Author: Momo Chan

My wife sent me to a military training camp on a remote island, intending to turn me into a bodyguard for her ex-boyfriend. Little did I know, this “camp” was a living nightmare. Trapped on the island, I was caged like an animal, beaten mercilessly, and even forced into breeding programs. When I finally found a chance to call my wife for help, she dismissed my pleas, thinking I was exaggerating: “If you can’t handle this much, how can you protect Daniel?” Unable to bear the humiliation any longer, I made the desperate decision to end my life by jumping into the sea. Only when my wife learned of my death did she realize the gravity of her mistake. Panicked and grief-stricken, she knelt by the shore, crying and begging for me to come back – but it was too late. “Quick, strip him and take him to the breeding room. The people inside can’t wait any longer,” the man said with a lewd grin that made him look like a demon. I stood frozen, not daring to resist as they tore off my clothes. The man nodded approvingly at my submission, his hand snaking around my waist like a cold, venomous serpent. “You’re a natural breeding stud. If the boss hadn’t chosen you, I might not be able to resist tasting you myself,” he said, yanking on the iron chain around my neck and dragging my naked body out. Everyone around stared at me with malicious intent. I tried to act oblivious, mechanically following behind the man. He led me to a sealed room. The men and women inside lunged at me like wolves spotting prey, their eyes glowing with hunger. I could no longer suppress my terror. I screamed and thrashed, desperately trying to escape. But it was useless – countless filthy hands dragged me back. I don’t know how long it lasted. Eventually, I was tossed to the ground like a broken rag doll. My body was covered in bruises, not an inch of skin unharmed. I stared at the ceiling with lifeless eyes. Why? Why did I have to endure such suffering? Who could save me? Perhaps heaven heard my prayers, as I suddenly spotted a phone on the floor. My heart, which I thought had died, started beating again. If I could just call my wife Sarah, I might be saved! I crawled painfully forward, grabbed the phone, and dialed the number I knew by heart. My voice was hoarse from disuse, but the strong will to survive made me struggle to explain my situation. “Sarah, I’ve been kidnapped to a remote island. This place is hell, they-” Before I could finish, Sarah impatiently cut me off. “I’m the one who sent you there. It’s just a military training camp, isn’t it? Stay put and train well. When you come out, you’ll be Daniel’s bodyguard. I don’t trust anyone else around him, only you are suitable.” My heart, which had just started beating again, sank to the depths. It was my own wife who had sent me to this hell. And all of this was just so I could be her ex-boyfriend’s bodyguard! I desperately tried to convince myself that Sarah just didn’t know the true situation here. If she knew, she would surely rescue me. “Sarah, this place is for rich people to indulge their twisted desires. They treat people like animals here. I’ll die if I stay. Please, call the police and save me.” Sarah scoffed on the other end of the line. “James, how can you come up with such a ridiculous excuse? It’s just a bit tough at the military camp, and you’re acting like you’re dying. How are you going to protect Daniel in the future? Just stay there obediently. I specifically chose this island so you wouldn’t have a chance to escape!” I tried to explain further, but then I heard Daniel’s gentle voice in the background. The next thing I knew, the call had been disconnected. My heart shattered completely. Despite the summer heat, I felt a chill throughout my body. This was the woman I had loved deeply for years. I lost all will to live, lying on the floor like a soulless shell. When the man came back, he sneered and forced himself on me again. I lay there, unresponsive. After he finished, he spat on me in disgust. “Damn, you’re like a corpse.” I had no reaction to his curse. As they were taking me back, I gazed at the distant sea. I thought I heard a voice whispering in my ear. Come, come to the embrace of the ocean. The sea can wash away all filth and take away all sins. Somehow, I found the strength to break free from the man’s grasp and ran desperately forward. I don’t want to live like an animal anymore! I don’t want to be anyone’s plaything! Looking at the clear blue sea, I jumped in without hesitation. A faint smile of relief played on my lips. In the last second before losing consciousness, I could feel sharks tearing at my body. Perhaps it was because I had unfinished business, but when I regained awareness, I found my soul had returned to my wife Sarah’s side. I saw Sarah, who had always looked at me with disgust, now tenderly feeding Daniel fruit. “Daniel, your fans are too crazy. I can’t believe they hurt you. Don’t worry, when James comes back, I’ll have him be your bodyguard.” My heart filled with desolation. If Sarah and Daniel were strangers to me, I might have praised her for being such a considerate lover. But Sarah was my wife. I was her lawful husband. Years ago, when Sarah’s family faced a crisis, Daniel abandoned her and cut off all contact to go abroad. It was I who stayed by her side through those difficult times. For six whole years. I thought I could warm her heart. But just one month after Daniel returned, all of Sarah’s attention was focused on him. I had argued and fought about it before. All I got in return was Sarah’s cold response: “There’s nothing between us. Believe it or not.” Now, for his sake, she even sent me to that demon island. Sarah, after learning of my death, will you feel even a shred of regret? Daniel’s eyes flashed with triumph, but his tone seemed hesitant. “Sarah, James is your husband after all. He probably doesn’t want to be my bodyguard. The training must be very hard.” Sarah’s face was full of disdain. “I’ve already sent him to the island for training. Whether he wants to or not, he has to do it.” “How hard can it be in there? When he comes back, we’ll let him rest for a few days and he’ll be fine.” “Besides, he just called me. He seems to be having a great time in there!” How hard can it be? Being treated like an animal inside, chained 24 hours a day, beaten mercilessly at the slightest provocation. Even… even becoming a plaything for those people! They fed me the most potent drugs. They surrounded me, watching me writhe in agony on the ground, attacking me with the vilest language. “Say it! Say it loud, you’re a breeding pig!” “Are you mute? Just say it, and we’ll give you the antidote.” Even as a disembodied soul, remembering those hellish days made my pupils constrict and my body tremble involuntarily. Yet in Sarah’s words, a casual “let him rest for a few days” seemed like some great kindness to me. But to me, it all meant nothing now. I was completely free. Daniel asked curiously, “Sarah, what did James say when he called?” Sarah didn’t even look up, focused on peeling an apple. “He said he was being abused in there. A grown man can’t even handle this much hardship and tries to trick me with excuses. I won’t believe him.” My heart was pierced with countless needles of pain. In six years together, Sarah seemed to have never understood me. I had never lied to her. Perhaps it was because she didn’t love me, so she didn’t care how I treated her. Daniel jokingly looked at Sarah. “Sarah, what if James wants a divorce when he comes back?” Sarah’s face instantly turned cold. “He wouldn’t dare! I won’t agree even if he dies!” I didn’t understand. Sarah clearly didn’t love me, so why did she react so strongly to the mention of divorce? Shouldn’t she be eager to divorce me and marry Daniel? Daniel’s eyes flashed with a hint of malice: “Sarah, I was just asking. After all, James loves you so much. I’m afraid he might get angry when he finds out you sent him for training because of me.” Sarah snorted coldly: “So what if he knows? He stays at home all day doing nothing, almost like a useless person. Being your bodyguard is perfect for him. I wouldn’t trust anyone else.” Sarah, have you forgotten everything? I once had my own career too. When your family’s company was in trouble, I decisively gave up everything to come to your side and help you day and night. Even now, I still handle some company affairs. But in your words, I’ve become a useless person who does nothing. How absurd. All these years of dedication were just my one-sided love, it seems. Sarah carefully fed the apple to Daniel. “Next time there’s danger, let James take the hit for you. You’re an actor, your face can’t afford to be injured.” It’s always like this. Ever since Daniel came back, he’s always been Sarah’s top priority. When I was sick with a high fever and wanted her to keep me company, she said she had to attend a banquet with Daniel and had no time.

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When my childhood friend Liam first awakened his werewolf nature, his friend called me over to help him ease the symptoms. But Liam said: “I really don’t want to give her the satisfaction. We werewolves are the most loyal in love. Whoever we mark for the first time becomes our lifelong, sole mate.” “Even if Aria begs to help me when she gets here, I’ll have to resist.” But no matter how long he waited, I never showed up. He didn’t know that his brother’s bodyguard had been blowing up my phone: “Miss Aria, the young master has long considered you his only mate.” “Please, could you come and give him a kiss?” It turns out that five years ago, when I had a fatal skiing accident and fell into a ravine, his brother saved me by marking me and sharing half of his werewolf lifespan, snatching me back from the clutches of death. Late that night, I wrapped my arms around his brother’s neck and coaxed, “Declan, don’t hold back. Tell me, how many years have you been secretly in love with me?”

Liam’s family all had the werewolf gene. After turning 20, they would go into heat every full moon. Whoever they marked for the first time would become their lifelong, sole mate. I thought the person Liam wanted to mark was definitely me. But when he first awakened his werewolf nature, his friend called me over to help him ease the symptoms. Instead, I overheard Liam saying irritably outside the private room: “I really don’t want to give Aria the satisfaction.” “I want to pursue the campus beauty, but she’s not an easy girl.” “Unlike Aria, who’s like an eager puppy, always at my beck and call.” “When she gets here, even if she begs to help me, I’ll have to resist.” “I don’t want to sleep with her and end up tied to her for life, completely under her thumb.” Standing outside the room, my mind went blank. I never imagined that Liam, who had grown up with me, saw me this way. His friends, always quick to jump on the bandwagon, all laughed: “So in your eyes, she’s just a plaything.” “Why don’t I call and tell her not to come? Save her from taking advantage of you tonight and trying to climb the social ladder through your bed. To be honest, I think you get what you pay for.” But Liam stopped his friend from making the call, saying uncomfortably: “Forget it. If we tell her not to come now, what will she think?” “Even if she’s just a plaything, she’s the one I’ve spoiled since childhood. I can’t bear to hurt her feelings.” “When she gets here, I’ll see if I can resist touching her.” “There are some things I don’t want to spell out. This is a good opportunity to let her see things clearly.” At that moment, I wanted to burst in and shout at Liam: “You can’t bear to hurt my feelings, yet you compare me to an eager puppy in front of your friends, letting them mock and belittle me? You don’t deserve my infatuation!” But I held back. Why waste words on someone who doesn’t cherish me? I turned and fled the scene, telling myself not to cry. After some thought, I called his brother’s bodyguard: “Remember how you begged me to help ease Liam’s brother’s symptoms? Do you still need that now?” “Send me the address. I’ll be right there.”

Half an hour earlier, the bodyguard had called to tell me a truth Liam had deliberately concealed: “Miss Aria, do you remember five years ago when the young master took you skiing and you unfortunately fell into a ravine?” “The older young master led us on a rescue mission. We searched for three days and nights before finding you buried in the snow, frozen like an ice sculpture. You had no pulse at the time.” “The older young master told his brother that werewolves could share half their lifespan with their mate through a blood ritual on the full moon night.” “The blood ritual is another form of marking.” “Once performed, they would consider that person their lifelong, sole mate.” “But the younger master wasn’t willing to do it, yet he couldn’t bear to let you die like that. He held you and cried uncontrollably.” “In the end, it was the older master who saved you.” “You were very lucky. It happened to be a full moon night.” “To save you, the older master performed the blood ritual and shared half his lifespan with you. But in doing so, he also marked you, committing to you as his sole mate for life.” “The younger master begged his brother not to tell you about this.” “For the past five years, every full moon night, the older master has endured alone, never bothering you, and strictly forbidding anyone from revealing the blood ritual to you.” “But tonight he really can’t bear it anymore. He’s been severely injured and is fighting for his life. With the full moon, he won’t make it through without you.” “Please, could you come and help him?” At that moment, my mind went blank. I never imagined that I had actually died once five years ago. Liam, who had cherished me since childhood, wasn’t willing to sacrifice half his lifespan to save me. Instead, it was his “cold-faced” brother who had snatched me back from death’s grasp. But I still hardened my heart and told the bodyguard: “I’m sorry, but Liam needs me more tonight.” I was willing to be ungrateful just to rush over and help Liam. Only to be mocked by him as an eager puppy, a mere plaything. Yes, I was truly pathetic. I deserved to be treated so cheaply. But I won’t debase myself anymore. I wiped away my tears of hurt and humiliation, gripping my phone tightly as I told the bodyguard: “Is it too late to repay this life-saving debt now?” “If Lucas absolutely needs me tonight, I’ll go right now. I’ll give it my all!” The bodyguard wept with joy: “It’s not too late, not at all.” “Miss Aria, I’ll send you the location right away.” “If the young master wasn’t critically injured and facing a full moon night, I would never have dared to disobey his orders and reveal this to you. The family rules are very strict.” I understood. Lucas probably just wanted to save my life, nothing more. He didn’t want me clinging to him. And I just wanted to repay his kindness for saving my life. It wasn’t because Liam had broken my heart, and I was running into his brother’s arms.

But I never expected that when I rushed to the VIP ward at the hospital, I would see Fiona, the campus beauty, standing outside the room, desperate to get in: “Let me in, quick!” “Isn’t it a full moon night? How do you know Mr. Declan doesn’t need me?” “Declan, Declan, just let me in to help you, please?” I suddenly found it amusing. Liam said Fiona wasn’t an easy girl, yet here she was, offering herself to his brother. The bodyguards who had refused to let Fiona in immediately opened the door when they saw me, tears in their eyes: “Miss Aria, you’re finally here.” “Please, come in. The young master truly needs you tonight.” Envy and hatred distorted Fiona’s face. She shrieked hysterically: “Why does Aria get to go in?” “Declan got hurt so badly just to save her.” “She’s nothing but bad luck. How dare you let her in?” I froze for a moment. Saved me again? What did that mean? The ward was already in chaos. I saw Declan lying shirtless on the bed, his face flushed, short hair damp with sweat. His fingertips curled tightly from the surging heat, and the thick white bandages on his back were soaked through with bright red blood. The doctor stood nearby, shouting urgently: “For heaven’s sake, stop resisting! I’m begging you, find a woman to help you quickly. The bandages we just changed are soaked through again. How much blood do you think you have left to endure this torment?” “It’s a full moon night. The werewolf blood is raging far beyond normal levels, and your blood’s ability to clot has failed. Even the best hemostatic drugs I’ve given you aren’t working.” “We need to find a way to ease the surging heat in your body now, or you might bleed to death tonight!” “Where is this girl you say can save the young master? When will she arrive?” The bodyguards standing by the bed had already seen me. They bowed deeply to me with respect and gratitude. “Doctor, she’s here.” At these words, the man lying on the bed, enduring his private hell, suddenly opened his eyes. A pair of intimidating dark red eyes, cold yet dazzling, held back the surging, intense desire as they fell unexpectedly on my face, surprised and annoyed: “Who called her here? Take her away!” The bodyguard bowed and said: “Young master, it was me.” “I’ll accept any punishment as long as Miss Aria can help ease your symptoms tonight.” “Besides, you were injured this time trying to save Miss Aria again.” “You’ve risked your life twice to save her without taking credit. You might not feel wronged, but we truly feel it on your behalf.” I secretly observed the imposing man lying on the bed. Although Liam and I were childhood friends, I had always avoided Declan like the plague. Because he was known as the living incarnation of the Grim Reaper. Even the most arrogant troublemakers became meek in his presence. It was an absolute domination of methods and aura. I usually tried to avoid him at all costs when I saw him. Now, this man who struck fear into everyone’s hearts was clutching the bedsheets, his feet involuntarily curling as he tried to resist. Every part of his body radiated heat waves, his passionate breathing becoming more and more evident. The contrast was so strong, it was captivating. A beautiful man in repose, mesmerizing. However, “You say he was severely injured because of me again?” The bodyguard was about to speak, but Declan cut him off harshly: “Shut up! Try saying one more word!” Then he switched to a gentle yet distant tone to address me: “Aria, leave. I don’t need you here.” The bodyguard, risking his life, said: “Young master, stop pretending. You won’t win a wife by being stubborn.” “Your mouth is the toughest part of you, but your heart is as soft as putty. Whenever Miss Aria is in danger, you’d risk your life, even rush into a fire to save her. Do you think we’re blind?”

There was more than one bodyguard in the room, and they all fearlessly started to complain: “That’s right. Last month’s full moon night, who was it staring at Miss Aria’s photo on his phone screen, longing and pining until he was delirious, calling out Miss Aria’s name? I bet she was in your dreams too.” “And the full moon night before that, you parked your car outside Miss Aria’s dorm all night. How many times did you want to rush into the dorm but held yourself back at the last second? Even a ninja turtle would kneel and call you daddy.” “If we don’t say anything, Miss Aria will never know. Do you really want to endure this for the rest of your life?” “Shut up. I can endure it,” Declan said, lowering his eyes. The doctor standing nearby shouted anxiously: “Endure my ass! If you keep this up, you won’t see tomorrow’s sunrise.” “Miss, why are you just standing there? Hurry up and find a way to ease his symptoms.” The bodyguards standing by the bed all bowed deeply to me with utmost respect. But, “What should I do? I don’t know how.” The doctor, while using scissors to cut away the blood-soaked bandages, said: “Kiss him!” I blushed, my cheeks turning crimson. Standing at the head of the bed, I didn’t know how to kiss this aloof man in front of everyone. Suddenly, a bodyguard shouted: “Miss Aria, do you know how the young master got injured?” “Two days ago, there was a fire in your school’s auditorium. Weren’t you trapped inside, unable to escape? You even passed out from smoke inhalation, nearly suffocating to death.” “Let me tell you, it was the young master who rescued you from the fire.” “Because of the marking, the young master can sense when his mate is in danger.” “The young master ignored everyone’s attempts to stop him and rushed into the inferno to find you. When he carried you out, he was unfortunately struck by a falling beam, and his entire back caught fire.” “But he still endured the excruciating pain and used his last ounce of strength to carry you out of the fire, only to have his brother snatch you away.” “When the younger master saw the older master carrying you out of the fire, he immediately rushed over and took you from the older master’s arms. If he was so concerned about you, why didn’t he go in to save you himself?” What? I couldn’t believe it. Was this how Declan got hurt? I remembered waking up from my coma two days ago with Liam by my side. I had assumed Liam had saved me. The information I was receiving today was too much to process, leaving no room for bashfulness or embarrassment. Never mind, saving a life was the priority. In the heat of the moment, I leaned down towards Declan. Staring at his sensual lips, I kissed him hard. “Don’t touch me.” Declan’s tone was fierce, pushing me away, but his hands gripped the bedsheets tighter and tighter. He was trying so hard to resist that his throat bobbed up and down, his eyes red and frightening. The image of this beautiful man in repose was truly tempting. But his tone grew even colder: “Aria, do you know what you’re doing? Don’t you usually try to stay as far away from me as possible? Don’t do something you don’t like just to repay a debt. And don’t listen to their nonsense, it’s useless. Your kiss doesn’t affect me at all.” But the doctor suddenly exclaimed excitedly: “It’s working! The rate of blood loss has slowed down.” “Miss Aria, quickly, keep kissing him!” “The young master’s body is far more honest than his mouth. Kiss him hard!” The doctor’s excited words were like a harsh slap to Declan’s stubborn mouth. Declan’s face grew uncomfortable, and for a moment, he buried it in the pillow. Was he actually embarrassed? The tips of his ears were so red they could drip blood.

The bodyguards also wept with joy and encouraged me: “I knew calling Miss Aria would work.” “Miss Aria, from now on, don’t believe a word the young master says. He’s just pretending to be tough. His mouth says no, but his heart is desperate for it!” “Look at how red his ears are, and his voice is so hoarse it’s about to catch fire. The young master is just shy and doesn’t want to trouble you. After all, your heart only belongs to the younger master, right?” Declan raised his head and coldly glared at the bodyguards: “Shut up!” Unfortunately, for the sake of his life, the bodyguards collectively ignored his angry gaze. I took the opportunity to boldly turn Declan’s handsome face towards me. Holding the back of his head, I directly sealed his lips with mine. No matter how stubborn he was, I couldn’t remain unmoved by his intention to save me twice. I couldn’t let him down. The moment our lips touched, I clearly felt Declan’s whole body tremble with emotion. But he still clung to his last shred of reason: “Aria, don’t you understand? I don’t need you to repay me like this out of gratitude.” “What kind of person do you think I am? Do I need your pity?” My eyes grew moist: “Declan, I’m willing too. There’s no reluctance at all.” I took his hand and pressed it against my heart. His pupils suddenly constricted, as if he had touched something he shouldn’t have. ‘Don’t look, don’t touch’ – he tried hard to pull his hand away. But I held onto his hand, refusing to let go: “Declan, feel my heart.” “There’s truly no reluctance here. Don’t feel pressured.” Declan’s Adam’s apple bobbed faster, his restraint growing even more intense: “Don’t lie to me. I know your heart only has room for my brother, Liam.” “Earlier when the bodyguard called you, I overheard.” “You said Liam needed you more tonight.” I wanted to explain, but Declan’s phone on the bedside table suddenly rang. I glanced at the screen – it was Liam. Declan also looked at the phone and swiped to answer: “Liam, what is it?” Liam’s equally distressed voice came through the phone: “Brother, my werewolf nature awakened tonight. I feel terrible.” “And that damn Aria still hasn’t shown up.” “I thought I could resist, but I overestimated myself.” Declan glanced at me: “Aria, she…” I immediately kissed Declan’s lips, stopping the words he was about to say. Declan lost control due to my repeated initiative, his pupils contracting sharply. His large, powerful hand instinctively held the back of my head, seeming to want more. But reason quickly overpowered impulse. He pushed me away, not having time to tell me I was here. Liam’s complaints came through the phone: “Of course I know Aria is just delayed by traffic.” “She must be dying to fly over and help me ease my symptoms right now.” “Her heart must be bursting with joy.” “But something so easily obtained always feels a bit lacking.” “I really don’t want her to take advantage of my vulnerable state. Why does our werewolf love have to be imprinted with lifelong loyalty from the core?” Declan’s eyes, red and frightening, were tinged with surprise and anger: “You don’t want to be loyal to her?” “Then why have you been leading her on since childhood?” Liam spoke to his older brother without reservation: “I was young and hadn’t seen many women before.” “I didn’t know how colorful the outside world could be.” “Liam!” Declan suddenly called his brother’s name in a heavy tone: “If you don’t cherish her, don’t blame me for cherishing her instead!”

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After Sean and I were reborn, we both pretended not to know each other. He followed the most popular girl in class to attend university out of state, while I stayed in our hometown. Using the experience from his previous life, Sean quickly became a rising star in his industry and married the beauty. His life seemed perfect. I, on the other hand, stayed close to my parents and built a quiet life in our hometown. We met again at our 10-year high school reunion. With his arm around Rose, the former prom queen, and a cigar between his fingers, Sean looked at my simple attire and sneered, “Is this all you’ve accomplished in the past decade?” I remained unfazed. That is, until the fashionably late business tycoon arrived and wrapped his arm around my waist. “I apologize for our tardiness. My wife is pregnant, so I hope everyone can refrain from smoking indoors.” Sean, usually so composed and confident, visibly panicked. He finally realized that after all these years apart, I wasn’t just holding a grudge against him.

My reunion with Sean took place at our 10-year high school reunion. As I pushed open the door to the private room, I overheard someone teasing: “Sean, you dog! You even managed to snag the prom queen!” “No kidding! Look at how well Sean’s doing in the big city. How can we small-town folks compare to Mr. Big Shot here?” “But I heard you and Amber used to be an item back in the day. You two were always studying together, and everyone thought you were a couple.” At that moment, I heard a familiar voice casually reply, “We were just study buddies. It wasn’t anything serious.” I smiled wryly. After being reborn for ten years, I naturally didn’t have any emotional response. So I calmly pushed the door open. Even after a decade, I recognized Sean immediately. He was sitting on the couch, puffing on a cigar, with Rose leaning against him. Our classmates were all gathered around them. The couple was the center of attention, like stars surrounded by adoring fans. The moment I appeared, all eyes turned to me. Our class president enthusiastically called out, “Speak of the devil! Amber, look who’s here!” Sean and I locked eyes. He held Rose close, his gaze condescending as he looked me up and down, a hint of disdain in his eyes. I was dressed simply today. Thinking about my pregnancy, I hadn’t bothered with makeup. I looked a bit worn out compared to Rose. She was wearing a Chanel outfit, carrying a Hermès bag, her perfect makeup making her look like she’d been pampered all her life. I greeted everyone casually, “Long time no see.” Sean nodded slightly, his demeanor cold. Rose only offered a faint smile. I didn’t bother trying to warm up to them and instead turned to chat with some of the classmates I was closer to. “We’re just waiting for Luke now,” the class president suddenly said. “He just messaged that his flight was delayed. Told us not to wait for him.” All the classmates gathered around the dining table. They were all eager to toast Sean, praising him to the skies. After a few rounds of drinks, I excused myself to use the restroom. As I came out, I ran into Sean, his face flushed from alcohol. He sneered, “Amber, is this all you’ve amounted to in the ten years since you left me?” I remained unmoved. Instead, I suddenly remembered what had happened before our rebirth.

Before our rebirth, Sean and I had a fierce argument on the highway. After graduating from college, I had followed Sean to the big city and worked alongside him for ten whole years. Now that we had achieved some success, I wanted to return to our hometown. I was an only child, and my father had passed away last year due to a cerebral hemorrhage that wasn’t treated in time. Only my mother was left at home, and I was worried about her. Sean had promised me years ago that once we had earned enough money, we would go back. But now he kept putting it off, saying our hometown had no future and wasn’t worth returning to. He made it clear that he would never go back. At most, he said we could bring my mother to live with us in the city. But my mother had visited before and didn’t like it here. She had no friends or family around. To be honest, even after all these years, I still didn’t feel at home in this city. I finally lost my temper and told him, “If you won’t go back, I’ll go by myself!” “Why are you forcing me like this?!” Sean demanded. “What’s wrong with staying in this city? Do you want to be a small-town nobody forever? When our child is born, do you want them to start life at a disadvantage?!” I was five months pregnant at the time. It was partly because of the pregnancy that I wanted to go back even more. I knew how difficult it would be to leave a city once the child was born. Besides, our hometown wasn’t that bad. Although it wasn’t a top-tier international city, it was still considered a second-tier city. It wasn’t as hopeless as Sean made it out to be. “So according to you, everyone who stays in a small city is useless?” I asked. “Only useless people are content to vegetate in small cities, living mediocre lives without ambition,” Sean said with contempt. “I despise such people!” “In your eyes, am I that kind of person?” I asked with a cold smile. “I don’t want you to become that kind of person,” Sean said self-righteously. Then he added out of the blue, “If I had known, I wouldn’t have chosen to stay in our hometown for college with you. It wasted four whole years of my life. I should have gone to the big city with Rose early on to get a head start.” Rose had confessed to him before high school graduation, but he had rejected her. He and I had been study partners for three years and had developed feelings for each other. But ever since he accompanied me to enroll in our hometown university, he had repeated this regret countless times over the past fourteen years. At first, I thought he was just joking. Or perhaps he was indirectly telling me how much he liked me and how much he had sacrificed for me. Later, I realized he truly regretted it. So when we were reborn after the car accident, back to the day we were filling out college applications, he unhesitatingly followed Rose to an out-of-state university. I stayed in our hometown. We both knew the other had been reborn, but we tacitly agreed not to interfere with each other’s lives.

I had thought Sean and I would never cross paths again in this life. Looking at him now, it was clear he had been waiting for me on purpose. Seeing that I didn’t respond, he sneered again, “Now you finally understand that staying in our hometown couldn’t lead to any great achievements, right?” “Look at yourself, then look at our old classmates. Has anyone really made it big?” “But it’s too late for regrets now. I’m planning to marry Rose.” He took out a large diamond ring. The diamond was big, probably about five carats. The reason I could tell at a glance was that it looked slightly smaller than the one I had at home. He said, “If you hadn’t been so stubborn, this ring would have been yours.” In our previous life, when Sean and I got married, he wasn’t as wealthy as he is now, so the ring he bought was quite ordinary. His boasting now was completely undisguised. “Congratulations to you both, then,” I said indifferently. I walked past him. I could feel Sean’s gaze on my back, seemingly displeased. I didn’t know what he was unhappy about. He had chosen this path himself, and this was the life he had dreamed of in our previous life. Could it be that he would only be happy if he saw me regretting my choices? I sat back down in my chair, and suddenly my phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, I answered, “Have you landed?” “Yes, I’m on my way now,” came the reply. “If you’re tired, you don’t have to come. I can head back by myself later.” “How could I let my wife attend a reunion and go home alone? I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” I smiled and didn’t say anything more. As I put down my phone, someone approached me. “Amber.” It was Rose, who had come over with a glass of wine. “Long time no see. Let me toast to you. I should thank you,” Rose said with a smile. “I heard from Sean that if it weren’t for you being his study partner, he wouldn’t have been able to get into a good university.” “There’s no need to thank me. We just helped each other,” I replied. “Regardless, Sean’s current success is partly due to you. Let me drink to you on his behalf.” She was about to pour beer into my glass. “I don’t drink,” I refused. “Just a little bit.” She ignored my refusal and started pouring. I pushed her hand away slightly. “Ah!” Rose suddenly let out a scream. The beer had spilled on her clothes and bag. She quickly grabbed some napkins and started wiping frantically, saying, “My clothes and bag can’t get wet…” The other classmates knew her outfit was expensive and looked on nervously. After wiping for a while, Rose turned to me and said, “Amber, even if you’re jealous of me, you shouldn’t do this! Do you know how much these clothes and this bag cost? Can you afford to compensate me?!”

Before I could speak, Sean walked over and angrily rebuked me, “Amber, you’ve gone too far.” “It wasn’t intentional,” I explained. It really wasn’t on purpose. I hadn’t even pushed the beer bottle that hard, I had just tried to stop Rose from pouring. But for some reason, the beer had spilled from the bottle in her hand onto her. “I just told you that Rose and I are getting married, and you lost it?” Sean criticized me in front of everyone. The classmates around us couldn’t help but chime in— “No way? I thought Amber was pretty calm. She doesn’t seem like the type to be jealous.” “You can’t judge a book by its cover. Some people act like they don’t care, but they’re actually seething inside.” “I heard Amber and Sean used to be together, but they broke up when Sean went to college out of state. Now that Amber sees how successful Sean is, she must be regretting not leaving with him, right?” I was truly speechless. But I still patiently explained again, “I really didn’t do it on purpose. I said I don’t drink, but Rose insisted on pouring me a drink, which is why the accident happened.” “I sincerely appreciate you helping Sean study back then, and I hope you can let go of your lingering feelings,” Rose said with a seemingly sincere face. “I know you’ve never gotten over Sean.” I was stunned. I looked at Rose in confusion: “How did you come to the conclusion that I’m not over Sean? Did I say something to make you misunderstand? Or is there something wrong with my expression or the look in my eyes today?” “Amber, stop pretending,” Rose said confidently. “Sean is so successful now, you must feel regretful.” “I don’t feel regretful at all,” I said slowly and clearly. “We all chose our own paths, and I’m very satisfied with my life now.” Sean let out a cold laugh, clearly not believing me. I didn’t want to explain further. There was nothing to explain. We were no longer relevant to each other’s lives. Today’s meeting was just a coincidence. If I had known Sean would be here, I might have avoided coming. Not because I couldn’t let go of anything, but because there was no need to meet people from my past life again. People from the past life should stay in the past. “I’ll compensate you for the clothes and bag,” I said, not wanting to argue anymore. “Send me the price and your bank account number, and I’ll transfer the money to you.” “Compensate?” Sean spoke up directly. “Do you know how much Rose’s clothes and bag cost? The clothes are $15,000, the bag is $30,000, not including accessories. Let’s say $45,000 at the very least. How are you going to compensate that?” I took a deep breath. I told myself not to get angry at Sean’s condescending attitude. The doctor said pregnant women should maintain a good mood. “I’m not that petty. Just sincerely apologize to Rose, and we’ll let it go,” Sean said magnanimously. “An apology isn’t enough,” Rose quickly added. “You have to promise in front of all our classmates that you won’t have any inappropriate thoughts about Sean in the future.”

“Heh.” I laughed. I laughed out of anger. Looking at Rose’s arrogant expression, I picked up the half-empty beer bottle next to me. The doctor said pregnant women shouldn’t get angry, but they shouldn’t suppress their emotions either. So, without rushing, I poured the remaining half bottle of beer all over Rose’s clothes and bag. Rose was shocked. She looked at me in disbelief, taking a moment before she could speak, “Amber, have you gone crazy? What are you doing?!” At the same time, Sean pulled Rose behind him protectively and pushed me. Fortunately, our class president quickly shielded me and stood between us, afraid Sean might do something rash in his anger. He tried to calm the situation, “Sean, don’t get worked up.” “Amber, do you think I’m easy to bully?” Sean said menacingly. “How dare you treat Rose like this? Who do you think you are?!” “I don’t need you to give me face, and I’m not pretending to be anyone. I am who I am,” I said coldly. I added, “Since I agreed to pay for it, her clothes and bag are mine now. How I choose to ruin them is my business. What right do you have to interfere?” “Can you even afford it?” Sean asked harshly. “Give me the bank account number,” I said firmly. “Are you willing to bankrupt yourself just to prove a point? Amber, you should have gotten rid of this stubborn attitude long ago. We wouldn’t have ended up like this otherwise.” “Give me the bank account number!” I repeated, my voice a bit louder this time. “Don’t regret this,” Sean threatened. “Sean, stop wasting time with her,” Rose called out, almost bursting with anger. “If she doesn’t appreciate our kindness, just give her the account number. Let’s see if she can actually afford to pay this much!” Sean didn’t hesitate any longer and recited a string of numbers. I entered the bank account number and proceeded to transfer the money. But the system prompted me that the password was incorrect. I thought I remembered this password. I thought for a moment and entered another password. It still showed an error. I pressed my lips together. Was pregnancy brain really making me this forgetful? I suddenly couldn’t remember the correct password. Sean and Rose were waiting beside me, and our classmates were all watching this drama unfold. Seeing that I still hadn’t made the transfer, Rose laughed first: “Amber, weren’t you so proud just now? Where’s the money? I don’t see Sean’s account balance increasing by a cent.” Sean was holding his phone, and there was no notification of any incoming transfer. “I forgot the password,” I explained. I was afraid that if I entered the wrong password again, the account would be locked. “What a convenient excuse,” Rose said with extreme sarcasm. Sean laughed disdainfully. The surrounding classmates were whispering among themselves— “I thought Amber was really going to pay. I was feeling bad for her.” “Who would be that stupid? $45,000 is almost enough for a down payment on a house.” “Sean and Rose were willing to let it go, but Amber had to make things difficult for herself.” “Now she’s been slapped in the face, hasn’t she? How embarrassing!” Rose coldly asked me, “So, are you going to write an IOU? How long will it take you to pay it back? A year, two years, or a lifetime?” “Ten minutes,” I said directly. In ten minutes, Luke would definitely be here. “Stop pretending, Amber. You clearly can’t afford it,” Rose didn’t want to waste any more time with me. “Originally, a verbal apology would have been enough, but now, you’ll have to get on your knees and beg for my forgiveness.” Everyone was watching me, waiting for me to make a fool of myself. Fortunately, at that moment, the door suddenly opened, accompanied by a familiar voice: “I’m sorry I’m late.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296236”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn #校园School

At the graduation party when I was eighteen, Jacob Taylor introduced me to an adult secret. I endured the initial discomfort, but secretly smiled the whole way home. Six years of secret love, from middle school to high school graduation, had finally come to fruition. I curled up in bed, my fingertips lightly tracing the marks he left behind, as if this could make that moment last forever. Until the next afternoon, when I returned to school early to retrieve a forgotten notebook and heard Jacob and his basketball teammates laughing in the empty classroom. “Nice job, you scored with the class beauty,” a gruff male voice rang out – it was Mike, the team’s center. My heart skipped a beat as I stood in the shadows of the hallway clutching my notebook, my cheeks burning. “I wanted to pursue Jessica, but was afraid she’d think I was too inexperienced,” Jacob’s casual voice was like a dull knife, slowly cutting open my chest, “So I practiced my skills with Emily first.” I didn’t say a word, I just changed my first college choice from New York University to the University of Florida – the option furthest from New York.

The notebook slipped from my hands, landing with a muffled thud on the carpet. I stood frozen in place, as if struck by lightning. On a hot July afternoon in Minnesota, I felt my blood turn to ice. “As expected of our captain, even the class beauty is just practice for him,” another teammate, Chris, whistled. “Doesn’t that make her like, what do you call it, one of those inflatable practice dolls?” Mike laughed crudely. Jacob laughed and threw a textbook at him: “Don’t say it like that, it’s not like she lost out.” “Seriously though, the class beauty is too skinny. Compared to Jessica the cheerleading captain-” “Shut up,” Jacob interrupted, but with a laugh in his voice, “It was just the mood at the time. Besides, I could tell she was struggling quite a bit…” “Wow, who knew our straight-A class president Emily was such a closet freak!” “Who could resist Jacob’s charm? When meat is served to your mouth, how can you not eat it?” “Emily’s been chasing you for so many years, she’s probably fantasized about it countless times, right?” A burst of harsh laughter erupted from the classroom. I bit my lip hard until I tasted iron. My nails dug deep into my palms, the pain barely keeping me standing. Footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway, and I frantically picked up my notebook and fled into the farthest stall of the girls’ bathroom. The moment I locked the door, tears began to fall. I covered my mouth, suppressing my sobs as my body slid down the partition to the cold floor. The girl in the mirror had red, swollen eyes and messy hair – this was how Jacob Taylor saw me, a convenient post-it note girl to be used and discarded. Outside the stall, the sound of running water and girls chatting drifted in. I held my breath, listening to them discuss prom and their upcoming college lives. Most people had chosen schools on the East Coast, including Jacob – he had received a sports scholarship to New York University. And I had originally planned to follow him to New York, applying for a scholarship to the same university. With trembling hands, I took out my phone and logged into the college application system. The deadline was midnight tonight. My finger hovered over the screen for a long time before I finally changed my first choice from New York University to the University of Florida – the farthest option from New York. “Emily? Are you in there?” My best friend Sarah’s voice came from outside the door. “The graduation ceremony is about to start, everyone’s looking for you.” I quickly wiped away my tears and took a deep breath: “I’ll be right out.” As I pushed open the stall door, I fixed my appearance in the mirror. The girl in the reflection had changed – something soft had died in her eyes. At the graduation ceremony, I mechanically accepted my diploma. As I stood on stage, my gaze swept over the crowd – Jacob was laughing and joking with his basketball teammates, not even bothering to look up at me. That night, while everyone else was celebrating graduation by the lake, I sat alone at home and clicked the “Confirm Submission” button. The system displayed a successful change: Emily Carter, University of Florida, Biochemistry major. Thirteen hundred miles from New York.

Tears of heartbreak and humiliation had long since fallen. Jacob’s words echoed in my mind over and over again. They had almost completely destroyed all of my self-esteem. If I hadn’t heard it with my own ears, I never would have believed that he and the person who had been so intimately entangled with me last night were the same person. Apparently, it was possible to do such intimate things without love. Even in the most passionate moments of losing all reason, it was possible to lie and deceive. What I had foolishly believed to be the fruition of our relationship was nothing more than a joke to others. The more I cried, the more upset I became. But I didn’t dare make a sound, my body shaking uncontrollably. After a long while. My phone buzzed with a message notification. It was Jacob. [Take a cab home yourself, the team has a celebration party tonight, it’s not convenient to take you.] I didn’t reply. He added another message. [Remember to go to CVS and buy Plan B, I don’t have time to go with you today. Make sure to take it, be good.] I stared at these two messages for a long time without saying anything. Yesterday from evening until dawn, Jacob had worn me out over and over again. In the end, when we were both exhausted, just before he fell asleep holding me, he had mumbled twice. “We weren’t fully prepared for the first time, I’ll definitely take you to buy emergency contraception tomorrow.” He even reminded me that girls need to protect themselves, and that Plan B is more effective the earlier you take it. At the time, I thought he was being responsible towards me, that I had finally found my happiness. But now… In an instant, I sobered up quite a bit. I pinched my palm hard, forcing myself to stop crying. I wiped away my tears and tidied myself up before leaving the bathroom. Too embarrassed to go to the pharmacy myself, I just ordered the pill on Uber Eats. After the rider left it at the door, it took me a long time before I dared to sneak out and bring it back. After swallowing the pill with tears in my eyes, I seemed to lose all my strength and just sat numbly on the carpet, staring blankly. Ever since Jacob’s family moved in next door, I had followed him around like a little tail for ten years. I had never imagined what a world without him would be like. I didn’t dare to imagine it either. But from now on, it would just be me alone. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the lights of Minneapolis came on one by one, then gradually went out. I don’t know how much time had passed when my best friend Sarah FaceTimed me. “Emily, why didn’t you come to the graduation party with Jacob tonight? “That cheerleader Jessica showed up instead, and she’s been all over Jacob while you’re not here. They’re being so gross right now.” Sarah turned the camera to show me.

In a dim corner of the party, Jacob and Jessica the school beauty were sitting close together. Jessica was wearing a crop top and tight jeans tonight, showing off her slim waist and long legs. The two of them were clearly separated from the people around them. Even their conversation seemed like intimate whispering. The flirtatious atmosphere was palpable even through the screen. My chest tightened involuntarily. Jacob had just said this afternoon that he wanted to pursue her, and it looks like he’s already succeeded tonight. Jessica drew “guy does push-ups over girl” for Truth or Dare and had to pick a guy to do it with her. Not surprisingly, Jacob immediately volunteered. Everyone started cheering them on. Jessica blushed and obediently lay down on the couch. Jacob hovered over her and did dozens of push-ups in one go. He was very restrained the whole time, trying hard to avoid touching Jessica’s body. Until the very last one, whether he finally lost his strength or did it on purpose, He couldn’t hold himself up and fell directly on top of Jessica. The screams around them grew even louder, nearly taking the roof off. Jacob and Jessica’s faces turned even redder. Amidst the crowd’s frenzied cheering, Jacob simply lowered his head and kissed Jessica. The two kissed shamelessly, ignoring everyone around them. It lasted a full three minutes before they reluctantly parted. During those endless three minutes, I stared at the screen without blinking, so stunned I nearly forgot to breathe. My heart felt like it was being torn apart. I wanted to cry, but I had cried too much earlier without drinking water, so I had no tears left. “OMG Emily, did you see that? You could hear them kissing, he’s so into her,” Sarah exclaimed as she turned the camera away and left the party room. She found a quiet corner and sincerely advised me: “Emily, don’t blame me, but if you didn’t see it with your own eyes, you wouldn’t give up on him.” My throat was dry, and the sounds I made were barely audible. “Mm, I don’t blame you.” I only blame myself for being so stupid for so many years. I thought that since I was always allowed to follow Jacob around, that spot next to him would always be mine. “I just can’t stand Jacob. How could he string you along pretending to be an innocent boy when he knew you liked him for so many years, watching you fall deeper and deeper?” “You saw it clearly just now. I really hope you’ll seriously reconsider. Don’t let him waste another four years of your life in college…” “I won’t, Sarah,” I interrupted her, stating calmly. “I won’t give myself that chance again. “Sarah, I’ve already decided. I’m going to the University of Florida with you. “But you have to promise to keep it a secret for now.”

After saying that, to prevent myself from hesitating again, I opened my laptop in front of Sarah. Without any hesitation, just before the deadline, I changed my Early Decision application through the Common App from New York University to the University of Florida. Sarah was so happy she almost jumped up. She had been trying to persuade me to apply to the same university for a long time. But in our sophomore year of high school, Jacob and I had made a promise to work hard together and go to his dream school in New York after graduation. That’s where his dream sports management program was. So even though I was actually more drawn to the warm sunshine of California and didn’t particularly care for the hustle and bustle of New York, for three years of high school, I had always treated NYU as my only goal. After years of being neighbors, both sets of parents were happy for us to attend the same university. Everyone, including myself, thought that Jacob and I would naturally become a couple after we became adults. But now, I couldn’t find any reason to go to New York anymore. Or rather, after today, if I were to follow Jacob around like before, I would look down on myself. Now I just wanted to hide far away. It didn’t matter where, as long as Jacob wasn’t there. If he was on the East Coast, then I would go to the southernmost point.

Before bed, I filled an entire bathtub with water, wanting to wash myself completely clean. But when I took off my clothes, the purple bruises from his kisses were still clearly visible on my skin. Memories of last night came flooding back involuntarily. The burning heat of the boy’s skin as we held each other tightly, the scorching breath in my ear as we moved together – the lingering warmth seemed to still surround me. I shook my head violently, trying to shake off these wild memories. I found a loofah and scrubbed my skin over and over again until my whole body was red before I stopped. Clumsily attempting to erase this most shameful experience of my life. The result was that I was in so much pain I couldn’t sleep well all night. Jacob didn’t send any more messages either. Breaking the habit we’d had since getting phones of saying goodnight to each other without fail for six years. This was for the best. It would have happened sooner or later anyway. Might as well start detoxing from tonight. I tossed and turned until nearly dawn before finally falling asleep. Early the next morning while I was still sound asleep, I suddenly felt someone plant a light kiss on my forehead in my dream.

I woke with a start. But when I opened my eyes, I saw the familiar chin and Adam’s apple. The scent enveloping me from above was Jacob’s favorite Creed cologne, along with a faint unfamiliar citrus fragrance. I had almost forgotten, Jacob always had a spare key to my house. Seeing that I was awake, Jacob simply moved lower, chuckling as he tried to kiss my lips. I hurriedly turned my head to avoid it. I pushed him away and retreated to the other side of the bed. Jacob was stunned for a moment, then laughed at me: “Morning, sunshine. Why so shy?” I didn’t say anything, just pulled the covers over my head. Jacob scolded me while trying to pull off my blanket. “Emily Carter, you’ve got some nerve. You didn’t say goodnight to me last night and even turned off your phone. “Now you’re hiding from me?” He was quick, diving under the covers in an instant. Before I could react, he had me completely wrapped in his arms. “Hey, how many times have I told you not to skip breakfast? “I went out of my way to bring you your favorite – pumpkin spice latte and blueberry muffin from that Starbucks you love. “Do you want to get up and eat now, or… do you want me to eat you first…” His breath was extremely close to me, and his hands followed suit. Sobering up from my daze, I struggled desperately. But at 5’4″, I was no match for the 6’2″ athlete. I really couldn’t understand what he was thinking. He already had Jessica, why was he still messing with me? After struggling hard for a while, I was panting, but hadn’t broken free. Instead, he held me even tighter. “What’s wrong with you? “Are you angry? Just because I didn’t take you to the party last night? Such a small thing?” I didn’t say anything. He buried his head in the crook of my neck and laughed. “Let me guess, your gossip queen friend Sarah livestreamed it for you? “It was just a game, is that worth being jealous over? “Why are you still like before, getting upset whenever I get a little close to other girls?” I was furious to the extreme, at a complete loss for words. Remembering what I learned in self-defense class, I suddenly raised my knee and aimed for his groin, then quickly ran off the bed while he was in pain. “Emily!” Jacob gritted his teeth, his face turning red. I quickly grabbed a hoodie and threw it on over my pajamas, hurrying to the living room. I didn’t want to be in the same room as him, especially not my bedroom. Jacob came out shortly after, looking both angry and helpless. After a long while, he seemed to suddenly remember something and casually asked: “By the way, you took the Plan B yesterday, right?” “Don’t cause any accidents, we can’t explain it to your parents.” Jacob walked to the kitchen island and picked up the latte, holding it out to me. “Come on, drink something before you get angry. You know you have low blood sugar.” I didn’t say anything and didn’t take it. Jacob’s hand holding the cup froze in mid-air for a long time before he finally lost patience. “What the hell is your problem? “Emily, there’s a limit to throwing tantrums, you know?” I coldly replied: “I’m not good enough for you.” Jacob’s face turned white with anger. He slammed the coffee down on the counter. He used too much force, and the lid popped off, splattering coffee everywhere. “What do you mean by that? “Who do you think you are, Emily? “It was just a one night stand, and now you want to control me? Do you know how suffocating that is?” His tone was unprecedentedly fierce. In an instant, tears streamed down my face without a second of build-up. Yesterday’s humiliation and hurt all came rushing back. Jacob seemed unprepared for my sudden intense crying and was at a loss for what to do. He apologized with frustration: “Shit… I’m sorry, I drank too much last night and wasn’t thinking when I said that just now.” Jacob walked up to me as he spoke, reaching out to wipe my tears, but I dodged him again. He froze, his hand stopping in mid-air. He was about to say something else when his phone suddenly rang. He only glanced at the screen before his expression changed, and he immediately grabbed his jacket to leave. “I have an emergency, you calm down first. “We’re going to college now, stop being so childish. Who could put up with this in the future?”

Less than half an hour after he left, Sarah sent me a screenshot. It was Jessica’s Instagram story. [✨Magic breakfast appears when you’re hungry✨ Is this what they call mutual crush?] The photo showed an Einstein Bagels packaging bag identical to the one on my dining table. I didn’t reply. I just silently wiped away my tears and knelt down to clean up the coffee Jacob had spilled. After trying for a long time, I was upset to find that the stains on the wooden floor had seeped into the grain and couldn’t be wiped away. In a fit of anger, I contacted a flooring company to come refinish and reseal it. After all, this was the eco-friendly sealant that Jacob and his parents had specially recommended to my family after returning from their vacation in Hawaii. While I was at it, I gathered up Jacob’s sweatshirt, toothbrush, game console, and all the gifts he had given me over the years. I even went through the photos of us together on my phone, sorting them all out. I was busy until late at night before I finished packing everything into donation boxes. He probably wouldn’t care about these old things anyway. After Jacob left that day, there was no news from him for several days in a row. I guess things were going well with the cheerleading captain. Or maybe he was waiting for me to contact him first. In the past six years, every time we had a cold war, I was always the first to give in, without exception. But this time I didn’t reach out to him. There was no need to reach out to him anymore. I blocked his phone number and all his social media accounts, changed the password on my front door, and deleted my old Instagram. After doing all this, I called my parents who were on a business trip in China. I told them I wanted to go to San Francisco to stay with Aunt Linda during spring break. My plan was to fly directly to the University of Florida with Sarah when the break was over. Besides Sarah, no one else knew I had changed my ED application. This plan should perfectly avoid any chance of running into Jacob. Mom laughed on the phone and asked, “Sweetie, are you going to California with Jacob?” I gave a vague answer, not wanting to explain too much. I just said I wanted to keep Aunt Linda company after her recent surgery. Dad booked me on the earliest flight the next day, and I packed my bags overnight to prepare to leave. As I was heading out, I unfortunately ran into Jacob’s mom in the driveway. She enthusiastically rolled down her car window: “Emily, why are you alone? Isn’t Jacob picking you up? “Didn’t he say he was taking you to Cancun for spring break? Have fun you two!” I was a bit confused. During the most stressful part of senior year, I had indeed mentioned to Jacob that I wanted to see the blue seas and skies of Cancun, Mexico. But how could we possibly travel together now, given our current situation? But my Uber had already arrived, so I just said a quick goodbye and left. What I never expected was that at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, I would actually run into Jacob.

After half a year apart, when I saw Jacob again, we had both changed quite a bit. He was even thinner, had dyed his hair, but of course still looked as handsome as ever. I’ve never been good at reading people, but my aesthetic sense has always been on point. Otherwise I wouldn’t have known to follow him around like a puppy since I was little. I was only stunned for a brief moment before I smiled and greeted him casually. “Hi Jacob, you’re here too.” Jacob’s hand froze in mid-air as he was reaching for my luggage, looking at me in disbelief. Since we were little, both sets of parents had repeatedly told me to call him “big brother Jacob” many times. I had stubbornly refused to ever call him that. Now with a different mindset, it came out naturally. But Jacob seemed to have a hard time accepting it. It was a long time before he finally took my luggage with shaking hands. Mom whispered an explanation in my ear. “We came out to pick you up and happened to run into Jacob at the entrance. He insisted on coming along to help.” I smiled and gestured that it was fine. In the car, I couldn’t wait to share all the recent interesting stories from school with my parents, making them laugh non-stop. No one paid attention to Jacob, but from the corner of my eye, I noticed his lips curling up in a secret smile the whole way. That day he seemed to want to come sit at my house for a while, but all three of us politely declined together. The entire winter break I was out early and back late every day to practice driving, and in the evenings I was always out with some high school friends. I heard Jacob came looking for me a few times, but we always missed each other. I was a bit surprised, not thinking there was anything we needed to talk about. This year my grandmother and aunt had come back for the New Year. On New Year’s Eve, the house was especially lively. After the New Year’s Eve dinner, the older folks were watching the Spring Festival Gala on the couch, while the younger generation was learning to play mahjong. But Jacob’s family of three suddenly showed up at our house with bags of gifts.

“Our house is too quiet, mind if we join in for a game?” Jacob’s mom joked with a smile. In previous years, our two families had always spent the Spring Festival together. This year, because of my relationship with Jacob, my mom had declined his mom’s invitation to have New Year’s Eve dinner together. But when guests show up at the door, you can’t just turn them away. Jacob naturally sat down next to me, watching me play mahjong. My cousins didn’t know about the situation between Jacob and me, and kept teasing us. I laughed it off and clarified each time. Jacob’s expression soured a bit. When we went out to set off fireworks at midnight, he grabbed my hand, seeming to want to say something. But my phone suddenly rang. My face reddened a bit as I pulled my hand away from Jacob’s and stepped aside to answer the call. It was a classmate from Florida named Jack who I had met through a student club. He was very good-looking too. Not the cold, aloof type of handsome guy, but more of a funny, goofy boy who loved to laugh. He talked a lot and was full of jokes. He often made me laugh so hard I couldn’t straighten up. He said he called because he was bored being alone and wanted to count down to the new year together with us. I didn’t think much of it and didn’t hang up since it was New Year’s. I let him participate in our New Year’s countdown ritual remotely. Just before hanging up, he chuckled. “Actually, I just wanted to be the first person to wish you Happy New Year after midnight. “Happy New Year, Emily.” I smiled happily and wished him well too. We chatted for a while longer, and when he was finally willing to hang up, I turned around to find Jacob standing behind me with an icy expression. I don’t know how long he had been listening. “Boyfriend?” he asked hoarsely. “Not quite yet,” I replied honestly after thinking for a moment. “…” Jacob was silent for a long time. I thought he had nothing more to say and was about to head back to the living room to continue playing mahjong. But he suddenly spoke up again, “Out-of-state guys aren’t necessarily reliable. It’s better to find someone local who you know well.” I nodded. “You’re right, you never truly know someone. I’ll keep evaluating him. “Thanks for the advice, Jacob. You should settle down soon too.” Jacob looked like something had stabbed him in the heart. He didn’t say anything else and left the yard directly. I didn’t think much of it. It wasn’t the first time he’d thrown a tantrum. Before, when I had rose-colored glasses on, I thought everything about him was perfect. But now… After that, I accompanied my grandmother and parents to visit relatives and then went on road trips. I barely stayed at home. I didn’t run into Jacob again either. The winter break was short, and soon I was back at school. But the next day, I actually saw Jacob at the university gates.

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Preschool called to inform me that my daughter Nora had been pushed down the stairs by a classmate. I hurried to the hospital, where I found my husband, who should have been at work, talking with the doctor: “Mr. Asher, your daughter’s injuries are serious. Should we begin with emergency care or conduct the bone marrow test first?” “Do the test first! We can’t hesitate; my precious daughter can’t wait any longer!” I was completely baffled until I saw another little girl, about four or five years old, come over and cling to my husband’s leg, sweetly asking, “Daddy, I did what you told me and pushed Nora. Am I saved now?” She was Nora’s preschool classmate, a child suffering from leukemia. I felt numb, my whole body trembling uncontrollably. Tears blurred my vision as Asher picked up the little girl, softly saying, “Daddy is going to save you, don’t worry.” A slender figure appeared, leaning close to the father and daughter. “The one who got hurt is also your daughter. You won’t blame our Freya, will you?” Asher frowned slightly and replied nonchalantly, “I specifically asked Freya to do it. Her mother is always watching her too closely. I couldn’t do anything myself, so I had to ask Freya to help, just to get a chance to do the match at the hospital.” “Back then, to save Freya, we needed a sibling’s umbilical cord blood but didn’t want you to go through another pregnancy, so we stopped your medication and had Fiona give birth to her. In the end, she should thank Freya; without her, she would never have been born.” “The only person I truly love is you, and the daughter I care most about is Freya.” The woman turned, and I finally saw her face. It was Celeste, Asher’s old flame and a top actress in Hollywood. Celeste wiped her tears, murmuring, “Oh, my poor Freya, having to endure another bone marrow transplant because of the relapse.” The three of them hugged tightly, appearing as the perfect family. But what about me? Legally married to him for six years, with a lovely daughter—what am I to him? Tears fell uncontrollably as their conversation replayed in my mind. Freya, the little girl Asher pitied and always brought home, turned out to be his daughter with Celeste. His daughter had leukemia. To spare Celeste the ordeal of pregnancy, he had me give birth to Nora just for the life-saving umbilical cord blood! After the relapse, he targeted Nora’s bone marrow, instructing his daughter to harm our child just for a chance to secretly do the match at the hospital! No wonder… no wonder I couldn’t conceive after a year of marriage—the problem lay in the medicated milk Asher gave me every night. Even after stopping the medication and successfully conceiving Nora, I was extremely cautious to ensure a safe pregnancy. When giving birth, I was on the brink of death and ended up unable to conceive again. Asher’s gentle face urging me to drink milk and sleep every night twisted into something monstrous in my memories. My hands shook violently, and the phone slipped from my grasp. The noise interrupted the scene not far away. Asher looked over at me, the tenderness on his face freezing instantly. He awkwardly pulled his hand away from Celeste’s arm, stammering, “Honey, what are you doing here…” I pretended not to see, wiped my eyes hard, and asked with a trembling voice, “The teacher called me. How’s Nora?” Now wasn’t the time to confront him. My daughter’s safety was more important. Asher walked toward me, visibly uneasy, while Celeste looked at me with a fierce gaze but spoke in a soft voice, “Nora’s mom, it’s really my daughter’s fault for being impulsive…” “Enough! My daughter’s safety is the priority now. If anything happens to her, I won’t let you off!” Celeste covered her mouth, crying, while her daughter Freya pointed at me, shouting, “Bad woman! You made my mom cry! I’ll tell my dad to hit you!” I didn’t want to get entangled with them any longer and headed straight to my daughter’s room. “Now! Save my child immediately!” When Nora was wheeled back into the room from the emergency room, I saw her pale face. Her head was wrapped in thick gauze, looking so fragile and pitiful. A four-year-old girl, at such an innocent age, yet she had to endure this cruel treatment. Even her birth was a calculated plan by the father she admired so much. Asher wrapped his arms around me from behind, speaking softly, “The doctor said Nora isn’t in any serious danger. She might need to stay in the hospital for a while, so don’t worry too much.” “As for the little girl who pushed her, I’ve talked to her mom. She didn’t mean it; kids… accidents happen during play.” His sudden niceness was just to prevent me from holding anyone accountable. I didn’t respond, only asking him, “Why didn’t you tell me Celeste’s daughter and Nora are classmates?” His hand, which was holding me, froze, and he said guiltily, “I only found out today at the hospital, honey. How could I hide anything from you?” I remained cold and silent. He awkwardly let go, tucking Nora’s blanket. The phone notification sounded at an inappropriate time. He glanced at the screen, then stood up, trying to be accommodating, “Are you hungry? The doctor said Nora will wake up soon. I’ll get her favorite custard bun.” After he left, I quietly followed him. I saw him head to the doctor’s office. “I’ve already informed Fiona that Nora needs to stay in the hospital. We should be able to do the match during this time, right?” “We can, but Nora’s health isn’t great. Are you sure you want to rush the match? She’s really pitiful. When she was brought in, she didn’t cry out in pain, only kept calling for her dad.” Asher was silent for a long time before hoarsely saying, “I’ll compensate the mother and daughter.” The doctor sighed, “Asher, I’ve known you for years, and I have to advise you. Fiona loves you so much. Despite her weak body, she risked everything to have the child. Can you really be this heartless?” “Enough!” Asher shouted angrily. “It was Fiona who insisted on marrying me. If she hadn’t taken advantage of my vulnerability when I was down, maybe none of this would have happened! Doesn’t she bear any responsibility?” “I only found out after marriage that Celeste was forced into a marriage by her family. She divorced for me and endured so many rumors to have Freya for me. The child was born with health issues and was called an illegitimate child. I owe them more!” “But unfortunately, the person she was once married to was my cousin. My parents would never allow her into the Aiden family again. Once Freya recovers, I’ll recognize her as my goddaughter, then send Celeste abroad and visit her every year. Fiona and Nora won’t know anything. I’ll be the best husband and father, making it up to them for the rest of my life.” He closed his eyes in pain, as if making a heavy decision. Seeing him ready to leave, I quickly returned to the room. My mind was still chaotic, as if it had been struck by a heavy hammer. Asher and I had a marriage of convenience. That year, I had just returned from studying overseas and met Asher at a banquet. At that time, the Aiden family was in the middle of a power struggle. Asher and his father were at a disadvantage, marginalized and suppressed, making him look like a somewhat defeated young master. When I sprained my ankle, a group of men surrounded me with concern, but only he knelt down to gently massage my ankle. So when it came time to choose a marriage partner, I chose him without hesitation. Later I learned from others that he once had a close childhood friend who married someone else when he was at his lowest. But I didn’t mind, because he treated me so well during that time. He worked part-time to save money to buy me roses, got up at four in the morning to make soup, and had our photos taped to the back of his phone. I thought this love, expressed in such details, couldn’t go wrong. But now he says I took advantage of his vulnerability? Thinking back, the roses stopped coming long ago, the soup hasn’t been made in ages, and the photos… when did they get removed? Ah, it was a month after we got married. He came back from a reunion, disoriented, muttering about how “everything is too late.” Maybe it was then that he and Celeste rekindled their relationship. I opened the class group chat and saw a student’s name—Freya Aiden. Looking at the birthdate, it matched six years ago. Asher named our daughter Nora to bless Freya… Bless Freya… One is his precious jewel, the other a tool to bless his precious jewel. No wonder he volunteered to pick up the kids despite being so busy at work. It was to see his daughter and also reduce my contact with her. I dropped my hand in defeat, tears betraying me once again. At that moment, I received a friend request through the parent group chat. The request was from Freya’s mom, and after accepting, I scrolled through her Facebook. It was filled with photos of her child and a man whose face wasn’t shown. But six years of living together made me instantly recognize the man’s back. [Today, Daddy took the baby to the amusement park again and let such a big child ride on his shoulders. What a doting father!] [The child’s dad spent the whole day playing princess dress-up games with the child, even pushing back meetings, sigh.] [A happy family of three, this life is enough!] She posted almost every two days. It turns out Asher’s excuses of being busy with work were just to spend time with them. A new message popped up; it was from Celeste: “Sorry, Nora’s mom, our Freya has been spoiled by her dad and doesn’t know her own strength. You won’t be angry, right?” I was about to reply, but Nora woke up, unconsciously calling for her dad. My heart tightened. I quickly put down the phone, comforting her by stroking her forehead, “Daddy will be here soon. Be good, Nora. Mommy is here.” **A Happy Family of Three, This Life Is Enough!** Almost every two days, Asher would share a post on WeChat Moments. He always claimed that work kept him busy, but it was just an excuse to spend time with us, his wife and daughter. A message popped up from Celeste: “Sorry, Nora’s mom. Our Freya has been spoiled by her dad since she was little. She doesn’t know her own strength. You’re not upset, are you?” I was about to reply when Nora woke up, mumbling for her dad. My heart tightened. I quickly set my phone aside and gently stroked her forehead to comfort her: “Daddy will be here soon. Be good, Nora. Mommy’s here.” She weakly opened her eyes and saw my tear-stained face. The little four-year-old seemed to forget her pain and asked me, her voice trembling: “Mommy, why are you crying? Did I make you sad by being naughty?” I shook my head desperately, forcing a strained smile: “Our Nora is the best, Mommy’s most obedient treasure.” She looked down sadly and whispered: “But whenever Daddy picks me up, he always says Freya is more obedient and sensible. But she’s not nice at all and always takes my toys.” My heart ached as if it were being squeezed. I could handle my own failures, but what had my daughter done to deserve such treatment from her own father? Nora grew more upset, her little mouth pouting in guilt. I gently leaned over and hugged her. After a long while, I finally made up my mind. “Nora, would you like to go abroad with Mommy?” She loved to play and just blinked at me, asking: “Are there kids to play with abroad? Will they take my toys?” “No, they won’t.” “Daddy will get them back for me, right?” I wiped my tears away haphazardly and said: “No, Daddy won’t be going. Only Mommy will take you. Is that okay? There’s also your uncle and grandparents. They will all protect you.” I watched her nervously, fearing she wouldn’t want to leave her dad. She did look conflicted for a long time and finally said, a bit reluctantly: “Okay, I love Mommy the most.” I comforted her until she fell asleep, then couldn’t hold back my tears any longer and rushed out of the ward, sobbing uncontrollably. After crying, I called my brother in Australia: “Brother, prepare new identities for Nora and me abroad. We’re planning to come over.” He paused for a moment and asked, “Did you and Asher have a fight? If you’ve been wronged, just get a divorce and reunite with Mom and Dad with Nora.” I had thought about divorce, but why should my Nora have to write down such a degrading father in the family relations section? What if, when things turn ugly, Asher uses his status as her father to fight for custody or force her into a bone marrow transplant? I couldn’t bear to think about it. I took a deep breath: “I’ll explain later. Once Nora recovers, I’ll book the flight.” A slightly panicked voice suddenly sounded from behind me: “Flight? Where are you going?”

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In the seventh year of my secret crush on Jasper, I ended up marrying him. On our wedding night, he handed me a divorce agreement. ” After a year, we’ll go our separate ways peacefully,” he said, glancing at my lace nightgown with a slight smile. ” Miss Adeline, is there something on your mind?” When the year was up, I asked, “When are we going to the civil affairs bureau?” He acted as if he didn’t hear me. “Who was that guy earlier?” I laughed and replied, “Mr. Lu, is something on your mind?” During my graduation internship, right after I was offered a full-time position, Jasper approached me. He asked if I would marry him—a marriage of convenience. In a year, he promised to give me ten million. Who can afford to let pride overshadow money, right? I was afraid if I hesitated even for a moment, he’d change his mind.

From the time we got our marriage certificate to our wedding night, less than a month passed. That night, I dressed up intentionally in a lace nightgown. But Jasper handed me a divorce agreement. “After a year, we’ll part ways.”

He had grown a lot more refined and composed since high school. I was momentarily stunned. “Should I sign it now?” Jasper seemed in a hurry. ” Just give it to me before the contract ends.” I nodded. “Where will you be sleeping tonight?” The air was filled with silence. I really wanted to slap myself. Jasper paused, then briefly smiled, his gaze lowering with meaning. “Miss Adeline,” he chuckled, “is something on your mind?”

Following his gaze, I suddenly covered my chest. “Shameless!” Jasper raised an eyebrow, leisurely leaning against the doorframe, teasing me on purpose. ” On such a joyous night, should we sleep together?” We were both adults, and given how I was dressed, any man would misunderstand. I slammed the door shut, both angry and embarrassed. This guy was still the same bold rogue from high school!

I didn’t see Jasper again after that. I heard he went abroad for business. Living in a mansion with a husband who was never home was quite relaxing for me. Late at night, I heard the sound of an engine downstairs. After seven months, Jasper was back. He slept in the guest room. I relaxed and turned over, then suddenly opened my eyes wide. Last night, I had drunk too much and fell asleep in the guest room. I had even taken out the love letter I wrote to him when I was young to read, and it was still there.

The hallway was chilly. I quietly opened the guest room door. I heard water running in the bathroom. Jasper was showering. Holding my breath, I searched around but didn’t find it. The next moment, the bathroom door opened. Jasper was only wearing gray lounge pants. His skin was pale and muscular, still dripping wet. Our eyes met. He said calmly, “Are you hiding someone?”

I glanced at his abs, “No.” Jasper leisurely dried his hair, “Did you need something?” I made up an excuse. “Um… just checking if you’re hiding a woman.” Jasper chuckled, “If I were hiding a woman, I wouldn’t be back tonight.” “So, you’ve been with other women these past seven months?” Realizing I said something wrong, I shut my mouth. But Jasper wouldn’t let it go, looking at me with interest, teasingly. “Do you want to talk about this with me?”

Without waiting for an explanation, I suppressed the discomfort in my heart, wanting to say something. The phone rang. Jasper put on a short T-shirt and stepped out onto the balcony to answer in English. I wasn’t interested in his call. I searched again and decided to pretend to sleep. Jasper was unlikely to share a bed with me; I’d search again in the morning. I couldn’t let him find it first. Half-asleep, I felt the bed sink beside me. That night, I dreamed of Jasper from high school. The transfer student from Hong Kong, smart, handsome, and well-off. His name was once popular throughout the school. He had a girlfriend. I didn’t know why they argued back then, but she cried. Jasper, holding his school uniform, bent down to comfort her helplessly. I stood not far away, feeling a profound silence.

reams are always nonsensical. One moment, I was heartbroken and suppressed. The next, I dreamed of pulling up a radish. The bedroom light suddenly turned on. Still immersed in the dream, I mumbled, “Why can’t I pull it out…” Jasper took a deep breath, “Open your eyes and see what you’re doing.” Just as I was about to open my eyes, a warm hand grasped my wrist and moved it away. Jasper got up and went to the bathroom, not waiting for me to speak. He said in a cold voice, “Keep causing trouble, and you’ll sleep on the floor.” “…” He’s really fierce.

Waking up the next day, it was bright outside. I felt the cold spot beside me. Slowly, I finished breakfast. Jasper was already waiting in the car. We were going to the family estate today. In the car, we said nothing. Finally, I said, “Sorry about last night.” Jasper was working. He glanced at me, “What were you looking for last night?” I paused, then honestly replied, “A love letter.” “You wrote it?” “Yes.” Jasper’s gaze landed on my face. He asked, “A secret crush, huh?” My cheeks warmed, “It was my senior from high school, very handsome, you know.” I spoke while looking at him. Jasper chuckled briefly, as if unconcerned. I felt like a clown. What was I expecting? “So what now that you’re married?” I looked up, stunned. Jasper turned to me, teasing, “Should I sleep between you two?” “…”

When we got out of the car, I boldly tugged at his sleeve. ” We need to act the part; I want to hold hands.” Jasper’s expression didn’t change, still on the previous topic. “So do I sleep between you two, or what do you want?” He smiled, but I felt it was empty, like there was nothing inside. As if he seemed easygoing but was actually cold inside. I said, “I’ll put on a grand show for you!” With that, Jasper looked down at me, seemingly genuinely smiling. Then he gently took my hand, intertwining our fingers. “Then you have to mourn for me, wife.”

At the family estate’s entrance, I knew he was acting. He didn’t really want to hold my hand. But hearing him call me ‘wife’ made my heart race a little. As soon as we stepped into the living room, “We’ve waited from the beginning of the year to the end, and the third child finally brings his wife home to meet us?” Jasper was the third child in the family. He probably married me to avoid an arranged marriage. Jasper pulled out a slight smile, “Mom, I didn’t want to disturb your peace.” “You mean you didn’t want me to disturb yours.” The middle-aged woman, draped in a shawl, sneered, looking at me. “Miss Adeline, right? Come and have a cup of tea.” But there was no tea in front of her. She meant for me to make it. Just as I was about to stand, my wrist was held down. Jasper leaned back in his chair, playing with my fingertips, “With two maids standing by, does she have to do it?” “Can’t I want a cup of tea made by my daughter-in-law?” “Of course, but my wife isn’t for serving.” Stop acting… I damn well like you even more.

The Aiden family children are usually busy. So it’s a rule that they must come back for a meal and stay overnight once a month. The dining table was cold and quiet. This house didn’t feel like a home; it was oppressive and serious. In the bedroom, I was nervous again, “I can sleep in the guest room.” “That would be a breach of contract.” The contract stated that if Party B caused others to find out it was a fake marriage, Party B owed Party A five million. I changed the subject, “Do you have a lot of conflicts with your mother?” Jasper, not done with his work, replied dismissively, “Are you into me? Want to save me?” “Didn’t the woman you spent seven months with save you?” He laughed, “If I had someone I liked, why would I marry you?” “…” He said he didn’t have anyone he liked now. I felt a bit disappointed. I opened my mouth to speak. Suddenly, everything went dark. Later, I heard it was because the second brother and his wife were fighting next door. A cup of water spilled into the electrical outlet, causing a blackout on the entire second floor. By then, I was already startled and ended up sitting on Jasper’s lap.

I wasn’t at a loss. I just wanted to be close to him. “I’m so scared.” Jasper paused, “I’m more scared.” The room was dimly lit. “What are you afraid of?” His voice was playful, “Afraid of losing both money and love.” He’s been in social settings for so many years, understanding people well. Like he saw right through my feelings for him. I pretended not to understand, “So why did you marry me?” Jasper, with little emotion, draped his arm lightly over my knee, “Be good, short of money.” When did I lack money? Thinking of something, I didn’t explain. Seeing his brows furrowed, he was probably about to say, “Keep it up, and you’ll sleep on the floor tonight.” “Jasper.” “Hmm.” “Do you believe I can guess what you’re thinking?” We were so close, almost feeling each other’s breath. Jasper lifted his eyes, his gaze brushing over my lips. “Do you think I dare?”

Under the moonlight, his eyes were very dark. I saw myself in them. I whispered, “You probably dare.” Jasper seemed surprised by my words, gently tapping my knee with his finger. After a while, his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and he shifted his gaze, “No protection.” “…” I then realized we weren’t talking about the same thing. The light finally came back on. I stood up in a panic, palms a bit sweaty, “Rogue.” I said, escaping into the bathroom. Coming out, Jasper was still at the computer. The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up, his side profile sharp and refined. As if he’d forgotten what just happened. I felt uneasy. In the dead of night, once again sharing a bed. After his shower, he came out. I instinctively pulled the blanket a bit. “Don’t worry, I won’t touch you.” His tone was light. I couldn’t tell if he was reassuring me or telling me not to get my hopes up. I turned my back on him in anger. “Turn off the lights; it’s too bright, and I can’t get used to it.” Jasper, being obedient, said, “You sleep first.” I snorted, “Don’t worry, I won’t touch you either.” After hastily finishing my sentence, I dashed into the bathroom. When I emerged, Jasper was still seated in front of the computer. His white shirt sleeves were rolled up, highlighting his sharp profile. It was as though he had completely forgotten the earlier conversation. I felt a pang of discomfort. The night was quiet, and once again, we shared a bed. After his shower, he came out, and I instinctively pulled the covers up. “Don’t worry, I won’t touch you,” he said with an indifferent tone. It was hard to tell if he was trying to reassure me or make me abandon any hope. Annoyed, I turned my back to him. “Please turn off the lights; it’s too bright for me.” Jasper complied, “You can sleep first.” I scoffed, “Don’t worry, I won’t touch you either.” “Well, once you’re asleep, who knows.” My ears burned red as I recalled the sensation from last night, something I struggled to control. … Jasper always seemed busy, often returning home late when I was already asleep. On the phone, my best friend was incredulous, “How can you sleep next to such a handsome guy and not do anything?” I whispered, “He doesn’t seem to like me.” “If he did, he would have made a move on your wedding night. You know, sometimes love and family grow with time.” I hung up, realizing she had a point. I might not win his heart, but I should at least try to experience something with him. Lost in thought, the department manager called me over, “These are documents Mr. Jasper needs delivered, Miss Adeline. Could you please take them over for me? Thanks a lot.” He handed me the documents and left. Over the years, I’ve faced many humiliations, one after another. But I took a deep breath; once I get the ten million, I’ll quit immediately! The location was just at the hotel across the street, and I could see Jasper. As I counted the room numbers, a woman opened the door. She was wrapped in a bath towel and, seeing the documents in my hand, said understandingly, “My boyfriend just stepped out. You’re his employee, right?” In that moment, I forgot how I felt. Numbly nodding, I handed over the documents and turned to leave, my steps unsteady and my mind blank. I wanted to call and ask him something, but I realized I had no right to interfere in his private life. After all, our marriage was fake from the beginning. I felt a rush of sadness and wanted to cry. To ease the pain, I went to a bar and hired a couple of male escorts. My best friend had to cancel last minute and advised me over the phone to take it easy and not let things get out of hand tonight. But I couldn’t hear anything. My phone lit up again. Jasper was asking, [Where are you?] I pretended not to see it, but after a few seconds, I replied anyway, [Working overtime] [Thank you for your hard work.] Such a considerate reply. I felt a bit emotional and typed back fiercely, [Good thing you know!] [Hmm, should I come toast a drink to you?] … I suddenly looked up, neon lights flickering before my eyes, and sighed with relief. Jasper was likely cozied up somewhere and wouldn’t be here. As I withdrew my gaze, I glanced casually and locked eyes with the man not far away. Jasper stood in the shadows, a faint red glow at his fingertips. In his suit, tall and long-legged, he took a drag of his cigarette. Through the smoke, his gaze was emotionless as it fell on me. At that moment, I had a male escort on each side, one pouring wine, the other feeding me fruit. In a daze, Jasper leisurely stubbed out his cigarette and walked over slowly. The escorts sensed trouble, “Violet, who is he? He looks so fierce.” I suddenly didn’t know how to explain. The escorts wouldn’t let up, “Aren’t we enough? Did you call another one, Violet, speak up, Violet.” Jasper turned his head, “Try calling one more.” The escorts shrank back, too scared to speak. I awkwardly stood up, feeling a bit dizzy, “Let’s go home…” Jasper looked amused, “Where do I sleep this time?” “Don’t worry, you won’t have to sleep in the middle.” He laughed angrily, “So you’ve rearranged things for me, huh.” His expression turned cold as he grabbed my wrist, leading me to the door. I struggled, equally angry, “You’re allowed to have a girlfriend, but I can’t have fun? You have to let me make mistakes too.” Mistakes, indeed. He frowned, “What girlfriend?” “She’s all showered and waiting for you!” The phone rang. Jasper answered it, and as he paid the bill, he also covered the cost of the escorts I had hired. Such a nice guy, so generous. After hanging up, he sent a message on the screen, then looked at me, “Who taught you to make such a fuss?” I got into the car, “Who’s really making a fuss!” Jasper sighed inwardly, choosing not to argue, “You’re drunk, stop it.” The phone rang again. It was my department manager, Zane. As soon as I answered, he was angrily scolding, “I told you to deliver the document to 913, where did you send it? The business partner is still waiting in the conference room, and Mr. Jasper is urging, if you don’t want to work, just leave tomorrow!” I was already in a bad mood, drunk, and spoke without thinking, “You’re just a scapegoat always shirking responsibility! You clearly told me to send it to 319…” After saying that, I paused, realizing I might have misunderstood something. The voice on the other end was clearly confused, “Iris Adeline, you’re something, I ask you to do one thing and you throw a fit, if I were Mr. Jasper, I’d fire you right away!” I impulsively said, “He’s right here, tell him yourself.” It was on speaker. My head was dizzy, leaning against the car window, resting my eyes. The person next to me had a deep and pleasant voice. In my haze, it felt like a dream. I heard him say—if you speak to her like that again, you’ll be packing your things and leaving. … It started raining. When I woke up, we were home. I didn’t open my eyes, and Jasper didn’t wake me. He wrapped his arm around my waist and carried me. His chest was warm with a hint of moisture. I couldn’t help but open my eyes a crack, quietly watching him, strangely reminded of him in high school. In the cafeteria, on the sports field, even in the store when we brushed past each other. Those memories stayed with me for many years. Maybe my gaze was too intense, like I was looking through him at someone else. Jasper suddenly stopped, lowered his eyes, “Who are you looking at?” My face was flushed, murmuring, “Someone I like.” His fingers tightened on my waist for a moment. Jasper’s eyes turned cold, perhaps remembering the love letter I was looking for last time. He placed me on the bed, pinched my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Iris Adeline.” “Hmm.” “Look closely,” he said in a deep voice, “I’m not him.” … The memory of the hangover was fragmented. Jasper got up half an hour earlier than me. Washing up, changing clothes. Neither of us spoke first. It felt like an unspoken cold war. I asked about the important matter, “What about the document I delivered wrong last night, is it important?” Jasper was tying his tie, and in the morning light, his face looked even more handsome. Some people, just standing there, can provide emotional value. He said, “It’s the project promotion plan, it’s fine.” I was relieved. Jasper glanced at me, “Nothing else to say?” Thinking of last night’s awkward misunderstanding, I shook my head, wanting to leave, “Nothing.” As I was about to pass by, he held my arm for a moment. He sighed, “During our marriage, I won’t do anything to betray you.” I took a few seconds to react, fearing he’d bring up the male models, “Got it, I’ll head downstairs first.” Jasper didn’t let go, thinking I was still angry, “Really, no girlfriend.” His eyes were dark. His tone coaxing. My thoughts slowed, suddenly feeling a bit envious of the girl who occupied his youth. This person is gentle and restrained. Being in a relationship with him must be a delightful thing. “Are you explaining to me?” Jasper paused, wanting to ask, “What do you think?” Silence between us. He continued looking at me, not sure what he was thinking. I stood awkwardly, also asking, “What are you thinking?” Jasper leaned against the wardrobe, a faint smile on his lips, “Thinking if you get drunk, do you like to kiss people randomly.” I didn’t kiss him last night, did I? Zane seemed to know something shocking. Today he was extra attentive, offering two hot drinks as an apology. I didn’t want to engage, thinking all day about when I might have kissed Jasper. That night, there was a dinner gathering. The business partner was hosting. I was involved in the project, so I was naturally invited. Jasper arrived late. He sat right next to me. Zane, ever the opportunist, used the chance to bond with me over drinks. The business partner jokingly asked if he had a thing for me, being so attentive. Zane shook his head repeatedly, glancing at Jasper, “Miss Adeline has a boyfriend.” I was stunned, not wanting more misunderstandings, I explained, “No, I’m single.” The table fell silent for half a second. Then the laughter resumed. The business partner smoothed things over, “Young people these days focus on their careers, marrying late. But Mr. Jasper, you should hurry up, almost thirty, let me introduce my daughter to you sometime.” Jasper remained unreactive throughout, smiling, “Sorry, I’m married.” In an instant, some were surprised, some were confused. Zane was the latter, his gaze at me changing multiple times. Finally turning disdainful. Our marriage agreement was mutual, not public. Now, something felt off. I couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong. I glanced at Jasper next to me, sending him a message. [Mr. Jasper, what do you mean?] The screen lit up, Jasper glanced at his phone. But showed no intention of opening it. I anxiously nudged him with my knee. Jasper finally, generously, replied. [Don’t want to meet his daughter.] So that’s it. I lowered my gaze

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My sister called me nine times before she took her own life, and I didn’t answer. Everyone blames me for her death, even my fiancé. The person who once stood by me during my battle with depression now looks at me with contempt. “You don’t deserve happiness,” he told me, his words cold as ice. But when my depression returned, and I was ready to end my life to bring her back, they regretted their words. When I left the hospital, a light rain was falling. The doctor, a compassionate middle-aged woman, reviewed my results on the computer and gently advised, “Lin Yue, given your current condition, I recommend staying in the hospital.” I pressed my lips together, saying nothing. She continued, undeterred, “If you don’t want to, that’s fine. I’ll prescribe more antidepressants. Your real issue is with your family. If possible, try to have a good conversation with your mother.” I instinctively squeezed my hand. As I was leaving, she remarked, “You have a wonderful partner who’s always by your side. Love and companionship are the best medicine.”

But the doctor was unaware. That wonderful partner seems to have stopped loving me. Kieran and I have been together for a year and engaged for three months. Two years ago, I missed my sister’s call, which led to her suicide. My mother accused me of being a murderer, throwing things and screaming curses, wishing me a terrible fate. The year I was diagnosed with depression, I met Kieran. I broke down crying in front of a convenience store, and while passersby gave me strange looks, he stood in front of me with an umbrella, offering a tissue and a warm smile: “A pretty face like yours shouldn’t cry.”

I called Kieran multiple times, but he didn’t answer. The repeated mechanical voice was frustrating, so I hung up and took a cab home. When I arrived, the door was open. I thought Kieran was back and was about to call out to him, but the words caught in my throat. The house was in chaos, everything overturned. I was about to call the police when I locked eyes with someone coming down the stairs. It was my mother, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time. She was holding a photo frame and, upon seeing me, paused before hurling it at me with force. It landed at my feet, the glass shattered into pieces. She lunged at me, pulling my hair and hitting me, her voice a chaotic repetition of bitter accusations: “You still want to get married?” “Do you deserve it?” “You killed your sister!” “You should go to hell!” “You don’t deserve happiness!” “Why—why wasn’t it you who died?!” I didn’t dare fight back, only shielding my head, as her venomous words pierced my heart. Overwhelmed by negative emotions, I could only cover my ears and mutter to myself. I can’t die. I promised her.

I don’t know how long she hit me until the neighbor heard the noise and pulled us apart. A woman knelt beside me, asking if I was okay. I snapped out of my daze, trembling as I searched my bag for medicine but couldn’t find it. A pair of feet stopped in front of me. White pills fell to the floor like pearls. I was stunned and looked up. Kieran stood over me, holding an empty medicine bottle, his smile cold and malicious: “Take it.” 4 When I got engaged to Kieran, my condition was nearly stable. At my worst, I locked myself in my room, refusing food and water, clawing at my skin with my nails. Kieran felt sorry for me and took time off work to take me on trips, from warm Hawaii to frigid Iceland. He proposed in a lavender field in Provence, kneeling on one knee, his profile devout as he slipped a ring onto my finger. “Adeline, I’ll be with you for a lifetime.” I once saw Kieran as my lifeline. When I was teetering on the edge of the abyss, he was the only salvation I could cling to. During the times when self-harm and the will to survive tore me apart, he broke that balance. He appeared in the darkest time of my life, like a savior, delivering me from suffering.

I ended up taking the pills from the floor. Kieran let go of the bottle, and it clattered to the ground, rolling away. I scrambled to pick it up, gathering the scattered pills back into the bottle. The neighbors had quietly left, leaving behind a semblance of decorum. He just watched me coldly. “I never knew you were such a disgusting person,” he said. “Ruan Lin Yue, you killed your sister. You brought this on yourself. You deserve to be in pain.” I didn’t look up, numbly continuing to gather the pills. I can guess when Kieran found out. I never talked to him about my inner struggles. But after we got engaged, he kept hinting that I should introduce him to my parents. My relationship with my mother wasn’t good; childhood rifts still existed, and she already hated me. Later, Kieran stopped mentioning it. A week ago, he disappeared for a day, and when he returned, his attitude toward me changed. Three days ago, he brought his assistant home. They were entangled on the sofa. I’m a light sleeper; the noise downstairs woke me. I thought he was working late. Just as I was about to ask if he was hungry, I was frozen by the scene in front of me. Kieran’s assistant was beautiful, her long hair draped over his chest, leaning down to kiss him. Kieran didn’t dodge, allowing her to leave a pretty lipstick mark on his face. Then he pulled her into his arms. The assistant exclaimed, coyly said, “Don’t be like this, Mr. Kieran, your girlfriend is still here.” But her tone was full of unabashed pride. The smell of alcohol was strong in the living room, so strong that I wanted to use it to deceive myself. But Kieran saw me. His gaze fell on my face, contemptuous and disdainful, like a knife dipped in poison. “Don’t worry about her,” he said. “She doesn’t deserve it. If it weren’t for that face…” I didn’t hear the rest. The symptoms of depersonalization came quickly, nausea, a burning sensation rising from my stomach. I stumbled into the bathroom, gagging. As tears fell, I remembered the words he said the first day we met. Don’t cry. Crying makes you ugly. When I couldn’t vomit anymore, Kieran appeared in the doorway, his words devoid of warmth: “Can’t handle this? But isn’t the most disgusting—” “You.”

I don’t know when Kieran left. By the time all the pills were back in the bottle, I was alone in the room. I sat amidst the wreckage, dazedly looking at the photo frame not far away, picking it up too. The sharp shards cut my hand, red blood falling on the photo of me. The picture was a candid shot taken with Kieran in the ancient town’s street. He bought candied haws, squinting with a smile, coming toward me, while I was looking at lanterns with my back to him. The bustling crowd became the backdrop. Only the young man buying candy for his sweetheart and his love watching the lanterns were the leads. The girl who took the photo gave it to me, wishing us, “A long-lasting relationship.” Back then, Kieran held my hand, fingers interlocked. He whispered in my ear: “Get better soon, Adeline. We’re meant to last.” I really wanted to get better. So I actively sought treatment, took medication. In the past, I was the only one hanging on, relieving my mental anguish with physical pain when despair hit. As long as I didn’t die. As long as I didn’t break my promise to her. That was enough. Later, when Kieran appeared, I started seeing a doctor. When I was one step away from escaping the abyss, the hand reaching out to me pushed me back. I fell into darkness again.

Kieran barely came home. My mom’s texts bombarded me daily. Calling me a beast, a whore. Asking why it wasn’t me who died. I didn’t dare look much. My unstable emotions were like a bomb; if it went off, I might really lose control. I hired someone to clean the house. The broken pieces couldn’t be put together, and the cleaning lady asked if I wanted to throw them away. I stared at the things in her hands for a while, then shook my head. After seeing her out, I went out to meet a friend. Saylor was in town for a business trip and invited me to dinner. We booked a restaurant. Piano music played continuously, Saylor hugged me as soon as she saw me. Letting go, she looked me up and down: “Why are you so thin? I thought your Mr. Kieran would have you well-fed and chubby.” I didn’t say anything. She quickly sensed my mood: “Is he treating you poorly?” I changed the subject: “It’s rare for us to meet, let’s not talk about him.” When the food arrived, Saylor chatted about her recent life, complained about her colleagues, making me laugh. I was smiling, using a fork to stab a piece of steak, but before I could eat it, my smile froze. This restaurant is perfect for couples. The atmosphere is ideal. But, it shouldn’t be Kieran and his assistant. The man gentlemanly pulled out a chair. The pretty woman thanked him with a smile. The roses on the table were vividly beautiful. I remained silent. She quickly picked up on my mood. “Is he treating you poorly?” I changed the subject. “We don’t get together often, so let’s not talk about him.” The food arrived. While eating, Saylor filled me in on her recent life, venting about her colleagues and making me laugh. I was smiling as I lifted a piece of beef to my mouth, but my smile vanished. This restaurant is perfect for couples. The atmosphere is wonderful. But it shouldn’t be Kieran and his assistant. He pulled out a chair for her with exaggerated politeness. The woman thanked him with a smile. Roses adorned the table, vibrant and fresh. The diamond ring on her finger caught the light from the chandelier, making my eyes ache. I must have stared for too long because Kieran noticed. When our eyes met, he gave me a smile devoid of warmth. Moments later, I watched him reach over to gently tuck a strand of hair behind his assistant Nora’s ear. The gesture was intimate and suggestive. When Saylor followed my gaze, she saw the same scene. She instantly grew furious, grabbed the wine glass from the table, and stood up. “Don’t go.” I held her hand, almost begging, “Don’t go.” She looked into my tear-filled eyes, hesitated for a few seconds, and then sat back down. I fumbled through my bag, took out a medicine bottle, and with trembling hands, unscrewed the lid. My stomach churned with pain. It wasn’t until I swallowed the pills that I felt relief from the overwhelming suffocation. But I couldn’t eat anymore. As Saylor and I left, we passed by Kieran and Nora. Saylor couldn’t contain her anger, and her bag knocked over a wine glass, which crashed to the floor. The red liquid spread across the table and dripped onto the floor. Nora frowned, ready to argue with Saylor. Saylor shrugged, saying, “Sorry.” Nora was about to retort, but when she saw me next to Saylor, her expression softened into a smile: “This restaurant is perfect for couples.” “You like it?” Kieran chuckled, “I’ll bring you here often.” I didn’t look at them. I just stared at the dark liquid on the table, watching it drip to the floor. Sensing something was wrong, Saylor quickly shielded my view and led me away.

Sitting in the passenger seat, I instinctively reached for the bottle cap. But my hand slipped, and the medicine bottle fell to the floor. I didn’t pick it up. Instead, I dug my nails into my skin. Forcing myself to stay present at the brink of a breakdown. “Adeline.” “Adeline!” Saylor called my name louder, bringing me back to reality. “Why don’t you break up with him?” “After all, it’s just an engagement.” I didn’t respond. “I know he was there for you before, helped you get better, and I’m thankful to him.” “But he cheated.” “Adeline.” The flickering light outside cast shadows on Saylor’s face, her tone leaving no room for argument: “Break up with him.” Silence filled the car like a heavy cloud. After a long while. I finally heard myself speak. I said, “No.” The car came to a sudden stop by the roadside. The seatbelt pressed against my chest. Saylor hit the steering wheel, turned to speak, but fell silent when she saw my face. It took a while. Then I heard her ask: “What is it that’s holding you back?” I didn’t answer. She looked at me, determined to get an answer. What’s holding me back? I closed my eyes. The red liquid still flowed, dripping. Like it would never stop. What’s holding me back are the familiar words. The hand that once tried to pull me out of the abyss. What’s holding me back is the guilt from two years ago. I have no sister anymore. I have no family anymore. I opened my eyes, even though they hurt, no tears fell. With red eyes, like a wounded cub, Pathetic and laughable. “Saylor.” I murmured, repeating it again. “I have no family anymore.”

When Saylor left, she hugged me, didn’t say much, just reminded me to see the doctor on time. I nodded. But the moment the door closed, the emotions I had suppressed erupted, more intense than ever. The home that my aunt had neatly organized was once again thrown into chaos by me. I went mad, smashing things that were perfectly fine to the ground. The sound of glass shattering was piercing. But it wasn’t enough. Perhaps because I had suppressed it for too long, the impulse was stronger than ever. The devil whispered in my ear. Urging me to take the fruit knife and press it against my wrist. But I stopped short. The door suddenly opened. Kieran’s hand froze in mid-air, meeting my eyes. Previously, whenever I picked up a knife, he’d panic. He wouldn’t let me touch anything sharp. But this time. He just stood there, his expression cold and detached like a spectator. The ticking of the clock on the wall was distinctly audible. “Do it.” He looked at me, sneered, and repeated: “Cut yourself.” I didn’t move, like a puppet, staring blankly at him. He snorted, his gaze sharp. “You don’t dare.” “You’re just trying to gain sympathy.” “Why wasn’t it you who died?” His tone was innocent yet heartless, as if it were a simple question. I used all my strength to restrain my trembling. “Adeline.” “You don’t dare to die.” He said it almost word by word. Indeed, I don’t dare. Caught between medication and promises. I can’t die. But I can’t live either. The knife clattered to the floor, landing at my feet. Despair wrapped around me like vines, making me finally cry out. In the past, whenever I cried, Kieran would hold me in his arms, his cold demeanor softening, speaking gently to comfort me. Just like. Just like— That person. Always using a handkerchief scented with gardenias, gently wiping away my tears, then holding me close, whispering to comfort me: “Little Moon, don’t cry.” “Crying isn’t pretty.” Such a cliché phrase. But I heard it for over a decade, and never got tired of it. In this world, No one will comfort me like that anymore.

I sank deeper into the mire. Sometimes forgetting to take my medicine. Other times swallowing a handful in one go. I started cutting my arms again. New wounds on top of the shallow scars that were almost healed a year ago. But not fatal. Later, the medicine bottle was empty. I don’t know how I got through it. In a daze, I made it to my sister’s death anniversary. That day, the weather cleared. I got up early, tidied my messy self, and bought a bouquet of flowers. But when I got there. Someone had already arrived before me. Mom stood there, the grave covered with various offerings. Expressionless, I walked up, placed my flowers down. Just as I turned to leave, something heavy hit my head. I staggered, almost falling. The flowers I had carefully wrapped scattered, strewn all over the ground. Her voice was filled with deep hatred, hysterically yelling at me: “What are you doing here?” “Aren’t you a murderer? How dare you show your face here?!” But as she cursed, she started crying: “The one who should’ve died was you!” I didn’t turn back. My head felt dizzy, as if I were standing on the edge of a cliff. I clenched my hand, forcing myself to stay calm and leave. Sitting in the car, I saw the doctor’s message. She asked why I hadn’t come. I stared at her profile picture, took a long time to type out a reply: —Sorry, something came up. Her response was quick. —I’ll reschedule, when can you come? Forget it. The cursor in the input box blinked. In the end, I didn’t send anything. —Let’s schedule next time. Kieran came home early for the first time in a while. It wasn’t Nora who brought him home, but another male subordinate. When he got back, I was squinting at the empty medicine bottle. It’s been empty for a long time. The male subordinate helped Kieran onto the sofa, politely said goodbye to me.

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When the kidnappers forced Declan to choose between us, he picked me over his childhood sweetheart. But I refused to go with him, knowing he’d regret it. In my previous life, after I was rescued, Cora, Declan’s childhood sweetheart, was caught in compromising photos by the kidnappers and tragically took her own life that night. Declan appeared indifferent and went through with our wedding, but during our marriage, he made me feel the weight of his resentment. Seven years later, I finally got him to agree to a divorce, but on the way to finalize it, he lost control and drove us off a cliff. Even in his dying moments, he blamed me, saying, “This is the price we owe Cora. In this life, we should make amends for her. How can you just live in peace…” This time, I didn’t want to live that way. 1 “Willa, come with me.” When I realized I had been reborn, the kidnappers were pressing knives to both Cora’s and my necks, demanding Declan choose who to save. His gaze flickered between us, and after a moment of intense internal conflict, he made the same choice as before—reaching out to me. But I shook my head decisively. “Declan, save Cora first.” In this life, I don’t want to owe anyone or carry the weight of a life on my conscience. Declan seemed relieved. “Willa, you’re my fiancée, so I should save you first. But since you said so, don’t blame me then.” He quickly took Cora away, anxious I might change my mind. Unlike him, I don’t regret my choices. Last time, he came with the ransom, but the kidnappers demanded more, saying they could only release one person initially. Declan had no option but to choose me. While we struggled to gather more money, the kidnappers began to exploit Cora, taking inappropriate photos. We arrived with the police just in time, but the experience had already shattered her dignity. She returned home in despair and ended her life that night. By the time we found her, it was too late. Declan showed no concern when he heard the news. He calmly managed her affairs and gave her family a substantial sum for consolation. Even when I suggested postponing the wedding, he refused. “Willa, marrying you was always part of the plan. We can’t let others influence it.” Yet, the “outsider” was on his mind throughout our seven-year marriage. Marrying me was merely a way to bind me and atone for Cora. But what did I do wrong? 2 After Declan left, I began thinking of ways to save myself, uncertain if he’d come back. Previously, he discreetly slipped a tracker into Cora’s pocket when he hugged her, allowing us to locate her even if the kidnappers moved her. But this time, he seemed to have forgotten that. I guessed that from the start, the only one he truly wanted to save was Cora. Only because I was his fiancée did he reluctantly choose me, fearing criticism. Our marriage was arranged; our feelings weren’t deep. Cora had been with him through their formative years; they were childhood friends and confidants. His regret in the past life was understandable. This time, he could have what he truly wanted. I was happy for him and didn’t forget to find my own escape route. I knew the kidnappers would pass an auto repair shop when they moved locations. The workers there were tough and formidable. Last time, the kidnappers tried to take over the shop, not expecting the owner to be a hard nut to crack, refusing to give in. A fight erupted, and the kidnappers, not expecting to meet someone fiercer than them, had to flee. Later, when the kidnappers were caught, the shop owner testified against them. 3 Like before, they left one person in the car to watch me while the others went to the repair shop. My hands were tied behind my back, and the kidnapper in the driver’s seat wasn’t paying much attention to me. Taking advantage of his distraction, I used my mouth to open the car door handle. Then I pushed the door open and ran toward the auto repair shop, hoping they wouldn’t ignore my plight. The shop was already in chaos. I spotted the young shop owner immediately. His features were sharp and upright, exuding a sense of integrity. His swift movements made him seem cool. To avoid getting hurt, I crouched low and dashed over, accidentally knocking him over. I fell into his arms, terrified. “S-sorry,” I stammered. “Could you please help me?” He glanced at me, frowning. The next second, he rolled us both several times on the ground. A chair landed where we just lay with a “bang.” If he hadn’t noticed on time, I would have been in serious trouble. Still shaken, I saw that the kidnappers realized I had escaped. What started as a squabble over territory was now a demand for me. The two sides faced off. I looked at the man beside me with pleading eyes and whispered, “If you can save me, I’ll do anything.” But he didn’t reply, only eyeing the kidnappers thoughtfully. Someone behind him couldn’t help but remind him, “Jasper, sometimes less trouble is better.” So he was called Jasper. Not getting any response, my heart sank. Fine, there’s no need to force anyone. As the kidnapper leader called for me the third time, I started to walk towards them. But soon, someone pressed down on my shoulder, stopping me. Jasper stepped forward and said to the kidnappers, “She’s under my protection today.” It seemed even heaven was on my side. Suddenly, motorcycle engines roared outside. A confident smile appeared on Jasper’s face. “My backup is here.” The kidnappers, unwilling, glared at me and left cursing. My tense nerves finally relaxed. I let out a silent breath and felt the rope on my wrist loosen. Jasper had cut it. 4 “I’m Willa Lin, thank you so much for earlier,” I said, extending my hand to him. Jasper kept staring at my wrist, where the rope had left bloody marks, looking alarming. “Let me help you with that,” he said. I shook my head, “It’s just a small injury, it’s nothing.” “Weren’t you the one who said you’d do anything if I saved you?” Without waiting for a reply, he sat me down and took out a first-aid kit. “Bear with it,” he said. I bit my lip, watching him carefully treat my wound. A warmth spread through me. I remembered when I first married Declan, one time he got drunk, and as I helped him to his room, I casually mentioned he should drink less. He flew into a rage, pushing me away. I lost my balance and fell, shattering the jade bracelet on my wrist; the shards cut into my skin. I screamed, clutching my bleeding wrist. Declan just coldly stared and said, “Does it hurt? It should. Cora hurt a thousand times more than you, and now she can’t even say it. If it weren’t for saving you, she wouldn’t have been humiliated by the kidnappers or lost hope…” I sat there, disbelief on my face, feeling my heart grow colder. After a long time, I found my voice. “But the kidnappers took Cora and me to threaten you! You chose to save me first; why blame me now?” Declan, his drunkenness seemingly fading, looked at me with icy eyes. “Willa, I was always against this arranged marriage. If you hadn’t told Grandma you liked me, she wouldn’t have forced me to marry you.” “So, you’re saying if it weren’t for me, you’d only need to save Cora?” I laughed bitterly, “Declan, you’re insane. Blaming me instead of the kidnappers.” I got up and treated my wound alone in my room. After that, no matter how much it hurt, I never told Declan. Now, the man in front of me was gently blowing on my wound, afraid I’d be in pain. My eyes stung, and I closed them, taking a deep breath, asking knowingly, “What are you doing?” Jasper looked up with a genuine smile. “When I was little and got hurt, my mom did this. Does it feel better?” I nodded, “Yes, a lot better.” Encouraged, Jasper continued. But the moment was soon interrupted. 5 “Jasper, I heard someone’s causing trouble at your shop, so I rushed over…” “Whoa! Where did you find such a pretty girl?” A tall man with tattooed arms entered, eyes lighting up when he saw me. “This is rare. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen such a beautiful girl here…” The tattooed guy said, a strange blush on his face. Jasper stepped in front of me protectively. I nodded, “Yeah, much better.” Jasper, reassured, continued with his task, but the atmosphere was quickly disrupted. “Jasper, I heard there was some trouble at your shop, so I rushed over…” “Whoa! Where did you find such a beautiful girl?” A tall man with a tattooed arm walked in, his eyes lighting up as he saw me. “Really unusual, I think it’s the first time I’ve seen such a pretty girl here…” The tattooed guy said, with an oddly shy expression. Jasper noticed and moved to shield me. “Thanks, but it’s sorted now. As for other stuff, it’s none of your business. I’ll treat you to a drink another day.” The tattooed guy paused, then got the hint. “Jasper, now that you have a girl, you’re ditching your buddies?” He turned away with a playful huff, looking slightly upset. Jasper sighed and pulled him aside, whispering, “Can’t you take a hint? Go hang out somewhere else.” “Jasper, is she your girlfriend?” “Does it look like she is?” “Absolutely! You two look perfect together.” “Smart observation.” “I’m not leaving until you give me some wedding candy.” “You’ll get your share.” “…” Not far off, the two of them continued their whispering, but even though they tried to keep their voices down, I could hear everything clearly. Trying to ease the awkwardness, I pretended to be busy, looking everywhere except at them. A few minutes later, Jasper managed to send the tattooed guy away. After he left, Jasper asked me, “Where do you live? I’ll take you home.” Maybe it was selfish of me, but suddenly I didn’t want to go back so soon. My parents are always busy with their own affairs. Even if I didn’t go home for a month, they wouldn’t notice. As for Declan, if I’m right, he might have been reincarnated too. He’s probably eager to be with Cora now. I was married to him for seven years in my past life. He never took me to any events or shared a room with me. When people asked about me, he’d always have a cold expression, turning me into a joke in our circle. This time around, I want to stay far away from him. So I pleaded with Jasper, “Can you let me stay for a few days?” I gently tugged at his sleeve. Looking at both lives, he should be a good person. Plus, he can protect me. If I cling to him, would he refuse? Jasper suddenly leaned close, his gaze intense. “Little girl, if you keep this up, I might take it seriously…” The proximity was so close, I could even smell the fresh scent of soap on him. I swallowed instinctively, about to speak, when a familiar voice came from behind. “What are you doing?” It was Declan… He’d brought the police with him. “Are you okay?” Declan looked at me, genuine concern in his eyes. I shrugged, “Do I look like I’m not okay?” Declan was silent. Cora walked in right after. She glanced around the now normal auto repair shop and bluntly asked: “Willa, how did you escape from the kidnappers? As far as I know, there were six of them. Your hands were tied, and you were unfamiliar with the area. I’m really curious…” What is Cora trying to say? “Everyone knows the Lin family and the Shen family plan an arranged marriage. But they’re also both eyeing that piece of land in the south of the city. The auction is in ten days, highest bidder wins. But right at this crucial moment, this happens, and the ransom is ridiculously high. Willa, it’s hard not to think otherwise.” Is she suggesting I hired the kidnappers? I admit, I’ve never been this speechless in two lifetimes. I truly felt helpless and sympathetic about Cora’s past life. But this time, I practically saved her. And her first reaction after being saved is to accuse me. It’s truly disheartening. I suddenly raised my hand and shouted, “Officer, someone here is slandering me.” And then we were all taken away. While waiting for questioning, Cora wouldn’t let it go. “Willa, why won’t you say anything?” I scoffed, “Why should I tell you? You’re not the police.” Cora was at a loss for words. Declan couldn’t stand it, immediately speaking up for Cora. “Willa, Cora just wants to understand what really happened, so she knows what to say during the questioning.” “What? You plan on lying to the officer?” Declan stood up angrily, pointing at me, “Willa, you’re being unreasonable!” Jasper came out of the interrogation room just in time to see this, and without a word, he stood in front of me. “Put your hand down.” His tone was flat, yet carried an undeniable pressure. I hid behind Jasper, unable to see the expressions on their faces, but I could sense the tension. Declan asked, “Who are you to her?” Jasper turned slightly to look at me, a small smile on his lips. He countered, “What do you think?” I looked up at his ridiculously perfect profile, and impulsively made a heart shape with my thumb and index finger. Declan’s face darkened several shades at the sight. Just then, the police called him in for a statement. After some questioning, things started to clear up a bit. The police identified suspects, but can only proceed further once the kidnappers are caught.

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On the wedding day, my husband’s assistant concocted a reason to get me out of the venue. She donned the wedding dress and beat me to the stage, staging a wedding drama. Astonishingly, when my husband found out, he didn’t stop her; instead, he clasped hands with the assistant, gazing into her eyes with a blissful expression as they completed the wedding ceremony. As I realized what was happening and was about to confront him, my husband harshly rebuked me: “You were late and missed the auspicious time for the wedding. Why should everyone wait for you? Must you be so selfish?” “Phoebe was just trying to help us get the wedding ready. Don’t take advantage and act innocent. At worst, I’ll arrange another ceremony for you!” Our friends were all stunned, expecting an outburst from me due to my husband’s outrageous remarks. But I nodded, agreeing with him. Seeing my calm demeanor, he seemed quite pleased and promised to arrange another ceremony for me when he had time. However, he seemed to forget that we had just signed a divorce agreement yesterday. After removing the bride’s veil and handing it to my husband, Asher Thompson, I ignored the subtle expressions of him and those around us and left the wedding hotel directly. Even as I exited, Asher didn’t come after me. Behind me, thunderous applause erupted as he and Phoebe Carter were ushered onto the stage by the crowd. I knew Asher had long seen through Phoebe’s plan but chose to indulge her. Even if I investigated now, it would be useless. He probably already destroyed all evidence of Phoebe’s scheme, as he always did. In the past, I might have been angry and devastated. But now, I felt unexpectedly calm and simply went home to take a nap. Asher didn’t like hassles, so I had been the one bustling around for the wedding. To ensure everything went smoothly, I had been preparing every day after work, carefully selecting the hotel, staying up to pick the wedding invitation and party favors. Just yesterday, I rehearsed until the early hours, and my heart still aches from it. Looking back, it hardly seemed worth it. I should have just done a half-hearted job. I was dozing off when a call from Asher woke me. “Adeline Brooks, the wedding’s over. Where are you?” Hearing his cheerful voice on the other end was amusing. I had been back for quite a while, and he hadn’t even noticed. Or maybe he noticed but simply didn’t care to think about me. I yawned, “I’m at home.” There was a brief silence. “Adeline, are you still mad about the wedding?” He asked in his usual feigned ignorance. But this time, he guessed wrong. I wasn’t angry, just a little bored. “No,” I said truthfully. He didn’t believe me at all: “I know you’re upset, but this is really your fault.” “There were many important guests today, most of them our business partners. Why should they wait for just you? If they found out the bride was late, they might question our capabilities.” “I’m doing this for the company. If you don’t understand, that’s fine, but what right do you have to be jealous and angry here?” “Moreover, Phoebe was under a lot of pressure today. She came up with this backup plan in such a short time and even took on a lot of drinking on your behalf. By logic, you should thank her.” Hearing his absurd reasoning made me laugh. I even suspected someone must have stolen his brain amidst the wedding crowd. Before I could speak, Phoebe’s sweet voice chimed in, “Asher, don’t blame Adeline. She surely didn’t mean to. Besides, didn’t you already give me a raise? No need for Adeline to thank me.” “One thing is separate from another. Salary is salary, gratitude is gratitude.” “But helping Adeline is helping the company, and helping the company is helping myself, right?” Their back-and-forth made me nauseous, but I was used to it. Asher has always pampered Phoebe unconditionally. At work, everyone has to call him Mr. Thompson, but only Phoebe can call him “Asher.” Others get harshly berated for small mistakes, but no matter how big a mess Phoebe makes, Asher turns a blind eye. A month ago, Phoebe’s mistake ruined a multi-million dollar deal. The whole company was outraged, but to calm everyone down, Asher pinned the blame on me without even discussing it, docking my annual salary. I confronted him, and he was indifferent: “We’ve been together for so many years. Why are you fussing over a small matter?” “This amount is nothing to you, but Phoebe has less means. How would she live if I docked her salary?” “If it’s a big deal, I’ll compensate you, okay?” This wedding was supposed to be my compensation. Seeing me silent, Asher sighed: “Adeline, can’t you learn from Phoebe? She’s younger than you and more mature.” “When something goes wrong, she’s always quick to find solutions. She even invited her parents for the wedding to make it perfect.” “You have no parents, so they can’t come. But you can’t just refuse to communicate and leave the mess whenever you’re angry.” Hearing him mention my parents made me scoff. His house caught fire when he was a child, and he was the only one home. My dad rushed in to save him, got severely burned, and died despite rescue efforts. My mom died shortly after from grief. The night my mom passed, he held me as I cried, promising over and over he’d never leave me. But it’s only been eight years, and now their deaths became my flaw compared to Phoebe. In the past, I’d have been emotionally shattered and started a huge fight with him. But now, perhaps because I was prepared for his ridiculous actions for Phoebe, my heart was surprisingly calm. “You’re right. It’s my fault,” I said softly. Perhaps my calm tone made Asher’s attitude soften a bit. “It’s okay to be wrong. As long as you admit it and change, it’s fine. Listen to me now, apologize to Phoebe, and compensate her with a set of…” Before he could finish, I interrupted. “You misunderstood.” “What I meant was, I shouldn’t have come to you in the first place, shouldn’t have gotten a marriage certificate with you first, and shouldn’t have let my dad save an ungrateful person like you.” Asher paused, embarrassed and angry, he coldly questioned me, “Adeline, what do you mean?” Hearing his anger, I didn’t apologize like before, trying to soothe him. Instead, I spoke calmly. “Asher Thompson, let’s get a divorce.” As soon as I said it, Asher was taken aback. “What did you say?” “Adeline, don’t take advantage and act innocent. You’re divorcing me over this one small thing?” I thought he’d explode in rage and agree immediately. I even heard him calling Phoebe’s name in his sleep a few days ago. He likes her so much, wouldn’t he be happy if I divorced him and let them be together? But surprisingly, Asher took a deep breath, and his tone became unexpectedly gentle. “Adeline, I know you’re just saying this out of anger, so I won’t hold it against you.” “Stop making a scene. Divorce is a hurtful thing to say, and we’ve been together for so many years. How can we just divorce like that?” “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. Don’t say it again in the future.” “By the way, we just got notified of a business trip these days. I’ll give you a month’s leave to calm down.” With that, Asher hung up the phone. As soon as the call ended, I heard him explaining to Phoebe in a low voice: “I can’t help it. Divorce is complicated, and there’s the matter of dividing assets…” I didn’t hear the rest, but I understood. He was probably afraid I’d take some of his assets if we divorced. I couldn’t help but snicker, not knowing what to say. Asher tells Phoebe everything, from what he eats to the company’s core secrets. I once warned him to be careful, but he dismissed me, saying he trusts Phoebe. He gives her so much trust but uses the darkest thoughts to speculate about me. But it doesn’t matter now. I contacted a lawyer to draft a divorce agreement. To expedite the divorce, I chose to leave with nothing. Then I texted HR to resign. HR didn’t know my relationship with Asher and quickly replied in an official manner. “Mr. Thompson and Ms. Carter are on their honeymoon. I wouldn’t dare disturb them now. Please bring this up again after a month.” I wasn’t surprised. I had already guessed that Asher’s “business trip” was a lie. His wedding was the talk of the town. How could anyone ask him to handle business now? “I can’t wait. Please accept it now and give it to him after the honeymoon. I’ll be responsible for any issues.” HR hesitated, but after my repeated assurances, he agreed to submit it. Asher and I had an eight-year contract, which expired two years ago, but he never renewed it. Whether he forgot or just didn’t care. After all, his focus has been more on Phoebe in recent years. It’s better this way. I don’t even need his approval to resign. Then I called a friend far away. Once she learned my intention, she was delighted and eager to have me join their company. HR was a bit hesitant, but after I reassured him several times about my decision to resign, he agreed to help me submit it. I had an eight-year contract with Asher Thompson, which actually expired two years ago, but he never bothered to renew it. I’m not sure if he forgot or just didn’t care. His attention has been more on Phoebe Carter these past few years. This way, I don’t even need his approval to leave the company. I immediately called a friend who was far away. When she heard about my plans, she was thrilled and insisted I join her new company. She had recently started it, but despite everything being set, she lacked a strong technical leader. She had asked me several times to join her, but I had always turned her down. The company that Asher and I started felt like my own child. We began by renting a small space to save money, just the two of us, and now it’s about to go public with an entire building. Even though Asher never gave me any shares, I never complained. Looking back, I realize I was too invested. I agreed to my friend’s offer without hesitation and bought a ticket to Hawaii. As soon as I landed, I saw her waiting in the airport lobby. She rushed over to take my luggage and asked how I was doing. I felt a bit uneasy and laughed, saying, “No need for all the formalities between friends.” She smiled and said, “It’s because we’re such good friends that I want to make sure you’re well taken care of.” Her words reminded me of when Asher asked me to leave a high-paying job to start a business with him. He just sent me an address, and I dragged my luggage, sweating and taking detours to his remote apartment. When I arrived, he was in pajamas, playing video games with someone else. He didn’t say it, but I could tell he was annoyed that I came at a bad time. After he finished the game, I joked about why he didn’t pick me up and if he wasn’t worried something might happen to me. He scoffed and said, “What could possibly happen in broad daylight? Besides, we’re like an old married couple. You could come on your own, no need for a pickup.” Thinking back, being “close” was just an excuse. The real issue was the lack of care. That afternoon, my friend took me to see a house, and after we settled on a place, she invited some friends to dinner at a fancy hotel. She went to park the car, and I went up first. As soon as I walked through the revolving door, I heard a familiar voice. “Hey, isn’t that Adeline Brooks?” I instinctively turned my head and saw Asher Thompson and Phoebe Carter holding hands at the front desk. Seeing me, Asher quickly pulled his hand away, while Phoebe’s face showed displeasure, which she quickly masked with a smile. “Adeline, I just heard from HR that you were looking for Asher. Why didn’t you just call him? Why come here in person?” Asher seemed to realize something and frowned. “Are you following me?” “What do you mean by that? Are you saying you don’t trust me?” I found it amusing and didn’t bother explaining much. “I’m not following you. I’m here to meet a friend.” Asher clearly didn’t believe me. “Come on, I know if you have any friends. If you’re following me, just admit it. Why lie?” He smirked, like he could see right through me. I was silent, unsure of what to say. He knew I was away from home with few friends, yet he still chose to leave me alone in that city to “cool off.” But I remember last year when he claimed to go home for the holidays, he was actually with Phoebe, saying she was upset and had no friends there, worried she might do something rash. “Asher, since Adeline is here, you two should talk. Oh, and can I have the room key?” Phoebe smiled and extended her hand to Asher. He naturally took out the room key and handed it to her. “I’ll wait for you upstairs,” she said. Before leaving, Phoebe gave me a smug look. It was obvious what she meant: they had booked a room together. Asher seemed to realize something, his expression briefly panicked. “The front desk said there was only one room left. Don’t overthink it. It’s a suite; I’m sleeping on the couch.” But I remembered his habit of always having the assistant book hotels in advance, whether on business trips or vacations. I couldn’t be bothered to expose him. I took out the prepared divorce agreement from my bag. I had planned to have him sign it after settling my new job, but since we met here, it was a good opportunity. “What’s this?” Asher opened it, puzzled. Just as he started to read, Phoebe’s scream echoed from upstairs. “Phoebe, what’s wrong?” Asher asked, worried. Without even looking at the document, he hastily signed it and was about to leave. “Aren’t you going to see what you just signed?” I couldn’t help but ask. Asher replied indifferently, “What else could it be besides asking for money?” Without waiting for my response, he hurried away. I chuckled to myself. His rushed departure reminded me of a few years ago when I fell seriously ill and was lying in a hospital bed without money for surgery. Asher assured me not to worry and that he’d find a way. That night, I woke up to see him exhausted, making call after call to borrow money for me. From that moment, I promised myself I would never let him down, no matter what happened. As our company grew and money was no longer an issue, Asher and I could never return to those days. I put the divorce agreement back in my bag. In a month, when the legal waiting period for divorce ends, there’ll be nothing between Asher and me anymore. By the time I took the elevator to the private room, everyone was already there. After a few drinks, my friend pulled me aside, reminiscing about the past. She asked if I had a boyfriend, considering I had turned down her entrepreneurship offers multiple times. Previously, Asher didn’t want to make our relationship public, so few people knew. Even during the wedding ceremony, he only invited business partners, excluding family and friends. He explained that we were in another city, and announcing our wedding would seem like a ploy for monetary gifts. It was better to marry quietly and arrange another ceremony later. Back then, I didn’t think much of it. But now, it seems he was creating an opportunity for Phoebe to be the bride. “I’m already divorced,” I said calmly. The room instantly fell silent. Everyone looked at me, unsure if they should offer comfort. I raised my glass first. “It’s just a jerk. Divorce is a good thing. From now on, I’ll stay here and make big money with you all!” “Yes, make big money!” The room quickly became lively again as everyone raised their glasses. The next day, I successfully signed a contract with my friend and focused on my career. The business developed smoothly, and with the latest technology, it thrived, tripling profits in just half a month. My friend was thrilled and organized a celebration at a tourist spot outside the city. I didn’t expect to run into Asher and Phoebe there again. They sat by the bonfire, Asher peeling shrimp for her. Phoebe said something, and Asher laughed, feeding her a shrimp. Then he playfully tried to smear her face with shrimp juice, and she laughed, dodging him. When he finally succeeded, she dove into his arms. Asher’s face turned red, clearly enjoying it. I remembered that Asher never liked me playing such childish games. He often complained that shrimp made hands dirty and didn’t like eating them. I used to peel them and coax him to eat. I had to admit, since being with Phoebe, he had changed a lot. “What a sweet couple,” my friend said, approaching with a teasing smile. “Jealous?” I shook my head with a faint smile. “Too messy.” My friend looked confused. I didn’t explain and turned to leave. I thought Asher wouldn’t notice me with so many people around. But as soon as I turned, Asher called out coldly, “Adeline!” He strode toward us, and I quickened my pace, not wanting to see him. I thought he’d give up, but surprisingly, he ignored others’ looks and rushed over. “Adeline, are you deaf? Didn’t you hear me calling?” Knowing his personality, I stopped and coolly asked, “What do you want?” Asher seemed puzzled by my indifferent attitude, momentarily at a loss for words. Phoebe was the first to greet me. “Adeline, what a coincidence meeting you again. I didn’t expect to run into you twice here.” Her words had an undertone. Asher picked up on it too, his gaze darkening. “Are you still following me here?” he asked. I was speechless. “I’m not following you, just a coincidence.” “Hah, once is a coincidence, twice too? I can’t believe it!” “And if you weren’t following, why run away just now?” Asher looked at me with suspicion, clearly only believing his own doubts. Phoebe, looking pitiful, said, “Asher, don’t fight with Adeline. Maybe I should go back and let her keep you company. I initially wanted her to accompany you on this business trip.” “What are you doing here? Are you tailing me?” I was momentarily at a loss for words. “I’m not tailing you; it was just a coincidence.” “Ha, a coincidence once, maybe, but twice? I don’t buy it. Things can’t be that coincidental!” “Besides, if you weren’t following me, why did you look so guilty just now? Why did you run off?” Asher Thompson gave me a cold stare, his eyes brimming with disdain. He seemed intent on trusting only his own suspicions. Just then, Phoebe Carter chimed in, sounding hurt, “Asher, please don’t argue with Adeline Brooks. Maybe I should just head back and let Adeline accompany you. I actually wanted her to join you on this business trip.” “If I’m with you, people are bound to speculate.” Asher Thompson’s face showed some hesitation initially, but hearing her, he spoke more firmly. “Who’s going to speculate?” “We’re just going on this business trip openly and honestly; only small-minded people would read into it!” As he spoke, he cast a cold glance my way, clearly implying that I was the small-minded one. I found it amusing. I expected Asher Thompson to launch into one of his typical tirades after Phoebe’s complaints. But unexpectedly, his expression softened a bit, and he sighed. “Adeline, could you stop overthinking? It’s exhausting for me.” “I promise, once we get back, I’ll organize a wedding for you. Can you just head back for now?” “Besides, we’re already legally married. What are you worried about?” Turns out, he really didn’t know he’d already signed the divorce papers. Now he wants to use a wedding to brush me off and prevent me from ruining their honeymoon? The more I thought about it, the more absurd it seemed. “Organize a wedding?” I let out a light laugh, pulled the divorce agreement from my bag, and tossed it in front of him. “Seems like you’ve really forgotten, Asher Thompson. We’re already divorced.”

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For the 999th time, my attempt to seduce the esports tycoon ended in failure. We’ve been married for five years, yet he’s never touched me. I even need his permission for a simple kiss. I always thought he was asexual, uncomfortable with any physical contact. That is, until I received a private video of him in bed with someone else. In the video, the man’s body moved rhythmically, while the woman beneath him wore a cosplay outfit of his favorite game character. His usual cold demeanor was gone, replaced by a look of desire. “Baby… you’re so beautiful…” he murmured. That’s when I realized he wasn’t asexual. He just didn’t love me. After he rejected my advances once again, I said nothing. I simply left the divorce papers and walked away. Later, Lucas Graham stood outside my apartment building. As he watched me walk hand-in-hand with another man, his eyes slowly filled with tears. The screen of my phone was still lit, and I hadn’t yet recovered from the shock of what I’d just seen. In the video, the man’s lean waist moved rhythmically. The dim light cast shadows on his face, adding a touch of lust to his features. The woman beneath him wore elaborate, seductive makeup. Her cosplay outfit was torn to shreds, hanging off her chest, hinting at their previous passion. I had never seen Lucas Graham like this before. His eyes, fixed on the woman, were blood-red and filled with a hint of madness. Who would have thought that the cold, seemingly asexual esports god would be so wild behind closed doors? I shifted my gaze to the scented candle burning on the bedside table and let out a bitter laugh. I had gone to great lengths to win Lucas over, even spending a fortune on aphrodisiac essential oils. I’d even added ylang-ylang to my shower gel for its reputed arousing effects. I felt a lump in my throat and had to swallow hard to keep from crying. When I first met Lucas after college graduation, his cold face and unapproachable demeanor made him seem like an unreachable flower on a high cliff. But the colder he was, the more it sparked my desire to conquer him. The more he pushed me away, the more determined I became to make him my boyfriend. I even made a bet with him: “In three years, I’ll definitely make you fall in love with me.” I pursued him relentlessly, using every trick in the book. My closet was bursting with sexy lingerie, but Lucas remained unmoved. Then, a year later, he suddenly proposed to me. I thought my efforts had finally paid off. I was so touched I couldn’t even speak. But only now do I understand. Marrying me was just a way to suppress the scandal of him sleeping with his fans. I was nothing more than his shield. Lucas came home late that night. Although he maintained his usual cold facade, I caught sight of the hidden red marks on his neck. From the moment he entered until he reached the bedroom, he didn’t even spare me a glance. Just as the door was about to close, I called out to him. “Lucas, do you remember the bet I made when we first met?” Lucas’s brows furrowed instantly, his impatience evident. “I’m very tired today. I don’t have time for your nonsense.” “If you’re bored, go find a job. Stop being so paranoid.” I fought back the lump in my throat. “When we first met, I bet you that if I couldn’t make you fall for me in three years, I would…” But before I could finish, Lucas’s phone rang, interrupting me. He glanced at the caller ID and immediately answered. Whatever was said on the other end made his face, for the first time, show a panicked expression. “Wasn’t she fine this afternoon? How did she suddenly relapse?” “I’ll find a match as soon as possible!” Lucas threw on his jacket and rushed out. As he passed the couch, he suddenly stopped. “I remember you’re O negative too. Come with me for a matching test.” Lucas didn’t give me time to react, yanking me off the couch. The temperature difference between day and night in spring was significant. I was only wearing a thin nightgown when Lucas pulled me out of the house. By the time we reached the hospital, my hands and feet were purple from the cold, and I couldn’t stop shivering. Lucas, on the other hand, was anxiously talking to the doctor, not sparing me a single glance. It was a passing nurse who couldn’t bear to see my state and gave me a blanket. “She has the same blood type as Evelyn. As long as she’s a match, we can take as many stem cells as we need.” Several nurses immediately surrounded me, inserting a needle into my skin. The anesthetic quickly took effect. In my hazy state, I saw Lucas’s cold face. “As long as it can cure Evelyn, I don’t care if all her stem cells are drained.” When I woke up again, there was a piercing pain in my lower back, and the IV in my hand had backflowed. Across from me, Lucas was tenderly moistening the lips of the woman lying in bed with a damp cloth, occasionally looking up to check the IV drip. The gentle tone he used to comfort her was something I had never heard in our three years together. It was then that I realized, a heart that doesn’t love me can never be warmed, no matter what I do. I pulled out the IV needle from my hand, hissing in pain. Seeing me awake, the smile instantly vanished from Lucas’s face. “Don’t think acting weak will make me feel sorry for you.” “It’s just stem cell donation, not like it’s going to kill you.”

The color drained from my face, and when I opened my mouth, my dry, cracked lips split painfully. Evelyn quickly wrapped her arm around Lucas’s. “Lucas, don’t blame Aria,” she said softly. “Even though the doctor said it was a minor procedure, you took 500ml of stem cells from her at once. How could she recover so quickly?” She leaned on Lucas’s shoulder, appearing weak and fragile. But the look in her eyes as she gazed at me couldn’t hide her hostility. I lifted my hospital gown, only then noticing the numerous needle marks covering my body. Normally, donors give a maximum of 200ml, but Lucas had taken 500ml from me in one go. No wonder I felt so weak when I woke up. A bitter smile tugged at my lips. It seemed I had been fooling myself all along. I was nothing more than a choice he made after weighing the pros and cons. Lucas picked up a fruit knife and started peeling an apple for Evelyn, speaking casually. “To prevent Evelyn from relapsing in the future, we had to take a bit extra.” “Besides, stem cells regenerate in a few days. Don’t be so stingy.” Seeing his nonchalant attitude, I felt a stabbing pain in my chest. Excessive stem cell extraction could lead to blood clotting disorders, and in severe cases, even blood cancer. Yet my life and death meant nothing more to him than a casual remark about being prepared. Fearing I might vomit if I looked at him and Evelyn any longer, I decided to go home that very day. Lying in bed, I stared at our wedding photo on the wall and let out a sarcastic laugh. If I was going to leave, I might as well make a clean break. I booked a flight for three days later, but after waiting half a day, I still hadn’t received the confirmation code. Just as I was wondering what was wrong, Lucas called. His voice was uncharacteristically tense. “Aria, why are you booking a flight?” I used to book Lucas’s business flights, so the phone number was automatically filled in with his. “I’ve been feeling down lately. I’m going to visit a friend for a few days.” “Well, be careful-” But before Lucas could finish, a woman’s fragile voice came through the receiver. “Lucas, my head hurts so much…” Lucas hung up without a moment’s hesitation. In his heart, I had always been last on the list. The next day, when I returned home, I found the master bedroom door wide open, with Evelyn lying on the bed in her loungewear. Seeing me return, she lazily raised her eyes, adopting the air of the lady of the house. “Welcome back, sis.” Lucas emerged from the kitchen upon hearing the commotion and explained in a deep voice, “Evelyn is still recovering. It’s more convenient for me to take care of her here.” “You don’t mind me making this decision, do you?” I shook my head and smiled. “Not at all.” A flash of surprise crossed Lucas’s face. He lowered his gaze, carefully examining my expression. Seeing no signs of displeasure in my words or manner, he finally relaxed. In the past, I had been possessive of him. Even if he exchanged a few more words with a female server, I would sarcastically comment on it, let alone allow a woman to move in and live with him. I gathered my belongings from the master bedroom. Apart from my daily clothes, I threw away all the lingerie and scented candles I had bought to seduce Lucas into the garbage bin downstairs. Even the crystal pendant he had bought me when we first got together went into the trash. Lucas strode over, his brow furrowed in anger. “Why are you throwing that away?” I continued packing my suitcase, “Shouldn’t broken things be thrown away?” Broken things should be discarded, just like spoiled feelings. Lucas nodded slowly, seeming to agree. “If it’s broken, throw it away. I’ll buy you a new one later.” With that, he dove back into the kitchen to make soup for Evelyn.

I had just finished packing my suitcase when I noticed a figure standing in the doorway. “I advise you not to embarrass yourself. If you’re smart, you’ll divorce Lucas.” “Stolen love will never last.” “You probably don’t know this, but I’ve known Lucas for longer than you have.” She slowly approached me, her contemptuous gaze making me extremely uncomfortable. “You don’t think I secretly filmed that video I sent you, do you?” “There’s a folder named ‘ERO’ on Lucas’s computer E drive. It’s full of videos he recorded himself. He says they’re all proof of his love for me.” I looked at Evelyn’s superior expression and let out a scornful laugh. “If he loves you so much, why didn’t he marry you?” “As long as I’m here, you’re nothing but a mistress who can’t see the light of day.” Evelyn seemed to be angered by the word ‘mistress’. She grabbed my hair violently. “Are you proud of being Lucas’s shield?” “So what if you’re Lucas’s wife? Has he touched you in the two years you’ve been married?” “You think you’re worthy of competing with me for Lucas?” She slammed my head against the bedside table. My eyes were covered in blood, and I was in too much pain to fight back. Just when I thought she was going to continue assaulting me, she grabbed my hand and suddenly slapped herself with it. “What are you doing?!” Lucas’s angry shout came from the doorway. He pushed me away and, upon seeing the handprint on Evelyn’s face, he turned to glare at me fiercely. “Is this how you show you can’t accept Evelyn?” “At first, I really thought you had changed and become sensible. I didn’t expect you to pull these tricks behind my back.” “How many times do I have to explain to you that Evelyn and I are just friends? Can you stop being so paranoid?” My face was covered in tears and blood. Faced with his fury, every muscle in my body tensed up. Evelyn fell weakly into Lucas’s arms. “Lucas, don’t blame Aria. This is all my fault.” “I shouldn’t have come here to bother her… I’ll leave right now if it means you two can make up!” Evelyn shot me a triumphant smile from Lucas’s arms. When I met Lucas’s angry eyes, my heart sank to the bottom. “I didn’t hit her…” “Enough!” Lucas slapped me to the ground. “You vicious woman, how dare you lie!” “I’ve been too lenient with you!” He dragged me up from the floor, ignoring my bleeding forehead, and locked me in the stairwell. “Stay in there and reflect on what you’ve done wrong. I’ll let you out when you’ve figured it out!” The stairwell was dark and cramped, without a hint of light. I have claustrophobia and am terrified of being alone in enclosed, dark spaces. But even though I shouted until my throat was raw and scratched the door until my fingers bled, Lucas showed no signs of softening. After what seemed like an eternity, the housekeeper finally opened the door from the outside. She threw a bag at my head. “Mr. Graham has taken Miss Rose to a gala. The temperature’s dropping tonight, and he’s worried Miss Rose might catch cold. He wants you to bring this coat to her.” I opened the bag. The coat was a limited edition from last month’s Paris Fashion Week. Just one of its cufflinks was worth over a million dollars. “Alright.” I took the bag and went back to my room to get my packed suitcase and documents. Then I went to the study to find the file Evelyn had mentioned, copying all its contents. As I passed the housekeeper on my way downstairs, I said quietly, “When Lucas returns, tell him I’ve left him a big surprise in the study.” Then, without looking back, I took a taxi straight to the airport. Only when I was seated on the plane did I dare to let out the frustration I had been holding in my heart. Three years. It was time to end this dysfunctional love. At the gala, Lucas waited for over an hour but didn’t see me. He called me countless times, but every call went straight to voicemail. He drove home and frantically questioned the housekeeper. “Where did my wife go?” “Did she act strange before she left?” Scared by Lucas’s behavior, the housekeeper answered truthfully. “Mrs. Graham went to your study before she left.” “She also said… she left you a gift.”

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