Author: Momo Chan

In this world, failing the Grand National Exam meant immediate consignment to the lowest caste, becoming nothing more than an indentured servant. After my rebirth, I burned all my revision notes. Only because in my previous life, my so-called best friend used a system to spy through my vision. I’d poured my heart and soul into those exam notes, burning the midnight oil for two years straight. They were my ultimate guide to passing. She printed them out and freely handed them to every other student around us, but I was the only one kept in the dark. During the exam, she used her system to copy all my answers, then reported *me* to the Ogre Overseers for cheating off *her*. Staring at the identical exam papers, I was dragged away by the brutal Enforcers, condemned to become the lowest form of servant. Meanwhile, she became the top scorer, elevated to the world’s elite. I begged her to expose the truth, but she just laughed in my face: “Luna Sterling, isn’t this just karma for your cheating? What could I possibly prove?” Brandon, the guy I was totally crushing on, sneered when he heard: “You copied Vivian’s paper, and now you’re forcing her to vouch for you? Don’t you have any shame?” Because of that cheating accusation, I was tortured to death by the servant overseers, left to rot in a garbage dump. And Vivian Vance? She became renowned, the pillar of the elite. Fine. If that’s how it is, you two conniving snakes, I will make sure you taste the true depths of hell!

Watching the charred paper scraps dissolve in the fire pit, my tense body finally relaxed. First step, accomplished. This time, I would absolutely tear those two despicable scumbags limb from limb! My eyes began to ache, my head throbbed, and cold sweat trickled down my neck. This feeling was all too familiar. In this life, she was already starting to use her ability. I calmly kicked over the fire pit, and the flames were instantly smothered by the sand. Love to spy, do you? I’ll give you an eyeful. I went home, collapsed on the sofa, and pulled up one of the world’s top 10 horror movies. Just then, my phone buzzed incessantly. Brandon Hayes, my dream guy, was flooding me with messages. [Babe, did you study today? The exam is coming up, gotta study hard~] [Send me a pic, I’ll supervise you.] Hah. Supervising me now? In my previous life, I had eagerly accepted his “kindness.” Whenever I struggled with a problem, he’d rush over with a mountain of study materials. It truly sends shivers down my spine just thinking about it! I simply switched off my buzzing phone and went back to my horror movie. All the knowledge was stored in my head. Now, they were the ones who should be panicking. A moment later, the lock on my front door clicked, eerily, as it opened. I stared, wide-eyed and terrified. Brandon walked into my house, carrying coffee, his eyes softly tender. “How do you have my house code?!” “You told me last time when we were studying~” He spoke calmly, without a hint of rush. Vivian must have given it to him! She was the only other person who knew my code! Without batting an eyelid, I changed the door lock code on my phone. I smiled sweetly at him. “You came all the way to bring me coffee? You really want me to pull an all-nighter studying?” He sat beside me, reaching out to brush my hair. “Isn’t it for your future?” I subtly shifted, “accidentally” spilling my iced coffee all over his pristine white shirt. “Didn’t you often tell Vivian I was a bookworm, no fun, boring? A woman with only studying on her mind?” “I had a revelation today. We only have, what, three thousand days on this planet? Gotta relax a little, right?” Brandon carefully dabbed his white shirt with a tissue. His friendly expression froze instantly at my words. “You…” Those were the very words he’d spat at me when I was on my deathbed. He looked at me, visibly guilty. Suddenly, a piercing ringtone blared. Brandon shot me a quick glance, then stepped outside to answer. When he returned, he gazed at me with a look of reluctance. “I’m only thinking of you, Luna. You’re the person I love most. But I have an urgent matter to attend to now. I’ll have to leave.” Hah. My little puppy dog was off to lick my “bestie” again. “Wait!” I grabbed the other cup of coffee, then executed a perfect “fake trip,” spilling it precisely on the still-clean part of his white shirt. His face contorted in rage. “You…!” I pressed a hand to my forehead, delicately slumping onto the sofa. “Oh, it must be all this study stress lately. So clumsy of me~ But you love me the most, right? You wouldn’t mind?” At the mention of “study,” his expression softened. “Right. Well, I’m off then. See you at school tomorrow.” The moment the door clicked shut, I burst out laughing. Hahahaha! That idiot! Just as I’d suspected, that was the white suit he’d spent half his allowance on, planning to confess to Vivian today! What sweet revenge! I walked into my bedroom, turned off the lights, and put on my eye mask, all in one smooth motion. “You little sneak, enjoy the black screen! All my knowledge is locked right inside my brain!” In the middle of the night, a shrill ringtone jolted me. I rolled my eyes and answered the video call. “How *dare* you go to sleep?!” Vivian’s voice exploded.

I watched, utterly satisfied, as her face turned scarlet with fury. Slowly and deliberately, I spoke: “Vivian, what’s with the sudden call?” Her eyes were practically bulging out of her head. Today, she had scheduled a session with an off-campus tutor to demonstrate her problem-solving skills. For this, she’d even sent me the agreed-upon problems the day before, instructing me to solve them at a specific time today. She copied the first few problems, feeling smug about her precious system. But halfway through, she saw me using the scrap paper – *her* scrap paper – to wipe my dog’s rear. Nothing left to copy. The tutors, seeing her unable to continue, assumed she was messing with them and immediately revoked her eligibility for the National Math Olympiad. I met her eyes, which were filled with a desire to devour me. I warned her. “Playing dirty will only backfire on you! This is the first time, and it will be the last. Next time… I’ll make sure you don’t get off easy.” She looked at me with a complex expression. Then, she suddenly rubbed her eyes, feigning a yawn: “Oh, what’s going on? Luna, darling, why are we on the phone?” “My sleepwalking must have kicked in again, how terribly annoying~ Don’t be mad at me, okay~” She hung up immediately after saying that, then sent me a message. [Good night, Luna! Let’s walk to school together tomorrow~] Still treating me like the naïve fool from my past life? Last time, she used her “sleepwalking” excuse to steal thirty limited-edition designer bags. Looking at her pathetic excuse, I blocked and deleted her number. The next day, as I opened my front door, I saw Vivian and Brandon standing there. Brandon still had a smudge of lipstick near his mouth. Looks like they’d just finished a “session.” Vivian sidled up to me, oozing flattery. “Luna, why did you change your house code? I kept trying, but couldn’t get in.” “Trespassing? Looking for a jail cell?” I walked straight past them. Vivian didn’t seem annoyed. Instead, she solicitously held out a bag full of breakfast items, asking what I wanted. Oh, right. The money they spent? It all came from *my* linked payment account. In my past life, Brandon publicly acted like he disdained using my account, but secretly spent hundreds of thousands. Vivian, even worse, would flaunt spending my money in public, then privately call me an animal. Brandon frowned. “Vivian’s talking to you. Are you deaf?” “I’m spending my own money, and I’m supposed to applaud you for it?” I looked at Vivian. “Since you’re being so thoughtful, leave all the breakfast for me.” Vivian’s eyes instantly reddened, and she bit her lip. “Luna, I’m sorry. I know I’m spending your money, but today… I haven’t eaten breakfast either.” Brandon stepped in front of Vivian, shielding her. “Luna Sterling! Don’t be so arrogant! Vivian was kind enough to buy you breakfast, and this is how you treat her?” I stepped closer to Vivian. “Didn’t you offer it to me?” “You insisted on giving it, and I kindly accepted. Now I’m the ungrateful one?” My finger tapped her shoulder, one by one. “If you don’t want to give, don’t pretend. You dare to offer, I dare to take. After all, it’s all my money, isn’t it?” I turned to look at the man I once adored. In my previous life, I never tired of looking at him. But now, he looked hideous, like a disgusting, slimy swamp creature. The next second, Vivian covered her face and ran off, crying. Brandon, when I wasn’t looking, viciously slapped me across the face. “This is all your fault! You better write out a detailed exam study plan by tonight! Or I won’t let you get away with this!” Brandon glared at me, then turned to chase Vivian. I immediately lifted my foot and delivered a solid kick to his backside. He sprawled on the ground, his face twisted in rage, eyes almost popping out. He looked ready to unleash a torrent of curses, but then he suddenly looked at me with pity, as if he understood something. “I know you like me a lot, but you can’t hurt Vivian just because you’re jealous, can you?” “Go on, apologize to Vivian, and give her your newly written exam problem-solving notes. She’ll probably forgive you.” I walked over to him, grabbing a handful of his hair. “Oh, I will. Just you wait. I’ll make sure you’re both ‘satisfied.’”

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=== Chapter 1 === I jolted awake in darkness, my nightgown clinging to my sweat-soaked skin. The pain came in waves, sharp and insistent across my abdomen. My hands flew protectively to the swell of my belly where our miracle grew—our Noah, our peace after three years of heartbreak and hormone injections. “Ethan,” I whispered, reaching across the Egyptian cotton sheets. “Something doesn’t feel right.” My husband stirred beside me, the blue glow of his phone illuminating his sharp features in the pre-dawn darkness of our master suite. His fingers never stopped moving across the screen. “It’s probably nothing,” he murmured, not looking up. “The doctor said Braxton Hicks contractions are normal at this stage.” I bit my lip, swallowing the urge to remind him that I knew my body better than anyone. This baby had been my obsession, my purpose, my redemption. Every failed IVF cycle had carved another piece from my heart. When the last pregnancy test finally showed positive, I’d fallen to my knees in gratitude. Now something was wrong. I could feel it. Breakfast was a silent affair in our sun-drenched kitchen. Ethan sat across from me, scrolling through market updates while I pushed eggs around my plate. Another cramp seized me, stronger than before. I dropped my fork with a clatter. “I’m having pains again,” I said, pressing my palm against the side of my belly. “They’re getting worse.” Ethan glanced up, his expression softening momentarily before his phone buzzed again. He checked it, his face immediately closing off. “The doctor said some discomfort is expected,” he replied, already returning to his screen. “We have the cemetery visit this morning. My father would never forgive me if we missed Memorial Day.” I nodded silently. The Foster family traditions were sacrosanct—especially paying respects to their ancestors. It symbolized continuity, legacy. Everything Ethan valued. In the backseat of our sleek black sedan, rain pelted the windows as our driver navigated the winding roads to the private Foster family cemetery. I clutched the small leather photo album in my lap, tracing the edges of the pictures inside—snapshots of our fertility journey. Me, hollow-eyed after the first miscarriage. Ethan and me, forcing smiles outside the clinic before our third IVF attempt. The first sonogram of Noah, a tiny flickering heartbeat that had made me weep with joy. “We’re almost there,” Ethan said, not looking away from his phone. His fingers typed rapidly, responding to someone who apparently couldn’t wait. I wondered, not for the first time, when he had become so distant. During our early attempts to conceive, he had been present, holding my hand through procedures, wiping my tears after failures. Somewhere along the way, that man had disappeared, replaced by this distracted stranger who shared my bed. The car stopped at the cemetery gates. Our driver opened an umbrella, but Ethan was already stepping out into the rain, phone pressed to his ear. “We need to walk from here,” he said, gesturing impatiently for me to follow. I eased myself from the car, the cold rain immediately soaking through my maternity dress. The path up the hillside was steep, slick with mud. I took three steps before a contraction—stronger than any before—doubled me over. I clutched the wrought iron railing, a small cry escaping my lips. “Ethan,” I gasped, “I need to sit down. Something’s wrong.” He turned, phone still at his ear, irritation flashing across his face. Then his expression changed completely as the person on the other end spoke. His eyes widened with concern—more emotion than I’d seen from him in months. “What? Slow down, Rebecca. What happened?” he said urgently. I leaned heavily against the railing, another wave of pain washing over me. Something warm trickled down my inner thigh. I looked down in horror at the red droplets mixing with rainwater at my feet. “Ethan,” I pleaded, my voice rising with panic. “I’m bleeding. We need to go to the hospital now.” He held up one finger, silencing me as he listened intently to the caller. “That’s terrible. Of course I’ll come right away.” “Ethan!” I cried out, clutching my belly. “The baby—” He finally looked at me, but his eyes were already elsewhere. “Rebecca needs me—she’s alone. Her service dog’s memorial marker has been vandalized. She can barely see without him to guide her.” “Please,” I begged, tears mixing with rain on my face. “Don’t leave us.” “I won’t be long,” he said, already turning away. “Wait in the car. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I reached for him, but he was already hurrying down the path, phone clutched to his ear, leaving me alone on the hillside as another contraction tore through me and more blood soaked my dress. “Our baby,” I whispered to no one as I sank to my knees in the mud. “Please, not our baby.”=== Chapter 2 === The world came back to me in fragments—harsh fluorescent lights, the antiseptic smell of disinfectant, the steady beep of monitors. My throat felt raw, my body heavy and disconnected. I tried to move, but pain shot through my abdomen, forcing a whimper from my lips. “Easy there, honey.” A nurse appeared at my bedside, her face kind but tired. “You’ve been through quite an ordeal.” The memories crashed over me like ice water. The cemetery. The blood. Ethan leaving me in the rain. “My baby,” I croaked, my hands flying to my stomach, finding only flatness where life had grown. “Where is—” The nurse’s expression told me everything. She squeezed my shoulder gently. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Foster. The doctors did everything they could.” I turned my face into the pillow, unable to process the weight of those words. Noah. My miracle. Gone. Through the haze of grief, I heard voices in the hallway—one unmistakably Ethan’s. I forced myself to focus, straining to hear. “—can’t thank you enough for understanding,” a woman’s voice said, breathy and sweet. “I know you had to leave Olivia, but Max meant everything to me.” “Rebecca, you know I’d do anything for you.” Ethan’s voice held a tenderness I hadn’t heard in months. “Besides, our baby will be perfect. I promise you that.” Our baby? The words sliced through me. I must have misheard. The medication, the trauma—surely my mind was playing tricks. A giggle floated through the door, light and carefree. “You always know what to say. I’m the luckiest woman alive.” Their footsteps faded down the corridor, leaving me alone with a pain that had nothing to do with my physical wounds. The next morning brought a new roommate—a woman in her forties who immediately launched into her story. “Third miscarriage,” she said, dabbing at her eyes. “They say it gets easier, but it doesn’t. Each one takes a piece of you.” She looked at me expectantly. “What about you, honey?” I opened my mouth, but no words came. How could I explain that my husband had chosen a vandalized dog memorial over our dying child? That I’d heard him promise perfection to another woman while I lay here empty? Tears slipped silently down my cheeks as she continued talking about support groups and trying again. I turned toward the window, watching rain streak the glass, and let her words wash over me like white noise. On the third day, Ethan finally appeared in my room. He carried a bouquet of white roses—funeral flowers, I thought bitterly. “The doctor says you can go home tomorrow,” he said, setting the flowers on the nightstand without meeting my eyes. “I’ve arranged for a nurse to help you.” “Our son is dead,” I said flatly. He shifted uncomfortably. “Olivia, I know you’re grieving, but—” He paused, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. “Perhaps this is for the best. We weren’t really ready. The timing with the Singapore merger, your health issues… We can try again when things are more stable.” For the best. The words echoed in the hollow chamber where my heart used to be. “Get out,” I whispered. “Olivia—” “Get out!” The scream tore from my throat, raw and primal. The roommate’s eyes widened in alarm. Ethan left without another word. The morning of my discharge dawned gray and oppressive. A nurse helped me dress while I leaned heavily on crutches, my body still weak from blood loss. Ethan was nowhere to be seen—just a driver waiting to take me home. But I didn’t go home. I gave the driver an address across town, to a small funeral home I’d found in the phone book. The director, an elderly man with gentle eyes, didn’t ask questions when I explained what I needed. “We can arrange a private ceremony,” he said softly. “Just you and your son.” Two days later, under a sky that threatened more rain, I stood alone in a small chapel. The tiny casket seemed impossibly small, draped in soft blue fabric. Inside lay the remains of my baby—my Noah, my peace that never was. “I name you Noah Foster,” I whispered to the empty room. “You were wanted. You were loved. You were mine.” When they brought me the silver box containing his ashes, I pressed it against my chest, feeling its cool weight against my heart. This was all I had left of him—this small vessel holding infinite dreams. As I limped back to the waiting car, I caught my reflection in the funeral home’s glass door. The woman staring back was a stranger—hollow-eyed, broken, clutching a silver box like a lifeline. Somewhere across town, my husband was probably with her, planning their perfect future while I carried our son’s ashes home alone.=== Chapter 3 === The house was too large, too empty, as I walked through its echoing halls, the silver box tucked beneath my arm. Shadows clung to the corners, whispering secrets I was too weary to decipher. Home was meant to be a sanctuary, but now it felt like a cage, its grandeur mocking the smallness of the life I had left within its walls. In the study, Ethan sat behind his polished desk, the glow of his laptop illuminating his face—a mask of casual indifference. The air was thick with unspoken words, and I paused at the threshold, watching him. “We can try again,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion, as if discussing a business plan rather than the shattered remains of our dreams. Each word was a stone cast into the well of my grief. His phone buzzed—a persistent reminder of Rebecca’s presence in our lives—and he ignored it with practiced ease. The room was a battleground of silence, where the only sound was the gentle rain tapping against the windows, a distant echo of the storm that had taken Noah from me. I turned away, retreating from the battlefield of his indifference into the solitude of my studio. Here, amidst the scattered canvases and brushes, I sought refuge. The sketchbook lay open on the table, its pages waiting for expression that words could not capture. I took up my pencil, drawing lines that formed a figure—a lone silhouette clutching a glowing box against the encroaching darkness. Each stroke was a whisper of my resolve, a testament to the defiance that burned within me. I glanced at Ethan’s phone, its screen lighting up with the constant barrage of messages. His betrayal was a wound that festered, but in the quiet of the studio, I found a flicker of strength—a resolve to reclaim the voice I had lost. The storm raged outside, a symphony of chaos that mirrored the turmoil within. And then, as if conjured by the tempest, Rebecca burst into the grand foyer. Her entrance was a spectacle, a performance of vulnerability, as she stumbled dramatically, a collapsible dog crate and white cane in hand. Rainwater soaked the marble floor, creating a mirror of the chaos she brought with her. “Olivia,” she cried, her voice a breathy wail, full of accusation and theatrical distress. Her presence was a violation, an intrusion upon the fragile peace I had begun to rebuild. Ethan appeared, his expression a mask of concern tailored for his mistress. He rushed to her side, his touch gentle, a stark contrast to the callous disregard he had shown me. “What’s wrong?” he asked, as if she were a wounded bird fallen from the sky. Rebecca’s eyes found mine, and I saw the gleam of triumph beneath her feigned vulnerability. “Max’s ashes,” she accused, her voice rising to a crescendo of hysteria. “They’re gone! And I know you took them!” The accusation was absurd, yet it hung in the air, a poison spreading through the room. Ethan’s gaze turned towards me, suspicion clouding his eyes. “Olivia, did you…” I clutched the silver box tighter, my son’s remains held close to my heart. “No,” I whispered, the word a shield against the storm she had unleashed. Yet even as I denied her claim, I felt the walls closing in, the weight of Ethan’s mistrust pressing upon me. Rebecca’s performance continued, a symphony of false grief that filled the space with its discordant notes. Ethan’s hand rested on her shoulder, a gesture of support that cut deeper than any blade. I was alone in the chaos, surrounded by the echoes of betrayal. As the storm outside raged, I stood my ground—a lone figure against the darkness, holding onto the memory of the son I had lost. The battle was far from over, but in that moment, amidst the tempest, I found a whisper of resolve. The storm would pass, and with it, the lies and deceit that sought to drown me. But for now, as I faced the woman who would see me broken, I held onto the truth, a beacon against the night. Outside, the rain fell in relentless sheets, a reminder that the storm was not yet done. But within me, a new strength took root—a promise that this battle would not end in silence.

My boyfriend picked me up from work, and a girl was sitting in the passenger seat. She rolled her eyes at me. “I get car-sick easily. You don’t mind if I sit up front, do you?” I slapped my boyfriend. “You dare give someone a ride when they’re car-sick? What if she flatlines right here in my car?!” Asher and I met at a party. I twisted my ankle in high heels, and he drove me home. At first, I thought he was some unattainable hunk, but then I heard he was a notorious player, a walking red flag. I was super wary of him at first. But he wouldn’t give up. He quit smoking for me, got into fights for me, and even got a vasectomy for me. Everyone in our circle said he’d changed for good. I believed them.

The six months I spent with Asher were genuinely happy. We traveled all over the world, seeing incredible sights, from towering mountains to vast oceans. Under a blanket of stars, he swore he’d only love me, forever. But recently, friends started telling me Asher had a new woman by his side. She was gorgeous, and he was constantly taking her to high-end places. I laughed it off, saying it must be for work, but a seed of doubt had been planted. Because Asher’s replies to my messages were getting slower and slower.

On Friday, Asher came to pick me up. The moment I opened the car door, I saw a girl in the passenger seat. She eyed me up and down, then abruptly rolled her eyes. “Sister, I get car-sick easily. You don’t mind if I sit up front, do you?” I looked at Asher. He said nothing. I smacked him. “You dare give someone a ride when they’re car-sick? What if she flatlines right here in my car?!” Scarlett’s face instantly fell. Asher snapped, “Rowan, you’re going too far. She’s just…” “Just shameless, I know.” I cut him off, grabbed the girl by her hair, and easily yanked her out. She tumbled onto the ground. I stepped over her, got into the car, and slammed the door shut. Outside, she was wailing and sobbing, tears streaming down her face. “Mr. Davies! Mr. Davies!” I picked up the water bottle she’d been drinking from, rolled down the window, and tossed it at her. “Just because you’re pretty, you think you’re hot stuff? You picked the wrong fight, sweetie. You have no idea who you’re messing with!” “Rowan, she’s not feeling well,” Asher said, getting into the driver’s seat and grabbing my hand. I turned to him, smiling. “Did *you* make her uncomfortable, bro?” Asher’s face darkened, his lips thinning into a hard line. I continued, “Bro, you don’t think I’ll let *you* off the hook just because I chewed *her* out, do you? If you don’t want this to blow up, drive.” Asher looked like he wanted to speak but held back. Finally, he started the car.

Back home, Asher sat on the couch, completely silent. “Let’s break up,” I said softly. He looked up. “Rowan, aren’t you overreacting? Nothing happened between Scarlett and me. She just wasn’t feeling well, that’s why I let her sit up front.” I poured myself a glass of water. “Oh, I know.” “Then why do you want to break up?” he asked, his voice urgent. “Because I’m bored,” I said dismissively, taking a sip of water. He froze, then, after a long moment, managed, “Bored?” I slowly walked over to him, smiling. “Bro, being with you is just so dull.” Veins bulged in his neck. I chuckled softly, patted his face, and pointed to the row of Muay Thai trophies on the wall. “Don’t get any ideas. I don’t mind hitting a guy.” “Rowan, you’re ruthless,” he snarled, then spun around and stormed out the door.

I lay back on the crisp white chair, my eyes unfocused. “Dr. Evans, I’ve been feeling irritable and moody again lately. Everyone around me is so annoying, like a bunch of idiots. I just want to tear this whole world apart.” “Rowan, you still need to be more positive,” Dr. Evans said softly, giving me a shot in my left arm. “A year ago, I didn’t recommend you leave, but you’ve been doing so well and taking your meds on time, so I approved your discharge. Just get some rest now.” I slowly closed my eyes. In my dream, I was a child again. Everyone knew the Blackwoods had a smart son, but no one knew it was boy-girl twins. Our family mystic said I was a bad omen, a curse. I was supposed to be drowned, but Mom couldn’t bring herself to do it. She secretly left me at an orphanage. The orphanage director was a pervert. When I was ten, he called me into his office, promising me toys. In the end, the police and doctors arrived. They looked at me, their faces full of shock. After answering countless questions, I was sent to the biggest mental institution in the city. I stayed for ten years.

When I woke up, my friends from the ward were all gathered around. “Boss, did your brain short-circuit again?” “Who messed with you, Boss? I’ll go invisible and take them out.” I sat up and smiled. “It’s nothing, just minor stuff.” Finn handed me a cup of water. “Boss, drink some water first.” Leo stopped Finn, touching the cup. “Can’t drink it. The water’s 90 degrees right now, and the right angle will get stuck in her throat.” What a clown. I looked towards the door. “Where are Jasper and Milo?” “Jasper’s out fishing in a washbasin, and Milo’s releasing fish tofu into the pond.” I nodded. Dr. Evans pushed the door open and walked in. “Aren’t you guys supposed to be saving the world? Why are you all crowded around your boss?” “We’re not going. The world isn’t as important as our Boss,” they mumbled. Dr. Evans glanced at me. I quickly took their hands. “The people need you!” Only then did they reluctantly run out. “Rowan, this is your new medication. Take it on time, and call me if anything happens.” I took the medicine Dr. Evans handed me, secretly musing, “What would happen if Asher took these?”

But before I could find Asher, I ran into Scarlett. She held her head high with arrogance, smiling triumphantly. “Sister, haven’t you been sleeping well lately? You look so haggard.” I perked my ears up, whispering, “Shhh, don’t talk.” “I never thought being dumped by Mr. Davies would hit you so hard, you’ve totally lost it.” She sneered, mocking me with contempt. I slowly stood up, then started slapping her face left and right. As I did, I chanted nonsense, “No more Mr. Nice Guy! Bo-bo-bo, bi-bi-bi! The dinosaurs are coming for you! Rawr, rawr, rawr!” By the time I finished my ‘song,’ her face was swollen, looking like a bruised pig. “You psycho! How dare you hit me?!” Her mouth was full of marbles, slurring her words. “Do you know who my dad is?” I shook my slightly sore hand. “Didn’t your mom tell you? What, you’re out here looking for a daddy? Now, get on your knees and beg, and maybe I’ll lower myself to be your daddy.” One hand covering her face, the other pointing at me, tears streaming down. “What trash are you? Without Asher, who do you think will back you up? You just wait!” I rolled my ankle and stretched my limbs. Seeing my stance, she backed up a few steps, then turned and ran. But she did remind me. It was time to visit Mr. Blackwood’s family.

I actually went to the Blackwood family’s place a month ago. It was Julian Blackwood’s birthday. Mr. Blackwood was a big shot in Cloud City. The moment he saw me, he looked tense, because I was wearing a backless gown, and the crescent-shaped birthmark on my shoulder was fully exposed. I didn’t intend to cause trouble, but Julian Blackwood just had to provoke me. His fingers grazed my birthmark, and he muttered something vulgar. I raised my hand and splashed a glass of red wine in his face. He arrogantly moved to hit me, but Mr. Blackwood stopped him with a furious shout. After the banquet, Mr. Blackwood called me aside. We reached an agreement: he’d give me a sum of money, and I wouldn’t reveal my identity. I mean, what woman in her right mind would turn down six houses?

Mr. Blackwood looked at me coldly. “What are you doing here?” I pointed at Julian. “To kick his ass.” “Kick *my* ass? What for?” Julian jumped to his feet, his eyes darting. “This is the Blackwood family estate. You won’t cause trouble here,” Mr. Blackwood’s voice carried anger. “You’ve probably forgotten I also carry the Blackwood name, haven’t you?” I leaned close to his ear and yelled maniacally, “Dad! Dad! Dad!” My voice echoed through the entire dining room. It probably shattered his eardrums. Mr. Blackwood clapped his hands over his ears and practically leapt away, his face etched with pain. “Are you insane?!” I smiled. “You know best whether I’m sick or not, don’t you?” Julian stood between me and Mr. Blackwood. “You’re a psycho. How dare you dream of being a Blackwood? That’s just delusional.” He was quite the dutiful son. I picked up the red wine from the table. He instantly tensed up. I smiled. “So you sent people to scare me a few days ago?” “I didn’t!” He bit his lip hard, his eyes fixed on my hand. “Don’t worry, I won’t splash you again.” I tilted my head back and drank the wine. His body relaxed. A smile played on my lips as the red wine suddenly sprayed out of my mouth. He and Mr. Blackwood scrambled backward, and I advanced, step by step. “Oops, sorry, that wine was just too awful. Couldn’t hold it in.” I picked up a napkin from the table and elegantly wiped my mouth. Mr. Blackwood and Julian were covered in wine stains on their heads, faces, and clothes, looking utterly pathetic. Julian lunged at me with a fist. “Rowan, you did that on purpose! If I don’t crush you today, I’ll take your name!” The next second, the distinct *crack* of bone sounded. Mr. Blackwood frantically bent down. “Julian, are you okay?” Julian was grimacing in pain, unable to utter a single word. “Rowan, what exactly do you want?” Mr. Blackwood asked, heartbroken. “Didn’t I say I came to kick his ass?” I pointed at Julian. “Now that it’s done, I should be going.” I casually grabbed a chicken leg from the table. “Dad, don’t forget to change Julian’s name. From now on, he’s my son, Julian Davies.” Behind me, I heard Mr. Blackwood’s heavy sigh. “Why did you have to provoke her? She’s completely insane.” I arrived at a cemetery, the wind scattering the flowers I brought. The woman on the tombstone smiled gently. I placed the flowers in front of her. “Mom, I’ve come to see you.” When I was little, Eleanor often visited me at the orphanage.

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Six years into our marriage, Julian was openly seeing another woman. He pressured me relentlessly for a divorce. I flat-out refused to sign the papers, no matter what. So, he stopped hiding it. He started bringing her everywhere, openly, shamelessly. But one day, I called him, my voice urgent. I told him to finalize the divorce, *fast*. Because I was about to go on a mission, one I’d signed a waiver for, acknowledging the extreme risk. Chances were, I wouldn’t be coming back. I’d been obsessed with Julian since I was a kid. We grew up in the same neighborhood. Unlike his steady, composed nature, I was always loud and a bit wild, shamelessly chasing after him. My elders often said my personality would be perfect for law enforcement. I didn’t join the army, but I did go to the police academy. But Julian never liked me. He always preferred the gentle type, the kind with big, innocent eyes and a soft, delicate look. Yet the woman he loved most left him when his startup was struggling the hardest. That same year, he lost his mother to cancer. And his company, crippled by a lack of funds, couldn’t even get off the ground. He was hit by one blow after another, reaching the lowest point of his life. He wasn’t himself anymore. He was drinking heavily, a complete mess, unshaven and barely functioning. Without a second thought, I sold the house my parents bought me and gave him every single cent. “Julian, take this money. Use it.” When he found out where the money came from, He screamed at me, cursed at me, said the most awful things. He’d always been dismissive of me, but that was the first time his words made me cry. My lips trembled, tears streaming down my face as I wailed, “I believe in you! Your company *will* succeed, you’ll make so much money, you’ll be a big shot! This is just an investment!” To my surprise, he finally pulled me into a tight embrace. He said if the company took off, we’d get married.

I’d never made an investment in my life. But the one I made in Julian was a smashing success. His startup soared. In the very first year, he made a fortune. He bought me a huge house, twice the size of the one I’d sold. And he kept his promise, proposing to me. We got married. House, car, money—we had it all. We lived a happy, fulfilling life. But as his company grew, his business trips became more frequent. He was busier than I was, even with my daily routine of catching thieves and chasing robbers. Just two years into our marriage, his late nights turned into entire absences. By the sixth year, his company was preparing to go public. But I often couldn’t reach him by phone, and his clothes frequently carried the scent of perfume. My insomnia spiraled out of control. “Julian, we need to talk, properly.” He sat there, running his fingers through his hair. “Aubrey, I’ve met someone. She’s gentle, so understanding. I know this is incredibly unfair to you, but if you agree to a divorce, I’m willing to give you ten percent of the company shares.” That day, I lunged at him and slapped him hard. “Julian, you bastard! How could you do this to me after everything? After how much I love you?!” He held me tightly. “I’m grateful for you, for being there for me during my toughest times. But it’s been six years, and I still can’t accept you, Aubrey. Let’s get a divorce.”

I was always compliant when it came to Julian. But with the divorce, I lost my mind. Only because I loved him too much. I still wanted to win him back. I confronted that woman, telling her she was nothing but a mistress, that what she was doing was morally reprehensible. I even offered her money to leave Julian. I even went as far as to expose Julian’s affair to his father. I thought this would make Julian come back. But what happened was, he came home, grabbed me by the arm, and exploded in anger. He called me crazy. He screamed that I knew his father had a weak heart, that I was trying to kill him with my words, that I was intentionally trying to trigger his heart condition. He told me to come at him directly, not threaten that woman. He accused me of having ulterior motives. He smashed a lot of things in the house. He even said I disgusted him and that I should live alone from then on. After that day, I could never get through to him by phone again. I sent him messages. “Julian, I’m so sorry. I know I handled things badly. Please don’t be angry. Come home. I know you like girls with long hair and soft skin. I can grow my hair long, I can take care of my skin.” He replied with just one message. “Aubrey, being with you feels like being with a guy. I just want a divorce. Can’t we just end this amicably?”

That woman got pregnant. He couldn’t wait any longer. He personally brought the divorce papers, along with a ten percent share transfer agreement. It hit me then: he never intended to have a child with me from the start. I’d had a miscarriage once, and after my body recovered, he always made sure to take precautions, no matter how much I protested. Yet now, he’d gotten another woman pregnant. I was sickened to my stomach. I ripped up the divorce papers, tore the share transfer agreement to shreds, and threw them at him. “Julian, *you* betrayed me! I don’t want your shares, and I won’t make it easy for you two!” I couldn’t face any of it. I requested a transfer to field duty, fighting crime, catching criminals. I simply wouldn’t come back to discuss the divorce with him. He stopped caring about appearances. He bought the mistress a villa for her pregnancy. The whole thing became public knowledge among our relatives and friends. Our relatives and friends, believing I couldn’t conceive, tacitly accepted his infidelity, thinking my infertility played a part. They just saw it as a messy, regrettable situation. Even his father, seeing that there was already a child on the way, rarely intervened.

Then, a major figure emerged within a criminal syndicate we were tracking. We raided one of his hideouts, and he retaliated violently: burning patrol cars, ambushing our officers. One of our colleagues, Arthur, was staked out and spotted by them. He was stabbed multiple times and died on the spot. Arthur had a five-year-old daughter. A heavy silence fell over the department. Based on the information we gathered, This criminal syndicate was incredibly brutal, operating near the border, armed with advanced weaponry. I lost five pounds in three days. My captain patted my shoulder. “Aubrey, don’t feel pressured. We’ll get these bastards.” I nodded, but my mind was already made up: I would personally bring those animals to justice. “Here’s your transfer order. Tomorrow, you’re moving to the department’s archives. Pack your things and report there.” I froze for a moment but stubbornly refused. “Captain, I’m not going back. I’m staying in the field.” “Don’t argue. No woman stays on the front lines forever.” I hesitated. “Honestly, Captain, if you didn’t say ‘woman,’ I’d forget my own gender.” Since childhood, I’d preferred uniforms to dresses. Especially after joining field duty, I’d cut my long hair to a short, neck-length bob because it was impractical for chasing suspects. “Don’t be stubborn, Aubrey. Arthur’s death had nothing to do with you. Don’t blame yourself.” I was silent for a long time. This had been weighing on my heart for days. “If I hadn’t taken that day off, he wouldn’t have covered for me. He wouldn’t have died. He died because of me.” That day, I was supposed to be on duty, observing from the corner store. But Julian called, insisting we meet because Celeste was about to give birth. If I didn’t agree, he threatened to come to my workplace to find me, as someone had seen me at the corner store. To protect my undercover identity, I was forced to take that day off, and Arthur covered for me. Arthur had been on the force for a long time and worked many cases. He was recognized by that group. That very night, he was brutally attacked in an alley.

A week later, we got intel: this group was leaving the country in three days. The department issued orders: we had to capture them before they crossed the border. After our final briefing, we were each handed a document. It was a pre-mission waiver, an acknowledgment that we understood the extreme risks, a life-or-death agreement. After I signed it, And called my parents, I finally called Julian. “I’ve made up my mind. I agree to the divorce. Meet me at the courthouse entrance in an hour.” He sounded surprised. “Are you serious?” “Yes, I’m already on my way to the courthouse. You should hurry too.” My journey was longer. He arrived before me, which suited his eagerness to end our marriage. “Madam, this is the equity division agreement. Mr. Hayes said he wants to give you ten percent of the shares.” “No need. I just want eight hundred thousand dollars, right now. Transfer it directly to my account, the amount from when I sold my house back then.” The lawyer and Julian both paused, stunned. But they did as I asked. Julian made a call, and eight hundred thousand dollars appeared in my account. Few people were divorcing that day. It was our turn quickly. “Are both parties divorcing voluntarily?” “Yes.” With a final stamp, our marriage was officially dissolved. I had to rush back to duty. I grabbed my copy of the papers and left. “Aubrey.” Julian, uncharacteristically, called out to me from behind. “Something wrong?” “You’ve lost a lot of weight.” “If there’s nothing else, I need to go.” “Is your team on a mission recently?” “Sorry, confidential.” I got into a taxi and left. In the taxi, I inadvertently looked back and saw Julian still standing at the entrance, watching me leave. After returning to duty, Following our pre-arranged tactical plan, We were grouped and ambushed at three border crossing points.

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Two years ago, a video of me kneeling outside an operating room was leaked anonymously. In the video, my hair was a mess, my makeup smudged. I was like a statue, kneeling on the floor, eyes fixed on the closed operating room doors. The comments poured in, mocking me: 【Is this a horror movie?】 【How does she still get acting gigs? Did she pay her way into the cast?】 【I hate her so much. If she’s in a show, I won’t even glance at it.】 … Until the end of the video, when the operating room doors opened. I stumbled forward, crying out the A-list actor’s name. Everyone was shocked, “Is she crazy? How dare she try to piggyback off his fame?” A video of me from two years ago was leaked by an anonymous user. Because it was heavily edited, people online didn’t realize it happened two years ago. In the video, my hands were clasped tight, my gaze locked on the operating room doors. I knelt there, a figure of desperate prayer and despair. My hair was a mess, my makeup streaked by tears. I kept murmuring, “Please, please, please.” The comments flooded in, mocking me: 【Isn’t that Anya Stone? Didn’t she step out of the spotlight two years ago?】 【I can’t stand her. Definitely not watching anything she’s in!】 【She actually still has acting gigs? She must’ve paid her way into the production!】 … These comments scrolled repeatedly, all variations of the same message. In the video, the operating room doors opened. I stumbled and lunged towards the body covered in a white sheet. I fell twice, then scrambled back up, my gut-wrenching wails filling the entire floor. “Doctor, please, save him again!” “I’m begging you!” As I spoke, I was about to collapse to my knees, but a nurse held me back. “Doctor! I’ll kneel for you!” “He’s not dead! He’s not dead!” I clutched the railing tightly, stopping them from wheeling the bed away. Someone in the comments section sighed: 【Gotta say, her acting is really good.】 【She’s crying so hard, it feels like she’s about to follow him.】 It was only when I screamed “Cole Vance” that the comments section instantly filled with question marks. 【What’s going on?? This isn’t acting?】 【This is *the* A-list actor? He’s dead? No way, his fans just posted pictures of him on set this afternoon.】 【Is she okay? How dare she try to piggyback off Cole Vance’s fame!】

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Scarlett Hayes dumped me again for Brandon Miller. This time, it was at our wedding. Watching her back disappear, a cold, digital voice echoed in my mind: “This is the 100th time the Female Lead has abandoned you for the Supporting Male. Do you wish to relinquish your role as her Male Lead?” “Yes.” “You can choose a new Male Lead for the Female Lead.” “Brandon Miller.” Since these childhood sweethearts couldn’t let go of each other, I decided to lock them together forever. “Because you were bound to Scarlett Hayes as her Male Lead by the System, you would always forgive her, no matter what she did. “Now, you are free,” the digital voice continued. “Can she bind me again?” I asked. “No, she has no right to change the Male Lead again.” … When the conversation ended, I felt a profound sense of clarity, like a heavy fog had finally lifted from my mind. Looking at the chaotic scene of family and guests below the stage, I steadied myself, took the microphone from the emcee, and announced: “I deeply regret that this wedding cannot proceed. I apologize for any disruption or disappointment this may cause.” The crowd quieted down. “Ms. Hayes just announced a postponement, but I don’t agree. “From today forward, our engagement is off. We go our separate ways, with no ties between us.” The grand ballroom erupted in another uproar, following the bride’s unexpected exit. I raised my voice, “Additionally, all wedding gifts will be returned twofold. Thank you again for coming.” With that, I bowed and walked off the stage, my steps feeling incredibly light.

Scarlett and I hadn’t formally registered our marriage, and all our friends and family knew it. It wasn’t that I was unwilling. She insisted on testing me for another two years. Now, I was incredibly grateful for her decision. After all, divorce wasn’t an easy process. As I reached the last step, my parents came rushing towards me. “Son, is what you said true? Have you really thought this through?” my mom asked excitedly, grabbing my hand. She had always felt Scarlett and I were a bad match. Forget our family backgrounds, the main thing was she simply didn’t hold me in her heart. But between us, I was always the one who loved more. My mom wasn’t happy about it, but she never forced her interference. At this moment, she looked at me with hopeful eyes, wanting to confirm if her wish had finally come true. My dad pulled her back, calmly saying, “He’s just saying angry things, don’t take him seriously. One call from her and he’d be crawling back, tail between his legs. You always believe him.” The disappointment and helplessness in his tone were palpable. Most people present probably thought the same as my dad. The light in my mom’s eyes instantly faded. She murmured, “You’re right.” In that moment, my heart clenched, a sharp, piercing pain. When I had no bottom line in love, constantly giving in, wasn’t that also a torment for my family, who loved me so much? “This time, it’s real. Trust me.” I held my parents’ hands, promising them. “…Hmm, we trust you.” They fell silent, then patted me dismissively. Their expressions clearly showed they didn’t believe me. And why would they? Scarlett had abandoned me for Brandon 100 times, and I had forgiven her 99 times. My track record of always forgiving her made my promise sound utterly hollow. But it didn’t matter. I would prove myself eventually.

As our family of three chatted, Scarlett’s parents approached. “Julian, really, why say such angry things on stage? “If you upset Scarlett, you’ll just have to sweet-talk her later, won’t you? “How about this: you help me secure that property deal in the East District, and I’ll put in a good word for you.” The paunchy, arrogant man standing before me was Scarlett’s father, Patrick Hayes. There was a time when he would grovel and fawn over me. Now, he was practically walking all over me. All because of my indulgence and endless concessions to Scarlett. “Mr. Hayes, Scarlett and I have ended our engagement. I don’t need you to put in a good word for me with her. “I won’t be helping with the property deal. Furthermore, Sterling Enterprises will cease all collaborations with your company, and all investments will be withdrawn.” His small, near-bankrupt company had only been revived with the support of Sterling Enterprises. But it seemed this whole family of ingrates had conveniently forgotten. Mr. Hayes’ face immediately turned sour, and he pointed a finger at my nose, yelling: “Fine, I won’t help you! Just you wait, you’ll come crawling back to my daughter, begging like a dog…” *Slap!* My mom slapped his oily face. “You insult my son again, and I’ll break your jaw!” She had always been gentle and kind, but at that moment, she was like a lioness protecting her cub. “I’m just stating facts, how is that an insult? Isn’t that exactly what your wonderful son has been doing all these years?” Mr. Hayes didn’t dare hit back, but his mouth wouldn’t quit. “What does it matter if you’re rich and powerful? With a son so utterly blinded by love, your family’s reputation is on the ground for me to trample…” I walked right up and dislocated his jaw, staring into his eyes: “Get out.” He stumbled back a few steps in fright. Scarlett’s mother, Brenda Hayes, caught him, looking at me with disdain and certainty: “We’ll be waiting for you, your whole family, to come and apologize.” With that, she dragged Mr. Hayes away, strutting off as if she’d won. My parents looked at me in shock, then with apprehension. “We’re not going with you to apologize.” “I’m not going either,” I swore. They fell silent.

Just after seeing off a wave of guests, my assistant approached: “Mr. Sterling, should the PR department handle the trending topics and online buzz?” I checked online. The discussion about this wedding was off the charts. Several hashtags were at the top of the trending list. #ScarlettHayesRunawayBride #ScarlettHayesDumpsJulianForBrandonAtWedding #JulianSterlingAnnouncesEngagementOff … Scarlett Hayes’ fans were having a field day: “So satisfying! That’s my girl, Scarlett! The Sterling heir is nothing but a dog to her. Our queen just dumped him. Give him face? Not a chance.” “Looks like the fated prince charming still can’t beat the childhood sweetheart. The Sterling heir had to practically grovel for this wedding, but our girl ran off with one wave from her childhood friend.” “Oh, look, the Sterling heir is actually talking tough now. I bet he’ll be on his knees begging Scarlett within three days.” “Poor Sterling heir, after all these years he didn’t even get an official title, just the reputation of a pathetic simp. My girl Scarlett is truly a boss!” “Scarlett was right not to legally register the marriage. She can walk away anytime. Even with so many important people at the wedding, our girl still did what she wanted.” “So what if he’s the Sterling heir? In our girl’s eyes, he’s just a plaything. Scarlett is living the ultimate female lead power fantasy!” … The screen was filled with such comments. Even though Scarlett was clearly in the wrong, her fans cleverly spun it as a bold act of female empowerment, making their idol untouchable. A few sensible bystanders dared to comment amidst the chaos: “Fans, don’t you think you’re being a bit too arrogant? Your ‘queen’ is where she is today thanks to the Sterling heir throwing money at her career. Otherwise, with her average looks and mediocre acting, she wouldn’t have made it.” Fans immediately jumped on them: “Get lost! Scarlett made it this far all on her own. Stop giving credit to that臭男人 (stinky man), he only ever held our girl back!” Like idol, like fans. They were just as cold-hearted and ungrateful. I was the one who took Scarlett from being a nobody in the entertainment industry to a trending young actress. If I could raise her up, I could certainly pull her down. “No need to deal with the online comments. Leave them all up. Freeze Scarlett Hayes out. Replace her in all her projects. If they can’t be replaced, terminate the contracts. I’ll cover the penalty fees.” Scarlett’s management contract was with a production company under Sterling Enterprises, and it still had two years left. I wasn’t completely cutting her off, after all, the contract terms were fairly loose, and the penalty fees wouldn’t be a huge burden for Scarlett. My assistant looked at me in surprise, then cautiously spoke: “Mr. Sterling, I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear that.” “Do exactly as Mr. Sterling said. Even if he changes his mind, I’m here. You won’t be implicated,” my dad interjected. “Thank you, Chairman Sterling.” The assistant immediately went to execute the orders. Just then, Scarlett’s call came through: “Brandon’s been arrested! Get him out for me, and clean up this mess.” Her tone was icy, like she was giving orders to a subordinate. I frowned, hung up, and blocked her number. Soon, an unknown number called, and it was Scarlett again: “Julian Sterling, what do you mean by this? Brandon only got into that fight because of me! Because that guy was slandering me!”

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I shamelessly pursued Christian Davies for four years. He was utterly fed up. Under his immense pressure, my family nervously sent me abroad. He had said, “Do whatever it takes to get her to stop bothering me!” “Otherwise, don’t blame me for showing no mercy.” Drugs, hypnosis, electroshock therapy… Those methods were truly effective. I forgot what it felt like to love him. Even my memories of him became hazy. He finally relented, allowing me to return home. I actively avoided any place he might appear. Because Mom told me that man with the stunning looks was someone I couldn’t afford to offend. When I saw him kissing Willow, my sister, I secretly pulled out my phone to take a picture. His eyes blazed with a fierce, cold fury. I cowered into the corner, words failing me: “I’m sorry, I just thought you two looked so good together, totally shippable…” I didn’t know why. The stoic man, who rarely showed emotion, his eyes trembled violently. **1** After coming back from abroad, I always felt like my brain wasn’t working quite right. I spent most of my day sleeping. I thought I might be sick. Mom comforted me, saying not to worry. “You’ve always been a little sleepyhead, unlike your sister who’s so disciplined.” “It’s fine, everyone’s body is different. Just go to sleep if you’re tired.” I poured myself a large cup of black coffee, hoping to perk up. But it had no effect. I tapped my temples, frustrated, when the front door rang. Mr. Henderson, the butler, said: “Miss Willow brought Mr. Davies home.” Dad and Mom’s faces immediately lit up with joy. Dad eagerly went to greet them. Mom was about to follow, then suddenly remembered something. She looked at me, troubled: “Lily, you…” I nodded understandingly: “I know, Mr. Davies doesn’t like me.” “Willow’s engagement is important. I’ll go upstairs now, I need to catch up on sleep anyway.” Mom looked at me, yawning, with relief. I had only walked a few steps when I suddenly remembered I hadn’t picked up my coffee cup. I wanted to try another cup later. The moment I turned, I inadvertently met a pair of cold, piercing eyes. It was almost instinctive. I forgot all about the coffee cup and ran as fast as I could. Like my life depended on running away fast enough. I didn’t stop until I burst into my room and locked the door from the inside. Then I pushed a table against the door. Only then did my heart, pounding in my throat, finally settle. I couldn’t explain why, but seeing Christian always triggered an intense emotion in me: Fear. Mom said it was because Christian had a natural air of dominance; anyone around him felt immense pressure. “Especially someone like you, a born pushover.” Mom told me not to appear in front of Christian. “Christian, he doesn’t like people who look cute but are actually slow-witted.” “His gaze only lingers on excellent girls like your sister.” “What level is the Davies family on? If we can marry into the Davies family, we could save ourselves generations of struggle!” “Lily, you need to be sensible.” I was very sensible. So, every time Christian came over, I actively avoided him. Mom was very pleased about this and sometimes patted my head. That was my greatest reward, and I treasured it. So, I never dared to tell Mom. Even if she didn’t say anything, I would have avoided Christian on my own. His presence was just too overwhelming. I felt so uncomfortable. So suppressed. As if my heart was being squeezed tightly in someone’s hand. And a strange, bitter ache. Downstairs, laughter and cheerful chatter filled the air. Lost in that happy noise, I drifted off to sleep. **2** When I woke up again, it was dark outside. Already evening. The mansion was quiet. Christian must have left. My stomach growled. I pushed open my door, wearing a white princess nightgown, and padded barefoot downstairs to find food. The floor was cold and smooth, and I felt my brain clear up just a tiny bit. I was standing by the counter, heating up toast. The study door suddenly opened. Christian emerged, dressed in a sharp suit. Bathed in the warm yellow light, his silhouette was even more defined, his posture perfectly straight. His features were sculpted, sharp. He looked like a god of judgment had descended. But he was too cold. His aura was cold, his eyes were cold. Even the charcoal gray cufflinks on his suit glinted coldly. Across the long living room, his gaze fell lightly upon me. His thin lips pressed into a tight line. He radiated an overwhelming presence. In an instant. I snapped back to reality. I buried my head in my arms and ducked under the dining table. A pathetic attempt to hide. Willow’s light footsteps floated down the stairs. She ran into Christian’s arms, holding his arm and shaking it. “Are you really leaving already? You haven’t even seen my new showreel, can’t you stay for dinner?” Willow’s demeanor was usually distant. But now, she showed off a girlish charm, her voice soft and sweet. So lovely. Like a beautiful bird. With vibrant plumage and a melodious song. Christian didn’t speak, his cold eyes fixed on me, shivering under the table. Willow’s smile faded. She bit her lip and said: “If you’re busy, you can see it another time. Let’s go, I’ll walk you out.” Christian stood motionless. His oppressive presence was so heavy, it was as if he hadn’t even heard Willow speak. Willow opened her mouth, but didn’t dare utter a sound. After a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice low: “Alright, I’ll eat dinner before I leave.” Dad and Willow’s faces simultaneously registered surprise. Christian’s lips curved slightly: “What are you afraid of? She’s forgotten everything, hasn’t she?” Christian took long strides to the dining table and knelt down. His suit pants accentuated the strong lines of his legs. “Lily, do you still recognize me?” I timidly raised my eyes, then lowered them, not daring to meet his gaze. I slowly nodded. But suddenly, my fingertips and toes felt as if they were being pricked by needles. It was an automatic, reactive scream. I squeezed my eyes shut. Shaking my head frantically. “No! Don’t hit me! I don’t know you!” **3** At the dinner table, the atmosphere was strange. Dad and Mom tried desperately to liven things up. But Christian just ate quietly. His posture refined. He showed no intention of speaking. This made Mom and Dad’s enthusiasm seem very awkward. Willow’s face was dark, and she remained silent. I didn’t dare to pick up any food, only eating small bites of rice. Finally, when the meal was over, Dad and Mom both seemed to let out a sigh of relief. As Christian was about to leave, I suddenly remembered something and called out to him: “Mr. Davies, wait a moment.” Everyone stared at me in surprise. Including Christian. His brow furrowed slightly, clearly impatient. “Just for a second. Okay?” I used my fingers to show a centimeter of distance. Saying that, I ran upstairs, and quickly came back down carrying a metal box. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on me. I opened the lid of the metal box and asked: “Mr. Davies, is this yours?” On top of the box were a dozen or so ID photos. Some were passport-sized, some larger. They clearly weren’t obtained through official channels. Because some photos had official stamps, and some had dried glue on the back. It was evident they had been pried off various documents. Christian in the photos looked younger than he was now, with a hint of youthfulness in his eyes and brows. But his features were already exceptionally handsome. Besides the ID photos, there were other miscellaneous items. Candy wrappers, cigarette boxes, empty pen cartridges, crumpled test papers, and so on. Christian’s gaze was intense as he looked at me. I gritted my teeth before I dared to continue: “I found it in a corner of my closet. I don’t know who put it there. But I recognized your photos, so they must be yours, right?” Christian’s eyes shifted slightly, seeming to hold a hint of scrutiny. His stare made me shrink. My shoulders drooped. He spoke: “Not mine, throw it away.” “Oh, okay.” I casually tossed it into the nearby trash can and was about to go upstairs. Christian’s eyes suddenly took on a dangerous glint. “Lily, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” He called out to me. I was puzzled: “What?” He seemed to see right through everything, his eyes mocking. He scoffed. “Nothing. You’re a good actress. Just don’t do it again. I’m not interested in watching.” With that, he turned and left. **4** Mom closed the door. Willow, who had been holding it in all evening, was now crying, slumped over the table. Dad’s heart ached looking at her, and finally, unable to contain his anger, he slapped me. I wasn’t prepared and fell to the floor awkwardly. My head hit the corner of the table. It buzzed with pain. Mom clutched Willow’s shoulders, looking heartbroken and furious. She turned to me: “Lily, don’t blame your dad for being so harsh. Tonight, you truly, truly disappointed us!” “Did you forget Mom’s countless warnings?” “Why did you come downstairs without permission? Why did you talk to him? Are you really that pathetic?!” Blood dripped from the wound on my forehead, flowing into my eyes. My vision blurred into a crimson haze. Clutching the bleeding wound, I tried to explain: “I’m sorry, I thought he had left. I didn’t mean to…” Willow suddenly grabbed my collar, screaming hysterically: “Running downstairs dressed like that, deliberately parading your bare feet in front of him, even bringing out that junk box to get his attention, Lily, who are you trying to seduce?!” “Do you even know Christian’s standing? Do you know your own? How dare you even *think* about him?!” “Do you know that because of your indiscretion tonight, I might lose him?!” “Are you really that desperate for male attention? Seducing your own sister’s boyfriend!” With that, Willow opened the door and walked out. Mom desperately grabbed Willow: “Willow, where are you going at this hour?” Willow looked at me with hatred: “This house, it’s either me or her. If she stays, I leave!” Soon, the sound of a car engine starting echoed from the garage. Mom sighed deeply. Dad slammed the door in a fit of rage. I quietly spoke: “Should I stay out tonight?” Mom hesitated for a few moments: “Where would you go?” “I’ll stay at a hotel. I always stayed at hotels when I was abroad, I’m used to it.” Back then, I couldn’t endure the inhumane torment. Whenever I had a chance, I’d escape from the hospital. I’d stay in the cheapest motels. Trying to avoid the painful treatments they arranged for me. But Willow always found me quickly and brought me back. Mom was silent, then after a moment, she nodded: “Tonight was indeed your fault. So go stay out. Once your sister calms down, Mom will pick you up.” **5** In the hotel. Standing in front of the mirror, I carefully dabbed the blood from my forehead. The wound was a bit large; one bandage wouldn’t cover it. But it was so late, and I didn’t dare to leave the hotel room to buy bandages. Usually, I could never get enough sleep. Tonight, perhaps because of the stinging pain on my forehead, I found it hard to sleep. I had forgotten why I was sent abroad. I only remembered that, ever since I was little, Willow was always smarter, always more outstanding than me. Everywhere she went, she seemed to glow. That’s why Dad and Mom had the highest hopes for her. Willow became a child model at a very young age, and later, her image as a beautiful academic genius went viral. As for me, aside from having a similar appearance to her, I was useless. So, I understood my parents’ favoritism. I agreed with Mom and Dad’s approach, to allocate more resources to the capable Willow. But, was this favoritism the reason they sent me abroad? I remember when I was abroad, swallowing handfuls of pills and undergoing painful treatments, Mom told me over the phone that it would make me smarter. But I always felt that after returning from abroad, my mind was even worse. Besides being lethargic, my reactions were slower. Did Mom and Dad have to bring me back because the treatment failed? Did they dislike me even more because I was dumber? **6** During the day, I wandered the streets. At night, as soon as it got dark, I’d return to the hotel to sleep. I stayed at the hotel for a week, but Mom still hadn’t called me back. I was out of money. I sent Mom a SnapChat message. I found out she had blocked me. At noon, as I sat in the hotel lobby, spacing out. I saw a striking couple from afar, standing at the entrance of the indoor garden. The man was tall and well-built, his back to me, so I could only see his broad, straight shoulders. The woman had an hourglass figure, wearing an elegant long dress, her small face tilted up, smiling at the man. But I could only see half of her profile. I shook my head, wanting to see more clearly. But these past few days, I always had a headache, and things looked like they were seen through a fog. It only made the scene in front of me more atmospheric. I picked up my phone and captured this beautiful moment. But I forgot to turn off the flash, and the shutter sound was turned up to maximum. They quickly noticed me. The man’s jawline seemed to tighten. His gaze towards me was very hostile. I saw the two of them walking towards me, and I became so restless I couldn’t sit still. Until Christian and Willow stood over me, looking down. “Lily, what are you doing here?” Christian’s voice was still very cold. I looked at Willow, too scared to speak. Christian held out his long hand: “Give me your phone.” I nervously handed my phone to him. It was strange, he actually knew my password. Even I didn’t know what my six-digit password meant. I thought through everyone’s birthdays in my family, but none of them matched. Christian pulled up the photo, his eyes dangerously narrowed: “Why were you secretly taking pictures? Lily, what do you want to do to Willow? Are you trying to hurt her again?” I shook my head frantically, so nervous I almost cried: “No, I didn’t.” I knew Willow was better than me. I was so ordinary, so I never thought about competing with her for anything. But Mom said I once appeared at Willow’s new show premiere, dressed elaborately. A reporter said that Willow and I looked alike, but our temperaments were completely different. Willow was pure and refined. While I was seen as spirited and innocent, almost too good for this world. They said I had a wider range of roles. So, the lead role Willow had secured suddenly changed hands. In the end, I didn’t get to play it either. But Willow lost her chance to join the ranks of A-list actresses. That’s why Willow hated me, hated me for deliberately stealing the spotlight, for not wanting her to succeed. No matter how I explained, no one believed me. That day, I wasn’t trying to steal Willow’s glory. I just wanted to witness her success. I spent all my pocket money to rent an expensive gown, just so I wouldn’t embarrass Willow. Unexpectedly, it only made Willow look overshadowed. I really didn’t mean to. But no one believed me. Those days, everyone was against me. My family took turns expressing their disappointment. It was suffocating. Like a nightmare. I never wanted to experience that again. “Please believe me, I didn’t.” I helplessly clutched Christian’s sleeve, pleading. He frowned and said: “Lily, are you still faking it? You didn’t really lose your memory, did you?” “I don’t know, I don’t know if I’ve lost my memory, please believe me!” My memory was broken. Some things I remembered, some I’d forgotten.

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I loved Dax Thorne for five years, and for every single one of those years, I’d been tormented. Until the Vance family empire collapsed, my loved ones died, and everything I held dear was systematically destroyed by Dax. Eventually, in a raging inferno, I set myself on fire, right there in front of him. Everyone outside thought Dax had finally gotten his revenge. Only he knew that the moment I died, he truly lost his mind. Muffled cries of pain echoed through the room. Dax was performing the most intimate act, yet his expression was colder than a winter storm, as if he were miles away, trapped in a frozen wasteland. I struggled to breathe, a terrifying sense of suffocation building inside me, and instinctively thrashed against him. Just when I thought I was about to black out, Dax suddenly released me. I gasped, gulping in air, but before I could catch my breath, his rough movements shattered the fragile calm again. The torment went on for what felt like an eternity, only stopping when I was on the verge of losing consciousness. My phone rang. Dax picked it up, a flicker of cruel satisfaction in his eyes as he looked at the screen. He answered. The voice on the other end announced the collapse of Vance Enterprises. My eyes, which had been half-closed from the agony, snapped open. I stared up at him, disbelief flooding my senses. “Vance Enterprises… collapsed? What happened?” My voice was hoarse, weak, yet laced with sheer shock. Dax noticed the terror in my eyes, and a cruel smirk twisted his lips. “Like it? That’s my first gift to you.” I gazed at his smile, a chilling realization dawning on me. “Dax… you did this? To Vance Enterprises?” He gripped my chin, forcing my face up until I was trapped in an intimate, yet utterly terrifying, proximity. “Yes. Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for this day?” I ignored the throbbing pain in my jaw, my heart plummeting to my stomach. “Why? Why would you destroy my family?” Dax shoved me off the bed, watching me fall to the floor. His eyes, usually so carefully guarded, now blazed with raw, unrestrained hatred. “Elara Vance, the Vance family’s ruin? You brought this on yourselves! If your mother hadn’t forced Seraphina away, she never would have broken up with me, and she certainly wouldn’t have died because of you!” Because of Seraphina… He hated himself, hated everyone in my family. So all his past tenderness, his kindness, had been a lie. This was his true face. My heart clenched. “No!” My face was pale. “My mother didn’t force Seraphina to break up with you, and I didn’t hurt her!” Dax’s eyes turned venomous. “You think I’d believe a word you say?” Years ago, Dax had been with Seraphina Hayes, my family’s adopted daughter. But my mother, knowing I harbored feelings for him, had forced Seraphina to break up with him. Dax still remembered Seraphina crying, clinging to him, saying she had no choice. The Vance family’s vast empire was too powerful; if they didn’t break up, my family wouldn’t let her go. Dax had been heartbroken, but at the time, his own family lacked the power to stand against mine. He’d had no choice but to painfully break up with Seraphina and marry me. Yet, even after all that, I still hadn’t let Seraphina go. He remembered the scene of Seraphina drowning, and it made him want to slaughter my entire family. But he couldn’t avenge Seraphina, so he had to swallow his hatred and live a lie with me. Until today. Finally, he had the power to avenge Seraphina. Dax said nothing more. He dragged me downstairs, opened a small room in the corner of the first floor, and shoved me inside. I stumbled, falling to my knees. My eyes widened in horror as I looked up at the scene before me. On the table in the room sat a framed photo. The girl in the picture was beautiful and delicate, with a melancholic air. It was Seraphina Hayes. I tried to stand, but Dax’s foot lashed out, kicking me in the back of my knee. I crumpled to the floor. “In front of Seraphina, you only deserve to kneel.”

Dax took a few steps closer, his leather shoe pressing down on my bare foot. As I cried out in pain, he spoke slowly. “Tell me, do you think Seraphina felt this much pain the day she died?” I looked at Seraphina’s photo, propping myself up with my arms on the floor. A bitter realization dawned on me, and I suppressed a groan of pain. “Dax, I didn’t kill Seraphina.” Back then, Seraphina had found herself a man far wealthier than Dax and decided to break up with him. I felt bad for Dax, so I didn’t dare tell him the truth. But after I married Dax, Seraphina regretted it. I still remember sitting in Seraphina’s car. She’d said she had something to tell me, but instead, she stomped on the gas pedal, speeding toward the bridge. Seraphina’s expression was wild, her words sharp and venomous. She’d screamed that if I, Elara Vance, died, Dax would forever be hers. But something went wrong with Seraphina’s plan. After the car plunged into the river, I easily unlatched my seatbelt and escaped. Seraphina, however, got stuck in hers and drowned inside the car. And the scratches and marks from our struggle? In Dax’s mind, they became proof that I had deliberately wrestled the steering wheel from Seraphina. Dax pressed down harder, his eyes filled with dark malice. “You still dare to lie?! I saw you climb out of that river with my own eyes while Seraphina stayed at the bottom forever! Are you going to tell me Seraphina drove the car down herself?!” I gasped, a soft whimper of pain escaping my lips. It felt like my foot bone was about to snap under his weight. I shook my head frantically, not knowing how to explain it so Dax would believe me. Seraphina was dead, and her silence condemned me. Seeing my tormented expression, Dax let out a chilling laugh of pure satisfaction. “Before, I couldn’t touch you because of your family’s power. But now Vance Enterprises has fallen. Let’s see who can save you now! And your mother and your sister? I won’t let a single one of them go!” “Are you… are you going to kill them?!” A sudden terror seized me. I tried to pull away, but his foot pinned me down. “Dax Thorne, murder is a crime!” “You killed Seraphina, and the law didn’t punish you, did it?” Dax half-crouched, reaching out to grab my hair, forcing my gaze toward Seraphina’s photo. “Don’t worry, I won’t kill you. Death would be too easy. I’ll make sure you live a long, miserable life, atoning for Seraphina.” After that, Dax kept me imprisoned in his mansion. My phone was confiscated. My left foot bone was indeed broken, just as he’d promised. But he wouldn’t allow a doctor to treat me. Helpless, I had to suffer in silence, crudely bandaging my foot with a piece of wood, hoping it would heal on its own. Imprisoned, I became Dax’s plaything. My fractured foot was repeatedly tormented by him, shattering any hope of it ever healing properly. Dax pinned me against the cold floor, unleashing his wild, raging desire. The floor was freezing, but Dax’s body was scorching hot. I shivered, caught between the cold and the heat, struggling to breathe. I placed my hands on his arm, which felt like an iron bar wrapped around my neck, and pleaded, my voice breaking. “Dax… you can do anything you want to me… just please, can I see my mother and sister… just once?” Dax’s hand slowly tightened. “Do you want to see their corpses?” My eyes widened in horror. When I spoke again, my voice was choked with tears. “No… no, I don’t… please, my family is innocent, don’t hurt them…” “Your family is innocent? Was Seraphina not innocent?” With that, Dax thrust hard, and a cry of pain escaped my lips. Dax left after he was finished. I slowly got up from the floor, stumbling my way to the bathroom. Warm blood trickled down my thigh and dripped onto the tiles.

I sank into the bathtub, my lower body screaming in burning agony. My face was ashen, and I stared blankly at my horribly deformed left foot. From now on, I’d be crippled for life. I lay in bed, unable to sleep all night. I watched the sky outside gradually lighten. Suddenly, I heard faint sounds. Curiosity stirred. I sat up, limped downstairs, and saw the living room TV was on, broadcasting the city’s top news story. I stood in the living room, frozen. The news headline on the screen read: “Former Vance Enterprises Head Dies of Heart Attack at Home.” The reporter’s camera panned to a sobbing young girl. It was Willow, my little sister. My ears roared. Tears blurred my vision, but I kept my gaze fixed on her frail figure. How could this be? My mother’s health had been improving, hadn’t it? Why would she have a heart attack now? And Willow… she wasn’t even an adult yet. How would she survive out there, all alone? Without thinking, I tried to rush out, but the bodyguards outside pushed me back. No matter what I said, they wouldn’t let me leave. Not until evening, when Dax returned. The TV was still on, playing the evening news, filling the silent living room with a strange clamor. Hearing footsteps, I looked up, staring directly at Dax as he entered. I didn’t know why, but he suddenly felt like a stranger. I’d loved Dax for over a decade, but when had he changed like this? Dax walked over, and a sharp slap landed across my face. My head snapped to the side from the impact. I heard Dax’s voice above me, cold and unforgiving. “You don’t deserve to look at me like that.” A red, swollen handprint bloomed on my pale cheek. I felt no pain, only stared at him with wide, empty eyes. “My mother… did you kill her?” Dax met my gaze. “She deserved it. If she hadn’t forced Seraphina away, Seraphina never would have broken up with me!” Then, Dax sneered. “Rather than saying I killed her, it’s more accurate to say you killed her. If you hadn’t been so desperate to marry me, how would she have died?” My face went white. I couldn’t hear Dax’s continued mocking. Only his words echoed in my mind: *my mother was killed by me*. Yes, wasn’t my mother killed by me? It was my delusional hope, my naive belief that I could win Dax’s heart, that brought about this catastrophe. It was my stupidity, my self-righteous love, that destroyed the Vance family. Salty tears slid past my lips. I mumbled, “I was wrong. It’s all my fault…” After that, I completely gave up fighting. I no longer thought of escaping, nor did I dare mention wanting to see my sister, terrified Dax would hurt Willow. I became a caged bird in Dax’s mansion. The food I ate came back up again. One night, while in bed, I told Dax about it. His frantic thrusts stopped. He’d clearly thought the same thing I had. After he finished, he called his private doctor. The doctor examined me and finally concluded: I was indeed pregnant. One month along. Dax spoke. “Get rid of it.” My hands rested on my lower belly, my expression eerily calm. Dax’s words didn’t faze me. His decision was exactly what I expected. Knowing his personality, he would never allow this child to be born. I suppressed a flicker of sadness in my eyes. This child came at the worst possible time. I didn’t want to bring him into this world to suffer. The doctor hesitated. “We can’t perform the procedure here, Mr. Thorne. Do we need to go to a hospital?” Dax suddenly smiled. “No need.” He dismissed the doctor and called a bodyguard upstairs. The bodyguard entered, carrying an iron bar. My gaze fell on the bar, and a sudden dread filled me. “What are you going to do?” Dax said calmly, “It was my oversight, allowing you to get pregnant.” He gave a look, and the bodyguard stepped forward, pinning me down. I struggled, but couldn’t break free from his grasp.

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My neighbor abandoned her cat, and I took it in. The cat never warmed up to me, but it clung to my husband, purring and meowing constantly. That’s when a red flag went up for me. When my husband claimed to be working late into the night, I knocked on my neighbor’s door. She ran a hand over her noticeably bulging belly. “Chloe, what can I do for you at this hour?” The blatant challenge and triumph in her eyes made everything crystal clear. In the early hours, my husband crept back home, only to find both our parents waiting. A divorce agreement lay on the coffee table. “Divorce?” “Chloe, are you really throwing away seven years of our relationship over a worthless cat?” Liam didn’t even look at the document. He snatched the divorce agreement and hurled it at the ragdoll cat rubbing against his leg. “If you don’t sign, we’ll go to court.” I said flatly, then turned to walk back to our room. Both sets of parents looked utterly bewildered. They couldn’t understand how a couple who, just last month, seemed like newlyweds could suddenly be on the brink of divorce. Liam lowered his head, trying to conceal the panic in his gaze, his fists clenched and trembling. His parents rushed forward, blocking my path. “Chloe, you can’t accuse Liam of cheating just because of a cat! Some cats are naturally drawn to men. What does that prove?” “We’ve seen how good Liam has been to you. When you had that severe flu and high fever years ago, Liam stayed awake for 48 hours, tirelessly caring for you in the hospital. When you accidentally fell off that mountain, Liam didn’t hesitate to sell his shares, spending a fortune to bring in the top medical team for you.” “Do these things weigh less in your heart than a cat?” My parents also tried to persuade me, speaking earnestly. “If you leave Liam, where will you find such a good husband again?” “Your body was damaged, leaving you unable to conceive. It’s a blessing that Liam hasn’t left you for it. Don’t you realize how lucky you are?” Liam suddenly grabbed my hand, his red-rimmed eyes filled with a desperate, doting look, as if he loved me beyond measure: “Honey, we dated for two years and have been married for five. We faced life-or-death situations together and never let go of each other’s hands. How can you misunderstand me over a cat?” “Is it because I’ve been so busy with problems at the company lately that you feel neglected and unhappy?” “I swear, no matter how busy I am, I’ll come home on time every day to be with you…” Everyone in the room seemed to love me so much. My in-laws were sophisticated and kind; they had always treated me well, never once treated me poorly. My parents were a bit more pragmatic, believing that staying with Liam would guarantee me a good life. But the indifference and resolve in my eyes never wavered. I coolly pushed Liam’s hand away. “I’ll say it again: if you don’t sign tonight, we’re going to court.” “This is my last act of consideration for you.” Liam’s eyes were bloodshot. “Chloe, how can you be so heartless?” “It’s simple. Because I don’t care about you one bit anymore.” With that, I couldn’t be bothered to argue with them anymore. I walked straight to the front door and left. The disappointed sighs of both sets of parents echoed behind me, but I didn’t pause for a moment, quickening my pace. The ragdoll cat also seized the opportunity to slip out. As I sat spacing out on a park bench in the neighborhood, I saw the ragdoll cat chasing its former owner, Skylar, who was downstairs throwing out trash. Skylar viciously kicked its head, but the ragdoll wouldn’t leave for anything. I couldn’t stand it and went over to intervene, but the ragdoll arched its back and hissed at me, claws out. Skylar suddenly chuckled: “Chloe, sometimes people are just like cats.” “If you don’t like someone, you just don’t. No matter how hard you try to force it, it won’t work out.” I looked at the blatant challenge and superiority in Skylar’s eyes, then glanced at her obviously bulging belly, instantly understanding what she meant. “You’re right.” “Desperate cats and people—you can’t keep either.” Liam suddenly showed up, his face filled with tension and panic. But it wasn’t for me. “Chloe, can you just act normal? I told you, the cat being affectionate with me was just a misunderstanding, and it has nothing to do with our neighbor! Causing a scene at home is one thing, but how can you go crazy and harass her? Can’t you see she’s pregnant?” Liam clearly had no idea what had happened. He just saw me with Skylar and instinctively wanted to defend her, treating me like a jealous shrew looking for trouble. I let out a bitter laugh, realizing that even if Liam still loved me, his love for Skylar was greater.

Fearing I’d go harass Skylar again, Liam forcefully dragged me back home. Mr. and Mrs. Miller’s faces were beyond furious. They had already read the contents of the divorce agreement and simply tossed it into the trash. “Chloe, what is the meaning of this? We, the Miller family, have treated you well, haven’t we? It’s bad enough you’re asking for a divorce over a worthless cat, but you also want Liam to leave with nothing?” “Have we been too kind, making you think you can walk all over us?” My parents looked ashamed of me, their faces flushed. “You’re going too far, Chloe. We won’t support you in something so unreasonable.” I didn’t offer any lengthy explanations, simply repeating my previous statement: “If you don’t agree, then I’ll see you in court.” The one who cheated should forfeit everything. Liam’s voice trembled with urgency. “Chloe, are you divorcing me to split my assets? You know the passwords to all my accounts; you can spend whatever you want. Isn’t that enough?” Not all accounts. Or rather, they used to be, but now Liam had several new cards. I had no idea how much money he’d been spending on Skylar behind my back. I was about to point this out when there was a sudden knock at the door. Skylar sweetly greeted us. “Everyone, I apologize for bothering you so late.” “Earlier downstairs, I saw Mr. Miller and Chloe having a misunderstanding because of me. I felt bad about it and came to check.” “Actually, Chloe wasn’t harassing me. She was just taking her anger out on the cat, and I couldn’t stand it and tried to reason with her. It was my fault for interfering; Chloe was right to hit or scold me.” Mr. and Mrs. Miller’s faces turned completely dark. “Chloe, you abuse animals and bully people?” My parents sighed, lamenting my stubbornness. “Chloe, why have you become like this?” None of them noticed a key detail. “Mr. Miller? Skylar, so you know my husband. It must have been difficult to keep quiet all this time, all those times we ran into each other and you didn’t say hello, wasn’t it?” Skylar immediately lowered her head in a panic, like a frightened deer, secretly glancing up at Liam, feigning an innocent mistake while begging for help. Her right hand, adorned with a sparkling diamond ring, again touched her bulging belly. The panic and affection in Liam’s eyes flashed and faded, quickly returning to normal. “I do know Skylar. She’s an entry-level employee at my company; we’ve met a few times.” “I didn’t think she was important, and I also wanted to prevent you from getting the wrong idea, so I just treated her like a mere neighbor. Chloe, just be a good girl and don’t overthink things.” I couldn’t help but laugh. If he had nothing to hide, why was he afraid of me overthinking? And how could an entry-level employee afford a luxury apartment in a prime downtown location? Seeing my silence, Mr. Miller stood up in a huff. “Chloe, if you have proof, I won’t say another word about the divorce and asset split! But if you think you can make Liam leave with nothing based on mere speculation, I warn you, you’re dreaming!” I was about to respond when Skylar beat me to it, blinking. “Leave with nothing? Chloe, isn’t that going too far?” “Even though you haven’t been to the company, all the employees know how much Mr. Miller spoils his wife, how much he loves you. Chloe, are you perhaps seeing someone else and deliberately making a big deal out of me, trying to seize Mr. Miller’s assets?” At that, I raised my hand and slapped her directly across the face. “Watch your mouth.” “Liam might tolerate your nonsense, but I certainly won’t.”

In that instant, Liam involuntarily clenched his fists, his gaze on me filled with fury. After a moment, he calmed down and looked at Skylar with concern. “Are you okay?” Skylar was already crying, her eyes red. “I’m fine. I accidentally said the wrong thing, Chloe was right to hit me. Mr. Miller, please don’t be angry because of me.” After seven years together, it was the first time Liam gritted his teeth at me. “Get on your knees and apologize to Skylar!” I scoffed coldly. “Why should I?” “She was asking for it; she deserved that.” Liam suddenly raised his hand and slapped himself with all his might, half his face instantly swelling and reddening. “Consider that a slap from me, on your behalf.” “Chloe, I’m begging you, please stop this madness, okay?” “Did being cooped up at home and pampered after your injury make you lose your mind? I promise, no matter what’s wrong with you, I’ll never abandon you.” “I’ll give you anything you want, just please, stop talking about divorce, okay?” I didn’t hesitate. “Impossible.” “Every second with you makes me sick to my stomach, suffocated.” His concessions and my defiance. It completely disappointed both sets of parents. Mr. and Mrs. Miller stood up in anger. Before leaving, Mr. Miller coldly stated, “If you insist on divorce, we’ll fight you every step of the way! But don’t even think about taking a single penny of our family’s assets. Even if it costs us everything, I’ll make sure you leave with nothing!” My parents also shook their heads and sighed. “Chloe, you’re the one at fault for making such a scene. If you end up with nothing, you’ll surely regret it.” But was I the one at fault? No. The person I’d bribed at Liam’s company quickly sent me a surveillance video. I was watching it in the spare bedroom when Liam knocked and entered. To prevent him from discovering it and deleting evidence, I quickly put on my Bluetooth earbuds, listening to the audio while putting my phone away. “Chloe, what’s the point of divorcing me?” “You can’t have children. A family with my kind of status would never accept someone like you.” I looked at him with a cold smile. “Liam, why can’t I have children?” Because in the second year of our marriage, I was injured. Liam loved thrills and often did extreme sports, asking me to join him. Once, while rock climbing, Liam slipped and fell. To save him, I risked everything to grab him. He managed to stabilize himself on a protruding rock, but I, completely drained of strength, plummeted down. Everyone said Liam was so good to me, that he risked his life for me. Before me, Liam guiltily lowered his head, silent. Through my earbuds, I clearly heard his and Skylar’s flirtatious laughter. “Liam, that skydiving trip was incredibly thrilling, and I had such a great time. But honestly, if you just take me out sometimes, I’ll be perfectly content. Isn’t it too risky for me to move in next door to you?” After a string of soft kissing sounds, Liam said, “That’s what makes it exciting.” “These past few years, Chloe has become increasingly boring. Only you make me feel the meaning of life…”

After discreetly gathering enough evidence, I went to Liam’s company to investigate his financial status, to prevent him from hiding or transferring assets. Several senior executives knew who I was and cooperated willingly. Only Skylar, relying on Liam’s favoritism, constantly tried to sabotage me, even having someone lead me to the outdoor smoking area. With no one else around, Skylar dropped the act. “Chloe, isn’t it good enough to be a kept woman?” “For infertile trash like you, it’s a blessing that Liam is willing to keep you. Why insist on making a scene and humiliating yourself?” I smirked. “Fine, then I won’t divorce him.” Skylar looked momentarily bewildered. “Huh?” I laughed harder. “So pathetic and stupid. You came here to provoke me, didn’t you? To force me to divorce Liam quickly so you could take my place?” “Too bad after you ‘succeed,’ all you’ll get is a mountain of debt. You’re destined for nothing.” “Remember that ragdoll cat? Your fate is destined to be even worse than its.” Skylar must have seen that ragdoll. It was so starved it couldn’t bear it, returning to my house begging for food, but I directly shut it out. It was forced to fight with other stray cats for scraps, ending up covered in bites and utterly miserable. Perhaps the ragdoll’s fate hit a nerve for Skylar, who gritted her teeth and lunged at me, attacking me. “You’re the one who’s unwanted, the useless one about to be kicked out! How dare you curse me?” My eyes filled with disgust, and I dodged sideways. Skylar lost her balance and fell to the ground, clutching her stomach and sobbing in pain. The commotion attracted others. Liam, hearing what happened, rushed back at top speed. Without a word, he grabbed me, trying to force an apology out of me for Skylar. I coldly refused. “She fell on her own. The surveillance footage can prove it.” Liam gritted his teeth, glaring at me. “Nonsense! Where would there be cameras in the smoking area?” I was about to say there were, but Skylar rubbed her eyes and cried out, “Mr. Miller, don’t blame Chloe. It’s my fault for living next door to you, causing Chloe to misunderstand.” “Could you please beg Chloe for me? She can harass me however she wants if she doesn’t like me, but she can’t intentionally harm the baby in my belly!” Liam’s eyes widened. “Chloe, you’d lay a hand on an unborn baby? The child is innocent!” “Innocent?” I scoffed. “Who knows whose bastard it is anyway—” Before I could finish, Liam’s slap landed hard on my face. “Beyond redemption!” “Chloe, if you insist on acting out, don’t blame me for being ruthless! You wanted to sue? Fine, I’ll arrange the court date tomorrow.” “My family doesn’t need a twisted, inhumane shrew like you!” At that moment, we were no longer husband and wife, but more like mortal enemies. And everyone, including my own parents, stood on Liam’s side. Before the court hearing, they were still trying to persuade me: “Chloe, are you really cheating?” “Now everyone online is saying you’re a despicable woman who conspired with another man to seize your husband’s assets; your reputation is completely ruined.” “Snap out of it, Chloe, don’t ruin your last chance at redemption, okay?” Mr. and Mrs. Miller didn’t even bother to look at me. “An ungrateful viper is an ungrateful viper. You can never tame them.” “Liam, when she regrets it and kneels, begging to reconcile, don’t you dare go soft!” Liam, meanwhile, looked like his patience had run out, offering a final concession. “Admit your mistake now, and I can pretend nothing happened.” “Otherwise, you’ll end up on the streets and grow old alone.” I said nothing, looking at the judge, waiting for the trial to officially begin. And one sentence from the judge instantly drained the color from Liam’s confident face, leaving everyone in disbelief and shock. “How…how could this be?” “Liam, how much have you been hiding from us?” “Liam Miller, do you admit to the fact that you cheated?” The judge’s question immediately sent the courtroom into an uproar.

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Three years after I announced my death due to illness. My son ran into Ryan Hayes, who had just returned to the country, at the airport. He let Ryan lead him along, blinking his eyes and speaking to him, “Uncle, you look just like my dad.” Ryan squatted down, smiling as he ruffled his hair. “But your mom didn’t choose me in the end, did she?” Today was my fifth anniversary with Ryan, and his idealized first love, Serena, suffering from depression, called again. Her voice was soft and sweet, as if it held a magic, easily stirring up deep memories and emotions within Ryan. “That ocean view we saw before, it was so beautiful. Will you remember Serena in the future, Ryan?” Ryan’s hand, which had been fiddling with his hair, froze. His voice trembled slightly, “Serena, what are you saying? Ryan really likes you.” “I’ll come pick you up. Shall we go to your favorite seafood restaurant for crab, okay?” Ryan’s voice carried a tension others might not have noticed. I watched him turn away without hesitation. My phone smashed onto the floor. Ryan heard the sound and turned back, looking apologetic. He rushed over to me and knelt down. “Baby, I’m so sorry. I’ll make up our anniversary to you another day.” “You’ve always been an understanding girl. Serena has been by my side all this time.” “I can’t just leave her alone.” I looked at his almost pleading eyes, slowly, imperceptibly, I loosened my grip on his sleeve, though my heart was screaming. Still, I couldn’t help but demand, “If you walk out that door today, we might really be over. Don’t you care?” “Even if her leg can’t dance anymore because of you, it’s been so many years. Whatever you owed should have been paid back long ago.” Ryan’s eyes hardened instantly, sharp as a blade. “Summer, stop being unreasonable. You shouldn’t be so jealous.” My vision blurred as his figure shrank, disappearing into the distance. Serena was his untouchable. No one could mention her, no one could touch her. His words from when he was deeply in love still echoed in my ears, “You’ll always be my first choice. I’ll never let you be sad.” Ryan, you broke your promise.

I couldn’t help but recall our college days, me, Ryan, and Serena. I always thought Ryan and Serena had met through me. It wasn’t until the second year Ryan and I were together that I accidentally overheard a conversation between them. That’s when I found out they had known each other for a long time and shared some unforgettable memories. “Now that you’re with Summer, treat her well. She’s a very good girl.” “As for me, a cripple won’t have a bright future.” Her face was devoid of expression, utterly bleak. Serena’s words successfully stirred up Ryan’s guilt. He hugged her tightly. “Serena, I’m so, so sorry! I’ll stay with you until you truly find your own happiness.” “Summer won’t mind.” Many things I didn’t realize at the time. He called her Serena, he called me Summer. I actually wanted to rush out then and ask, “By ‘forever’ staying with her, do you mean the three of us will live together?” But as an understanding girlfriend, I couldn’t do that. It wasn’t until I returned to the dorm that night, looking at each other, us two girls who shared a strange similarity. Serena spoke with a triumphant sneer, “See? Just a few words, and he can’t bear to leave me. You’re just a disposable replacement.” “You probably don’t know this, but Ryan studied medicine because of me. He came to this university because of me too.” I said nothing. Serena slowly, leisurely, stood up from her wheelchair and limped towards the bathroom. “He’s with you out of guilt, unable to get past a hurdle in his heart, that’s why he found you.” She smiled sweetly as she said that. A knot of unease tightened in my stomach. I vaguely guessed they had a complicated history. Looking at the wheelchair Serena had left aside, I chuckled, “Well, you’re in the past, after all. Does Ryan know your leg is almost healed?” Ryan came from a prominent family. Serena’s father was a murderer, and her mother was a gambler. Ryan’s father was obsessed with appearances, so as long as he was alive, he would absolutely never let Ryan and Serena be together. At the time, when Ryan’s father found out that Ryan, still in high school, was dating a girl from a troubled background, he was furious. He went straight to the school and took Ryan home. Serena was lost and desolate all day until the news of Ryan going abroad broke. She got into a car accident on her way to the airport. “For a dancer, not being able to dance is like taking my life.” She went on hunger strike, cut her wrists, took sleeping pills. And Ryan stayed by her side through it all. In the end, her voice choked. “But your appearance gave me a sense of crisis. Summer, I’m not like you. I only have Ryan.” The next day, Serena was found having cut her wrists in the dorm. I was scared by the blood everywhere and instinctively stepped back. She looked at me, her face pale. “Do you think Ryan will blame you for provoking me?”

Less than half an hour later, Ryan burst into the hospital room, breathless. He slammed into me, sending me sprawling. My arm hit the nearby metal cabinet. “You were supposed to have moved out. Why were you even here, near Serena?” He took out the soup from the meal tray and carefully fed it to Serena. He then thoughtfully propped a pillow behind her back, before fixing me with a cold stare, his voice laced with accusation. “You knew Serena’s situation was delicate. Why didn’t you stay away from her?” Serena gently wrapped her arms around his neck, whining softly, “Ryan, it hurts so much. I can’t walk like a normal person anymore.” But her triumph was impossible to hide in her eyes. Someone genuinely suffering from depression wouldn’t have that look in their eyes. Yet Ryan hugged her tenderly, gently rubbing her leg. “Serena will get better. Ryan’s here for you.” His entire focus was on Serena, he didn’t notice my bleeding arm, covered in cuts. I comforted myself countless times, telling myself Ryan was only acting out of guilt. Every time, I compromised. I knew exactly what he was thinking. He knew Serena’s illness wasn’t severe to this extent. But later, on a mountain drenched in a downpour, amidst a howling blizzard, on a deserted highway in the dead of night, even at our own wedding, Ryan abandoned me without a second thought and chose Serena. This was his last chance. I ran after him. “Ryan, have you really thought this through?” Ryan’s footsteps faltered. From a distance, I saw guilt in his eyes. “Summer, I’m sorry. I can’t abandon Serena. Her leg is like this because of me.” The outcome was clear long ago. For the first time, I used a hidden ability and heard Ryan’s inner thoughts: “Summer, I’ll make it up to you properly when I get back.” I shook my head, my voice raw and strained. “Ryan, no need. We’re breaking up.” Ryan finally turned and walked towards me, his brows furrowed, his tone filled with displeasure. “Stop being unreasonable! Our relationship and helping Serena recover aren’t mutually exclusive. Why do you have to make it a competition?” “Serena’s by the ocean, it’s dangerous. Her life is on the line, what are you even thinking about?” The atmosphere between us instantly solidified. People around us cast curious glances, eager for drama. A lump formed in my throat, choking back the words. It was useless because Ryan’s mind was completely consumed by Serena at the beach. I managed a faint smile, opening my mouth to speak. But before I could say anything, Ryan’s phone rang. It was our mutual friend, saying Serena’s condition was very bad. In just a few seconds, Ryan made his choice. He abandoned me again without a second thought. Right then, I thought my decision to give up a prestigious university’s exchange program for Ryan was absolutely terrible. I dialed that number, hidden at the very end of my contacts for a long, long time. “Caleb, I’m giving in. I accept your offer.”

Back home, I threw away all my things that were connected to Ryan. I only took a few pieces of clothing. Yes, I left. I walked away from Ryan. My name is Summer, because my mom hoped I’d live my life open-minded, optimistic, kind, and proactive. But I failed not only to do that, I even lost myself. “Summer, long time no see.” Caleb, long time no see. I looked at the man before me. He was still as radiant as he’d been years ago. “How did you end up so miserable without me around?” Caleb took my suitcase, a hint of schadenfreude in his voice. Hearing his familiar voice, my nose stung, and my voice involuntarily caught in my throat. “Yeah, I’m pretty miserable. And I’ll have to trouble the great Caleb, top influencer, for a while.” Caleb haughtily snorted twice. “Summer, I told you long ago to leave him.” “Caleb, I’m pregnant.” Caleb’s grip on my hand tightened abruptly. He seemed agitated. “And you? Do you want to keep it?” I pulled my hand from Caleb’s grasp. “I’m ready to start a new life.” In the following days, I steadily began my new life. I paid no attention to the chaos that had erupted back home. When Ryan returned home the next day, he unexpectedly noticed many things missing from the house. He called our mutual friends. “Has Summer contacted any of you?” All he got were words of advice: “Ryan, I’m just telling you, in this toxic relationship with Serena, you might as well let Summer go.” Everyone’s consistent answer was that they had no idea where Summer went, until Summer’s family was asked. “Summer has a really good friend overseas. You actually know him – Caleb.” Ryan didn’t understand why everyone thought he had wronged me. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the prenatal check-up results on the vanity table. Ryan left the country that very night, taking Serena with him. The next time I met Ryan was at the supermarket downstairs. “Summer!” Caleb reacted faster than I did, swinging a punch at Ryan’s face. “You bastard! How dare you show your face?!” They wrestled, their identities too prominent. If no one pulled them apart, tomorrow’s headline would be “A-List Celebrity and Corporation Heir Brawl in Public: What’s the Real Story?” “We broke up. Don’t come looking for me anymore.” I shielded Caleb behind me, casting a cold gaze at the man and woman opposite us. Ryan pulled out the prenatal check-up results. “Summer, stop messing around. You can’t let our child grow up without a father.” “I terminated the pregnancy.” He froze. He threw down the suitcase he was holding and clamped my arm tightly. “You’re lying to me, aren’t you?”

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