Author: Momo Chan

At the product launch event, my stepson pulled off my dress in front of everyone. hat day, the trending topics were filled with photos of me trying desperately to cover myself. He smugly held up his phone: “Just a stand-in, and you think you can have both a family and a career?” “Since you’re using my mom’s eyes, you should stay home and be a servant!” The cruel comments online were hard to read, but nothing hurt more than the cold, hateful look from Asher Thompson. Twenty years ago, I had no choice when I was abducted. Twelve years ago, when my biological parents found me, I had no choice. Eight years ago, I had no choice when I was married off as a stand-in for my foster sister to Declan Thompson. But now, I want to make my own choice. I won’t continue down this path with you. 0 I quickly wrapped myself with a tablecloth, fumbling to end the live stream. Asher smirked, satisfied: “This is what you deserve for causing my mom’s death. This is your punishment!” “Letting you live without making you pay with blood is already merciful!” He was only eight years old, so it’s clear where he learned such words. I frowned and explained, “Your mother’s death had nothing to do with me.” Years ago, my foster sister Adeline Carter died in a drunk-driving accident; I wasn’t even there. Asher’s expression showed a hint of guilt. He kicked the table and stormed off, his face full of anger. In the past, I would have chased after him, patiently explaining. But now, I silently returned to my room. I didn’t expect to find all the clothes prepared for the event slashed and torn, scattered on the ground. Especially the Xiangyun silk dress ordered by a client—it was completely destroyed. The fabric was out of stock and couldn’t be quickly remade. Behind me, I heard Asher’s gleeful laughter. He held a pair of scissors, looking menacing: “Nora Carter, who told you to take my mom’s eyes?” “I want you to know what it’s like to lose something.” He plunged the scissors into a cloth doll on the table, his eyes filled with malice. I stood amidst the destruction, speechless as I watched him leave. Years ago, after being abducted for over a decade, I returned home, only to find Adeline had already won everyone’s hearts. The home I longed for was not as warm as I imagined. After her death, my mother sent me to the Thompson family. Declan’s only request was for me to bear the child for him and Adeline. At 30, I’ve never known the love of family. The child I carried for ten months and raised for eight years now sees me as an enemy. My eyes felt dry and painful; my heart seemed encased in ice. I kneeled to clean up the mess. A pair of feet stopped in front of me. Looking up, I saw Declan Thompson with his eyes downcast, sighing. His gaze was gentle, but his voice was cold and distant: “Nora, you were wrong from the start.” He extended a hand to me as if offering charity: “Asher is only eight years old; he needs your full attention.” As I stood up, the torn fabric fell again to the ground. Declan’s gaze softened, maybe pitying my futile struggle. “You should cherish Adeline’s eyes. I’ve seen you stay up late to design sketches. What if you damage her eyes?” “Take this opportunity to close your online store. I’ll help with the compensation.” His hand caressed my face, intensely staring into my eyes: “Be good. You know why I keep you around.” Of course, I understood. Because of these eyes that once belonged to Adeline Carter. Someone can love another so obsessively. Every time we were intimate, he wouldn’t let me close my eyes. Through me, he was looking at another woman. I served them wholeheartedly for eight years but never warmed their hearts. He pulled me into his embrace, his hot breath on my neck. “Nora, if you’re really lonely.” “I might allow you to give me a child.” His lips were warm and soft, landing on my cheeks and lips. Though his embrace was burning hot, I felt like I was in an ice cave. Back then, Declan didn’t want to accept me. But my mother said Adeline had frozen her eggs early, and I could be the incubator for their love child. Only then did Declan agree. Later, when he drunkenly pinned me down, his first words upon waking were: “Don’t dream of having my child; you’re not worthy.” He watched me take birth control pills again and again. Now, eight years later, faced with his rare generosity, I didn’t feel grateful. Instead, I turned my head away from his kiss. “The eight-year term is up.” “Declan Thompson, it’s time for me to leave.” 0

After the interruption, Declan’s expression turned angry: “Just because of a torn dress?” “Asher is only 8 years old; he’s still a child!” “You’re supposed to be his mother. I haven’t asked what you’ve done in these eight years to make him hate you so much. And you have the nerve to throw a tantrum?” Mother? How am I even qualified? I’m not even his lover; just a surrogate tool, something to satisfy his needs. There are too many who could replace me. Back then, he was engaged to me but fell for my foster sister Adeline. He declared that even if I was found, he would only marry her. Declan arranged a grand proposal, pledging eternal love amidst everyone’s blessings. But later, Adeline suddenly died in a drunk driving accident. My parents didn’t want to give up the alliance with the Thompson family. Seeing Declan’s deep sorrow, they came up with the plan to send me into the Thompson household. I had suffered abuse from my adoptive parents, nearly losing my sight. So my mother had Adeline’s corneas transplanted to me. Declan was obsessed with Adeline and wanted a child related to her. Because of my eyes, he agreed to take me in. We agreed that I would stay with him for eight years, raising Asher, and then I could leave. No wedding dress, no ceremony, not even a marriage certificate. From beginning to end, no one asked if I was willing. I lowered my eyes and said calmly, “I’m not throwing a tantrum.” “We agreed on eight years from the start.” “Staying with you without a name or status also delays you from finding someone new. ” Declan relaxed his brows, his tense body also easing a lot: “Nora. ” He sighed, gently coaxing: “You’re making a fuss just to get a title, right?” “If you’re obedient, this time, if you give me a son, I might consider marrying you.” “No.” As a child, I was abused by my foster parents, not even getting enough to eat. After being found, I was like air in the Carter family, just a tool for use. I’ve never been loved. How could I bear to bring a child into this world to suffer? I stepped back, taking out a prepared document from my bag. “I’ve organized all the recipes on a USB drive.” “Asher’s preferences, study progress, extracurricular arrangements, I’ve detailed everything.” “Asher has grown, and now he hates me so much. Staying would only affect his growth.” “You should find a good tutor to teach him.” Declan grabbed my chin, cracks appearing in his gentle facade: “Nora Carter, since when do you get to decide?” He took the USB drive and smashed it against the wall, shattering it, pieces scattering everywhere. His long fingers slowly tore the remaining papers. Expressionlessly, he said: “Don’t test my patience.” “For raising Asher and for your eyes, I’ll let this go.” “When you get back, close the online store. You can’t leave the house this month!” He opened the door, coldly instructing his subordinates: “Send her home immediately. Keep a close watch on her.” On the way home, we passed a park where many parents were flying kites with their children. The kites seemed to soar into the high sky, but they were always tethered by a thin string. Before being sent to the Thompson home, my mom took me to a beauty salon to undergo procedures to resemble Adeline’s face. She instructed me on all of Adeline’s preferences, including her clothing style, favorite perfume, and foods she loved. I looked at the increasingly unfamiliar reflection in the mirror. Mom stood behind me, placing a jade bracelet on my wrist: “This was Adeline’s. Wear it to remind yourself what got you into the Thompson family.” “Don’t feel wronged. The Thompson family is worth billions. Many would do anything to be by his side.” “Remember, this is your leverage to stand firm in that family.” “Once you become Mrs. Thompson, you’ll thank me.” I was obedient, mimicking Adeline’s every move. Declan was pleased with me over the years. That’s why he allowed me to start my online store and design. But a fake can never become real. Charity can be easily withdrawn. … I was just about to head upstairs. A bucket of dirty water fell from above; Asher stood on the steps, laughing wildly: “Nora Carter, does my pee smell good?” “If you don’t leave my house, next time I’ll make you eat shit, believe it or not!” Covered in filth, the servants all stood aside, watching the show. He was very proud of his prank, forgetting all the teachings I had given him. When my mom visited during my postpartum period, she said: “Even if he’s not your blood, you carried him. Raise him well, and you’ll reap good in your old age.” The moment I held the tiny baby in my arms, my heart softened completely. In the ordinary, mundane times, I had an unwarranted hope. Now, the falsehoods have ended. It’s all become empty. 0

“Stay at my house any longer, and next time, I’ll make sure you regret it!” I was covered in dirt, and the servants stood by, amused by the spectacle. He was pleased with his prank, forgetting everything I had taught him. When Mom visited during the postpartum period, she said, “Even if he’s not your flesh and blood, he’s still the child you raised.” “Raise him well, and you’ll find comfort in your old age.” When I held the tiny baby in my arms, my heart melted completely. In those ordinary moments, I allowed myself hopes I shouldn’t have. Now, the illusion has shattered, leaving nothing but emptiness. 03 I clenched my fists, looking up at him: “Asher Thompson, don’t underestimate small misdeeds. Have you forgotten already?” Then I saw a woman, scantily dressed, lazily emerge from Declan Thompson’s room: “Nora, Asher is still young. It’s normal for him to be a bit mischievous. Don’t be too harsh.” Asher immediately leaped into her arms: “Aunt Rosalie, you’re the only one who’s good to me. You have no idea what I’ve endured these years.” “I heard after she was abducted, she lived in a pigsty every day. No wonder she always smells bad!” “Not like Aunt Rosalie, who’s always fragrant and soft.” My heart tightened. Back then, I rarely had a full meal at my foster parents’ house, and my health was always poor. Even at the Thompson house, I fell ill frequently. Declan Thompson disliked me, and the servants at home didn’t treat me well. Only little Asher Thompson would sneak into my room at night, stuffing handfuls of candy into my hands. “Aunt Nora, eat this. Candy will make the pain go away.” His tiny hand covered the scars on my body, and in his childish yet determined voice, he said, “When I grow up, I’ll beat up the bad guys for you!” Back then, how could I have imagined that the little one who promised to protect me would grow into a blade that hurts me? The onlooking servants didn’t bother to lower their voices: “Didn’t they say she was making a fuss about leaving? How does she have the face to come back?” “Ha, she’s just trying to pressure Young Master Aiden into marrying her. Don’t you get her little scheme?” “Young Master Aiden never planned to marry her. Her mother practically forced her here. Not even asking for a title, and she’s been with him for eight years. If it were my daughter, I’d have broken her legs and thrown her out.” Rosalie Summers is supposedly Declan Thompson’s secretary, but she’s really his kept woman. She looked at me with a mocking smile: “Nora, holding onto something that doesn’t belong to you is exhausting.” I lowered my gaze and ignored her. As I was heading upstairs, the door suddenly opened. Mom walked in, her face turning cold at the sight of me. “Why do you look like such a mess?” She pushed me into a room to clean up. Through the bathroom door, her voice sounded all too real: “Nora, it’s enough to throw a little tantrum. Do you really think you’re Adeline Carter, threatening Declan Thompson with leaving?” “How can you be so foolish, letting some outsider outdo you so easily?” Seeing my continued silence, she yanked open the bathroom door. Water sprayed down, blurring the line between tears and water on my face. “Mom, but I’m not doing well.” Mom paused, and I wrapped a towel around myself, walking past her. She grabbed my wrist and slapped me hard. “Nora, are you awake now?” “Understand your position. Without Declan Thompson, you have no education or skills. How will you survive?” I covered my face, tears streaming down. Seeing my unresponsive state, Mom softened her tone, reaching for my hand: “Nora, what mother doesn’t care for her child? I’m doing this for your own good.” “Your dad’s company relies on the Thompson family’s support to stay afloat. Our family just bought a villa, and there’s still a few million in loans to repay.” “Your brother and sister-in-law are about to have their third child. It’s a time when money is needed. If you offend Declan Thompson now, are you trying to send our whole family to ruin?” “Asher is just a kid, no matter how harsh his words. Deep down, he must still remember your kindness. You’ve taken care of him for eight years. Even if you raised a dog, there’d be feelings. Just coax him well, and he’ll surely come around.” When disappointment reaches its peak, the heart no longer feels pain. Deep down, I knew she never truly loved me. But after being abducted and harshly treated by my foster parents, I clung to memories of my birth mother holding me. Thinking of it often enough, it became a faint glimmer of light. But falsehood is still falsehood. When I let go of my obsession and burst this illusory bubble, the hidden grim reality emerged. I pulled out the suitcase I had long prepared. “Mom, I’ve never had a choice in my life.” “But now, I want to make a choice for myself.” “I won’t accompany you on the road ahead.” I yanked open the door. Declan Thompson stood there, his brows furrowed, eyes simmering with barely contained anger: “Who gave you permission to leave?” I’m sorry, but it seems that the text to be translated was not provided. Could you please provide the text for translation? 04 He massaged his temples, as if dealing with an unruly pet. Half-heartedly, he tried to reason with me: “Why are you suddenly being so stubborn? Apart from your parents, there’s your brother, sister-in-law, and their two kids. Where would you even stay if you went back?”

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Graduation felt like it led straight to unemployment. To make ends meet, I decided to alter my educational background to show I only finished middle school and entered the housekeeping industry. On my first day, I unexpectedly witnessed what could be described as a high-society family drama. The 9-year-old daughter, attempting to frame her 6-year-old brother, actually jumped off the stairs… 1 Her little scheme, naturally, didn’t succeed. Besides me, the surveillance cameras captured everything clearly. The young lady was fighting with her brother over something, couldn’t get her way, and ended up falling down the stairs herself. As a result, her mother, my employer, left her in the hospital without even visiting. The other maids in the house, disliking her behavior, pushed the responsibility of caring for her onto me. I hadn’t even moved into my dormitory yet and was already staying at the hospital. She cried from evening until morning, making my head throb. I wanted to give up, but my financial situation said otherwise. If I left now, finding another job as good as this one would be impossible. Free meals and lodging with a good salary. At least, at least I should stay until my debts are paid off. I had to figure out a way to mingle with the other maids and gather some information. “I’ve never seen such a troublesome child. When her brother enters her room, she burns it down to blame him.” “Her dad brought cookies from abroad, and when her brother unknowingly ate them first, she almost strangled him.” “She can’t stand it when her parents praise her brother. Whenever they do, she hits him.” “Back in our hometown, a girl like that would have been dealt with harshly.” These comments made me uncomfortable. Suddenly, a voice came from behind me: “So what if I’m that vicious person?” I was so startled that I dropped my phone and turned around to find her standing behind me, eyes swollen from crying and glaring at me. She tried to kick me: “You, a mere servant, dare to gossip about me behind my back.” “Believe it or not, I can have you fired.” I managed to dodge her kick just in time. But she slipped and fell. Suddenly, her cries were deafening. I quickly helped her up, holding her gently to calm her down. I thought she’d make an even bigger scene. But she calmed down unexpectedly. I looked down in surprise to see her snuggling in my arms, looking very docile. When she noticed my gaze, she looked up and met my eyes. She immediately looked down. Then she reacted and shouted fiercely at me: “What are you looking at?” “Believe it or not, I’ll gouge your eyes out.” Why is such a young girl learning lines from TV shows? I found it a bit amusing and carried her back to the ward, pressing the call button to get a doctor to check her. The good news was she wasn’t seriously hurt. The bad news was she claimed to be in pain and insisted I massage her, or she’d report it to the family. When Mrs. Taylor came to deliver food, she saw me massaging her leg. My hands were sore, alternating between my left and right hands. One hand massaging, the other shaking. Mrs. Taylor set the food down and gave me a look. I made an excuse to wash the dishes and met Mrs. Taylor outside. Mrs. Taylor immediately said with a disdainful expression: “If you hold her like this now, she’ll make a fuss if you don’t hold her next time.” I found it a bit strange. But I didn’t agree with Mrs. Taylor, just gently refuted: “Kids need affection, right?” 2 It didn’t seem like a big deal. But Mrs. Taylor gave me a knowing look, said nothing, and left. I was completely confused. I decided not to take Mrs. Taylor’s words to heart. As long as I appeared conscientious in front of others, that was enough. I returned to the ward to feed the young lady. She was indeed quite picky. Not only did she want me to feed her, but she also nitpicked: “Oh, I don’t eat onions.” “Why aren’t there any drumsticks? Asher must have eaten them.” “I’ll give him a piece of my mind when I get back.” I coaxed her while feeding her: “Then you can’t be picky.” “A balanced diet will make you strong enough to stand up to your brother.” Hearing this, she widened her eyes at me: “Aren’t you advising me to let Asher off the hook?” I looked innocent: “Why should you let him?” She frowned: “Everyone says it’s because I’m the older sister.” With an indignant look on her face, she said: “Why?” “Yeah, why?” I guided her: “You’re a few years older than him and will always be.” “Does that mean you have to let him have his way forever?” Hearing this, she got interested, looking at me with shining eyes: “Not bad, not bad, I like you.” “From now on, you’re on my side.” I found it amusing; she’s just a kid. I figured out how to handle her. As long as I hug her, tell her fairy tales, and agree with her. This young lady isn’t so hard to please. After three days in the hospital, the doctor confirmed she didn’t have a concussion and issued a discharge notice. I took her home, where there was an invisible hostility towards her arrival. Her mother frowned when she saw her, turned around, and left with her younger son. Other maids whispered when they saw her. Their eyes were full of undisguised disdain and disgust. Just as she was about to throw her toy at someone, I quickly grabbed her hand. I squatted down and gently advised: “Don’t you love the little rabbit?” “If you throw the rabbit, it will get hurt.” Hearing this, she quickly hugged the rabbit, stroking it continuously. I sighed inwardly, feeling sorry for her and worried she’d cause trouble and implicate me. I heard that whenever she caused trouble, a maid would be fired. I took her to her room. Because she previously burned her own room, she now lived in a narrow, windowless utility room. There was no light, and it had a strange smell. No exaggeration, my dorm was much better. Oddly, she showed no discomfort but placed her rabbit toy on the bed. Carefully covering the rabbit with a blanket. I opened my suitcase and tidied up her room. A voice came from above, sounding uneasy: “This is my mom’s punishment for burning the room.” “When she calms down, she’ll let me move back to my original room.” “She doesn’t dislike me.” I looked up at the little girl. She tried to act indifferent, not looking at me. But she was gripping the blanket tightly. I pretended not to see her stubbornness, casually saying: “Yeah, yeah, as long as you know it was wrong.” “Burning the room is dangerous. If something happened to you, how would your mom cope?” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her sigh in relief. I think she also needed someone to affirm that her mom loved her, right? 3 The dark and damp room was really not suitable for living. Even though I cleaned it three times a day and used all sorts of effective pest control products, she always had some bug bites on her. Her fair skin was covered in red, swollen marks, with blood faintly visible beneath. I advised her: “How about you sleep with me at night?” “Staying in the employee dorm, you’re still being punished.” She was obviously tempted, but she stubbornly shook her head: “No, I have to let mom calm down.” “If I go to you, mom might think I’m disobedient.” Just then, Mrs. Johnson passed by, clicking her tongue disdainfully: “If she’s so obedient, why does she always anger her mom and hit her brother?” The little girl bit her lip, a look of grievance appearing on her face. Just as anger appeared on her face, I quickly scolded Mrs. Johnson: “Mrs. Johnson, we’re just workers here; it’s not our place to meddle in the family’s affairs, right?” “Mr. and Mrs. don’t like us pointing fingers at their family matters, do they?” Mrs. Johnson snorted from her nose and swayed away. I turned back to the little girl, seeing her eyebrows knitted together, tears welling up in her eyes. “I really want to listen to mom.” “But I really, really don’t want to…” I hugged her, holding her tightly, telling her: “You did nothing wrong.” “My young lady is a very obedient and well-behaved child.” “It’s them who are unfair, always forcing you to give up your rights.” Her actions were indeed excessive. But a little girl, not wanting her brother in her room, had to resort to burning the room. She had to use the threat of strangling her brother to gain the right to share food equally. The ones at fault are clearly the parents. I’m just a housekeeper and can’t possibly criticize my employers. I can only do my best to make her life better. Decorating her room. Changing her night light to the cutest little rabbit. Placing jasmine flowers so she can sleep with the fragrance… Thunder roared in the middle of the night, and the temperature plummeted. Awoken by the noise, I saw a shadowy figure in the room. I screamed in fright. The figure screamed too. I turned on the night light. The little girl was holding a pillow, looking at me, wearing a thin nightgown, her face pale from the cold. I quickly got up, pulled her into bed, and wrapped her tightly in the blanket: “What’s wrong?” “Why didn’t you wear a coat? What if you catch a cold?” I couldn’t help but scold her. She sniffled and told me: “The noise is so loud, I’m scared.” Place some jasmine flowers by her bed so she can fall asleep with their comforting fragrance… In the middle of the night, thunder roared, and the temperature plummeted. The noise woke me up, and I saw a dark figure in the room. Startled, I screamed. The figure screamed as well.

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My son is an adrenaline junkie when it comes to travel. He proposed a trip to the vibrant, enigmatic Crimson Lake. The water there is extremely acidic, exuding a lethal presence. I was uneasy about it, so I accompanied him. But shockingly, my son pushed me into the lake. The water slowly ate away at my body, and I met a tragic end far from home. When I opened my eyes again, it was the day my son had suggested the trip. “Go ahead, my son, don’t worry. Mom’s got your back.” “Look at this, isn’t the scenery amazing?” The entire family was gathered in the living room, admiring the scenic photos my son had found online. That’s when I realized I had been reborn. Reborn on the very day my son suggested we visit the mysterious Crimson Lake in Cyprus. It’s beautiful but perilous; the water is highly corrosive. My mother-in-law glanced at me. She was concerned for my son’s safety too, but didn’t want to spoil his excitement and wanted me to be the one to voice concerns. That’s how it was in my previous life. After I gently advised him, my son and I had a huge argument. This time, I was eager for him to leave as soon as possible. “Son, I support your trip. You’re young, you should explore the world.” “Mom, you’re the best,” my son said, kissing me excitedly. My mother-in-law was surprised by my attitude and pursed her lips in disapproval. “Grandson, going abroad alone is too dangerous.” “Grandma, please, don’t meddle if you don’t understand.” In this house, my son ruled. One word from him, and my mother-in-law was silenced. My husband was glued to his phone, showing no interest in intervening. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll get Ethan the best communication gear, it’ll be safe.” My mother-in-law shot me a dirty look but kept quiet, afraid her beloved grandson might storm out.

I transferred twenty thousand yuan to Ethan to help him buy equipment. My mother-in-law didn’t dare criticize me openly but complained to my husband about my spending in private. Hugo and I started dating in college. We were at the same university but in different programs. We both interned in Beijing, dreaming of making it big in the city. But Hugo was naturally more laid-back. He disliked the fast-paced city life and took me back to his hometown. My mother-in-law believed I ruined her son’s promising future. For years after our marriage, she never treated me well. Things only improved slightly after Ethan was born. Ethan said twenty thousand wasn’t enough, so I immediately sent him another fifty thousand, making my mother-in-law furious. I just wanted Ethan to leave content. The travel companions he mentioned were local troublemakers. In my past life, they robbed me and tried to kill me to keep it quiet. To survive, Ethan followed their plan and pushed me into the lake. This time, I’m not going. Someone else will meet their fate at Crimson Lake. The more extravagant Ethan’s gear, the more likely they are to strike. Within a week, I had transferred nearly a hundred thousand yuan to Ethan. He was so pleased he nearly forgot himself, eagerly applying for his visa to Cyprus. “Your mom said she’s never been abroad and wants to go with you,” my mother-in-law suggested nervously on the day we applied for the visa. Ethan’s smile froze, his affectionate “loving mommy” demeanor vanished. “Ethan, I’m not going. I have to work overtime for the next two months, no time for travel.” Ethan’s expression softened, and he said to my mother-in-law with annoyance, “Grandma, can you stop interfering? I’m an adult now.” “Grandma is just worried about you.” “Worried, my foot. Don’t pretend to understand what you don’t.” Even though my mother-in-law spoiled Ethan from a young age, Ethan didn’t like her. I once thought he resented how she treated me, so he took it out on her. After being submerged in the dark red lake, I understood that Ethan only loves himself.

With my mother-in-law no longer causing trouble, Hugo decided to stir things up. During dinner, he suggested going with Ethan to Crimson Lake. He’s not concerned about Ethan’s safety. His reason for wanting to go is Fiona. Fiona is his junior colleague at the ship manufacturing plant. Although they refer to each other as “senior” and “junior,” their relationship has long exceeded those bounds. Whenever Hugo goes on a business trip, he buys the same local specialties for Fiona as he does for our family. When I asked him to bring me cosmetics, he even asked Fiona if she needed any. Even when Ethan broke his leg climbing and was in the operating room, he was worried about Fiona’s menstrual cramps. Hugo thinks I don’t know these things. But someone has already shown me their chat logs. Fiona can’t wait for me to file for divorce so she can officially be with her senior. Since she’s so eager, let them accompany Ethan to their demise. “I guess your dad’s department is organizing a team-building trip. You can show them around, and once there, you can explore separately.” Before Ethan could object, I quickly came up with a plan for them. This way, Hugo can openly take Fiona along. Ethan won’t resist too much either. “Mom’s at an age where she should also go with Hugo to see the world.” My mother-in-law, worried, naturally didn’t refuse when she heard this. The only one unwilling was Ethan. He still bore a grudge over my mother-in-law’s previous meddling. “Son, you’ll have to take care of dad and grandma. It’s hard work. I’ll transfer another ten thousand yuan to you.” At the mention of money, Ethan’s displeasure vanished instantly. He even promised to take good care of his dad and grandma. I took my mother-in-law to get passports and visas, counting down the days, hoping they’d leave soon.

Ten days before departure, Cora visited. Her face was bruised and swollen, clearly just beaten. She’s Hugo’s sister, married to a wealthy businessman. When she first got married, my mother-in-law bragged to everyone about how exceptional her daughter was and how great her husband was. It seemed Cora’s excellence could only be shown through marriage. Her husband indeed treated her well. He bought her designer bags and cosmetics, spoiling her like a princess. At that time, Cora would mock me, saying my attire screamed “poor.” She even had the maid bring me the trash they cleaned up, saying it was to broaden my horizons. She seemed to forget she was born into this “poor” family. Her father, in his sixties, still worked odd jobs on construction sites. He died in an accident, and the contractor compensated a large sum. That’s how the Aiden family’s life became comfortable. This house was bought with Hugo’s father’s life. “What happened this time?” My mother-in-law applied ice to Cora’s face, heartbroken. “He said I used his money to keep a gigolo.” Cora cried bitterly. She did have a history. Her husband worked long hours, leaving her alone at home. Over time, Cora got restless and indulged in nightclub services. She was caught in the act by her husband, beaten from the club to home. Since then, she’s been abused regularly and comes to my mother-in-law to cry. My mother-in-law, after comforting her, would only tell her to “endure.” This endurance lasted five or six years. During which, Cora was beaten to the point of miscarriage. My mother-in-law still wouldn’t let her divorce. This time, before my mother-in-law could advise her to endure, I quickly interjected. “Why don’t you also come along to relax, Cora?” Hearing she could go to Cyprus, Cora’s eyes lit up but slowly dimmed. “Traveling abroad costs a lot. I don’t dare use his money.” The wealthy lady who once looked down on me now worries about money. “Your sister-in-law has it. She’s very generous. Right, Blair?” The mother and daughter looked at me in unison. “If Cora wants to go, I can give another ten thousand yuan.” “Ten thousand! You gave Ethan so much, but only ten thousand for Cora!” When it comes to her daughter, my mother-in-law doesn’t mind spending money. “If ten thousand isn’t enough, I’ll give fifty thousand.” Go ahead, take it. After all, the money I give isn’t mine.

Landon got drunk and came demanding to take Cora back. Cora didn’t dare go out. My mother-in-law pushed me out the door. This suited my plan. I was afraid Landon would take Cora away, preventing her from going to Cyprus. Landon’s tantrums depend on the person. He only yells at Cora. In front of others, he’s a perfect gentleman. “Landon, Ethan is going on a trip, and Cora wants to go too. Don’t worry, the whole family will be there, Cora won’t act up.” “Is mom going too?” “Yes.” Hearing my mother-in-law would be there, Landon felt at ease. He knew his good mother-in-law would surely persuade his wife to reconcile with him. I easily put Landon into a taxi and sent him home. After dealing with Landon, I opened the door to see Cora with a pale face. Not from being scared by Landon. But because she secretly used my cosmetics. Since her affair, Landon controlled her allowance, forbidding her from buying nice clothes or using any cosmetics. In the past life, after I died, she gleefully rushed into my room, taking all my cosmetics and jewelry. Tonight, thinking she should dress up for the trip, she acted early. He was certain that his mother-in-law would persuade her daughter to make up with him. I easily got Landon into a taxi and sent him home. After dealing with Landon, I opened the door to find Cora with a ghostly pale face. It wasn’t Landon who scared her. She had used my cosmetics in secret. Since she had been unfaithful, Landon controlled her allowance, forbidding her from buying nice clothes or using any cosmetics.

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My grandmother is the wealthiest person in Country A, and I’m her only granddaughter. Yet, my two brothers let their mistress take my place. Before the centennial celebration of SkyRise Corporation began, Lydia took the seat meant for the corporation’s daughter and feigned sincerity as she said to me, “If it weren’t for the brothers insisting I bring you out into the world, a poor student like you would never set foot in SkyRise Corporation.” “Make sure you behave later and don’t cause trouble for me, or the brothers will have no mercy on you.” In my previous life, my brothers’ threats made me timid and submissive to Lydia. But now, I’ve been reborn. As Lydia continued her nonsense, I kicked her a meter away. “Who do you think you are? Lecturing me like that!” My reckless action immediately drew everyone’s attention. Finn rushed over to comfort Lydia, while Jasper slapped me twice. Seeing their treasured friend kicked away, my brothers were heartbroken and angrily glared at me. “Adeline, have you lost your mind, daring to hit our sister!” Looking at my aggressive brothers, I realized how foolish I was to ever think they felt sibling affection for me. Pointing at Lydia, whom they were protecting, I loudly mocked, “She’s just a mistress. Am I, the rightful daughter of the corporation and granddaughter of the wealthiest, not qualified to hit her?” Hearing this, Finn was instantly enraged and pushed me to the ground. “Adeline, Lydia kindly funded your education, yet here you are, spouting nonsense.” “Everyone here, listen up. Lydia is my grandmother’s real granddaughter and the true heiress of SkyRise Corporation.” I looked at Finn in disbelief. “She’s my grandmother’s real granddaughter? The heiress of SkyRise Corporation? “Finn, how dare you say such things? You have some nerve!” Jasper rolled his eyes at me disdainfully. “Adeline, did you forget to take your meds today? You’re losing it again.” Lydia then started to cry hypocritically. “It’s all my fault. I knew Adeline had mental issues, yet I still brought her here.” Their twisted dialogue was heard loud and clear by everyone in the hall. Suddenly, those around me looked at me with disdain. “So Adeline is just a poor student funded by the heiress, no wonder she’s so shabbily dressed.” “The heiress is truly kind-hearted to support someone mentally unstable and morally questionable.” Finn then called for Assistant Zach from the corporation. “Take Adeline out of here. Without my permission, she’s not allowed to step foot in the corporation again.” I looked at the assistant approaching with security. “Mr. Zach, you’ve been with my father for years. How can you not recognize the true heiress of the corporation?” Mr. Zach stopped in his tracks, stunned. “I… I…” Jasper glared at him displeased. “Mr. Zach, my brother is the future heir of the corporation. If you disobey his orders, are you looking to get fired?” Mr. Zach turned pale with fright, looking at me uneasily. “Miss, I have a family to support. Please, don’t make this hard for me. Come with me.” He signaled the security to drag me away. Seeing them closing in, I grabbed a vase from the table and threw it forcefully. “Not only am I the heiress of SkyRise Corporation, but I’m also the sole heir. Touch me if you dare!” The sound of the vase shattering and my furious voice echoed throughout the banquet hall. Hearing my declaration, those around me began to sneer. “Looks like she’s really lost it, pretending to be the granddaughter of the wealthiest, and now claiming to be the heir. Ridiculous.” “Even if she were the granddaughter, a woman wouldn’t inherit the corporation, especially since there are two grandsons.” Facing my arrogant brothers, I directly questioned them. “Finn, are you sure you and Jasper have the right to inherit?” Jasper’s eyes flickered for a moment but quickly returned to normal. He tugged at Finn’s sleeve. “Finn, today’s a joyous day. The elders will be here soon. Let’s just drop it.” Seeing Jasper’s reaction, I knew he remembered his background and was getting scared. After all, my grandmother, the wealthiest woman in Country A, only had my mother as her daughter. After my mother passed, I became her only granddaughter. My two brothers were merely the orphaned children of my father’s brother. When their parents died, my father couldn’t bear to see his nephews suffer, so he brought them into the family. They have no blood relation to my mother or grandmother and can’t possibly inherit the SkyRise Corporation founded by my grandmother. But Finn didn’t care about what I said. Instead, he frowned and glared at Jasper. “She just hit Lydia. Can you really let Lydia suffer?” “Adeline, it seems your condition has worsened. How about having the assistant send you to a mental institution?” Hearing those words, my chest filled with hatred. I remembered the pain of being in a mental institution in my past life, where Lydia extracted my blood and skin. Yes, in my previous life, Finn and Jasper conspired against me to win Lydia’s favor. They plotted and harmed me. Lydia, being a medical student, always had a desire. She wanted to see the differences between a living and a dead body. When my brothers found out, they assisted Lydia in dissecting me alive. Even though I grew up with them, living together for 18 years, they let Lydia impersonate me and helped her torture me. Now, I understand. In my brothers’ eyes, family means nothing. Only love matters to them. But now I’m curious. When love and power are at stake, how will my brothers choose? With this thought, I chuckled coldly. “I’m asking you for the last time, who is the true heiress and heir of SkyRise Corporation?” Before my brothers could answer, Celeste, the daughter of a business partner under the corporation, rushed out and slapped me. “Outrageous! A funded poor student dares to act out in SkyRise Corporation? Know your place.” I know Celeste because she’s not only been secretly in love with Finn but also dreams of marrying him to become the future chairman’s wife. Since she heard Lydia is the granddaughter of the wealthiest, the heiress of SkyRise Corporation, she’s been flattering Lydia for two months, trying to build a good sister-in-law relationship and appear as a good wife to Finn. But she’s flattering the wrong person. Lydia isn’t the heiress of SkyRise Corporation; she’s Celeste’s rival, and the mistress Finn has secretly supported for years. I wasn’t about to take Celeste’s slap for nothing, so I kicked her hard in the stomach. “Who do you think you are? A daughter of a third-rate company’s CEO dares to hit me! With one word from me, your family goes bankrupt.” Celeste clutched her stomach in pain, looking at me in disbelief. “Adeline, you dare kick me? My parents never even scolded me!” “Wait and see, I won’t let you off!” Lydia, feeling guilty, grabbed Celeste’s hand. “Celeste, don’t mind her. She’s not right in the head. I’ll apologize on her behalf.” I looked at Lydia disdainfully and sneered. “I think you’re the one who’s crazy. Giving up being a mistress to impersonate the heiress at such an important event.” I turned to my brothers, pointing at the door, and coldly said, “If you want to play role-playing games with your lover, then take your mistress and get out of my corporation!” My brothers glared at me, their faces dark. “Lydia, I’m telling you, we have real power in the corporation, while you’re still in school. If anyone leaves, it’s you!” “What’s going on here? Why are you all standing? Go take your seats.” A dignified, extraordinary middle-aged man squeezed in. He is Declan, the CEO of SkyRise Corporation, and my biological father. Yet, he hurried over to Lydia, raising his hand to wipe her tears. “Lydia, don’t cry. Who bullied you?” “Tell me, and I’ll stand up for you!” Finn angrily pointed at me. “Who else but Adeline, this impudent girl, would dare bully Lydia under my nose?” Hearing this, my father displeased, slapped me. “Adeline, you really have some nerve, taking advantage of others’ power to bully Lydia.” “Kneel and apologize to Lydia immediately, or you won’t get any living expenses for the next year.” Looking at my father, who blamed me without understanding the situation, I felt utterly disappointed. As expected, my father is just like in my past life, blindly favoring Lydia along with my brothers. Though I anticipated this, my heart still ached. I never understood why I, his daughter, was treated this way, while Lydia, just the brothers’ plaything, received his favor. “Adeline, you really have some nerve, daring to push Lydia around using someone else’s influence.” “Kneel and apologize to Lydia right now, or you can forget about receiving any living expenses for the next year.” Seeing my father blame me without knowing the full story filled me with disappointment. As expected, my father remained the same as in my past life, blindly favoring Lydia along with my two brothers. Although I had anticipated this, it still pained me. I never understood it before. I am my father’s daughter, yet Lydia was just a toy for my brothers. But once my father met Lydia, it was like he was bewitched by her. Especially after learning that both my brothers had been supporting Lydia, he was furious and punished them severely for an entire day and night. At that time, I even tried to intervene and defend them, but my father accidentally struck me twice. The marks from those strikes are still on my arm to this day. Afterward, my father not only forbade my brothers from supporting Lydia but even used his connections to get her into the best university in Country A. He also told my brothers that if they truly liked Lydia, they should compete fairly to win her hand in marriage. And whoever succeeded in marrying Lydia would inherit his fortune. In my past life, my father’s strange behavior piqued my curiosity, so I secretly investigated Lydia’s background. I later discovered that Lydia was the daughter of my father’s first love. Lydia resembled her mother, and my father recognized her immediately. The pull of a lost love is indeed powerful; just one familiar face was enough to capture my father’s heart. It’s sad for my late mother, who never knew that my father harbored feelings for another woman. Thinking of this, I looked at my father with a mocking smile. “I won’t apologize!” “But my brothers claimed Lydia is their sister, the heiress of SkyRise Corporation. Don’t you have anything to explain to everyone?” Upon hearing this, Lydia immediately looked at my father with teary eyes because she knew he couldn’t stand seeing her cry. As expected, seeing Lydia break down, my father slapped me twice more. “Explain what? They’re right; Lydia is my beloved daughter, the heiress of SkyRise Corporation.” Seeing my father lie so blatantly, I shouted at him in anger. “Declan, do you think you’re being fair to my deceased mother? Can you repeat what you just said with a clear conscience?” My father ignored me and looked at my brothers. “Throw this trash, who bullied your sister, out.” Looking at my cold and unfeeling father, my heart was filled with mixed emotions. Ha, is this the man my mother loved all her life? Is this the biological father I admired for 18 years? I think my mother never expected, while she was alive, that the two sons she kindly adopted would harm her beloved daughter for a mistress. And that her husband would not protect his own daughter but would instead throw her out for the child of his first love. At this moment, I truly felt sad for myself and my deceased mother. I lifted my head and met my father’s eyes directly, speaking coldly. “This is my family’s SkyRise Corporation; you outsiders have no right to flaunt here!” I deliberately emphasized “my family’s.” As soon as I finished speaking, my father was completely enraged. He ordered my brothers to come forward and hold me down tightly so I couldn’t move. “Yours? How laughable!” Then my father walked behind me, grabbed my hair, and smashed my forehead against the glass wall of the hall. “For years, I’ve been managing SkyRise Corporation. Why can’t it be mine, Declan’s? Why can’t I decide the heir?” I held back my tears and shouted firmly, “SkyRise Corporation belongs to my grandmother. I am the sole heir of the corporation!” “Bang, bang, bang,” my forehead was pushed against the glass wall again as soon as I finished speaking. My father continued to roar, “Adeline, stop dreaming. I gave SkyRise Corporation to Lydia as a dowry last year. Whoever marries Lydia will inherit SkyRise Corporation!” My father’s words shocked everyone present, and the way they looked at Lydia became even more intense. At this moment, an old and sharp female voice came from behind me. “Declan, dare to say that again! Who is the heir of SkyRise Corporation?” I’m sorry, but it seems that the text for translation is missing. Could you please provide the Chinese text that you would like to have translated? Chapter Four Upon hearing that familiar voice, Father and my two brothers immediately released me. As I looked at the elegant woman before me, the tears that had been welling up in my eyes finally spilled over. Ignoring the pain coursing through my body, I rushed into her embrace and clung tightly to her waist. “Grandma, I’ve missed you so much.”

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After five years of marriage, Zachary Smith turned our marital home into 99 themed rooms for his affairs. The models he brought back could open a nightclub in our house. I chose to turn a blind eye because of the child in my womb. Later, he personally dressed me in a princess gown and took the dolled-up me to the hospital to shave my head bald. All to make a sick little girl smile. I didn’t cry or make a fuss. Until our anniversary, when the little girl insisted on going skiing. Zachary forced me to be there as a human cushion for Lily. On the slopes, Lily deliberately crashed into me, sending me flying. Blood gushed from beneath me. I begged him to save our child, but he picked up the unharmed Lily and sneered at me: “Claire Johnson, you’ve lied more times than I’ve slept with you.” “If you’re hurt, find the medical staff. Don’t blame me for not acknowledging the child if you delay Lily’s fun!” On the way to the hospital, our baby died in my womb. Yet he let his friends laugh and bet on whether the child would survive. I closed my eyes in despair: “Zachary, let’s stop torturing each other. Let’s get divorced.” 0

When the doctor shook his head, I heard something shatter inside me. With trembling hands, I signed the death certificate. His friends rushed into my hospital room, cursing when they saw my swollen body. “Tch! How unlucky, we lost the bet!” “I told you Zach is a god. Look how bundled up she is, cherishing that child so much.” Hearing this, I forced a smile. With multiple fractures all over my body and my abdomen wrapped in bandages, I looked about five months pregnant. Zachary’s long fingers tapped on the table. He hadn’t looked at me once. Until there was a knock on the door and a document was thrown onto my bed. “Sign it! Just say how much you want!” “You’re a professional skier, not as fragile as Lily. A fall won’t kill you. Stop pretending, it’s getting old!” I looked at the “Voluntary Waiver of Injury Assessment” on the floor and laughed. “Zachary, the baby is dead,” I said, my eyes hollow. “What if I don’t sign?” He froze for only a second before bursting into laughter: “Trying to make me feel guilty? Do you think I’d believe you? Stop wasting time and sign. My dear Lily is waiting for me.” I stared at him, my face ashen. He had sat in the hospital room for half a day without once asking about my wellbeing. He was afraid I would hold Lily responsible. When he knew skiing was dangerous, he once used his life to make me quit the ski team. Now he forced his pregnant wife onto the slopes for Lily’s sake. Zachary’s eyes were cold, flashing with impatience. He dumped a whole package of cash on my head, stinging my face. “Is this enough? If not, I’ll give you more!” My fingers clutched my clothes tightly. Through the money, I saw my own humiliation. “Zachary,” my voice was hoarse, “let’s stop this. Let’s get divorced.” If you asked what my wish was at 22, it would have been to spend a lifetime entangled with Zachary Smith. But now I was truly numb. Zachary’s expression froze for a moment, then burned with anger. “I’ll let you go when I’m dead. You can only endure my torment!” His hand pressed hard on my wound, making me cry out in pain. He didn’t know how many steel pins were in my body, nor that I had nearly died. He certainly didn’t know the baby was already gone. I didn’t dare say it hurt. I couldn’t forget how last time I cried in pain, Zachary called me dramatic. He had switched my allergy medication for vitamins, nearly suffocating me in the elevator. “Claire Johnson, you’re using the wrong tactics. If you want to leave, cut out that child! If you think you can take the baby and run away, dream on.” “If you don’t dare, crawl on your knees to Lily’s room and apologize. Then I’ll forgive you.” I stopped in my tracks. My body felt filled with shattered glass, every movement cutting into my flesh. As soon as he finished speaking, his friends cheered excitedly. Just like years ago when our love was passionate and known to all. We had been through life and death together. Back then, I desperately protected him, nearly not waking up. He, who had never bowed his head, knelt before Buddha and transcribed scriptures in blood. Everything changed on our wedding day. There were no questions, no arguments. We quietly finished the ceremony. From then on, he found new ways to humiliate and torment me. Even our marital home that we designed together was completely transformed into themed rooms for his affairs. Going home felt like entering a sleazy motel. He forced me to clean the toys they had used, to tidy up the mess they left behind. Thinking of this, I looked at him with red eyes, pain overwhelming my reason. “Alright.” I didn’t want to live like this anymore. As I spoke, I shakily unzipped my coat. When I picked up the knife on the table, he stormed out, slamming the door so hard it made my whole body ache. After he left, his assistant came forward. “Mr. Smith instructed that you are to go serve in Miss Evans’ room. Otherwise, he can’t guarantee that person’s grave will remain undisturbed.” 0

I stopped mid-turn, tears welling in my eyes. “Let him do as he pleases.” I went to the cemetery and bought a plot next to his for our child. I knelt there for a long time, until I heard footsteps behind me. Zachary had his arm around Lily as he spoke with fake sincerity: “When you said ‘do as he pleases,’ you meant coming here to protect him yourself? Claire Johnson, what do you take me for? A plaything?” He shoved Lily aside and roughly yanked me up. “Since you’re so keen on protecting him, let’s see if you can.” In the struggle, my wig fell off. Lily screamed, covering her eyes. Zachary grabbed the back of my neck and shoved my face against the tombstone. “With your ghastly appearance, you still think you can be buried with him after death? Would he still love you?” I looked at the scattered tombstone, biting my lip until it bled. I did love him, but he was my brother. On our wedding day, I didn’t run away. I only wanted to see my brother in the hospital one last time. I tried to explain countless times, but in return he locked me in those themed rooms and made me watch as he had sex with others. He ignored me now, gently patting Lily’s back to comfort her. “Lily is so brave, don’t be scared. Doesn’t she look much better when she’s ugly like this?” The mocking laughter cut me to the core. Tears silently rolled down my cheeks as I touched the centipede-like scar on the back of my head. My heart felt like it was being sliced open. To protect him, my skull had been fractured, requiring 18 stitches. I never cried out in pain once. My prized long hair became a bald head, and I didn’t resist. All these sacrifices had become swords piercing my own heart. Noticing my movement, his hand clenched into a fist at his side. Lily stepped forward and hugged me, her eyes brimming with tears: “Sister, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have mocked you. I’m sorry.” After she spoke, she leaned close to my ear and whispered: “I did it on purpose that day skiing. Your child deserved to die!” My mind went blank with ringing. I lunged at her. Lily covered her ears, tears streaming down her face as she accused me of biting her ear to Zachary. But I hadn’t even touched her. Zachary exploded in anger, raising his hand to slap me hard. My ears rang and I tasted blood in my throat. Flames lit up before my eyes as Zachary held our photo in his hand. “Consider this my greeting to him!” He had the entire grave blown up, leaving not even a speck of ashes. I screamed hysterically, burning to ashes in an instant. I lunged forward like a madwoman. Zachary yanked me back hard. “Have you gone insane?!” I collapsed on the ground, all strength to struggle drained from me. That was my fool of a brother who raised me, my only family. Why would he do this to me? I had gone mad. A thousand words couldn’t compare to one sentence from Lily. The truth was right before my eyes. Why wouldn’t he even try to verify it? Did I really deserve to die? My throat burned with pain as I laughed dryly, falling backwards. When I woke up, Zachary was firmly holding down my arm. As the needle pierced my vein, I felt so numb I couldn’t even feel the pain. Then he had the doctor cut a piece of skin from my arm and throw it in the trash. I knew he was punishing me. This was nothing compared to before. He once forced me to buy sex toys for them, putting the hat that hurt Lily on my head. Letting her stab me with needles. Another time when I was pregnant and had a fever, I begged him to take me to the hospital. He thought I was faking illness out of jealousy to ruin their fun. He used the baby to force me to clean up after Lily. I still didn’t understand how two people who once loved each other could become like this. Even my brother, who I had relied on since childhood, was trampled on and slandered after death. With trembling hands, I took out my phone and dialed a long-unused number. “Hello, I’d like to arrange a sand burial.” 0

In our most carefree year, Zachary once said he wanted to become the most beautiful legend in an uninhabited desert. We decided on our final resting place at the most inappropriate age. But now… At the front door, the whole mansion glowed with colorful lights. I knew they were trying different themes again. I sat numbly on the steps, almost dozing off. A jacket that didn’t smell like Zachary was draped over me. “Why are you sitting here? Is Zachary misbehaving again?” When I looked up, I realized the distinguished man before me was Zachary’s uncle, Ian. I smiled bitterly and said: “Uncle Ian, can you help expedite my visa application?” The man just gave a low “Mm” in response. Early the next morning, Lily stood by my bed with her hands on her hips. She dumped a bucket of cold water on my face, her expression twisted and hideous. “Enjoy eavesdropping last night? Zach and I tried several new positions. He praised me for doing well and gave me this ‘Eternal Love’ jade bracelet. Last night we even used it to…” I suddenly looked up at her wrist. Tears fell uncontrollably. My brother had saved money for years, refusing treatment to buy that bracelet as my wedding gift. The thought of how they desecrated it made my mind explode. “Give it to me…” Lily narrowed her eyes and smirked, leaning close to my ear, “Want to bet?” The next second, she grabbed my hand and shoved her into the toilet, screaming dramatically. “Help! I won’t dare again!” Zachary rushed in and held me underwater in the bathtub until I nearly suffocated. Then he carefully took Lily into his arms, treasuring her. I watched as he gently kissed Lily, who was covered in dirty water. My pupils dilated. “Zach, this bracelet must be from someone important to Claire. If it could lead to death, I don’t want it anymore.” Lily burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably. Zachary said nothing, just glared at me viciously. He carried Lily and rushed to the hospital. I swallowed the nausea rising in my stomach, my eyes stinging. Soon after, Zachary’s bodyguards took me to the hospital by force. They poured medicine into my mouth over and over, then pumped my stomach again and again. It was repeated over a dozen times until I collapsed in agony. Tears streamed uncontrollably as I vomited until I passed out. Next door, Zachary was telling stories to entertain Lily as she got an IV drip, making her giggle constantly. To coax her into getting her stomach pumped, he had all the world’s jewels brought to the hospital. I closed my eyes. He had once spent a year nursing my stomach back to health. Now it was completely ruined. Zachary came over with cold eyes. Seeing my reddened eyes, he clenched his fists tightly. “Claire Johnson, don’t think I won’t touch you. It’s just a stupid bracelet. I can buy you thousands to replace it.” I coughed up blood, letting the tears fall. “Zachary, would you only be happy if I died?” Hearing this, Zachary’s body froze for a moment. Then he looked at my abdomen and sneered: “Could you bear it? The child you schemed so hard to keep, could you bear to part with it?” I looked at the man before me who was impervious to reason. I no longer wanted to explain. Ignoring his furious rage, I pulled out the gastric lavage tube and left. Outside the hospital, Lily invited me into the car with a beaming smile. Zachary held Lily’s hand tightly, not sparing me a glance. The car reeked of tangerine peels. He didn’t give me a chance to get out. I opened the window. Zachary said coldly: “Close it. Lily’s pregnant and afraid of the wind.” My fingertips trembled. He knew how severe my allergies were. I stared at my phone expressionlessly. Zachary’s face darkened. Lily giggled coyly: “Don’t blame me, sister. I wasn’t feeling well so I asked Zach to set this up.” I replied to messages, occasionally rubbing my arm covered in red spots. As soon as we got out of the car, I clutched my stomach and retched violently until I was utterly exhausted.

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I noticed something strange about my wife sleeping next to me. She was unresponsive to my intimate gestures, like a dead fish. I thought maybe after years of marriage, she had lost her passion and excitement for me. That is, until I overheard my wife talking to her hot best friend: “My husband sleeps like the dead every night. You could put a corpse next to him and he wouldn’t even notice!” So my wife found a body double? 0 I woke up with a start, faintly hearing slight noises coming from the living room. It sounded like someone moaning and panting. In the pitch darkness, I couldn’t help but feel a chill run down my spine. Instinctively, I reached out to nudge my wife beside me. “Honey, I think there’s someone outside…” I pushed her a few times, but she didn’t respond, seemingly fast asleep. She must have been exhausted from the day, I thought. In the end, I decided not to wake her. I slowly got up, grabbing a vase from the nightstand for self-defense. Could it be a burglar? I tiptoed out of the bedroom, the living room pitch black. After some hesitation, I mustered up the courage to feel my way to the kitchen and grab a knife. Feeling slightly braver, I made my way to the light switch by the door and turned on all the lights. The living room suddenly lit up. I looked around but found nothing out of place. I checked the other bedrooms too, but there were no signs of intrusion. Even our valuables were untouched. I stood in the living room, bewildered. Had I imagined it all? The next morning, I woke up and went to the living room to find my wife already sitting at the dining table, a radiant smile on her face as she looked at me. “Good morning, honey! Come have breakfast!” My wife, Lily, was tall and curvaceous, with looks that could easily be described as stunning. We had a whirlwind romance, getting married after knowing each other for just a month. Despite the rushed nature of our marriage, our relationship had always been good. She stood by me as I went from having nothing to becoming the CEO of my own company. I became the envy of all the men in our social circle. After my business took off, she quit her job to become a full-time housewife. The only regret was that after six years of marriage, we still didn’t have a child to show for our love. We initially thought there might be some health issues, but medical check-ups showed we were both perfectly healthy. Perhaps it just wasn’t the right time yet. I sat down after washing up and took a bite of the warm sandwich. Remembering last night’s incident, I couldn’t help but ask her about it. Lily rolled her eyes and said impatiently, “Honey, were you dreaming?” I wanted to say more, but she had already gotten up, telling me, “Alright, you need to get to the office. Hurry up and eat! I’m going back for a nap. For some reason, I’ve been feeling really sleepy lately.” Lily stretched and walked past me towards the bedroom. I don’t know if it was my imagination, but I thought I caught a faint strange odor coming from her. Without thinking too much about it, I quickly finished my breakfast and headed to the office. The next night, I don’t know how long I had been asleep when I was once again startled awake. The panting sounds outside were even louder this time. I got up to check, but again found nothing missing. My scalp tingled with fear. Could it be not a burglar, but a ghost in our house? I’m an atheist, but at that moment, the only explanation I could think of, besides a haunting, was beyond me. However, for the next two weeks, everything seemed to return to normal. The eerie sounds never resurfaced. I thought the matter had come to an end, but little did I know it was just the beginning. One night, I had a vivid dream. In it, Lily and I were passionately intimate. But just as things were getting intense, I suddenly woke up. The lingering desire from the dream left my entire body feeling like it was on fire. I couldn’t help but snuggle closer to Lily’s body, softly calling out to her. “Honey, are you asleep?” Just like before, I called out to her many times, but she didn’t respond. It felt like lying next to a corpse. 0

But I was already too consumed by endless desire to let her be. I went from softly calling her name to shaking her vigorously. “Honey, wake up.” Just as my mind was starting to form some unpleasant suspicions, Lily finally showed a slight reaction. She mumbled in a faint voice, “Sleeping.” Of course, I wasn’t going to give up. I pressed closer to her body again, whispering in her ear, “Honey, it’s been so long since we’ve been intimate. How about we go wild tonight?” As I spoke, my hands started to wander. She didn’t refuse me, so I became even bolder in my actions. However, I vaguely felt that the skin I was touching was cold, unlike my wife’s usual soft and warm body. Moreover, the scent on her body seemed different from before, giving me a strange sense of novelty. But just as my hand was about to reach her peaks, she suddenly grabbed my hand. “No… not now, I need to take a shower first.” Before I could react, she had already scrambled out of bed, wrapped herself in the blanket, and stumbled out of the room in the dark. Watching this series of actions left me bewildered. But since she wanted to shower, I could only wait silently, hoping she would be quick. However, after waiting in the room for a long time, I was starting to doze off. So I got up, intending to go and hurry her along. Suddenly, I heard voices coming from the living room. To my surprise, there was another woman in the living room besides my wife Lily. It was Lily’s best friend, Rachel. I had met her a few times before. Rachel was equally stunning in terms of both figure and looks, certainly not inferior to my wife. Today, she was wearing only a thin T-shirt on top, which perfectly accentuated her flawless figure. She had on a pair of extremely short denim shorts, revealing long, snow-white legs. She was the type of beauty that would make anyone’s imagination run wild after just one glance. For some reason, Rachel’s expression didn’t look good, seeming to contain a hint of fear. “When did you get here?” I asked. Lily immediately linked arms with Rachel and said to me with a beaming smile, “She just arrived, honey. There’s been some disturbance downstairs at Rachel’s place lately. She couldn’t stand it anymore, so she came to stay with us for the night.” Hearing this, I nodded. I was about to turn and go back to the bedroom when I suddenly noticed something odd. “Hey, honey, weren’t you taking a shower? Why are you still wearing a dress?” Lily had said earlier that she was going to shower, but now she was wearing neither pajamas nor a nightgown, but a tight-fitting bodycon dress that she would wear to go out. She even had high heels on her feet. Lily rolled her eyes at my question and said impatiently, “Well, Rachel just called me to come down and let her in. I couldn’t exactly go down wrapped in a towel, could I?” I didn’t think much of it and turned to go back to the bedroom. The earlier feeling of arousal was gone, and considering how late it was and that I had an early meeting at the company tomorrow, I ended up falling asleep without continuing what we had left unfinished with my wife. However, little did I know that Rachel’s appearance at our home tonight was not as simple as my wife had made it out to be. 0

A week later, I had finished my work at the office and had nothing else to do, so I fell asleep in my office chair. I slept deeply, as I had indeed been under a lot of stress lately. By nighttime, because I had rested for so long during the day, I wasn’t sleeping as heavily. I woke up groggily to find my wife not in bed. I initially thought she was in the bathroom and didn’t think much of it, preparing to go back to sleep. But suddenly, I heard whispered voices coming from outside the door. Could it be my wife talking on the phone with someone? A feeling of unease immediately welled up in my heart. So late at night, my wife wasn’t in the room but secretly making a call in the living room. Had our marriage hit a rough patch? I hurriedly went to the door, pressing myself against it as if trying to meld into it. I could hear my wife’s voice from outside. “Rachel, please help me out. Hasn’t your company not paid salaries for months now? If you help me, I’ll add another thousand… no, two thousand. How about that?” So she was talking to Rachel. The heart that had jumped to my throat relaxed a bit. But suddenly, Rachel’s voice rang out. It wasn’t the sound of a phone call; she was right there in the living room with my wife. “No, no, Lily. Even if I’m desperate for money, I can’t agree to this. Last time we almost got caught by your husband…” I was stunned. What had they almost been caught doing? My wife continued, “Don’t worry, that was just a fluke. I promise it won’t happen again.” “Look, if you agree, I’ll not only give you an extra two thousand, but I’ll also have my husband arrange a position for you at his company. The salary will definitely be higher than at your previous company.” Rachel seemed to fall silent. I listened, completely confused. What extra money? What was Lily asking Rachel to agree to? And how was I involved in all this? What on earth was going on? After a long while, under Lily’s urging, Rachel seemed to waver, but she said, “Oh, Lily, I really don’t understand why you’re doing this. It’s clear that your husband truly loves you. Why don’t you two just have a baby? Maybe that would change your mind.” My heart, which had just settled, leapt up again. Although Lily’s voice wasn’t loud, I could still hear a hint of dismissiveness in her words. “I don’t want to turn into a frumpy housewife because of a kid. I still want to enjoy life for a few more years. You have no idea, every time I’m intimate with my husband, I secretly take contraceptives afterward.” “I can’t live without the strong bodies of those young studs out there!” Hearing this, I nearly collapsed to the ground. So the so-called full-time housewife was actually going out to party behind my back every day. All that talk about not being able to live without it was just an excuse. And the reason we hadn’t had a child in all these years was also due to her secret manipulations. Disbelief, pain, and anger instantly flooded my mind. I wanted to rush out and slap her hard, demanding to know why she would do this. But just then, she spoke again, pleading with Rachel. “Come on, Rachel. My husband has been under a lot of stress lately. He’s sleeping like the dead every night. You could put a corpse next to him and he wouldn’t even notice!” A lightning bolt flashed through my mind, and an unbelievable suspicion formed in my thoughts.

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For the sake of Harry’s face, which looked so much like Frederick’s, I went crazy and livestreamed myself cutting my wrists in the family group chat, just begging for a chance to marry Harry. Everyone praised my devotion, but they didn’t know that every time Harry had an affair with his childhood sweetheart, I saw it all clearly. I didn’t make a scene or expose him. But he actually faked his own death to escape our marriage, then released a video online accusing me. “Miss Zoe, are you satisfied now that you’ve broken up a loving couple? Do you want me dead before you’ll leave me alone?” Overnight, I was bombarded with insults, labeled a “homewrecker” and a “shameless bitch.” Five years later, my family was on the brink of bankruptcy. Harry suddenly came back from the dead, standing before me with a smug look on his face. “Zoe, how does it feel to be a widow for five years? I heard you sleep with my photo every night?” “How about this – kneel down and lick Rachel’s shoes, then bark like a dog three times. If I’m in a good mood, I might invest a few million in your family’s company.” He was waiting for me to kneel down like a stray dog and beg for mercy. But I just smiled. Harry didn’t know that the day his fake death was exposed, the Yan family’s IPO failed and their funding dried up. The Yan family had gone bankrupt even before mine. And my wedding ring was already on someone else’s finger… 0

“As expected of Mr. Yan, lying low for five years – so Deep Create was actually founded by you!” “We could tell long ago that Zoe wasn’t good enough for you. Now that her family is bankrupt, she’s only fit to be a servant for you and your wife!” The crowd laughed and gathered around Harry. Harry looked quite pleased with himself. “Women are all the same. Back then she chased after me shamelessly, acting like she’d die if I didn’t marry her. She was more pathetic than a dog wagging its tail.” “You don’t even know the half of it,” Harry narrowed his eyes, his expression especially mocking. “Zoe actually got hymen reconstruction surgery so I could take her virginity.” “She said she wanted me to experience her first time. Man, it felt amazing!” “If you ask me, you should all make your women get this surgery. They could charge a few hundred extra when they sell themselves!” His suggestive tone drew the gazes of the surrounding men to fall on me. Someone had already blocked my path. “Miss Zoe, I may not be as rich as Mr. Yan, but I can certainly afford you for one night.” “Why don’t you come with me instead?” Harry raised his glass and looked at me. “Isn’t this why you came here? To sell yourself? This is Mr. Fu’s party after all. Give up your foolish fantasies. Go rent a room with Mr. Wang – it might even help solve your family’s urgent financial problems.” “Or I could pay for you to get hymen reconstruction a few more times, so you can sell your ‘first time’ over and over!” The crowd burst into laughter. Ever since Harry had abandoned me at our wedding five years ago, I, the young lady of the Xu family, had become the laughingstock of the entire city. They looked at me with contempt. “The bankrupt Miss Xu is dressed so provocatively. Looks like she’s ready to sell herself by the pound to Mr. Yan.” “Mr. Yan already has Miss Rachel. How could this worn-out piece of meat ever compete?” I looked at them with disgust. If it weren’t for Harry’s face looking so much like Frederick’s, how could I have ever stooped to his level? But Harry thought I was just upset at having my intentions exposed. “Stop acting all high and mighty. This isn’t the time to be desperate to marry me anymore.” “If you want to sell your body, go do it somewhere else. If you disturb Mr. Fu, he’ll make you wish you were dead.” Make me? Frederick doesn’t have the guts. I let out a scornful laugh. “Since you say this is Mr. Fu’s party, do you have the right to kick people out? Or are you overstepping your bounds?” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. I should have just waited and come with Frederick instead of trying to surprise him by arriving early. Just as I turned to leave, Rachel entered through the main doors. To my shock, her dress was identical to mine. “Miss Xu, are you trying to copy me?” Rachel glanced at me, then put on a hurt expression. Harry immediately exploded. “Zoe, you disgust me! How dare you copy Rachel to try to please me!” “A used-up slut like you could never compare to Rachel! I’m telling you, no matter how much you imitate her, I’ll never look at you!” I was so angry I could barely breathe. Where the hell did this guy get the nerve to accuse me of copying? The others also looked at me with disdain. “How shameless, first forcing her way in, now imitating the real love interest! The Xu family has really fallen low!” “Hah, I bet even her underwear is copied.” 0

As soon as those words were spoken, Rachel burst into tears. “Miss Xu, how could you be so cruel! Harry doesn’t love you at all, yet you still try to seduce him!” Harry was heartbroken. He turned and looked at me with contempt. “A cheap whore has no right to wear the same clothes as Rachel.” “Strip her! I want to see if you’re being cheap from head to toe.” As soon as he said that, the leering young men swarmed towards me. “Don’t you dare!” I struggled as my wrists were grabbed, glaring furiously at Harry. “I didn’t copy anything!” “How can you prove it if you don’t take it off?” “That’s right! Let’s see Miss Xu’s figure!” Someone started tugging at my dress zipper, while another simply dove under the long skirt. “Get away from me!” My legs were being pulled at, but my arms were firmly restrained by Harry’s men. Rachel smirked in Harry’s arms. “Bang bang—” The host’s mic tapping interrupted the commotion. “Welcome everyone to the party. Mr. Fu is in a meeting and will arrive shortly. Please remain patient.” Harry naturally didn’t dare offend Frederick, so he had to let me go. “You got lucky! If this wasn’t Mr. Fu’s party, I wouldn’t let you off so easily!” I finally breathed a sigh of relief. But the next second, the big screen at the party suddenly lit up. All the scars I had inflicted on myself to pursue Harry, the humiliating images of me kneeling before him, the tattoo of his name on my chest. Everything was displayed shamelessly in front of everyone. The final image froze on that video. Me wearing lingerie, begging Harry to take pity on me. The crowd gasped in shock. My lips trembled, unable to utter a word. My whole body felt like it had been plunged into an ice bath. “That’s so slutty!” “How shameless, releasing this kind of video just to seduce someone!” Rachel approached me. “Miss Xu, I know you love Harry very much. But you can’t show these things at Mr. Fu’s party. What if Mr. Fu sees them and it ruins Harry’s reputation?” Harry looked at me with disgust. “Give up on trying to seduce me! Even if you stripped naked in front of me right now, I wouldn’t look at you!” Rachel took my hand and spoke earnestly. “I know unrequited love is painful, but please let him go, okay?” Hearing her words, the others started praising her. “Miss Rachel is so understanding. Zoe deserves this! She’s just cheap!” But where others couldn’t see, Rachel flashed me a mocking smile. “You bitch, I can make you even more humiliated!” So it was her doing! I yanked my hand away, when suddenly— Rachel fell straight to the ground, and her dress tore open with a huge rip from the chest. She shrieked as she was exposed. “Miss Xu, how could you be so vicious and tear my dress!” I clenched my jaw, looking at the furious Harry. “Stop going crazy! This has nothing to do with me!” I tried to back away, but Harry strode forward and grabbed my hair, slapping me with all his strength. “Zoe, you bitch, get on your knees and apologize to Rachel!” He kicked the back of my knee, and I fell to the ground with a thud. My knee immediately swelled up. “I said it wasn’t me!” He slapped me again. Suddenly someone in the crowd spoke up, “Stop hitting her, Shawn is here!” 0

My brother! I turned to look at Shawn. “Brother, help me…” My brother took a big step forward, grabbed the back of my head without a word, and slammed it down hard. “You useless piece of trash! How dare you offend Mr. Yan!” “Hurry up and apologize to Mr. Yan and Miss Rachel!” My forehead split open on the marble floor, blood blurring my vision as I collapsed in a heap. “How did our Xu family produce such a shameless thing!” Shawn kicked me again without hesitation. Then he immediately turned to Harry, bowing and scraping as he fawned over him. “I’m so sorry Mr. Yan, it’s all my fault for not teaching my sister properly. I’ve caused you trouble. How about I make her apologize to you and Miss Rachel?” “Or I could give her to you! You can do whatever you want with her!” “As long as you’re willing to invest a bit in the Xu family, we can work together for mutual benefit. What do you think?” Harry was very pleased with his behavior. “As expected, Young Master Xu has much better manners. Much more sensible than your sister.” With Harry’s approval, Shawn immediately stomped on my palm. I curled up in pain, glaring at him viciously. “Shawn! I’m your sister. How can you do this? Do Mom and Dad know?” He grabbed my chin contemptuously. “You dare mention Mom and Dad? The Xu family doesn’t have a treacherous daughter like you!” I stared at him in shock. I was too naive. Parents who were ready to marry me off to an old man, how could I have any expectations of them? A family that had only ever used me as a tool for promotion since childhood, how could I hope for love? Tears streamed down my face. A warm flow trickled down my lower body. Rachel covered her mouth and screamed, pointing at the hem of my dress. “She’s bleeding!” I quickly covered my abdomen. I was two months pregnant, and hadn’t had a chance to tell Frederick yet. Blood stained my white dress red. I broke out in a cold sweat from the pain. Rachel continued in shock. “Miss Xu, you didn’t get knocked up by some random guy, did you? Is that why you came to find Harry today? Were you hoping he’d take responsibility?” Harry glared at me in a rage. “You actually dared to get pregnant with another man’s child! Tell me, who is he!” “Damn it, Zoe, are you that desperate? I’ve only been gone five years and you’ve become such a shameless slut!” He slapped me again. I covered my stinging cheek and yanked off the necklace around my neck, revealing the hidden wedding ring. “I’m already married! This child has nothing to do with you!” “What?” Harry let out a cold laugh. “You? Married? Who would want damaged goods like you? I bet you don’t even know who the father is, do you?” He grabbed my wrist forcefully. “Don’t forget! You’re still my wife in name!” “This child absolutely cannot be kept!” I frantically shielded my belly, my nails digging deep into my palms. “This child is Frederick’s. If you dare touch him, Frederick will never let you off!”

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Because of the blizzard, Ryan’s first love was stranded on the snowy mountain. Ryan was severely injured and fell unconscious trying to save his first love. Due to the lack of resources, I couldn’t bear to watch him suffer. I had no choice but to bite my wrist and use my blood as water to save his life. Unexpectedly, the first thing he did when he woke up was to try to leave with his first love. I had lost too much blood and could only watch helplessly as he left with his first love. He looked at me apologetically: “I’ll send a rescue team to save you.” The wound on my wrist kept me painfully awake, but it was nothing compared to the fear of death from my body losing heat. “No…” My weak groan didn’t make Ryan turn back. He walked away, carrying Sophia in his arms, getting further and further from me. In the freezing cold, there were only their silhouettes, supporting each other like a couple in distress. Sophia hugged Ryan tightly, deeply moved. I could hear their voices: “Ryan, if we make it out alive this time, I’ll marry you. I’ve finally realized that you’re the only one who truly loves me.” I couldn’t see Ryan’s expression, but I saw them kiss passionately as the snow fell around them. “I love you too, Sophia.” I felt waves of cold and heartache wash over me. The pain from my wound had even subsided somewhat due to the numbness from the cold. I could only tear off part of my inner clothing to roughly bandage my wound. But it was far from enough to ease my despair and pain. My eyes remained fixed on Ryan, desperately hoping he would look back at me one last time. But his steps, though slow, were determined. He never glanced back in my direction. I leaned my body against the snow cave. Watching their silhouettes disappear before my eyes. My eyes stung with unshed tears, my body nearly frozen stiff. “Don’t cry, the tears will freeze,” I told myself. I tried my best to hold back my tears. Until my blood gradually stained the snow red. I waited from dawn to dusk, but the rescue team Ryan promised never came. After two whole days, my body was too cold to move. We had been stranded on the snowy mountain for five full days. I had only come along to save Ryan in the first place. I hadn’t brought much food with me at all. The hypothermia even made me feel feverish. I had no strength left. My heart was filled with despair. Stranded on this endless snowy mountain, dying here. My heart was full of resentment. And despair towards Ryan. If I had known this would be the outcome, I never would have come to the mountain with him. Before losing consciousness, I thought helplessly: If I can make it off this mountain alive, I will never love Ryan again. In my hazy state, I seemed to see a figure walking towards me. My body had warmed up enough that I could feel the heat from another person. I desperately clutched his hand. “Save me…” [CUT-OFF POINT]

When I slowly opened my eyes, I found myself not in a hospital, but in a strange warm place. Alarmed, I quickly sat up. But as soon as I tried to stand, my body collapsed weakly to the floor. “Why are you getting up? Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet, you still need more rest.” A strange man helped me up from the ground. I instinctively looked up at him. The young man supported my body and helped me back into bed, then sat down beside me. Compared to Ryan’s striking good looks, the face before me could only be described as fresh-faced. He handed me a bowl of medicine. “Drink this.” I looked at him hesitantly. “What is it?” The bitter herbal smell alone made me wince. I’ve never liked bitter things. “It’s medicine I found to drive out the cold from your body. You were frozen for so long in the snow, if the cold isn’t expelled completely you’ll get sick.” “Were you the one who saved me?” The young man nodded, still holding out the bowl to me. Seeing his boyish smile revealing dimples, I smiled back slightly and took the bowl from his hands. The man introduced himself as Ethan Chen. His family lived at the foot of the mountain and ran a traditional medicine clinic. He said Ryan and Sophia had come to his clinic earlier to use the phone, and that’s how he learned there was still someone stranded on the mountain. So he went up specifically to rescue me. I felt incredibly grateful and thanked him profusely. Ethan blushed in embarrassment. “By the way, could I borrow your phone? I’ve imposed on you for so long, I should…” Ethan didn’t say anything, just went to get his phone from across the room. I instinctively took the phone, but as soon as I turned it on, I saw news flooding the internet about an engagement celebration. Seeing two familiar names, I couldn’t help but click on the article. The report showed Ryan and Sophia in hospital gowns. As I scrolled through photo after photo, the final image showed the two of them in formal attire, faces radiating happiness. The internet was flooded with stories praising their undying love on the snowy mountain. There wasn’t a single mention of me anywhere. I held back my tears and looked up at the awkward Ethan. “Why… why are you crying?” I sniffled, trying to contain my heartache, and asked: “Was I unconscious for a long time? Did any rescue teams come up the mountain?” Ethan instinctively shook his head. “I live here and I didn’t see any rescue teams…” Seeing my tears fall harder, he hurriedly tried to explain: “Maybe I just didn’t notice. Hey, don’t cry. Your body hasn’t recovered, you can’t get too emotional.” I forced myself to hold back my tears and nodded slightly. Mountain rescues are always a big operation. How could Ethan, who runs a clinic at the foot of the mountain, not have noticed? I gritted my teeth and still dialed my brother’s number. “Brother…” As soon as the call connected, I couldn’t hold back my sobs. “Emily? Is that you? Where are you right now?” I told my brother my location in detail, my throat tight with emotion. My brother didn’t say much, just promised he would come get me soon. “By the way Emily, there’s one more thing I need to tell you. The Parker family notified us that they want to break off your engagement.” My brother sounded hesitant, as if afraid of hurting me. But surprisingly, I felt nothing at this point. “It’s okay brother, let’s talk about it when we get back.” “Alright, I just wanted to give you a heads up. Never mind, I’ll head back now.” With that, I reluctantly hung up the phone. At the same time, I reconsidered my feelings towards Ryan.

I didn’t know exactly when my brother would arrive, so I had no choice but to stay at Ethan’s house for now. I felt bad about imposing, but he had a mature, composed demeanor despite his youth. “Your body still hasn’t fully recovered. When you go back, make sure to rest well and avoid catching cold for a while.” “Okay, thank you Ethan.” Hearing me call him by name, the young man’s ears turned red. “No need to thank me. You should rest now, I’ll go make you some food.” I stayed one more night at Ethan’s house, and was woken up by my brother the next morning. As soon as I saw him, I couldn’t control my emotions and threw myself into his arms, crying. Ryan and I had studied abroad for years, only seeing our families once a year. Thinking of that now, I felt incredibly touched. My brother was worried about my health. This time he not only came by helicopter, but even brought a medical team with him. But Ethan was different. No matter how much we tried to pay him, he refused to accept any money. He looked at me steadily. “If possible, if you’re willing, just give me your address. I’ll come visit you in the city someday.” I smiled and nodded, exchanging contact information with him. “Anytime you come to the city, you can reach out to me. I’ll show you around.” As I left with my brother, I felt like I was emerging from another world. My brother looked at my expression and hesitated for a long time before speaking: “Emily, today is Ryan’s engagement party. We…” “Brother, I’m tired. I won’t go. Just send a gift on my behalf and wish them a happy marriage.” With that, I leaned against my brother and fell asleep. When the helicopter reached the city, there were signs of romance everywhere. A helicopter scattered rose petals across the entire city. Some even landed in my hair. I looked at the tall tower in the city center. “Are they having their engagement party there today?” It was the tallest building in the city, with a view of the entire skyline from the top. It suited Sophia’s adventurous personality. My brother glanced at my expression, but still confirmed it. “Don’t worry brother. This time, I’ve come to my senses. I don’t love Ryan anymore.” “You don’t love him anymore? You…” I turned back, my expression very calm. My brother swallowed whatever he was going to say. “It’s good you don’t love him anymore. We don’t need him anyway.” We got in the car to head home. I had clarity about the situation with Ryan. From the moment he returned with Sophia and immediately got engaged, without a single word about me, things were over between us. I just never expected our car to be stopped by the wedding convoy. Ryan’s figure hurriedly walked towards our car. He leaned against the window, standing in front of me. I only glanced at him before quickly looking away. Surprisingly, seeing him this time, my heart was calm. There were no more waves of emotion like before. “Emily, you’re back? Why didn’t you tell me? What happened back then, I didn’t mean to. Sophia’s health was poor, I was worried and forgot about you in the moment.” His face showed rare uncertainty. I deliberately exposed the ugly scar on my wrist. I had always been vain, and this scar would remain on my body forever. “Ryan, it doesn’t matter anymore. Since we’ve run into each other today, let’s clear things up. We should break up.” “No! I won’t agree!”

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For thirty years, my DINK husband Lucas adhered to a “Platonic marriage,” refusing to have children or any physical contact with me. He claimed that desire would tarnish our love, and he only wanted us to dedicate our lives to our medical careers. But on our anniversary, I witnessed him intimately entangled in our living room with the woman responsible for my father’s death. “Claire, you don’t know how hard it’s been for me all these years. I only want you…” Thirty years of principles crumbled into a joke. I finally realized I was just a tool for his career advancement. Heartbroken and disillusioned, I decided to accept a position at a German hospital. But when he couldn’t find me anywhere, he panicked. “Claire, I swear you’re the first and will be the only one…” Lucas’s husky voice, mixed with the woman’s soft moans, struck me like lightning. Thirty years. For thirty whole years! Lucas had remained chaste for this woman?! So he wasn’t really devoted to “Platonic love,” nor was he genuinely committed to being childless! He simply didn’t want to touch me! All these years, I had respected his wishes. I even gave up my right to motherhood for him! The cold operating table where I had my IUD inserted still sends chills down my spine. I’m a gynecologist, for heaven’s sake, yet I couldn’t have my own child! All these years of envying newborn babies have now turned into a cruel joke! “Dr. Lin, when are you going to divorce her? I don’t want to wait too long~” “Don’t rush, I’m already making arrangements. After your aunt retires in a while, I’ll divorce her and marry you properly.” “Aunt? Haha, Lucas, have you no shame!” Amber laughed, playfully punching his chest in mock anger. My hands clenched and unclenched, the loose thread on my clothes pricking my skin and my heart. Lucas and I had an age-gap relationship; I was five years older than him. When he married me, he said how amazing his “big sister” was. Now he calls me “aunt.” The hallway mirror mercilessly reflected my graying hair and plain, shabby clothes. I couldn’t help but touch the wrinkles covering my face. I’m only 55, yet time has been so cruel… “Dr. Lin, I heard next week is Dr. Chen’s retirement party. Could you propose divorce to her publicly then?” “But… Claire has been a backbone of the hospital. We need a reason.” “I have a great idea. You can tell everyone that Claire, the renowned gynecologist, is actually a hen that can’t lay eggs!” Amber’s words exploded in my ears, shattering my last line of defense. I stared hard at Lucas, the man I had shared a bed with for thirty years. I searched his face for any hint of hesitation or reluctance. But there was none. His eyes were filled with Amber, and he even chuckled in agreement, “Alright, whatever you say.” My heart plummeted to rock bottom. For Lucas, I had given up my right to motherhood, willingly remaining childless for all these years; For Lucas, I had abandoned my beloved clinical practice to focus on theoretical research, just to help him secure his position as hospital director; For Lucas, I had given up promotions and turned down offers to stay on after retirement, planning to step back and take care of his health. But in the end, was he going to humiliate me like this? That was Amber, the very woman who had caused a medical accident and framed my father, leading to his death in disgrace! Lucas knew all of this, yet he still betrayed me and chose Amber. He was even willing to publicly destroy my decades-long reputation to please her! Tears blurred my vision as I leaned against the wall, gasping for air. With trembling hands, I took out my phone and called the German hospital, accepting their offer to stay on after retirement. As I hung up, thunder rumbled in the sky, and a light rain began to fall. My phone vibrated again, Lucas’s name flashing on the screen. “Claire, are you off work yet?” Today was our 30th wedding anniversary, and Lucas had made early dinner reservations to celebrate. “It’s about to rain. Shall I come pick you up?” he added when I didn’t respond, playing the role of a caring husband. In reality, whenever I had asked him to pick me up before, he always had excuses – either in a meeting or performing surgery. How many late nights had I fumbled my way home after a night shift, only to find him sound asleep? Back then, I foolishly comforted myself, thinking he was just too tired to care for me, stubbornly clinging to a delusion. “No need, I’ll take a cab.” “Alright, be safe on your way. Don’t be late.” I hid in the stairwell, watching the two of them leave arm in arm. I noticed how Lucas tilted his umbrella more towards Amber and couldn’t help but smile bitterly. So Lucas did know how to care for someone; he just never cared for me. All he would say to me was not to be late. “Dr. Chen, long time no see~” Amber was the first to stand and greet me, a gentle smile on her face, the picture of serenity. “What is she doing here?!” I demanded, despite having mentally prepared myself. I had thought Lucas was just dropping Amber off at home, but he had actually brought her to our anniversary dinner! Was Lucas so eager to show her off? On our wedding anniversary, no less?

But Lucas acted as if nothing had happened, pulling out a chair for me while explaining: “I happened to run into Amber, and she said she’s always wanted to apologize to you in person, so I invited her along.” “Dr. Chen, I know I’ve wronged you and your father…” Amber’s eyes reddened as she spoke, “I was young and foolish back then, which led me to make a terrible mistake.” “I’ve been repenting all these years, unable to sleep well at night, always dreaming of your father…” How dare she call my father her mentor! When she first entered the field, my father had guided her every step of the way, from reading medical records to hands-on training, treating her like his own daughter. And how did she repay him? Because of her own mistake, she not only cost a patient’s life but also pushed all the blame onto my father. My father was stabbed in the back, labeled a quack, and died in despair! All of this was thanks to Amber! “Amber, you don’t deserve to call my father your mentor!” I shouted in anger. “Claire, Amber was just confused back then…” Lucas tried to smooth things over. “Confused?” I laughed coldly, “Is ‘confusion’ enough to erase my father’s lifelong reputation? To make up for the pain of his wrongful death?” “Lucas, don’t forget who swore to me that he would seek justice for my father!” The image of Lucas earnestly promising to right the wrongs done to my father was still vivid in my mind, but now this man had become a complete stranger. Lucas looked a bit guilty under my gaze, coughing lightly and avoiding my eyes: “Claire, the hospital has hired Amber as a special consultant. You’ll be seeing each other often from now on. For the sake of hospital unity, can’t you just make peace with Amber?” Special consultant? I finally understood. Lucas had gone to great lengths to bring Amber back to the country and arrange for her to work at our hospital so they could be together! I stared blankly at the two people before me, feeling utterly disgusted. Seeing my expression, Amber knelt down: “Dr. Chen, I know you can’t forgive me right now, but that’s okay. I’ll keep repenting until you accept me as your new colleague… I really want to work alongside you.” “Get out!” I couldn’t hold back anymore and shouted at Amber. “Claire! Can you stop making a scene!” Lucas grabbed Amber and shielded her behind him, “Have you considered how difficult these years have been for Amber? She left her home and country because of this incident.” “Your father’s case happened so long ago. Does it really matter who was right or wrong? Why do you have to be so petty?” I looked at Lucas in disbelief. This man who had once professed his love for me and vowed to take care of me for life. He had seen me cry my eyes out and had sworn to seek justice for me. But now, he was saying this was all trivial, that I was being petty! “If it weren’t for Amber… my father wouldn’t have spent his final years being pointed at and called a quack,” I said, my voice breaking as I clutched my chest in pain. But Lucas didn’t care at all, impatiently cutting me off. “Enough, Claire! Can’t you stop living in the past!” “Look at yourself now. Where’s the gentle woman you used to be? All you do is doubt and suspect, acting like a crazy old hag!” “With a daughter like you, who knows if your dad was really innocent? Maybe he was the one trying to bite back in his confused state.” Every word Lucas said was like a hammer, pounding mercilessly at my heart. I clutched my chest, struggling to breathe. “Lucas, do you have any conscience left? You…” Before I could finish, my vision went black, and I felt myself falling backward uncontrollably.

“Claire!” Lucas cried out, instinctively reaching out to support me. I reflexively grabbed his hand, my face pale and cold sweat dripping down my forehead. Amber quickly pushed Lucas aside, “Dr. Chen, don’t worry. I’ve trained in first aid. Let me take a look at you.” She put on a show of examining me: “It’s nothing serious, just a bit of heat exhaustion. You’ll be fine after some rest.” Then, feigning weakness, she furrowed her brow and suddenly swayed, falling into Lucas’s arms. Lucas caught her in a panic, asking anxiously, “Amber, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me!” “I… my heart doesn’t feel right…” Amber’s voice was weak and fragile, as if she might fade away at any moment. “I’ll take you to the hospital right away!” Without another word, Lucas scooped Amber up in his arms. Before leaving, he glanced back at me, his eyes full of conflict, but he didn’t stop. I watched their retreating figures, tears finally sliding down my cheeks. So this was the man I had loved for thirty years, this was the marriage I had given everything to protect. How laughable, truly laughable! I used my last bit of strength to call 911, then lost consciousness. When I came to, I was lying numbly in a hospital bed. The doctor said I had suffered from acute stress reaction. Indeed, at my age, I shouldn’t get so emotionally worked up, especially not over such a man. After finishing the IV, I stumbled home on shaky legs. Seeing the clothes still hanging on the balcony, I reflexively took them down and folded them neatly, only realizing what I was doing when I opened the closet. In the closet, Lucas’s clothes were all ironed crisp and neat, giving off a faint scent of laundry detergent. My clothes, on the other hand, were pitifully few, mostly just white lab coats. All these years, I had been like a spinning top, shuttling between home and the hospital, living as nothing more than an appendage. At this moment, I could no longer hold back. I broke down and cried my heart out. I tore up the photos of Lucas and me from when we were dating, along with the diary entries I had written back then: “Today Lucas gave me a ring. He said he made it himself and hopes I’ll wear it forever…” “Lucas proposed to me today. He said he would love me and take care of me for life…” “Today Lucas told me he wants a spiritual relationship and doesn’t want children. But that’s okay, all the newborns will be my children from now on.” Once, I thought I had chosen love. In the end, I realized I had only chosen loneliness. Thirty years of feelings, thirty years of dedication, all turned out to be a joke. The next day, Lucas came back. He brought a bunch of breakfast, unprecedented, and even prepared warm water for me to take my medicine. “Claire, Amber had a heart attack yesterday, I was just taking her to the hospital. You know, it’s our duty as doctors,” he said. Seeing no reaction from me, he moved closer, trying to butter me up. “There’s an important symposium at the hospital today, so…” Perhaps only when Lucas needed something from me would he lower himself like this. All these years, I had participated in countless symposiums for the hospital, winning awards big and small, all to secure Lucas’s position as director. But now, I’m tired. “I’m retiring. I don’t want to join this circus anymore.” “A doctor’s duty is to heal, Claire. Just think of it as for the hospital, for the patients! I promise this is the last time!” A doctor’s duty to heal – this was my father’s teaching. I remained silent for a long while, eventually softening and agreeing.

But when I arrived at the hospital, I realized that today’s symposium was nothing but a stage tailor-made for Amber. The topic was “Diagnosis and Treatment of Difficult Gynecological Cases,” with Amber as the main presenter and me as her assistant. I was made to look like a clown, running errands for her – printing materials, organizing case files, serving tea. “Dr. Chen, please revise this case analysis report for me. Make sure it highlights my professional expertise.” “Dr. Chen, where’s my coffee? Don’t you know I need a cup in the afternoon to stay alert?” “Dr. Chen, have you proofread my speech? I’m representing our hospital, so there can’t be any mistakes.” … In the end, Amber won the competition with her “brilliant” presentation and “unique insights,” successfully promoted to chief physician. She stood on the stage, radiant and eloquent, as if she were the true expert who had devoted years to gynecology. And I, like an outsider, was arranged in a corner. Watching her perform, listening to her use the research topics I had studied for years, reaping the applause and acclaim that should have been mine. I remained silent. Seeing me still silent after returning home, Lucas thought I was still angry about the symposium. He approached me with a fawning expression, eagerly massaging my shoulders: “Claire, don’t be angry. Amber just returned to the country and doesn’t understand many things.” “As a senior, you should be more understanding. Think of it as maintaining unity in the hospital.” As he spoke, he pulled out an exquisite little box from his pocket. Inside was the pearl necklace I had admired at the mall earlier this month. In the past, whenever we argued, Lucas would take out a small box with something I liked inside. Accepting the gift meant no more anger – this had been our unspoken agreement for years. “I noticed you liked it last time. You’re always reluctant to spend money on yourself, but never hesitate to buy clothes for me.” Lucas shook his head as he spoke. I fingered the pearl necklace for a long time without speaking. Lucas was the hospital director, often attending public events, while I… How long had it been since I had properly dressed up? Thinking of my reflection in the glass that day, my heart ached again. “Do you like it? It’s to commemorate our 30th anniversary – our pearl wedding.” “Tomorrow is your retirement farewell party. Wear this, and you’ll be the most beautiful queen of the evening.” Lucas said, reaching out to help me put it on. He gently lifted my hair, just like years ago. At this moment, I couldn’t describe the taste in my heart. “Do I have to go to the farewell party tomorrow?” I asked reluctantly, “I don’t want to retire yet…” “Claire,” Lucas turned my shoulders, his eyes full of tenderness, “Your health isn’t good. From now on, just be Mrs. Lin.” Mrs. Lin? Really? I closed my eyes, suppressing the surging emotions, and after a long while, I softly replied, “Okay.” The next day, I got up early, packed a few clothes, and took a cab to the cemetery. I gently placed the divorce papers in front of my father’s tombstone. Looking at the photo on the tombstone, I choked up. I never thought I would be as old as my father was when he passed away. “Dad, from now on, I’ll live for myself! I’ll seek justice for you on my own!” Leaving the cemetery, I went straight to the airport. The German hospital had already arranged accommodation and work for me, just waiting for my arrival. But just as I was about to board, Lucas’s calls flooded in.

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Married for ten years, Phoebe has been incarcerated ten times. Each time she is released, she arrives with a newborn, leaving the chaos for me to handle. “There are no precautions in prison, so why can’t you just take care of a few more kids?” The wives of the fathers of these children show up at my door, demanding child support and compensation for the nights they lost with their husbands. They even injured my five-year-old son because of this. On the day my son was seriously injured, after bearing humiliation, I hurried to pick up Phoebe from prison, only to find her friends had already organized a welcome party for her at the most luxurious restaurant. “Phoebe, Gideon has waited for you for over a decade and has been raising kids that aren’t his. He’s more loyal than any devoted follower.” “Yeah, while you’ve been off visiting dozens of countries under the guise of being in jail, he’s been so broke he’s been washing other people’s clothes for money.” Phoebe laughed, “If I weren’t pregnant with Asher’s child, I wouldn’t have come back so soon this time. Just looking at that old fool disgusts me. But since he’s willing to be a nanny, let him serve both me and Asher well.” My face turned pale as I left the divorce papers and walked away. Her friends tried to calm the situation, “Come on, Gideon, we’re just joking.” Phoebe stopped them, “If you want to leave, then leave for real. Don’t come crawling back later.” I looked at Phoebe, resolute, “I will never regret this.”

As I stepped out of the room, my younger son and daughter ran over, “Dad, where are you going?” I hesitated, and Phoebe immediately laughed. Her friends shouted, “Wow! That was fast. Not even half a minute!” “No wonder he’s such a devoted follower. He’s getting paid, getting paid!” Phoebe knew my weak spot. Even if these two kids were fathered by someone else, I raised them myself. I couldn’t bear to leave them. My son and daughter looked at me hesitantly, “Dad, what’s wrong with you? You smell awful.” Phoebe got up and kicked me like a dog, “I heard you slept with a woman. At least wash off the stench. What would the kids think?” I glared back at her, unable to hold back, “And what about bringing the kids to a place like this?” At that moment, Finn came out of the bathroom, and the two kids immediately ran to hug him, “Uncle Asher, we missed you so much!” Finn looked at me with a challenging gaze, “So, do you like your dad more or Uncle Asher?” “Of course, Uncle Asher!” Finn smugly handed them a piece of cake, “Uncle has a little cake for you.” The kids, who had never seen a cake before after all these years with me, were drooling at the sight. Finn elongated his words, “But only good kids get to eat cake.” Before I could understand what he meant, my son lunged at me and bit me hard, “You jerk!” My beloved daughter walked up to me, slapped me, and hugged Finn, saying, “You’re a dirty nobody, poor and always with women. You’re disgusting! I don’t want you as my dad! I want Daddy Asher!” Finn was extremely pleased, “Gideon, look at what you’ve taught the kids, using foul language and doing such things in front of them.” Phoebe looked at me with disgust, “Is this the kind of children you raise?” My hand, my face, and my heart all hurt. The two kids who had just insulted me were now devouring the cake beside Finn. They humiliated me for a piece of cake. My heart broke, “I’m not fit to be their father. Let’s get a divorce.” I handed the divorce papers to Phoebe again. Phoebe walked toward me, mockingly tore up the papers, “Gideon, you know Grandma will never agree to our divorce. You want me to sign, just to tattle to Grandma about Asher? Dream on!”

“You’re unbelievable!” I was furious, thinking of my sick son at home, and was about to leave. Phoebe grabbed my hair, “What, got a woman waiting for you in bed? We’re celebrating me being pregnant with Asher’s kid. Make us happy, and you can go.” Her friends egged me on, “Gideon, you’re here, might as well join the fun.” “Yeah, it’s a rare gathering. Tell us, how do you handle all those women? Still got your stamina?” “Do you deal with them one by one, or all together? Hahaha!” The kids finished their cake and looked at me expectantly. I couldn’t stand it, “Phoebe! The kids are here. How can you let them say such things?” Phoebe snorted, “But you don’t find it disgusting to do such things in front of them.” “Show us how you usually take care of the kids. Or maybe, give us a demonstration?” Her friends excitedly jumped up, “Phoebe, I’ll play the lead!” “I’ll be the second lead!” Without hesitation, they pulled me onto the sofa, touching me over my pants, “Gideon, don’t be shy, just let loose.” My son and daughter stared at me, “That’s not how it is! Dad is usually on the bottom!” I couldn’t believe my ears, struggling to push away the person in front of me. She grabbed my hand, “Oh, you like it rough.” “Looks like you’ve been busy. Even your niece and nephew know your moves!” My torn clothes exposed bruises and hickeys. Extreme shame washed over me. But they were even more excited, “Such a wild man! Look at those muscles, must be a beast!” My daughter said again, “Mom, where are the third and fourth leads? Dad likes a crowd.” Her words shattered my worldview. I couldn’t believe my cherished daughter said such things for half a piece of cake, “Nora, who taught you this nonsense!” Frightened, my daughter hid behind Phoebe, “Mom, I’m not lying. Dad wasn’t like this before, he used to enjoy it!” My heart went cold. Phoebe frowned at me, “Even with scum like this, you guys can still have fun? Who knows how many diseases he has.” The person with me was getting more excited, “Phoebe, you don’t know, experienced men are thrilling…” The room fell silent. Phoebe’s face turned dark, and they let go of me. I hurriedly crawled to the corner to put on my tattered clothes. Phoebe held Finn’s chin and said, “I don’t want Asher’s eyes dirtied. Drink all the wine on the table, consider it our celebration.” The person was annoyed, “Such fine wine, Gideon, you’ve never seen it, right? Consider yourself lucky.” I couldn’t handle alcohol, but for my son, I forced myself to drink. I was dizzy, “Can I go now?” Phoebe raised an eyebrow. Just as I stepped out, I remembered something important and turned back.

Standing awkwardly in front of Phoebe, “Phoebe, my son is sick, I don’t have money for his treatment…” For years, I’ve taken care of ten kids alone, with a seriously ill Grandma in the hospital, while being bullied and exploited. I had no money for my son’s treatment. Phoebe laughed, “So, you want money. My money doesn’t grow on trees. Can’t let you take it for nothing.” I felt a chill, “What do you want?” “Here, you earn it by skill.” Phoebe slapped a stack of cash on the table, “How much you get depends on your ability.” The group got interested again, “Gideon, a drink for a bill, how about it?” The 96-proof liquor was too much for me. Finn whispered something to my daughter, who immediately rushed at me, slapping me hard, “Weren’t you good at drinking and sleeping with women? Why aren’t you earning money now?” She cried and hugged Phoebe, “Mom, take me away. I don’t want to live with this dirty nobody…” Fueled by alcohol, I lunged at Finn, “What did you say to my daughter! What have you taught her?” Phoebe lost her patience, kicked me hard, “Gideon, are you done acting? Aren’t you disgusting enough! I’m nauseous at night, Asher can’t take it, you serve.” I was desperate, “Phoebe, my son is really sick! I need to take care of him!” Earlier, I was about to go to the prison to welcome Phoebe. But those women got drunk and caused trouble, clinging to me. My five-year-old biological son tried to protect me, but they mercilessly beat him until he was covered in blood, now lying in bed unable to move. Phoebe sneered, “You just want to trick me into sleeping with you, right? Gideon, look at your disgusting self, which woman would want you? In my heart, there’s only Asher.” “Take care of me until Asher’s child is born safely. I’ll have someone treat that little bastard.” I reluctantly agreed and returned home with Phoebe. Only then did I realize she never went bankrupt. She never went to jail. She just avoided me, wanting to punish me. But I didn’t care anymore. I just wanted my son to live. In the middle of the night, Finn said he was hungry, wanting me to cook. He ate my food and vomited. Phoebe grabbed me up and slapped me hard, “You scum, are you trying to poison Asher?” “You need to keep me happy until Asher’s child is safely born. I’ll have someone take care of that little brat.” I had no choice but to agree. I went home with Phoebe. It was then that I realized she had never gone bankrupt, nor had she been in jail. She was simply hiding from me, intent on punishing me. But I no longer cared about that; all I wanted was for my son to survive. In the middle of the night, Finn said he was hungry and asked me to make him something to eat. After eating, he vomited everything up. Phoebe grabbed me and slapped me hard, “You scumbag, are you trying to poison Asher?”

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