playing the saint? And then you’re canoodling with other men? Bravo, really. Just *bravo*.” Alex avoided my gaze, still unresponsive. I stared at him, a cold laugh escaping my lips. “Fine, fine. Good for you.” I roughly twisted Alex’s face towards me, my mouth crashing down on his. I bit hard, and he let out a muffled gasp. I seized the opening, my tongue plunging in, tangling with his like a furious storm. He pushed back, but I slammed his hands against the couch, pinning him. My hands, no longer innocent, roamed freely over his body. His fresh-from-the-shower scent, combined with the raw hunger inside me, ignited a desperate heat that burned through every inch of my skin. That night, reason crumbled, utterly consumed by a raging inferno of desire. The next morning, I woke up to find the spot beside me empty. I’d gotten up early on purpose, heading to the hospital to find Alex.

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It was a Latin ballroom aerial spin, and my husband, my dance partner, didn’t catch me. I fell to the floor, leaving me completely paralyzed. Noah frantically slapped himself, claiming it was an accident, swearing he’d care for me for life. He tearfully claimed financial strain forced him to stop paying my medical bills, only to turn around and buy his ex-girlfriend a custom-made haute couture dance outfit. I lost the critical window for treatment and would be bedridden for life. I grieved for my broken body, when I accidentally overheard him on a call with his buddy: “Are you being too cruel to Aria?! You deliberately didn’t catch her just so Skylar could win the championship.” Noah was silent for a long moment. “I’ve wronged Aria, but I’ll take responsibility for her until the end! Even though she’s lost her legs and her dream, she has my complete love!” Staring at my life, a dark abyss, I slit my wrists. As my blood splattered, Noah, with red eyes, claimed he regretted it.

“Why are your eyes so red? Are your legs hurting again?” Noah’s voice, as always, was gentle when he hung up the phone. For a moment, I couldn’t tell which was the real him. “The dance troupe just called, they want me to go over.” The dance troupe? Weren’t you just mocking me with your buddy? I stared intently at him, trying to find a hint of a lie in his gaze. He awkwardly tilted his head. That’s his tell when he’s lying. “The dance troupe said they could lend me some money so I can pay for your treatment.” I scoffed. It was only a few days ago, when the nurse came to urge payment, that I found out many of my treatment fees were overdue. That’s why I couldn’t get physical therapy. When I asked Noah, he looked troubled. “Paying for your legs drained my savings, but don’t worry, I’ll cover the costs even if I have to take out a loan.” I kept waiting. Until yesterday, when the doctor gave me the devastating diagnosis: “Missed the optimal treatment window, regaining the ability to stand will be difficult.” That’s when I understood my life was over; I’d forever be a bird in a cage. “Okay, you go.” I lay down, not clinging to him for company as I usually did. Only after the hospital room door closed did I bury my face and weep. I sobbed myself into a daze until I fell asleep, only to be woken by the TV news. It was Skylar. She had just won another Latin dance competition, surrounded by reporters for interviews. I saw myself before I was paralyzed: I was always first in every major competition, surrounded by countless reporters, showered with congratulations. “Skylar, who do you want to thank most for winning this championship?” “My first love. Thank you for always being there for me, encouraging me, and even buying me my dance outfit!” “Oh, and it looks like it’s a specially customized haute couture outfit!!” “Oh, whether it’s haute couture or not isn’t important! But he’s truly wonderful to me! Oh, come on! Don’t be so nosy!” Skylar’s pretty face flushed slightly, and she happily glanced to the side. In the corner of the camera, there was a hint of a light blue sleeve. That was the color of Noah’s shirt today. I nervously squeezed my hands. What if it was just a coincidence? What if it was just the same brand? I called the dance troupe director. My heart pounded with each ring of the phone.

“Noah? He didn’t tell me he was coming over!” He abandoned my surgery to celebrate Skylar’s championship win. Even knowing what the outcome would be, I still desperately needed confirmation. I looked at Skylar’s dance outfit, glittering with diamonds and incredibly luxurious, and couldn’t help but run my hands over my numb legs. So, “tight on money” and “forced to delay treatment payments” were just your lies. I sniffled, trying to hold back tears. “Director, I’d like to see the video of the competition from the day I fell.” The director was surprised. Before, I had always resisted this, even talking about it would make me break down. I fast-forwarded to the part where I fell. I leaped into the air; Noah’s body swayed, and the hand that was supposed to catch me paused five centimeters away from my body. I fell heavily to the ground. Immediately after, there was his gasp of alarm and his frantic attempt to help me up. Anyone watching would only think it was an accident. But recalling Noah’s nonchalant tone on the phone, I felt his swaying body, his hesitating hand, were so deliberate. For Skylar, he made me paralyzed, ruined my life. But he was the one who ignited my dream. During college, I repeatedly hit roadblocks in Latin dance competitions and had poor results. I decided to give up dancing after one last performance. The music had just stopped when I heard applause. “I’m truly grateful that such an excellent dancer exists in this world, allowing me to witness such beautiful dancing!” His voice was filled with undisguised admiration. That was the first time I met Noah. Two strangers who knew nothing of each other: one venting about future uncertainties; the other encouraging me not to give up my dream. I put on my dance shoes again, and after graduation, I reunited with Noah. I was filled with joy, yet I was rejected by major dance competitions at the peak of my career. After much asking around, I learned I’d been blacklisted by Noah’s ex-girlfriend, Skylar. Unable to afford my mom’s surgery, and seeing the critical illness notice, I knelt before Skylar. She made no demands on me, not even the typical “leave Noah” drama you see in TV shows. She just gave me a faint glance, making me understand the vast chasm between us. Skylar showed mercy, but my mom still missed the optimal treatment window and passed away. I dared not blame anyone, only weep bitterly in the dead of night, clutching my mom’s clothes. After I got together with Noah, I once brought this up to him. He was silent for a long moment. “Skylar can be a bit willful, don’t take it to heart.” My eyes widened. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Could a simple “willful” cover up the crime of causing my mother’s death? Noah irritably tugged at his tie. “So what do you want me to do? Hold her accountable for something irreversible?” “You can’t blame Skylar for this; it’s purely because you, as her daughter, were incompetent, which led to your mother’s untreatable death!” I was incompetent? I won every competition I entered! But I didn’t dare talk back. Afraid my peaceful life would be ruined by Skylar again.

I watched the video again and again until Noah returned. He walked over, and seeing me watching the competition video, a flicker of unease crossed his face. “Don’t watch these, it’ll just upset you, and I’ll feel terrible.” His face was full of tenderness, but my heart was filled with mockery. “Didn’t you orchestrate this? Weren’t you behind all of this?” The words were barely out of my mouth when Noah, seemingly hurt by my attitude, his voice turned sharp. “What are you talking about? Aria, I’ve cared for you with all my heart since your accident, and this is how you see me?” “If it weren’t for me, with your leg broken this morning, your gambling addict father would have already abandoned you for dead, perhaps even selling your remains to cover his debts!” The more he spoke, the more genuine he sounded, wearing an expression that said, “How could you be so unreasonable?” “Wasn’t it for Skylar?” My voice was icy. “I…” The color drained from Noah’s face, and all the words he was about to say caught in his throat. “It’s not what you think.” After a long moment, Noah spoke, his voice dry. “When I gave her up back then, I wronged her.” “That’s *your* wronging of her, what does that have to do with me? Why should my legs be the price of your compensation to her? I’m not some mistress!” I was losing control. “Calm down! Look at it from another angle, it’s not all bad.” “I’ve repaid my debt to Skylar, and now I can fully devote myself to you, with no more ties to her.” “Even though you can’t walk anymore, you have *all* of me now!” I literally couldn’t believe my ears. “What’s so great about having a bastard like you?! I just want my body back!” After losing my legs, the brokenness of my body wore away all my strength. I couldn’t calmly love anyone anymore. Noah’s eyes instantly turned cold. “Looks like you haven’t realized you’ll be living off my charity for the rest of your life.” Soon, I understood the meaning of Noah’s words. I wanted a drink of water, but my wheelchair got stuck on the rug. “You stay here and reflect. Think about what kind of attitude you should have toward me from now on.” Noah slammed the door shut and left, a smug look on his face. I felt my mouth go dry, staring at the water glass just within reach. The thirst gradually morphed into a searing pain that scorched my soul. I don’t know how much time passed, when an uncontrollable urge to urinate swept over me. My catheter needed changing. Usually, Noah would change it for me at this time. I bit my lip tightly, furiously pressing the wheelchair’s control lever. The wheelchair shook violently, and I tumbled to the floor. I didn’t even care about the pain. I quickly crawled toward the bathroom. I desperately tried to arch my body, but still couldn’t resist my body’s needs. A warm sensation soaked my pants. I clenched my fists, wishing I could just die right there. The uncontrollable humiliation shattered my self-esteem far more than any verbal abuse. Not until the next morning, when the caregiver arrived. The caregiver lifted me onto the bed, deftly pulling off my pants, then unceremoniously wiping between my legs with a towel. I was turned over and over by her hands, like a dead pig waiting to be butchered. She looked disgustedly at the soiled items in her hand, constantly complaining, “It stinks! Can’t even control her own piss and crap.” “If I were you, I’d just die! Living is just wasting air and food.” I was shaking with rage, my teeth chattering. “This is your job, my husband pays you handsomely…” Before I could finish, the caregiver shoved my soiled pants into my mouth. The foul smell assaulted my nostrils, making me feel faint. “Shut up! Still making trouble even in this state! Mr. Noah is just taking pity on you, giving you a meal, just like he’d feed a stray dog on the street!” “For a rich man like Mr. Noah, money is just a number. His most precious asset is time, and his time is spent on…” The caregiver sneered, not finishing her sentence. But I understood what she meant. Half an hour ago, the dance troupe’s official SnapChat account posted some photos. Noah and Skylar embracing and dancing on a grand stage, with all eyes focused on them. That was something I could never achieve again in this lifetime. Why were my life and love so painful? I slit my wrist. As my blood stained the floor, I couldn’t help but wickedly wonder what Noah’s reaction would be. Sadness? Maybe he’d feel relieved to get rid of this burden! I thought death was the end, but surprisingly, my soul floated beside my body. My colleagues from the dance troupe were the first to come see me. “Oh my God, how could Aria be so desperate!”

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The billionaire CEO’s brother just threw a card at me. “Five million. Leave my brother and be with me.” 0 I sat on the plush sofa in the luxurious estate, gazing at the man before me. He had deep-set eyes, handsome features, and an extraordinary aura. The unexpected bank card left me utterly bewildered. “Five minutes are up. What’s your decision?” The man across from me glanced at the million-dollar watch on his wrist, his intense eyes fixed on mine. This whole mess started three days ago. I was sitting in a high-end luxury car, facing a CEO worth hundreds of millions. He was impeccably dressed in a suit, not a single cheap item on him. He looked every bit the successful businessman. But the moment he spoke, he sounded like every cringey, old-school romance novel CEO combined: “Man, you’re playing with fire.” My toes curled so hard, I swear they were trying to dig a tunnel straight to the core of the earth. After rejecting him for the hundred-and-fifth time, I finally gave in. That’s because I found out his brother was Julian Thorne—the very man I’d once glimpsed and couldn’t stop thinking about. He was my long-standing crush. Then, Leo took me home, and I became his ‘fake’ boyfriend, just to deal with his family. And the powerful man in front of me was my ‘boyfriend’s’ brother, Julian Thorne. My silence made Julian’s brows furrow. “If two million a month isn’t enough for your allowance, I can add another two million.” The man casually dropped another shocking number, just like that. What he said next, however, was surprisingly respectful and comforting. “We’ll be in a normal relationship, not a sugar daddy situation. You’ll have plenty of personal space. Work if you want, or don’t work at all; I can take care of you.” Every word Julian said was like a temptation, and they crashed down on me, one after another. “I’m sorry, Mr. Thorne, but I’m already your brother’s boyfriend. Please don’t overstep.” At my words, his eyes turned cold, and the air around us seemed to drop several degrees. “I told you, you’re breaking up with him.” His sudden oppressive aura startled me, but I quickly regained my composure. “I won’t break up with Leo. We’re even planning to get married in the future. I hope you can give us your blessing, Julian.” My polite, yet distant smile seemed to sting his eyes. A vein throbbed on his forehead, as if he was holding something back. I nervously swallowed. Just then, the front door clicked open. It was Leo returning. “Ugh, I’m boiling! What kind of crazy weather is this? Is it trying to steam people alive?” I secretly let out a sigh of relief, smiling as I walked over to take his jacket. As soon as I took his blue casual jacket, Leo shivered. “Why is it so cold in here? What’s the AC set to?” Neither Julian nor I spoke. He looked between us, then put his jacket back on. “So, Julian, how was your chat with Cicada?” Cicada was my nickname. I was born in the summer, and cicadas always buzzed at night, so that’s how I got it. Julian raised an eyebrow. “Cicada?” Then he gave me a meaningful look. Before I could say anything, Leo, being the chatterbox he was, started rambling. “Yeah, Alex’s nickname is Cicada. Cute, right?” To show off how close and sweet we were, he even deliberately added ‘cute.’ He also gave me a loving glance. “Cicada and I had a great chat. She really likes having me as a brother.” 0

Besides me, Leo was clearly choked up by Julian’s use of “Cicada” too. But he just found it unusual. After all, calling someone by their nickname, a sign of intimacy, was something you’d *never* see his older brother do. Still, it only stumped him for a few seconds before he completely forgot about it, loudly demanding dinner, totally different from how he was when I first met him. Julian nodded, calling the housekeeper to bring the food to the dining table. We all went over and ate. At the table, Julian kept finding ways to talk to me, his gaze laced with ambiguous warmth. My actual ‘boyfriend,’ however, was completely oblivious, focused entirely on his rice. “Even though Leo isn’t young anymore, he’s always been spoiled by the family. He’s a bit childish, Cicada, so please be patient with him.” I understood his hint and replied politely, “There’s nothing to be patient about. I think he’s great just the way he is. I, for one, happen to like the ‘puppy-like’ type.” Julian picked up a piece of lean meat and put it in my bowl. He feigned ignorance about the meaning of “puppy-like.” “Puppies look cute, but they only know how to whine, act adorable, and play pathetic. They don’t offer the same sense of security as a ‘wolf-dog’ type.” “Large dog breeds can be handsome too, and they’re capable of protecting their owner.” The atmosphere between Julian and me at the dinner table was subtly charged, while Leo was in a completely different world. He quickly devoured the food in his bowl, then looked up at his brother and smiled. “You don’t get it, Julian. Cicada isn’t talking about actual dogs. It’s a type of person.” He wiped his mouth and continued, “Cute and easy to pity, that’s a ‘puppy-like’ type, like me. Overly dominant, full of security, and bossy, that’s a ‘wolf-dog’ type, like…” Leo scanned Julian up and down, not daring to finish his sentence. “Like Julian, for example,” I smoothly interjected. Leo looked at me approvingly, as if to say, “Bro, you’re awesome!”

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My wrists were cuffed, spread wide, shackled to opposite sides of the bed. My skin was a tapestry of purpling bruises and angry bite marks. Damien lay sprawled by the bed, lazily dragging on a cigarette. Then, with a practiced ease, he gripped my jaw, prying my mouth open before leaning in to kiss me. He watched my face flush crimson as I choked, a slow, dark smile spreading across his lips. “I told you,” he purred, “run again, and I’ll break your legs.” The dim lights of the bar cast a hazy glow over the counter, the air thick with the thumping bass of music and the roar of a hundred conversations. My phone buzzed relentlessly in my pocket, but I ignored it, letting the vibrations fade into the background noise. “Hey,” the girl in front of me chirped, pushing a glass across the bar. “This rum cocktail is on me. It’s the house special!” I took the glass, swirling the amber liquid idly. Through the ice, I caught a glimpse of her smile, a little too wide, a little too stiff. “You’re not drinking?” I asked. “Oh, I don’t really drink much myself,” she said, her forced smile still in place. “But since I dragged you out here, I had to treat you to something, right?” I didn’t reply. I just lowered my gaze, gently swirling the drink in my hand. “What’s wrong? You don’t like it? It’s actually pretty good, you should just try a…” “Of course he won’t drink your poisoned little concoction.” A man in gold-rimmed glasses appeared out of nowhere, striding directly towards me. He smoothly plucked the glass from my hand. “Wh-what do you mean drugged? Why would I ever hurt him?” she stammered, her voice thin with panic. “Then drink it yourself.” Damien’s gaze was fixed on her terrified face as he thrust the glass back into her trembling hand. “I… I don’t drink,” she stammered, fumbling the glass. It crashed to the floor with a loud *smash*, shards scattering as she recoiled, eyes wide with fear. “Tsk. Such a golden opportunity, wasted,” Damien purred, his fingers pinching her cheek, a predatory smile on his face. “You’ll regret not drinking that glass later, I promise.” “Take her upstairs,” he ordered, his smile turning chillingly cold. “Make sure she gets a little… *treatment*. Let her know exactly what she threw away by crossing me.” “Damien,” I murmured, my voice barely a whisper. His head snapped towards me, a dangerous glint in his eyes. Instinctively, I lowered my gaze, avoiding his direct stare. “My dear brother, aren’t you going to be a good boy?” he purred, his fingers lightly tapping my cheek. “Why are you running around without your big brother’s permission?” He then plucked my phone from my pocket. “Remember to answer my calls on time from now on,” he continued, his voice dropping to a low growl. “And… you shouldn’t have called out to me just now, Julian.” I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me. “Don’t you want to stay and watch her apologize to you? Hmm?” Damien’s gaze burned into my back. “No,” I replied, not breaking my stride. I kept walking, only to be stopped by two hulking figures blocking my path. Damien slowly approached, slinging an arm around my shoulder, a chilling smile playing on his lips. “Come on, Julian. You’ve come all this way. Let’s have a drink and wait for the main event to begin.” In the main hall of the bar, men and women swayed and twisted to the pulsating music, while the bartender, bathed in a kaleidoscope of lights, expertly shook cocktails. From upstairs, muffled cries of distress echoed, the woman’s agony mingling with the crude laughter and lewd remarks of men, all barely contained behind a closed door. “Mmm, this drink is excellent,” Damien purred, his eyes fixed on me, a taunting smile playing on his lips. “Why aren’t you drinking, Julian? Big brother wouldn’t drug you like that *bad girl* did, would he?” His gaze, though, was chilling, like a viper ready to strike. I snatched the glass from the table and downed it in one gulp. “When can I leave?” I demanded, my voice tight with impatience. Damien glanced at his watch. “Hmm, just about time. Let’s go, Julian. Let’s see how our little friend is doing.” The door swung open, revealing Chloe. The girl who had been smiling just moments ago now lay on the floor like a broken rag doll. Her clothes were torn, her body smeared with sickening red and white fluids. Her face was streaked with tears, hair a tangled mess, her lips swollen. Her pale skin was a canvas of purpling bruises. My hands instinctively clenched into fists, a movement Damien caught from the corner of his eye. “Tell me,” Damien said, sauntering over to a nearby couch and seating himself. “Who sent you?” His men forced Chloe to her knees before him. Her eyes were vacant, her mind clearly still reeling from the horrors she’d just endured. “Start talking,” he pressed, his voice dangerously soft. “And be detailed. Otherwise… your brother…” The mere mention of ‘brother’ seemed to shock Chloe back to life. She struggled, her voice raw and hoarse. “No… don’t hurt him!” “That depends on how cooperative you are,” Damien drawled, roughly slapping Chloe’s face. “How could you try to harm *my* brother, all for the sake of your own?” He leaned close to her ear, his voice a chilling whisper. “You’d better go explain yourself to Julian. Otherwise… I’ll just have to collect my dues from your dear brother instead.” At his words, Chloe’s eyes filled with raw terror. She scrambled, crawling on her hands and knees towards me, clutching at my pants leg, her voice a desperate plea. “I… I didn’t mean to hurt you! After I saved you that day, a… a bunch of terrifying men came to my small shop. They looked like devils, and they… they threatened me with knives! They said if I didn’t do what they told me, they’d kill my little brother. He’s only eight, he doesn’t understand anything. He’s in the hospital right now, still recovering from a car accident. Please, please, just let him go! Please!” The girl sobbed uncontrollably. I knew, of course, that she had drugged my drink. That’s why I’d kept swirling the glass, never taking a sip. I’d even suspected she was acting under duress. But I had drastically underestimated Damien’s possessiveness. I’d foolishly thought he’d turn his fury on those who orchestrated this whole thing. I never imagined that monster would unleash his rage on the victim herself. “Can I leave now?” I asked, looking at Damien, who sat on the couch, watching the spectacle unfold with a detached amusement. “How do you want to handle her, Julian?” he asked. “Do whatever you want. I’m going home.” I turned to walk away. The men at the door moved to stop me, but Damien raised a hand, dismissing them. And just like that, I walked out. The moment I was out of sight, Damien’s smile vanished. He stood, walked to the back of the room, and pulled back the heavy curtains. His eyes were glued to my figure as I exited the bar and got into a car, watching until I was completely gone. “Chop off the hand she touched me with, then mince it up for the dogs,” Damien said, his voice devoid of emotion as he walked from the window back to Chloe. “After that, make her swallow the rest of that poison she had for Julian, and dump her in front of the Sterling Syndicate’s factory. After all, what goes around, comes around, right?” “I… I understand now… Please… don’t!” Chloe whimpered, tears streaming down her face. “How about your brother takes your place then?” Damien suggested, his eyes cold as he watched the girl’s ashen face. “He’s a vegetable anyway, could die at any moment. Isn’t trading his life for yours a pretty good deal?” “N-no… you can’t!” Chloe wailed, fresh tears streaming down her face. She had practically raised her little brother. He was so smart and sweet. The car accident happened when he was just trying to help her by picking up groceries. Some reckless driver ran a red light, hit him, and fled. She’d borrowed money from everyone she knew, just to cover his medical bills and barely keep him alive. Even though he was in a vegetative state, as long as there was a flicker of hope, she’d never give up on him. Her own life was already ruined, but what would happen to her brother if she was gone? Chloe was dragged out, silenced. “Hmph, a truly devoted sister,” Damien scoffed, a dark amusement in his voice. “Go ahead and cover her brother’s ongoing medical expenses.” “Yes, Master Damien,” his subordinate replied.

“From now on, I don’t want you going out at night, alright?” Damien said, his gaze fixed on me as I sat on the couch, a flicker of disturbing obsession in his eyes. “I’m a person, not a pet,” I retorted, not even bothering to look up from the newspaper in my hands. “How can you say that about yourself?” he murmured, crossing the room and settling beside me, his arm snaking around my shoulders. “I’m just worried you’ll get hurt out there. Look, someone tried to drug you today.” He paused, squeezing my shoulder. “So, don’t make big brother worry, alright?” His words were soft, but laced with a chilling undercurrent of threat. ‘Brother?’ I scoffed internally. He was nothing more than a rabid dog. Ever since Father died, Damien – the one Father brought home and who’d always harbored a strange, possessive obsession with me – had grown progressively worse. I had to escape, and fast.

Damien’s hand tightened around mine, his eyes gleaming with a possessive affection, as if I were a precious pet cradled in his arms. “Kill him.” His voice was still soft, almost tender, utterly detached from the chilling command he’d just uttered. He shifted his gaze to the man tied to the target post opposite us, his eyes filled with sheer disgust. The man’s eyes, wide with rage and despair, were fixed on us. His mouth was tightly taped shut, allowing only muffled whimpers to escape. “Why?” I asked, my voice flat, my eyes lowered. “Hmm, let me think,” Damien mused, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “His reason for dying. Is it because he betrayed me, or tried to kill you, or… is it simply because… he wanted to take you away?” My hand, gripping the gun, tightened. Did he know? No… that was impossible. This plan was a last-minute decision, even I’d only found out recently. It was just bad luck that Damien had stumbled upon us. How could he possibly know…? Looking at the man before me, tortured beyond recognition, I couldn’t stop trembling. It felt like I was back years ago, witnessing Damien pour scalding hot oil over someone’s face. This man was always ruthless. If he knew that I hadn’t been forcibly taken during the raid, but had actively gone along, looking for an opportunity to escape… my legs would surely be broken. “Let him go,” I said, my voice unnervingly calm. But the hand holding the gun wouldn’t stop trembling, a tremor so slight it was almost imperceptible, yet Damien’s sharp eyes caught it. Even though killing the man would be the safest option for me now, I couldn’t bring myself to murder someone who had done me no wrong. “Alright,” Damien purred. He released my hand, then curled an arm around my waist, pulling me closer. “And my dear… what will you give me in return?” His voice dripped with his usual possessive affection, but a coldness deep within his eyes, like a viper fixated on its prey, went unseen by me, nestled in his embrace. “I won’t leave this place,” I stated. I turned my head, looking directly into his eyes. They were alight with a fierce blend of love, lust, and possessiveness, so intense it seemed to spill out. I knew he must be furious. Ever since I’d tried to break free from him, only to be knocked out and dragged back, I hadn’t stepped outside this mansion. No matter what I tried, nothing worked. I’d even attempted to provoke him, deliberately ignoring him and chatting happily with one of the maids. The result? Damien’s face darkened, and right in front of me, he poured scalding hot oil over the poor woman’s face. He then… He used a leather belt to bind my wrists, then threw me onto the bed. “If you won’t talk to me off the bed,” he snarled, “then we’ll talk *on* it.” He didn’t stop until I passed out. I was bedridden for three days after that. Now, the sight of a belt sends shivers down my spine.

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His innocent white socks, clinging to Noah’s ankles, stirred a mix of purity and raw desire within me. My grip tightened, almost unconsciously. Noah trembled all over. I traced the hollows of his lower back, then subtly twisted my hand, gently bringing him pleasure. *How many rounds does a demon go in a single night?* I retracted my fangs. Not enough… As a modern demon, setting up a makeshift booth on a university campus isn’t all that unusual, is it? I lit the incense, and the lamplight made my crystal ornaments glitter, but I felt no excitement. Not far away, a hesitant figure hovered. I knew exactly who it was. I put on a perfect smile, waiting for him to come consult me about his emotional problems. I wasn’t a hasty hunter. Too much eagerness would only scare off a simple little creature. “Senior… do you have a cigarette?” Noah’s clear eyes were like the purest emeralds. I looked down at his knees, flushed from exercise, and my throat tightened. I felt a sudden thirst. I lit a cigarette for him, and Noah choked a few times. I leaned closer, patting his back to help him recover. Handing Noah a bottle of water, I noticed how small his hands were in comparison. It seemed I could cup both of his in just one of mine. Noah drank the water too quickly. A few clear drops escaped his lips, tracing a path down his Adam’s apple. They continued their descent, dampening his shirt, turning the white fabric translucent. I felt even thirstier. “Senior, you must be tired.” Noah offered the water bottle back to me, and I emptied it in one gulp. Noah’s ears seemed to be turning red. I glanced at the bottle’s rim, then at Noah’s still-damp lips… “Ah, an indirect kiss.”

Noah was a good boy, voted by the girls in his major as the one they’d most want to sleep with. Maybe it wasn’t just girls who thought so. “Smoking is bad for your health. If you know that, why do you still do it?” Noah shrugged. He had no idea how adorable he was. “Maybe because smoking offers a brief reprieve from an insatiable craving,” I said, picking up a cigarette but not lighting it. Noah leaned in, sniffing curiously, then frowned and wrapped it in a tissue. “Senior… do you like someone?” I didn’t answer directly, just chuckled softly and lit an aromatherapy candle. “Always suppressing it, Senior must be in a lot of pain, right?” Noah lowered his head, then picked up a pen and paper from my stall. His slender, articulated fingers wrote beautiful characters on the white paper. The words on the paper were clean and elegant. I leaned my head slightly, reading what he’d written: “The Lost One awakens the Sealed Demon.” Perhaps… I had underestimated Noah.

“That’s not something a good student should be doing,” I said, starting to pack up my stall. “What should a good student be like?” Noah reached out, stopping my movements. I looked up, meeting his resolute gaze. He used the candle to light the piece of paper he’d written on. The flames roared, burning hot in my heart. The firelight reflected in his eyes. In that moment, Noah said, “Senior, let’s date…” I couldn’t refuse. I carefully packed away my tools, then smiled at Noah. “Alright, but first, let’s… hit the gym together.” So I gave Noah the address of my regular gym. Noah looked confused. He didn’t understand what dating had to do with working out. I leaned close to his ear. “With that body, I’d make you *pass out* from pleasure.” “Do you even know how many times a demon goes in a night?”

I was a demon hidden in the human world. A long time ago, I saved a little boy. It was the only good deed this demon had ever done. Time had brought us to this day. I wore a tight-fitting shirt, the lines of my muscles clearly visible even through the fabric. Noah’s steps faltered when he saw me. I pulled his hand. “Don’t worry, it’s just for exercise… nothing more.” He gathered his courage, brushed his hand over my arm, then with a surge of bravery, touched my abs, pulling my shirt up slightly. Across my stomach was a glaring, jagged scar. He tenderly touched the scar, pressing himself against me. My excitement soared. I looked down. Noah’s actions were far from innocent. For a split second, I wanted to grab Noah’s head and pull him down *there*, to use those soft lips to amuse myself… In the end, I just ruffled his hair. *Don’t rush… don’t rush…* My hand lingered in his smooth hair, unwilling to leave. I sensed the wetness. He was crying… “It’s an old wound,” I said. “I know.” Noah lowered his gaze. I suspected his wiped memories were returning. I started setting up the professional equipment, demonstrating a few movements for him. My muscles rippled subtly with each movement, an even more tantalizing sight beneath the black compression shirt. But Noah still seemed preoccupied. It wasn’t until I pulled him onto the exercise equipment. A few dozen minutes later, Noah was completely spent, lying motionless on the machine… His cheeks were flushed, his hair damp with sweat, his breathing uneven and ragged. His eyes, vacant with exhaustion, looked like someone who had just reached climax. “Senior… could you rub me down…” Noah was truly delicate. The moment my hand touched his skin, he began to moan. “Oh… ah…” I knew Noah didn’t mean it that way, but his voice made my wall of reason crumble. I massaged Noah’s thighs, my hand unwilling to leave his skin. Skin hunger? No, how could a demon suffer from such a human ailment? Noah suddenly lowered his voice, but the low groan at the end echoed in the empty room, reaching my keen ears. My hand, moving with a captivating current, kneaded Noah’s leg. I warned him,

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My awful old man was finally dead. As the family’s only son and heir, I was stoked to head home and claim what was mine. But then, the “little daddy” I’d always tormented suddenly locked me up, and even… *tormented* me back. My head felt hazy, the world around me flickering in and out of focus. I lay on the bed, trying to move my limbs, only to find my entire body immobile. A warm, soft hand grazed my forehead, but it wasn’t long before I drifted back to sleep. Before losing consciousness, I thought I heard someone call out, “Madam.” Madam? The first mistress of the mansion, my mother, had passed away sixteen years ago. The only one left who could be called that now was the second person my father brought home six years ago. My father’s partner – Lysander. A tickling sensation spread across the soles of my feet. My instinct was to curl my legs, but then I realized I was still completely unable to move. I struggled to open my eyes, only to see Lysander, a faint smile on his pale face, gazing at me under the dim yellow light. My inner calves were incredibly sensitive. I followed his hand downwards and found it was a man’s doing. “Lysander! What in hell are you doing?!” Lysander, who usually dressed in those soft, almost feminine robes, had completely changed. He was wearing a dark, tailored shirt, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing the same smooth, luminous skin. Facing my fury, Lysander remained utterly unconcerned. The smile on his face was warm yet distant, and the long, white feather he held in his hand showed no sign of stopping its teasing movement. I saw that my perfectly tailored suit had been replaced by a deep blue silk robe. With every stroke of Lysander’s hand, the robe’s long hem had slid all the way up my thighs. My wrists and ankles were cuffed, ropes connecting them, forcing my body open on the bed in a spread-eagle position, leaving me entirely at Lysander’s mercy. “What am I doing, Young Master? Is it really that unclear?” Lysander’s voice was as soft as ever, but his actions were anything but gentle. I could feel my most vulnerable parts being shamelessly kneaded by Lysander, giving me almost no time to resist. The surging desire swept away all my pride and dignity. Lysander swung himself onto the bed, straddling my waist, his legs spread. Through the open slit of his shirt, I could see the defined muscles beneath his dark trousers. “You insolent bastard!” My face flushed crimson with rage, humiliated to the point of nearly blacking out. Yet Lysander remained calm, watching me, until he mockingly stripped off my trousers. Lysander looked at my already pathetic state and finally let out a laugh. “My father and I, we were just two apex predators circling each other. We might snarl, but we never truly went for the kill—a kind of twisted respect among our own kind. I’ve had my eyes on you, Young Master, for a long, long time. Tonight… I intend to enjoy myself to the fullest.” As his words faded, I watched, horrified, as he removed my last line of defense. The iron cuffs on my ankles spread my legs wide, allowing Lysander to easily prepare me, and then, he pushed deep inside. My face went pale with pain. I gritted my teeth and snarled, “I’ll get you, just you wait!” Lysander lifted one of my legs, not pausing for a second at my threat. His laughter mingled with his ragged breaths, filling my ears. “I’m afraid,” Lysander whispered, “you won’t get the chance.”

The chandelier in my vision slowly blurred. I didn’t know when I passed out, but in my dreams, I remembered the first time I met Lysander. As the family’s sole heir, even though my relationship with my father was terrible, we always maintained a basic, polite facade. Yet, on the very night of my mother’s memorial, when that bastard father brazenly—even grandly—brought Lysander home, I lost my temper like never before. “Has my lust blinded me, or something? On a day like this, how dare he bring his paramour home?!” I was consumed by rage, smashing almost everything in sight. I wanted to lay my hands on my father, but the household staff weren’t just for show; they held me back. It ended with me smashing a vase over Lysander’s head, and me being restrained, taking two hard slaps from my father. After that, I never gave Lysander a moment’s peace. It was fine when I was studying abroad and didn’t see him, but whenever we met, I’d inevitably fly into a rage. After several such incidents, my unbearable father finally banished me abroad. But to his surprise, I went into overdrive, finishing my credits early and returning home two years ago. I brazenly insisted on living under the same roof as my father. From then on, I abandoned my old fits of rage and adopted slyer, more insidious tactics. I leveraged the fact that this “little daddy” wouldn’t dare provoke me while my father was weakening. So I became even more reckless. I’d splash him with cold or hot water, make him kneel before my mother’s portrait as ‘family discipline’ when my father wasn’t home, or deliberately cut back his food. I even dragged Lysander to parties, pointing out pretty young women. I remember pretending to be drunk, lifting Lysander’s chin, and challenging him, “How long will this face of mine keep the old man happy? Or rather… what if tonight, I managed to charm some heiress, marry her, and have kids? Where would that leave my standing in this house then?” I watched Lysander slowly raise his eyes. His gaze was filled with a knowing, mocking smile. It mirrored the look from last night. Then, Lysander, dressed in a proper, intellectual-looking shirt, was shamelessly violating me, who was stripped bare and bound. I could hear voices from the other side of the wall, but my mouth was stuffed with fabric, sealed tight with the leather belt he’d taken from my trousers last night.

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Every single day, I’d grab my binoculars and sneak a peek at my neighbor across the street. But lately, nightmares had been haunting me every night. So, I bought a security camera, desperate to find out what was causing them. What I found was totally unexpected: the scorching heat in the middle of the night, the fresh red marks on my neck in the morning, and my swollen lips in the mirror – they all came from *him*! He looked like he’d just stepped out of the shower, towel-drying his damp hair. Through the window, I could make out his sharp, chiseled profile. His honey-toned skin practically glowed in the sunlight streaming through the pane, and the few water droplets still clinging to him stood out like tiny diamonds. My breath hitched, watching him through the binoculars. A blush crept up my ears. I had the binoculars propped on the windowsill, my right eye glued to the eyepiece. To avoid getting caught, I’d even pulled the curtains almost all the way closed. That should keep him from spotting me. After all, who’d ever think that in the shadows, a pair of eyes would be so intensely fixed on him? My gaze greedily swept up and down his body, drinking in his raw, masculine form. Seeing his oblivious expression, the thrill of secretly watching him peaked. My blood felt like it was boiling from the sheer rush, a dizzying pleasure washing over me. *Gulp*. I swallowed hard, my mind replaying the scene I’d just witnessed. After drying his hair, he picked up a bottle of water nearby. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, and the water droplets that had lingered there began to slide. They traced a path down his sculpted collarbone, continued lower, leaving a shimmering wet trail across his perfectly defined abs. My eyes were locked on that single droplet, unmoving. Inside, I was silently cheering, so glad I’d splurged big time on these binoculars just for spying on him. The guy who sold it to me wasn’t kidding! I could see every single move he made across the way. Even… even the tiny water droplets rolling down his skin were crystal clear. After that droplet slid past his abs, it vanished, the view below completely hidden by the towel wrapped around his waist. The disappearing droplet, the still-wet trail – it somehow added a touch of something raw and tempting to his otherwise cool expression. I was a little bummed I couldn’t see more, but honestly, just getting to see Cole’s body like that made these binoculars worth every penny! Thinking this, I lowered the binoculars, rubbed my chin, and mumbled, “Honestly, I never would’ve thought Cole, a doctor, would have a body like that.” Yep, this definitely wasn’t my first time spying on Cole. But it was the first time I’d caught him fresh out of the shower. Before, he was always either glued to his laptop working or lifting weights. It was like his whole world revolved around work and working out. At first, I’d been so nervous watching him. But seeing his routine like that, my daily spying sessions just became a routine, like a daily check-in. Over time, I started feeling like I was Cole’s boss, and spying on him with binoculars was more like I was overseeing him. Just looking at Cole’s chiseled face, his totally bad-boy charm, who would’ve guessed his private life would be so… boring? But after seeing Cole’s body, I felt like all my hard work hadn’t been for nothing! I was practically humming with glee, just about to go back for another admiring look. The moment my eye touched the binoculars, I recoiled like a startled rabbit, then darted away from the window. *Huff, huff.* Pressed against the wall, my heart hammered like a drum. “Huff, huff. That scared me senseless!” “How could he… how could he have looked right at me?” I frowned, replaying the moment in my mind. When I’d pressed my eye to the binoculars, I hadn’t just seen Cole’s tempting body, but his gaze, too – a half-smile in his eyes. That look was aimed directly at me. I was certain I hadn’t imagined it. But then… “If he noticed, why didn’t he report me?” “Maybe… maybe I really did see wrong.” I murmured to myself, and the more I thought about it, the more convinced I became. If he’d caught me spying, I would’ve been reported by Cole and probably locked up by now. I wouldn’t be sitting here, perfectly safe. Perhaps that reason actually convinced me. I cautiously edged along the wall, peeking towards the window. “Where is he?” It had only been a few minutes, but when I looked again, the figure by the window was gone. Even without the binoculars, I could tell if someone that big was there or not. *Knock! Knock! Knock!* Just as I was wondering where he’d gone, the front door knocked. I froze, staring disbelievingly at the sound.

The sudden knocking, combined with Cole disappearing from his window. These two things happening back-to-back made me connect them instantly. I bit my lip, forcing down the surge of unease, and cautiously started walking toward the front door. I’d only taken a few steps when something clicked. I turned back, pulling the curtains completely shut to hide the binoculars near the window. Given my current state, that move probably screamed “guilty as charged.” *Knock! Knock! Knock!* The moment I’d hidden the binoculars, the knocking started again, louder this time. “No, it can’t be Cole. Our houses are a fair distance apart. Even if he saw me, he couldn’t have gotten here so fast.” After a few minutes, my heart, which had been pounding like a drum, slowly returned to normal. My sluggish thoughts started to make sense. Reason finally kicked in, calming my frantic mind. I realized that the person at my door wasn’t Cole. I hurried forward and opened the door. Standing there was a delivery guy in a black T-shirt, looking impatient. His expression softened a bit when he saw me. But after he scanned me up and down, his face turned a little weird. “You were home? Why didn’t anyone answer when I knocked?” “Oh, I’m so sorry! I was just tidying up.” I offered an apologetic smile, taking the package from his hand. Feeling his eyes on me, I silently pulled my sleep shirt up higher, covering the red mark on my neck. I thanked him, closed the door, and went back to my room with the package. I tore open the box; inside was a security camera system. I’d painstakingly picked this one out on Amazon: dual lenses, dual screens, and super long battery life. Setting up the monitor was simple. I had it assembled in no time. But where to put it? That was the tricky part. “Where can I place it to actually capture whoever’s appearing in my room at night?” *Is it really a person?* I thought of the nightmares I’d fallen into every night, the red marks on my neck when I woke up, and what I saw in the mirror. And in those nightmares, the broad hands that had run over my entire body, and the long, thin fingers that had stirred my mouth and tongue. My memories churned, and for a moment, I couldn’t tell if it was just a nightmare, or if it was real. At first, I truly believed it was just a nightmare. After all, the next morning, I hadn’t found anything out of the ordinary.

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