Author: Momo Chan

Gabe’s parents praised his public lover as their future daughter-in-law, and called me their “goddaughter,”. When I questioned the humiliation, Gabe defended them, told me to “learn from Serena.” That was the moment I understood: in this family, my dignity was never worth anything to them. So I wiped the burn, looked him in the eye, and delivered the only line he never saw coming— “If she’s the one you value, then let her be your wife. I’m done.” Before our marriage, I signed a prenuptial confidentiality agreement, agreeing to remain the hidden wife of an Academy Award Winner. If I ever initiated a divorce, I’d walk away with only $18.80 in compensation. For three years of marriage, I’ve watched him flaunt his so-called “Publicity Stunt Pairing” with that colleague. They’ve traveled together, attended events as a couple, and even been photographed entering private hotels arm in arm. Meanwhile, as his “perfect housewife,” I’ve been stuck caring for his bedridden parents and working as his assistant—washing his clothes, cooking his meals, and putting up with his excuses. I didn’t realize how far this charade would go until one night, when his “Shining Star” called, whining about fans begging them to marry. “When are you going to make me your wife?” she pouted. He replied softly, “Don’t worry, darling. I’ll give you the wedding of the century soon. Promise.” The cold wind sweeping in from the balcony carried the sound of Gabe Whitmore’s voice. His words made my body stiffen under the blankets, my throat tightening until I could barely breathe. On the other end of the call, Serena Sterling’s tearful plea was unmistakable. “Gabe, everyone’s looking forward to our wedding. I can’t wait anymore. Please, hurry up and marry me!” Standing on the balcony, his features softened under the dim light as he coaxed her like she was made of glass. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I won’t let you down.” Even in the dead of night, being interrupted didn’t bother him. Talking to his delicate “White Moonlight” seemed to be a labor of love. When Gabe returned to the bedroom, there was still a trace of a smile in his eyes. But the moment he saw me sitting on the edge of the bed, his expression darkened. “Alexis, what are you doing sitting there in the middle of the night? Are you trying to scare me to death?” I swallowed my bitterness and forced a smile. “What about you? How does it feel, sweet-talking your lover at this hour?” “Lover? Don’t be ridiculous,” Gabe snapped, irritation flickering in his eyes. “What I have with Serena is strictly for the fans. Don’t disrespect her with such vile accusations.” The audacity of his response made my voice tremble. “Disrespect? Tell me, Gabe, what respectable ‘colleague couple’ in the industry plans a wedding?” His jaw clenched, and he averted his gaze. “You heard that?” Rubbing the back of his neck, he muttered, “I don’t have a choice. The fans demand it. Serena and I have fans all over the world. If we don’t finish the act, it’d be a slap in the face to her efforts.” “Efforts?” My chest tightened with sharp, numbing pain. My body trembled as though it had a mind of its own. For three years, I had to watch the world treat them as the perfect couple. I had to watch them flaunt their love in front of cameras, smiling, holding hands. All while I, Gabe Whitmore’s real wife, was kept hidden like some dirty little secret. Yet he felt guilty about letting Serena down? What about me? What about the years I spent swallowing my pride and staying silent? “Alexis,” Gabe began, his tone turning righteous, “this is my career. You know that. Just bear with it a little longer, okay? Everything I do is for the job.” He always justified it this way. Every scripted kiss, every public display of affection—it was all “work.” For a long time, I believed him. Until a friend sent me pictures of him and Serena entering a private hotel suite together just two nights ago. Now, his “work” involved planning a wedding so grand it would shock the world. Meanwhile, when we married, there wasn’t even a ceremony. My voice cracked as I struggled to speak. “Gabe, Serena is just a colleague, right? You’re giving her the wedding of the century. What about me? I’m your wife. Did I ever get a wedding?” When we tied the knot, Gabe was still a struggling extra, scraping by on bit parts. His parents were so paranoid I was only marrying him for his money that they treated me with disdain from the start. To ease their fears, I signed that ridiculous confidentiality agreement, even agreeing not to have a wedding. Gabe swore to my parents, “Once I’ve made it big, I’ll give Alexis the wedding she deserves.” But even after he became an Academy Award Winner, he never brought it up again. The one time I hinted that we could have a small ceremony with just family, he waved it off, saying, “Work’s too busy. Maybe later.” But now? Serena’s single phone call was all it took for him to agree. I must’ve seemed unreasonable to him because his tone grew sharp with irritation. “Alexis, I’ve explained this a thousand times. Why can’t you understand? Serena and I are a global sensation. I can’t just walk away.” “Can’t you wait a little longer?” I didn’t answer. The night stretched on, cold and cutting. Looking at the impatience on his face, I suddenly realized how exhausted I was. I didn’t want to wait anymore.

“Alexis, Serena and I have a plan,” Gabe said, his voice coaxing as if he were talking to a child. “We’ll announce a peaceful breakup after the wedding. At most, another year, and I’ll tell the world you’re my wife.” “This is all for us—for our future. Can’t you see that?” The sheer absurdity of his words made me laugh. I was already his wife, in name and in law. But here I was, hidden in the shadows, waiting for my husband to “give” me what was already mine. Meanwhile, for Serena, he made everything easy. When they first began their “Publicity Stunt Pairing,” she was just a rookie actress. The backlash from his fans was immediate, with waves of online harassment aimed at her. So Gabe played the role of the protective boyfriend, suing anyone who dared insult her. At a gala, when reporters pried into their relationship, he didn’t even deny it. Instead, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her in front of the flashing cameras. The room erupted with applause. And me? I was sitting in the audience, watching my husband kiss another woman, disguised as his assistant. He later explained it away as part of the script, something the company had arranged. But the “script” became their lives. Public outings, shared vacations, even private gatherings with friends—they were inseparable. He didn’t even bother bringing me along anymore. Eventually, even our mutual friends believed they were perfect for each other. Tears burned in my eyes, but Gabe brushed them aside with his typical indifference. “Don’t listen to them, Alexis. You’re my wife. What others think doesn’t matter.” Then, as if to prove his devotion, he leaned in to kiss my forehead, gazing at me with those deep, expressive eyes that had fooled me countless times before. But this time, I didn’t budge. “Let’s sleep,” I said, pulling the blanket over my head. I felt him hesitate. Then, he sighed and lay beside me, draping an arm around me. The cold glint of our wedding rings briefly caught the dim light before fading back into darkness. It was only then that I truly realized how far I had fallen.

The next morning, as I was waking up, Gabe Whitmore called. “Don’t let your temper stop you from visiting the nursing home today to look after my parents,” he said bluntly. Gabe prided himself on being a dutiful son. Even though Gerald and Dolores Whitmore were living in the best care facility money could buy, his mantra was, “Children should personally care for their parents.” “Okay,” I replied dully and hung up. Then, like clockwork, I headed to Golden Horizon Care Center. As I stepped into the room with a pot of freshly made chicken soup, Dolores’s voice rang out, giddy with pride. “Oh, Natalie, isn’t Serena just stunning? She’ll be my daughter-in-law soon!” She gestured at the television where Serena Sterling’s face filled the screen. The young nurse, Natalie Parker, lit up with excitement. “They’re really getting married?” “Of course!” Gerald and Dolores replied in unison, beaming. My steps faltered. A sharp pang shot through my chest, but I swallowed the bitterness and spoke softly, “Dad, Mom.” The moment my voice registered, their smiles vanished, replaced by cold indifference. Natalie turned to me, confused. “And this lady who’s here every day is…?” “She’s our goddaughter,” Dolores interrupted without missing a beat. Natalie nodded, her misunderstanding cemented. “Wow, I’m so jealous! You’re so lucky to be part of Gabe’s family. Must be amazing to be his sister!” I forced a stiff smile but felt no joy. When Natalie left, Dolores’s tone turned sharp. “Alexis, must you sneak in here unannounced? Trying to scare us to death?” I held back my frustration. “You looked so happy chatting. I didn’t want to interrupt.” Setting the chicken soup on the table, I said, “I made this for you. Please give it a try.” The moment Gerald lifted the bowl to his nose, he sneered and threw it onto the floor. Scalding liquid splashed onto my hand, making me flinch in pain as tears stung my eyes. “What is this? It tastes awful! Alexis, you can’t even cook properly. What good are you?” Dolores scoffed. “I’ll make it again,” I murmured, suppressing my anger while cleaning the mess. A crushing sense of futility enveloped me. Three years of unyielding devotion felt utterly wasted. After finishing their massages, I prepared to leave but decided to ask one last question, holding onto a sliver of hope. “Did you know? Gabe’s planning a wedding with Serena.” “Really?” Dolores’s face lit up, her excitement matching Gerald’s. “That’s wonderful!” they exclaimed, nearly bursting with joy. I expected the blow, but the ache still seeped into my chest. “But I’m his wife,” I whispered, forcing a smile. Gerald’s face twisted into a sneer. “Don’t push your luck. We never wanted you to marry him in the first place. You’ve been sucking him dry for years. You should know when to let go.” Dolores chimed in, her voice dripping with disdain. “Exactly. Stop clinging to Gabe like some parasite.” Parasite? I shouldn’t have been surprised by their cruelty, but hearing it out loud sent a tremor through my body. For three years, I had never asked Gabe for a dime, nor had he spent anything on me. I paid for my own expenses and cared for his parents selflessly. And yet, this was the label I earned. It hit me then. Gabe’s cold heart wasn’t a fluke—it was inherited. Three years of devotion couldn’t thaw them, nor could it change him. As their scolding and demands to fetch a bedpan continued, I turned on my heel and walked out without a word. Outside, the sun was starting to break through the clouds. I took a deep breath and made a call. “Hello? Do you have time? …I’ve made my decision.”

When I returned home, the living room lights were already on. Gabe was sitting on the couch, radiating anger. Before I could speak, he leaped up and stormed toward me, his voice rising. “What the hell was that, Alexis? I’ve been trying to make peace, and you show up at my parents’ place just to throw a tantrum?” I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity. “I made them soup, Gabe. They didn’t even taste it before throwing it on the floor. They have an entire staff of caregivers, yet they still expect me to clean up after them.” “As your wife, I don’t even rank as high as a housekeeper.” Gabe frowned, exasperated. “They’re old, Alexis. They’re bound to be emotional. They trust you, that’s why they rely on you.” “Trust me?” I spat, disgusted. “They trust you the most. So why don’t you handle your own parents’ bodily fluids?” In three years, Gabe had barely visited the nursing home. His excuse? Work kept him too busy. The truth? He couldn’t stomach the indignity of his parents’ failing health, so he passed the responsibility onto me. And because I loved him, I accepted it. But my sacrifices were taken for granted. “How dare you talk to me like that?” Gabe snarled, his temper boiling over. He slammed the coffee table so hard that the pot of boiling water spilled. The scalding liquid seared my hand, leaving a large, blistering welt. My body trembled from the searing pain. “Maybe now you’ll learn to keep quiet,” Gabe said, satisfaction flickering in his eyes as he loomed closer. “Can’t you learn something from Serena? She’s gentle, understanding. Why can’t you stop picking fights?” Every sentence dripped with Serena’s name. Always Serena. Clenching my jaw, I stood despite the pain and laughed bitterly. “If you love Serena so much, then marry her.” “Alexis!” Gabe’s face turned crimson, his voice shaking with rage. “Say that again, and I’ll divorce you.” This was exactly what I had been waiting for. Meeting his gaze, I responded firmly, “Good. Let’s get a divorce.” For a moment, he froze, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger. “You’re serious?” he asked hoarsely. “Yes.” His reaction grew frantic. “Alexis, are you insane? You know the agreement. If you’re the one to file for divorce, you’ll only get $18.80.” That clause had always been his safety net. It never occurred to him that I might leave. Without hesitation, I pulled out my phone and held up my payment app. “Send me $18.80, and I’ll sign the papers right now. I’ll even throw in a parting gift.” Gabe’s face went ghostly pale. Gabe Whitmore never imagined that AAlexisndra “Alexis” Hawthorne, his once-docile and compliant wife, would one day stand so resolutely on the path to divorce. As he looked into her furious eyes, a strange ache pierced his chest, numbing him. He forced himself to calm down and think.

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I disappeared from Sean Parker’s life without a word, and for five years, he believed I had walked away without a second thought. Five years behind bars, a mother lost, a life broken—I carried it all alone while he assumed I had simply betrayed him. And when I finally returned, seeing him standing beside another woman. The day Sean Parker and I agreed to move to the same city, I never showed up. He must have been furious, unable to understand why I suddenly vanished right after going home to pack. A few days later, I managed to call him. The moment he picked up, his angry voice spilled through the receiver: “Thea Brown, are you really breaking up with me out of nowhere?” I stared at the cold steel bars in front of me and forced myself to say what he needed to hear— “Yeah. I’m leaving the country to enjoy my life.” “Let’s stop contacting each other.” Five years passed. I survived by running a tiny booth in a night-market tourist street. I did manicures, sold small handmade trinkets, and prayed each night I’d make enough to cover rent. When the drizzle started that night, the woman at the stall next to mine packed up fast. “Thea, head home! It’s raining!” I shook my head. I hadn’t made a single sale all day. Leaving now felt like giving up on even the smallest hope. She tried persuading me. “Honey, this isn’t how you make a living. You haven’t eaten all day. Don’t torture yourself.” Before I could respond, two people stopped in front of my booth—a picture-perfect couple. “Hi, how much for a manicure?” the girl asked, her voice light and sweet as she browsed the designs. I lowered my head, wiped the chair clean, and introduced my services with practiced enthusiasm. “Basic designs are fifty, detailed ones a hundred. And I can include a free plush toy—I make them myself.” She didn’t even glance at them. She pointed to a trendy pattern instead. “I’ll take this. And keep the toy. I’m not into unlicensed stuff.” The man beside her opened an umbrella over her, his voice full of affection. “Still getting your nails done in this rain, huh?” I froze. Even after all these years, I would know that voice anywhere. It was Sean Parker. I stole a glance. He looked thinner, sharper somehow—handsomer, even. My heart swayed like a leaf tossed in a storm. I forced my hands steady and gently held the girl’s fingers, beginning the manicure. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sean pull up a chair, holding the umbrella over her without moving an inch. It reminded me of college—how he always tilted the umbrella toward my side whenever it rained. But that warmth no longer belonged to me. He was giving it to someone else now. “Wait, remove this,” the girl suddenly said, pulling her hand back and blowing on it lightly. My thoughts snapped back. “Is something wrong?” I asked quickly. She frowned. “Your hands feel rough. Like touching thorns. How are you even doing manicures with hands like that?” I looked down. My fingers were dry, cracked; years of sewing and hard labor had worn them down. Humiliation burned through me. Sean chuckled softly, ruffled her hair, and reached for his wallet. “Go ahead and take off the polish. Keep the money.” Then he finally looked at me. His expression froze. Anger, disbelief, resentment—all flickering across his face. The girl noticed. “What’s wrong? Do you know her?” He smiled suddenly, coldly. He pulled out several more bills and tossed them onto my table. “No. She just looks pathetic.” “Consider it charity for a beggar. Let’s go.” His words dug straight into my chest. He had recognized me. At my lowest.

But Sean Parker didn’t know—this wasn’t my lowest point. The real hell happened the day I went home to pack. I walked into my house and saw my stepfather pinning my mother to the ground, beating her mercilessly. When he saw me, he didn’t even stop. He hit harder. “You worthless bitch! Just like your daughter! You eat my food, drink my booze, but won’t serve me? I’ll beat you both to death!” My mother’s cries and his curses blurred together until my ears rang. I snapped. I rushed forward, trying to pull him off her, but he threw me across the room with one slap. My mother grabbed his leg, begging him to stop. “She’ll make money someday. Please, stop hitting her.” Mentioning money only enraged him more. He lunged at me, his hand wrapping around my throat. I thought I would die on the floor of my childhood home. Somehow, my fingers found a fruit knife. I stabbed him in the chest before I could think. At twenty, I became a killer. While waiting for sentencing, I made one last call to Sean. He demanded to know why I was treating him so coldly. I wiped my tears, steadied my voice, and lied. “In a few days, I’m going abroad to enjoy life.” “Only an idiot would stay with someone as poor as you.” His voice broke. And then he was gone. I was sentenced to five years for manslaughter. A week later, my mother hanged herself. From that day on, I lost both her and my freedom. I regretted everything—but it was too late. Sean Parker was extraordinary. And I was ruined beyond repair. After prison, no company would hire me. I finally became a food delivery driver, but when they learned about my record, the boss kicked me out. Who would have imagined that a top university graduate wasn’t even qualified to deliver food? So I relied on the small skills I learned in prison, working endlessly just to survive. The money Sean threw at me earlier was nearly a month’s income. But I didn’t want it. That money hurt worse than a slap. That night, I received a call from my college roommate, Claire White—the only friend I kept after prison. “Thea, I invited Sean to my wedding next month. My dad works with him now. It wasn’t my choice.” “But you have to come. We promised each other back in college.” I stared at the money I hadn’t even had the chance to return and said steadily: “It’s fine. I have something to give back to him anyway.” Once I return it, maybe I can finally let go.

Claire’s wedding was held at her father’s hotel. It was my first time back in this city in over five years. Even after six months back in society, crowded places still made my chest tighten. “Thea, don’t be so tense,” Claire said, patting my shoulder. I gave a dry smile, gesturing for her to focus on her duties. Guests began taking their seats. My whole table was filled with college classmates, yet no one recognized me. Then Sean Parker arrived, hand-in-hand with that pretty girl from before, stirring attention before even sitting. “Well, well, looks like Mr. Parker is about to tie the knot soon,” someone whispered. He didn’t hide it. Holding her hand openly, he glanced my way and nodded: “That’s right. When Sophie and I get married, you all have to come toast us.” Sophie. That was her name. I lowered my gaze, wishing I could sink into the floor. I tried to make myself invisible—but Sophie noticed me. “Hey~ Aren’t you the girl who did my nails the other day?” All heads turned toward me. Finally, someone recognized me: “You… Thea Brown? Is that really you?” I nodded slightly, still avoiding eye contact. “That’s really you! How did you end up like this? You were so beautiful… now you look malnourished!” I forced a weak smile. Some of Sean’s friends took cheap shots: “Miss Lin, karma sure caught up with you. We hadn’t heard a peep—thought you died in the pandemic.” I tolerated it. Compared to prison abuse, this was nothing. Besides, it was Claire’s wedding—I wouldn’t let her day be ruined. During the meal, I focused on my food. Sean sneered, serving Sophie while throwing a barb: “Not used to Chinese food after being abroad for so long, Miss Lin?” I finished my last bite numbly, setting down my chopsticks. “Please, enjoy your meal everyone. I have to leave early.” I scanned the table. Full of people, yet no eyes met mine. I left hurriedly, missing the chance to say goodbye to Claire or return Sean’s money. Outside, someone blocked my path. Sean Parker had somehow beaten me there. Without a word, he pulled me into a secluded corner, storm-dark expression in place. “Thea Brown, what’s your game? Didn’t you say you were going abroad to live the good life? Why are you back?” I stared at him, speechless. “They’re right. This is karma for abandoning me.” “Jealous? I’m rich and successful now, with a beautiful, loving girlfriend.” “She won’t leave me. You’re the one who’s been abandoned!” His words hit like an avalanche, crushing the air from my lungs. At that moment, Claire came running, panting: “Sean Parker, what—do you know that Thea—” “Claire!” I cut her off, shoving the money into Sean’s hand and pulling her away. I didn’t want him to know. Better buried inside forever.

That night, Claire called me. “Thea, stop hiding in that little tourist area. Come work at my dad’s hotel.” I felt dazed. “Is that… appropriate? Won’t I cause trouble?” She waved it off. “It’s fine. Just temporary room service. You won’t be in public much, and it pays better than selling plush toys.” I decided to try. On my third day, someone booked the main hall for a birthday. Originally, I had nothing to do with it, but the manager called me to serve drinks. When I reached the hall, I realized—it was Sean Parker’s birthday. I had completely forgotten. College classmates were there, along with his city friends. I searched for Claire, hoping to avoid showing my face. “What are you staring at? I didn’t call you down to gawk!” the supervisor barked, shoving a tray of drinks into my hands. “Main table is waiting—hurry!” I had no choice. Pushed into the crowd, I wandered like a zombie carrying the tray. Then Sophie bumped my arm. The tray wobbled, toppled—glasses shattered, alcohol splashing onto her heels and dress. “Ah! What’s wrong with you? Are you blind?” “I’m… sorry,” I muttered, scrambling to clean the shards. Sophie’s anger flared. “Apologizing won’t fix this! Do you know how much these shoes cost? Clean them properly!” I glanced at Sean—he frowned slightly but remained silent. No intervention. I understood. I crouched, wiping her shoes, all eyes on me. Then came her cold, deliberate laughter. “Ladies and gentlemen, do you know her? Want to know where she’s been all these years?” My mind went blank. She was doing this on purpose. “It’s Thea Brown, right? Shall I tell everyone where she disappeared?” Sophie had investigated me, determined to expose me. The crowd stirred like flies. I looked up, meeting her smug gaze, feeling cornered. No hiding. “No need for your help. I’ll tell everyone myself.” “A few years ago, I accidentally killed someone. I disappeared because I served time in prison.” This honesty wasn’t for anyone else—it was for me. I just wanted a decent life. Sean Parker shot to his feet, eyes blazing. “What did you say?” Sean Parker shot to his feet, staring at me in disbelief, his eyes blazing. “What?!” Everyone looked at each other in shock, whispering amongst themselves. Sean Parker stood frozen in place, staring at me as if trying to absorb me with his gaze.

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I’d just arrived home when two emails bloomed on my laptop screen. One was a pink slip from my company. The other was a job offer from the State Human Resources Department. I planned to deal with them after my shower. But when I stepped out, I heard my husband, Mark, talking excitedly on the phone in the living room. “Get over here, babe! I nailed the state job! And my wife finally got the ax! Talk about a double win!” Less than ten minutes later, Susan, Mark’s assistant, was at our door with a cake. Mark put his arm around her and flipped a bank card onto the table in front of me. “Eleanor, let’s be real. You were aging out anyway. There’s five grand in there. Call it a severance package. You can move out tomorrow.” Susan nuzzled into his side. “Yeah, now that you’re jobless, you can finally be a full-time housewife. Oh, wait. I forgot. I’m the lady of the house now!” I watched their little performance, almost bursting out laughing. Poor Mark. He thought I was the one who got fired.

Mark and Susan lifted the cake box lid together. The sweet smell of buttercream wafted out, with a line of frosting: “Congratulations on Your Promotion, Mark!” Susan cut a slice and offered it to me with a smirk. “You’ll need the sugar. Trust me, your life’s about to get real bitter.” I didn’t take it. I just stared at her. Mark grabbed the cake, took a huge bite, then hauled Susan into his arms. “Don’t mind her. She’s yesterday’s news. Washed up. Doesn’t deserve a taste of our success.” He shot me a look of pure contempt. “I told you, Eleanor. Keep up or get left behind. You chose to get left behind.” He swallowed, puffing out his chest. “But hey, don’t take it too hard. I’m starting at the state house next week. Governor’s office in a few years, mark my words.” “You? A jobless ex-wife is a liability. Dead weight. We’re not even playing the same game anymore.” Susan echoed him from his embrace. “Exactly, Mark’s destined for great things. You’re nowhere near his league.” Mark seemed pleased. He pulled out a document and slapped it on the table in front of me. “The divorce agreement. Sign it.” I picked it up and skimmed through it. The terms were ridiculous. It demanded I move out with nothing but the clothes on my back, and voluntarily sign away all marital assets. Susan peered over. “What are you waiting for? Just sign it! You’ll get five grand if you do. Otherwise, if it goes to court, with the connections he’s about to have, you won’t get a dime.” I put the agreement down and looked at Mark. “This house is in my name. I bought it before we got married.” Mark froze for a second, then scoffed. “In your name? Have you lost your mind? What makes a jobless woman think she can stand against me?” I looked at Mark’s contorted face and leaned back slightly. “I’m not refusing. It’s just… today has been too much. I can’t process this right now. Give me until tomorrow. One night to think.” The ruthlessness on Mark’s face instantly morphed into smug satisfaction. “Fine. I’ll give you one more night.” Then, he lowered his head and kissed Susan passionately, right in front of me. After their kiss, Mark wrapped an arm around Susan’s waist and swaggered towards the door. “Come on, babe, let’s get out of this depressing place. We’ll celebrate at a hotel tonight.” “Okay, Mark. I’ll make it a night to remember.” The door slammed shut, leaving behind the mess they’d made in the living room, and that untouched cake.

At eight the next morning, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Mark. “Are your things packed? Don’t make me come back and throw them out.” His words were filled with impatience. I didn’t reply. I tossed my phone aside and pulled down several large suitcases from the top of the closet. But instead of packing my things, I took out all of Mark’s belongings and stuffed them into two full suitcases. After that, I checked the time, got dressed, grabbed my printed resignation letter, and headed to the company to complete my departure. As soon as I walked into the company lobby on the first floor, I ran right into Mark and Susan. They were arm-in-arm, looking very cozy. Mark immediately spotted the folder in my hand, with the words “Resignation Letter” peeking out. He instantly raised his voice, in front of several colleagues. “Didn’t you get fired? Why are you even bothering with a resignation letter?” A few clueless colleagues started pointing at me and whispering. I could hear their hushed gossip. “So Eleanor got laid off, how pitiful.” “Yeah, I heard her husband got a state government job. The gap between them just got even bigger.” Mark was clearly relishing the attention. He walked up to me, pretending to be magnanimous, and patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry too much. Even if you don’t have a job, I won’t abandon you. Remember to keep that five thousand dollars safe.” I coolly moved aside, avoiding his hand, and walked straight towards the elevator. But my disregard seemed to infuriate him.

Mark shouted from behind me. “Attention, everyone! I’m leaving the company. I’ve accepted a position with the state government. Consider this my first step into public office. My goal? Governor’s mansion within the year!” A ripple of obligatory, sycophantic praise washed over the floor. “Incredible, Mark!” “Don’t forget us when you make it big!” Mark puffed out his chest, basking in the hollow adulation, his smugness practically radiating. I stepped into the elevator, shutting out the farce outside. In the HR office, the manager was incredibly polite, quickly processing all my departure paperwork. “Eleanor, I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.” As I finished up and walked out, I saw Mark swaggering towards the department VP’s office. He didn’t bother to knock. He just pushed the door open and walked in. I stood a short distance away and could clearly see what was happening inside. Mark slammed his resignation letter onto the VP’s desk. He was full of vigor, chin held high. “I’m here to resign.” The VP was looking down at a document, which happened to be the company’s termination notice for Mark. The VP paused, then looked up, a surprised expression on his face. “Mark! Well, congratulations! Don’t worry, I’ll approve your resignation request right away, absolutely no delays!” Mark had no idea that the VP was just happy to save a large severance package. “Thank you, then.” He walked out of the VP’s office, completely satisfied. Then he pulled out his phone, snapped a pic of the office building, and posted it on Ins. “Out with the old! New career chapter unlocked!” Finally, he called my family and friends, telling them he was hosting a celebratory dinner tonight at the city’s most expensive restaurant. “Eleanor, you should come too tonight. See for yourself just how big the gap between us really is.”

That night, I didn’t go to Mark’s celebration dinner. Instead, I stayed home and watched a movie. Around ten o’clock, I heard a key turning in the lock, followed by Mark’s drunken shouts. The door was abruptly shoved open, and Mark and Susan stumbled in, both flushed. Behind them were two movers. “Eleanor! Why aren’t you gone yet?!” Mark yelled, pointing at my nose the moment he stepped inside. Susan fanned the flames. “Exactly, why are you still clinging on here? Mark’s home doesn’t welcome you.” I didn’t say a word. I just picked up the house deed from the table. I opened it to the page with my name, showing it to them. “Look closely. The homeowner is me! The purchase date is before our marriage registration date. This house is my personal pre-marital property and has nothing to do with you. Now, you’re the one who needs to leave.” Susan was the first to react, letting out a shriek. “You’re lying! That’s impossible!” “You manipulative witch! You must have been plotting to steal Mark’s money all along!” I ignored her, handing them a revised divorce agreement. “This is the new agreement. I agree to divorce, with assets divided according to law.” Mark snatched the agreement, tearing it to shreds. “You want me to leave? No way!” He turned to the two bewildered movers and roared, “What are you waiting for?! Get this woman out of here!” The two movers exchanged glances, and one of them awkwardly spoke up. “Sir, the deed clearly shows this lady’s name. This is a domestic dispute, we can’t get involved. It’s illegal.” Mark was furious. “I’ll pay you double!” The two workers shook their heads. “Sir, this isn’t about money.” Mark, seething with anger, yelled, “Fine! Eleanor, just you wait! You can live your whole life in this dump! “I start my job with the state government tomorrow! I’ll have plenty of ways to kick you out after that!” He hurled that threat, then dragged Susan and his suitcases out, slamming the door behind him. The next day, Mark donned a brand-new suit, his hair slicked back. He arrived at the state government building, looking radiant and ready to report for duty. He walked up to the reception desk, flashing a confident smile at the staff. “Hello, I’m Mark, the new hire. I’m here to complete my onboarding.” The receptionist smiled and nodded, picking up a list in front of her. She searched the list for a long time, her brow slowly furrowing. She looked up at Mark with a puzzled expression. “I’m sorry, sir, your name isn’t on our hiring list.” Mark’s confident smile froze. “That’s impossible! Check again, maybe there’s a system error? You must have made a mistake. My name is Mark, I’m the one who got this job.” The receptionist still wore a professional smile, but her tone had a hint of detachment. “I’ve already double-checked, Sir. We have only one new hire onboarding today: Ms. Eleanor.” She said, lifting her chin slightly in my direction. “Well, Ms. Eleanor is over there filling out her forms. Perhaps you’d like to ask her yourself?” Mark turned his head, his gaze landing on me. I was sitting at a nearby desk, filling out my onboarding forms. I looked up and gave him a faint smile. One moment he was full of swagger, the next his face was ashen, his lips trembling. He rushed over to me like a madman, slamming his hands onto the table. “How could it be you?! Weren’t you fired from your company?! This job was mine! It was mine!” His roar drew the attention of everyone in the lobby. I wasn’t intimidated by his outburst. I calmly picked up my phone, unlocked it, and opened my photos. I turned my laptop screen to face him. On it were two emails, side by side. “Look closely.” “Email one: From my HR. To you. Subject: Termination Notice.” My finger tapped the screen. “Email two: From the State HR Department. To me. Subject: Formal Offer of Employment.” “Figure it out yet, Mark?” Mark’s eyes were glued to the phone screen. The color drained from his face at a visible rate, turning to a ghastly gray. He read it once, then again, as if he didn’t recognize the words. Then, he sharply looked up, his eyes bloodshot, glaring at me. “It was you! You stole my job offer! You tampered with it!” He started screaming incoherently. “You faked emails! You sabotaged my political future! You evil woman!” Mark reached out to grab my phone, but I easily dodged him. His emotions completely collapsed. He yelled hysterically in the lobby, like a total lunatic. “Everyone look! This woman has a viper’s heart! She’ll stop at nothing to steal my job!” His wild behavior finally attracted the attention of security. Two uniformed security guards quickly walked over, grabbing Mark’s arms from either side. “Sir, please calm down. Do not disrupt the peace here!” Mark continued to struggle, ceaselessly cursing at me. “Let go of me! Do you know who I am? I’m the one who was hired! She’s the one who pulled a trick! Eleanor! You bitch! I won’t let you get away with this!” The security guards ignored Mark’s shouts, lifted him, and dragged him towards the state government building entrance. Mark’s brand new suit got wrinkled in the struggle, and one of his leather shoes fell off. He was dragged out like a stray dog, utterly pathetic. I watched Mark being dragged away until he disappeared outside the main door. Then, I turned back to the desk. Picked up my pen. And with a hand that didn’t shake, I continued filling out my onboarding paperwork. In the box marked “Marital Status,” I checked “Divorced” without hesitation.

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At the company’s annual gala, my wife’s assistant, Caleb, had a couple of drinks, then suddenly mocked me in front of everyone. “Alex,” he slurred, “Serena told me you last three seconds in bed, is that true?” “Are you sure about that?” I shot back, a cold edge to my voice. “Were you hiding under my bed every night, watching?” I grabbed his collar, warning him not to take his jokes too far. But my wife, Serena, immediately stepped in front of Caleb, smashing a wine bottle over my head. “Caleb was just trying to liven things up with a joke! Do you have to be such a jerk?” I was about to retort when Caleb, feigning hurt, stopped her. “Serena, Alex is the company’s VP. I shouldn’t have joked like that in front of so many people. Please, don’t argue. He’s right to yell at me.” Hearing that, Serena told me to get lost and even threatened to strip me of my VP title. I just laughed. I was curious to see how long she’d last as CEO once she fired me. Blood slowly dripped from my forehead. I never thought Serena would actually lay a hand on me for Caleb. I stayed silent, but she mistook it for submission and continued to scold me. “Alex, it’s a fact you’re short on time, Caleb didn’t say anything wrong!” “He’s just started his career, what if you scare him off?!” “Apologize to him right now, or you can forget about being VP!” Just then, David Davis, our technical lead who’d returned from overseas with me, stepped in to calm her down. He said Caleb was out of line, and that as my wife, she shouldn’t trample on my dignity like that. But no sooner had he finished speaking than Caleb put on a wounded expression. “Serena, he’s right. You and Alex are married; you shouldn’t get angry because of me. I spoke out of turn. After all, in Alex’s eyes, I’m just a nobody. And nobodies shouldn’t speak too much.” At Caleb’s words, Serena’s temper flared even more. “Alex, you just don’t like Caleb, do you? You always bully him. Today, with me here, you won’t get away with it!” David tried to intervene again, but before he could say another word, she demoted him on the spot. “Don’t be afraid, Caleb! With me by your side, no one will dare mess with you!” Caleb nodded meekly, but when his gaze flickered to me, there was a barely perceptible glint of triumph. Watching them, so wrapped up in each other, my heart turned to ice. Caleb had been hired three months ago by Serena, straight out of a lesser-known college. As a supposed technical staff member, he had neither a high-level degree nor any real skills. But Serena claimed he was quick and efficient, diligent in his work, and told me to mentor him well. I tried my best to guide him, but he was always dismissive of me, and constantly ran to her with complaints, saying I was deliberately making things difficult for him. Each time, Serena would bring him back and lecture me. I thought Serena was just trying to build up new talent. But it wasn’t until I walked past Serena’s office one day and found Caleb sitting on her lap that I understood what was really going on. I still remember their conversation. “Serena, you’re so beautiful and you run a whole company—that’s amazing! Not like me, I’m useless.” “Oh, my sweet Caleb, your words are so charming. Just keep me happy, and I promise you promotions and raises.” “Hehe, I’ll definitely make you happy, unlike that old geezer.” Then, Serena actually let Caleb put his hand inside her clothes. When things got heated, they started kissing. When I pushed the door open, Serena claimed she was just explaining company matters to Caleb. She even accused me of having sleazy thoughts and being jealous of Caleb’s youth and good looks. After that, Serena bought Caleb countless gifts. When I confronted her, she said she was merely encouraging new talent and that I was being unreasonable. But she had forgotten that when she started her company, I had staunchly supported her, even turning down high-paying offers from major corporations. To help her succeed, I even gave her the advanced technology I’d brought back from overseas and specially brought in several core technical personnel to keep operations running smoothly. Without that technical support and my business development efforts, the entire company would have struggled to survive. Now, she was humiliating me in front of the entire company for a college graduate, and even demoting me! David looked at me, his face etched with worry. “Alex, she’s really…” 2. I signaled him to stay calm, then glared coldly at Serena. “David is a key member of this company. If he hadn’t overseen the tech department these past few years, the company would have collapsed long ago. Is this how you treat your long-term employees?!” I thought that once she heard about David’s importance to the company, Serena, no matter how arrogant, would at least reconsider. But to my surprise, she snorted with contempt. “Alex, you have the nerve to talk! The company’s technology has long been mature. If you hadn’t hyped them up all these years, why would I have paid them such high salaries?!” “And on the year-end financial report, I found you secretly gave them raises!” “They don’t even work, and you give them raises? I think you’re abusing your power for personal favors!” I retorted, my voice icy. “Serena, Caleb, a new hire who knows nothing, gets the same salary as everyone else. Why can’t I give raises to long-term employees?” “These past years, the company’s technical operations have depended entirely on them. They’ve earned it!” No sooner had I finished speaking than Serena told Caleb to take out his phone. Caleb showed me a photo of a few tech staff members dozing off during work. He whispered in a barely audible voice, “Alex, I saw this while I was working. Serena has been so good to me, I can’t just stand by and watch employees slack off while she pays them for nothing.” That rat, he was lying! Serena’s voice turned sharp. “Alex, since you claim they’ve contributed so much, what about sleeping during work hours? How do you explain that?!” My anger flared. She never said a word when they were working overtime to update technology, but she’s quick to point fingers when they’re exhausted and catch a few minutes of sleep! I was about to object, but Serena walked forward and suddenly announced to everyone: “I’m cutting everyone in the tech department’s salary by half! If anyone doesn’t like it, they can get out!” At her words, the guys I’d brought back with me immediately stood up. With their skills, they could easily command better salaries elsewhere. If it weren’t for me, they probably would have quit on the spot. Serena was truly ungrateful! I raged, “Serena, are you really trying to ruin this company?” Serena sneered, “Don’t act like the company can’t function without them! I don’t believe a company this size depends on just a handful of people!” “Fine, Serena, you said it. Since you treat my guys like this, I have no reason to stay in this VP position any longer!” “You think you’re so important? The company will run just fine without you!” At her words, someone from the sales department immediately stood up. “Ms. Hayes, your decision isn’t reasonable. These past few years, whenever we had issues on business trips, it was thanks to the tech department helping solve problems. Without them, the company’s sales wouldn’t be this high. Plus, some of our most crucial clients, the ones vital to the company’s economic lifeline, were brought in by Alex. To cause such a fuss with him over a junior employee who just graduated is really…” But hearing this, Caleb, standing beside Serena, immediately started crying, looking wronged. “Serena, he’s right. I’m just a junior employee, a burden to the company. Please don’t argue with everyone because of me. I’ll just resign now. I won’t disrupt the company’s normal operations.” With that, Caleb made to leave, but Serena grabbed him. Then she shot a cold glance at the sales colleague. “If you can’t even close clients, what’s the point of having you in the sales department? Low sales numbers prove your incompetence!” 3. “If you think you can’t do without them, then you can leave too! My company doesn’t need fools!” Hearing that, Mark sighed and sat down. Then, Serena looked at me with a sneer. “What, aren’t you going to leave with them? Why are you still standing here? Can’t bear to?” I stared at her coldly and said to David beside me, “David, I once told you guys I wanted to start our own company. I thought it would be the same here, but it seems I was wrong.” David shook his head. “Alex, don’t say that. We chose to come with you back then, and this isn’t your fault.” I nodded. “Do you remember the company we registered when we first came back? A client in a nearby city has a contract expiring soon; we can bring them over.” David froze for a moment, then his face lit up with excitement as he realized what I meant. “I remember! The guys have been looking forward to it for a long time. I’ll tell them right away!” Hearing this, Serena looked disdainful. “You think starting a company is that easy?” “Are you just spouting nonsense to save face after being humiliated here? It’s hilarious.” I calmly looked at her. “You’ll soon find out if I’m just putting up a front.” But she was dismissive. “Well, I’m eagerly anticipating it. But we should sign an agreement, just in case you go bankrupt and drag me down with you.” I looked at her calmly. “Exactly my intention.” Soon, the agreement was signed. It stated that if the company encountered any problems, each party would bear their own responsibility. The last clause was simple: may the best one prevail. At that, she shot us a disgusted look. “Alright, take your people and get out of here.” I gave her a cold glance. “Serena, you will regret this.” Then, I led out the few people who had trusted me and returned with me. Back then, my guys trusted me and agreed to come back to the country with me to build our own brand. Serena and I weren’t married yet; she was a powerhouse. When she heard we were starting a company, I even told everyone that it would be the same at her company. Because they trusted me, they had worked hard to build up the company all these years. But every time I wanted to give them a raise, Serena was reluctant. I had hoped that by landing bigger clients and generating more profit for the company, I could make Serena speechless. But in the end, she broke their hearts for a graduate from a lesser-known college! After leaving the hotel, I immediately contacted clients whose contracts were about to be renewed, as well as those whose contracts were about to expire. Upon hearing that I was starting my own company, they all expressed their support. “Alex, you finally came to your senses! Before, if it weren’t for you, we would have stopped collaborating long ago.” “Exactly! The products always had issues; we suspected they were cutting corners. Years ago, you helped me solve a huge problem, and I didn’t even plan to mention it to you. Now it’s great, with you as the CEO, I can finally relax.”

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I never went easy on my billionaire husband’s lovers. One woman was cheating with him in his car, so I drove my own car and broke her leg. Another woman had dinner with him, so I made her chug an entire bottle of chili sauce. And anyone who dared to send me bedroom photos? I made sure every media outlet in the city ran that photo on a loop for twenty-four hours. This time, Baron Thorne was infatuated with a hotel intern. She looked like a startled little bunny, hiding behind him in a white dress. Baron said, right in front of her and me, “She gave me her first time. I’m going to give her the most spectacular wedding.” My hand was in my pocket, clutching that cancer diagnosis report so tightly I nearly crushed it. I looked at him, then at the girl, and finally, I simply nodded. This time, I said calmly, “Fine. Marry her.” Baron looked at me, the smile in his eyes instantly twisting into suspicion. “What game are you playing now?” He took a step forward, lowering his voice. “I’m warning you, Emily Davis is timid. If you dare lay a hand on her, I’ll immediately cut off Lily’s medical expenses.” For years, we’d been at each other’s throats, but he’d never threatened my family. That was our unspoken boundary. My body stiffened. Now, for Emily, he had personally torn that line apart. It felt like a blunt object had slammed hard into my chest, a dull, aching pain. I lowered my head, forcing a slight smile. “Do whatever you want.” “I’m tired lately. I just want some peace and quiet.” Back in the day, Baron and I were known as the craziest couple in the city’s elite circles. He constantly sought out all kinds of lovers. And I constantly fought with every single one of them. I never gave up, perhaps clinging to a ridiculous hope that one day he’d get tired, get bored, and maybe he’d come back to me. But the diagnosis report in my pocket reminded me that, in the end, I was the one who was defeated first. I had to go to the hospital, to start a long and unwinnable battle for my life. Five years of marriage, and all we had left were fights, tearing each other apart, and countless scandalous headlines. Nothing else. He hadn’t even noticed how much I had wasted away. I returned to the hillside mansion where I lived alone. The cold wind swept in, and I shivered involuntarily. Only after turning on the heating did I start to feel my body warm up. In the mirror, my hair was already thinning, and I looked like a thin sheet of paper. I remembered earlier, when Baron put his arm around Emily and left, he glanced back at me. “Stop trying to lose weight. You’re so skinny, even if you stripped naked and lay in front of me, I wouldn’t react.” Night fell. I sat alone on the sofa, memories of these past years rushing over me like a tide. Four years ago, I broke the leg of his first mistress. He cradled the girl, his eyes ice-cold. “Rose, you married me. You’ll be nothing but a permanent fixture in the background of my life. Do you think this will make me look at you more?” “No. It’ll just make me sick of you.” I even tried cooking for him. My hands were covered in blisters from learning to make soup, only for his mistress to spill the entire bowl onto my feet. He stood by, laughing, praising her for doing it beautifully. I once changed into sexy lingerie, but he just glanced at me, mocking. “If you don’t have the assets, don’t bother trying. Put some clothes on, you’ll catch a cold.” He paused, then added, “If you’re really that desperate, buy a toy.” I threw away all those gentle dresses and kitchen utensils. Between Baron and me, all that was left was a string pulled tighter and tighter, and one mutual destruction after another. The doorbell rang. I opened the door. Emily stood outside, wringing her hands. I frowned. “Something wrong?” Her face flushed crimson, her voice barely a whisper. “Mr. Thorne… Mr. Thorne said there’s a box of unopened… con-condoms here… and he told me to come get them.” I laughed out loud. “Is this his way of reminding me not to touch what’s his?” I looked at her. “Don’t worry. I’ll definitely bless your wedding. The grander, the better.” She bit her lip, then suddenly looked up. “Mrs. Thorne… Mr. Thorne has been having severe stomach pains lately. Can’t you… stop antagonizing him?” I stared at her quietly, suddenly finding it absurd. “Emily,” I said slowly. “I remember Baron can drink anyone under the table. You know best how you ended up in his room that night.” “I’ll say it again, do whatever you want. I’m tired.” “Stop putting on a show for me.” Closing the door, I called my best friend. “Stella,” My voice was calm. “Help me draft a divorce agreement. And contact a good oncology hospital, fast.”

The next day, I went to the hospital Stella arranged. Dr. Alex Carter, the attending physician, was her friend. He carefully reviewed my reports, his brows furrowed. “Why did you drag this on for so long? Have you been in a bad mood these past few years?” My phone suddenly vibrated wildly. It was Baron. I took a deep breath and answered. His furious voice almost burst my eardrum. “Rose, where are you? Get your butt to the company right now!” I hung up directly, letting the phone continue to vibrate in my bag. As I left the hospital, Dr. Carter’s words still echoed in my ears. “The situation is very dangerous. You must be hospitalized immediately. Right now… there’s only a three percent chance.” The sunlight was blinding. I raised a hand to shield my eyes, but my eyes still stung with unshed tears. Suddenly, a hand harshly gripped my arm. “Rose!” I looked up and saw Baron’s ashen face. Emily stood beside him, her eyes red, as if she’d just been crying. I pulled my hand away. “What do you want?” Baron stared at me, his gaze fixed. “What are you doing at the hospital?” Emily suddenly sobbed. “Mr. Thorne… Rose cursed me out on the phone earlier. She called me trash, a gold-digging slut…” She glanced at me timidly. “Is she… is she deliberately hiding at the hospital to play the victim card, so you won’t confront her…?” I frowned deeply. “Emily, what nonsense are you talking about?” Only then did I notice the distinct, frighteningly red and swollen slap mark on Emily’s face. Baron’s voice was as cold as ice. “Apologize to Emily.” I stood my ground. “I didn’t say those things.” He picked up his phone and gave an order to someone on the other end. “Cancel the medical team we arranged before.” My breath caught in my throat. That was Lily’s hope for survival. My fingernails dug deep into my palms. I looked at Emily, my voice dry. “I’m sorry.” Emily’s tears fell even harder. “I’m not trash… My family may be poor, but I have dignity. If there’s no place for me here, I can leave…” Baron’s eyes suddenly darkened. “That’s not enough.” He turned to me, enunciating each word. “Rose, get on your knees and apologize.” My blood rushed to my head, my fists clenched tight. Emily gently pulled his sleeve. “Don’t… She sees me as trash, I can’t bear that.” Baron’s gaze was fixed on my face as he slowly spoke. “The medical team…” I suddenly remembered what Baron had said to me right after we got married. His tone back then was flat, like he was discussing a business deal. “Rose, you are the wife my parents picked. I don’t like being dictated to, but I will take responsibility for your only family member. That’s the only promise I can give you.” But now, that promise had become the sharpest knife in his hand, stabbing directly at me. Emily’s sobs grew more fragmented, as if she might faint at any moment. Baron’s eyes darkened, and he suddenly raised his foot, kicking my shinbone hard. Already weak, that kick completely threw me off balance. I fell heavily to the ground, my face scraping against the rough concrete. My nose stung, and warm blood gushed out. Emily gasped. “Oh my god! She’s bleeding!” Baron’s mocking voice came from above. “What could possibly happen to her? She used to break my fingers when we fought.” He looked down at me. “Alright, Rose, stop pretending.” With that, he put his arm around Emily and walked away. I lay on the ground, blood and tears mixing together. Using all my strength, I pushed myself up. My phone suddenly rang. I painstakingly answered it. “Rose! Something’s happened!” The voice on the other end was on the verge of collapse. “The oxygen tube was unplugged! Lily… she’s stopped breathing!” The world instantly fell silent.

When I rushed to the hospital, Stella’s eyes were already swollen from crying. “I just came to see her… The oxygen tube was on the floor… She was already gone.” I slumped onto the bench in the hallway, my nails digging hard into my chest. It was me! It was all my fault! If it wasn’t for me, if I hadn’t insisted on fighting Baron… My entire body trembled uncontrollably. Baron, why did you do this? Initially, when he knew Lily was seriously ill, even though he didn’t love me, he used his connections to find a top medical team. Lily needed a rare medication, and he made countless overseas calls, arranging for it to be air-shipped overnight. But later, the women by his side changed one after another. And I refused to back down, fighting him to the very end. But now… I chose a quiet cemetery for Lily. “I’m useless, it’s all my fault,” I caressed the cold tombstone. “Wait for me, Lily. I’ll be with you soon.” Suddenly, a low thunderclap echoed in the sky, and rain poured down. Rainwater lashed down on my face, making it impossible to distinguish between rain and tears. A faint sound came from behind me. I wiped my face and turned around. Emily stood not far away, her white dress soaked with rain. On that always timid face, there was now a hint of a triumphant smile. I stumbled forward, using all my strength to slap her across the face. But she just smiled wider, even raising a hand to touch her swollen cheek. “Rose,” Her voice was exceptionally clear in the rain. “You, right now, look like a homeless stray dog.” I stared at her, hatred almost overflowing. “What else do you want? I’ll give you Baron, I’ll divorce him right away, is that enough?” She chuckled softly. “I want more than just that. Mrs. Thorne’s position, all of Baron’s love, I want it all.” I suddenly found it incredibly absurd. “Emily, you’re too naive. I’ve seen too many girls like you over the years. When he gets tired of you, your fate won’t be any better than mine.” “Shut up!” Her face instantly changed, and she shrieked, pointing at me. “Just you wait!” She turned and hurried away, her white dress disappearing into the rain. I sat by Lily’s grave until dusk. In the evening, I returned to the mansion, quickly packed a few clothes, and prepared to go to the hospital. Just as I was about to leave, the front door was violently flung open. Baron stood in the doorway, his face terrifyingly grim. “Rose.” He practically spat my name through clenched teeth. “You have some nerve.” He walked closer, step by step, his eyes swirling with rage. “You actually dared to have someone break Emily’s leg!” I froze in place. “…What?” “Still pretending!” He sneered. “Emily said she only saw you today. Then her leg was broken.” He opened his phone, and Emily’s weak, pitiful voice came through. “Mr. Thorne… Don’t blame Rose… She just loves you too much, that’s why she hates me and wants to ruin me…” I shouted into the phone. “Emily! Why are you lying?!” Her sobs grew even more heart-wrenching and broken. Baron cut the call, his eyes icy. “Emily is soft-hearted and told me not to pursue it.” He paused, his voice growing deeper. “But there’s no way I’m letting you off.” “Just be a proper Mrs. Thorne, and stop your little schemes. Maybe then there’s still room for discussion.” I looked at him quietly, remembering Lily’s lifeless face. Everything suddenly felt as absurd as a nightmare I couldn’t wake from. All these years, fighting with him, battling those women, it was all actually because… I loved him. Loved him from the moment I first saw him. I had desperately tried to do everything right, but he never even noticed. It wasn’t until I started to resist, until I fought with his lovers, tearing each other apart, that he would finally look at me properly, finally get angry at me. I thought, fine, at least he sees me. But now, that last shred of obsession, with Lily’s death, had completely extinguished. Baron brutally dragged me to the road outside the mansion. The next second, a car sped straight towards me! “Bang—!” Excruciating pain erupted from my knee. I clearly heard the sound of bones shattering. My vision went black, and I lost consciousness.

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A year after I was confirmed to be the fake heiress. My friends all said I’d changed. I was no longer arrogant or extravagant, no longer desperately chasing after a moment of genuine attention from my mom and dad, nor was I trying to win Barry’s love. The harsh reality of my financial struggles wore me out, and it taught me that love was the most useless thing in the world. I became what they wanted—passive and no longer battling for anything. When Barry brought the real heiress home again later, I just quietly went to the guest room, quietly waiting to surrender everything to the real heiress. But everyone who wanted me to be compliant was furious, asking why I wasn’t making a scene anymore. It was dawn when Barry brought the real heiress home again. I didn’t make a scene. I just forced myself out of bed, exhausted, and quietly went to the guest room. As I walked past Scarlett, she sweetly tugged on my hand. “Aria, you’ve misunderstood me.” “I just came to get the necklace I left behind last time; I’m not trying to steal Barry from you…” Barry frowned, about to scold me for being dramatic and possessive, just like he used to. But I cut him off, speaking calmly. “I know. I only married him because I took your place. He… was always meant for you.” Honestly, I’d come to terms with it long ago. Arranged marriages among the elite were never about personal feelings, but about family background. When my identity as a fake heiress was exposed, Barry had immediately suggested divorce. I’d cried and screamed, starved myself and threatened to end it all, just to cling to the title of Mrs. Miller. But what was the point? My mom and dad had already taken back everything they’d given me, and the Miller family wasn’t going to give me a dime either. I held a fancy title but was financially ruined, utterly destitute. Scarlett probably hadn’t expected me to say that; she blinked, stunned for two seconds before replying. “Oh, good, I’m glad. I was worried you’d be upset about me starting as Barry’s personal assistant at his company.” She knew my sensitive spot. She knew I hated her getting close to him the most. I clearly caught the triumphant glint in her eyes, but I just nodded calmly. “That’s perfectly fine. Once you’ve gotten some experience, you can take over the whole group.” “Mr. Hayes… your dad will be thrilled.” I brushed her hand away. “Sorry, I’m a bit tired after delivering food all day.” “I’m going to lie down for a bit. You two carry on.” The guest room door slowly closed, and I wearily shut my eyes. A cold, hollow ache settled in my chest, like a draft from a broken window in winter, slowly freezing me from the inside. Just as I was drifting off to sleep, I suddenly heard the guest room door violently kicked open. Barry stood by my bed, his face dark. He asked me, “What game are you playing now?”

What game could I be playing? This past year, major companies had blacklisted me everywhere. I ended up delivering packages, doing food delivery, and even live-streaming. The spirit of a princess was long gone. Now, I was a hedgehog stripped of its quills, yet he still feared I might prick someone. He, uncharacteristically, started explaining. “Scarlett felt dizzy last time, so I let her rest on the bed. The necklace must have fallen off then.” “Her being my personal assistant was Mr. Hayes’s arrangement, to have her learn from me. Don’t overthink it.” I kept my eyes closed and murmured a soft, “Mmm.” He stood by the bed, silent. After a long while, I thought he’d left, but then I heard his voice again. “My dad’s birthday is coming up. The party is the day after tomorrow.” “You’d better not make things difficult for Scarlett there, or you won’t even have the title of Mrs. Miller anymore.” I sighed lightly, my mind racing to calculate how many deliveries I’d need to make tomorrow to afford a gift. Utterly exhausted, I managed only a few words. “Mmm, got it.” I scraped together enough money at the last minute before the store closed and rushed in to buy a gift. By the time I arrived at the hotel, I noticed everyone’s expressions were grim. Scarlett was the first to laugh out loud. “Aria, how could you come to a party dressed in your delivery uniform? So many people are here today; at least give Barry some face.” I looked down, realizing in my hurry, I’d forgotten to change. The uniform felt like a stinging slap across my face. I extended my chapped, red hands from the cold and gently placed the gift on the table. “Dad, I’m sorry. I had something… I’m late.” “This is just a small token of my affection. I wish you good health and many more happy years.” Mr. Miller’s expression didn’t soften one bit. Mrs. Miller picked up my gift, opened the box, glanced inside, and then casually tossed it to the ground with a dismissive flick. “If you truly wished him a happy birthday, you’d agree to divorce Barry.” “How dare you bring such a cheap gift? It’s so tacky, truly an embarrassment to the Miller name.” “Sigh.” Her soft sigh felt like a heavy stone dropped into the quiet pond of my heart. My dad lifted his head, indignant. “She’s not our biological child after all; you can’t change that inherent low-class nature.” “When my wife was giving birth at the hospital, there was a mix-up. My poor Scarlett struggled out in the cold for twenty-five years before coming home… but by then, Barry had already married someone else…” My mom couldn’t help but wipe away tears. “And the worst part is, this wretched girl, who stole another’s life, still shows no remorse!” I looked up, seeing the parents who once doted on me now despise me to no end, seeing the scorn on Barry’s parents’ faces. It was all so utterly pointless. The chilblains on my hands were getting itchier, and I lowered my gaze. I desperately wanted to tell them how I’d spent every minute from dawn till dusk making deliveries for this gift, how I’d almost fallen off my e-scooter multiple times from speeding. But in the end, I just opened my mouth, chose silence, and turned to leave. I forced myself to walk for a long time before Barry’s voice drifted from behind me. “Dad, actually, that vintage fountain pen… it’s quite nice.”

I didn’t know why Barry spoke up for me. Was it because my public humiliation would also be an embarrassment to the Miller family? In that moment, a strange, hopeful itch began to bloom in my chest. I slowed my steps, ears perked, listening as my father-in-law said, “Take it away.” Then came a crisp sound, like the pen hitting the floor, but it felt like my own heart had fallen to the ground. That night, I rode my e-scooter, tearing down the street. The biting wind felt like a thousand tiny blades against my skin, whipping my tears in every direction. I realized then, a person could truly die, silently, from the inside out. When I finally got home, all my emotions stripped away, Barry was already there. I tiptoed into the house, and Scarlett suddenly peeked out from an inner room. “Aria, you’re back?” “I thought you probably hadn’t eaten after running off like that, so I took the liberty of packing you some leftovers.” She suddenly covered her mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry, Aria. I forgot you never eat leftovers. Unlike me… I was abducted and forced to live in poverty, starving most days, sleeping rough, and constantly facing abuse. Back then, I would have been so happy to have even a bite of leftovers…” Her words were always laced with venom. Stinging me, reminding me that I had stolen twenty-five years of her fairy-tale life, and for that, I deserved to die. I used to jump to argue with her, to insist that I was innocent too. To argue that even if I wasn’t my parents’ biological daughter, we’d still lived together for over twenty years, and they loved me just the same. But those were always just my thoughts. They didn’t love me. Barry’s parents didn’t love me. Barry didn’t love me either. I stood in the hallway and politely thanked her. “It’s a shame to throw away perfectly good food.” “Just put it in the fridge; I can heat it up and eat it tomorrow.” Scarlett froze, her mouth agape, so surprised she forgot to even blink. I turned and went back to the guest room, taking out cotton swabs and alcohol from a drawer, then carefully rolling up my pant leg. The raw, gaping wound was still oozing blood with the slightest touch. Barry walked in at that very moment. I thought he was coming to question me, so I spoke without thinking. “Sorry, I forgot to change my clothes today.” But he, contrary to his usual self, took the cotton swabs from my hand and personally began to clean my wound. I was stunned. I used to practically beg for a moment of his attention. But now, my leg muscles tensed, and I felt a strange unease spread through me. “Does it hurt?” I blinked, about to shake my head. But he answered himself. “It must. You used to throw a fit over the smallest paper cut.” I didn’t understand what was going on with him. He looked at me. “I had some drinks today, and Scarlett drove me home.” “There’s nothing going on between us.” I pulled down my pant leg and nodded casually. “She’s your assistant at work. It’s normal to have more contact; it’s all part of the job.” His gaze at me began to grow complex. I found it hard to decipher the emotions mixed within it, and I no longer had the energy to try. He watched me for a long time, then finally pulled a black credit card from his pocket and placed it on my nightstand. “Don’t do those menial jobs anymore.” “I’ll transfer your monthly living allowance to this card from now on.” “And stop eating leftovers. I’ll make you some food.”

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My secret crush, Julian, knew exactly what to say. He claimed the SATs were stressing him out and my body would “inspire” him. And just like that, I was his casual hookup for a year. When I asked him when we’d go public, he’d always say. “Why mess with a good thing? I’m not into labels, I like my freedom.” So I waited. Just like an idiot. On the day the popular Serena confessed her feelings to him, Julian asked to meet me. “Help me pick out some flowers. They’re for Serena. She’ll probably like your taste.” That’s when I knew. I was the only one who felt like a “label” to him. Serena never did. Julian couldn’t hide the smile on his face when Serena came up. I’d known him for years, but I’d never seen him look like that before. I mumbled a reply, terrified that if I said too much, he’d hear my voice shake. “Aurora,”he said, his tone deliberately loud and mocking. “You’re not about to cry, are you?” My hands trembled, clutching the hem of my shirt. He knew me too well. He could read every emotion from the slightest flicker in my eyes. I couldn’t lie to him. But for once, I had to try. “Just stressed. Tired.” I managed. “Perfect. Come to the flower shop with me then. Think of it as relaxing.” Relaxing. My heart gave a little flutter at the word. He always used it as an excuse to get me into bed with him. His voice held an undeniable pleasure. “You’re both girls. Whatever you pick, Serena’s bound to love it.” Serena was the most popular girl in our class-gorgeous, with a long line of guys after her. But I never knew Julian was interested in her, too. So what was I, then? A joke? “Julian, what about me?” I bit my lip, unable to stop myself from asking. He fell silent for a few seconds, his face darkening. When he spoke, his expression was serious. “Aurora, don’t tell me you took this seriously. You’re my friend, we grew up together. Sex is just about mutual needs, isn’t it?” His tone was calm, but every word felt like a stab to the heart. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his smile mischievous. “You’ve lived with my family for so many years, everyone sees you like my little sister. If we actually dated, people would definitely talk. It would be weird.” His words were like a bucket of ice water, chilling me to the bone. I stared at the ground, determined not to let my tears fall. “Oh, I just remembered, I made plans to see a movie with a friend. I can’t go pick out flowers with you.” With that, I hurried away.

I thought Julian saw me as his girlfriend. We rode Ferris wheels together, watched sunsets together. He took me to Norway to see the Northern Lights. He’d kiss me deeply as the sun rose, whispering romantic vows. Julian called me his sister. But every time he took me out for an overnight stay, in the heat of the moment, he’d call me “baby.” Turns out, in Julian’s eyes, it was all just a game. And I was the only one who fell for it, from beginning to end. The ringing phone shattered my thoughts. “Aurora, have you been crying?”Aunt Caroline heard the strangeness in my voice. I snapped out of my memories instantly. My reflection in the mirror showed a face streaked with tears. I quickly wiped them away. “Just stressed lately, and caught a bit of a cold.” She finally sighed in relief. “Remember to take your medicine. If you really feel unwell, have Julian take you to the doctor.” I nodded along to everything she said. Mentioning Julian, Aunt Caroline seemed to remember something. “Oh, Aurora, did you tell him you’re moving abroad after your exams next month? This time, he won’t try to stop you again, will he?” The year my parents died, Aunt Caroline planned to take me abroad. But Julian held onto my sleeve, begging me to stay. He promised his house had plenty of room, that his home would be my home, and he’d be my family. His words moved me, and I turned down Aunt Caroline. Now, considering my future, Aunt Caroline had invited me to move abroad and live with her again. I had planned to tell Julian about it today. I’d even written a whole page of heartfelt notes a week ago, ready to give him. “Don’t worry, Aunt Caroline, we’re all grown up now. We won’t be as impulsive as we were as kids.” “What about you, though, Aurora? Will you miss him?” Every time I talked to Aunt Caroline, Julian would always come up somehow. She knew my teenage crush was painfully obvious. Aunt Caroline had been living abroad for many years, and our relatives had mostly kept their distance from me, an orphan. This time, when I left, I probably wouldn’t be coming back. The thought that time would heal everything brought a sense of peace. “I’ve already contacted a famous painter in Europe. Besides my studies, I’ll have plenty of time to spend with you.”

After school, Chloe suddenly gasped. “Aurora, check the university’s online forum!” Before I could react, the content on her phone was right in front of my eyes. In the video, Julian was holding a bouquet, kneeling on one knee. “How could I let a girl propose? Serena, will you be my girlfriend?” He looked nervous and shy, drawing screams from the surrounding crowd, who praised him for being romantic and charming. But just last night, he’d used dinner as an excuse to meet me, kissing me deeply against the hotel door. He’d also promised to buy me flowers. Now it was clear, all of that was just empty promises made after his physical desires were satisfied. “Ugh, I honestly thought Julian liked you, you know?” Chloe dragged her chair next to mine, a look of pity on her face. “He always called you whenever he went out, and he’d get you gifts for holidays and your birthday. Now you’re telling me you two aren’t a couple?” I forced a smile, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. My fingernails dug hard into my palms. Maybe if my body hurt, my heart wouldn’t ache so much. That evening, after dinner at a restaurant, I ran into Julian and Serena. I instinctively lowered my head, wanting to get away from them quickly. “Aurora, what’s the rush?”Julian grabbed the collar of my shirt, pulling me back. “Why didn’t you reply to my SnapChat message this afternoon? I was just about to look for you.” He looked especially handsome today, every strand of hair perfectly in place. Our eyes met, and he saw the humiliated tears in mine. Julian froze. Once, a guy from the next class asked me out, and I didn’t know how to respond. Julian had just returned from playing basketball. Seeing the scene, he casually draped his arm around my neck and pinched my cheek. He said then, “What are you spacing out for, Aurora? Need me to reject him for you?” The guy asked him what right he had to decide for me, and what business it was of his. “What business?”He chuckled softly. “The business of living together.” “I’ve got plenty of photos of Aurora sleeping and drooling on my phone. Wanna see?” That night, after he’d chased the guy away, Julian pinned me to the bed and kissed me all night. He fiddled with the necklace around my neck, whispering a warning in my ear, “Aurora, you can only have me in your heart.”

I pursed my lips, forcing out a smile. “If there’s nothing else, I’m heading back.” I thought to myself, Julian, there’s no ‘us’ anymore. Serena’s voice came from behind me. “Are you coming to Julian’s birthday party with us later? You’re like his sister, it wouldn’t be right if you didn’t go.” In the end, I went. At the party, Julian was chatting with other people, and Serena sat in the seat next to me. She was overly friendly towards me. “Aurora, I heard you and Julian grew up together. Why didn’t you two ever consider being a couple?” I managed a strained smile. “Julian always just saw me as his sister.” But Serena wouldn’t let up, asking provocatively, “So, you mean you’re hopelessly in love with my boyfriend?” “Oh, no…” I opened my mouth, unsure how to retort. Then Serena pointed at the necklace around my neck her eyes sharp. “That’s quite nice. It looks like it could be a matching set with Julian’s.” As if on cue, Julian stepped to my side. “Aurora, give me your necklace.” He didn’t wait for a reply. His fingers went for the clasp. “Since Serena likes this necklace, just let her have it. You pick it, she’ll probably like your taste.” The demand was so outrageous that I instinctively stumbled back. He froze for a moment, his eyes darkening with anger. “Since when do you say no to me? Remember your place. That belongs to the family, and I have every right to take it back.” “Julian, you gave this to me when I was sick,”my voice choked. Julian seemed to snap back to reality, instinctively pulling his hand back. “Forget it… if you like it, keep it.” “No.”I ripped the necklace from my neck. “Take it. Now, I owe you nothing.” He stood frozen, staring at the necklace lying in his hand.

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Perceiving Channing’s recent coldness, I agreed to his somewhat kinky request. In the car, let’s do something exciting… I changed into the sexy lingerie I’d bought and even took an aphrodisiac before getting into the car. As the car drove towards a secluded spot, my body grew hotter and hotter. Just then, Channing’s phone rang abruptly. On the other end, his intern’s voice choked. “Mr. Blackwood, a man is following me… I’m so scared.” “Protect yourself, I’m on my way!” Channing replied, his voice tense. The next second, the car screeched to a halt. Channing yanked me out of the car, leaving me stranded by the roadside. I desperately grabbed him. “Channing, I took an aphrodisiac…” Before I could finish, he slammed the car door shut and sped away. I collapsed miserably onto the ground, my heart aching to the point of numbness. Channing didn’t know, this was the last chance I was giving him. The medication in my system grew more potent. I forced myself to get up, intending to go to the hospital. But I hadn’t walked far when I heard voices behind me. “Is that a woman up ahead?” “Well, well, boys, looks like we’re in for a treat tonight.” My heart skipped a beat, and I quickened my pace. But my feverish body still slowed me down. I didn’t get far before they caught up. Several burly men with scarred faces surrounded me, and my heart hammered against my ribs. My nails dug deep into my flesh as I forced myself to calm down. “What… what do you want? My husband will be here any second.” The man leading them eyed me up and down, then sneered. “Who are you trying to fool? You think you look like you’re out with your husband dressed like that?” They stared at my barely-there lingerie with lewd smiles. Humiliation burned my eyes, and I bit down hard on my tongue. “Dressed so provocatively, she must be trying to hook us up.” “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s satisfy her.” The men rushed forward, tearing at my clothes. I screamed in terror. “Don’t touch me! My husband is the CEO of Blackwood Enterprises! If you lay a hand on me, he won’t let you get away with it!” “I can give you money, just let me go!” My words startled the men, and they exchanged skeptical glances. The leader scrutinized me. “If you’re a CEO’s wife, a million dollars shouldn’t be too much, right?” “Fine, I’ll give it to you.” Without thinking, I agreed immediately. But when I tried to transfer the money, it showed insufficient funds. I froze, only then remembering that Channing had frozen my bank account last week because I’d bought a bracelet Chloe liked. The man saw the message and instantly slapped me, knocking me to the ground. “Is this your ‘CEO’s wife’? You don’t even have a million, and you dare to lie to me?” Ignoring my ringing ears and swollen cheek, I quickly spoke. “I really am! Believe me! I can call my husband and have him transfer the money to you!” “You better not be playing games.” Under their menacing gazes, I called Channing. Inside, I desperately prayed he would answer. But, he hung up eighteen times in a row. The men’s eyes grew increasingly hostile. Just as my heart turned to ash, the next second, the call suddenly connected! But before I could speak, Channing’s impatient voice came through. “I have something important to deal with here. Don’t bother me unless it’s urgent.” With that, the call was ruthlessly cut off. The men sneered and instantly pounced, my clothes ripped to shreds in an instant. My body was burning like fire, but my heart felt as if it were submerged in ice water. I struggled and screamed with all my might. “You dare touch me, you’ll regret it!” “Pfft! Still dreaming, huh?” The man pinning me down spat at me, then shoved his phone in front of my face. “See for yourself. Mr. Blackwood is with his wife right now. Don’t you dare impersonate her shamelessly.” I watched the video: Channing carefully holding Chloe, calling every doctor in the hospital to examine her. The worry and deep affection in his eyes were an intensity I had never seen before. My heart was completely torn to pieces.

I felt like my soul had been ripped out. I stopped struggling, letting them do whatever they wanted. A single, cold tear slipped from my eye. I don’t know how much time passed, but suddenly, the person on top of me screamed in horror. “Blood… she, she’s bleeding so much!” The men scrambled away, terrified. I lay on the ground like a broken doll. Using my last ounce of strength, I called for an ambulance before collapsing into darkness. When I opened my eyes again, I heard the doctor’s voice. “I’m sorry, your baby couldn’t be saved.” I looked down at my lower abdomen, tears gushing out uncontrollably. In five years of marriage with Channing, I had always longed for this child. But I never imagined… I closed my eyes, but the tears seemed endless. After a long while, I took out my phone, my voice hoarse. “Help me draft a divorce agreement.” Hanging up, I put the ashes of our baby into a small box and returned home, utterly exhausted. It was night when I arrived. As I walked in, I saw Channing and Chloe eating at the dining table. They were sitting very close, Channing even blowing on the soup and spoon-feeding her one tiny bit at a time. I had never received such treatment. Seeing me, Channing’s movements stiffened for a second, then he frowned and spoke. “Why are you only just getting back now?” In over twenty-four hours, he hadn’t made a single call or sent a single message. Now, his first words were an interrogation. I forced a sarcastic smile, but my eyes uncontrollably welled up. It wasn’t out of lingering affection for him, but hate for myself for only seeing things clearly now. Just then, Chloe stood up in a panic. “Mrs. Blackwood, you’re back… Ugh!” The next second, she winced, as if enduring immense pain. Channing’s expression instantly changed. “Does it hurt a lot? Sit down quickly, don’t move.” Chloe’s eyes glistened with tears, and she bit her lip, speaking fragilely. “It’s okay, I’m not hurting.” Not wanting to witness their loving scene, I turned and went straight into the bedroom. After carefully placing the urn on the bedside table, I went into the bathroom and scrubbed my body over and over again. Not just to wash away the traces of that humiliation, but also to erase all memories of Channing. After a long time, I wiped the water from my face and made a call. “Elijah, you don’t need to go easy on Channing’s company anymore. I’ve decided to divorce him.” The voice on the other end instantly turned dangerous. “He hurt you?” I didn’t say much, only: “I’ve booked a flight to go abroad in seven days. Regardless, thank you for your help these past few years.” In these seven days, I would make Channing sign the divorce agreement. Then, I would leave this place forever.

After hanging up, Channing had entered without me noticing. “Whose call was that?” I answered without emotion. “The bank’s.” Channing seemed to remember freezing my bank account, and his expression flickered with a hint of awkwardness. “That incident last time was a lesson for you. I’ll have my assistant reactivate it tomorrow.” A lesson? I almost laughed. I had spotted the bracelet first, and was about to pay when Chloe suddenly came over, wanting to snatch it. Based on first-come, first-served, I had no reason to yield to her, so I simply swiped my card and bought it. But the next day, Channing froze all my cards, and that bracelet was on Chloe’s wrist. I didn’t know where I went wrong. Perhaps, my mistake was being blind. My eyes stung, and I clenched my palms tightly to suppress the overwhelming emotions. If not for that incident, last night, because of that million dollars… Channing was enraged by my soft laugh. A few seconds later, he must have thought of something, and his expression softened again. “Chloe sprained her ankle, and she’s still shaken up, so it’s not convenient for her to live alone. So, I’ve temporarily had her move in.” “You know, Chloe is my benefactor.” Benefactor, always a benefactor. Chloe was his savior, and I was just the woman who could be ignored. I closed my eyes and gave a hoarse assent, not asking a single question. Channing looked at me, seeming somewhat surprised that I agreed so easily. But the next second, Chloe’s voice drew all his attention away. “Ah—!” Channing turned and left without a moment’s hesitation. I watched his retreating figure, realizing he no longer resembled the man from seven years ago. Two years of dating, five years of marriage; Channing and I had finally reached the end. That night, I lay half-asleep, my hand on the urn beside the bed. Tears soaked my pillowcase, weeping for the child who never got to be born, or for a marriage that had long since soured. Suddenly, a sharp, piercing pain jolted me awake. I snapped my eyes open and saw Chloe standing by my bed. The moonlight illuminated a malicious smile on her lips, like a venomous snake lurking. The next second, she raised her hand, and a sharp needle instantly pierced my flesh. “Ah!” Bone-deep pain surged through me, and I cried out, my face losing all color from the agony. Chloe immediately clamped her hand over my mouth, while her other hand kept stabbing needles into me. “Die, just die!” I struggled wildly. The next second, the needle plunged violently into my lower abdomen. “Ugh!!!” A desperate scream was stifled in my throat. My vision swam with black spots from the pain, and I barely had the strength to resist. But a powerful will to live erupted with unprecedented force. I fiercely pushed her away, and Chloe fell to the ground. I opened my mouth to call for help, but she spoke first. “Scarlett, did those men treat you well yesterday?” My eyes widened instantly. A horrifying thought leaped to mind. “It was you… you sent those men?” My voice trembled. Nightmarish memories flooded over me like a tide. “You looked so wanton in that video yesterday. Have you watched it yourself?” Chloe slowly got up from the floor, speaking with malicious glee. “I have all those videos. I advise you not to cross me.” “Today was just a lesson. You’d better hand over the position of Mrs. Blackwood soon, otherwise…”

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I was packing for Finland, ready to chase the Northern Lights with my boyfriend, Lucas. But instead, I found a stack of photos in his drawer–Lucas and Willow, locked in a tight embrace. Attached were a bunch of gynecological test results. The dates? The very day I had my stomach cancer surgery. All his excuses about being “busy”? He was busy taking her for check-ups. When I confronted him, all I got was an impatient outburst. “I was just comforting a friend, nothing happened.” “She was really scared, I just stayed by her side. Can you stop overthinking everything?” Watching the video on my phone, the one where they were practically glued together, whispering sweet nothings, my heart just died. After what felt like an eternity, I called my parents. “Mom, Dad,” I choked out, “I’ll do it. I’ll come home and take over the family business.” After I hung up, a furious pounding started at the door. The door rattled violently, the urgent, jarring knocks making it clear the person outside was beyond furious. “Scarlett, open the door!” It was Lucas’s voice. Normally, I’d have rushed to open it, ready with his slippers. My heart always ached for how hard he worked running his company, and I constantly looked for ways to support him, to clear away any worries. But today, I just sat there, my expression empty. When I didn’t open the door, Lucas didn’t hesitate. He had someone force the door open. The first thing he did was storm over to me and shove my shoulder hard. “Why would you lay a hand on Willow?” “You know how fragile she is, how easily she gets upset. Why would you try to provoke her?” Seeing Lucas almost completely lose it, my heart twitched painfully. I’d bought the plane tickets today, planning to surprise him by packing my bags and heading to Finland to see the Northern Lights. Instead, I found those intimate photos of him and Willow in the cabinet. When I went to confront Willow, I was verbally ambushed by her and her friends. Now, I was the one being accused of provoking her. “Say something! Are you mute?” Lucas’s eyes were fierce, like he wanted to devour me whole. “You can dish it out, but you can’t take it? What kind of person are you?” I lowered my head, a self-deprecating smile on my lips. I didn’t have the energy to argue anymore. I casually tossed the photos at his feet. “What is this?” The moment he saw the photos, a flicker of panic crossed Lucas’s eyes. He instinctively looked away, his voice losing some of its confidence. “It’s not what you think.” “Willow had some women’s health issues, and she was really upset. I was just there as a friend to support her.” What kind of “support” requires you to be in bed, intimately embracing a friend of the opposite sex? The absurdity of his words was sickeningly ironic. Lucas, however, grew more convinced of his own righteousness. “Exactly! It was just friendly concern and companionship. Willow and I are completely innocent.” “Why do you always overcomplicate things? You’re so disappointing.” I looked at him, my expression a mix of shock and pity. What was I still expecting? I should have known, shouldn’t I? Long ago, when he repeatedly abandoned me for Willow. Lucas and I were college sweethearts. We’d gone from campus romance to what we were now, the perfect couple in everyone’s eyes. For him, I defied my parents and insisted on staying in this city. When he wanted to start a company, I drained my savings and built it with him. He’d seen me drink until I was throwing up after client meetings, and he’d hold me close, his eyes welling up with concern. “Scarlett, you’re working too hard. Once our business is stable, I’ll never let you push yourself like this again.” He’d wipe the sweat from my forehead, promising softly. “Then we’ll get married, at the best hotel, with the most unforgettable wedding.” “I’ll make everyone envy you.” His words still echoed in my ears, but the man before me was no longer the same. When he looked at me, there was only annoyance. “It’s not what you think, and stop throwing a tantrum.” Lucas’s tone was sharp, and he reached out to pull me. “No matter what, you shouldn’t have gone to provoke Willow. Come with me now and apologize to her.” Before I could struggle free, his phone rang. He hadn’t been on the call long when his face suddenly changed, and he glared fiercely at me. “Willow fainted because of you! You’d better pray she’s okay, or I swear, we’re done!” After Lucas left, I stared at the door that could no longer close properly, thinking all night. It was almost dawn when I finally went inside and packed my luggage. A relationship that had soured, no matter how much you tried to mend it, could never return to its original state. I used to think I could do something to keep him, but I forgot that someone who doesn’t love you won’t stay for you. I took one last look at the room where I’d lived for so many years. No matter how much I cherished it, I had to let go. It no longer belonged to me. Laughter and chatter drifted from outside. I pushed open the door and was stunned by the scene before me. Lucas was carefully helping Willow sit down, his face full of concern. But the moment his eyes met mine, his expression instantly turned cold. “Well, look at you, resting so comfortably at home.” “Willow was so upset she couldn’t sleep all night, and I was so worried I didn’t close my eyes either. And you? You have the nerve to sleep.” Willow leaned against him dependently, the intimacy between them so thick it left no room for a third person. It made me, his actual girlfriend, feel like an outsider. My heart ached, trembling, and even my freshly operated stomach began to throb faintly. Willow tugged on Lucas’s arm, her voice soft. “Lucas, don’t blame Scarlett. She only misunderstood me because she cares about you so much.” Before I could even speak, Lucas couldn’t sit still. “You don’t have to defend her. Don’t I know her? She’s just too stubborn, too jealous, she can’t stand me being good to anyone else.” Lucas completely ignored the pain in my eyes, stating self-righteously, “Willow is like this because of you. I brought her back here to recover, and you should take responsibility.” At this, he lifted his chin, speaking with a condescending tone. “For the next few days, you’ll take good care of Willow. Once she recovers, I might consider forgiving you.” “If you don’t agree, then we’re done.” He looked arrogant, as if he was certain I would compromise. In the past, I would have immediately lowered my guard and tried to appease him. Because I loved him, and I couldn’t bear for him to be even slightly unhappy. But all my compromises and concessions, in his eyes, had become leverage he could use against me. “Okay, then let’s be done.” Time seemed to freeze. Lucas’s smug expression instantly stiffened, his entire being radiating disbelief. After a long moment, he finally reacted, pointing at me, his finger trembling. “What did you say?” We’d had arguments over the years, but whenever he mentioned breaking up, no matter how angry or wronged I felt, I would immediately soften and beg him not to leave. But today, this trick, which had never failed, suddenly didn’t work. Lucas felt something slipping from his control, and his eyes twitched violently. With no desire to entangle with him further, I picked up my suitcase and strode away. Inside the room, Lucas stood frozen. When he came to his senses and moved to chase after me, Willow stopped him. “Don’t go after her. She’ll come back in a few days.” “She’s just doing this on purpose, trying to get your attention. I’m a woman, I know exactly what she’s thinking.” She looked knowing. “If you go after her now, she’ll just cause more trouble next time.” Seeing him still hesitate, Willow immediately put on a pitiful expression. “I’m still a bit dizzy. Can you stay and keep me company?” One sentence was enough to keep Lucas rooted. I went to the company’s temporary dorm, planning to go home after I resigned. The company I worked for now was Lucas’s. For years, I had worked my fingers to the bone, bringing in business and securing investments, striving to make his dreams come true. I’d thought that once his business was more stable, I’d go home with him, and perhaps my parents would finally accept us. Now, it seemed, there was no need. I called my mother. Before I could even speak, tears blurred my vision. Mom didn’t ask anything, just sighed. “My sweet girl, have you been wronged out there?” Like a child who had endured countless grievances and finally returned to her mother’s embrace, I sobbed uncontrollably. After composing myself, I softly said, “Mom, I broke up with him.” She seemed to have already guessed, her voice calm. “If you’re tired, come home. Home will always be your safe haven.” Dad was furious when he heard the news, but Mom quickly calmed him down. “Just calm down. Anyone who dares to bully my daughter, we won’t let them off easily.” My mind was a blank. I wearily hung up the phone. After a few days, I went to the company and submitted my resignation. As soon as the resignation letter was submitted, my phone rang. The moment I answered, Lucas’s enraged voice blasted through the phone. “Scarlett, what are you stirring up now?” “This project is crucial for the company. Don’t be childish, get back here and meet with the client immediately.” I cut him off. “I’ve already resigned. Find someone else to take over these matters.” The other end of the line was silent for a moment, then erupted with even more intense emotion. “You really want to do this, huh?” “Fine, if you won’t do it, plenty of others will. Don’t think you can threaten me like this.” As if to assert his dominance, Lucas immediately approved my resignation. He thought I wouldn’t last long before coming back to beg him, but after an entire morning, I showed no signs of backing down. He started to get restless, sending other colleagues several times to “talk sense” into me. I ignored them, continuing to pack my things. It turns out, when you truly don’t care about someone, nothing they do can stir any emotion in you. In the afternoon, I returned to my desk. Willow was sitting casually in my chair. My belongings were strewn carelessly to one side. She saw me and slowly straightened up. “Scarlett, this is all Lucas’s idea. He said this spot is mine now.” Then she got up and walked towards me, leaning in and lowering her voice into my ear. “It’s your fault for being so foolish and leaving. Now, I’m the one who gets to enjoy all the benefits here.” Watching her smug expression, I just found it amusing. I wondered where she got the confidence to think she could replace me. Over the years, I had poured countless hours and effort into propping up this company, which had long been riddled with hidden problems. Yet, she believed that simply sitting here meant enjoying a comfortable life. Well, I could only wish her success. Seeing her face fall, I forced a faint smile, took the box of items a colleague had helped me pack, thanked them, and turned to leave. I spent a few days saying goodbye to friends, then bent down to pack my last bag. From now on, I would be leaving this city for good. It held my best years, and my first love, which ended before it truly began. A bitter feeling rose in my chest. I closed my eyes, trying not to think. My phone suddenly rang, and Lucas’s exasperated voice came through. “Scarlett, you’re going too far! Did you say something to our partners that got Willow sidelined?” Before I could explain, he ordered, “Get your butt back here! This order is critical for the company’s performance this half. If you mess it up because of this, we’re truly done!” His absurd, arrogant words made me laugh. Why did he think I still cared? “Didn’t you say you could manage perfectly well without me? Then go find someone else.” With that, ignoring his angry shouts, I hung up and immediately blocked his number. Once everything was packed, I opened the door and headed for the airport, ready to bid farewell to the city I’d called home for so many years. I hadn’t gone far when a silver BMW screeched to a halt in front of me. The car door flew open, and Lucas rushed out, throwing his briefcase violently at me. It hit my recently operated stomach directly. My face instantly went pale, and I was in too much pain to utter a sound. “Have you made enough of a scene?” He furiously kicked my suitcase away, then grabbed my collar. “Are you really that petty? Just because I didn’t put you in charge of this project, you have to sabotage it behind my back?” Sweat poured down my face from the pain, and I gritted my teeth. “If the deal fell through, it’s because Willow isn’t capable enough. It has nothing to do with me.” Lucas scoffed, his eyes full of contempt. “Do you think I’ll believe that?” “You could land these clients, how could she not?” “I think you’re just jealous of her.” I was so angry I actually laughed, looking him straight in the eye. “She’s so capable, why don’t you just go to her? What are you doing coming to me?” He looked down on my abilities, yet still wanted me to go back and slave for him. Did he really think I was that worthless? The deals he thought were so easy to close were ones I had poured my heart and soul into, sacrificing my health, fighting desperately to secure. With a few dismissive words, he negated all my years of effort, making my hard work seem utterly meaningless. Lucas’s face cycled through shades of green and white, looking terrible. Seeing me about to leave, he forcefully dragged me towards the car. “No matter what you say today, you’re coming with me to fix this first!” My limbs were weak from the pain, and I gasped, begging him, “My stomach hurts really badly, please, take me to a pharmacy first.” He laughed, infuriated. “Are you addicted to faking illness?” “Even if you’re dying of pain today, you’re going to fix this client situation for me first.” My fingertips turned completely cold. I clutched my stomach with difficulty, staring at him in disbelief. The man I had loved for so many years could actually say such a thing. He could actually watch me die of pain and remain completely indifferent. Well, isn’t that just wonderful. Hatred surged within me. My eyes filled with a resolute glint as I stared fixedly at him.

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I’m probably the only one in the entire company who actually knows why my boss is so irritable. She got dumped. And the person who dumped her… was me. She just doesn’t know that yet. Lately, my boss has been… intense. The first sign was when she publicly grilled one of the senior analysts over a minor formatting mistake—something she would usually wave off with a dry joke. Then it kept happening. She started sending projects back for revisions that never used to matter, questioning timelines, pushing for higher standards, demanding explanations for anything that wasn’t airtight. By midweek, the entire office had figured it out: she wasn’t just being thorough—she was in a bad mood, and her bar for acceptable work had shot straight into the stratosphere. But here’s the twist: I’m probably the only one in the entire company who actually knows why she’s so irritable. She got dumped. And the person who dumped her… was me. She just doesn’t know that yet. It all goes back to a two-year online relationship. We met on a forum after she posted a thread titled: “Why Can’t I Find a Partner?” Curious, I clicked. Her post read: “Female, 5’9”, 99 pounds, 25, Ivy League grad in Management Science and Engineering. Currently a VP at a Fortune 500 company. Seven-figure annual income. Owns home and car. Gorgeous. Still single. What am I doing wrong?” The comments section tore her to shreds. “Obvious troll. Move along.” “No way a 25-year-old VP. Daddy’s company?” “At least make your lies reasonably believable.” Amused, I replied: “Maybe it’s your looks. Why not post a picture?” Didn’t think twice and logged off. A few hours later, she DM’d me: “Hi, can I send you the photo privately?” I frowned, intrigued. “Sure.” A second later, a photo popped up. I nearly sprayed coffee all over my keyboard. Five-nine? In what universe? She looked closer to five-two. The photo was a badly angled mirror selfie. Half her face hidden, thick black-rimmed glasses, and a vibe that screamed unintentional vintage disaster. But her features… Her features were stunning. She had the kind of face that would be lethal if she knew how to use it. And weirdly, she felt familiar. Thinking, “Wow, a genuinely gorgeous woman who has no idea what she’s working with,” I decided—purely out of charitable instinct—to help. I zoomed in and out a few times, then typed a full critique: “Upgrade your glasses—rimless or contacts. Avoid that angle; tilt your phone so the charging port points at you. Swap that skirt for something shorter, preferably black. And get better lighting—seriously.” She replied: “Thank you so much!” I thought that was the end of it. The next day, she sent a new photo applying everything I’d said. Then the day after. And the day after that. By day five, I was getting tired. Then she asked if she could pay me for “consultation services” and requested my personal messaging info. Money is money, so I gave her my private account. A moment later, a familiar profile picture popped up. It was my boss. I froze. My thumb slipped and hit accept before my brain caught up. Instant panic. I switched my settings to “chat only” and prayed she wouldn’t connect the dots. She messaged: “Thank you for everything. Here’s a small gift.” Then sent me $5,000 with the note: “No conditions.” I stared at the screen, stunned. I checked her profile picture again. Checked the forum selfies. No mistake. My mysterious online crush was my real-life boss. “Well, hell,” I thought, accepting the transfer. “At least she doesn’t know it’s me.” From then on, I kept helping her polish her style. She learned fast, and soon she was walking around radiating confidence. And just when I was preparing to quietly bow out of her life, she blindsided me. She confessed. Her message was long and dramatic—a digital love letter. I skimmed until the final line: “I’ve been wanting to say this for a long time… I like you.” I froze. “Thanks,” I typed. “What?” she replied. “I appreciate it!” “I’m serious,” she insisted. “I really like you.” “And I really appreciate it!” Silence. Then: “Can I at least try to pursue you?” I didn’t answer. The next morning she began sending good-morning messages. Then good-afternoons. Then good-nights. Updates every hour like we were already dating: “I’m heading to work.” “I just arrived.” “Going into a meeting.” Her persistence was… something. I responded halfheartedly. That only encouraged her more. A month later, things took a sharp turn. I was scrolling through social media, admiring models, and accidentally shared one with her instead of a buddy. “God, she’s gorgeous. I’d lick the screen,” I wrote. “Here’s the video.” She replied instantly: “???”

By the time I saw the message, it was far too late to take it back. Admiring someone’s looks is normal enough, but for some inexplicable reason, guilt punched me right in the chest. Then she sent another message. “Is this your type?” A video came attached. It looked freshly shot at a gym. Not the overly ripped aesthetic—just smooth, pale skin and a sharply defined V-line that disappeared beneath her workout shorts. And up top… Well, let’s just say the color was pink. The girl in the video seemed shy. By the time the clip ended, her entire face was flushed bright red. I was instantly hooked. “Got more? Send another!” I fired back without thinking. She hesitated, but eventually she sent a few more. Each one was more stunning than the last. I’ll admit it: I was thoroughly seduced. Who would’ve imagined my boss—the paragon of composure and restraint—could be… like this behind closed doors? How do I even describe it? Strangely electrifying. Just as I was fully enjoying myself, another message popped up. “If you agree to be my boyfriend, I’ll send you videos like this every day. As many as you want.” People chase four things in life: money, power, fame, and beauty. The first three don’t tempt me much. But beauty? That one hits me right in the weakness. “Well… I guess I could consider it,” I replied. I mean, it was just an online relationship. Nothing real. Of course, I laid out strict ground rules: no public posts, no changing profile pictures, no video calls, and absolutely no in-person meetings. She didn’t love the terms, but she still agreed. And that was how it all started. We “dated” online for two years. As her confidence and sense of style improved, I was more than happy to enjoy the benefits. Her pictures and videos only grew more breathtaking, and she executed every look I suggested perfectly. Honestly, I thought we could keep things this way forever—until the day she asked to meet in person. “Didn’t we agree from the start? No meeting up. This is strictly online,” I reminded her. She sounded hurt. “I know, I’m sorry… but I really want to see you.” And I knew exactly why she was pushing it. A couple days earlier, I’d gone to a college reunion. Afterward, an old classmate confessed she liked me. I turned her down politely, but she didn’t take it well and started sending me a barrage of cringe, borderline-gross messages. Fed up, I screenshotted everything, posted it to my socials, and roasted her publicly before blocking her. Since I was “in a relationship”—even if only online—my boss must’ve seen the post. I figured she wanted to meet to publicly assert her territory. But I had my reasons for refusing to meet. There was no universe in which I was agreeing to that. After dodging her requests for a full week, I finally lost patience and broke up with her. She spiraled. Completely deflated—like someone had punctured her with a thumbtack. My phone lit up over and over with her calls. By the tenth round, I sighed, flipped it face-down on the table, and ignored it. That was when Kenneth, my direct supervisor, called me over. “Mason, take this proposal to Aurora.” Kenneth’s crush on Aurora was the worst-kept secret in the entire department. Normally he’d sprint to deliver anything to her, but she’d been in a terrible mood lately. The last time he tried comforting her, she snapped so hard he practically ran out of her office. I winced. “Kenneth, isn’t this a bit above my pay grade? Shouldn’t you be the one—” “Just do it. Don’t make me repeat myself.” …Fine. Even though I’d basically seen every inch of Aurora online, meeting her face-to-face still rattled me. Especially at work, where she was known for her sharp tongue, iron composure, and a level of intimidation higher than her heels. I hesitated, then grabbed my phone. Ever since the breakup, she’d been flooding me with apologies. I hadn’t responded—not because I didn’t care but because I needed things to cool off. I typed out a message: “We don’t have to break up, but can you please calm down? I really don’t like it when people break promises.” Her reply came immediately: “Baby, you’re finally talking to me! I’m so sorry! I’ll never do it again, I promise!” She even added a crying-puppy emoji. I sighed, braced myself, and knocked on her office door. There was a pause before she cleared her throat. “Come in.” Her red-tipped nose was the first thing I noticed when I stepped inside. Had she been crying? She caught my glance and tapped the desk awkwardly. “Dropping off the proposal? Leave it here and go.” Her tone was noticeably softer than usual—on a normal day, she would’ve snapped at me for bypassing Kenneth. Of course, the proposal didn’t meet her standards, and she sent it back for revisions. Naturally, Kenneth dumped the work right back onto me. That Friday, everyone left early, eager for the weekend. Aurora had actually left on time, and the office emptied quickly, leaving only me and the receptionist. I stayed to finish the proposal, promising the receptionist I’d lock up afterward. It was well past 10 p.m. when I heard the door unlocking. My heart almost shot out of my chest. Who the hell shows up at this hour? Images from every horror movie I’ve ever seen flashed through my head. Ghosts aren’t real, I told myself, but my body refused to move. Then a familiar figure appeared. Aurora. “Why are you still here? Don’t you have a home to go to?” she asked, genuinely surprised. I bit back the retort—Whose fault do you think this is? “The proposal’s due soon, and I didn’t want to risk it being incomplete tomorrow. I figured I’d stay late and finish.” Her expression softened. “Oh, that one. Let me help. It’ll be faster if I just explain what I want directly.” I froze. My computer was still logged into my personal account—the one I used to message her. She stepped closer. “Pull it up. I’ll take a look.” Panic slammed into me. I felt my brain short-circuit as I scrambled for time. “Wait a second!” I blurted.

The moment I heard her footsteps approaching, panic kicked in. I slapped my palm against the desk—loud enough to make Aurora jump. For a brief second, the confusion on her face actually made her look… pretty cute. And that’s when it hit me like a punch to the gut: the Aurora standing in front of me and the Aurora I’d been flirting with online were the same person. I cleared my throat, trying to pull myself together. “Sorry, Aurora. I, uh… suddenly got a stomachache. I’m gonna run to the restroom real quick. You can look over the document while I’m gone.” She blinked, still a little startled. “Oh… okay?” I snatched my phone off the desk and bolted to the restroom. My hands were shaking as I pulled up the app. Thank God for the quick logout button. Once I hit it, I finally felt like I could breathe again. The problem was, Aurora explained things with painful levels of detail. If any pop-up notification appeared while she hovered near my screen, even just by accident, everything would blow up. After responding to her unread messages and buying myself some time, I lingered in the restroom a few extra minutes before heading back. When I returned, Aurora had already reviewed the document and motioned for me to sit so she could walk me through the revisions. After going over everything line by line, she stood up and said, “I’m going to grab something from my office. Be right back.” Be right back? Internally, I groaned. Couldn’t she just go home? But I swallowed it down and focused on the edits. Aurora lived up to her workaholic reputation. With her hovering behind me, offering “guidance,” we didn’t finish the proposal until almost midnight. “Looks good. Let’s go with this,” she finally said with a satisfied nod. I exhaled in relief. “Great. Glad we’re done.” But inside, I was dying. Just when I thought I could pack up and escape, she suddenly asked, “You’re in the company dorms, right? Want me to drive you home?” “What?” I froze and waved my hands frantically. “Oh, no, no. It’s fine. It’s close—I’ll walk.” “It’s not safe to walk alone this late,” she insisted. After a couple more failed attempts to decline, I reluctantly gave in. When I climbed into the passenger seat, Aurora quietly texted someone: Driving a coworker home. Didn’t let him sit in the front seat. I texted back a simple: ok. The ride was painfully silent. I didn’t dare pull out my phone, so I just stared out the window like a fool. Out of nowhere, Aurora asked, “By the way… if you were a guy—well, since you are a guy—what kind of gift would you want from a girlfriend?” I blinked. Oh, right. My birthday was coming up. “Uh… honestly? It’s not about the gift. It’s the thought that matters.” She frowned. “The problem is, I’ve given my boyfriend gifts before, but he returned them. I don’t know what to get anymore.” I nearly choked. Was she serious? She had given me luxury watches before. My family’s middle class on a good day—I didn’t have the lifestyle for that. Wearing those would make people assume I was showing off a fake. Returning them was the only rational choice. After thinking for a moment, I suggested, “Maybe something handmade? Something small and personal. It doesn’t have to be expensive—just thoughtful.” She looked deep in thought. Then she shifted the topic. “You look pretty young. How old are you?” My pulse spiked. “I’m a year older than you.” “What month?” she asked. “August.” She nodded quietly, then hesitated. “I just realized… I don’t know your name. What do people call you?” I froze for half a second before answering. “Mason.” We didn’t say much after that. When we reached the dorms, I thanked her politely. “Thanks for the ride, Aurora.” “No problem. Get some rest,” she said with a small, almost gentle smile. I nodded and turned to leave. “Mason!” she suddenly called after me. I stopped. “Yeah?” She opened her mouth, hesitated, then shook her head. “…Nothing. Get inside safe.” A couple of weeks later, Aurora and I landed a major client thanks to the proposal we’d worked on. Her mom—the company’s CEO—was thrilled and treated the entire office to dinner. People were drinking and chatting around me. I wasn’t much of a drinker, so I focused on my food. That’s when Kenneth decided to put me in the spotlight. “Everyone, this is Mason from our team. Don’t let his age fool you—this kid’s talented. Even Aurora praised his proposal, didn’t she, Mason?” Kenneth slapped a hand on my shoulder, grinning. I forced a polite smile, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. The only reason that proposal ended up with me was because he dumped it on my desk. Online, I could rant all I wanted. In real life? I was a pushover. “Oh, it was nothing. I just did my part,” I said lightly. “Really, it was thanks to Kenneth’s leadership.” Kenneth beamed. “Come on, don’t be modest! Top graduate from a great school—your talent speaks for itself. Mason, why don’t you give everyone a toast?” “Huh?” I stiffened. “I don’t drink.” “You don’t drink? That’s not going t

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