Author: Momo Chan

Six years into our marriage, my husband, Liam, suddenly updated his Ins story: “Whose adorable little noob is this, totally obsessed with gaming?” The picture showed a girl in a tight-fitting bunny T-shirt, pouting and cross-legged on a gaming chair. It was Ashley, the new idol from his company. I was staring, lost in thought, when a comment popped up from a mutual friend below: “Dude! You forgot to switch accounts!” Seconds later, Liam’s post vanished without a trace, only to reappear on Ashley’s Ins page shortly after. Liam called me almost immediately. Back in the day, I would have screenshot that post, saved it, and blown up at Liam, ready to raise hell until the world turned upside down. But this time, I just quietly watched the screen, waiting for the call to automatically hang up. When Liam finally got home, I was curled up on the sofa watching a movie. He tossed his car keys onto the entryway table, then bent down to change his shoes. “You’ve got nothing to do, so why didn’t you answer my call?” Liam rarely probed unless he had something to hide. My eyes didn’t leave the TV screen. I casually replied, “The movie was too good, I didn’t notice my phone.” “The client dinner dragged on, that’s why I’m late. You don’t need to sit here waiting for me every day. Nobody wants to see you making yourself so pathetic.” In the past, I would have tirelessly emphasized that this was just how much I loved him. But today, I suddenly couldn’t be bothered to say another word. Liam stood lazily in front of me, casually handing me a luxury brand paper bag. It was the premiere night for Liam’s company’s biggest show of the year. To celebrate the premiere and wish it huge success, I’d left work early, as usual, to cook a lavish meal and prepare drinks. I’d even invited a few of our mutual friends, expecting him to come home early so we could watch it together. But four episodes of the show had aired, our friends had finished dinner in an awkward silence and left, and still, there was no sign of Liam, who’d promised to be back early. I pretended not to see his gaming history, which showed ten hours straight of play. I took the shopping bag and set it on the carpet. I’d seen this exact bag before, just a while ago, when Liam missed our wedding anniversary. Even the shape and size were identical. Liam stared down at me for a moment, his brows furrowed, his voice turning cold. “Chloe, can you just stop throwing a tantrum?” Buying me gifts was Liam’s go-to apology. If I accepted the gift, he’d automatically assume everything was forgiven, and if I ever brought it up again, I’d be accused of never letting things go. Now that I wasn’t giving him an easy out, he was clearly annoyed. “I’ll open it for you.” Before I could speak, he unwrapped the package himself, pulling out a new bag and handing it to me. “The sales associate said this bag was really hard to get. You’ll definitely love it.” I lifted my eyes. Liam followed my gaze to the bag I’d casually tossed on the sofa when I rushed home to make dinner—it was exactly the same as the one in his hand. The atmosphere instantly froze. “It’s late. Let’s clean up and go to bed. We have work tomorrow.” I said in a detached tone, getting up to head to the bedroom. “I’ll have my assistant pick you up tomorrow. You can go pick out another one.” Liam’s voice held a rare show of cautiousness. “No need.” I refused him without even turning my head. The next morning, perhaps feeling that he’d truly overdone it, Liam, for the first time ever, suggested we go to the office together. Tired from a lack of sleep, I nodded. He stood by his car, his face a mix of suppressed frustration and impatience. I’d forgotten when it started, but Liam had begun making excuses not to let me ride in his car. He guarded his passenger seat like a sacred shrine, absolutely forbidding me to even touch it, forcing me to buy my own car. Any time I asked, he’d get all gruff and lecture me, saying my brain was rotting from too much internet, always fighting with him over some bizarre possessiveness about the passenger seat, claiming he had no time for my nonsense. But now, his passenger seat had clearly become Ashley’s exclusive domain. It was decorated with all sorts of plush bunny toys and covered in cute bunny stickers. The passenger seat itself was customized, just to make petite Ashley more comfortable; even the vanity mirror on the sun visor had been modified, just for Ashley to touch up her makeup. Liam glanced at me, then sighed and opened the car door, moving all the plush bunnies to the back seat. Watching his back, I frowned slightly and said, “Don’t bother. I’ll just drive myself to work.” Liam, still buried in the endless task of putting away the plush bunnies, mumbled, “I promised we’d go together. Ashley’s young, she just likes cute stuff, don’t take it personally.” Even without the plush toys, the customized seat was still all pink and cutesy, still clashed wildly with the car’s overall style. Ultimately, I didn’t get into Liam’s car. No other reason, just a feeling of nausea that made me want to throw up.

I unlocked my car, but Liam rushed over, pulled open the driver’s side door, and sat down. “I’ll drive. We can still go together.” I stood speechlessly by the car window, not missing the fleeting look of awkwardness in his eyes. So, he *did* know how messed up he’d made the passenger seat. Liam was silent for a few seconds, seemingly trying to figure out how to smooth things over. Not wanting to hear his excuses, I quickly cut him off. “We’re going to be late. Just drive.” He finally shut his mouth and started the car. We’d been driving for less than ten minutes when his phone rang – a sickly sweet pop song about ‘a racing heart and eyes that can’t look away.’ It was definitely Ashley singing. A faint, pitiful voice came from the phone, the kind that made you instantly want to protect her. “Big brother, my heart’s beating so fast. I think it’s because I stayed up too late playing games last night. I’m not going to die, am I, big brother? Waaah, big brother, come save me. I need big brother to take me to the hospital.” He hung up, not saying a word, not even glancing my way. He just pulled over immediately and reached over to unbuckle my seatbelt. His voice was curt, all business. “My artist isn’t feeling well. I need to rush over right away. The office isn’t far now; you can walk the rest of the way.” As soon as I got out and closed the car door, Liam impatiently started the car, leaving me with a cloud of pungent exhaust. This was a high-end business park where every square foot costs a fortune; nobody walked to work here. A small electric scooter, probably not expecting anyone to be walking across the crosswalk, rounded the corner and collided head-on with me without slowing down. I suffered soft tissue contusions to my forehead, palms, and knees, all to varying degrees. The nurse cleaned my wounds, taped on a few sterile gauze pads to prevent infection, and meticulously instructed me: “Take off the gauze when you get home tonight to apply the medicine. And whatever you do, don’t get them wet before they scab over.” On the way to the office in a taxi, the young driver was balancing two phones—one for navigation, and the other displaying Ashley’s live stream. The chat was filled with messages, all expressing concern for Ashley’s health. “Thanks for your concern, everyone! Don’t worry, Momo Bunny isn’t feeling so bad now, because Big Brother came like a superhero so quickly. My heart settled down.” “Nooo~ I didn’t confess to Big Brother, we’re not like that, don’t make stuff up, guys! Big Brother is just super, super kind, and super, super good to Momo Bunny~” Amidst her sweet, soft voice, two messages popped up on my phone. “Chloe, my assistant said you missed this morning’s project planning meeting? Where the hell are you?! Business comes first, do I really need to teach you that?!” “I asked you to walk a bit, and you’re throwing a tantrum and bailing on me?!” The rage and impatience in his words practically leaped off the screen to slap me in the face. I swear he had a split personality, otherwise, he wouldn’t treat us so differently. That evening, I changed my dressing in front of the mirror, then dragged my injured leg to the sofa to binge-watch a show. The fingerprint unlock sound echoed from the front door, followed immediately by Liam’s mocking voice. “I thought you’d finally changed your nasty attitude. You’ve been acting so docile lately, turns out you were just saving up to drop a bombshell on me, huh?” My still back must have infuriated him, because Liam rushed to the TV and forcefully yanked out the power cord. “Chloe, have you lost your damn mind?! This movie project is aiming for an award! Do you know how much money it costs to delay it even a single day?!” I still didn’t move or speak, just quietly watched him suddenly freeze. He scanned my forehead suspiciously, lingering on the ugly wound, and then his exposed elbows and knees. His brows furrowed. “What happened?” I met his gaze, replying indifferently, “Just a minor bump, got hit by a car on my way to work, that’s all.” Liam blinked, then suddenly reined in his temper and came over to examine my wounds. “You got into a car accident and didn’t even call me?” I pulled my hand away from his, speaking lightly. “Just a minor injury, not life-threatening. Besides, you were busy tending to your artist’s health.” What a joke, always playing the hero *after* the fact. He could say all the right things, but how many times had I called him only to get a torrent of accusations without bothering to ask what happened? Liam hadn’t cared if I was in danger for a long time. After being hurt so many times, if I still didn’t know he wouldn’t show up, then I truly was beyond stupid. Liam was especially sensitive to that comment. He suddenly stood up, glaring down at me with a cold sneer. “Do you really need to be so sarcastic? Chloe, was leaving you by the roadside some kind of heinous crime? You’re twenty-eight, not two point eight! You got hit by a car while walking, and you think you’re in the right?! I think you intentionally hurt yourself to get back at me!” I just stared at his sudden outburst, speechless. What else was there to say? I’d only spoken one sentence, and he’d slapped a ridiculous pile of accusations on me. I couldn’t be bothered to argue, so I got up to go back to the bedroom. Seeing how difficult it was for me to move, Liam reined in his temper, sighed, and came over to help me. “I’ll sleep with you tonight. Just call me if you need anything.” Liam hadn’t been back in our bedroom before 2 AM for a long time. Ashley needed to stream daily to gain popularity, and she claimed that nightly streams attracted harassers and she’d be scared without protection. So, Liam would reliably lock himself in his study every night, dedicating himself to guarding Ashley. He’d occasionally buy her virtual gifts to cheer her up or have sweet video calls, making sure everyone knew Ashley was under his wing. I’d fought with him countless times, tried everything, but I couldn’t change his mind. He said it was just work, and eventually even threatened me with divorce. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but I had no choice but to compromise. I looked into his eyes, not refusing his offer. But as he reached out to lift me, I softly said, “Liam, I agree to a divorce.”

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When I saw Liam again, the Wen family was ruined. I was no longer the high and mighty heiress I once was. But Liam? He was soaring, radiating raw power and confidence. It was a high-stakes game between adults, fueled by the lingering grudges of our youth, igniting the ashes of our messy past. “The former Miss Wen is so down on her luck now?” “How about you spend a night with me? I might consider investing in you.” Liam let out a short, mocking laugh, dripping with ridicule. Liam was right to hate me. After all, our breakup was a messy disaster, or rather, I unilaterally made it a disaster for him. So, it was only fair that he’d come back for revenge now. “Aria, if you’re begging, at least look the part.” Liam’s eyes, sharp and arrogant, flicked down, and he knocked the wine glass from my hand. I’d known Liam since we were teenagers, so I knew how fiercely proud he was. And I, too, used to be just as arrogant. But where was my dignity now? I picked up the glass again, refilled it, and bowed low, my posture humble, almost pleading. “Mr. Shen,” I pleaded, “what happened before… it was all my fault. Please, you’re a big man, don’t stoop to my level.” “I’m here to apologize to you. For old times’ sake…” Liam, sprawled carelessly on the opposite sofa, leaning back into the cushions, scoffed. “Old times’ sake? And you have the nerve, Miss Wen, to even bring that up?” “Is it the ‘old times’ sake’ when you treated me like a stray dog, Miss Wen? Calling me over, then kicking me out whenever you felt like it?” Meeting Liam’s calm, deep eyes, I couldn’t utter a single word in my defense. I just chugged the wine in my hand. After all, I truly had wronged him back then.

I’d known Liam since I was a little girl. I followed him around like a shadow for years, and we finally became a couple in college. But just a year into our relationship, I unilaterally broke up with him. There were no cheesy love triangles, no dramatic betrayals, no tragic illnesses forcing us apart. If I had to pick a reason for our breakup? I was just… bored. I didn’t want to be with him anymore. That day, Liam came to confront me, holding a photo of me and Alex that someone had taken. He asked if I’d betrayed him. I wanted to break up, so I didn’t deny it. I just admitted it directly. At first, Liam didn’t believe me. He hugged me tight, kissing me everywhere, his hoarse voice repeating, “I don’t believe it… I don’t believe it…” I struggled, tearing free, and slapped him across the face. “Liam, you don’t actually think I liked you, do you? Do you even know who the Wens are? What my family’s status is?” “I just found you somewhat interesting back then.” That slap shattered over a decade of his fierce pride, and it tore apart the tender affection we’d shared for just as long. Youthful impulsiveness, mixed with my own self-importance, pushed me to an irreversible point. Liam grew up with just his mother, and his family wasn’t well-off. But as a teenager, his back was always straight; he had his pride. And that slap from me? It crushed his dignity completely. He was right to hate me. Now, eight years later, we met again. Love and hate, joy and sorrow, a tangled web of desires, twisting people into grotesque versions of themselves. I was powerless, only hoping he’d finish venting and maybe, just maybe, show me a little pity. My father’s exorbitant medical bills, Linghua’s startup capital. Before these things, my dignity was worthless. I’d spent three years researching an algorithm that could profile user groups for businesses. It was faster and cheaper than any other algorithm on the market. I was confident it would be a huge hit. But without enough startup capital, Linghua couldn’t even see the light of day. The two biggest investment firms in the country were Capstone Capital and Chuyan Corp, Liam’s own company. Capstone Capital showed great interest in Linghua, but they wanted to buy out all its ownership. “Look, Aria,” the Capstone rep said, “five million for the full buyout of your algorithm? That’s not a bad deal at all.” If I hadn’t been absolutely desperate, I wouldn’t have come begging to Liam. Life had pushed me to the edge of a cliff; I had no way out. I raised my hand and slapped myself hard across the face. The sharp sound echoed in every corner of the private room. “I apologize to Mr. Shen for my foolishness back then. As long as you can calm down and help me, I’ll do anything you ask.” Liam seemed surprised I’d hit myself and froze for a moment. When he reacted, he grabbed my hand, stopping it from falling again. A flicker of annoyance crossed Liam’s handsome face, quickly replaced by a smirk. “Anything I ask? How about you spend a night with me, Miss Wen? I’ll consider it.” Liam let out a short, mocking laugh, dripping with ridicule. “Okay!” I said it, devoid of any emotion. My fingers curled behind my back, my palm aching. Liam’s malicious amusement hadn’t faded. He seemed surprised I actually agreed. Then he teased, “Looks like Miss Wen’s preference for rich men hasn’t changed all these years? Now you’re even willing to throw away your pride.” Pride? Did I even deserve to talk about pride anymore? Society and reality’s first lesson is to crush a person’s spirit and ambition.

Liam took me to one of his private clubs. It used to be my favorite. The penthouse suite was incredibly luxurious. Pushing the door open, I found people already inside. In the dim light, their faces weren’t clear, but the room’s atmosphere was intoxicatingly intimate. Someone on the sofa exhaled a cloud of smoke, a girl nestled close to him, their heads together, her soft laughter floating through the air. People at the card table also had various girls around them. When my friends and I used to come here, they’d always have girls with them too. For them, those girls were just commodities, part of a transaction. The girls had their own motives, so they willingly played their part. And now, wasn’t I doing the same? The person on the sofa recognized me and quickly made space. The people at the card table also gathered around. “Mr. Shen, a rare visit!” “The sun must have risen from the west today, our Mr. Shen actually brought a lady!” “Won’t your little darling Skylar cry her eyes out, Mr. Shen?” “I’ll text your little darling Skylar right now and tell her to come catch you in the act.” As they chatted and laughed, I remained silent, trying to make myself as invisible as possible. Liam picked up a cigarette from the table and lit it, the tip glowing and fading. Noticing his bad mood, the others quickly changed the subject. “Mr. Shen, you finally came out to play. Let’s play, let’s play, no more boring talk.” “Let’s play ‘Beauty’s Gambit.’ Perfect, since we all have ladies tonight.” “What do you think, Mr. Shen? You wouldn’t be too attached to your pretty companion, would you?” Hearing their words, I cast a pleading look at Liam. Beauty’s Gambit was a cruel game these rich guys made up. The bet? The ‘beauties’ themselves. They’d play cards, and whoever lost, their female companion had to take off a piece of clothing until there was nothing left. My pleading gaze met his calm, deep pupils, still and unmoving like ancient water. The atmosphere turned instantly dead silent. After a long moment, Liam sneered. “Fine.” My heart instantly felt like it was pierced by needles, a searing pain spreading through my limbs. Everyone, having heard Liam’s answer, had already moved to the card table. Liam and I remained on the sofa, unmoving. Liam leaned closer, his warm breath ghosting over my ear. “Didn’t Miss Wen say she’d do anything?” His dark, shining eyes watched me, a hint of playful malice dancing within them. “Mr. Shen, still whispering sweet nothings to your beauty? Come on over!” The people at the card table had already shuffled the cards, calling out to Liam. Liam took my hand and walked toward the table. As we reached the card table, the dim lights suddenly became blinding. The sofa area had been a lounge, so the lighting was deliberately soft, but the card table was brightly lit. I squinted my eyes slightly. “You… Miss Wen, what are you doing here?” Suddenly, a shocked male voice rang out. The others at the card table heard him and all turned their gaze toward me. Among them were faces I found familiar. The looks directed at me were a mix of curiosity and surprise. The atmosphere at the card table instantly became exceptionally tense. And the girls around them began to whisper. “Miss Wen? Who’s Miss Wen?” Daniel was certain he hadn’t mistaken me. Who was Miss Wen? Aria Wen, the former heiress of the Wen family, was once the most dazzling red rose in the entire city. Aria had a signature red tear mole under her right eye, and it had been a sensation across the city. Every girl wanted one, drawing red tear moles under their own eyes. She was also Liam’s teenage sweetheart. Liam’s company had stormed the city, skyrocketing to the top in just five years. During that time, he had searched for Aria countless times, sparing no expense. This was no longer a secret in the city’s high society. But about their story, Daniel had heard several versions. Some said Aria had cheated on him, breaking Liam’s heart, and he was searching for her to get revenge. Others said Liam still had feelings for her. Daniel couldn’t be sure which was true. Liam pulled me into his arms, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, his gaze sweeping over the various expressions on everyone’s faces. “What Miss Wen? The Wen family went bankrupt ages ago, didn’t they?” Liam pulled me down onto a seat at the card table, tapping the surface. “Why are you all frozen? Deal the cards.”

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**Chapter 1** For twenty years, Elara had been the Sterling family’s pampered darling. Then, the real daughter showed up with a DNA report. That’s when I learned I was nothing but an imposter, mistakenly swapped at birth. Humiliation burned through me. I packed my bags, ready to leave, but on my last night in the house, Damien Sterling, the eldest son, hauled me into his car. The brother who’d always been so cold, so distant, pinned me against the plush leather seats, pushing me to tears three times over. My throat was raw from crying, but he just clamped his hand around my waist, whispering, “I’ve wanted to do this to you for a long, long time.” Only then did I understand— His coldness all these years? It was just a mask, a forced restraint. Soon after, he announced our engagement. No one could talk him out of it. When Mr. and Mrs. Sterling objected, he stripped them of their authority, becoming the sole ruler of the Sterling empire. When Brooke, the real daughter, cried and threw tantrums, he cut off all her credit cards, threatening to send her away if she didn’t quit. I couldn’t accept being with the brother I’d grown up with. I ran countless times, but he dragged me back every single time. He had eyes everywhere. There was no escape. Until half a month ago. He’d driven out late at night to buy me a cake I was craving, and he got into a car accident. When he woke up… he’d forgotten everything. The Sterling family rejoiced. When they introduced me to him, they didn’t say I was the girl he loved to the point of madness. They just said I was the household maid. And now, with Damien’s amnesia, they saw their chance to finally get rid of me. “Here’s a hundred million.” Mr. and Mrs. Sterling eagerly pushed a check across the table towards me. “Damien has amnesia now, he doesn’t remember you. Take this money and leave, quickly. We raised you, and now we’re begging you—never appear before him again. Never let him find you.” After a long silence, I finally spoke. “Fine. I’ll finalize all my overseas paperwork within two weeks and never return to the country.” I took the flimsy check. This past year felt like a grotesque dream. They wanted me gone, and truthfully, I wanted to leave too. Damien had spoiled me rotten this past year, it was true, but I couldn’t bear the weight of his obsessive, forceful love. With Damien’s amnesia, this was my only chance to escape him. “What are you doing?” Just then, the front door swung open. Damien stood there, perfectly tailored in a suit, followed by Brooke. His imposing presence, the aura of a man in power, silently filled the room, making the air feel thick and heavy. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling’s faces paled. They quickly put on strained smiles. “Nothing, nothing at all. Just giving some instructions to the household maid.” Mrs. Sterling nudged Mr. Sterling, chuckling nervously. “We’re going upstairs for our afternoon nap.” Before leaving, she shot me a venomous glare, a clear warning. I lowered my eyes, clutching the hundred-million-dollar check. I was about to turn back to the maid’s quarters when… “Stop right there.” Damien’s voice was as cold as ice. I froze, head bowed, my heart nearly stopping. The sound of his dress shoes on the polished floor grew closer. The next second, my chin was roughly yanked up, forcing me to meet his dark, fathomless eyes. My breath hitched. My mind replayed all those moments—pinned against the floor-to-ceiling windows, pressed into the bedsheets, even held down on the kitchen island. His thumb brushed against my chin, his gaze frigid. “What perfume are you wearing?” I opened my mouth, about to answer… “Don’t wear it again.” He let go, his voice laced with disgust. “Maids should act like maids. Don’t try to seduce anyone.” My fingertips curled. He used to bury his face in my neck, chuckling low, asking, “What did you spray? Smells so good.” I’d shake my head, “Nothing.” He’d bite my earlobe, laughing huskily in my ear, “Even your natural scent is this good? Elara, truly every part of you was born for me. Don’t you dare leave me. Wherever you run, I’ll find you. Understand?” I once thought I’d never escape. But this time, fate had given me a chance… I didn’t explain or argue with him, just nodded. “Understood, Master Damien.” Watching him turn and enter his study, I let out a shaky breath. I was about to go back and pack my luggage when Brooke suddenly lunged at me, slapping me hard across the face! “Elara, how shameless can you be?!” she shrieked, her voice shrill. “You tried to seduce my brother before, and now he has amnesia, and you’re *still* trying to hook him?!” “Let me tell you, my brother already has a fiancée!” She sneered triumphantly. “The engagement news will be announced soon. This sister-in-law is a thousand, a million times better than you!” My body trembled slightly. A fiancée? Right. He had amnesia now. With the Sterling family’s status, prospective partners for a strategic alliance would be lining up. But it no longer concerned me. Brooke still wasn’t done. She snapped, “Guards, seize her! Throw her into the cold storage! Let her know the consequences of seducing my brother!” The bodyguards exchanged uneasy glances. No one dared to move. Everyone knew how much Damien had doted on me before. Once, a business partner simply touched my arm, and the next day, that man’s hand appeared on Damien’s desk. Brooke fumed, shaking with rage. “My brother has amnesia now! She’s neither the lady of the house nor the person my brother loves anymore! What are you afraid of?!” She pointed at a bodyguard. “If you don’t grab her, I’ll fire all of you!” The guards still hesitated. Just then, the study door flew open— Damien frowned. “What’s all this racket?” Brooke immediately plastered on a fawning smile. “Brother, Elara was inefficient, and I wanted to punish her by sending her to cold storage, but these bodyguards won’t listen to me!” Damien’s gaze swept coldly over the bodyguards, his voice chilling. “What did she give you that you won’t even obey your master?” He looked at me, his eyes filled with disgust. “Drag her away quickly. Don’t be an eyesore here.” With that, he slammed the door shut. With Damien’s words, the bodyguards no longer had any qualms. I closed my eyes, letting the bodyguards drag me away. I’d always hated the cold, which was why Damien always kept the mansion warm, like eternal spring. At night, when my hands and feet were icy, he’d even deign to cradle my feet against his chest, warming them. But now, he had personally given the order to lock me in here as punishment. The cold was bone-deep. I curled up in the corner, my consciousness fading. It’s fine. Just endure it. I’d be free soon. Soon, I could… be Elara again, not Damien Sterling’s private possession. Just as I was about to lose consciousness, I faintly heard someone screaming my name like a madman. “Elara!!” A figure burst into the cold storage, trembling as he lifted me into his arms. **Chapter 2** When I next awoke, I was met with the harsh, glaring white of a hospital room. “Elara, how are you? Is there anywhere else you’re uncomfortable?” A familiar voice reached my ears, followed by a gentle, kind face. Liam Parker sat by my bedside, his eyes bloodshot. He looked like he’d been watching over me for a long time. “…Liam?” My memory from before I fainted slowly trickled back. I forced myself to sit up. “Was it you who saved me?” Liam nodded, his voice laced with lingering fear. “I tried calling you repeatedly, but you didn’t answer. When I rushed to the Sterling mansion, I heard you’d been locked in the cold storage…” He trailed off mid-sentence as the hospital room TV suddenly blared a news report— “Sterling Financial Group and Reed Industries formally announce their engagement today. Mr. Damien Sterling and Miss Seraphina Reed will hold their wedding next month…” On screen, Damien was impeccably dressed in a suit, his face stern, while Seraphina, clinging to his arm, smiled radiantly. A perfect match, made in heaven. Liam immediately grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. A brief silence fell in the room. After a few seconds, he took a deep breath and looked at me. “Elara, I know about everything that’s happened recently.” “Before, you couldn’t escape, but now… Damien has amnesia.” His voice was soft but firm. “I’ll take you away. How about it?” I lowered my eyes. “Thank you, Liam. I’ve already made arrangements to finalize my overseas paperwork.” “The Sterling family has been in politics for three generations. He can’t leave the country.” I paused. “As long as I go abroad, he’ll never see me again.” A flicker of joy crossed Liam’s eyes. He instinctively reached out and grasped my hand. “That’s wonderful! I’ll go with you to get the paperwork done!” I tensed slightly, subtly pulling my hand away. He realized his overstep and quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, I just… I got too excited.” He paused again, his gaze serious and gentle. “But I hope you understand how I feel.” “It’s been so long. You can tell, right?” I remained silent, offering no reply. Of course, I knew. From the very first day Damien had taken me by force, Liam had been secretly helping me. He had once proactively offered to help me escape, but I knew Damien’s methods better than anyone. I’d tried running ten or more times, and not once had I succeeded. The longest I’d lasted was no more than ten minutes before being dragged back. Once, a man at a bar merely tried to chat me up, and the very next day, his entire presence vanished from the city. Damien’s influence spread like an inescapable net. I couldn’t get away, and I certainly didn’t dare implicate Liam. So, I had never responded to his feelings. I closed my eyes, my fingertips trembling slightly. “Liam, I…” He seemed to sense what I was about to say and quickly cut me off. “I’m not asking you to respond right now!” “I just want to tell you…” He took a deep breath, his voice gentle and firm. “Once you leave this place, you can finally live your own life.” “Do the work you love, go to places you like, and… fall in love, the kind that makes your heart flutter.” He smiled, a hint of bitterness in his eyes. “Even if it’s not with me, I’ll be happy for you.” “I just hope you can return to a normal life and not be affected by this past year.” I froze for a moment, my eyes welling up. After a long pause, I softly said, “Thank you.” “Once I leave here, I’ll resume a peaceful life.” I looked out at the bright sunshine through the window, my voice light. “Travel, work, and… fall in love.” Liam finally breathed a sigh of relief, his brows relaxing. “Then I’ll go with you to get the paperwork done.” That afternoon, Liam accompanied me to complete the expedited overseas procedures. “Your visa should be ready in two weeks at the fastest.” The staff handed back my ID. “Have a pleasant trip.” Stepping out of the embassy, I let out a long breath. The sunlight warmed my face, and a long-lost sense of ease washed over me. Liam drove me back to the mansion, and all the way, he chatted casually about my arrangements abroad. He said that once the paperwork came through, I should go first. His family also had businesses overseas, and he would apply to transfer there. “Elara, don’t feel pressured,” he added quickly, as if fearing I’d refuse. “Our family just happens to be expanding into the overseas market; it’s not specifically for you.” The car stopped at the mansion gates. I was about to get out when Liam suddenly called out, “Wait.” He reached out and gently smoothed my wind-blown hair, his movements as tender as if he were handling something fragile and precious. I instinctively looked up, but the next second, my entire body stiffened. Not far away, on the steps, an icy gaze was fixed on me! **Chapter 3** Damien stood there, impeccably dressed in a suit, his features stark, his imposing presence silently permeating the air. My fingertips trembled. I quickly told Liam, “You should go first.” Liam didn’t notice anything amiss and continued, “Once the paperwork is ready, you…” “Just go!” My voice was tight, almost a plea, as I looked at him. He paused, then finally nodded. “Alright. Be careful.” Only when his car drove away did I dare to turn, walking step by step towards the steps. Damien remained there, his gaze fixed on me, the emotions in his dark eyes unreadable. I was trembling all over, I could almost hear my own heart pounding wildly. Would he be angry? Or would he be like before, breaking someone’s hand just because they touched me? But in the end, I heard his cold voice: “We have guests. Go make some tea.” With that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps fading. I stood frozen for a while before I dared to look up. He… showed no emotion. It seemed he really had amnesia. I breathed a sigh of relief and turned to the kitchen to make tea. But when I carried the tea into the living room, I found there was another person there. I recognized her at a glance—it was Seraphina Reed, the woman who had been announced as Damien’s fiancée on the news. Currently, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling, and Brooke, were all gathered around her, smiling broadly as they discussed wedding arrangements. Damien sat to the side, not interjecting, listening calmly. I lowered my head, brought the tea over, and softly said, “Miss Reed, your tea.” Seraphina looked up at me, a subtle smile playing on her lips. She reached out to take the cup, but the next second, she suddenly “accidentally” knocked it over— The scalding tea splashed all over Seraphina. Before I could even react, Brooke had already swung her hand, slapping me hard across the face! “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?!” I opened my mouth, instinctively wanting to explain— “I didn’t…” But before I could finish, Brooke shrieked, cutting me off, then turned to Damien to complain: “Brother! I’ve been meaning to tell you, this maid has impure intentions towards you!” She pointed at me with a disgusted expression. “She secretly collects your things, she’s clearly a troublemaker! Now that she knows you’re engaged to Seraphina, she’s gone mad with jealousy and deliberately scalded her!” I felt a chill run through my body, unable to believe she could twist facts like that. “I didn’t…” My voice trembled, but before I could finish, Seraphina also spoke up. She looked at Damien, her eyes slightly red, her voice weak. “Damien, with your status, many people will try to cling to you. If we don’t punish her severely, there might be more imitators in the future.” Mr. and Mrs. Sterling immediately chimed in, “Exactly! She must be severely punished!” I froze, suddenly realizing— This was an act. A trap they had set together. And Damien despised anyone who tried to seduce him. Sure enough, the next second, I heard his icy voice: “Drag her away and carry out the family punishment.” After saying that, he bent down, scooped Seraphina into his arms, and walked upstairs without a backward glance. “I’ll call the private doctor.” I didn’t even have a chance to utter another word of defense before two bodyguards seized my arms and roughly dragged me out. Outside the mansion, the night was deep and dark. Brooke held a rattan cane with thorns, her face alight with undisguised excitement and malice. “Elara, you’ve finally fallen into my hands.” She raised the cane and brought it down hard! *Smack!* The first whip landed, tearing my skin open. “This whip is for stealing my identity!” *Smack!* The second whip, raw and mangled. “This whip is for seducing my brother!” *Smack!* “This whip is for being ungrateful!” … “Hahaha, scream, why aren’t you screaming wildly now? My brother won’t stand up for you anymore!” I bit my lip hard, forcing myself not to cry out. But the thorns on the cane dug into my flesh, each strike feeling like it was tearing me apart alive. Blood trickled down my back, my arms, my legs… dropping one by one onto the ground. Ninety-nine lashes. Brooke seemed determined to vent all her years of rage. She whipped harder and harder until, finally, my consciousness began to blur. All I could hear was her shrill curses and the dull thud of the cane ripping through flesh. When the last whip fell, I finally couldn’t hold on any longer and collapsed heavily into the pool of my own blood. **Chapter 4** When I next awoke, I found myself locked in a warehouse. The wounds on my back had formed a thin scab, and even the slightest movement sent searing pain through me. I forced myself to get up, knocking on the door. A cold voice from outside replied, “Miss Brooke said you haven’t learned your lesson yet, so you’ll remain locked up for three more days, without food or water.” He paused, then added, “Master Damien also agreed.” I slid down the door to the floor, and a sudden, bitter laugh escaped me. Brooke hated me, and I knew it better than anyone. Years ago, due to a twist of fate, I had occupied her rightful place as the Sterling heiress, leaving her to suffer outside. She had finally been reunited with her family, but Damien had refused to let me, the fake daughter, leave, spoiling me rotten, so much so that Brooke couldn’t even make me go away. Now, Damien had amnesia. He didn’t remember me, nor his insane, possessive love for me. Brooke finally had her chance for revenge. I leaned against the cold warehouse wall, not struggling, not knocking on the door again. Anyway… in a few more days, I would be completely free. There was no need to add complications at the last minute. Let it be. There were no windows in the warehouse, so it was impossible to tell day from night. I huddled in the corner, unable to sleep because of the pain from my wounds, counting my breaths to pass the time. Brooke would have someone throw in a stack of photos every day. The photos were all intimate moments between Damien and Seraphina— He was pictured with his arm around Seraphina’s waist at a party, leaning in to whisper in her ear; He bent down to adjust her dress, a gentlemanly and gentle gesture; He placed a diamond ring on Seraphina’s hand in front of everyone, pulling her into an embrace and kissing her; On the back of each photo, Brooke had scrawled taunting words in red ink— “This is what my brother’s fiancée should look like.” “What are you, anyway?” “Stop dreaming. He’ll never remember you.” Three days later, the warehouse door finally creaked open. Blinding light poured in, and I squinted, seeing Brooke standing in the doorway, looking down at me with disdain. “Seraphina’s birthday party? My brother went all out,” she said, her smile dripping with malice. “What are you waiting for? Get to the party and serve as a waitress!” I pushed myself up against the wall, my legs so weak I could barely stand, but there was no room to refuse. After hastily applying some medicine, drinking some water, and eating a little something, I was rushed to the banquet hall. True to Brooke’s words, Damien had spared no expense for Seraphina’s birthday party. The entire banquet hall was decorated to resemble a starry night sky, crystal chandeliers reflecting brilliant light, and champagne towers stacked taller than a person. But the most striking thing was Damien’s gift to Seraphina. A blue diamond necklace worth hundreds of millions. He personally placed it around her neck, and the entire hall erupted in applause. Even so, whispers rippled through the crowd— “Did Damien really lose his memory? He used to be so crazy for Elara…” “Shhh! Lower your voice! The Sterling family is audacious, arranging a fiancée for him while he has amnesia. Who knows what will happen if he ever remembers and overturns the whole family…” “I heard his amnesia is permanent, the doctors said so…” I kept my head down, quietly going about my tasks, as if these conversations had nothing to do with me. Until— A pair of high heels stopped in front of me. I looked up, meeting Seraphina’s smiling eyes. “Elara.” She swirled the champagne in her hand, her red lips curving into a faint smile. “Are you satisfied with the little gift I gave you last time?” I looked up at Seraphina. “You really don’t have to be like this.” I said softly, “Damien has amnesia now, he has no feelings for me, and I won’t interfere with you two.” Seraphina chuckled, her red lips curling into a mocking arc. “You say that so easily. I’ve loved him for so many years. Do you know how happy I was when I finally got my wish for a marriage alliance?” Her nails dug into my arm, her eyes swirling with twisted hatred. “And what happened? He turned around and announced he only wanted *you*! I loved him so much that I even came to him, offering a hundred billion dollar corporation as a dowry, but he didn’t even blink, and threw me out…” Her voice started to tremble. “That day, it was pouring rain, and I still went looking for him, only to see him coaxing you into bed again. I witnessed it with my own eyes, him pressing you against the floor-to-ceiling window, with such tenderness, such profound affection, saying that in this whole world, he only wanted you…” “Do you know how desperate I was that day? And now, your single phrase ‘I won’t interfere’ is supposed to erase all the pain I suffered?!” She stepped back, elegantly smoothed her dress, her smile sweet and malicious. “Elara, remember this: I will make you wish for death, but never find it.” With that, she turned and walked away. I stood rooted to the spot, cold sweat breaking out on my back. A strong sense of unease washed over me. I put down the tray and was about to leave when Seraphina’s panicked voice suddenly echoed through the banquet hall— “My necklace is gone!” The entire hall erupted in murmurs. “That’s the blue diamond necklace Master Damien just gave her!” “Who would be so bold as to steal it?” In the chaos, Seraphina looked at me pitifully, her finger directly pointing at me. “I only spoke to her a moment ago…” In an instant, all eyes shot to me. Damien’s gaze was the coldest, like a blade dipped in ice. **Chapter 5** Before I could even react, Brooke had already rushed over with the bodyguards. “Search her!” she shrieked. I struggled to back away. “I didn’t steal it…” But the bodyguards roughly pinned me down, publicly stripping my clothes. “Found it!” Brooke announced triumphantly, holding up the blue diamond necklace. She swung her hand back and slapped me again. Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth. “Haven’t you learned your lesson from last time?!” she screeched. My vision swam, but I still insisted, “I didn’t steal it… There are security cameras here, we can check the surveil…” *Smack!* Another slap cut me off. Brooke turned to Damien, her voice venomous. “Brother, it seems she’s still not over you. Last time she deliberately scalded Seraphina, and this time she stole Seraphina’s necklace. I think we need to make her completely understand her place!” She flashed a cruel smile. “I just saw a vagrant outside the hotel. How about we let them spend the night together?” My blood ran cold. But the next second, I heard Damien calmly say, “Mm-hmm,” his eyes filled with utter disgust. At that moment, I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. I didn’t care about anything else. I lunged, grabbing his sleeve. “I didn’t steal this necklace! I have no intentions toward you whatsoever! Damien, check the cameras, I…” Brooke’s face contorted in rage, and she sharply interrupted, “Drag her away!” A bodyguard roughly yanked my hair. I clung desperately to Damien’s sleeve, my fingertips turning white. But he, one by one, pried my fingers away. An icy sensation spread from my fingertips to my heart. As the last finger was pried open, I heard him say— “Dirty.” At that moment, I bit down hard on my teeth, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face. Memories flooded back like a tide: the days he cherished me, the times he’d worry for hours if I so much as bumped myself… A year ago, I had a fever of 102 degrees, and he flew back from overseas overnight, staying by my bedside for three days without closing his eyes. Six months ago, a wealthy heir chatted me up at a party, and the next day, his family business declared bankruptcy. Three months ago, I wanted a cake from the west side of the city in the middle of the night, and he drove himself to get it, resulting in a car accident. For the past year, he had claimed me countless times, day and night, like an addiction. And now, standing beneath the glittering crystal chandeliers in the banquet hall, he personally handed me over to a filthy vagrant. He even slowly wiped his fingers with a handkerchief, as if touching me was something repulsive. The bodyguards threw me into a dim guest room and locked the door from the outside. I curled up in the corner, the wounds on my back burning. Not long after, the door was pushed open, and a man reeking of stale sweat and grime walked in. He was in rags, his hair matted, and he bared a mouth full of yellow teeth, his eyes gleaming with a repulsive light. “Little beauty…” He rubbed his hands together and lunged at me. I screamed and dodged, grabbing a bedside lamp and throwing it at him. He grunted in pain, cursed, and slapped me across the face. “You little bitch, try disobeying again. Miss Brooke said I could do whatever I wanted tonight…” He pressed me onto the bed, his filthy hands tearing at my collar. I screamed and kicked, my nails raking blood across his face, but he bound my hands with his belt. Just as he was about to succeed, I felt the flower vase on the bedside table. *Smash!* The vase shattered on his head. He groaned and collapsed. I broke free, stumbling out the door. The hallway was empty. I ran barefoot, terrified the vagrant would chase me. In a panic, I pushed open a slightly ajar door and slipped inside. The room was pitch black. I held my breath, shrinking into the corner. I was safe… I was about to let out a sigh of relief when the bathroom door suddenly opened— “Who’s there?” Damien’s deep voice, laced with a hint of intoxication, drifted out. My blood ran cold. **Chapter 6** In the darkness, Damien’s footsteps grew closer. I instinctively edged towards the door, but then his voice echoed again: “Seraphina?” His voice was low. “Why are you in my room? Didn’t I say there’s no need to rush between us, and we should wait until after the wedding to share a room?”

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The year my mom was critically ill and we desperately needed money, I resorted to a desperate measure to get close to Liam, finding myself in his bed. After that wild night, I got what I wanted: I became Mrs. Hemsworth. “I know you were in a difficult situation.” After we married, he didn’t criticize me. Instead, he treated me with distant politeness. Until I discovered his assistant, Chloe, secretly embezzling company funds. I called the police on the spot, and for the first time, the usually composed Liam blew up at me. “Chloe just temporarily borrowed the money for her father’s treatment. I gave her my silent consent.” “Did you expect her to stoop so low as to use her body for money, like you did?” I froze, stunned by his words. “Can you believe Mrs. Hemsworth, who seems so proper, actually used tricks to get where she is?” “Using her body for money? Who is *she* to give Chloe a hard time?” Gossip filled my ears, and I pressed my lips together. After my mother passed, I proposed divorce and repaid the money I’d borrowed from the Hemsworth family. But Liam fought tooth and nail to save the marriage. Now, it seemed, it should have ended long ago.

It was pouring rain outside. Liam, usually so poised and calm, arrived at the office with his suit completely soaked, water dripping from his hair. He rarely lost his composure like this. He looked at me, and his first words were: “I didn’t realize you could be so aggressive, bullying the new girl.” Chloe, her eyes red, looked like a fragile, innocent lamb. She tugged on Liam’s sleeve. “Mr. Hemsworth, Skylar didn’t mean to. It’s just… after all this, I don’t feel like I can stay at the company anymore.” At her words, Liam’s concern deepened, and his tone grew colder. “Chloe only borrowed company funds to pay for her father’s medical treatment. Did you really have to make such a huge scene? I’ve already sent the police away. This matter is over.” “Skylar Rhodes, you abused your power to make things difficult for a new employee. There’s no need for you to be the General Manager anymore.” I hadn’t even said a word, and Liam decisively delivered the news, as if he couldn’t wait another second to protect the woman behind him. When he made up his mind, no one could change it. After a long moment, I simply said in a low voice: “If it’s a loan, then draw up a promissory note for a million dollars.” Company rules were company rules. As long as I was still here, we had to follow procedure. Unexpectedly, Chloe’s eyes became even wetter at my words, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Are you implying I won’t pay it back, Mrs. Hemsworth? Why call the police and demand an IOU to humiliate me? Maybe I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth like you, but I will definitely repay the loan.” Before I could reply, Liam sharply snapped: “Haven’t you made enough of a fuss!?” “Chloe is just paying for her father’s treatment. Are you going to be so overbearing and force her to, like you, stoop so low as to use her body for money and get into my bed?” I froze. Ten years of marriage. Even if the initial spark had faded, I always thought there was still some marital affection between us. But it turned out he had always thought I was lowly. Whispers gradually rose around us. “I heard Mrs. Hemsworth used tricks to get where she is back then… So it was true. How shameless…” Liam quickly realized he’d said too much. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face. But in the end, he didn’t stop the gossip. Instead, he took Chloe’s hand. “Too much has happened today. I’ll take Chloe home.” His voice softened, perhaps out of concern for appearances. “You don’t need to handle company matters anymore. Just go home and rest.” With that, he turned and left without hesitation, leaving me standing there, my face pale.

When my team from the tech department found out Liam had fired me, they were furious. They submitted their resignations that very day and left with me. They said they’d go wherever I went. By the time we finished packing up and left the company, it was already dark. I walked alone, holding my umbrella, when I quickly noticed a man following me. My heart pounded as I realized the danger. I opened my phone to my contacts and instinctively called Liam, who was at the top of my favorites. Once, twice… After he hung up three times, his impatient voice finally came through the receiver. “I’m busy tonight. I won’t be home.” My voice was shaky with panic. “Liam, I’m being followed.” A moment of silence on the other end, then I heard a faint scoff. “Skylar Rhodes, is this your new trick?” “Didn’t I tell you I prefer a well-behaved, proper wife?” He said he liked “proper and dignified,” so even on a stormy night, I was still wearing a formal dress and heels. My ten-centimeter heels rubbed my feet raw and bleeding, allowing the man behind me to get closer and closer. I didn’t even have a chance to run. “Liam, help—” Before I could finish, a cheerful female voice came from the other end of the phone. “Big Boss Liam, you said you’d treat me to dinner as an apology today! Why are you zoning out? You’re not going to back out, are you?” Liam’s voice quickened, as if he were giving me charity. “Alright, I don’t have time for your drama. I’ll be home later.” Then, the call was abruptly cut off. Hearing the dial tone, despair spread through me. The next second, the man behind me lunged forward and snatched my bag. The momentum sent me crashing against a wall, my arm scraping against the rough surface, leaving a bloody gash. At least he was just after money. When I stumbled out of the alley, bruised, bleeding, and covered in mud, I suddenly saw a familiar figure at a street food stall not far away. Liam’s bespoke suit looked ridiculously out of place at the greasy street food stall. His gaze was doting as he watched Chloe, her mouth full, eat. “Big Boss, seriously, thank you. If it wasn’t for you today, I really wouldn’t know what to do about Mrs. Hemsworth.” At the mention of me, Liam subtly frowned. “She’s been Mrs. Hemsworth for too long, so long that she’s forgotten her own lowly status and started throwing her weight around.” My eyes welled up at his words. As the daughter of the Hemsworth family’s housekeeper, when my mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness, I was in a moment of sheer desperation. I used a trick to get close to Liam, who I’d grown up with. When he woke up, I didn’t ask for a title or formal recognition. I only asked him to help my mother, considering our history. But he insisted on marrying me, saying he understood my difficulties and would take responsibility for me. Yet despite his words, our relationship remained distant after marriage. His eyes held a look I couldn’t quite decipher. It was only in his arms, in the quiet of the night, that I felt a flicker of warmth. I always thought he was naturally aloof, but I never imagined he would act impulsively and lose his temper for Chloe, or that he would join her at a street food stall he’d never even consider eating at. “Mr. Hemsworth, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time…” Chloe suddenly looked up, her gaze firm. “You don’t look happy. So, I don’t want to hide my feelings anymore.” As soon as she finished speaking, Liam’s eyes flickered. Before she could say another word, he lowered his head and kissed her, leaving no room for argument. “Mmm… but if Mrs. Hemsworth finds out about us…” Chloe’s cheeks flushed, her words laden with implication. “Don’t worry about her.” Liam cut off her words with another kiss. The man’s usual composure was completely gone. From not far away, I saw Chloe cast a provocative glance my way. It turned out she was saying it all deliberately for me to hear. I clenched my fists, but after a long while, slowly loosened my grip. Watching the two of them being so affectionate, I picked up my phone and called my lawyer. “Hello, please draft a divorce agreement for me.”

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After the divorce, I left the old city. One night, an unknown number rang. “Hello, who is this?” Hearing my voice, the person on the other end seemed to sob, but quickly responded. “Tomorrow is our son’s death anniversary. I want to see him…” That familiar tone. I knew it was my ex-husband. “You’re mistaken. Our son’s anniversary passed ages ago. Don’t contact me again.” I heard his choked voice through the phone. In the past, my heart would have ached, and I’d have rushed to comfort him. Now, I hung up without hesitation, blocking his number to stop him from bothering me. He had locked our son in a closet just because Leo, while playing with a toy plane, accidentally snagged his assistant’s stockings. And to appease his assistant, he’d sent everyone home, then jetted off with her on a vacation. I was on a business trip overseas when I got a call from Maria, our housekeeper. She told me something had happened to my son and urged me to come home immediately. I booked the nearest flight, rushing frantically to the hospital. All I saw was the red light glowing above the operating room door. Soon, the light went out, and the doctor emerged, his voice heavy with sorrow as he looked at us. “Please accept our deepest condolences. We did everything we could.” I felt utterly frozen, my fingertips numb, a sudden acid reflux rising in my stomach, and my heart felt like it was clutched by a giant hand. I fought to stay conscious, my fingernails digging deep into my palms. Mr. and Mrs. Davies, Julian’s parents, who had rushed back from out of town, saw the scene. They were furious, demanding to know from Maria what had happened. Maria, seeing my pale face, quickly stepped forward to support me, then began to explain to Mr. and Mrs. Davies. “Mr. Davies brought Ms. Miller home to stay. Little Leo accidentally snagged her stockings while playing with his toy plane, so Mr. Davies locked Leo in the closet.” My mind went blank with a loud *buzz*, and my legs gave out, sending me to my knees. Our house had a custom-built, solid wood closet. It was heavy and airtight. According to Maria, Leo had been locked inside for at least a dozen hours. “That animal! Scarlett, call him! Tell him to get back here!” I fumbled for my phone, my trembling fingers hitting the wrong buttons several times. When the call connected, Julian’s impatient voice answered. “Why are you calling? Are you looking for another fight?” My voice was hollow. “Our son… he’s dead.” Julian on the other end scoffed. “You’ll really say any lie to stop me from being with Brittany, won’t you?” Before I could speak, I heard Brittany Miller’s voice in the background. “Julian, did you book the hotel?” I heard Julian’s doting voice. “All set. This time, no one unimportant will ruin our trip.” Brittany whined playfully. “Last time, your family kept calling and bothering us. That won’t happen again, right?” “Don’t worry, I’ll block her number soon.” Brittany’s tinkling laugh carried through the phone, her voice syrupy sweet. “My stockings got ruined yesterday. You’ll have to make it up to me today, big time.”

Beside me, Mrs. Davies’ lips trembled with rage. She snatched the phone from my hand. “Do you even know what happened to your son?! You’re still out there with that hussy!” Julian’s voice was cold, filled with impatience. “So he was locked up for a bit. What’s the big deal? If Scarlett hadn’t corrupted our son, making him intentionally target Brittany, why would I have punished him?” “Mom, can you stop being so ridiculous? I married her back just as you wanted. What more do you want?” Mr. Davies’ face turned crimson with anger. He roared, “You get back here right now!” But from the other end, I heard Brittany’s tearful voice. “Julian, is it your family causing trouble again?” Julian sighed impatiently. “Dad, Mom, please stop this nonsense. Brittany and I will be back after our trip.” The call disconnected. I felt completely hollowed out, staring despairingly at Mr. and Mrs. Davies. “Leo is gone. I have nothing left. Let me go.” Just then, the police arrived, having received a call. They took us to the station. Soon, the autopsy results came out. “The deceased’s cause of death was asphyxiation in a confined space. His fingernails were torn off, flesh ripped, and bones exposed. This indicates extreme struggle and attempts to break free before death.” “We’ve taken the house’s housekeeper in for questioning. Now, please tell us what you know.” After ensuring we weren’t deliberately abusing the child, the police’s attitude softened considerably. Maria, who had been summoned, was in tears. “Mr. Davies was the one who locked the child in the closet. And to prevent us from letting the child out, he sent all of us away.” “I was worried about Leo, so after Mr. Davies left, I immediately rushed back to let him out.” “When I opened the closet, there was blood everywhere, and the child’s face was blue.” I couldn’t imagine what Leo had endured in that closet. He must have been so scared and in so much pain. He must have been screaming for his mom to save him in his last moments.

For a moment, the world spun around me, my head buzzing, and my body felt like dead weight, collapsing onto the police station chair. Mrs. Davies, seeing my state, couldn’t bear it and pulled me into her embrace. Finally, Mr. Davies spoke. “Scarlett, it’s our fault. Our family failed to raise Julian properly.” I covered my face with my hands, large tears rolling down my cheeks, and I sobbed, gut-wrenching cries tearing from my throat. Fifteen years ago, my parents died, leaving behind a vast inheritance. My relatives swarmed me, like vultures circling prey. At that time, Julian and I were practically childhood sweethearts. Mr. and Mrs. Davies stepped in, helping me secure my parents’ legacy. The day Mr. and Mrs. Davies brought me home, Julian held my hand, his eyes filled with love and a firm determination to protect me. He had promised then that he would be good to me forever, that he would always protect me. But after our son was born, he grew increasingly distant and busy. Until I saw him, the man who claimed to be in a meeting, with his arm around Brittany Miller, splurging cash at the mall. I screamed, demanding to know why he was doing this to me, but he just shoved me away in disgust, looking down on me with contempt. “Enough. Look at yourself. You don’t hold a candle to Brittany.” In that moment, I suddenly understood that all the love we once shared had vanished like smoke. Yet, a sliver of hope lingered in my heart. I quietly stayed home, caring for our child, managing Julian’s life, hoping that one day he would change his mind. But this time, for Brittany Miller, he actually laid hands on his own child. Mr. Davies lowered his head, his face etched with sorrow, his voice choked. “Our child was killed by him. How could our family produce such an animal?” “Tomorrow, after Leo’s cremation, if you wish to leave, take his ashes with you. Our family has wronged you greatly.” I struggled to my feet, bowing deeply to Mr. and Mrs. Davies. “Thank you for your help all those years ago. I’m taking Leo and leaving this place. I won’t be coming back. Please take good care of yourselves.”

Back home, Julian’s call came in. “Scarlett Hayes, how long are you going to keep up this act? Tell Dad to unblock my cards!” Julian heard my silence and roared impatiently. “Have you had enough yet?! If you keep this up, we’re getting a divorce. Brittany already has my child anyway. You can just take that dead weight of yours and get out of the Davies’ family!” My voice was calm, numb. “The child is dead.” He scoffed dismissively. “Are you going to claim I killed him, too?” “You’ll really say anything to break up Brittany and me.” He hung up, the phone beeping. At the same time, Mr. Henderson, the lawyer Mr. Davies sent, handed me the divorce papers. I signed my name without the slightest hesitation, my mind replaying Leo’s voice. It was Father’s Day. Leo had clumsily made Julian a handmade card, but Julian never came home. To this day, I still remember Leo’s disappointed eyes. “Mommy, does Daddy not like me?” “Why does Daddy never play with me or hug me? All the kids in my class get hugs from their Daddies.” I was physically and mentally exhausted. I curled up on Leo’s small bed, the one he slept in before, and fell asleep. The next day, Leo’s body was sent for cremation. As the incinerator hummed, I felt my own heart being burned into a handful of ashes. The staff handed me a delicate ceramic urn. The child who had just recently called me “Mommy” in his sweet, baby voice was now nothing but a cold urn. Mr. and Mrs. Davies wiped their tears, looking as if they had aged ten years overnight. They gently caressed the urn. “After you bury Leo, could you please tell us the address? He is our grandson, after all.” I nodded, my voice choked with emotion. “I only have one request: don’t tell Julian where Leo is buried.”

I returned home to pack up Leo’s toys and clothes. With each item I packed, my heart was pierced by a sharp needle. Leo’s favorite toy plane still had his messy, childish handwriting on it. His neatly arranged picture books still held his innocent scribbles, with “I love Mommy” written inside. My tears fell onto the floor, my hands trembling uncontrollably, as if I saw my son running towards me. I reached out to embrace him, but only grasped empty air. I finished packing. As I passed by the walk-in closet, I suddenly vomited a mouthful of blood. The opened closet was covered in scratch marks, bloody streaks everywhere. Small, chaotic bloody handprints were slapped all over the closet door. It wasn’t hard to imagine what had happened inside. I walked closer, step by step, gently tracing the marks on the cabinet. Then, I took photos and videos for evidence. I don’t know what state of mind I was in when I did all this. I only snapped back to reality when I stood at the main gate, watching the moving truck pull up. Just then, Julian finally returned. His private jet landed on the tarmac, and as he stepped off, he saw Mr. and Mrs. Davies standing there, their faces grim. Behind him, Brittany Miller’s face lit up with a triumphant smile. She stroked her belly, then linked arms with Julian. Julian frowned, looking at his parents’ somber faces. “Mom, Dad, what are you doing here? Where are Scarlett and Leo?” Mr. Davies snatched a cane from nearby and lashed out at Julian. “You have the nerve to mention Leo!” “How could I have a son as beastly as you?! You killed our child, and you still have the audacity to parade around with your mistress!” Julian instinctively shielded Brittany beside him, complaining, “I just locked him up for a bit. I was about to tell my assistant to let him out. Is it really necessary to react like this?” Mr. Davies clutched his chest, his eyes filled with profound disappointment. “Don’t you know?! I personally saw Leo’s body sent for autopsy! The medical examiner said the child suffered extreme pain and struggled fiercely before he died!” Julian’s face turned ashen. He mumbled in disbelief, “How could this be? I just wanted to punish him a little. Mom, Dad, you must be lying to me, right?!” He saw the sorrow on his parents’ faces, and a wave of unease flooded his heart. Brittany, seeing Julian’s shift in demeanor, immediately looked distressed. She tightened her grip on Julian’s arm. “Julian, honey…” Before she could finish, Julian forcefully shook her off and rushed into the house. There, in the center of the living room, was a black and white photo of Leo… The lawyer, standing nearby, placed the divorce agreement in front of Julian. His hands trembled as he flipped through the papers. The last page of the agreement bore my tear-stained signature.

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On the eve of the photography competition, Aiden, the impoverished student I’d sponsored for ten years, sent me the best-configured camera lens. He messaged me, wishing me good luck. Touched, I accepted, already planning to buy him a gift with my prize money. But then, on the day of the competition, the lens burst into flames, exploding. I was burnt beyond recognition, my body charred, and rushed to the ICU. My saintly wife cried her eyes out, almost blind with grief, promising to use her entire medical expertise to save me. “Caleb, I only developed feelings for you. If something happens to you, I wouldn’t want to live!” I clung to life, but became a vegetable, with only my hearing and sense of pain remaining. Even then, I was incredibly grateful to my wife. Until one day, I overheard her conversation with a nurse— “Caleb’s on his way out anyway. Once he dies, using his kidney to extend Aiden’s life wouldn’t be murder.” Each cut was a fresh, agonizing stab, the pain searing deep into my bones. But after I was cremated, my wife went mad.

Hearing the voices outside the door, my pupils constricted. What? Serena wants to take my kidney and give it to Aiden?! That backstabbing snake! I couldn’t believe it; I suspected I was losing my mind. But the voices outside continued. Reminding me, this wasn’t a dream! “Dr. Serena, isn’t this too cruel? After all, it was your surgical error that caused him to become a vegetable in the first place.” The nurse’s voice was a little muffled. Serena was silent for a moment, then sighed: “Yes, karma is real, and what goes around comes around. I caused Caleb’s condition, so I should have taken care of him all these years.” “Now, using his kidney to save Aiden… ultimately, I owe him. When my time comes, I’ll apologize to him then.” It felt like a giant hand had squeezed my heart. I was suffocating. I truly believed Serena had fought with every ounce of her being to save me, then dedicated years to my meticulous care. I saw her as my savior, thinking I’d owe her my very soul in the next life to repay her. But all of it was a lie. She was the one who ruined my life! What was even more despairing was that if I had died during that surgery, or fallen into a complete coma, I wouldn’t be suffering this much. But no, I could still hear, and I could still feel pain. The door creaked open, and Serena walked in. “All the readings are getting weaker.” She stared at the tubes sticking out of my body, her voice tinged with a sigh. “I’m sorry, Caleb, but Aiden can’t wait any longer. We need to prepare for the kidney removal surgery tomorrow.” Her usually calm voice was now laced with a complicated mix of emotions. There was guilt, reluctance, but more than anything, grim determination. My blood ran cold. A powerful panic seized me; I wanted to open my eyes, to look at her. Serena, if you found out I was still conscious, would you still go through with it? But my body was paralyzed, I couldn’t do anything. The door chimed again, and someone else entered. “Sister, I’m in so much pain. It’s been getting worse lately.” It was Aiden. What I couldn’t see was him intimately wrapping his arms around Serena, resting his chin on her shoulder. “But don’t be too hasty. I’m afraid Caleb might still be conscious and feel the pain.” What a considerate tone he used. Listening to him, my teeth ached with suppressed rage. Aiden came from an impoverished mountain village. Serena had saved him during an accident. It was *I* who saw how strong and unfortunate he was, and I paid all his expenses from middle school through college. I gave him the chance to escape his village and soar. He once cried, promising he would repay me. I believed he was a good, grateful kid, and I trusted him like a younger brother. I never imagined he would stab me in the back. Now, I wished I could tear that backstabbing snake limb from limb. “No, your illness can’t wait. His vital signs are fading fast. The surgery can proceed tomorrow.” She wrapped her arms around him, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. Aiden’s lips curved into a smile, and he kissed her back with passion. I couldn’t see their movements. But I heard the sickening wet sounds of skin slapping against skin.

A wave of nausea churned in my stomach. It felt like my heart was being ripped apart. Once, Serena and I had good times too. Whenever she came home from her night shifts, I’d leave out snacks with a note: ‘To my guardian angel, my heart’s healer.’ When I was exhausted from work, listening to her gentle recitations and the soft click of her meditation beads would calm my spirit, making the hardship disappear. Until one time, during a relief trip to a mountainous area. She saved Aiden, who was buried in the mud. The young man looked up, seeing her as his salvation. “Sister, are you an angel sent from heaven to save me?” Serena’s deeply hidden savior complex was ignited. After returning, she told me Aiden was a good kid worth nurturing, subtly guiding me to sponsor him. I, too, had started from the bottom and worked my way up. From that moment, her heart had probably strayed. One wrong step led to another. So much so that even when Aiden betrayed me, she turned a blind eye. And now, she was willing to stain her hands with blood, taking my life for him. I cursed myself for being so foolish, so blind to the truth. I should have seen their conspiracy earlier. The two were swept up in passion, gradually unsatisfied with just kissing. The rustle of clothes falling to the floor echoed in my ears. There were only two beds in the room, but they didn’t care. Soon, sickening wet sounds of skin slapping against skin filled the air. Listening to their movements, I felt utterly disgusted, my skin crawling with revulsion. I wanted to block it out, but I couldn’t stop the sounds from entering my ears. “Sister, do you think… Caleb might get angry if we do this here?” Aiden panted, his voice broken. Serena closed her eyes, sweat beading on her brow. Her face, usually serene and angelic, was now flushed with raw desire. Like a pure moon dragged into the earthly mire, defiled and no longer an unattainable goddess. “I already owe him too much; I can never repay it. So, I might as well sink to the very bottom with you.” Her eyes darkened, and she pushed down harder. The gasps and moans in the room swelled. I felt like a pathetic joke. How blind had I been to fall for Serena, that sanctimonious hypocrite, and sponsor Aiden, that ungrateful snake? It cost me my heart, and it cost me my life. By the time they finished, I don’t know how long had passed. My consciousness desperately fought to stay afloat, wanting to make a sound, to cause a disturbance. If anyone discovered I still had vital signs, they could stop tomorrow’s surgery. But my body was like it was shackled with heavy stones. I couldn’t move an inch. Perhaps that surgical error was precisely designed by Serena. Precise enough to save my life, yet turn me into a vegetable, utterly devoid of bodily control. This precision was aimed straight at my death. Tears of regret streamed from the corners of my eyes. The sky was black, but I couldn’t find any sleep. Knowing tomorrow was my inevitable end, my heart was filled only with surging hatred and regret. I hated Serena. Why was she so heartless towards me? She was a vegetarian, a devout follower, soft-hearted, compassionate to all living beings. She spoke softly, wouldn’t even step on an ant. Yet, she showed me no mercy or compassion. I hated Aiden even more. He was a worm, living in the gutter. I gave him the chance to crawl out. Who knew, not only was he ungrateful, he stabbed me deeply. He took the person I loved and now wants my life. He won’t even spare my remains. Agonizing thoughts tormented me endlessly. Time stretched infinitely, I could even hear my own heartbeat. When I heard the door open again, I knew my fate had finally arrived.

“Caleb, I’m sorry. I have no choice. If Aiden doesn’t get a kidney, he won’t survive.” Serena took out a toolkit. The cold light from the operating lamp hit my eyelids. Her voice was soft, but to me, she sounded like an executioner wielding a scalpel, sending shivers down my spine. “Don’t worry, I’ll give you the strongest dose of anesthetic. Your soul won’t feel any pain.” Serena said, pulling out a vial of liquid. A sharp sting, and something entered my body. All I felt was mockery. Should I thank her for this? She’s the one doing this, and she’s trying to earn good karma from it. It’s too late for me to turn back now. Ever since that photography competition accident years ago, I’ve been utterly destroyed by Serena and Aiden. The sensation of my skin being cut open was incredibly clear. Intense pain engulfed me like fire. Wait, didn’t she say she’d give me anesthetic? Why was the pain *more* intense? I wanted to struggle, but my disabled body couldn’t move. Like a fish on a chopping block, helpless, subjected to torture. Every second stretched into an eternity. Dimly, I heard footsteps. “Sister, you’ve been operating for so long, you must be tired. Take a break.” “No, this is a critical kidney transplant for you. I’m afraid of something going wrong.” “Sister, actually, I found a suitable kidney a few days ago. I just forgot to tell you.” Aiden’s voice was light and cheerful. But those words struck me like a bolt of lightning. What? He already found a kidney source? Then why was she operating on me?! The bone-deep pain I’d endured felt like a cruel joke. I couldn’t stop myself from convulsing. “Oh, is that so? Caleb truly suffered.” The woman’s voice held a touch of pity. A glimmer of hope flickered in my heart. Since there was already a suitable kidney. Would Serena, out of consideration for our past, spare me? But the very next second, she shattered my illusion. “Having an extra backup kidney source will make you safer. Caleb has already passed away, so what I’m doing isn’t murder.” Saying that, Serena cut another incision into my body. But I couldn’t feel it anymore. The excruciating, soul-crushing pain in my heart was a hundred times worse than the physical pain. So, the beautiful illusion I had built my life upon was nothing but deceit! My entire life was worthless. The last thread of my sanity snapped with a sharp *crack*. My past flashed before my eyes like a dizzying carousel. Dimly, I saw Serena caring for me in the past. All these years I’d been paralyzed in bed, she would boil water daily, wait for it to cool, then carefully use a towel to wipe my body. It was troublesome, but she persisted for seven years. Feeding me food and medicine was also a challenge. Serena would bring spoonfuls to my lips, patiently waiting for my subtle swallowing reactions. Her arms would ache so much she couldn’t lift them, her muscles throbbing, but she’d only gasp softly, afraid I might hear. At night, afraid I wouldn’t sleep well, she would stay by my bedside all night, reading my favorite poetry collections. At that time, I was so moved I wished I could die for her. But now, all of it had become sharp knives stabbing into me. My flesh was peeled back layer by layer. Cold instruments pulverized my blood vessels and tissues. The pain grew more and more intense. My consciousness became increasingly blurry. I was in a daze, barely able to tell if I was suffering torture in the human world or in hell itself. A sickening *rip* – One of my organs detached. My consciousness suddenly grew faint. Even Serena’s voice wasn’t very clear. I only vaguely heard her say something about “it’s done.” After some more time, I felt myself being lifted and placed into something. My vision suddenly darkened, and I knew something was wrong. “Caleb, followers believe that when a person dies, they return to dust, and then their soul doesn’t wander aimlessly.” Serena’s voice remained gentle. “Early cremation is also good for you.” But I wasn’t dead yet! The feeling of blood loss made my entire body cold. Hearing her words, I felt like I’d been plunged into an icy abyss. I desperately tried to muster every last ounce of strength in my body, wanting to make some noise. But no matter how hard I tried, it was useless. I heard Serena close the cremation oven door. Her hand pressed the cremation button. No, don’t!!! Every cell in my body screamed in silent agony. Why did my life have to end at the hands of the person I once loved?!

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“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight’s main event is about to begin!” “Any gentleman here who can guess Miss Chloe’s measurements can take her home for the night! There’s no limit to how many can guess correctly!” Serena turned to look at me, a smirk playing on her lips. Before the words even faded, men, like hungry wolves, roared and lunged at me. Dozens of hands clawed and groped at my body, mercilessly tearing at my dress. I frantically clutched at my chest, trying to shield myself. “Damian, please, don’t let them do this!” I cried out, looking at Damian, but he stood by Serena’s side, completely unconcerned, not even flinching. Damian was the heir to a powerful fortune, and my husband of three years. Three days after our wedding, he took me to a plastic surgery clinic. He held up a photo, pointing at it as he spoke to the doctor. “I want her to look exactly like the woman in this picture. Understand?” Then he turned to me, his face devoid of emotion. “Chloe Evans, a slight resemblance isn’t enough for me.” The woman in the photo was Serena Lewis, the unobtainable love of Damian’s life. Years ago, she’d left him at their wedding, chasing her so-called ‘true love’ to the other side of the globe. And I, simply because I bore a faint resemblance to Serena, was forced to become a stand-in bride. He promised to cover my mom’s astronomical medical bills. For that, I had to break up with Liam Foster, my childhood sweetheart. Three years into this marriage, I was no longer Chloe Evans. I was like a puppet on strings, forbidden from having thoughts of my own. I was expected to imitate everything about Serena: her every gesture, her every smile, her fashion style, her daily habits. Even the most intimate moments between a husband and wife had to be just like hers. If I copied her well, Damian would accuse me of dreaming of replacing Serena. If I didn’t do it well enough, he’d find new ways to punish me. On the first day of our marriage, Damian told me, “From now on, you will learn her tone of voice, her laugh, her preferences—everything. You will learn it all. Do you understand?” “Why…?” I asked, my voice filled with resentment. He grabbed my wrist, his eyes icy. “Because you are Serena’s substitute. Turning yourself into her is the only reason you exist!” In the days that followed, Damian used every method he could to try and transform me into Serena. “Serena calls me with such tenderness, why do you have no emotion at all?” Damian pinched my chin, his fingers almost digging into my cheek. “Did I marry a robot? Are you even a woman?” I opened my mouth, but only a dry, raspy sound came out. He made me practice countless times, but I could never satisfy him. In the steamy bathroom, he picked up his phone. The screen showed a video of Serena dancing. “Put this on.” He tossed a lace slip dress onto me. “Dance exactly like that.” “But… I can’t…” I whispered, trying to object. “Then learn! If you don’t dance well, don’t even think about sleeping tonight!” He cut me off impatiently, his voice leaving no room for negotiation. I changed into the dress and stood amidst the swirling steam, clumsily imitating the movements from the video. Raising my hand, kicking my leg – every action felt stiff and awkward. Damian leaned back on the sofa, watching me with an amused, mocking look. “Chloe Evans, you’re truly… ugh, a pathetic attempt to mimic her, and frankly, it’s disgusting.” Humiliation made my eyes burn, but I didn’t dare retort. My mom still needed her medical treatment. One day, Damian suddenly tossed a shoe box at me. “Put these on and come with me to the party. Hurry up, don’t keep me waiting.” He actually bought me shoes and wanted to take me to a party? After being married for so long, he had never acknowledged me in public, nor had he ever taken me to any social events. For a moment, I was overwhelmed, cautiously opening the box. Inside was a pair of diamond-encrusted high heels. “They’re beautiful. Are they… for me?” I looked at him, disbelief in my voice. “Stop asking stupid questions. Just put them on.” But when I saw the nearly four-inch stiletto heels, my jaw dropped. I never wore high heels, let alone ones this tall. I looked at Damian, troubled. “Damian, these heels are too high. I really… I can’t wear them.” “Chloe Evans, look at yourself. Do you have an ounce of elegance befitting a woman from a wealthy family? Does your image even deserve to stand next to me, Damian Hayes? You’re not even fit to tie Serena’s shoes.” “You’re wearing these shoes today,” Damian commanded. So, I hobbled along with him to the party in those four-inch heels. During the event, someone called me Mrs. Hayes. To my shock, Damian’s face turned cold. “Remember, call her Miss Evans.” I forced an awkward smile, wanting the ground to swallow me whole. Damian wouldn’t even give me a proper title. By the time the party was over, my ankles were ridiculously swollen, and my toes and heels were raw and bleeding. The pain was excruciating. But Damian wasn’t satisfied with my performance. As soon as we got home, he dragged me into the bathroom, turning the shower on full blast, drenching me in cold water. “Your behavior today was incredibly disappointing. Don’t you dare forget your place just because someone calls you Mrs. Hayes. Don’t even dream of replacing Serena. You are nothing to me.” His voice was low and dangerous, his hand clutching my throat. “Do you know how to make up for it?” “Strip,” he commanded. I looked at him in horror. “Damian, no, please…” If the verbal humiliation and physical punishments had already made me numb, what came next was truly degrading. “Heh, Chloe Evans, why are you pretending to be so innocent in front of me? You’re just an object I own.” Damian forcefully ripped off all my clothes. I stood there, naked and humiliated, before him. I turned my head, trying desperately not to let the tears fall, but Damian wouldn’t even grant me that small dignity. He grabbed my hands, which were covering my chest, and pinned them above my head, pressing me tightly against the wall. “Call me Daddy!” he whispered in my ear, his breathing growing heavier, his other hand roaming relentlessly over my body. The shower continued to pour, drenching both of us, but Damian seemed oblivious to the cold. He was treating me like Serena again. I closed my eyes, pressing my lips together. When I didn’t respond for a long time, Damian suddenly kissed me, tearing at my lips with force. Just as I thought I couldn’t breathe, he released me. “Right. A woman like you, how could you ever make a sound like Serena?” He continued to roughly rub my body, mocking me all the while. “Ah, Damian, you’re hurting me…” I finally couldn’t help but let out a whimper. “Who gave you permission to call my name? I said Daddy, Dad-dy, understand?” His grip tightened, and I couldn’t bear it any longer. I had no choice but to give in. “Daddy…!” But Damian didn’t stop. Instead, he became even more aggressive, deliberately targeting my sensitive spots. He didn’t forget to taunt me with a disgusted tone. “Your voice is truly awful. Not even a fraction as good as Serena’s.” He tormented me again and again, ignoring my pleas, until I couldn’t get out of bed the next day. He said it was my punishment. Afterward, he would gently caress my face. “Serena, I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” He always tormented me in bed, all the while calling out Serena’s name. And I? I was nothing more than an outlet for his unrequited desire.

Not only did I have to endure Damian’s humiliation, but I was also constantly harassed by his crony, Chad Miller. One day, not long after Damian left, the doorbell rang. Chad stood outside, a lecherous grin plastered on his face. “Well, Mrs. Hayes, all alone at home, are we?” He tilted his head, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. “Damian’s not here. Do you need something?” I asked coldly, my hand still on the doorframe, ready to shut it. “Can’t a guy just drop by to see you?” He took a step forward, forcefully pushing his way inside. “Get out.” I pointed to the door. “Don’t be so cold.” He chuckled, moving closer and reaching out to touch my face. “Mr. Miller, have some respect!” I quickly backed away, my voice icy. “If you don’t stop, I’ll call for help.” “Call for help? Who are you going to call?” He scoffed. “This house belongs to Damian, you know. The staff? I already sent them away. Tsk, tsk. I heard Damian say you’re always failing to satisfy him. So I came specifically to help him ‘train’ you.” With that, he suddenly lunged, grabbing my wrist. “Where should I start?” His eyes roamed over my body, restless and invasive. One hand was already reaching for my clothes. “Let go of me!” I struggled fiercely, but his grip was too strong; I couldn’t break free. “Why are you acting so high and mighty?” He leaned down, his breath hot against my face, his lips almost touching mine. “Damian is willing to share everything with his buddies, including women.” His laughter sickened me. Even though I knew Damian didn’t love me, I was still his wife. I couldn’t believe he would allow this to happen. Chad’s hand slid inside my dress. Just as he was about to exert more force, I bit down hard on his arm. “Ah!” He cried out in pain, releasing me and glaring at me. “You little bitch, you’ve got some fight in you!” Before he could react, I grabbed the vase from the table and hurled it at him. *CRASH!* The vase shattered on the floor, fragments scattering everywhere. “You crazy psycho!” He dodged awkwardly, pointing at me furiously. “You just wait, I’ll get you back for this!” With that, he turned and slammed the door as he left. When Damian returned, I told him what had happened. He frowned, but his tone held a hint of impatience. “Why are you always provoking him?” “Provoking him?” I was stunned. “He broke in!” “If you hadn’t flirted with him, would he have acted that way? Go and reflect on yourself. You’re not eating dinner tonight. And besides, he’s my brother. We’ve always shared everything, including women.” Damian sneered, his eyes filled with suspicion and disgust. Their words were identical. So, he really had given his silent consent. From that moment on, the last shred of hope I held for him vanished completely.

I never thought Serena would return one day, or that Damian would push me into an abyss for her. “Damian, darling, I heard you found a stand-in. I’m so sorry, you must have had it tough these past three years. I’ll make it up to you.” Serena’s voice was cloyingly sweet. Damian, however, seemed to relish it. “Serena, it’s enough that you’re back.” With that, they embraced and kissed as if I wasn’t even there. After a while, Serena suddenly feigned surprise. “Oh, Damian, darling, we completely forgot Miss Evans is still here!” “She’s not important. Just pretend she’s air,” Damian said, glancing at me with a look of disdain. “I heard Damian has been training you every day? He wants you to become me? Hmph, you’re clearly out of your depth. Damian, darling, this cheap imitation is terrible, she doesn’t look anything like me!” Serena batted her eyelashes at me, playfully tugging on Damian’s arm. “Don’t be angry, Serena. It’s only because you left, and I missed you so terribly, that I reluctantly found a stand-in. How could a woman like her ever compare to you?” Yes, a woman like me was just a clown, meant for their amusement. Seeing me stand there in silence, Serena immediately put on a wronged expression. “Damian, darling, look at her sour face. Doesn’t she welcome me back? Maybe I should just leave.” Damian immediately slapped me, warning me, “Chloe Evans, Serena is the true mistress of this house. You’d better be polite to her, or I have countless ways to deal with you. Go, get Serena a glass of water, then pack her luggage.” “Oh, Damian, darling, don’t hit her for my sake. Besides, Miss Evans isn’t my maid. Look, she’s so pitiful.” “It’s her blessing to be your maid.” Serena intimately linked her arm through Damian’s, resting her head on his shoulder, proudly asserting her dominance over me. Damian, since your beloved Serena is back, then let me go! Watching them walk away, I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms. Ever since Serena returned, Damian didn’t even bother with pretenses. They were openly intimate in front of me, even leaving the doors open, deliberately making me listen to them. Serena’s cries made my face burn, and Damian’s heavy breathing made me want to flee. Afterward, Serena would look at me with a smug, triumphant expression, then feign regret. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Miss Evans! I forgot you were still at home! Damian, darling, aren’t we being too naughty? Miss Evans will be sad!” “She’s not important, Serena. As long as you’re happy!” Damian wrapped his arm around Serena, not even sparing me a glance. “Damian, since Miss Lewis is back, let’s get a divorce. I wish you and Miss Lewis happiness.” Three years. I couldn’t bear to stay in this place for another day. I couldn’t endure this humiliating life for another moment. Just as I expected Damian to agree without hesitation, he shockingly smashed a glass. “Chloe Evans, you want to leave? Don’t you dare dream of it. You’ll die in my house, even if it’s over my dead body.” I didn’t understand. If he didn’t love me and despised me so much, why wouldn’t he let me go? Was it just to continue humiliating me? Serena clearly hadn’t expected Damian’s reaction. She glared at me fiercely, then turned and walked away, linking her arm with Damian.

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A car crash left my mom a widow, and me an orphan. Later, my mom chose to remarry into a powerful family, and her stepson naturally became my husband. But on our wedding night, Julian just bolted, refusing to even touch me. Julian and his dad, Richard, were always so busy with their work, they barely paid attention to Mom or me. Not until I saw Julian meeting up with his mistress, and then found his STD diagnosis, did I finally break. I ran to my mom, tears streaming down my face. “Julian’s out partying non-stop, living a wild, debauched life! I just can’t do this anymore.” To my surprise, Mom started crying even harder than I was. “Richard… he’s never gotten over his ex-wife, and he’s cheating with the housekeeper! I can’t reach him, not really. This life is even worse.” We looked at each other, and a sudden, shared smile blossomed on our faces. Soon after, news quickly spread online that the wife of the Richardson Group’s CEO and the wife of its President had both tragically died in a cliff accident.

Just a few days ago, I caught Julian secretly meeting up with some other woman behind my back. I was furious, but I didn’t have the guts to confront him. After all this time married to him, I was still a virgin. I figured there was no point torturing myself. His heart wasn’t with me anyway, so let him do whatever he wanted. I could just coast through life. After all, both Mom and I had married into the Richardson family. It wouldn’t look good if I caused a fuss on my own. Then, this morning, I found an STD diagnosis report in Julian’s study. That was it. I couldn’t sit still anymore. I was going to find Mom and discuss getting a divorce. But then, I ran right into Julian at the villa’s entrance. He’d suddenly come home. “Where are you rushing off to?” I was surprised he was suddenly showing concern, but the thought of his infected body made my stomach churn. I deliberately kept my distance, my voice sharp and cold. “Can’t I go home to my mom’s place?” “You never treated me like family anyway. Why bother with the fake concern?” Julian, usually so stoic, actually smirked. Hands in his pockets, he took a few thoughtful steps towards me. “Perfect timing. I’m going back to my dad’s place too. It’s on the way. Let’s go together.” As if! Who’d want to go with him? Who knew what kind of nasty stuff he might have picked up? Besides, I was going back to talk about divorce. He absolutely couldn’t know. I held up both hands. “I’m going to my mom’s to have a heart-to-heart. What business is it of yours?” “Don’t you have work to do? Or did your mistress finally ditch you?” I spun around and walked quickly towards the car. To my surprise, Julian didn’t get angry. He just followed me right into the car. I’d never seen him so thick-skinned before. The car was eerily quiet. Julian kept glancing at me, making my skin crawl. When we got married, I genuinely hoped we’d grow old together. I never imagined he’d be so reckless. At first, I thought maybe I just wasn’t attractive enough for him. So Mom gave me tons of advice, telling me to dress a little more feminine. I secretly bought a bunch of lingerie and “romantic” items on Amazon and tried to parade them in front of Julian when he came home from work. Not only did he not react at all, but he almost kicked me out of the house! After that, all the staff in the villa seemed to think I was the unloved President’s wife. Even the cook started treating me like dirt, saying nasty things. I was so sick of it. Julian didn’t stop the servants from mocking me; he just let them do it. I figured he just didn’t like me and was trying to force me out. Fine, if that’s what he wanted, I’d give it to him. Finally, we arrived at Richard’s old mansion. I practically jumped out of the car, gasping for fresh air, even fanning my nose in disgust. Julian looked utterly speechless, scratching the back of his head. “Scarlett, you seem really upset with me today. Did I do something wrong?” Upset with him *today*? My hatred for him had been simmering since our wedding night. When I didn’t answer, Julian didn’t say anything else. He just quietly followed behind me. My reason for visiting Mom today wasn’t simple, and I absolutely couldn’t let Julian, that eavesdropper, hear a word. So the moment we walked in, I dodged his gaze and dashed straight to Mom’s bedroom.

When I entered, Mom was doing her makeup. I rushed in and locked the door behind me. She stared at me, looking completely bewildered. “Scarlett, what are you doing here? You didn’t even call ahead!” “Do you have some good news for me?” Then she gave me a mischievous grin, her eyes darting to my stomach. I shook my head repeatedly, pulling up my shirt for her to see. “Mom, what are you talking about? You know Julian and I have been married all this time, and we’ve never even shared a bed. I don’t even know what color his boxers are.” Mom gasped in disbelief. “How can that be? Didn’t I tell you to buy some lingerie and things to spice things up? Julian didn’t fall for it?” At this, I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore. I burst out crying. “Julian’s cheating! He’s a total scumbag. I don’t want to be with him anymore.” I’m still so young, I can’t just throw my life away on him, right? If Julian won’t touch me, I refuse to believe no other man will want me. Before Mom could ask anything else, I pressed on. “Not only that, but he’s got an STD. If I stay with him, I might not see next year’s sun.” Seeing how heartbroken I was, Mom suddenly lowered her head too. “Scarlett, I’m actually in a similar boat.” I quickly asked, “You mean Richard… he has an STD too?” Mom waved her hand dismissively. “No, not that. It’s just… I often see him and the housekeeper whispering secretly in his room. Their relationship is definitely more than just professional.” “And he’s always staring at pictures of his ex-wife, lost in thought. He probably still can’t forget her.” “Even though I’m older, I still have needs, you know? But Richard… he’s like he’s impotent. No wonder he and Julian are father and son!” So Mom wasn’t doing much better than me. Typical. Turns out, not a single man in that Richardson family was any good. Mom then asked me, “Are you really sure you want out?” I nodded emphatically, wishing I could rip my heart out and show it to her. But we both knew: marrying into the Richardson family was easy; leaving it? Not so much. Our families had been close for generations, and after my dad’s accident, the Richardsons, fearing we’d be left helpless, came up with the idea of us marrying in. It was meant as a way to “take care” of us, honoring my dad’s memory. The wedding was a huge public affair, but a divorce? The media would tear us apart forever. “Then let’s run away.” I never thought Mom would have the same idea! But how exactly would we escape? We needed a solid plan. Then it hit me. There was probably only one way to truly fool both Julian and his dad. “What about faking our deaths to escape? The kind where they can’t even find a body.” Mom loved the idea. If we weren’t happy in the Richardson family, why shouldn’t we find another way out? Though, this escape route was a bit extreme.

Just thinking about leaving the Richardsons made me unconsciously burst out laughing when I saw Julian. After coming out of Mom’s bedroom, I kept giggling for no particular reason. Julian, who was sitting on the couch, finally couldn’t take it anymore. “What’s so funny? Care to share?” I scoffed, turning my head away, still daydreaming about my life after leaving. My blatant disregard actually seemed to annoy Julian, who was usually so composed. “Scarlett, it’s time to go home. You’ve visited your mom, you can’t possibly stay the night.” *I* wasn’t angry, but *he* was certainly acting like it. Who said I couldn’t stay the night at my mom’s? He was being ridiculous. “Julian, aren’t you being a bit too controlling? What’s the big deal if I sleep here at my mom’s? It’s not like I’m going back to anything but an empty bed anyway.” “Tell me, in all the time I’ve been married to you, have you ever once slept in the same bed as me?” “This marriage is nothing but a sham. What’s so special about it?” The more I spoke, the more emotional I became, completely forgetting that Richard was also sitting in the living room. Richard’s face turned an uncomfortable shade of red. He cleared his throat loudly, then awkwardly grabbed his newspaper and headed outside. Julian clenched his fists, leaning on the sofa armrest. He knew I was impulsive, but he clearly never expected me to air our private matters in front of an elder. Suddenly, he let out a cold chuckle, as if testing me. “Are you mad because I haven’t slept with you? Is that all?” My lips twisted. “What, did you think I married you just to be a glorified widow?” Julian almost choked on his own spit. Seeing his guilt, I pressed on. “I know why you never accepted me. You have someone else, but honestly, I don’t care. Who would want someone with an STD anyway?” I’d made it crystal clear. I expected Julian to explode in anger or rush to explain himself, but he just quietly lowered his gaze. “Guilty, as expected. That’s a silent confession.” Just then, Mom stormed out of her bedroom, absolutely furious, holding a tiny, thong-like piece of lingerie. She marched straight down to the living room. “Richard! Tell me, whose underwear is this?!” Julian couldn’t watch. He pretended to be engrossed in his phone. Richard rushed back inside at Mom’s shriek. When he saw what she was holding, his ears turned beet red. “Victoria, it’s not what you think!” Mom was surprisingly agile. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed the thong right onto Richard’s head. “Then what is it? Don’t think I haven’t noticed you and the housekeeper exchanging glances all the time!” “And the smell on this? It’s clearly the housekeeper’s!” Richard was speechless. He awkwardly pulled the underwear off his head and tossed it into the trash can. “Fine, if you want to believe that, I can’t stop you. Assume it’s the housekeeper’s, then.” Mom was even more enraged. He wasn’t just refusing to explain; he was practically admitting it! Good thing we’d already planned our escape, otherwise these heartless father and son duo would literally drive us to our graves. Mom just collapsed onto the floor, sobbing. “Richard! You’re heartless! Who nursed you all night when you had a cold? Who waited up for you all night when you were out entertaining clients?” “Even though we’re a second marriage, you can’t treat me like this!” As Mom got more worked up, Richard had no choice but to humble himself and try to help her up. But Mom suddenly went wild, grabbing him and laying into him with a barrage of blows. I wanted to tell her, “We’re about to ‘die,’ Mom, there’s no need to waste our breath on them.” But Mom seemed to have lost it, so I had to rush over and pull them apart. In the chaos, Mom suddenly grabbed a nearby vase and hurled it at Richard. And of course, I happened to be right there. The vase missed Richard and landed squarely on my head. I felt something warm trickling down my forehead, and around me, I heard shouts and screams. Before I blacked out, I saw Julian rushing towards me, his eyes wide with what looked like worry, like genuine heartache. I must have been concussed. Julian didn’t even like me. Why would he be worried?

It was late night when we got back from the hospital. On the way back, Julian unconsciously took my hand in his. “If you feel uncomfortable anywhere, tell me right away. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with an idiot.” See? That’s the real Julian. I knew that moment this afternoon had to be my imagination. “Don’t worry,” I retorted, pulling my hand away mercilessly. “I don’t want to live with someone who has an STD either.” Julian seemed to zone out for a second, as if desperate to explain something, but in the end, he said nothing. After a whole night of commotion, I was exhausted. But the thought of escaping this dreadful place tomorrow brought a sliver of comfort. Back at the villa, I naturally headed to my bedroom, ready to close the door. But Julian suddenly appeared, blocking my bedroom door with his hand. “Wait!” I slapped his hand off the door. “Wait for what? Can’t you see my eyelids are practically glued shut?” Julian was persistent, telling me not to close the door. I wanted to see what he was up to now. A moment later, he reappeared in front of me, carrying a duvet from the neighboring bedroom. *My* head was the one that got hit. Why was *he* acting crazy? “It’s so hot, I don’t need such a thick blanket. Besides, who knows if there are any germs on that?” Julian stood there, looking utterly forlorn, like a lost child. He dropped his usual cutting remarks, speaking to me with a rare, gentle tone. “Your head injury isn’t healed yet. If we sleep together, I can look after you.” “Didn’t you complain I never slept with you? Well, I’m making it up to you now.” Oh no. His mistress must have dumped him, and now he was trying to come back to me. But I was leaving soon. I didn’t need his charity. “I just have a minor cut. I’m not paralyzed, and I don’t need someone to babysit me.” Ignoring his pitiful expression, I slammed the bedroom door shut. After a long while, hearing no movement outside, I quietly got up and opened the door again. I thought Julian would be asleep, but there he was, sitting alone in the living room, drowning his sorrows. I stood on the second floor, looking down at him, watching him pour drink after drink down his throat. He seemed completely out of it. In all our time married, I’d never seen him so wasted. His mistress must have really hurt him, that’s why he was drinking his sorrows away. Just as I was about to leave, a voice suddenly came from downstairs. “Don’t go, Scarlett.” My heart lurched. I turned back and met Julian’s bloodshot eyes, brimming with tears, as if they’d overflow any second. But I couldn’t stay. There was no point in us continuing this anymore.

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After the Thorne family went bankrupt, my stepsister, Vanessa, and I were thrown into a strange selection process for a substitute bride. Whoever was picked would be married off to the comatose eldest son of the wealthiest family. Vanessa was destined to be chosen. While I, bound by a family agreement, was set to marry Alex Sterling, my childhood friend who’d been in love with Vanessa for a decade. In my last life, he begged me to undergo nine IVF procedures, and I finally conceived a boy and a girl. When I was confined to the attic during my late pregnancy, forced to rest, he and my recently widowed stepsister were having a passionate affair in the master bedroom downstairs, night after night. A week before I gave birth, he deliberately swerved, crashing the car into a guardrail, letting sharp metal pierce my abdomen. The second before my consciousness faded, I heard his unrestrained joy: “Vanessa, Iris is finally dead. We can get married tomorrow!” I opened my eyes again and found myself back on the night of the drawing. Looking at my stepsister, who was crying into her hands, I leaned in close to her ear, smiling: “How about it, sis? I’ll marry him instead of you?” That unfaithful bastard? Not even if he begged!

A round of applause erupted from the crowd. Vanessa’s face was ashen, her fingers digging into my clothes, clinging desperately. “The second Miss Thorne is truly blessed with good fortune.” “From an illegitimate daughter of a bankrupt family to the future mistress of the wealthiest household – who wouldn’t be envious?” A few people deliberately spoke loudly, then covered their mouths, giggling. Vanessa gritted her teeth, her tear-filled eyes glaring at Mrs. Thorne. “I don’t want to marry him! I want to marry Alex! Alex promised he’d only marry me! And I’ll only marry him!” Mrs. Thorne quickly clamped a hand over her mouth. I stood there, stunned, staring at the empty lot slip in my hand. The excruciating pain of the guardrail piercing my abdomen still hadn’t faded. I instinctively looked towards Alex Sterling. The man stood there, fists clenched and trembling, his eyes bloodshot with rage. It was a stark contrast to his usual gentle demeanor. The next second, he strode forward and bowed deeply to the Hayes family representatives. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he cleared his throat, “the second Miss Thorne is still young and doesn’t know how to care for others. I believe it would be better to have the eldest Miss Thorne marry instead.” The entire room fell into a sudden, dead silence. No one had ever dared to offer an opinion to the Hayes family. In my last life, Alex had merely watched helplessly as the woman he loved married another. Right up until her wedding ended, he’d locked himself in his room, numbing himself by systematically collapsing his business rivals’ stock. Could it be that… A thought flashed through my mind, and my hair instantly stood on end. Had he been reborn too? The Hayes family’s old butler slowly rose, leaning on his cane, his sharp gaze sweeping over me and Vanessa, who was trembling uncontrollably behind me. “Mr. Sterling is truly considerate.” “It appears the second Miss Thorne’s identity truly doesn’t suit our Hayes family. In that case, let the eldest Miss marry our eldest young master.” With that, the old man led the others away. Vanessa’s breath hitched, her long, sharp nails digging tighter and tighter into my arm. Her eyes were sinister, but her voice was pitifully aggrieved: “Iris, that Hayes family’s eldest young master is just a useless invalid clinging to life. If you marry him and he drops dead on the spot, the Hayes family won’t come back to haunt us, will they?” A flicker of hesitation crossed Alex Sterling’s eyes. He pulled Vanessa into a comforting embrace and murmured, “Vanessa, we’ll fulfill our engagement tomorrow, okay?” “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to throw you a wedding that will shake the entire city.” As he spoke, he glanced at me a few times, observing my reaction. In his eyes, my expression was surely one of utter devastation. But I simply offered a polite smile and bowed deeply to him. “Mr. Sterling, thank you for your help to the Thorne family. I’m truly grateful.” As the man stood there, momentarily stunned, I handed him a string of simple jade beads. We had picked them out together from a street vendor when we were little. He’d told me to keep them, and then never mentioned them again. “Just a small token of my appreciation.” When my fingertips brushed his cool palm, my body involuntarily shivered. Alex Sterling’s gaze was dark and unreadable. He released Vanessa’s hand and meticulously examined the gift. After a heavy sigh, the red string snapped, and the beads scattered across the floor. His gaze, when it met mine, was utterly indifferent. “The eldest Miss Thorne sends me this trash?” He scoffed, casually nudging the nearest bead with the tip of his leather shoe. “This kind of ‘token,’ you might as well not send it at all.”

My chest felt heavy, as if a stone had been lodged there. I took a deep breath, forcing down the stinging tears in my eyes. “Alright, tomorrow I’ll bring you the antique watch from home…” “No need.” Alex Sterling took Vanessa’s hand, lacing his fingers with hers. The plain band on his middle finger was unassuming, yet he’d worn it for ten years. Only because it was the first gift Vanessa had ever given him. “If the person giving the gift is wrong, then nothing is right.” “Mrs. Thorne, Vanessa and I have a date. We’ll be leaving now.” With that, he walked away, his arm around Vanessa, not sparing me another glance. It seemed I had been delusional. “Slap!” Before I could even process my emotions, a loud slap landed on my cheek. A ringing sound echoed in my eardrums. My face went numb, then a burning sting spread across it. “You little bitch! Still coveting the family’s assets? I’m telling you, the Thorne family won’t give you a single penny as dowry! Dreaming of that antique watch? In your dreams!” “But that was my mother’s…” Before I could finish, another slap landed. My eyes red, I met her distorted, furious face. “Your mother’s been dead for ten years! She didn’t leave you a separate will before she jumped into the river.” “If I hadn’t brought my lucky star daughter into this family, the Thornes would have been cursed into extinction by you long ago.” I staggered backward, fumbling, and knocked over a cup of scalding hot green tea. The tea splattered on the back of my hand, but it was nothing compared to the chill in my heart. My father was superstitious. She had specifically sought out a psychic to analyze my and Vanessa’s birth charts. That’s why, before my mother’s memorial rites were even over, she was able to bring her illegitimate daughter, claiming her to be a lucky charm, and they officially moved into our family home. My father loved to boast about his second daughter’s special ‘blessed’ constitution, and the rumors had long since reached the Hayes family. Mr. Hayes, desperate to save his son, didn’t hesitate to stoop low, manipulating the Thorne corporation to drain its assets, and then proposed a substitute marriage. And there was another, bigger secret, one I had kept buried deep until the day I died. Seeing that I wasn’t arguing or crying, Mrs. Thorne snorted. “Just like your pathetic mother, a complete pushover.” “After you’re married, remember to rake in plenty of money and bring it back to the Thorne family.” I swallowed the metallic taste in my mouth, letting her yank my hair as she dragged me outside. “The Hayes family has more than one son. If you play your cards right, you might even snag that playboy second son.” *In her dreams.* I silently replied. In the last life, after Vanessa married Marcus, the second son, Julian Hayes, immediately branched off from the family, cutting ties with the greedy Thorne family at lightning speed. When Mrs. Thorne dumped me at the door, the servants nearby were still gossiping: “That lady just ran off, leaving her daughter to be bullied by her stepmother.” “I say, what man doesn’t change his mind? Just turn a blind eye, and it’s over.” “They’re too used to good lives, can’t handle a little setback. All these rich ladies are like that…” I couldn’t take it anymore and roared, “Shut up!” The few women immediately fell silent, startled. When they realized it was me, they all relaxed. “What’s all this noise about?” Vanessa, holding Alex Sterling’s hand, came closer. “Sister, how can you be so mean to the servants?” Her soft, delicate voice immediately garnered a chorus of agreement. Alex Sterling frowned at me. “Although your mother’s death left you with psychological trauma, what they’re saying isn’t wrong.” “Can’t you be a little more lenient?” The elderly woman leading the group jutted out her neck in agreement. “Mr. Sterling is right, we didn’t mean to.” I laughed, exasperated, and lunged forward to hit her. Vanessa spread her arms wide, desperately blocking me. “Martha has taken care of me since I was little. If you’re angry, take it out on me, ah!”

Vanessa screamed and fell backward, pulling me down with her into the pond. “Splash!” The cold water choked my lungs the moment I hit it. I fought through the pain, trying to swim to the surface. But the more Vanessa struggled, the more I was dragged deeper into the water. “Splash!” Another splash, and the water’s surface suddenly exploded with light. Vanessa immediately released the leg she had wrapped around my waist and vanished from my sight. I desperately groped around, but there was nothing left. In a daze, the scene of my death from the previous life replayed before my eyes. I can’t die! Digging my fingernails into the muddy pond wall, I struggled to climb up. My broken fingernails peeled back, but the pain was nothing compared to my tattered heart. Finally, someone pulled me up. I pushed aside my soaking wet hair and coughed,趴吐ed at the edge of the pond, while Vanessa shivered, burrowing into Alex Sterling’s embrace. “Alex… my sister pushed me… I’m scared!” Alex Sterling took off his soaked suit jacket, grabbed a dry towel, and wrapped it tightly around her. The worry in his eyes was the genuine concern I had always longed for. And when he faced Vanessa, he was never insincere or dismissive. Warm tears flowed down my face. I bit down hard on my lip, all my accusations choked in my throat. Alex Sterling belatedly looked at me. He subconsciously released Vanessa, his eyes darting away as he helped me up from the ground. “Iris, you…” “Do you still remember this place?” I cut him off, forcing a bitter smile. My mother had just passed away then; her body hadn’t even been fully recovered from the river. My father, meanwhile, accompanied that mother and daughter on a trip. In the vast Thorne mansion, only Alex Sterling had climbed over the wall and sat with me in the courtyard all night long. “You said you’d protect me forever, that even if I fell into this pond, you’d jump in without hesitation to save me.” They say children’s words mean nothing, but I had remembered them for eighteen years. “Alex Sterling, when did you change?” His fingers, which were helping me, trembled violently. His eyes were full of heartache. Just as he was about to speak, Vanessa suddenly coughed violently. “Be careful not to catch a cold.” He instinctively warned Vanessa, yet his gaze remained fixed on my face. “Iris, get inside first, it’s cold out here.” Before I could even nod, my father roared, charging towards us. “You disgraceful child!” The brass buckle of his belt struck my kneecap directly. Alex Sterling let go, and I tumbled onto the pile of碎石. Mrs. Thorne frantically brought a fur coat and draped it over Vanessa. That was clearly my mother’s heirloom! I took a deep breath, and with all my might, I screamed, “Don’t you dare touch my mother’s things!” My father’s furious voice was my only answer: “You deliberately pushed Vanessa into the pond! How could you be as malicious as that short-lived mother of yours!” “These are all Thorne family belongings! What right do you, a daughter who’s marrying out in a few days, have to tell us what to do?” Alex Sterling remained silent. Mrs. Thorne shrieked and cried, “My Vanessa, wake up, don’t scare your mommy!” She turned, her face contorted, glaring at me, her tear-filled eyes bloodshot: “If anything happens to Vanessa, I’ll have your birth mother’s ashes dug out of the family grave!” I laughed, exasperated, and coldly watched the performance of this theatrical family. Vanessa, who had been lying there with her eyes closed, suddenly began to twitch. “Alex, I’m so cold, save me.” The sob in her voice completely unnerved Alex Sterling. The guilt on his face was replaced by urgency. He quickly scooped the heavily wrapped woman into the living room. The boy who had once saved me in my memories had now personally abandoned me. He truly died the day Vanessa and her mother moved in. “You’re to spend the entire night kneeling, and tomorrow you’ll be writing lines in the family study!” My father finished, then slammed the front door shut. The courtyard instantly fell silent. All my strength was gone. My heart was like a stagnant pool, completely still. This home had no room for me anymore. I picked at the broken stones under my knees and suddenly smiled with a sense of release. It felt so good to have no lingering attachment. They didn’t know. As long as I held out until noon tomorrow, this little sympathy play would be over.

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My five-year marriage, in that single moment, became a bitter mockery. “For tomorrow’s monthly report meeting, I want Caleb to present your brand proposal.” My wife, Sarah, said without even looking up. I put down the files I was sorting, thinking I’d misheard. “What did you say?” “Caleb just joined the company. He needs a chance to prove himself, and your proposal is perfect.” She finally looked up, her eyes showing no room for negotiation. “That’s my submission for the competition.” “You win awards every year anyway. What’s the big deal if you let him have it just this once?” Her tone was casual, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Besides, the company needs to nurture new talent.” I stared at the woman I’d shared a bed with for five years, and suddenly, her face blurred. “Do you know how many all-nighters I pulled for this proposal? You’re giving it to an intern who just started?” “Alex, don’t be so petty. It’s just a proposal, isn’t it?” Her face hardened. “I’ve already decided.” My fists clenched, rage surged through my veins.

I never imagined my wife of five years would give away the creative proposal I’d worked on through the night. Hand it over, completely untouched, to an intern who’d only been with the company for half a month. When I saw Caleb, standing on the stage at the company’s monthly report meeting, confidently presenting the brand proposal I’d spent three sleepless nights on, I felt utterly sick. The icy chill of betrayal drenched me from head to toe. Colleagues in the audience cast admiring glances at Caleb. The department manager nodded repeatedly. Some even whispered about how remarkably talented this newcomer was. I sat in the last row of the conference room, watching the young man, seven years my junior, in a perfectly tailored suit. He gracefully pointed at the projector screen, showcasing my hard work, introducing “his” creative concepts to everyone. Sarah sat at the head table, her eyes filled with pride and satisfaction, as if she’d discovered some extraordinary talent. She even praised Caleb publicly, calling him a rare creative star the company had seen in years, worthy of everyone’s admiration. My fists clenched into tight knots under the table, my nails digging hard into my palms, almost breaking the skin. After the meeting, I blocked Sarah’s office door. When she saw me, her face still glowed with excitement from before, her eyes bright and sparkling. She had absolutely no idea how serious the problem was. “Alex, you saw it, didn’t you? Caleb really is talented. That proposal is just amazing.” I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice calm. “Sarah, that was *my* proposal.” She paused, then waved a dismissive hand, her tone light. “Oh, you mean that. I thought Caleb just joined the company and needed a chance to prove himself, so I let him use your proposal just to cut his teeth on.” Cut his teeth on. My three days and nights of hard work, in her mouth, became a mere tool for an intern to practice with. “Do you know what that proposal means to me? It’s my submission for this year’s International Creative Awards.” A hint of awkwardness finally crossed Sarah’s face, but she quickly reverted to her usual self-righteous demeanor. “You win awards every year anyway. What’s the big deal if you let him have it just this once? Besides, this was just an internal report, not an actual competition entry.” A burning inferno raged in my chest, and my blood boiled with pure fury. “Sarah, what do you take me for?” She seemed startled by my sudden serious tone, a flash of panic in her eyes. “Don’t be like that. Caleb is just a kid, fresh out of college. I was just trying to help him grow quickly.” I turned and walked away, not wanting to hear any more of her explanations. Her voice calling my name echoed behind me, but I didn’t have the strength to turn back.

The next morning, I deliberately avoided leaving at the same time as Sarah. After arriving at work, I went straight to my personal studio. This was a private space Sarah had specially partitioned for me in the company. It housed all my creative works and award certificates from over the years. But the moment I pushed open the door, I froze. All the trophies and certificates that usually sat in the display cabinet were gone. The posters I had personally designed, hanging on the walls, had been taken down, replaced by decorative paintings I’d never seen before. What made me even angrier was finding Caleb sitting in my chair. Design drafts were spread out in front of him, and a cup of coffee sat nearby, making him look like the owner of the place. He saw me enter, a flicker of panic in his eyes, but it quickly morphed into that innocent expression. “Mr. Hayes, you’re here. Ms. Sterling said I could work here temporarily because it’s too noisy outside, and it affects my thinking.” Ms. Sterling. That title grated on my ears. “Where are my things?” Caleb pretended not to understand, his gaze darting away. “What things?” “My trophies, my certificates, my work.” “Oh, those. Ms. Sterling said she put them away for now. She said displaying them might put pressure on me.” I stared at him for a long moment, then turned to find Sarah. She was in a meeting with a few clients. Her brow furrowed when she saw me push the door open. “Sarah, I need to talk to you.” “Wait until I finish my meeting.” “Now.” My tone left no room for refusal. The clients sensed the tension in the air and voluntarily suggested rescheduling. Once only the two of us were left in the conference room, Sarah impatiently spoke. “What’s wrong now? Didn’t I explain everything yesterday?” “Why are all my things gone from my studio?” Her expression flickered with a hint of guilt, but her words remained unyielding, defiant. “Caleb needs a quiet environment to create. And those trophies, they really do put pressure on people when they’re displayed there.” “That’s *my* studio.” “Every space in this company is mine. I can arrange it however I want!” That sentence slapped me hard across the face. Yes, this was her company. Phoenix Creative, which she had built from the ground up. And I, I was merely her nominal Creative Director, in reality, more like a free idea provider. When we first partnered, I contributed my expertise as an investment, but my stake was small. Most of the decision-making power was in her hands. I always thought we had moved beyond that initial purely transactional relationship. I thought we had real love and trust between us. But now, it seemed, in her mind, I was still just a subordinate she could freely command. “Sarah, you’ve changed.” A flicker of something crossed her eyes, but it was quickly masked by stubbornness. “I haven’t changed. You’re just too sensitive. It’s just borrowing a space, why are you making such a fuss?” I turned and left the conference room, a decision hardening in my heart. Since she didn’t care about my feelings, there was no need for me to continue to compromise.

Over the next few days, I consciously distanced myself from Sarah. In the mornings, I left earlier than her. At night, I waited until she was asleep before coming home, minimizing our time alone. But what I didn’t expect was for Caleb to actively seek me out. When he knocked on the door of my temporary office, he wore that seemingly sincere smile. “Mr. Hayes, I know you misunderstand me, but I truly just want to learn.” I kept my eyes on the computer screen, not looking up. “Learning doesn’t require taking over someone else’s studio.” He sat in the chair opposite me, his tone carrying an uncomfortable intimacy. “Actually, I’ve always admired your work. It’s truly an honor to work in the same company as you.” “If you truly admired it, you wouldn’t have used my proposal and passed it off as your own.” Caleb’s face shifted, but he quickly regained that innocent expression. “Mr. Hayes, you’ve misunderstood.” “Ms. Sterling said that proposal was a collective company effort, and she just asked me to present it to train my presentation skills.” I finally looked up at him, studying his expression carefully. The young man was indeed good-looking, with fair skin and delicate features. When he spoke, his eyes would curve into crescent moons, making it easy for people to like him. But in the depths of his eyes, I caught a subtle, almost imperceptible glint of triumph and calculation. “Caleb, how old are you this year?” “Twenty-three.” “Then you should know what honesty means.” His smile stiffened. “Mr. Hayes, I don’t understand what you mean.” “My meaning is very clear. That proposal, from beginning to end, was completed entirely by me.” “You knew that, yet you still had the audacity to present it. That’s called shamelessness.” Caleb’s face instantly flushed red, but he quickly composed himself. “Mr. Hayes, what you’re saying is very hurtful. I truly was just doing what Ms. Sterling asked.” With that, he hurriedly left my office. But I knew, this wouldn’t be the end of it. Sure enough, that same afternoon, Sarah stormed into my office. “Alex, what do you mean by that?! Why did you talk to Caleb like that?!” I put down my pen and calmly looked at her. “What did I say?” “You called him shameless, said he stole your proposal. He’s just a kid who just graduated, what you said will hurt him!” I couldn’t help but laugh, but there was no warmth in that laugh. “He’s hurt? What about me? Who cares about my feelings?” Sarah froze for a moment, apparently not expecting me to retort like that. “You’re an adult. You should be more understanding. Besides, Caleb didn’t mean any harm.” “No harm? Then why did he claim it was his own creative concept during the report?” “He just has poor communication skills, maybe his phrasing was problematic.” I realized that no matter what I said, she would find an excuse for Caleb. This blatant favoritism sent an unprecedented chill through me. “Sarah, do you… do you like him?” The words blurted out before I could stop myself. Her face instantly turned ashen, a flash of panic in her eyes. “What are you talking about? He’s just my subordinate!” “A subordinate needs this much protection from you?” “Can a subordinate casually use my studio? Can a subordinate take credit for my creative ideas?” Sarah bit her lip, silent for a long time. Finally, she just said coldly, “Alex, you’re being too extreme!” Then she left my office.

The next day, I found that several important creative files on my computer had been deleted, and even the recycle bin had been emptied. These files were proposals I had recently prepared for several major clients, each one costing me a great deal of effort. Even worse, one of them was my entry for the Global Advertising Festival, an award that held significant meaning for me. I immediately contacted the IT department and asked them to help me recover the data. The technicians checked and told me that these files were deliberately deleted, and the deletion time was around eleven last night. At eleven last night, I was already home. Only the security guards and employees working overtime were at the company. I reviewed the surveillance footage and found that Caleb had indeed stayed at the company very late last night, and he had also entered my office. When I told Sarah about this discovery, her reaction utterly disappointed me. “Maybe he wanted to learn your creative process and accidentally deleted them. Don’t maliciously speculate about a kid.” “Accidentally deleted? Sarah, even the recycle bin was emptied. Is that an accidental deletion?” “Maybe he was trying to help you clear junk files.” I looked at her defending Caleb, and suddenly, this woman in front of me felt so foreign. “Fine, even if it was an accidental deletion, why didn’t he tell me? Why did he hide it?” “He was probably afraid you’d blame him.” I took a deep breath, trying to control my emotions. “Sarah, I’ll ask you one last time. If it has to be one of us, me or Caleb, who would you choose?” She froze, clearly not expecting such a question. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice trembling slightly. “Why are you forcing me to choose? You’re both important to me.” “Answer me!” A flicker of something crossed her eyes, but she finally gritted her teeth and said it. “I won’t fire Caleb. He’s a young man with potential. His future shouldn’t be ruined because of some misunderstanding.” Those words were like a dagger plunged into my heart. I understood then. In her heart, I held less importance than an intern she’d known for less than a month. “Alright, I understand.” I turned and left her office, having made up my mind. That same evening, I contacted my lawyer friend, Marcus. “Marcus, help me draft a divorce agreement.” There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line. “Alex, are you serious? You and Sarah were always so good together.” “Just prepare it. I want to see the agreement within three days.” “Okay, but you need to think carefully. There’s the issue of company shares between you two.” “I know. I’ll give up all my shares in her company, but I have one condition.” “What condition?” “I want to reclaim the copyrights for all my original works, as well as the copyrights for all the creative proposals I’ve designed for the company over the past five years.” Marcus gasped. “Alex, those are the core assets of her company!” “They were always my work. I’m just taking back what belongs to me.”

Over the next few days, I quietly began gathering evidence to prove that those creative proposals were indeed my original work. I dug out all the creative drafts, organized the evolution of the design concepts. I even found testimony from some clients, proving that they initially chose to work with Phoenix Creative because of my ideas. At the same time, I was secretly contacting some excellent creative talents, preparing to establish my own studio. During this period, Caleb seemed to sense something and started badmouthing me frequently to Sarah. He told Sarah that my work attitude had been very negative recently, and that I had been hostile towards him, affecting his work enthusiasm. Sarah actually believed him and even specifically called me in to talk, saying my recent performance had disappointed her. “Alex, Caleb said you’ve been quite unfriendly to him lately. That’s really bad for the company’s team atmosphere.” I sat opposite her, calmly looking at her. “What else did he say?” “He said you deliberately assigned him unreasonable tasks and even disparaged his abilities in front of other colleagues.” I couldn’t help but laugh. This Caleb really knew how to twist facts. “And you believe him?” Sarah avoided my gaze, a hint of guilt in her eyes. “I just hope you two can get along. After all, you’re colleagues in the same company.” “Alright, I understand.” I stood up to leave, but Sarah called out to me. “Alex, are you upset with me recently?” I turned back to look at her, a bitter pang in my heart. “No, I’m fine.” “That’s good. I thought you were mad at me.” I didn’t say anything more and left her office directly. That same afternoon, I received the first draft of the divorce agreement from Marcus. I read it carefully, confirmed there were no issues, and decided to confront her that night. When I got home, Sarah was busy in the kitchen, seemingly in a good mood. “Why are you home so early today?” “There’s something I want to talk to you about.” She walked out of the kitchen, carrying the freshly cooked dishes, a smile still on her face. “What’s so mysterious?” I took the divorce agreement from my briefcase and placed it on the dining table. Sarah’s plate almost slipped from her hands when she saw the cover of the agreement. “What does this mean?” Her voice trembled, her face instantly turning pale. “I don’t think there’s any need for us to continue.” “Let’s get a divorce.” “Because of Caleb, you want to divorce me?” I shook my head. “It’s not because of Caleb. It’s because of your distrust and disrespect towards me.” “Where did I disrespect you?”

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