Author: Momo Chan

I was the human shield, personally chosen by *him*, the unhinged prince of the underworld, to protect his precious childhood sweetheart. Five years into our marriage, I was captured for the nineteenth time by one of his former business associates. Caleb Thorne led his men to rescue me. He’d barely been negotiating with the associate for two minutes when his childhood sweetheart, Seraphina Hayes, called. “Caleb, my friends and I made a bet. I’ll give my first kiss to the first man who comes for me. I hope that man is you.” “Are you coming or not?” The moment Caleb rushed off, a pair of iron fists smashed my ribs. An immense wave of pain swallowed me whole. Just like the previous eighteen times, his men took over the associate’s demands, then sent me to the hospital. In the car, I heard them complaining, wondering when I’d stop upsetting Seraphina. Saving me every time was such a hassle, they said. I didn’t even have the strength to cry. The mission to save the ruthless crime lord failed. The system was about to forcibly erase my memories. Caleb Thorne, I won’t bother you ever again.

The doctor’s warning was grim. “Ms. Vance, your last shattered rib fracture was already life-threatening. Now, your rib cage has been crushed again.” “If you don’t rest properly, even the slightest mistake could lead to a massive hemorrhage. You could bleed out and die instantly!” I listened, then spoke with extreme calm. “Understood.” The doctor shook his head and left. The system’s voice chimed in. “Mission failed. All memories, including yours, will be forcibly erased.” “Or do you want to try again, take on a different identity to save him?” I refused. “Erase them.” “Erasure protocol initiating. Everyone’s memories of you will be retained for a final 48 hours.” In my previous life, I was in a vegetative state until I died of old age. After transmigrating, I cherished my family, friends, and lover even more, becoming the irreplaceable good daughter, best friend, and wife in their hearts. And I loved Caleb Thorne without reservation. But all those beautiful memories were about to vanish, all because the mission failed. On a whim, I opened Seraphina Hayes’ social media account and found a video she’d uploaded. The house in the video was the one Caleb bought for our wedding. On screen, Seraphina was making a special lunch in her custom-made, exquisite kitchen. Her pale neck bore several soft pink adhesive bandages, and a sparkling diamond ring on her finger flashed frequently on camera. She patiently and meticulously explained the cooking steps, her voice so gentle it seemed to embrace everything. “My boyfriend proposed last night! This diamond ring is from him, and the bandages are to cover…” “He’s very possessive, and pretty intense in… *that* department.” Seraphina flashed a blissful smile. “I didn’t realize he’d waited for me for so long.” A tall, imposing silhouette of a man appeared in the video. He ripped off the bandages from Seraphina’s neck, revealing the intimate marks beneath for all to see. “I want everyone to know you’re mine.” The video abruptly cut off. The comment section exploded with screams: [This official announcement video is too explicit!] [Our goddess has been chasing this mysterious guy for ages, so glad they’re finally together today! Goddess, update more about mysterious bro in the future.] Seraphina picked out comments mentioning Caleb Thorne to reply: “My fiancé’s job is special, so he can’t show his face. Knowing he loves me is enough.” A moment later, Seraphina uploaded another video. In it, Seraphina got splashed with oil while cooking. The man leaned his arrogant head down and sucked her wound. “I can’t stand to see you hurt. From now on, let the maids do all this.” “Okay, I’ll do whatever you say.” The camera didn’t show either of their faces, but the gasps and heavy breathing still gave away their actions. [These two are just too sweet!] But then someone questioned: [How come that voice sounds like Caleb Thorne, the underworld prince from that infamous Dark Web list a while ago?] That comment only appeared for a second before it was forcibly deleted. My head spun, and before I could think much, I fell into a deep sleep. In my dream, I remembered finding a pile of used pink adhesive bandages in the study. I thought they were trash, so I threw them into the bin. But Caleb Thorne was furious, ordering me to pick up all 99 bandages from the trash, not missing a single one. I only found 96, so he confined me for three days. I developed claustrophobia after being held captive by his associate. In the dark room, I pounded on the walls relentlessly, only to hear his gentle voice on the phone. “Seraphina, don’t be angry. I’ll have all 100 soon. As for Elara Vance, I’ll teach her a good lesson.” Caleb’s chillingly cold voice startled me awake. I opened my eyes, blinded by the reflection of a diamond ring. I turned to see Seraphina Hayes, dressed in a pristine white dress, chugging down a bowl of nourishing broth. The maid stammered, “Ms. Vance, Ms. Hayes said she’s been feeling a bit weak lately and needed some blood nourishment, so she took the broth.” “Oh, I’m so sorry, big sister. I’ve been using up too much energy in bed lately, so I accidentally finished it all.” Though Seraphina’s words were apologetic, her face was clearly smug. “You won’t blame me, will you, big sister?” Seraphina deliberately scraped her ring hard against my skin. I cried out in pain and slapped her hand away. Caleb Thorne walked in just as Seraphina stumbled to the floor, meekly apologizing to me. “Elara Vance, you’re lying in bed and still can’t keep the peace? Seraphina went out of her way to visit you!” The maid started to say something, but Seraphina was quicker, collapsing into Caleb’s arms. “Caleb, it’s all my fault. I felt dizzy walking into the room and saw the nourishing broth, so I drank a bit too much. I didn’t mean to finish it… big sister just got a little upset with me, don’t be angry…” Her eyes reddened with remorse, and Caleb’s heart ached. “How many good things has Seraphina given you? It’s just a bowl of broth, why are you being so petty?” Good things? Caleb meant the dirty, ruined hand-me-downs Seraphina had tossed aside for me? Caleb turned and instructed the maid: “Seraphina’s been feeling weak lately, always saying she has no energy. Since your broth suits her taste, you’ll come to the villa specifically to make broth for Seraphina from now on. As for Elara…” “She needs to watch what she eats!”

The maid obediently left. Caleb looked at Seraphina, his cold demeanor from earlier completely gone as he pulled her into his embrace. “Last night you kept complaining about your back hurting, but today you’re apologizing to someone and it’s suddenly fine?” Seraphina blushed and playfully punched Caleb’s chest. “How can that be the same? Last night was… in bed.” They treated me like air, flirting shamelessly as if I weren’t even there. I thought I’d feel sadness or anger, but now, everything had turned to numbness. Perhaps it was the system’s forced memory erasure taking effect, but I couldn’t even recall what it felt like for Caleb to love me. Soon after, the doctor came to examine me. Caleb’s men kept rushing him. “It’s just a broken rib, right? How serious can it be? I don’t want to be stuck here babysitting you all day.” So, after receiving the doctor’s assurance that I was “barely fit for discharge,” they drove me back to my residence and dumped me there. Scenes like this played out countless times every day. Caleb’s men only saw me as a tool, a human shield for Seraphina. I took my own medicine back at the villa. My stomach ached dully with hunger, but the villa was empty. Even the maid who was supposed to cook for me was gone. Caleb called, his voice cold as he announced: “That maid you picked out for yourself was attentive, but she didn’t do a thing for Seraphina. You’re forbidden from having a maid for three months. That’ll teach you a lesson!” “Seraphina hasn’t been feeling well lately, so I called your family doctor over to her place. It’s just a minor injury for you, I’m sure you’ll recover with some rest.” He didn’t leave anyone to take care of me. Did he expect a freshly discharged patient to fend for herself? I gave a bitter laugh. “Okay.” “After this week, I’ll send the doctor back.” “Okay.” The voice on the other end paused, sounding deeply annoyed. “Are you done yet? How long are you going to keep making a fuss over a bowl of nourishing broth?” “You promised before we got married that you’d be Seraphina’s human shield willingly. You’ve been ‘Mrs. Thorne’ for a few years now, but you really think you’re my wife? Stop dreaming. Seraphina is my true princess.” I nodded blankly. “Okay, I know.” He seemed surprised for a moment, then sounded satisfied. “That’s more like it. If you need anything, just tell the butler.” A woman’s voice quickly drowned out his brief gentleness. “Caleb, I’ve been waiting for you for ages.” Caleb hung up without hesitation. The countdown now showed 24 hours remaining. I found some food the maid had left in the fridge. For some reason, the electricity and water were cut off. The food was clearly on the verge of spoiling, and I couldn’t heat anything, but I was so hungry my stomach hurt. I wolfed it down. Seraphina Hayes’ latest video popped up automatically on my phone. I meant to swipe it away but accidentally tapped on it. The video’s background seemed to be a high-end restaurant. This time, Seraphina had not only several adhesive bandages on her neck but also on her arms and waist. Seraphina closed her eyes, making a wish in front of a cake. Suddenly, violin music began to play. The camera panned to the side, revealing huge bouquets of roses. Nestled within the roses was luxurious, high-end jewelry. Seraphina cried tears of joy, happily throwing herself into Caleb Thorne’s arms. Caleb gently smiled, wiping away her tears, and personally placed the necklace around her neck. The comments brimmed with envy: [Mysterious bro is so handsome! Goddess and him, forever together!] Seraphina replied in the comments: “My fiancé is the most handsome man in the world. He wants to give me nothing but the best.” “He waited for me for a long time, and last week, I finally decided to marry him.” “We’re holding our wedding ceremony next month, and we’ll be live-streaming it for everyone.” The screen’s light shone on my face. As I ate, my stomach twisted in excruciating pain. I suddenly caught sight of Seraphina’s message at the bottom of the bowl. [Elara Vance, I deliberately had the maid cut off your water and electricity, and left spoiled food in the fridge. You didn’t eat it, did you?] My stomach had been messed up from being starved for days during my captivity by Caleb’s associate, making me unable to eat anything unclean. My stomach instantly churned, and I threw up. Just then, Caleb Thorne called. I opened my mouth to ask for help, but was met with a furious torrent of scolding. “Elara Vance, for a bowl of nourishing broth and a few maids, you actually posted Seraphina’s info on the dark web’s infamous list!” “If Seraphina loses even a single strand of hair, I swear I’ll make your life a living hell!” I clutched my lower abdomen, shaking my head. “It wasn’t me, Caleb. My stomach hurts, can you come—” “It’s not you *again*? Besides you, who else has that travel photo of Seraphina? It was a photo of you and Seraphina together, and you cunningly cropped yourself out, leaving only her!” “And you’ve been to the restaurant Seraphina and I ate at today. Who else would expose her location?” “I even saw you following Seraphina’s social media account.” Caleb’s voice dripped with blatant disgust. I even suspected that if I appeared before him, he’d force me to kneel and kowtow to Seraphina. Just last month, Seraphina said she was scared of thunder and wanted me to stay with her. The moment I approached her bed, she deliberately kicked me off. That day, I was made to humiliate myself until my lips were split and bleeding before Seraphina finally, softly, said it was ‘okay’. Today, Caleb once again pinned the blame on me without a second thought. My forehead was sweating with pain, but I desperately tried to explain, “I really didn’t…” On the other end of the phone, Seraphina shrieked in terror, “Caleb, I’m so scared, is someone coming to kill me?” The call disconnected. My face pale, I dialed 911. The next moment, Caleb’s men kicked open the door. But they weren’t there to save me. Instead, they dragged me up. “It’s your turn again today to take the fall for Seraphina.” An ambulance siren wailed outside. I struggled desperately. “I don’t feel well, I need to go to the hospital.” The men exchanged glances and burst into laughter. “This Elara Vance really is just as Seraphina said—she’s faking it.”

Caleb’s men forcibly seated me on the restaurant’s top-floor open-air terrace, making me eat alone. “Didn’t you say you were hungry? Seraphina specially ordered all of this for you.” Caleb said coldly, then went into the safe room with Seraphina, his voice full of doting affection. “Don’t be scared, no one can hurt you.” Caleb held her in his arms, gently comforting her. Seraphina seemed as fragile as a baby bird. “Caleb, will big sister Elara blame me if she finds out I’m using her as a human shield?” “She wouldn’t dare. You even personally ordered her meal. You haven’t done anything wrong to her.” Seraphina’s voice grew even softer. “But won’t you think I’m too selfish? I’m afraid you’ll dislike me…” “Never. You’re the kindest woman I’ve ever met. I’ll love you forever, and be with you my entire life.” Through the constant gnawing pain in my stomach, I heard their intertwined gasps and heavy breathing. I couldn’t ignore it, even if I tried. Looking at the exquisite meal in front of me, I didn’t dare touch my fork. From time to time, Seraphina’s sweet laughter drifted to my ears. “Caleb, don’t do that. Big sister is still outside, and she is your wife, in name at least.” Caleb’s voice was dismissive as he pulled off Seraphina’s clothes. “This was always a fake marriage, meant to protect you. She’s ungrateful enough to try and harm you. What she’s getting now is a bargain!” I couldn’t tell if it was from stomach pain or heartbreak, but tears dripped onto the back of my hand. I just felt pathetic and ridiculous. Time passed, minute by agonizing minute. I endured it, half-conscious, half-delirious, until the sounds from the safe room finally ceased. I asked in a hoarse whisper, “It’s past midnight. Can you take me to the hospital?” One of the men looked uncomfortable, hesitating for a moment, about to agree. Caleb suddenly kicked open the safe room door and grabbed my hair. “Who told you to leave your seat? Are you in cahoots with someone, deliberately trying to harm Seraphina!” Half an hour ago, Seraphina had inexplicably disappeared. I shook my head blankly. “I’ve been right here the whole time. I didn’t leave. Your men can vouch for me…” But his men said, “She went to the restroom halfway through.” I sharply lifted my head, unable to understand why he was lying. Caleb’s eyes flashed with cold malice, asking almost savagely, “Who did you send a message to?” “I didn’t. It wasn’t me.” He kicked my lower abdomen. A fierce wave of pain made me curl up on the ground. “Still faking it? Seraphina just went to the restroom too. If you don’t tell the truth, don’t blame me for getting rough!” Just then, his phone rang. After answering, Caleb strode out. “Found Seraphina. Bring Elara Vance.” Caleb thought the driver was too slow, so he took the wheel himself, speeding like a madman, yelling Seraphina’s name. My hands and feet were bound. I was tossed around, repeatedly hitting the floor of the car, crying out in pain, but he didn’t even glance at me. When we arrived at the abandoned factory, Seraphina was tied to a pillar, trembling with fear. “Caleb, I’m so scared! Save me!” Caleb’s expression instantly changed, turning to his former associate with furious eyes. “Anyone you want me to deal with, I’ll agree. I can even hand over my wife to you as a hostage.” The associate smiled, satisfied. “No problem.” As I was shoved towards the associate, Caleb held Seraphina, his face beaming with the joy of finding something lost and precious. The associate immediately slapped me. My head snapped to the side, and all I saw was Caleb walking away with Seraphina. It was like this again. He didn’t look back, not even once. The associate savored the expression on my face, then walked over and brutally ground his leather shoe onto my hand. He then ordered his men to mercilessly break both my legs. I screamed in agonizing pain. “Just kill me!” But the associate just laughed. “You’re a hostage. If you die, what will I use to control Caleb Thorne?” “Caleb Thorne even handed his wife over to me. It seems he’s not without weaknesses.” I quickly said, “You’re wrong. He doesn’t care if I live or die.” But the associate showed me a contract Caleb Thorne had signed. “Stop acting. He agreed to my cooperation for you. With you in my hands, he’ll have to listen.” The associate held me captive, ensuring I wouldn’t die, yet constantly making me scream in agony. Eventually, I was numb, my throat hoarse. He then plunged a dagger through my shoulder blade, recording the scene and sending it to Caleb Thorne. A day and a night later, Caleb finally sent a voice message. “Don’t hurt my wife. I’ll do anything.” But in the background, I heard Seraphina Hayes’ sweet laughter. A chill instantly permeated my heart. If he truly cared about me, why didn’t he come to save me? The associate, having received a reply, became even more excited, carving countless cuts into my body to threaten Caleb Thorne. “If you don’t come now, your wife will bleed to death.” My body was slowly losing strength, but I smiled. I looked at the countdown, which showed three hours remaining. Caleb Thorne, I’ll soon forget you completely. But then, an alarm blared at the associate’s villa. Caleb Thorne’s men flooded in, apprehending the associate and handing him over to the police. “Where’s Elara Vance? Where is she?” Was Caleb Thorne here to save me? Before I could even feel happy, I heard them discussing: “Caleb Thorne truly went berserk for his beloved. He wasn’t even going to bother, but when he heard the associate touched Seraphina’s face, he set up the whole scheme to kill everyone, just to get revenge for her.”

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That day, when they drugged me with the most potent aphrodisiac, I bought every single antidote on the market, desperately trying to delay the inevitable. It wasn’t until I heard the breathless moans and cries from next door, echoing nine times over, that I finally allowed myself to pass out, knowing I was safe. In my previous life, to cure Julian Hayes’s hereditary fertility disorder, the Hayes family had sought out eighteen women, each said to possess a rare, innate allure, capable of facilitating a cure. They were all fed the most potent aphrodisiacs. Whoever could conceive a child with Julian would become the Lady of the Hayes family. I was a siren of unparalleled allure, my very essence radiating irresistible charm, chosen at first glance. That night, Julian, also drugged, his eyes blazing, tormented me again and again. A month later, I was pregnant with the Hayes family heir. But Julian suddenly threw me into a squalid alleyway, ignoring my pleas, ordering the men there to take turns humiliating me. “Serena is already pregnant with my child! If you hadn’t interfered, she would be my wife!” “You filthy whore, used by everyone, you think you’re fit to be Lady Hayes? You like men so much? Today, you’ll get more than enough!” I was trapped in that squalid alleyway, my body wasting away until my insides ruptured, and I died a gruesome death. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I was drugged. This time, no matter how their love burned or their hatred raged, it had nothing to do with me.

Just as I was about to shove a handful of antidotes into my mouth, the doctor’s grip tightened like a vise on my wrist. “Miss Anya, if you keep taking these, you’ll die!” Remembering the tragedy of my previous life, I gritted my teeth, yanked my hand free, and swallowed the pills. The liquid burned my throat, my stomach churned, threatening to spill its contents, but I managed to regain a sliver of clarity. The next second, the door burst open. Several men in black suits stormed in. Before I could even struggle, they forcibly carried me away. The doctor desperately tried to stop them, but his voice faded into the distance. A bucket of ice water splashed over me, jolting me awake. I opened my eyes to find myself thrown into a secret room. The air was thick with the sweet, cloying scent of aphrodisiacs. Women lay sprawled on the floor, faces flushed, clothes disheveled. Their faces were crimson, contorted in helpless agony. Before I could react, a bowl of aphrodisiac, ten times the normal concentration, was forcefully poured down my throat. The next second, my body erupted. My lower abdomen burned, and a fiery desire surged through every limb, making me want to throw myself onto the nearest man. I tried to scream, but when I opened my mouth, I spewed out a mouthful of blood. Blood mixed with saliva splattered onto the floor. I heard the women around me screaming, wailing: “Please let me go! I can’t take it anymore!” “Didn’t Anya already sleep with Julian Hayes?! Why are you still doing this to us?!” I bit down hard on my tongue, just barely keeping control, and pulled out the last antidote hidden in my pocket, swallowing it whole. The violent clash of chemicals instantly made me vomit blood. Nosebleeds and tears streamed down my face simultaneously. My stomach felt like it was tearing apart, and I writhed on the floor in agony. My cries startled the other women. Their swollen, bloodshot eyes stared at me in disbelief: “Why is Anya here? Who’s in the CEO’s room, then?” My nails dug deep into my thigh, and I forced myself to shout: “Call a doctor! People are going to die like this!” Just then, Serena, in a red dress, walked over, leaning on Julian Hayes. Her face was flushed, a look of satisfied bliss on her features. Julian’s gaze swept over the women writhing in pain, their clothes torn, and his face instantly darkened. Serena covered her mouth, feigning horror: “Oh my god, what happened to them? Who gave them such a strong dose? That’s too cruel.” Before I could speak, Julian kicked me hard. “You shameless whore! To steal Serena’s place, you actually went after all these women! Do you think doing this will make you a Hayes family wife?” A gush of blood surged up, and my teeth mixed with bloody foam fell onto the floor. The pain made my vision go black. “Julian… it wasn’t me, it was her…” Before I could finish, Julian kicked me again, heavily, right in my lower abdomen. I curled up in pain, cold sweat instantly drenching my clothes. He looked down at me, his voice like ice: “You think you’re the boss just because you were raised as Julian’s childhood fiancée? Do you really think I don’t know about all your little tricks against Serena?” He straightened up, his eyes cold, and embraced Serena as he walked out the door. “Since you made these women suffer so much, you can personally take care of them!” The door clicked shut, locking us inside, like a death knell isolating us from the outside world. The air was hot and suffocating. I lay sprawled on the floor, my limbs still trembling, but I heard rustling sounds nearby. The women, their eyes vacant, faces flushed, moved like a pack of wild animals. Their bodies were covered in scratches and tearing wounds, yet they seemed to feel no pain, lunging at me like mad. As I tried to move, my hair was yanked back hard. “It’s all you! You turned us into this!” Sharp nails dug into my shoulder. I didn’t even have the strength to struggle. Someone tore at my clothes, someone else clawed at my back, leaving bleeding welts that stung fiercely. I tried to scream, but before I could open my mouth, someone forced my head down and slammed it against the wall. “Thud——” My forehead hit hard. My vision went black for a moment, and blood streamed down my face, into my mouth. With a sharp rip, someone picked up a broken piece of porcelain and slashed it hard across my leg. My skin tore open instantly, and agonizing pain shot through my bones. I was on the verge of passing out. “Drink! Drink all the dregs! You put us through this, why should you be clear-headed?!” They forcefully pinched my chin, shoving the bowl of leftover sludge—mixed with dust, medicine, and vomit—into my mouth, choking me until snot and tears streamed down my face. I nearly suffocated. I was pressed onto the ground, convulsing all over, my consciousness slowly scattering. When the women finally collapsed from exhaustion, I too lay motionless on the floor. After a long time, the door finally opened. A cold draft swept in. Julian Hayes’s leather shoes stepped through my blood, approaching step by step. I lay on the floor, uttering low, hoarse whimpers of pain. Julian looked down at me, his voice cold: “This is the first time, consider it punishment for you making Serena lose her position as Lady Hayes. If you dare to bully Serena again, I’ll make your life a living hell!” My body trembled. I looked at him, my face covered in blood. So, I wasn’t the only one who had been reborn. I hadn’t even done anything, yet he claimed I had harmed Serena. Julian said coldly: “Anya, you betrayed me first, you’ve already lost the right to stand by my side. Only a kind girl like Serena deserves to be Lady Hayes.” I trembled, blood oozing from my lips every time I spoke. “I didn’t betray you, and I didn’t harm her, nor did I want to disturb you two. I took so many antidotes precisely because I didn’t want you to be drawn to my aura. Why, why are you still doing this to me?” His expression froze for a moment, but the next second, the light in his eyes turned into bone-deep disgust. “Stop acting, Anya.” “If you truly didn’t want to touch me, would you have given yourself and those women ten times the dose of the aphrodisiac? If not to seduce me, then what was it for?” “You just want to climb up, to snatch the Lady Hayes position. I’ve seen this act too many times before!” I grabbed his pant leg, begging for a moment’s reprieve. But he scoffed coldly, pulled his foot away, and kicked me hard, sending me tumbling into the stained medicine and vomit. My head hit the tiled floor with a heavy thud, and a streak of blood flowed from the corner of my eye. “Want to prove you weren’t trying to compete with Serena? Fine, go find my mom right now and tell her you want to break off the engagement.” “Then, be a good Hayes family servant. If you dare to harbor any improper thoughts again, I’ll immediately send you and your entire village to mine in Africa! Do you hear me?”

My vision blurred, whether from sweat or tears, I couldn’t tell. “Julian… your Hayes family’s hereditary fertility disorder… your father came to our village, knelt in the rain for three days and three nights, before my parents finally agreed to let me go. That’s how I came to your family…” My voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, yet I stubbornly uttered the question: “Now, how dare you… threaten my entire village?” Julian scoffed as if he’d heard a joke, looking down at me with cold disdain: “You dare bring that up? That ‘siren bloodline’ of yours, it was all a scam from beginning to end.” “If it weren’t for the stories you spun, do you think an unsophisticated village girl like you, not even fit for inspection, could enter my home? Serena, she made me a normal man, and now she’s pregnant with my child. What are you, anyway?” He finished speaking, then turned, wrapped an arm around Serena’s waist, and left without a backward glance. “Serena is the wife I want, no one can shake her position!” I lay on the floor, covered in blood. The aphrodisiac’s effects still hadn’t worn off, my body felt like it was on fire, convulsing and burning in waves. Mrs. Hayes rushed over. When she saw me in this state, her face turned pale: “Quick! Take her to the hospital, she’s fading fast!” After consulting, the doctors looked grim: “This type of aphrodisiac… can only be detoxified through intimacy. Otherwise, the only option is a complete blood transfusion, but the hospital’s blood supply is currently insufficient. If Miss Anya’s condition isn’t treated immediately, she might literally explode from within.” “What do you mean, ‘explode from within’?!” Mrs. Hayes almost screamed. A bodyguard explained: “This is a new formula brought back from overseas, there’s no antidote. It can only be counteracted by a man… otherwise, the blood throughout her body will burn her internal organs.” “Absurd! This is insane. His father worked so hard to bring this daughter-in-law home, how can he treat her so badly!” Mrs. Hayes panicked and immediately called Julian, but he didn’t answer even after a dozen calls. I lay there on an IV drip, feeling cold all over. Finally, on the third sedative injection, the call connected. Mrs. Hayes roared: “Are you insane?! Anya is the daughter-in-law your father brought home! If you don’t come back and help her, she’ll die!” “I’m warning you, she is the daughter-in-law the Hayes family has acknowledged! Come back immediately!” A soft chuckle came from the other end of the line. Julian’s voice was utterly chilling: “She’s got some nerve, even going to you? Fine, I’ll handle it.” The moment he hung up, my heart felt like it was being torn apart. Mrs. Hayes grasped my hand: “Don’t be afraid, I’m here. I’ll see justice for you. I’ll make him marry you, and treat you well.” But I gently closed my eyes, my nails digging deep into my palms. “Auntie, when you came to the village, you said that once the Hayes family had a child, you would let me go back.” “Now, Serena is pregnant… I’m no longer useful. Can you… let me go?” Mrs. Hayes froze, then her face darkened. She quietly instructed a bodyguard: “Go investigate.” Then, she gently patted my hand, but her voice was soft and gentle: “The Hayes family’s children have always come from your village for generations. Your family has blessed the Hayes. We brought you into our home, hoping you would live a stable and happy life. Those other women were just extra insurance.” “Julian used to follow you around every day, calling you ‘Sister Anya,’ always thinking of you for anything good. Later, he begged to get engaged to you. He liked you for over ten years, how did he suddenly become like this…?” As I listened, tears finally streamed down my face. When he was twenty, Julian booked out the entire city’s fireworks display to propose to me. The night I said yes, he held me and cried all night. The boy who once swore to cherish me forever, threatening to be torn into a thousand pieces if he ever betrayed me, had now, for another woman, personally pushed me into a living hell. My voice was hoarse, almost inaudible: “Auntie… please, let me go…” Mrs. Hayes looked at me, silent for a long time, then finally sighed and nodded. “My dear child, I know you’ve been wronged. I will send you back safely, exactly as you came. Julian wronged you, I will retrieve his assets for you.” “You are a good child I watched grow up. Even if you’re not my biological daughter, I treat you as my own.” Before leaving, Mrs. Hayes gently stroked my hair: “My dear child, hold on. I’ll find a solution.” After she left, only a young assistant remained with me. I lay on the hospital bed, the drug’s effects still lingering. My body felt scorched, my internal organs twisted and ached, my blood boiling in my veins. I bit down on the blanket to stifle my cries, but a low moan still escaped my throat. My fingertips trembled from the pain. The young assistant paced nervously. Just as my consciousness wavered and I was about to pass out, the door opened. I struggled to lift my eyes. Entering were five bodyguards in black suits. “Miss Anya,” the leader said coldly, “Mr. Hayes said there are two antidotes here.” “One, is us.” My mind exploded with a loud buzz. I instinctively tried to prop myself up, but the moment I moved, agonizing pain surged through me, and I nearly collapsed back onto the bed. “What does Julian Hayes take me for?!” My voice was hoarse beyond recognition, yet every word was clear.

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The day the zombie horde hit, I ripped up my assignment slip, refusing to evacuate Sector C. I clung to life until dawn the next day, listening as Landon blared across the comms, announcing that Seraphina had found a new oasis. Her discovery, he claimed, was humanity’s last hope. Only then did I let out a sigh of relief. As the undead tore through the door, I detonated all the explosives. In my previous life, Landon rigged the draw, using my ‘good luck’ ability to smoothly find the oasis and become the leader. He swore that if I succeeded, he’d dismiss his 999 lovers. I believed him. When I lit the signal fire, what arrived wasn’t his reinforcement, but betrayal. “Seraphina has no powers; she needs my protection more. I just want her and her child to be respected by everyone in this apocalypse. But you, you even want to steal this small credit.” “She got a fever from being scared by zombies while looking for you. I’ll make you feel her pain a thousandfold.” He chained me to a car and dragged me until I was ripped apart by zombies. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day the zombie horde erupted. This time, I’d let them have their savior fantasy.

“Aurora! Get in the car!” “Any later, and the horde will completely surround us!” I looked into the distance; the energy shield on the outskirts of Zone C was weakening. Zach was practically in tears. “Sis! You’re the only one in the entire base with powers! Don’t you get it? You’re our only ace, our last hope! If you’re gone, there’s nothing left!” I was about to speak. The safe house’s steel door was violently kicked open. Landon’s elite guard roughly grabbed my arms, dragging me out without a word. Zach screamed hysterically behind me. “Let her go! Aurora is pregnant, you animals! You’ll make her miscarry! You base lapdogs!” They finally shoved me into the base’s main plaza. A pre-battle rally was taking place here. In the center of the plaza, a dozen people were already kneeling. These were the unlucky souls accused of various crimes. Some were charged with hoarding canned food, others framed for trying to steal a vehicle to escape. Then, the enforcement squad stepped out. They carried a large wooden bucket, going to each person, prying open their jaws. Spoonful after spoonful of black-green liquid was forcibly poured down their throats. That bucket contained the base’s failed purified, contaminated water, full of radiation. The entire plaza was instantly drowned in screams and retching. A man beside me convulsed violently, foaming at the mouth. “We just wanted to save more food for our kids… Why are you doing this to us?!” I wasn’t spared either. A full spoon of the toxic waste water was poured into me, and my stomach cramped in agony. Blood gushed from my lower body. I let out a muffled groan of pain, which startled those around me. “That’s Aurora! The leader’s wife! She got dosed too?” “Isn’t she our hero of Zone C? She led a team yesterday to retrieve medical supplies! What the hell is going on?” The intense pain blurred my vision, and I crumpled to the ground. “Medic! Call a medic, fast! Someone’s going to die!” Just then, the noisy crowd parted automatically. Seraphina, dressed in a brand-new white combat uniform, looked too clean for this apocalypse. She intimately linked arms with Landon, a saintly yet pitying smile on her face. Landon’s gaze swept over us, groaning in pain on the ground, his face grim. Seraphina dramatically covered her mouth. “Oh my goodness, why is everyone collapsing? Who could be so cruel as to destabilize our morale at such a critical moment, with the zombie horde surrounding us?” Before she finished speaking, Landon’s face was filled with fury, and he delivered a vicious kick to my stomach. “You wicked woman!” He roared at me, “The moment I was out of the base, you dared to incite unrest and stir up dissent!” “You’re so consumed by jealousy that you’d try to steal Seraphina’s credit for finding the oasis!” That kick left me unable to even cry out. I looked at Seraphina’s smug, triumphant face behind him. Gritting my teeth, I squeezed out a few words from my throat. “I didn’t… It was her…” “Still trying to lie your way out of it?” Landon roared. “This isn’t the first time you’ve been so unscrupulous for credit! This time, I will absolutely not spare you!” 2 He pointed at the struggling survivors on the ground and ordered them. “Each of you give her one taser shock. After you’re done, I’ll personally send you to the oasis, and your food and medicine will be doubled.” The elite guard dragged me up from the ground, completely disregarding that I had miscarried. The survivors who had been forced to drink the irradiated water looked at me, their eyes filled with reluctance. A middle-aged man, Mr. Miller, walked forward, crying, and pulled the trigger through tears. “I’m sorry, Captain Aurora… I still have two kids at home…” One person, two people… Blue electric arcs flashed again and again, scorching the remnants of my child. Only after everyone had tasered me and left did Landon finally take the water Seraphina offered, pulling her towards me. He looked at me, covered in dirt, my cheeks bruised, a flicker of something complex in his eyes. But the next moment, he coldly lifted my chin. “Don’t blame me for making them do it. I had to teach you a lesson, to make you understand what happens if you dare to be jealous, if you dare to harm anyone again.” “Otherwise, you’ll try to steal Seraphina’s credit again.” I trembled all over, looking up at him. So, I wasn’t the only one reborn. No wonder they found the oasis without my ‘good luck’. No wonder he said it wasn’t the “first time” I’d done this. Because in the previous life, he had also unjustly condemned me for Seraphina’s sake. My eyes reddened, and I wiped away my tears. “Aurora, playing victim won’t work anymore. No matter how capable you are, it’s useless.” “I’ve already had the medical team give Seraphina the highest-grade genetic enhancer. Her powers are sure to upgrade and help me become the leader.” I gave a bitter laugh, clutching my constantly throbbing abdomen. “I already paved the way for you. But why did you make them poison me? Why did you have to destroy Zone C and kill my teammates…?” He paused, his brows furrowed. “Don’t talk nonsense. You clearly led your team’s breakthrough attempt yesterday and failed, leading to everyone being wiped out.” Cold sweat streamed down my face from the pain. I grabbed his pant leg, trying to make him look at Zach, our scout, who was still alive in the surveillance feed. His face was filled with disgust, and he impatiently kicked my hand away. “Stop the act. If you want to prove you weren’t trying to harm Seraphina, then tomorrow during the base-wide broadcast, you can personally admit that you were incompetent and failed in your reconnaissance, and that you begged Seraphina to share some of her credit with you.” “Then, hand over all your commendations and supplies to her and her unborn child, and serve as her loyal second-in-command from now on.” “If you dare to play any more tricks, or even touch a single hair on her head, this time I won’t just deal with you and your useless team—Zach, the one you care about most, won’t get a single dose of anti-infection medicine either.” My eyes widened, staring at Landon in disbelief: “Landon, you bastard! Zach was scratched by a zombie while covering me, he’s a hero of the base! How can you use his life to threaten me?!” Landon’s face was full of impatience. “As long as you obediently serve Seraphina’s team and take good care of them in the future, I won’t touch him.” With that, he put his arm around Seraphina, preparing to leave. “Seraphina, thank you for finding hope for the base. I’m going to reward you handsomely.” I watched their retreating backs, my lower body constantly oozing warm blood from the miscarriage. Dr. Anya Sharma, a researcher who treated me like her own daughter, rushed over, her face turning ashen at my injuries. “Get her to medical treatment immediately! If anything happens to Aurora, I won’t let any of you off the hook!” I was sent to the medical bay, but the healing medic never arrived. Dr. Anya was furious, demanding to know where the medical team assigned to me had gone. 3. The assistant, Cassidy, replied apologetically. “Dr. Sharma, all the healing medics in the entire base have been called to Captain Seraphina’s room by the General Commander. Miss Seraphina scratched her finger while testing a weapon, and Commander Landon is afraid something might happen to her, so he ordered all healing medics to stand by.” “Right now, there are no healing medics in the entire base.” Dr. Anya was so enraged she kept calling. “This is insane! His own wife is critically injured, yet he’s called all the medics away for some mistress, completely disregarding her life!” After the comms operator made the twentieth call, Landon finally answered. “Is Aurora throwing another tantrum, trying to get you to back her up?” Dr. Anya shouted, agitated, “Aurora is bleeding internally and on the verge of unconsciousness! Several of our brothers are barely holding on! And you took her healing medics away?! Are you trying to kill the base’s elite unit?!” Landon sneered, “Did Aurora tell you to call me? Her check-up was fine; why is she faking critical injury now?” “Alright, alright, I still have a victory banquet to host for Seraphina and her team. Doesn’t she want healing medics? I’ll send someone over.” Dr. Anya hung up the phone, gripping my hand tightly. “Don’t be afraid, Aurora, the healing medics will be here soon.” I felt my life force gradually fading. I remembered how, in my previous life, my teammates were also stabbed in the back by Landon’s forces, devoured alive by zombies. Trembling all over, I clutched Dr. Anya’s hand, speaking with difficulty. “Dr. Sharma, you promised me you’d treat me like your own granddaughter. If Landon didn’t treat me well, you’d help me leave him.” “I just want to save Zach’s life, and then live.” Dr. Anya was in tears, repeating, “Landon, after you saved him, he loved you so much. It’s all Seraphina’s fault, that bitch. If she hadn’t suddenly appeared, you two wouldn’t be like this now.” I gave a wretched smile. How could a life-and-death partner, who once fought alongside me, become like this? The man who, after repelling the zombies, blushed and vowed to face life and death with me, promising to be torn to shreds and never find peace if he ever betrayed me. Now, for another woman, he abandoned me without a thought. “Please, Dr. Sharma.” I gnashed out each word. Listening to my plea, Dr. Anya finally nodded. “Tomorrow, I’ll announce that you are the only ability user in Zone C. As for that ungrateful beast, I won’t assist him anymore!” Dr. Anya immediately left to handle the matter. I lay on the medical bed, the sharp pain in my abdomen surging like a tide. Cassidy, the assistant Dr. Anya left behind, anxiously kept hoping for the healing medics sent by Landon to arrive. Finally, someone came. But it wasn’t a healing medic; it was a logistics grunt. Seeing the bloody mess in the medical bay, he handed over a few rolls of bandages and a bottle of expired antiseptic. “General Commander Landon said it’s just a minor injury, nothing life-threatening. He told you to deal with it yourselves and stop bothering him with such disgusting matters.” Cassidy cried and smashed the box. “Captain Aurora, I’m taking you and the brothers to another base right now. You have to hold on.” My vision went black, and I finally lost consciousness. I woke up again, startled by a bucket of icy snow water suddenly being poured over me. Before me was Landon’s face, filled with disgust. “You’re awake, stop faking it.” He looked down at me. “You know I’m about to announce the oasis and Seraphina’s achievements, yet you’re making a fuss about going to my enemy’s base? Are you hoping everyone will think Seraphina is bullying you?” Seraphina clutched a report, tears streaming down her face, standing behind him, looking utterly pathetic. “Sister Aurora, I know you hate me. But it’s one thing to get revenge on me, why do you have to make Dr. Sharma steal my credit?” 4. “That assistant, before she was dragged away, was still shouting that I was a bitch, saying I wasn’t worthy of being the savior’s partner…” I opened my mouth, but not a single word came out of my throat. I could only shake my head with all my might, trembling as I pleaded, “I… I didn’t… Send me to the medical bay… My team… they’re barely holding on…” “You’re lying again!” Landon frowned impatiently. “Dr. Sharma gathered her old subordinates overnight and even found the base’s records officer. Wasn’t it you instigating her from behind? Do you think by stealing Seraphina’s credit, you can secure your position as the base’s second-in-command?” Seraphina curled into his arms, crying and pleading, “Sister Aurora, I beg you, don’t separate Landon and me… If you insist on taking my credit, I’ll just run out of the base alone and die in the zombie horde!” She made a motion to run, and Landon quickly held her tightly. He was furious, and he kicked my stomach again. “How many times have I warned you not to bully Seraphina, but you just won’t listen! Since that’s the case, I’ll have to use some special methods.” He abruptly turned, coldly ordering his elite guard. “She’s forcing Seraphina to rush into the zombie horde, so she should pay the price. Go, shut down Dr. Sharma’s lab’s purification system and throw her out of the research facility!” “Landon!” I shrieked, tearing my throat. “You’re insane! That’s Dr. Sharma! Her research is for all of humanity!!” “So what!” Landon sneered, “To get you into the command structure, she forced me to marry you. Now you’re a captain, and I even gave you your own unit. If you couldn’t find the oasis, that’s your own uselessness. I’ve repaid my debt, I owe you nothing more!” “Do it!” I frantically lunged at the elite guard, trying to stop them, but was brutally kicked to the ground. The wound on my abdomen, which had barely stopped bleeding, burst open from the violent impact, gushing like a broken dam, instantly staining the floor beneath me crimson. I screamed in agony, my throat raw, curling into a ball. Landon was about to drag me further, but suddenly he saw the pools of scarlet, and his face paled. He instinctively stopped, turning to Seraphina and demanding, “What’s going on?! I told you to take care of her and her pregnancy, why is she still bleeding?!” Seraphina’s face subtly changed. But her eyes darted around, and she quickly squeezed out tears. “I’ve always taken good care of Sister Aurora… This is the medical report they gave her yesterday.” She handed over the report, her voice choked. “The report says she only has superficial wounds, and her physical functions and the baby are completely normal.” Landon snatched the report, merely glancing at it, and believed her. The next second, he furiously lifted me from the ground and violently slammed me onto the cold, hard metal floor. My head hit the ground hard, and blood instantly spurted out. “You dared to lie to me!” He roared, “To make me soften, you’d even fake a miscarriage?! How disgusting, how vile are you?!” “You think I’ll fall for it this time? Dream on!” He raised his leg, kicking my abdomen mercilessly, blow after blow. Blood and screams splattered with each impact. “Ah… No… Please no…” I begged, almost tearing my throat, my body growing colder and colder. Until I had no strength left to even beg, only able to curl up in my own pool of blood. He shook off his blood-stained boots and turned to Seraphina, his face full of apology. “I’m sorry, Seraphina, for making you smell this disgusting odor. I’ll deal with her now. Once she’s handled, I’ll take you to the oasis to see the scenery, as compensation for me misunderstanding you, alright?” Seraphina, however, shook her head, tears welling in her eyes, her voice sounding utterly pathetic. “Forget it. Sister Aurora hates me so much; what if she comes up with a new way to deal with me the moment you take me away?” “Perhaps I should just leave with my team instead, and let her have the credit.” She spoke cautiously, sounding incredibly wronged, but perfectly hitting Landon’s anger button. His face instantly turned as dark as night, his voice gentle but chillingly menacing: “Don’t worry, I won’t give her any more chances to harm you.” 5. He waved his hand: “Lock her in the underground bunker outside the base. Once I officially announce Seraphina as the discoverer of the oasis tomorrow, then release her.”

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（ succubus ： Succubus is a spiritual demon that exists in European and Middle Eastern mythology and is said to invade male (female) dreams at night to draw strength and satisfy their own needs, causing the affected male to gradually weaken and even die. ） My Demon Husband Married My Sister! Undercover for three years, I finally came home. Pushing open the door, I saw my demon husband with a baby in his arms and a toddler by his side. “Say Mommy.” He pushed the baby towards me. I froze. But then my in-laws pulled out my heavily pregnant sister. “Julian’s reached adulthood, he has to reproduce, or his body will literally tear itself apart! You can’t expect us to lose our son, can you?!” In our meticulously decorated wedding home, I watched them intimately intertwine right in front of me, a disgusting mess left on the floor. “Julian, do you like me or my sister?” My sister’s syrupy voice rose and fell. “Of course, it’s you, my little devil! Your sister is frigid, utterly boring!” Julian’s tone was dismissive. I clapped a hand over my mouth, fleeing out the door, only to be struck by an oncoming car. When I woke again, the doctor looked troubled. “Ms. Hayes, your account is empty. If you can’t pay by 5 PM this afternoon, you’ll have to be discharged.” My sister walked in, carrying a sad, crumpled fruit basket, a massive, fiery diamond necklace glittering on her neck. “Sister, take care of yourself. I’ll look after Julian for you. Our children are your children.” My heart completely froze over. Turning away, I called the gang leader who had taken me in for the past three years. “Godfather, my sister and my husband are getting married. Could you bring some gifts… the kind from *our* world?”

“Hello, Mommy!” The moment the child’s voice chirped, my mind went blank with a loud buzz, like someone had slammed a bat over my head. I stood in the doorway, my hand still on the doorknob, unable to let go, completely frozen. Three years undercover, I had finally completed my mission and returned home. I opened the door with a heart full of joy, only to see this scene. The house was festively decorated, a red “Welcome Home” banner hanging in the center of the living room, the floor covered with balloons and streamers. On the sofa sat Julian Thorne, my demon husband, but he was holding a tiny, pink baby boy in his arms, and a little girl, about two years old, was clinging to his hand. I was utterly speechless. From the bedroom door, my mother-in-law, Eleanor, smiled, leading out a heavily pregnant woman—my own sister, Willow Hayes. “Why are you just standing there? Come quickly, listen! Your son is kicking Mommy’s tummy. This six or seven-month-old is just so restless.” I stood my ground, my voice stuck in my throat, barely managing a sound after a long moment: “Mom, what is going on?” Eleanor shot me a sidelong glance, a smile in her eyes, then took my hand and led me to the children. “Come on, say Mommy.” “Mommy!” The children’s voices were clear and joyful, but they made my scalp tingle. I yanked my hand away from Eleanor, seeing the intimate glances between Julian and Willow. I looked at Eleanor in disbelief. “You know, when an incubus reaches adulthood, he *has* to reproduce, or his body will explode from within. And you haven’t been back for three years. We couldn’t just stand by and watch Julian die, could we?” Eleanor’s expression was righteous, as if *I* were the one who had done something wrong. Willow leaned against Julian’s arm, soft as a boneless doll, her large belly prominent, her face glowing. “Sister, Julian and I didn’t dare to tell you… but he was truly on the verge of not being able to hold on.” My whole body went cold, as if a blunt object had crushed my heart. Three years undercover, I walked a tightrope, risking my life, taking bullets and blows for the boss, until I finally turned that criminal kingpin around. I fought tooth and nail just to return early and spend my life with my husband. But now, my husband was entangled with my own sister, had children with her, and was making them call *me* Mommy? Julian saw the look on my face and carefully helped Willow up. He walked towards me, his seductive demon aura brushing my nose, still as alluring as ever. “Look at you, getting angry again. Don’t be so serious. Your sister has the same genes as you; even a paternity test wouldn’t show a difference. Isn’t it basically your child? You wouldn’t really be heartless enough to watch me explode and die, would you?” He spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, as if the children had just appeared out of thin air and I hadn’t been cheated on. I just wanted to throw up. “Oh, who are you making that gloomy face for?” Eleanor’s expression suddenly turned cold. “Three years, not a single word. If your sister hadn’t held this family together, do you think you’d still have a home to come back to?” “Your sister not only fulfilled your filial duties, she even took care of the children for you, arranging everything perfectly. And what do you do? You come back acting like a wronged wife catching her husband cheating. Can’t you have a little conscience?” “They’re about to get married, really. Why come back and stir up trouble?” Married? My mind went blank, yet suddenly, I understood everything. Willow’s face was like a peach blossom as she stepped forward, excitedly taking my hand. “Sister, you’ll bless us, won’t you?” “Tomorrow, Julian and I are getting married. Guess what role we’ve specially arranged for you?” I said nothing, my fingers trembling. “You’re the one who’ll give the bride away!” She excitedly raised my hand as if announcing a lottery win. “When you personally give me to Julian, the effect will be truly stunning. You know, you were once the one he cared about most. That’s what makes it so touching~” She squeezed my hand hard, her nails digging deep into my skin, her eyes full of provocation: “How memorable! You, crying tears of joy as you hand me over to him in front of everyone. The whole crowd will be weeping! The emotional arc complete, a perfect ending to the story! Don’t you agree, Sister?” Seeing my silence, Eleanor pinched my arm hard. “Like a statue! Learn from your sister! Your sister is so good, she didn’t even mind that you, his *actual* wife, are still alive and well, yet here you are, acting all high and mighty?” My sister “thoughtfully” slipped a script into my hand: “Don’t worry, I’ve written the script for you. Just read it on stage. The first line is: ‘Today, I give my dearest sister to the man I love most…’” I could barely breathe. Willow continued to ramble on, oblivious: “Oh, by the way, Sister, you know how to take photos, right? Tomorrow morning, you can come help us with our wedding photos first. These are the most touching moments, the greatest witness to our love! If you post them online, you might even ride our coattails and go viral! I’ve even thought of the title: ‘How *Liberated* is a Woman Who Gives Her Own Husband Away?’” I stood there stiffly, my heart feeling like it was being carved out inch by agonizing inch.

The next day, I was still lost in sleep when a large hand roughly pulled me up. Before I could even open my eyes, a heavy slap landed squarely on my face. Eleanor’s voice boomed in my ear: “Still sleeping? You think you’re the bride today? Grab the camera and get to work!” I stared blankly at the camera, which was bigger than my head. Without a word, I was dragged to the wedding venue. Aside from Julian and Willow, there were only a few women in designer clothes taking pictures. “Oh, isn’t that Scarlett Hayes? Personally taking wedding photos of her husband and sister, tsk tsk tsk, even more outlandish than a TV show.” They looked at me with disdain. Willow feigned annoyance: “Girls, don’t talk nonsense. She’s my most sensible and wonderful sister~ She even came back to bless us, and volunteered to be the photographer.” I watched them burst into fits of laughter, and I bit down on my teeth, forcing back the humiliation as I pressed the shutter. Suddenly, a stiletto heel kicked my knee without warning. The searing pain made me fall to my knees with a thud. The sound of my knee crunching echoed up my spine, and I trembled with agony. “Kneel to take pictures; it makes legs look longer. Don’t you even know that? Useless.” One woman flipped through my photos, sneering: “Tsk tsk tsk, I bet she still hates them. Is she deliberately trying to make these look like a horror movie?” Willow lowered her gaze and smiled, her eyes cold, then said sweetly, “Sister wouldn’t be so petty, would she~” Before I could say anything, a hand roughly grabbed my hair, and several slaps rained down. My cheeks burned with pain. “Who are you trying to jinx with these pictures? Our Willow is the bride today! You pathetic bitch, you couldn’t keep your man, and now you’re trying to sabotage us?” “We were shocked when she came back, thought she was going to crash the wedding. Turns out she’s just here to take pictures. Vile to her core.” They laughed, doubling over, then grabbed my right hand and twisted it back hard, forcing the camera onto my arm, making me hold it high. “If these pictures aren’t perfect today, don’t even think about walking out that door!” They stomped on my left hand, grinding it against the floor until my nails broke, bleeding profusely. But they still weren’t satisfied, and they climbed onto my back, riding me like livestock. Unable to bear the weight, my hand slipped, and the camera crashed to the floor with a bang, splitting in two. In a haze of pain, I saw Julian rush towards me. I actually thought he might show a shred of his old affection, but instead, he kicked me hard in the stomach: “Are you insane?! That camera cost me twenty thousand! Pay me back!” Immediately, a metallic taste filled my throat, and my stomach pain made me curl up on the floor. I struggled to stay conscious, staring in disbelief as he snatched my phone. After a few taps, he threw it at my face like trash. Willow strolled over, looking down at me sprawled on the floor. “Sister, do you know how hard it was for our family these three years you were gone? I held this house together. I helped you so much, how could you harbor such resentment?” “You were never supposed to come back. Why didn’t you just die out there?” I gasped for air, glaring at the sister I had once loved more than anything. Our parents died when we were young, and I had always looked after her like my own daughter, only to raise such a monster! Willow raised an eyebrow, smiling sweetly at her friends. They understood, grabbing my hair and dragging me to a room upstairs. The moment I was thrown into the elevator, Willow turned back, her smile cold and malicious. “Girls, we need to teach her a lesson, so she never dares to bother Willow again.” The mean girls dragged me into the room, tore off my clothes, pinched my chin, slapped me while taking pictures, and even stomped on my palms with their stiletto heels. I struggled in agony, but my old injuries made me too weak to resist. “Do you know where your sister and husband are right now? Right next door, in that room~ They said they needed to warm up for their big day today, know what I mean?” They roughly forced me to my knees outside the room door. “Can you hear it? Your sister is enjoying herself for you, isn’t this the ‘reunion’ you always dreamed of?” Soft moans emanated from the room, my sister’s syrupy voice rising and falling. “Julian, do you like me or my sister?” “Of course, it’s you, my little devil! Your sister is frigid, utterly boring!” Julian’s tone was dismissive. I never imagined the man I had given my heart to for so many years saw me this way. The last shred of hope shattered in my heart. I knelt in despair, tears streaming from my eyes. After their ‘joyful’ session, everyone left, leaving the room a disgusting mess, reeking of their ‘joy.’ Before Julian left, he didn’t forget to warn me: “You still have to give Willow away later. If you look like this, do you want to embarrass her?” I gave up completely. My hands shaking, I dialed that familiar number. “Godfather, my sister and my husband are getting married today. Please bring some… gifts from *our* world.” I covered my mouth, my eyes filled only with hatred. I staggered out of the hotel, and just as I stepped through the main entrance, the world spun, and a blinding white light rushed towards me. “CRASH!”

When I opened my eyes again, my nose was hit with the pungent smell of iodine and disinfectant. “Teacher, bed 38 is awake.” Several doctors in white coats gathered around. “Ms. Hayes, you were seriously injured in the car accident. Since we couldn’t reach any family members, we had to perform surgery. The surgery fee is two hundred thousand. Please pay as soon as possible.” The attending physician shoved the bill in front of me. I struggled to lift my hand, which was riddled with IVs, my fingers stiff as I reached for the bag on the nightstand. Opening my phone and swiping to my banking app, the cold numbers on the screen slapped me in the face. Balance: $28.10. My breathing hitched. My chest felt like it had been ripped open—where was my thirty million?! My trembling fingers furiously tapped through my account history, and then the monstrous transfer message popped up: “Transfer successful, amount: $30,000,000. Recipient: Julian Thorne.” My mind exploded with a buzzing sound. I suddenly remembered Julian had used my phone when he demanded I pay for the camera! Just as I was reeling from the shock, the hospital room door was violently pushed open. “Oh, so Sister actually woke up.” Willow walked in, arm-in-arm with Julian, holding a sad, crumpled fruit basket. “Sister, we came to see you. Good thing you’re not dead, didn’t waste the money on this fruit basket.” Her fingertip deliberately traced her neck, and only then did I notice the fiery diamond necklace on her throat. I had seen such diamonds at auctions; a single one could cost over a million. The one on her neck was at least ten million. The doctor, sensing trouble, stepped in front of me: “Excuse me, please don’t upset the patient.” “Upset her?” Julian scoffed. “She’s my wife. If I tell her to die, she’ll have to do it with a smile!” The doctor’s hand visibly paused. He looked at Julian suspiciously. “You’re the patient’s husband? Then you need to pay the two hundred thousand medical fees by 5 PM this afternoon, otherwise, we’ll have to discharge her.” “Two hundred thousand?!” Julian’s eyes bulged as if he wanted to eat someone alive. “Do you think I’m an ATM? She’s not worth that much even if you sold her! Maybe we should sell her organs to make up the difference—perfect, we still need some funds for our wedding.” Hearing that, I instantly got so angry I almost choked. Thankfully, the doctor spoke my mind: “Your wife is in this condition, do you have any humanity?!” But Julian ignored him. He violently yanked out the IV drip from my hand. Blood spurted out, staining the bedsheets red, and I gasped in pain. “Don’t put on a sob story for me. Get out of the hospital. You have something important to do today: give Willow away.” I froze, fury practically burning in my eyes: “Are you insane?! I’m injured like this, and you’re still talking about the wedding?” “You just got hit by a car, didn’t you? You ruined Willow’s once-in-a-lifetime wedding. You owe her at least fifty million!” I seriously wondered if I was still conscious. A man who wouldn’t even pay two hundred thousand was demanding fifty million? “I’m done with this nonsense. Where’s my thirty million? You said twenty thousand to replace the camera, what about the rest?!” Julian yelled back at me, his neck stiff, like a madman: “Do you understand marital property? What’s wrong with me taking it? Willow needs a necklace, shouldn’t you, as her sister, buy it for her?” I stared deadly at the necklace, my teeth grinding. I had lived a life on the edge, walking a tightrope, every penny I saved through sheer grit, only for it to become *their* dowry?! “Alright, stop wasting time.” He grabbed my arm and dragged me out. “Get changed and go to the wedding venue.” I was pulled out of the hospital room, my wounds still bleeding, but my heart ached even more. The wedding venue was packed with guests. The moment I stepped into the hall, all eyes swiveled towards me. “Tsk, she actually had the nerve to show up? Her husband is marrying her sister, and she’s the one giving the bride away.” “Whose fault is that? She disappeared for three years, and now her husband gets someone else pregnant, *then* she decides to come back.” I stood my ground, veins throbbing with anger, my nails almost digging into my palms, fighting the urge to kill. This show wasn’t over yet!

I was forcibly stuffed into a heavy red gown, my unmasked injuries visible, my leg still not healed, forcing me to hunch over. I leaned on Willow’s arm, leading her step-by-step towards the man in the sharp suit. The emcee, microphone in hand, excitedly announced: “Next, let’s invite the bride’s sister to offer her blessings to the happy couple!” The entire hall suddenly fell silent. All cameras, lights, and eyes swiveled to me. I looked at the crowd and smiled, a smile that made blood seep from the corner of my lips. “Thank you all for coming despite your busy schedules.” I paused, my voice ice-cold. “Today is a joyous day for my husband and my own sister. Come on, give a round of applause for this shameless, despicable pair!” A stir went through the crowd. Some people laughed out loud, as if I wasn’t an injured person, but part of the opening act. Julian’s face instantly twisted. He lunged forward and slapped me across the face. “SMACK!” The blow made me see stars, and my mouth was filled with the taste of blood. He leaned in and roared: “Are you insane?! Where’s the script Willow gave you? Do you want to ruin us?!” Willow stood to the side, wiping away tears: “Sister, why are you humiliating me?” I spat out a mouthful of blood and laughed like a madwoman. “You tore my life apart first, and now you’re playing the victim? You want to put on a show? I’ll play along until the very end.” I pulled out my phone, tapped the screen twice, and coldly watched the two of them. Julian narrowed his eyes: “What trick are you playing?” He looked around, saw nothing happen, and then he smiled, a cold, vicious smile. He leaned down close to me, grabbed my collar, and dragged me to the edge of the stage. “You think you can threaten me? A helpless orphan dares to challenge me?” “I’m telling you.” Before he could finish, he swung a punch at my face. Before I could react, he kicked me in the stomach again, the pain so intense I could barely breathe. “You want sympathy, don’t you? Then cry! If you don’t publicly kneel and kowtow forty-nine times to Willow and pay fifty million, I’ll make sure no one claims your body tomorrow!” Julian snarled, kicking me again. Just then. “BANG!” A deafening gunshot ripped through the wedding hall’s commotion. The main doors were kicked open, and a swarm of men in black suits flooded in, the atmosphere instantly freezing, like Death himself had arrived. The man leading them was tall and imposing, dressed in a dark black trench coat, his steps calm, yet each one radiated lethal intent. Seeing him, the entire hall erupted almost immediately. Silas Blackwood! The most untouchable man in South City, the living Grim Reaper of the underworld, a name that struck terror into hearts!

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Liam Cross forced me into a revealing bunny costume for our university farewell gala. He swore it was just a costume party. The moment I stepped inside, the room exploded with cruel laughter. “Wow, the valedictorian? More like the queen of kink, wouldn’t you say?” Professor Sterling, Liam’s mother, sneered, her voice dripping with disgust. “Summer Reed, you have absolutely no shame. Wearing this to such a formal event? Do you even deserve my son?!” My body trembled, tears blurring my vision. I looked at Liam, desperate for an explanation, for him to stand up for me. Instead, he scoffed, pulling Sophia Cross, who stood beside him, into his arms. Right in front of everyone, he kissed her passionately, then turned to me, his words like daggers. “Summer Reed, if you hadn’t taken Scarlett’s spot all those years ago, she wouldn’t have died in that car accident on her way to that other university!” “But heaven was kind enough to send me her sister, Sophia. She’s my true love!” “And you, you’re destined to be a pathetic orphan forever. Get out!” I fought to control my shaking body, feigning composure as I turned to leave. But inside, a burning resolve hardened my heart. If their love was so earth-shattering, then I’d make sure it shattered them both. 0

Months ago, I pulled countless all-nighters, coding for Liam. I helped him win the University Startup Challenge, along with a $1,000,000 prize. That allowed him to establish himself in the metropolitan hub even before graduation. He held me close, tracing my features repeatedly, murmuring sweet nothings. “Summer, we’ll get married right after graduation. I’ll give you the grandest wedding imaginable.” For those words, I turned down a $1,000,000 offer. And I willingly became pregnant with his child. But now I understood. All his kindness, every sweet gesture, had concealed a monstrous hatred. My legs swayed, the world blurring around me. I just wanted to escape, to walk away, step by agonizing step. But Liam wouldn’t let up. His mocking voice followed me. “I bet a million dollars she won’t even make it through the night. She’ll come crawling back, begging for my forgiveness, like a desperate alley cat.” The words hit me like a tidal wave, and the crowd’s laughter crashed down. My head swam. The baby inside me seemed to sense my distress, and a faint ache started in my belly. Clutching my stomach, I stumbled towards the staircase. Suddenly, someone grabbed me from behind. It was Sophia. She hugged me, her voice tearful, calling out to Liam. “Liam, my love, Summer didn’t mean it. Please, just let her go.” “You can’t just send her away. She’s pregnant and won’t find a job. Let her stay, even as a maid!” Her words sounded like a plea, but they carried a stinging, unbearable humiliation. I used every ounce of strength to push her away. A wicked, barely hidden smirk flashed across her lips as she abruptly shoved me forward, then dramatically fell backward herself. Caught off guard, I lost my balance and tumbled down the stairs. A tearing pain erupted in my abdomen. Warm blood instantly gushed down my thighs, staining the white fur of my bunny costume crimson. “My baby!” I shrieked. Liam’s face instantly paled, his chest visibly heaving. He instinctively lunged forward, reaching out to help me up. But Sophia’s whimpering voice cut him off, perfectly timed. “Summer, I really didn’t mean any harm! Why did you push me?!” She sobbed, but her eyes held a triumphant, wicked glint directed at me. “No… no, that’s not it…” I tried to explain, but the pain made coherent words impossible. Liam frowned, looking at me, a flicker of something complex in his eyes. Ultimately, he turned, helping Sophia to her feet instead. He swept a cold glance over me, his voice icy, filled with profound disgust. “Disgusting. This is what you get for hurting others. You owe us so much. Consider this child your atonement.” With that, he helped Sophia walk away, not looking back. I had no sin, so how could there be atonement! His idealized Scarlett – I’d never even met her. How could I have intentionally harmed her? I lay on the cold ground, trembling, blood spreading beneath me. Watching them leave, my heart hurt more than my body. The crowd gathered around me like spectators at a morbid show, no one offering a hand. I had to save my baby. Ignoring everything else, I bit down hard and struggled to my feet. Still in the bunny costume, covered in blood, I staggered onto the street. No driver dared to pick me up. Step by painful step, I finally reached the hospital. The surgery lasted three hours. When I woke, I heard what felt like a miracle. 0

“The baby is safe.” The doctor looked at me deeply, unable to resist a warning. “The fetus has been temporarily saved. Please be more careful in the future. Don’t harm the baby inside you.” The story was too long, I didn’t know how to refute it. I could only bow my head, stroking my belly, tears falling endlessly. Baby, from now on, Mommy will protect you no matter what! If I was going to leave, I was going to leave completely. I would take all my things with me. Back at the mansion, I ignored my physical discomfort and started packing. But I ran into Professor Sterling, who was about to leave. Seeing me, she raised her hand and slapped me across the face. “You brat, why haven’t you left yet? Are you still trying to seduce my son?!” I couldn’t imagine how she became a professor; she lacked any sense of decency. I gritted my teeth and explained that I was just there to pack my things and would leave completely in a moment. She still looked at me with disgust. “Someone like you doesn’t even qualify to be a maid here. I’m warning you, don’t try to seduce my son again, or you’ll regret it!” I had just packed a few simple clothes when the villa door swung open. Liam walked in, arm around Sophia. His eyes immediately fell on my slightly swollen belly, and a flicker of delight crossed his face. A mocking smile played on his lips. “I knew you’d come back,” he sneered. “Since the baby’s still there, you can stay as a maid. Take care of Sophia.” “And at my wedding with Sophia in three days, I’ll even let you be a bridesmaid. Consider it your indirect marriage to me.” I froze. Three days from now. That was supposed to be *our* wedding. He’d promised me countless times, a grand wedding. To love me forever, to build a happy family with our child. But now, the villain’s true face was finally revealed. And the bride had been replaced by Sophia. “Liam, my love, you’re so good to me,” Sophia simpered. “Even though Summer accidentally caused my sister’s death, you still let her be our bridesmaid.” “It’s just a shame about Scarlett, she didn’t even get to have a baby for you before she left.” She started crying as she spoke, but her eyes held a triumphant smirk directed at me. Liam’s face suddenly changed. He quickly pulled Sophia into his embrace, gently stroking her head. “Sophia, don’t be so sad. I’ll give all my love to you, to make up for her.” He glanced at me, hesitated for a moment, then finally made up his mind. “Yes, I can’t let Scarlett down.” The words had barely left his lips when he forcefully dragged me out of the room and shoved me into the mansion’s sauna. He tied me to a chair. “Liam Cross, you’re insane!” I suddenly understood his intention and struggled desperately. But I couldn’t fight his strength. He cranked up the heat and locked the door. His voice was cold as death, like a grim reaper’s judgment. “You can atone for your sins in here. Tomorrow morning, if the baby’s still alive, I’ll let you go. I guess Scarlett wouldn’t mind then.” With that, he seemed to not want to see me anymore and walked away with Sophia. The temperature in the sauna began to rise rapidly. In moments, my breathing became incredibly difficult. 0

“Liam Cross! Let me out!” I screamed desperately, but there was no response from outside. Time ticked by, second by agonizing second, and my body began to show signs of dehydration. The baby in my belly also squirmed uneasily, as if protesting the terrifying environment. “Baby, I’m sorry. Mommy is so sorry.” I looked down at my belly, tears mixing with sweat, streaming down my face. The high heat made me dizzy, and I started to hallucinate. I saw the first time Liam and I cooked together, my finger accidentally burned. He was so anxious he nearly cried, carefully applied aloe vera, then carried me to the sofa. He pretended to be angry, but his voice was gentle. “You’re not allowed in the kitchen again. If you’re hungry, just call your husband!” Whenever my period pain made me curl up in bed, he would clumsily brew ginger tea with brown sugar. He’d drop three drops on the back of his hand to test the temperature before personally feeding it to me. I looked into his loving eyes, thinking he would never change, not in three lifetimes. But now, he had tied me in this scorching room, abandoning me and our baby to die. Suffocating heat, unbearable pressure. I felt my consciousness slowly peeling away, the cramping in my lower abdomen growing increasingly intense. I curled up in the corner, using my last ounce of strength to protect my belly. Don’t be scared, baby. Mommy’s here… The next morning, when Liam opened the sauna door. What he saw was me, passed out, lying in a pool of blood. He rushed over, immediately picking me up. “Summer! Summer!” Through a haze, I heard the ambulance sirens. When my consciousness cleared, I was lying in the guest room bed, an IV drip in my arm. Liam sat nearby, focused on typing code on his laptop. “The baby…” My voice was hoarse, like a broken bellows. Hearing my faint whisper, he quickly leaned closer, his gaze slightly evasive. “The baby… it’s gone.” “You’ve paid your debt to Scarlett. From now on, just stay here in the mansion and be a good housekeeper.” He picked up a bowl of soup, scooped out a small spoonful. After blowing on it a few times, he brought it to my lips. “This is a restorative broth. I made it myself to help you recover. Drink it.” My chest constricted with pain. I pushed him away. “I owe Scarlett nothing! There were only two spots that year, but I was the top honors graduate in the entire state!” “That last spot was clearly stolen by you. The one who killed Scarlett should be you!” Liam’s movements stiffened. A flicker of panic crossed his face. But quickly, that panic was replaced by enraged shame. “Slam!” He shot up, a resounding slap landing hard on my face. My cheek instantly swelled, blood oozing from the corner of my mouth. “Summer Reed, what are you talking about?!” He roared at me, his face contorted in a sneer. “If it weren’t for you, I would have been with Scarlett years ago!” “You manipulative woman, you still refuse to admit your fault! You’re beyond hope!” I stopped arguing, only offering a faint, mocking laugh, reminding him. “Your true love is calling. Go answer it.” Liam glanced at his phone, then, as if trying to escape something, stormed out, slamming the door. I hadn’t eaten in days. That night, I was ravenous and had to use the wall for support to go downstairs to find food. But as soon as I reached the second floor, I heard sounds of intimacy coming from Liam’s room. 0

That had been our room. Now, the door was wide open, their entwined bodies clearly visible. “Liam, my love, gently. It’s only just three months. Look how impatient you are!” Her voice was brazen and grating, like a dull knife twisting viciously in my heart. My baby had just been lost, and Liam was already in the mood to carouse with his mistress, having the time of his life! And Sophia was already three months pregnant. I remembered vividly how overjoyed he was when I first became pregnant. He would lay his head on my belly every day, clumsily talking to the baby, reading stories. He imagined everything about our baby’s birth, promising to give our child the best future. He had loved our child so much. That tenderness and affection felt like it happened just yesterday. But now, our child was gone. And he didn’t show even a hint of sorrow. He was celebrating with his mistress. A wave of nausea washed over me. I didn’t hesitate any longer. I forced myself to pack my bags, and amidst their unrestrained moans, I left the mansion for good. In these past few years, I had poured all my energy into Liam. I seemed to have forgotten how brilliant I once was. I needed a job to support myself. And I needed a job to prove that I, Summer Reed, hadn’t been broken. I had just suffered a miscarriage, my body still recovering, but the very next day, I endured the pain to look for work. I chose a well-known tech company. With my professional skills and qualifications, I should easily get an offer. However, fate always seemed to enjoy playing cruel jokes on me. At the interview, I ran into Liam and Sophia again. “It’s okay, their loss if it doesn’t work out this time. I’ll arrange a few better ones for you!” Liam was with Sophia, a tender smile on his face, seemingly comforting her. “Summer?” He looked up and suddenly saw me, a flicker of surprise crossing his face, quickly turning to anger. “Why didn’t you come home last night? You just lost the baby and you’re already out running wild? Do you have no shame at all?” His voice wasn’t loud, but it was enough for everyone nearby to hear. In an instant, countless scornful, mocking gazes fell upon me. I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “I’ve already moved out. We have nothing to do with each other anymore.” Sophia, standing beside him, immediately put on her innocent, pitiful act, her eyes slightly red as she said to me. “Summer, can you please give me a chance? This job is really important to me.” “How can you intentionally compete with me over what happened yesterday?!” “Please, you took my sister’s spot in college back then. Can’t you just let me have this now?” As she spoke, a hint of malice flashed in her eyes, then she burst into tears and threw herself into Liam’s arms. Liam, hearing her words, immediately believed Sophia. He thought I was deliberately coming to this company to compete with her for revenge. He pointed at me, his voice filled with even more disgust. “Summer Reed, you really are shameless! You’d stoop to such despicable tactics!” I stared at Liam, my voice cold. “If we’re talking despicable, tricking me into getting pregnant right after graduation, and making me give up a million-dollar job offer – that’s truly despicable, isn’t it?!” He gritted his teeth in rage, about to retort, when the interviewer called my name. I walked into the interview room without looking back. The process was exceptionally smooth. My professional skills and project experience received high praise from the interviewers. My hiring was practically a certainty. Just as the interviewer was about to announce the result, Sophia and Liam suddenly burst in. 0

Sophia, tears streaming down her face, pointed at me, her voice choked with sobs. “Interviewer, she… she has a very questionable personal life! She had a miscarriage during the day, and was out partying at night!” As she spoke, she pulled out her phone. She played the video of me in the bunny costume, publicly humiliated in front of everyone. “Someone like this would seriously damage the company’s image. She’s completely unsuitable for this job!” Liam chimed in from the side. “She’s a promiscuous woman, and she even caused the death of my fiancée. How can someone like that be trusted with such an important position?” The interviewer’s face instantly turned ashen, their appreciative gaze wavering. “No, that’s not true!” I tried to explain, but the interviewer no longer wished to hear it. Finally, they just shook their head, looking regretful. “We’re very sorry, Ms. Reed, but we’ll need to reconsider.” I clenched my fists, blood oozing from my palms. I knew what those words meant. Tears I could no longer control spilled down my face as I walked out of the building. Standing under the scorching afternoon sun, I felt utterly cold. I refused to give up, and went to several more well-known tech companies. But in every interview, I noticed strange looks from the interviewers, and ultimately, all my applications were politely rejected. It wasn’t until that evening that I discovered my bunny costume video had gone viral online. All sorts of offensive titles and malicious comments surged towards me like a tide. “Is this woman crazy?” “Disrespectful to her mentors, she deserves to be humiliated and abandoned.” “Doesn’t look like a decent woman.” My phone vibrated ceaselessly with rejection calls from various companies. Even some companies that had previously expressed interest cancelled my interviews. I stared at the overwhelming torrent of insults on my phone screen, listening to the harsh sounds of rejection in my ear, utterly speechless. A rush of hot blood surged to my head, my vision went black, and I passed out completely. When I woke again, I found myself back in the guest room bed at Liam Cross’s mansion. “Summer, you’re awake.” Sophia pushed open the door. Liam followed behind her, holding a bowl of dark herbal soup. Seeing I was awake, a hint of triumph appeared on his face. “Sophia was kind enough to see you collapse on the street, that’s why I brought you back. You should thank her properly.” Thank her? Thank her for pushing me back into this abyss of no return? I just wanted to escape this hellhole quickly. I struggled to get out of bed, but Liam pushed me back down. “Do you really want to leave this house so badly?” “It’s not too late to go after you’ve recovered.” He pointed to the dark, murky soup in the bowl, saying Sophia had personally brewed it for me to help regulate my body. Ignoring my resistance, he pinched my chin and forcibly poured it down my throat. As the soup went down, a strange numbing sensation quickly spread through my limbs. Sophia walked to the bedside, leaning closer. “Sister Summer, just rest well.” Then, in a voice only we two could hear, she whispered in my ear. “Tomorrow, I’ve prepared another big show for you.” An alarm blared in my heart. I wanted to escape. But I found myself unable to move, even my eyelids felt heavy as lead. Soon, I fell into a deep, heavy sleep. The next morning, I was jolted awake by a violent crash as the door burst open. Liam’s eyes were bloodshot, like an enraged lion. He grabbed me off the bed, slammed me onto the floor, and started slapping my face relentlessly. “You wretch! You venomous viper!” He gripped my collar, roaring, his face twisted in a sneer. “My mother… my mother suffocated to death last night! You were the only one home! It must have been you!” I was disoriented from the fall, and the lingering effects of the medicine made my head throb. Professor Sterling… dead? 0 “It wasn’t me…” I weakly protested. “You’re still acting!” Liam slapped my face again, the hatred in his eyes practically devouring me.

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On the day we were supposed to get married at the registry office, my girlfriend Sophia had me kicked out and went in with her childhood sweetheart instead. She looked at me nonchalantly and said, “Lucas’s child needs to be registered. Once we divorce, I’ll marry you.” Everyone thought that I, being so devoted to her, would willingly wait another month for her. After all, I had already waited seven years. But that very night, I accepted my family’s arrangement for an international marriage and disappeared from her world. Three years later, I returned to the country with my wife to pay respects to our ancestors. My wife had some urgent business to attend to, so she asked the local branch of our company to arrange someone to pick me up. Unexpectedly, I ran into Sophia, whom I hadn’t seen in three years. “You’ve played around long enough. It’s time to come back,” she said. “Lucas’s child is about to start kindergarten. You’ll be responsible for dropping her off and picking her up.”

In the arrival hall, I saw someone holding a sign with my English name. As I approached, I was surprised to find it was Sophia, my ex-girlfriend whom I hadn’t seen in three years. She was there with Lucas and a few of our old friends, all craning their necks and looking expectantly towards the gate. “Sophia, isn’t that your doormat, Jack?” one of them said. Sophia, looking surprised to see me, quickly composed herself and said casually, “See? I told you he’d come crawling back.” The group snickered and turned to me. “Jack disappeared without a word back then. Now that he sees Sophia’s doing well, he’s probably been crying himself to sleep every night with regret!” “But Jack, if you wanted to pretend to bump into her, why did you just throw on some casual clothes? Couldn’t you have dressed up a bit?” “Don’t tell me you can’t even afford decent clothes without Sophia? Man, you must be in bad shape!” In the past, whenever I went to meet Sophia, I would always choose my most flattering clothes, presenting my best self to her. But now, there was no need for that anymore. My wife is pregnant, and I need to take care of her, so I dress for comfort. These casual clothes were just something I quickly changed into on the way to drop my wife off at the hospital. Hearing their comments, I realized they only knew my English name and didn’t know that I was the person they were supposed to pick up. Seeing that I remained silent, someone who used to be closer to me tried to smooth things over: “Jack, it’s good that you’re back. Actually, Sophia has been looking for you all these years… asking around for news about you!” Sophia’s smile froze, but she quickly regained her composure and said nonchalantly: “Lucas’s child is about to start kindergarten. From now on, you’ll be responsible for drop-offs and pick-ups.” Sophia was still as arrogant and presumptuous as ever. But I was no longer the boy who always tolerated her behavior. Seeing her again, all I felt was annoyance. Not wanting to waste time with them, I was about to reveal my identity when Lucas spoke up: “Jack, don’t blame Sophia. She’s doing this for your own good. After disappearing for three years, who knows what you’ve been up to?” “Looking at your shabby state now, you couldn’t even handle being her personal assistant if she offered.” “Don’t worry, no one will look down on you for helping me take care of my daughter.” Three years hadn’t changed Lucas; he was still as condescending as ever, still able to make me frown in disgust. Sophia, misinterpreting my expression as jealousy, flashed a hint of smugness in her eyes. “Alright, enough with the fuss. You can’t afford to be picky when you’re down on your luck,” she said. “Just focus on taking care of the child and stop causing trouble. Know your place.” “Don’t worry, we still have a room for assistants at my place.” As soon as she finished speaking, the people around us burst into malicious laughter. “Jack, see how good Sophia is to you? She’s worried you might be suffering out there, so she’s arranged food and lodging for you.” “It’s just helping Lucas with the kid, isn’t that much better than your current miserable life? Hurry up and thank Sophia.” Lucas straightened his clothes and said pompously, “Jack, don’t worry. If my daughter misbehaves, I’ll discipline her myself. I won’t let you suffer any grievances.” Sophia snorted and glanced at me. “What grievances could he have? He disappeared over a trivial matter back then. Now that he can’t make it on his own and has come back, it’s only right that he suffers a bit.” Hearing this, my heart skipped a beat. Even now, she still thought that getting married to Lucas was just a trivial matter? It seems the Sophia who once loved me was long gone. She was no longer the girl who, despite being injured herself, only cared about my wounds. She was no longer the young woman who, with nothing to her name, loudly proclaimed her love for me and promised me everything. And she was certainly not the successful woman who was willing to cook for me with her own hands. But it’s fine. It’s all in the past now, no need to bring it up. After all, I’m about to have a second child with my wife.

Suppressing my thoughts, I didn’t want to argue with them here. It was pointless. I looked at Sophia and said calmly, “Weren’t you here to pick me up? Let’s go.” The scene fell silent for a moment, and then they exchanged glances before bursting into laughter. Lucas sneered coldly, “Wait for you? Who do you think you are?” He pointed at the sign, “Look carefully. We’re waiting for Helina. Do you know who that is?” Of course I knew. It was my English name. “Helina is the husband of the Gu family, the legitimate spouse of CEO Gu,” someone explained. “CEO Gu is a force to be reckoned with in the business world, but she’s also quite the romantic. They say she refused to marry for years, just waiting for Helina.” “Everyone in the circle knows that if you want to get on CEO Gu’s good side, it’s better to please her husband!” Hearing their chatter, a smile of happiness spread across my face. In our three years of marriage, Amelia’s business had grown exponentially, and her reputation as a doting wife had spread just as far. Lucas, always trying to one-up me, couldn’t resist showing off: “To win her husband’s heart, CEO Gu once bid on a ‘True Love Eternal’ watch at Christie’s, worth 20 million… dollars.” “CEO Gu’s husband is the envy of men worldwide.” He paused, then pointed at my wrist and exclaimed, “It’s that one!” The scene suddenly fell silent as everyone looked at my watch. Sophia abruptly grabbed my hand, examined it for a moment, then said mockingly: “It’s quite an exquisite fake! Which delivery guy bought it for you? Giving a counterfeit as a gift, how trashy.” “Garbage.” I yanked my hand away from her, smirking as I gently caressed the watch. Seeing my happy expression, Sophia’s pupils constricted. She suddenly grabbed my wrist again and roughly wiped the watch. I hadn’t expected this to happen and was caught off guard. Lucas stepped forward to examine the watch, taking it from Sophia’s hand to play with. “It is indeed more exquisite than the fake I bought, but I’d never wear it out. It’d be embarrassing.” “The counterfeits abroad are really something else. It feels quite nice.” “Or are you saying, Jack, that you’re Helina? That you’re the legendary husband of CEO Gu?!” With that, the people around burst into laughter. After all, it was too absurd for them to believe. Amelia Gu was a world-renowned financial genius, cold and ruthless in the business world, decisive in her actions. While just three years ago, I was still hanging out with this group, a loser whose wedding was cancelled by Sophia. It seemed impossible no matter how you looked at it. Lucas twirled the watch around his finger. “Jack, let me have this watch. I’ll pay double for it.” Afraid he might drop it, I quickly said, “Give me back the watch. Amelia gave it to me…” Before I could finish, Sophia slapped me so hard that blood appeared at the corner of my mouth. “Shut up!”

Sophia looked at me with some irritation and said, “Jack, you have no right to speak CEO Gu’s name. How dare you spread rumors about having a relationship with her? Are you trying to get me killed?” Sophia’s girlfriends also looked at me with righteous indignation. “Jack, do you know how hard we worked to get this opportunity to pick up CEO Gu’s husband today?” “Sophia’s company was acquired by CEO Gu last year. We all depend on CEO Gu for our livelihoods now. Only by pleasing CEO Gu’s husband can Sophia’s position be secure.” “Now you’re here spreading rumors about having a connection with CEO Gu. Are you trying to ruin Sophia?” I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and slowly turned my head, meeting Sophia’s gaze. Perhaps my look was too intimidating, as Sophia frowned, a flash of panic crossing her eyes. Seeing Sophia’s strange look at me, Lucas glared at me venomously, pointing at my nose and cursing, “Jack, you ungrateful bastard. Sophia has already agreed to take you in, don’t you dare be so ungrateful and push your luck.” “Even if you hold a grudge against Sophia, you can’t use this method to get revenge on her.” Hearing this, I felt like I was back three years ago. No matter what I did, Lucas would always misinterpret my intentions and explain them to Sophia. At first, Sophia would scold Lucas. But later, she would follow Lucas’s lead and blame me. Just like now, Sophia scolded me with a tone of disappointment: “Jealous fool.” But this time, she didn’t continue berating me as she used to. After a moment of silence, Sophia took out a check for $200,000 and placed it in front of me. “For old times’ sake, I won’t do anything to you.” “Take the money and buy yourself some decent clothes. If you don’t like taking care of kids, I’ll help you find a respectable job in a few days.” “Don’t worry, since CEO Gu acquired the company, this amount of money is nothing to me now.” Sophia’s patronizing attitude made me sick. Seems like she’s been doing well lately. Under everyone’s surprised gaze, I pushed away Sophia’s hand holding the check, retrieved my watch from Lucas’s hand, and said with a smile: “No need, Ms. Song. I don’t accept things from strangers.”

Ignoring Sophia’s face, which had turned the color of pig liver, I turned to leave. But before I could take a few steps, Sophia grabbed me and coldly questioned: “Jack, you won’t even take my money? What do you mean? I’m a stranger?” I replied: “Since we’ve broken up, it’s better not to have any contact. It might lead to misunderstandings.” I thought of my slightly jealous wife. Sophia, however, glanced at Lucas with a knowing look. “The company is hosting a banquet for CEO Gu in three days. I was planning to bring you along to broaden your horizons.” “But you’ll need to buy some proper clothes, so you don’t embarrass yourself…” Before she could finish, I directly declined: “Really, there’s no need. Thank you.” Hearing my rejection again, Sophia became somewhat annoyed. Her hand, still holding out the check to me, froze in mid-air, her teeth audibly grinding. “Jack, you’ve really grown some backbone. I guess it’s true that poverty breeds insolence.” “If you don’t want to go, then forget it. I’ll take Lucas instead!” Hearing that Sophia wanted to bring him to the banquet, Lucas’s eyes lit up, and he quickly said: “Sophia, I’ll definitely perform well. I won’t embarrass you at all.” Not wanting to entangle with them any further, I turned and strode away, leaving one last sentence: “I hope you’ll still be this confident three days from now.” Quickly leaving the arrival hall and breathing in the fresh air, the nausea in my stomach finally subsided. Three years ago, my family had arranged for me to go abroad for a blind date. Defying my parents’ pressure, I begged my girlfriend of seven years, Sophia, to marry me, planning to present them with a fait accompli. Sophia agreed. But unexpectedly, at the door of the registry office, I not only waited for Sophia but also her longtime crush, Lucas. “Lucas’s child needs to be registered, so I need to marry him first.” “After a month, when we get the divorce certificate, I’ll marry you right away.” “It’s just for the child, don’t overthink it.” Watching Sophia walk into the registry office hand in hand with Lucas, I was completely heartbroken. That night, I flew abroad for the arranged blind date. A month later, I held a wedding and married Amelia. A year later, we had our first child. Recently, Amelia became pregnant with our second child. If it weren’t for accompanying Amelia to pay respects to our ancestors, I wouldn’t have returned to the country at all. Let alone run into Sophia.

Three days later, I dressed casually and arrived alone at the banquet venue. The moment Sophia saw me, her eyes lit up, and a smug smile played on her lips. “You said you wouldn’t come, but your actions speak louder than words.” “But if you want to win me back, you need to at least please me. For an occasion like this, you must dress appropriately to match my status.” I ignored her sudden bout of narcissism and tried to walk past her to my seat. After just a couple of steps, an irritated Sophia grabbed me. “Jack, I’m talking to you. Are you listening?” “Our seats are here. Where are you going?” I shook off her hand and calmly said: “That’s your seat. My seat is over there.” Following my gaze, Sophia looked towards the main table, her face turning extremely unpleasant. Lucas shot me a venomous look and pointed at my watch, shouting: “Jack, how did you sneak in here? Are you here to cause trouble? How… how dare you wear that watch?” His voice was loud, immediately attracting everyone’s attention. “Isn’t that watch the ‘True Love Eternal’ that CEO Gu bought for her husband at a high price? Today is the first time CEO Gu is appearing with her husband. How dare you?” “Did you sneak in? Are you trying to embarrass us in front of CEO Gu?” “Ms. Song, is this your friend?” Seeing that I hadn’t even glanced at her, Sophia tightened her sleeves and said calmly: “No.” Hearing Sophia’s words, Lucas’s expression brightened, and he looked at me haughtily: “Take off the watch and get out!” I looked at him with amusement and sneered: “Are you sure you want me to leave?” Lucas lost face and his eyes turned vicious as he shouted: “Stop pretending! Take off the watch now!” As he said this, he reached out to grab my wrist. I pushed away his approaching hand, stepping back to avoid him. Unexpectedly, someone tripped me from behind. I was stunned by the sudden fall. Lucas stepped on my hand and forcibly yanked the watch off my wrist. “This piece of trash, and you treat it like a treasure.” My arm ached from being stepped on, and my wrist was raw and bleeding. Yet I could only stare blankly at the now broken watch. “Pick him up and throw him out!” Lucas commanded arrogantly. People immediately surrounded me. Seeing them about to grab my arms and legs, I struggled and hurriedly said: “Stop! I’m Amelia’s…” “Slap!” Before I could finish, Lucas slapped me across the face. “Are you going to spread rumors about being CEO Gu’s lover again? You’re not worthy!” Not satisfied, Lucas backhanded me with another slap. I hadn’t planned to settle scores with him on this trip back. Because there was no need. But now, I will definitely make him pay. Sophia crouched in front of me, trying to touch the wound on my wrist, but I instinctively recoiled. She looked at me coldly: “Jack, have you had enough?” “You came here today wearing that watch and dressed like this just because you saw I’ve become successful and can’t let me go, right? You want to make me jealous?” “If you beg me, I’ll agree to take you back.” I let out a cold laugh and looked at her, saying: “Sophia, you’re finished!” Sophia frowned, about to speak, when she noticed the venue had suddenly grown quiet. The guests at the banquet began tidying themselves up and moving towards the main entrance. Sophia quickly pulled me up and whispered: “CEO Gu is here. Behave yourself!” “Don’t worry, Lucas and I are already divorced.” How absurd. I rubbed my hand that was nearly broken from being stepped on, feeling nothing but disgust for the woman in front of me. What does it matter to me whether you’re divorced or not? At that moment, Amelia entered, carrying our daughter, surrounded by a crowd of admirers. Once in the hall, our daughter fussed to be put down from the woman’s arms.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “297051”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

I was a Blessed Bearer, chosen by the System. After fulfilling 999 fertility wishes for people, I should have been able to sleep for a century, but instead, a mystic cult leader from the East kidnapped and imprisoned me. He screamed like a madman, raving about adding my skull to his collection. At death’s door, Julian, a powerful magnate from the capital’s elite, casually forked over 9.9 billion dollars and paid a fortune to buy my freedom. Moved, I pledged myself to him. But ten years into our marriage, I delivered nine stillborn babies, one after another. Finally, I was pregnant with our tenth child. Excited, I held the scan results, ready to tell him the good news, when I unexpectedly overheard his conversation with his secretary: “Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling’s uterine wall is paper-thin. If she goes through this again, she might not even survive.” “Every time a baby was born, we’d give them a drug that induced a death-like state, then they were sent off to be processed for Delilah’s ‘health tonic’. What if your wife finds out?” Julian’s voice turned cold. “What? You pity her? Or should I send *you* to be made into her ‘tonic’?” “No, no, Mr. Sterling, that’s not what I meant. It’s just, what if your wife finds out…” Julian sneered, “And what if she does? Being Delilah’s personal supply line is her good fortune.” “Delilah was on the verge of depression because she couldn’t conceive. Giving her nine children was the only thing I could do.” “As for Serena, allowing her to be Mrs. Sterling was my greatest act of charity.” My legs turned to jelly. The ultrasound scan results slipped from my trembling hand and fell to the floor. So, the sweet decade we shared was nothing but a meticulously crafted lie. Every tender gesture, every soft word from him, was just to make me willingly continue to conceive and give birth. My nine children were skinned and deboned alive, stewed into bowls of ‘tonic soup’, and delivered directly to Delilah’s mouth! If that’s the case, this rotten marriage needs to be severed, right here, right now.

Through the door, Julian’s sigh drifted out: “Not being able to be with Delilah forever already wronged her… The only thing I can do is ease her pain of infertility.” He turned, his gaze sharp, to his secretary Chloe: “As for Serena… keep your mouth shut. I won’t let her know.” Chloe felt a pang of pity, her voice trembling, “Mr. Sterling, all these years, I’ve watched you pour everything into Delilah. She gets whatever she wants…” “IVF was an option, yet she specifically demanded your wife’s children for her tonic… This cruel method, she’s clearly doing this on purpose! She just wants to sabotage your relationship with Serena!” Julian’s gaze turned icy. “Have you said enough?” “If this secret ever gets out, Mrs. Sterling might not be able to bear the blow… Those were her own flesh and blood! And if word gets out, the company’s stock would tank…” Chloe bit her lip, gathering her courage. “I don’t care.” Julian’s tone was indifferent. “For Delilah, I’ll do anything. I’m completely willing.” He paused. “Besides, Delilah said that once she gets a perfect ten, once she has her tenth child… everything will be over.” “But… what about Mrs. Sterling? Her body is completely depleted from giving birth to this child… What if she finds out? I’m afraid she won’t be able to cope.” “Her? She’s a Mystic, she’ll be fine.” Julian scoffed. “Even if she finds out, she won’t bear to leave me.” “After all, I was the one who pulled her out of hell with my own hands… She’s hopelessly devoted to me, deeply rooted in her affection.” I stood frozen outside the door, unable to believe what I was hearing. Every word spoken by the husband I’d loved for ten years was like a knife, flaying me alive. Ten years ago, when I was imprisoned by the cult leader, on the brink of death, Julian appeared and rescued me from the darkness. He said he fell in love with me at first sight. I believed him, pledged myself to him, and went home with him… But I never imagined it was all a lie and a trap! I was nothing but a tool for him to curry favor with Delilah… Every sweet nothing whispered in moments of passion, every time he coaxed me into intimacy… I thought it was an expression of his love… In truth, it was all just to make me conceive and give birth again and again… and then for him to personally send my children off to be made into a tonic! It was… utterly ridiculous! Click— The door suddenly swung open. I quickly composed my expression. Julian saw me sitting on the floor, his brow furrowed. He immediately reached out and pulled me up. “Why are you here? You didn’t say anything. I was just about to come get you.” His voice was tender, as if the cold, cruel man from moments ago wasn’t him at all. I forced a smile. “I was afraid of disturbing your work.” He kissed my cheek, then naturally took my hand, but paused. “Your hand is freezing. Are you feeling unwell? Do you need to go to the hospital?” I shook my head, forcing out, “I’m fine…” Julian then noticed the scattered scan results on the floor and bent to pick them up. His eyes lit up with wild joy. “You’re pregnant?!” He pulled me into a fierce embrace, his voice filled with excitement, “This time we’ll definitely keep this baby! Don’t worry, I’ll use all my connections, get the best specialists in the country, to protect your pregnancy!” Suppressing my emotions, I nodded submissively. “Okay…” Julian escorted me back to the room, left a gentle kiss on my forehead, then was hurriedly called away by a phone call. I knew… it must be Delilah. After he left, I slowly got up and walked toward the basement door he never allowed me near.

I stood before the basement door, my fingers trembling slightly on the keypad lock. I tried my own birthday – incorrect. Then I tried Julian’s birthday – still incorrect. An unspeakable chill rose in my heart. I turned and went back to his study, opening his computer, trying to find an answer. On his calendar, a date marked with an asterisk caught my eye. My intuition told me it was Delilah’s birthday. I returned to the basement, my hand shaking as I entered the numbers. Correct. The cold electronic voice ripped my heart to shreds. “Couples need privacy. That’s how a relationship lasts.” Julian’s tender expression when he said those words was still fresh in my mind. Turns out, his so-called privacy was just a shield for secrets he shared with someone else. I pushed the door open, and the sight before me nearly suffocated me. The entire basement was packed wall-to-wall with photos of Delilah, and pictures of them together. Each one was carefully laminated and preserved, neatly arranged in chronological order. In the center of the main wall was a family photo of their eleven-person family, with Delilah in the very middle, smiling radiantly. I could barely stand. He had spent an entire decade weaving a deception under the guise of love, all just to fulfill his idealized ‘white moonlight’s’ wishes. And my children and I? We were nothing but tools for him to achieve his goals. If it weren’t for her, my children could have grown up healthy, instead of becoming ‘nourishment’ for the woman in those pictures. I had doubted myself countless times, filled with self-doubt and guilt. But now, it was clear: I was just a puppet, completely manipulated. He knew I was in agony, struggling, yet for ten years, he never showed me an ounce of pity. The passionate devotion I thought we shared, the gentle warmth of those nights—it was all just a mere echo of another woman. I scanned the room and found an exquisite safe in a corner. I opened it, and inside was a thick stack of documents. The undeniable words printed on those pages completely shattered my world. From being kidnapped and imprisoned by the cult leader to being rescued by him, everything had been a script, a conspiratorial plot they concocted. The only goal was to make me fall hopelessly in love with him. The last page of the document bore his signature. I collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down my face. The man I had always seen as my salvation was the demon who had personally pushed me into hell. After I calmed my emotions, I took photos of all the pictures and documents as evidence. Immediately, I left and went to a private clinic owned by a friend I hadn’t contacted in a long time. She looked at me worriedly. “Extracting the fetus for external incubation is incredibly invasive, like a live dissection. It will cause severe damage to your body, and the baby will also face certain risks.” “Are you really sure?” I held back my tears. “I’m so sorry, my baby… But to save your life, Mama has to do this.” I endured excruciating pain during the procedure, then dragged my still-unstable body home. Julian was already there. I had thought he’d spend the night with Delilah. Seeing my pale face, he immediately came to support me. “Why are you so pale? Where have you been?” I forced myself to stay calm. “I felt unwell this afternoon and went to the hospital… The doctor said… the baby was gone again…” He looked surprised, quickly pulled me into a hug, and gently comforted me. “It’s okay, we can try again.” With that, he scooped me up in his arms and carried me into the bedroom, initiating forced intimacy. “For us to have our own baby soon, we need to try hard, don’t we?” As he spoke, his burning hot hand was already exploring beneath my dress. At that moment, I felt utterly disgusted. I had just supposedly ‘miscarried,’ and he was already impatient to ‘plant seeds’ again. Even though I was weak, my face pale, he was completely indifferent. He never cared about me. I suppressed my rage. “I want to rest… The baby’s gone, I’m heartbroken.” But he was relentless, holding me tight. “Baby, I know you’re sad, but for our love’s fruition, we need to try, don’t we?” I closed my eyes, forcing down the nausea, and let him finish. He immediately fell asleep, while my heart was ashes. He exhausted his energy with Delilah, then came back to play the part of a loving husband, not even bothering to pretend anymore. I put on my bathrobe and walked into the study, silently printing out a divorce agreement. A decade of emotions would finally come to a close. Seven days later, the Sterling family was set to hold a grand ‘recognition ceremony’ for a son. Publicly, it was announced as a way to foster good relations with the Delilah family and strengthen their long-standing family ties. The true purpose of the ceremony was for him to officially enter Delilah’s oldest child into the family lineage. It was to pave the way for Delilah’s children and help her secure the future inheritance of the Sterling empire. I had once been naive, thinking that Julian had ‘adopted’ the child from Delilah because he ‘felt sorry for my infertility.’ He wanted to compensate for my inability to continue his bloodline, which was why he let me raise the boy under the guise of a foster mother. I had actually believed it and was once filled with tearful gratitude. I was almost stupid enough to raise a child for my enemy. He claimed to love me incessantly, yet behind my back, he systematically cleared obstacles and secured status for his cherished ‘white moonlight.’ This farce had to end.

Early the next morning, I walked into the Sterling Corp headquarters with the drafted divorce agreement. As soon as I entered the lobby, I heard whispers behind me. “Is that Mr. Sterling’s wife? She looks so shabby, with no sparkle, no life…” “I heard she used to be that ‘Blessed Bearer’ or whatever. Probably worn out from sleeping with countless men.” “Married to Mr. Sterling for ten years, couldn’t keep a single baby, all stillbirths. Such bad luck.” “I don’t know what kind of good fortune she has, to shamelessly cling on in the Sterling family for ten years.” “That beautiful lady who just left was a feast for the eyes! Heard she has nine kids. Mr. Sterling’s eyes were glued to her when he saw her!” “It’s only natural, isn’t it? The one at home can’t even pop out a single baby. Who could stand that?” These words pierced my eardrums like needles. I fought back tears, refusing to break down in front of people. I looked up at the CEO’s office, gritted my teeth, and walked towards it. As I approached, the voices from inside pinned me to the spot. “Julian, you still have to be all lovey-dovey with that woman every day. I’m genuinely jealous…” Delilah’s voice was filled with unending grievance. Julian immediately consoled her. “I’m doing this for you, aren’t I? As long as she gets pregnant again, next time we’ll have our tenth child.” “Too bad she lost the baby this time. Such a useless woman.” My heart clenched, my fingers stiff on the cover of the divorce agreement. Delilah giggled sweetly again. “Julian, you’re sacrificing so much for me. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what I’d do…” Suddenly, her voice paused, and she pouted playfully. “Why aren’t you using protection again?” Julian groaned low. “You’re infertile anyway. This way is more thrilling, isn’t it?” I stood outside the door, peering through the crack, frozen. Julian was stripped to the waist, sweat beading on his back as he passionately drove into her again and again. Their bodies were tightly intertwined, the bed frame groaning loudly with their rhythm, mingling with Delilah’s breathless moans. They were lost in their passion in the room, so consumed they didn’t even notice me standing outside. I felt utterly ridiculous at that moment. The first time I miscarried, I cried all night, almost falling into depression. He was the one who gently comforted me, took me traveling to clear my mind, slowly helping me emerge from the shadows.

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I was a Blessed Bearer, chosen by the System. After fulfilling 999 fertility wishes for people, I should have been able to sleep for a century, but instead, a mystic cult leader from the East kidnapped and imprisoned me. He screamed like a madman, raving about adding my skull to his collection. At death’s door, Julian, a powerful magnate from the capital’s elite, casually forked over 9.9 billion dollars and paid a fortune to buy my freedom. Moved, I pledged myself to him. But ten years into our marriage, I delivered nine stillborn babies, one after another. Finally, I was pregnant with our tenth child. Excited, I held the scan results, ready to tell him the good news, when I unexpectedly overheard his conversation with his secretary: “Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling’s uterine wall is paper-thin. If she goes through this again, she might not even survive.” “Every time a baby was born, we’d give them a drug that induced a death-like state, then they were sent off to be processed for Delilah’s ‘health tonic’. What if your wife finds out?” Julian’s voice turned cold. “What? You pity her? Or should I send *you* to be made into her ‘tonic’?” “No, no, Mr. Sterling, that’s not what I meant. It’s just, what if your wife finds out…” Julian sneered, “And what if she does? Being Delilah’s personal supply line is her good fortune.” “Delilah was on the verge of depression because she couldn’t conceive. Giving her nine children was the only thing I could do.” “As for Serena, allowing her to be Mrs. Sterling was my greatest act of charity.” My legs turned to jelly. The ultrasound scan results slipped from my trembling hand and fell to the floor. So, the sweet decade we shared was nothing but a meticulously crafted lie. Every tender gesture, every soft word from him, was just to make me willingly continue to conceive and give birth. My nine children were skinned and deboned alive, stewed into bowls of ‘tonic soup’, and delivered directly to Delilah’s mouth! If that’s the case, this rotten marriage needs to be severed, right here, right now.

Through the door, Julian’s sigh drifted out: “Not being able to be with Delilah forever already wronged her… The only thing I can do is ease her pain of infertility.” He turned, his gaze sharp, to his secretary Chloe: “As for Serena… keep your mouth shut. I won’t let her know.” Chloe felt a pang of pity, her voice trembling, “Mr. Sterling, all these years, I’ve watched you pour everything into Delilah. She gets whatever she wants…” “IVF was an option, yet she specifically demanded your wife’s children for her tonic… This cruel method, she’s clearly doing this on purpose! She just wants to sabotage your relationship with Serena!” Julian’s gaze turned icy. “Have you said enough?” “If this secret ever gets out, Mrs. Sterling might not be able to bear the blow… Those were her own flesh and blood! And if word gets out, the company’s stock would tank…” Chloe bit her lip, gathering her courage. “I don’t care.” Julian’s tone was indifferent. “For Delilah, I’ll do anything. I’m completely willing.” He paused. “Besides, Delilah said that once she gets a perfect ten, once she has her tenth child… everything will be over.” “But… what about Mrs. Sterling? Her body is completely depleted from giving birth to this child… What if she finds out? I’m afraid she won’t be able to cope.” “Her? She’s a Mystic, she’ll be fine.” Julian scoffed. “Even if she finds out, she won’t bear to leave me.” “After all, I was the one who pulled her out of hell with my own hands… She’s hopelessly devoted to me, deeply rooted in her affection.” I stood frozen outside the door, unable to believe what I was hearing. Every word spoken by the husband I’d loved for ten years was like a knife, flaying me alive. Ten years ago, when I was imprisoned by the cult leader, on the brink of death, Julian appeared and rescued me from the darkness. He said he fell in love with me at first sight. I believed him, pledged myself to him, and went home with him… But I never imagined it was all a lie and a trap! I was nothing but a tool for him to curry favor with Delilah… Every sweet nothing whispered in moments of passion, every time he coaxed me into intimacy… I thought it was an expression of his love… In truth, it was all just to make me conceive and give birth again and again… and then for him to personally send my children off to be made into a tonic! It was… utterly ridiculous! Click— The door suddenly swung open. I quickly composed my expression. Julian saw me sitting on the floor, his brow furrowed. He immediately reached out and pulled me up. “Why are you here? You didn’t say anything. I was just about to come get you.” His voice was tender, as if the cold, cruel man from moments ago wasn’t him at all. I forced a smile. “I was afraid of disturbing your work.” He kissed my cheek, then naturally took my hand, but paused. “Your hand is freezing. Are you feeling unwell? Do you need to go to the hospital?” I shook my head, forcing out, “I’m fine…” Julian then noticed the scattered scan results on the floor and bent to pick them up. His eyes lit up with wild joy. “You’re pregnant?!” He pulled me into a fierce embrace, his voice filled with excitement, “This time we’ll definitely keep this baby! Don’t worry, I’ll use all my connections, get the best specialists in the country, to protect your pregnancy!” Suppressing my emotions, I nodded submissively. “Okay…” Julian escorted me back to the room, left a gentle kiss on my forehead, then was hurriedly called away by a phone call. I knew… it must be Delilah. After he left, I slowly got up and walked toward the basement door he never allowed me near.

I stood before the basement door, my fingers trembling slightly on the keypad lock. I tried my own birthday – incorrect. Then I tried Julian’s birthday – still incorrect. An unspeakable chill rose in my heart. I turned and went back to his study, opening his computer, trying to find an answer. On his calendar, a date marked with an asterisk caught my eye. My intuition told me it was Delilah’s birthday. I returned to the basement, my hand shaking as I entered the numbers. Correct. The cold electronic voice ripped my heart to shreds. “Couples need privacy. That’s how a relationship lasts.” Julian’s tender expression when he said those words was still fresh in my mind. Turns out, his so-called privacy was just a shield for secrets he shared with someone else. I pushed the door open, and the sight before me nearly suffocated me. The entire basement was packed wall-to-wall with photos of Delilah, and pictures of them together. Each one was carefully laminated and preserved, neatly arranged in chronological order. In the center of the main wall was a family photo of their eleven-person family, with Delilah in the very middle, smiling radiantly. I could barely stand. He had spent an entire decade weaving a deception under the guise of love, all just to fulfill his idealized ‘white moonlight’s’ wishes. And my children and I? We were nothing but tools for him to achieve his goals. If it weren’t for her, my children could have grown up healthy, instead of becoming ‘nourishment’ for the woman in those pictures. I had doubted myself countless times, filled with self-doubt and guilt. But now, it was clear: I was just a puppet, completely manipulated. He knew I was in agony, struggling, yet for ten years, he never showed me an ounce of pity. The passionate devotion I thought we shared, the gentle warmth of those nights—it was all just a mere echo of another woman. I scanned the room and found an exquisite safe in a corner. I opened it, and inside was a thick stack of documents. The undeniable words printed on those pages completely shattered my world. From being kidnapped and imprisoned by the cult leader to being rescued by him, everything had been a script, a conspiratorial plot they concocted. The only goal was to make me fall hopelessly in love with him. The last page of the document bore his signature. I collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down my face. The man I had always seen as my salvation was the demon who had personally pushed me into hell. After I calmed my emotions, I took photos of all the pictures and documents as evidence. Immediately, I left and went to a private clinic owned by a friend I hadn’t contacted in a long time. She looked at me worriedly. “Extracting the fetus for external incubation is incredibly invasive, like a live dissection. It will cause severe damage to your body, and the baby will also face certain risks.” “Are you really sure?” I held back my tears. “I’m so sorry, my baby… But to save your life, Mama has to do this.” I endured excruciating pain during the procedure, then dragged my still-unstable body home. Julian was already there. I had thought he’d spend the night with Delilah. Seeing my pale face, he immediately came to support me. “Why are you so pale? Where have you been?” I forced myself to stay calm. “I felt unwell this afternoon and went to the hospital… The doctor said… the baby was gone again…” He looked surprised, quickly pulled me into a hug, and gently comforted me. “It’s okay, we can try again.” With that, he scooped me up in his arms and carried me into the bedroom, initiating forced intimacy. “For us to have our own baby soon, we need to try hard, don’t we?” As he spoke, his burning hot hand was already exploring beneath my dress. At that moment, I felt utterly disgusted. I had just supposedly ‘miscarried,’ and he was already impatient to ‘plant seeds’ again. Even though I was weak, my face pale, he was completely indifferent. He never cared about me. I suppressed my rage. “I want to rest… The baby’s gone, I’m heartbroken.” But he was relentless, holding me tight. “Baby, I know you’re sad, but for our love’s fruition, we need to try, don’t we?” I closed my eyes, forcing down the nausea, and let him finish. He immediately fell asleep, while my heart was ashes. He exhausted his energy with Delilah, then came back to play the part of a loving husband, not even bothering to pretend anymore. I put on my bathrobe and walked into the study, silently printing out a divorce agreement. A decade of emotions would finally come to a close. Seven days later, the Sterling family was set to hold a grand ‘recognition ceremony’ for a son. Publicly, it was announced as a way to foster good relations with the Delilah family and strengthen their long-standing family ties. The true purpose of the ceremony was for him to officially enter Delilah’s oldest child into the family lineage. It was to pave the way for Delilah’s children and help her secure the future inheritance of the Sterling empire. I had once been naive, thinking that Julian had ‘adopted’ the child from Delilah because he ‘felt sorry for my infertility.’ He wanted to compensate for my inability to continue his bloodline, which was why he let me raise the boy under the guise of a foster mother. I had actually believed it and was once filled with tearful gratitude. I was almost stupid enough to raise a child for my enemy. He claimed to love me incessantly, yet behind my back, he systematically cleared obstacles and secured status for his cherished ‘white moonlight.’ This farce had to end.

Early the next morning, I walked into the Sterling Corp headquarters with the drafted divorce agreement. As soon as I entered the lobby, I heard whispers behind me. “Is that Mr. Sterling’s wife? She looks so shabby, with no sparkle, no life…” “I heard she used to be that ‘Blessed Bearer’ or whatever. Probably worn out from sleeping with countless men.” “Married to Mr. Sterling for ten years, couldn’t keep a single baby, all stillbirths. Such bad luck.” “I don’t know what kind of good fortune she has, to shamelessly cling on in the Sterling family for ten years.” “That beautiful lady who just left was a feast for the eyes! Heard she has nine kids. Mr. Sterling’s eyes were glued to her when he saw her!” “It’s only natural, isn’t it? The one at home can’t even pop out a single baby. Who could stand that?” These words pierced my eardrums like needles. I fought back tears, refusing to break down in front of people. I looked up at the CEO’s office, gritted my teeth, and walked towards it. As I approached, the voices from inside pinned me to the spot. “Julian, you still have to be all lovey-dovey with that woman every day. I’m genuinely jealous…” Delilah’s voice was filled with unending grievance. Julian immediately consoled her. “I’m doing this for you, aren’t I? As long as she gets pregnant again, next time we’ll have our tenth child.” “Too bad she lost the baby this time. Such a useless woman.” My heart clenched, my fingers stiff on the cover of the divorce agreement. Delilah giggled sweetly again. “Julian, you’re sacrificing so much for me. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what I’d do…” Suddenly, her voice paused, and she pouted playfully. “Why aren’t you using protection again?” Julian groaned low. “You’re infertile anyway. This way is more thrilling, isn’t it?” I stood outside the door, peering through the crack, frozen. Julian was stripped to the waist, sweat beading on his back as he passionately drove into her again and again. Their bodies were tightly intertwined, the bed frame groaning loudly with their rhythm, mingling with Delilah’s breathless moans. They were lost in their passion in the room, so consumed they didn’t even notice me standing outside. ———-此处为截断点———- I felt utterly ridiculous at that moment. The first time I miscarried, I cried all night, almost falling into depression. He was the one who gently comforted me, took me traveling to clear my mind, slowly helping me emerge from the shadows.

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The day after my sister Olivia gave birth to her child, she was ready to quit her job to focus on taking care of her family. I advised her to return to work after her maternity leave, telling her that financial independence gives women strength and confidence. But during her first week back at work, her husband Jack fell in love with Alice, the single mother living next door, and insisted on getting a divorce. Jack blamed Olivia for not knowing how to take care of their child or how to comfort her husband, calling her a useless trophy wife. Even their baby rejected Olivia, only drinking Alice’s breast milk. Olivia blamed everything on me. In her fury, she broke into my house and threw me into the swimming pool to drown me while I was unconscious from sleeping pills. When I opened my eyes again after death, I had somehow returned to the past – specifically, to the day I advised her not to quit her job. It was as if I had been given a second chance at life, a chance to change the course of events. The house was a mess. Olivia sat dejectedly on the sofa, sighing. When she saw me come in, she finally smiled: “Thank God, Lydia, come help me quickly! Since having the baby, the housework has been growing like weeds. It’s driving me crazy!” Meanwhile, her husband Jack was sitting in a chair, leisurely enjoying his breakfast. He was still complaining: “It’s just some trivial housework. How hard can it be? Do you have to whine about it every day?” Their baby was lying on the floor, wailing loudly and persistently demanding his mother’s embrace. If this were before, I swear I would have helped her without hesitation. But now, with the knowledge of what was to come, I just stood calmly in place, pretending not to hear what she said. “Lydia! Why are you just standing there like an idiot? The dirty dishes in the kitchen are calling your name. Can’t you hear them?” Olivia complained to me in frustration. But I remained standing in place: “Sis, isn’t this the life you love? How could I possibly interfere with your plans and interests?” Olivia was shocked that I would treat her this way. She stared at me with reddened eyes: “I’m your own sister! It’s bad enough that you won’t help me, but how can you say such hurtful things!” “If you came here just to laugh at my misery, then get out!” Jack put down the newspaper in his hand and spoke up in displeasure: “I never imagined you were this kind of person, just standing there like a statue to gloat over your sister’s suffering.” So he was aware of Olivia’s pain. Yet he chose to do nothing and was now scolding me instead. How hypocritical! I looked at Olivia’s face: “I hurt myself rock climbing yesterday. The doctor advised me not to do any housework. Sorry sis, you’ll have to handle this on your own.” I took out the fake medical report I had prepared in advance. With this proof, she couldn’t keep demanding that I help with the chores. Olivia put down the broom in her hand. “Why didn’t you say so earlier, silly girl! Of course your sister cares about you! In that case, come back and help me tomorrow instead.” I couldn’t help but smile. If she truly cared about me, she wouldn’t have killed me in my previous life. I looked at her face. After all, this was the sister who had loved me when we were young. I still couldn’t help but speak up: “Sis, family and career don’t have to conflict. Maybe you could find a job first to gain some financial…” “Lydia! Is this how you help your sister? Taking care of the family is her job!” Jack angrily stood up and interrupted me. The baby on the floor also started crying loudly: “I don’t want mommy to leave! Mommy has to stay home with me!” This chaotic environment was giving me a headache! But Olivia smiled happily: “See, Lydia? They both need me so much!” “I can understand your cold-heartedness. Sometimes you’re just jealous of my happiness.” Seeing her satisfied smile, I felt a chill run through my body. I made an excuse to leave this hellhole. But halfway out, I realized I had left my purse behind. When I returned to the doorway, I was shocked to find Jack passionately kissing Alice next door. The two were inseparable. And my nephew Tommy was hugging Alice’s leg: “Mommy! You’re my real mommy! That other woman is just our free nanny!” This scene completely stunned me!

“What are you doing?!” I rushed over to pull them apart. Jack saw me but showed no guilt. Instead, he became furious: “You again! You’re nothing but a troublemaker!” Little Tommy grabbed my wrist and bit down hard: “Troublemaker! I’ll bite you to death! How dare you ruin my daddy’s fun!” I was so angry. I kicked open the door and rushed to Olivia. I recounted everything I had just witnessed. But not only did my sister not believe me, she questioned me instead: “Lydia! Why are you telling such lies?! How could you slander my husband and son like this?!” I stomped my foot in frustration: “I swear, every word I said is true!” “Lydia! Do you really have to destroy my family? My son and I love my wife so much!” Jack walked in and pushed me aside, pulling Olivia into his arms. He kissed her forehead: “My little angel, you are the light of my life. How could I ever betray you?” Olivia smiled sweetly: “See, Lydia? He loves me so much. My family is so happy. Why are you always so determined to ruin everything?” This scene made me want to vomit! He was kissing another woman just seconds ago! “Mommy! I don’t like Aunt Lydia! Please don’t let her come to our house anymore!” Tommy whined. Tommy was Olivia’s puppet master. She immediately pointed a broom at me: “Lydia! Get out! We don’t need you here!” I was so angry I saw red: “Fine! I don’t want to stay here either!” After leaving, I still couldn’t bear to let Olivia be deceived. I spent a lot of money to obtain the security camera footage from that day. I sent it to Olivia. Olivia was furious. She had a huge fight with Jack at home, even smashing all the furniture. She called me crying late that night: “Lydia! Can you come pick me up? I don’t want to stay in this house for another minute!” I was so happy that Olivia had finally come to her senses. On that stormy night, I drove for two hours to finally reach Olivia’s house. I will never forget! The moment I knocked on the door with my soaking wet body! Olivia was actually cuddling in Jack’s arms, acting coy! I stood there and shouted: “Sis! How can you be so intimate with him?!” Olivia heard my voice and looked displeased: “Lydia! This is your brother-in-law!” “I admit we had a misunderstanding earlier, but he’s explained everything to me! We’ve made up. Aren’t you happy for me?” Oh God! I had driven at top speed on the road, nearly getting into an accident. All to rescue her from this hell. But now she said she wasn’t leaving! “No! Sis! Have you forgotten he kissed another woman?” I still wanted to save her. But she frowned and lectured me: “He was just helping blow a bug out of her eye! Your brother-in-law is such a kind person!” I wanted to say more, but she pushed me out the door: “Thank you for your concern! But it’s late now, we need to rest! Please don’t disturb us!” I was actually locked out! Alice happened to be taking out the trash. When she saw me, Alice smirked smugly: “Idiot!” On that rainy night, my heart was completely broken.

A few days later, I received a call from Olivia: “Lydia! There was a thief in the house! I’m so scared right now!” “All my money was stolen! I really need you!” My tone was cold: “Don’t you have your beloved husband? Why are you calling me?” Olivia sobbed: “He’s been working overtime for many days. I don’t want to trouble him further.” “Please, all my money and jewelry are gone! I feel like dying!” When I drove over, she was sitting on the steps outside crying. Seeing me, her eyes lit up with joy: “Thank God! Lydia! You finally came!” “I was wrong last time. I’ve been wanting to apologize to you. Please forgive me!” I didn’t accept her apology. Instead, I went inside to check. There were no signs of anything being ransacked. “Are you sure there was a thief? Why is everything still perfectly in place?” Olivia became more anxious: “If there was no thief, then where did all my money and jewelry go? That was all my savings!” Looking at her face, a bold idea formed in my mind! “Maybe… your husband took the money!” Olivia immediately shook her head: “It definitely wasn’t him! He would never steal my money!” I suggested Olivia call him. At that moment, Alice came out of her house. I was shocked to see Olivia’s necklace around her neck! I grabbed her wrist and shouted at Olivia: “Sis! I found the thief who stole your things!” Olivia angrily slapped Alice. The two quickly got into a physical fight. A kind neighbor called the police. Jack arrived with the officers. Alice’s face was covered in marks left by Olivia. She was crying pitifully. Olivia threw herself into Jack’s arms: “Darling! I’ve been so wronged… Ah!!” Jack actually slapped Olivia! “You crazy woman! What have you done?! How could you treat our neighbor like this?!” Jack pushed her away and rushed to check Alice’s injuries. Olivia sat helplessly on the ground, crying loudly: “Why did you hit me?! She’s a thief! She stole my necklace!” Jack was furious: “I gave that to her voluntarily! You’re so stupid!” “She helps take care of our child when we’re not home. Doesn’t she deserve some thanks?” Olivia’s face turned red: “Darling! I didn’t know that was the truth!” Jack was still yelling at her. Olivia suddenly pointed at me: “It’s all Lydia’s fault! She tricked me into thinking Alice was a thief, that’s why I hit her! Blame Lydia!” I stared at her in disbelief: “Sis! How can you push all the responsibility onto me?!” “He clearly stole your things and gave them to Alice! How can you not understand something so simple?!” Olivia ignored my explanation. She started throwing things at me: “You deliberately made me fight with someone else to make my husband hate me! How can you be so vicious?!” “Get out! I don’t have a sister like you!” Between me and her husband, she chose that man again! “Don’t regret this!” I turned to leave. Behind me, she was still explaining to him: “Please, darling, I’ll never see her again! I can’t live without your love!”

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Ryan, my brother-in-law, was bitten by a venomous snake while collecting firewood in the woods behind our house. His life hung by a thread. The local hospital was short on antivenom, and the key to the office storing it had been taken by my wife, Sophia Thompson. I begged her to come back and save Ryan, but she wouldn’t believe me. “Jack, stop making things up! I just video called my brother an hour ago!” “Being bitten by a snake? What kind of ridiculous lie is that?” She hung up on my plea for help. By the time we got the antivenom, Ryan had already died from the venom. When Sophia saw Ryan’s body, she lost her mind. That weekend, Ryan had insisted on taking me to his mother’s house in town for dinner. He wanted to help his mom by collecting firewood from the woods behind the house. Half an hour later, he came back limping, telling me he’d been bitten by a snake. As soon as he finished speaking, he vomited all over the ground. I panicked and immediately called Sophia. But she didn’t believe me: “Jack, it’s just dinner. How can you come up with such an excuse?” “I just talked to William for a bit, and you’re making a fuss!” I grew desperate, “No, it’s real this time. Your brother is throwing up!” “I’m not lying to you!” Ryan could barely speak beside me, sweating profusely from the pain. Just then, Mrs. Thompson returned and started wailing when she saw the situation, “Sophia, something’s wrong with your brother. Come back quickly!” “Mom, you’re a grown woman. Stop playing along with them!” “I’m watching a movie with my friend. I’m hanging up!” She abruptly ended the call. I was at a loss. Ryan’s wound wasn’t swollen or red, but he could no longer stand. With no help from Sophia, I could only borrow an electric tricycle from a neighbor and rush Ryan to the hospital. But we were told that antivenom for this type of snake was rare and kept in a separate office. “Dr. Thompson took the key with her. There’s nothing we can do.” I panicked and immediately called Sophia again. “Sophia, this is a matter of life and death. Your brother really was bitten by a snake!” “Come back now. The antivenom is locked up, and you have the key!” Hearing this, Sophia was silent for a few seconds. Then, a male voice came through the phone: “Sophia, didn’t your brother say they sprinkled snake repellent around your house? How could he get bitten by a snake?” “Could it be that your husband doesn’t approve of us watching a movie together, so he’s deliberately making you go back?” “Let’s just call it a day.” Hearing this, Sophia grew even more irritated, “Jack, I can see right through you. Stop bothering me!” She hung up and blocked my number when I tried calling again. My legs went weak with anxiety. I used Mrs. Thompson’s phone to call her. “Sophia! The only antivenom in the city is at your hospital. Come back and save your brother now!” To make her believe me, I sent her a photo of Ryan. Sophia was furious and sent a voice message: “Jack, when will you stop? I’ve told you, William and I are just friends. We haven’t seen each other in a long time and just met up!” “You just can’t stand it, can you? Do you have to make a scene every day?!” “Bitten by a venomous snake? Look, does that wound look like it’s from a snake? There’s not even any blood!” I was livid, “Sophia, that’s your own brother!” Sophia had been spending a lot of time with William lately, and we’d argued about it many times. But Ryan was always good to me, often helping to persuade Sophia that she should be faithful now that she was married. In this situation, I couldn’t just stand by and watch him die. I couldn’t get through to Sophia, so I had no choice but to kneel on the ground and beg the doctors: “Please, break down the door!” “I’ll take full responsibility for any consequences!” “Saving a life is what matters most!” Mrs. Thompson was crying uncontrollably beside me. The doctors were also anxious, frantically trying to call Sophia, but she wouldn’t answer. At that moment, someone came in from outside. “Stop calling. They’re not really patients. They’re here to cause trouble!” “That man is Sophia’s husband. He suspects Sophia is cheating on him and has made a scene several times before!” “Sophia just called me to let you all know.” Hearing this, I was dumbfounded. The person who came in was Steve, Sophia’s friend and William’s childhood friend. He stood there with his arms crossed, looking at me with contempt, “Don’t look at me like that. Sophia said you’re just being paranoid!”

The emergency room was full of onlookers. Hearing Steve say this, they couldn’t help but look down on us. “What kind of person does this? Don’t waste public resources!” “Coming to the hospital to make a scene out of jealousy? Don’t you know where you are?” “This whole family is crazy!” Faced with their accusations, I was furious. I turned to Steve, “You’re a doctor too. Can’t you see the patient is in serious pain?” “His wound is real. My brother-in-law said he was bitten by a snake. Please save him quickly!” Mrs. Thompson cried out, “That damn Sophia! This is her own brother!” Steve scoffed: “Dr. Thompson said you’d make a scene, but I didn’t believe it. Now I see she was right…” He looked me up and down, his eyes full of disdain. It made my blood boil, but now wasn’t the time to argue with him. Mrs. Thompson was crying beside me, and Ryan had already passed out. I knelt on the ground: “Please, open the door. I’m begging you!” I kowtowed to them repeatedly. Steve quickly stepped back, “Jack, are you trying to emotionally blackmail us?” “This isn’t emotional blackmail. I’ll take responsibility for any consequences. Whatever Sophia wants to do to me afterward, even if she wants a divorce, that’s fine.” “I just beg you to open that door and get the life-saving medicine out. Please!” I kept kowtowing to them: “Please, I’m begging you!” Seeing this, Steve seemed to soften a bit. He took out his phone and called Sophia. “Sophia, it looks serious. Your brother really was bitten by a snake. The situation is very critical. You should come back quickly!” Hearing this, Sophia scoffed on the other end, “Steve, why are you playing along with them?” “I’ve told you, Jack gets along great with my mom and brother at home. The three of them often gang up on me!” “Don’t get involved in this!” She hung up abruptly. Even Steve was stunned, not expecting Sophia to be so stubborn in her disbelief. At this point, the police had arrived. After hearing about the situation, they made a decisive call to break down the door! Steve tried to stop them, but I grabbed him, “Steve, if anything happens to my brother-in-law, I will hold you responsible!” “I won’t let a single person involved in this incident off the hook!” Steve was taken aback, then retorted defiantly, “Just because you say it’s snake venom doesn’t mean it is! We need to wait for the test results!” The emergency department doctors had already taken blood for testing, but the results would take 40 minutes. Ryan was unconscious, and they couldn’t make a definitive judgment because the wound was just two small red dots. I quickly took a photo and posted online for help. “My brother-in-law was bitten by a venomous snake. The local hospital can’t determine the type. Please help identify if it’s really from a venomous snake.” “Help! Urgent request!!!” Kind netizens helped boost my post. Soon, a snake expert called me. “Hello, I’ve looked at your photo and can confirm it’s from a venomous snake. The golden window for treatment is only four hours. Based on your location, only City General Hospital in your area has the antivenom.” “Even if you get the antivenom and inject it, there may still be after-effects.” “Time is of the essence. You must get treatment immediately!”

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