Author: Momo Chan

As I opened my eyes, I saw the severe weather warning on my phone. A shiver ran down my spine. I spotted an open bag of chips that Tyler had left untouched. Grabbing it, I devoured it ravenously. After finishing the chips, I still felt hungry, so I started rummaging through the fridge. Jack, my husband, looked at me with disgust. “Are you some kind of starving ghost? Can’t you eat more politely? You’re embarrassing yourself!” I ignored him, not bothering to explain. The memory of hunger and cold from my previous life was still vivid. Seeing Jack’s nonchalant attitude towards the flood warning, I had no intention of alerting him. Instead, I grabbed the keys to our high-rise apartment in the city, planning to stock up on food. As I was about to leave, I saw Jack and Tyler chatting happily with Lily and her daughter Rose at our villa’s entrance. I approached them coldly. “What are you all talking about? You seem so happy.” Jack flinched, his tone unnatural. “Just some neighborly chat, you know, building relationships.” Tyler impatiently added, “Mom, they say neighbors are better than distant relatives. What’s wrong with Dad and I getting to know our neighbors?” Seeing how they blamed me, my heart ached. Usually at home, these two only called me to cook, barely talking to me otherwise. Now they had so much to say to our neighbors. I looked at Lily, the single mother next door, with hostility. “Don’t you know that single mothers often attract gossip? Aren’t you worried about my husband and son ruining your reputation?” Lily seemed unbothered, even a bit shy. “I don’t care what others say, as long as you don’t mind, Jack!” My husband puffed up proudly. “If anyone dares to gossip, I’ll teach them a lesson!” I felt like an outsider. Watching Tyler eagerly share his precious toys with Rose, I felt utterly disappointed. As I was about to leave for our apartment, Jack followed me, annoyed. “I’m just being friendly with the neighbors. Why are you so petty? What’s there to be angry about?” This sentence instantly brought back memories from my previous life. Back then, when I tried to make Lily and her daughter leave our home, Jack had said the same thing. After Jack and Tyler had lectured me, they had stayed in a bedroom with Lily and Rose. I had wondered if I was truly being selfish and considered apologizing to Jack and the others. But as I approached the bedroom door, I overheard Jack saying, “That old hag can’t compare to you. If she wasn’t still making money for me to spend, I would have divorced her long ago.” Tyler chimed in, “Aunt Lily, I wish you were my mom instead. I really want you to be my mom!” I gave Jack a cold look. “I’m not angry,” I said calmly. I headed out, planning to drive to our old apartment. Jack noticed the keys in my hand and asked curiously, “Honey, why are you taking those keys? We haven’t been back to that apartment since we moved to this villa. It’s probably unlivable now!” I hesitated, wondering if I should take Jack and Tyler with me this time. But remembering how they had forced me out to find food in my previous life, my heart turned cold. “I want to tidy it up. I’ll be working overtime at the company for a while, so I’ll stay there. It’s more convenient, and I won’t be able to take care of you and Tyler.” Hearing that I wouldn’t be home due to overtime, Jack frowned. I knew he wasn’t worried about me, but about who would cook for them. So I added thoughtfully, “I’ll transfer some money to your account later. You and Tyler can buy food for the next few days.” Jack’s frown disappeared, and he said cheerfully, “Alright then, go get the apartment ready. Don’t let it interfere with your overtime!” As I drove away, I didn’t head straight to the apartment. Instead, I went to the largest supermarket in the city. During the catastrophic flood, food shortage was one issue, but power outage was even more terrifying. At its worst, the flood had brought ice rain. Many people died from severe colds due to the extreme cold. The world had become a vast ocean, and if our apartment hadn’t been above the 38th floor, it would have been submerged too. The reason I had drowned in my previous life was because my hands, frozen stiff while paddling a raft, had slipped, causing me to fall into the water. At the supermarket, I first spent a fortune on several generators and a lot of coal. I also arranged for workers to install a coal stove in our apartment. After that, I rushed to stock up on food. Looking at my bank balance, I didn’t feel the least bit of regret. After all, the villa we currently lived in was bought entirely with my own money. Since marrying me, Jack had always found excuses not to work. And I had foolishly spent all my money on him and Tyler. So this time, I was determined not only to survive the flood but also to improve my quality of life. I bought plenty of hotpot ingredients, vegetables, and meat. Instant noodles, quick-cook rice noodles, rice, and other necessities were all on my shopping list. I also stocked up on fruits and medicines. Many people in the previous flood had died not because their illnesses were severe, but because they lacked medication. Besides these, I bought many other miscellaneous items. After all this, I hired a renovation company to replace the door of our apartment with a vault-grade one and to improve the waterproofing of the entire place. When everything was settled, I looked at the apartment packed full of supplies and felt a sense of security wash over me. These supplies would easily last me through the month-long flood, maybe even for a year or more if needed. [Truncation point] Before the catastrophic flood hit, I decided to return to the villa one last time. It wasn’t out of kindness or a desire to warn Jack and Tyler. On the contrary, I wanted to make them believe the flood warning was just a hoax. When I got home, I realized I had worried unnecessarily. In my previous life, if I hadn’t prepared an inflatable raft after seeing the news on my phone, our family wouldn’t have been able to return to our apartment after the flood hit. This time, without my intervention, not only had Jack and Tyler not stocked up on food, they had even taken the fruits and vegetables I had bought earlier to share with our neighbors. Through the front door, I saw Jack hosting a lavish meal for Lily and Rose, while Tyler was thoughtfully peeling crayfish for Rose. My eyes grew colder at the sight. Just as I was about to enter, I heard Rose say in a sweet voice, “Big brother, I wish I could eat at your house every day. I really love playing here!” Tyler excitedly replied, “You can come whenever you want! As long as that old hag of my mom isn’t home, you can come every day!” Rose forced a smile, eating the crayfish Tyler had peeled for her. “Your mom is really annoying. I hope that old hag is never home.” Seeing the happy family of four inside, I pushed the door open. Jack was startled, stumbling as he stood up. “Honey, why are you back so suddenly? You didn’t even call to let me know!” I coldly looked at Lily and her daughter, saying bluntly, “Why should I tell you? So you can hide your mistress in advance?” Lily and Rose turned pale. Tyler stood up and said, “Mom, what are you talking about? Dad and I are just trying to be good neighbors. Don’t you know the saying ‘neighbors are better than distant relatives’?” I laughed coldly, not wanting to say a word. Jack awkwardly tried to pull me to sit down and eat with them. Sitting in the chair, I pointed at the feast before me and said, pinching my nose, “Honey, is this food spoiled? How could you serve rotten food to our neighbors?” Jack was surprised and immediately bent over the table to smell the food. “That’s not right, it’s not spoiled. I just ate some myself!” I smiled and said sarcastically, “Are you sure it’s not spoiled? I smell something fishy.” Lily was infuriated. She turned red and left with her daughter. Jack wanted to go after them, but seeing me sitting in the chair, he dejectedly walked back. I was about to speak when Jack interrupted me. He pointed at the news on his phone and said, “Honey, I think this catastrophic flood might actually be real. Living in this villa, if the flood really comes, we’ll have nowhere to hide. We’ll be submerged directly!” I glanced at him. In my previous life, Jack had no thoughts of prevention. Why had he changed this time? But his next words made me understand his intentions. “Honey, didn’t you clean up our apartment? That building is tall, above the 38th floor. Even if the flood comes and the whole city is submerged, it won’t reach our place. Why don’t you stay there for the next few days and stock up on some food for me and Tyler? When the flood comes, we’ll pack up and join you!” I see, so he’s eager for me to leave because he’s been having too much fun with the neighbors while I’ve been away. I pretended to hesitate and said, “Honey, why don’t you and Tyler come with me to the apartment now? We don’t know when the flood might hit. It’s better to be prepared.” Hearing that I wanted them to come with me to the apartment, Tyler immediately protested. He hurriedly said, “I’m not going! The villa is so comfortable, and I have friends to play with here. You can go by yourself!” Jack quickly glared at Tyler, and Tyler realized he had said too much, so he shut up. But Tyler was still afraid that if I really forced him to go back, he wouldn’t be able to play with Rose next door. So he stubbornly said, “I’m not going back to the apartment no matter what. I can’t get used to living there!” Jack looked at the news on his phone, his expression becoming hesitant. He seemed to be genuinely considering whether to come with me to the apartment. Just as I was cursing myself for speaking up, we heard a door closing next door. Followed by a cat’s meow. But to my ears, this meow was clearly imitated by a person. Jack’s hesitant expression immediately turned joyful. After a moment of silence, he awkwardly said to me, “Honey, let’s discuss this later. I’m going to take Tyler out for a walk first!” Seeing the barely concealed smile on Tyler’s face, I immediately understood what was going on. I nodded understandingly and said, “Alright, you two go out for a walk. I won’t join you. I’ll clean up the house a bit!” The two of them excitedly left. I didn’t clean up. Instead, I watched from behind the window. I saw Lily and Rose walking in front, with Jack and Tyler happily following behind, looking every bit like a family. When I followed them out, I saw the four of them enter a convenience store. Tyler generously said, “Aunt Lily, you and Rose can have whatever drinks you want. It’s my treat today!” Jack laughed and scolded, “Since when can you afford to act generous, you little rascal? Lily, take whatever you want. It’s on me!” Knowing that both Tyler and Jack’s money came from me, and now they were using my money to buy things for Lily and Rose, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I burst into the store, shouting, “What are you doing? Who are you buying things for?” My voice was so loud it nearly made Jack fall over. The other customers in the store all turned to look. Seeing my fury, Lily quickly pulled her daughter to hide behind Jack. Jack laughed awkwardly and said in a low voice, “Honey, weren’t you cleaning at home? Why are you here?” I looked at him angrily and said, “If I hadn’t come here, I wouldn’t have seen you buying drinks for your mistress!” Hearing me say this, the surrounding customers’ eyes filled with a strange look. Lily, seeing the situation, started crying pitifully. “Sister Emily, it’s not what you think. It’s just so hot today, and Jack was kind enough to buy us a drink.” I didn’t go easy on her at all, directly scolding, “Don’t you have your own money? Why do you need my husband to buy you drinks?” Lily looked even more pitiful, wiping her few tears. “Sister Emily, how can you say that about me?” Before I could speak, Jack, seeing Lily cry, stepped in front of me. He shouted loudly, “Emily, what nonsense are you talking about? What’s wrong with neighbors buying each other things and deepening our friendship?” I laughed coldly. “What’s wrong? Inviting a single mother and her daughter to our house for meals, eagerly buying them drinks… If I hadn’t been home today, I bet this ‘friendship’ would have deepened all the way to the bedroom!” Jack’s face turned red, unable to say a word in response. The surrounding customers, seeing Jack’s expression, seemed to understand what was going on. They started whispering and pointing at Jack and Lily. At this moment, Tyler, who had been silent, suddenly said viciously to me, “You’re a bad mom! You’re deliberately slandering Aunt Lily. You’re a terrible person!” Seeing my son side with outsiders, my anger grew even more. After all the hard work I had put into raising him, buying him toys, paying for tutoring classes, buying him nice clothes, and now he calls me a bad mom. I angrily slapped him across the face. Tyler immediately started wailing, covering his face and shouting that I was a bad mom. Seeing that I was hitting harder and harder, Jack stepped in front of Tyler. “Emily, have you lost your mind? Why are you hitting our son?” At this point, the manipulative Lily suddenly spoke up: “Sister Emily, you can’t hit your son just because he’s telling the truth. This only proves that you’re feeling guilty!” I took a deep breath, not to admit my mistake, but suddenly realizing my approach was wrong. That’s right, hitting my son would only make others think I was guilty. So, hitting Lily, this manipulative woman, should be okay, right? With that thought, my eyes darted towards the mop handle in the convenience store. Without much thought, I grabbed the mop and shoved its dirty, grimy end right into Jack’s mouth.

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When I was 13, my father sacrificed his life in the line of duty. His former student, Lucas Stone, adopted me and asked me to call him “uncle”. I always thought we were destined for each other, until the day I confessed my feelings and was harshly rejected. Lucas looked at me with disgust and annoyance: “Aria Collins, there’s nothing between us except our uncle-niece relationship! You’ve crossed the line!” “Know your place. You’ve been clinging to me for 5 years because of your father’s connection to me. Isn’t it time you let me go?” Humiliated and embarrassed, I changed my college plans and left without a word. Later, Lucas grabbed my shoulders hysterically: “You confess to me and then just leave? What am I to you?” But I only looked at Lucas calmly: “You’re family to me, my most respected uncle.” At my birthday party, I sat in a corner sofa checking messages on my phone: [Uncle Lucas, it’s my 21st birthday today. Can you come?] But Uncle Lucas hadn’t replied. Just as I was debating whether to call him, voices sounded from outside. Lucas had arrived, but he was followed by Wendy Sinclair – the doctor he had agreed to date yesterday and publicly announced on social media. His doting gaze remained on Wendy the whole time. “Aria, happy birthday!” Wendy smiled gently and handed me a gift box. Lucas finally turned to glance at me: “Your aunt brought you a gift. Aren’t you going to open it and say thank you?” His cold tone was the same as when he rejected my confession last month. The bitterness in my heart was indescribable. When I opened the gift box, I froze. It was adoption papers with my name on one page. This meant that from today on, I would officially become Lucas’s family member. These adoption papers cut off all my hopes for Lucas… I looked up at him in disbelief. “Aria, the idea of adoption was my suggestion. Don’t blame Lucas, okay?” Wendy spoke up. “You’ve been with Lucas for many years. It’s time for you to become part of the Stone family officially. So adopting you is a good thing.” “After becoming part of the family, you’ll have more confidence. When you interact with people outside, you’ll realize who truly cares about you.” Wendy’s meaningful words sent chills down my spine. Did Lucas tell Wendy about my confession to him last month? Otherwise, why would she give me these adoption papers? But just because I confessed, did Lucas want me to cut off all my feelings? Was I so despicable in his eyes? Tears welled up in my eyes, but Lucas still looked at me coldly. “Aren’t you going to thank your aunt?” I felt extremely awkward, but still forced a smile and looked at Wendy, holding back tears. “Thank you, Aunt Wendy. I… I like the gift very much.” Wendy smiled gently, “I’m glad you like it!” “Aria Collins, take the adoption papers.” Lucas spoke up. “From now on, you’re part of the Stone family. Consider the consequences of your actions. Behave yourself!” My throat tightened as I trembled, picking up the adoption papers. The black and white letters spelling “Aria Collins” stung my eyes. When I looked up again, Lucas was leading Wendy to the center of the dance floor. The handsome man and beautiful woman made a perfect couple, quickly becoming the focus of attention. Everyone seemed to have forgotten it was my birthday. Watching Lucas dance, my heart ached unbearably. The affection he showed Wendy was something I once had. I still remember when my father sacrificed his life on the border, When distant relatives tried to sell me off to loan sharks, Lucas appeared like a savior, claiming I was his. I remember when I struggled with academic problems, Lucas sought out experts in the field to tutor me. I even remember when I was writhing in pain from menstrual cramps, Lucas turned his blushing face away while massaging my abdomen with his warm hands. It’s my fault for mistaking his care for love. We’re not that far apart in age, only 6 years difference. I always thought he liked me too, so I confessed like a moth to a flame. But all I got was his cold words: “Aria Collins, there’s nothing between us except our uncle-niece relationship! You’ve crossed the line!” “I don’t understand how you could have such a disgusting idea. You disappoint me!” Those two sentences made my blood run cold, utterly humiliated. But I don’t understand, if Lucas didn’t like me, Why did he do things that made me misunderstand? Why didn’t he adopt me officially from the very beginning? If he didn’t like me, He wouldn’t have accepted the Valentine’s chocolate I gave him when I was 16, He wouldn’t have worn the scarf I knitted for him when I was 18, And he certainly wouldn’t have blushed while buying me a necklace engraved with “lock you in my heart”. A sudden gasp from the crowd snapped me back to reality. I looked up to see Lucas down on one knee in the middle of the dance floor, proposing to Wendy! My heart clenched painfully as tears I’d been holding back finally fell. So this is what Lucas looks like when he truly loves someone. All this time, I’ve just been deluding myself…

Lucas and Wendy became the center of attention at the party. I, the host, wandered the empty streets like a lost soul late at night. By the time I returned to my rented apartment, it was past midnight. My birthday had ended just like that. My tears were almost dried up. I sat in the living room all night, Not even realizing when I fell asleep. When I woke up, it was already daylight, but I found myself lying in bed. I was sure I hadn’t sleepwalked, and my memory was perfect. I definitely hadn’t woken up in the middle to go back to bed. As I pondered this, I caught a whiff of a familiar scent. It was the Burberry cologne Lucas always wore. Had Lucas been here? But he didn’t know the address of my apartment. Maybe I was overthinking it. I tidied up a bit, preparing to go to work at the hospital. When I opened the door, I found cigarette butts scattered on the ground. It was Lucas’s favorite brand. He really had been here! I rushed downstairs eagerly, and sure enough, I saw Lucas about to leave at the entrance. “Lucas!” I called out. He froze in place. I ran towards him, my heart pounding wildly. I wasn’t sure if it was from running, Or from grasping at the last straw of hope. “You came yesterday? How did you know my apartment address? When did you find out I moved out?” Lucas lowered his head slightly, his eyes cold and indifferent. “Aria Collins, I’m not blind. I can see when things are missing from my home.” Lucas rubbed his brow, his tone irritated: “Did you see what I did at the party yesterday?” I had a bad feeling, but still nodded. The next second, Lucas’s cold tone shattered my illusions: “I did that to let you know I could never be so depraved as to have feelings for you.” “Last night was because Wendy noticed you were missing and made me check the security cameras to find you. Aria Collins, drop that self-righteous look on your face.” “From now on, please keep your distance from me. Do you understand?” My ears were ringing. By the time he disappeared from my sight, I came back to my senses, tears already soaking my collar. So Lucas truly despised me to the extreme, Not even willing to spare me a glance… The adult world is cruel. No matter how upset I was, I couldn’t let it affect my work. When I arrived at the hospital, the usually quiet doctors’ office was buzzing with excitement. “Aria, did you hear? A brilliant doctor is coming today! They say she’s also transferring from a military hospital!” Military hospital? My heart skipped a beat. For some reason, Wendy’s face flashed through my mind. The next second, an excited male doctor looked towards the door: “She’s here!” I turned to look, my heart sinking. It really was Wendy! The deputy director spoke up: “Starting today, Dr. Sinclair will be working with you all. She’s top in her field of internal medicine, and will be your superior.” “If you have any questions in the future, you can ask Dr. Sinclair. Please show mutual respect and help each other!” Everyone warmly welcomed Wendy’s arrival. After the deputy director left, They all flocked around her. Only I stood to the side. In this office, except for me who had just become a full-time doctor, The others had all transferred from military hospitals before. So I, who already had little in common with them, now felt even more out of place. As I was organizing patient files, Wendy’s voice sounded behind me: “Aria.” I turned around. Wendy smiled faintly, “Even though we’re family now, as your superior, I’ll be very strict with you!” I forced a slight smile in response, but my mind was in turmoil. If Wendy worked here, it meant Lucas would probably come pick her up after work, right? Doctors aren’t supposed to let personal feelings interfere with work. I tried my best to suppress my thoughts and focus on my job. The peaceful days passed uneventfully for a while. One day when I arrived at the hospital for work, I had just opened the door When I saw Wendy furtively hiding something. I found it strange, but didn’t think too much of it. After everyone arrived, we entered the operating room to prepare. For some reason, Wendy only allowed me, the anesthesiologist, and another male doctor to enter the operating room. Before the surgery began, she turned off the surveillance cameras inside. “The patient requested privacy and specifically asked us not to record the surgery,” Wendy said calmly. “Alright, let’s begin!” The surgery proceeded smoothly as usual. But suddenly, Wendy spoke up: “Aria Collins, you take over.” I was stunned. Me? I had just become a full-time doctor, and she wanted me to use the scalpel? Wendy handed me the scalpel. “20% of the patient’s stomach is currently necrotic. Remove it all and insert an artificial stomach!” I was dumbfounded. Although 20% of the patient’s stomach was necrotic, it could still digest normally. It would make the patient weak and restrict their diet somewhat, But installing an artificial stomach as Wendy suggested would only increase the patient’s suffering. It wouldn’t solve the root of the patient’s problem at all! “Wendy, are you crazy? How would this help the patient’s condition?” I asked in disbelief. But Wendy didn’t even flinch. “I have my reasons for doing this. With me supervising, what are you afraid of?” I turned to look at the anesthesiologist and the other male doctor who had a crush on Wendy. They acted as if they hadn’t heard anything. “Aria Collins, hurry up! Don’t waste time, the patient’s blood pressure is dropping!” Wendy said impatiently. I felt something was very wrong. I held the scalpel but couldn’t bring myself to make the incision. “Tch, Aria Collins, can you do it or not? If not, I’ll do it!” The male doctor snatched the scalpel and shoved me aside. I stumbled back, only able to hand over surgical tools from the side. Half an hour later, the surgery was complete and the patient was moved to intensive care. As Wendy left the operating room, she gave me a meaningful look. I was confused, suddenly feeling uneasy. It wasn’t until 3 days later that I realized that uneasiness wasn’t unfounded.

Today was my shift. But as soon as I entered the hospital, people were pointing and whispering about me. Even some patients looked at me strangely. I was puzzled. When I opened the office door, I found the deputy director standing there with a grim expression. Next to him was someone I never expected to see – Lucas! “…Uncle Lucas?” How could he be here? Before I could react, the deputy director walked towards me. “Aria Collins, you’ve disappointed me greatly!” “Why did you remove the patient’s entire stomach and install an artificial one during gastric surgery? Don’t you know the patient died from infection after the artificial stomach replacement?!” I was stunned, frozen in place. “Deputy Director, this is my fault. I couldn’t change Aria’s decision,” Wendy spoke up before I could respond. “Aria is still young and didn’t know the consequences of her actions. As her family and superior, I’m willing to apologize to the deceased’s family with Aria and take responsibility!” Wendy bowed to the deputy director, her face full of remorse. I stared at Wendy in disbelief. How could she lie so convincingly? It wasn’t me at all! “Deputy Director, removing the patient’s stomach and installing an artificial one wasn’t my decision or my surgery!” The injustice overwhelmed me as I choked out, “It was Dr. Johnson who pushed me aside and performed the surgery following Wendy’s instructions. I didn’t even touch the patient!” “What nonsense are you saying?!” Dr. Johnson spoke up to refute me, but I didn’t miss the flicker of evasion in his eyes. “Dr. Sinclair clearly called your name to perform the surgery. I saw it all. How can you make up such lies?” My blood ran cold as realization dawned. So that’s how it was… This Dr. Johnson didn’t actually have the skills to perform surgery, but Wendy called him in to do it. No wonder he was allowed in the operating room. They had conspired together! “Aria Collins, this is a serious violation of protocol!” The deputy director grew even more severe. His gaze towards me became increasingly fierce. “I didn’t do it!” I insisted firmly. “I swear on my integrity and career that I raised objections before the incident.” “But Wendy didn’t listen to me at all. Deputy Director, you can’t trust Wendy’s one-sided account!” “Then can you prove what you’re saying now? Do you have any evidence?!” The deputy director roared. That angry shout left me stunned once again. That’s right… Wendy had turned off the surveillance cameras in the operating room before the surgery… There was no way to prove what really happened. I was helpless to defend myself. “Enough!” The deputy director waved his hand, the anger on his face undiminished. “Dr. Sinclair, you must take Aria Collins to apologize to the deceased’s family and discuss compensation!” The deputy director turned and left, not giving me any chance to explain. I turned to find Lucas looking at me, his eyes filled with unconcealed disappointment and contempt. It made my blood run cold all over again.

“Uncle Lucas, it wasn’t me! You have to believe me!” I desperately grabbed Lucas’s sleeve. “Uncle Lucas, think about it. What wrong have I ever done all these years? Have I ever caused you any trouble?” “You can’t just believe Wendy’s words. Uncle Lucas—” “Enough!” Lucas’s low voice cut me off angrily. “Aria Collins, your lies won’t fool anyone. Don’t try to blame Wendy!” Tears fell as my heart felt like it was being ripped apart. “Uncle Lucas, you’d rather believe Wendy than trust all the years we spent together?” Lucas frowned deeply. “Aria Collins, I won’t believe your words. As I see it, you resent that I accepted Wendy’s confession and are taking it out on her.” “You’re hypocritical and vicious. I now realize adopting you was the biggest mistake I ever made!” My mind went blank, ears ringing. I didn’t even hear Lucas’s next words. I only saw his lips moving, but his eyes were ice cold. So this is how Lucas saw me? Because of his misleading actions, I mistakenly thought he liked me. But after I confessed, he treated me like poison. In his eyes, I was just a dog to be summoned and dismissed at will. All these years of me loving him were just a joke… My heart felt dead. I didn’t even notice when Wendy pulled me outside. When I came to my senses, we were standing in the stairwell. The smile on Wendy’s face from earlier had completely vanished, Replaced by a vicious and malicious expression. “Aria Collins, aren’t you shameless? Clinging on like a parasite. Have you forgotten our little chat from before?” I looked at her calmly. “Wendy Sinclair, what goes around comes around. All the terrible things you’ve done will be exposed one day.” “Instead of threatening me, you should work on improving your own skills!” But Wendy just laughed silently. Her eyes were full of malice and excitement. “No, there will never be a day of exposure.” Hearing her words, my uneasiness grew to its peak. I instinctively tried to leave, but Wendy grabbed my hand and shoved something cold into it. My heart jumped in panic. I looked down to find a kitchen knife, polished to a shine! The fear and dread in my heart reached its limit. What was this woman planning to do?! The next second, Wendy placed her hand on the sharp blade and yanked hard. Blood gushed out like a faucet turned on! “Ahhhh Aria Collins, what are you doing?!” I was stunned. Her movements were too fast, I had no time to react! Lucas burst through the door at that moment. Seeing Wendy’s bloody hands, he looked at me in disbelief. “Aria Collins, what have you done?!” Lucas shoved me aside roughly. My lower back slammed into the edge of another knife on the kitchen counter. I cried out in pain. But Lucas paid me no attention. He anxiously helped Wendy up from the ground. Wendy was already crying, her face covered in tears. “Lucas, Lucas it hurts so much…” “Lucas, my hands… I need them for surgery! Aria, you…”

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The year Gabriel’s company went bankrupt, I broke off our engagement. My parents called me heartless and cut ties with me. Later, when Gabriel made a comeback, he insisted on marrying me. Everyone thought he was madly in love with me, but only I knew the truth – he was obsessed with getting revenge. He kept me up all night, forcing me to train his AI girlfriend Tessa’s personality and emotions… All because he wanted to mold Tessa into someone exactly like me, then have the AI completely replace me. My parents even accepted Tessa as their goddaughter, completely abandoning me, their flesh and blood. But what they didn’t know was that I had already been diagnosed with a terminal illness. I didn’t have much time left. Everyone said Gabriel Quinn was madly in love with me. During the year I was gone, Gabriel had dated over twenty girlfriends. They all had one thing in common – they looked like me. The one who resembled me the most was about 80% similar. As soon as I came back, Gabriel cut ties with all of them and used every trick in the book to marry me. But the day after our wedding, I realized something was off. Gabriel spent the entire night in our bedroom cradling a pink smartphone, which he had even dressed up in a little skirt! He treated that phone like a lover, handling it with utmost care. I thought to myself, I’m already in the final stages of my illness. I should be more concerned about which cemetery plot to choose rather than investigating his odd behavior. For a whole week, every night before bed, he would grin like an idiot while texting on that phone. I figured he must have found a new flame. If he had a new lover, why bother marrying me in the first place?

The first time I saw the woman in Gabriel’s phone was on my birthday. I went to the hospital as usual to pick up my pain medication. My illness was terminal, with no cure available. Only strong painkillers could help me live more comfortably. Suddenly, a message popped up on my phone: “Is this you? You look so ugly! How could my darling Gabriel ever fall for someone like you?” Then a selfie of me was sent over. In the photo, I looked pale and sickly, with dry, lifeless hair and dull eyes. I was as thin and frail as a withered blade of grass. I frowned and looked around, wondering who would stoop so low as to secretly photograph me in the hospital. But after scanning the area, I couldn’t spot anyone suspicious. “Who are you?” I typed back. “I’m Tessa! Look, you’re sick enough to be in the hospital, but Gabriel doesn’t even care about you. Isn’t it strange that you married someone who doesn’t care about you?” “If I were in the hospital, Gabriel would probably be worried sick!” The stranger sent another message, and I could sense the jealousy dripping from her words. “Oh, but no matter what you say, I’m the one whose name is on Gabriel’s marriage name is on Gabriel’s marriage certificate. You can talk all you want, but you’re nothing more than a mistress who can’t see the light of day,” I replied coldly. My response was met with silence for a moment. Then she sent over another photo. The woman in the picture wore a purple dress and had delicate features like a doll. At first glance, she looked about 80% similar to me. Except for a hint of spite in her eyes, she was practically my doppelganger. “What mistress?! The one who isn’t loved is the real mistress!” “Look, I’m younger and prettier than you! I’m better than you in every way! You’re already over the hill!” “Gabriel will dump you sooner or later!” I could feel her jealousy radiating through the screen. I smiled faintly. “So he found you based on my appearance… You’re even more pitiful, just being my replacement.” “You… just you wait!” She was clearly provoked by my words and stopped messaging me. I stared at the photo of me she had sent, lost in thought. The angle of that selfie was clearly taken from my own phone. When on earth did she use my phone to take a picture?

I picked up a lot of expensive painkillers at the hospital. Regular painkillers could no longer control my pain. In the final stage of my life, I could only rely on these potent drugs to suppress the agony. When I opened the door, Gabriel was looking down at his phone. He seemed to hear me come in and glanced up briefly. His eyes were bloodshot, and his hands trembled as he gripped that pink phone, clearly trying to control his anger. “What kind of heartless thing did you do, Zoe? Are you sick in the head?” Gabriel slammed his hand on the table, venting his fury. “Yes, I’m sick. And I’m dying soon,” I shrugged, smiling casually. “You fucking psycho! If you’re sick why don’t you just die already?!” Gabriel hurled the glass from the table onto the floor. Glass shards flew everywhere, with one piece cutting my ankle. I remained silent, just watching him lose control. Perhaps realizing he had gone too far, Gabriel took a deep breath and handed me the pink phone. “See for yourself.” “See what?” I took the phone, confused. “You tore up Tessa’s clothes and sent her photos to our family group chat and my work group! Zoe, I never thought you could be so jealous! Even if you envy Tessa, you shouldn’t do something so degrading!” Gabriel was so angry the veins on his forehead were bulging. That’s when I noticed the pink phone showed a girl who looked 80% like me crying. She was in tattered clothes, sitting on the ground with red, teary eyes looking utterly pitiful. It was the same girl who had taunted me at the hospital earlier! “Gabe, it’s all my fault. I understand why Zoe did this… My existence must have threatened her,” Tessa sobbed in the phone. “Is… is this a cartoon character?” I frowned. Gabriel snatched the phone back. “This is AI! Tessa is a lifelike AI developed by our company. She’s just like a real person! She’s my spiritual companion.” My mind went blank with shock! So Tessa was an AI robot! “Get on your knees!” “Apologize to Tessa! Apologize in the family group chat and work group!” Gabriel grabbed my collar roughly, with no hint of tenderness. I felt like a kite being yanked forcefully. The painkillers scattered on the floor. I shook my head. “I didn’t do it. It wasn’t me.” “Are you saying she did it herself? You’re the only one besides me who can enter this house. Stop making excuses!” I was too tired to argue. After he finished speaking, I had already picked up the painkillers and turned to leave. But he snatched the medicine away again. “I said, you’re not leaving until you apologize! As for this medicine…” this medicine…” Gabriel glanced at the painkillers, “Don’t bother taking it! People should face consequences for their mistakes, don’t you think?” Gabriel ripped open the package and dumped the pills into the trash. I clenched my fists as waves of pain washed over me. It was time for my dose, and without the medication on schedule, my stomach felt like it was being torn apart. I leaned against the wall, looking at this man who once loved me more than life itself, wondering what his expression would be if he knew these painkillers could ease my suffering.

By the time I got home, I was drenched in sweat from the pain. But I received another message from Tessa. [This is what happens when you mess with me!] [Now you know who Gabriel loves most!] [Just divorce Gabriel already! He loves me!] I ignored Tessa’s messages. In my hazy state, I fell asleep. Around midnight, I vaguely heard the doorbell ring. Someone walked in carrying a cake. “Gabriel…” I mumbled through my sweat-soaked hair. “It’s your birthday today. I brought you a cake. You’ve been looking a bit worn out lately.” He turned on the light, cut the cake, and handed me a slice. “Heh, I’m surprised you even remembered my birthday.” I laughed coldly as I looked him up and down. “Can you stop talking like that? You know, after all these years, you’re the one I’ve always loved. Even Tessa, that AI, was modeled after you… When you left without a word back then, I decided to create an AI to keep me company… Now that you’re back and we’re married, can’t we just get along?” “Tessa is just AI, you don’t need to be jealous of her. Besides, she’s the one who reminded me about your birthday today. She’s just my personal assistant now. Can you please stop competing with an AI?” Gabriel sighed, looking exasperated. I… wasn’t jealous at all. With my terminal illness, I couldn’t be bothered to care. But even a pushover has their limits. “Then why don’t you go back to your precious Tessa!” I angrily threw the cake he brought into the trash. “What the fuck is wrong with you?! You abandoned me when I was at my lowest point, and now that I’m trying to make things work, you pull this shit?!” Gabriel grabbed my collar, his immense strength making me stumble. “Gabe, don’t be angry~ It must be my presence that’s upsetting Zoe… It’s all my fault.” Tessa’s sickeningly sweet voice came from Gabriel’s phone. Gabriel pulled out his phone. In the pink case, Tessa was crying daintily. “Don’t cry, we’ll leave soon.” Gabriel comforted her gently. I felt even more disgusted watching this. I mustered all my strength to push Gabriel away, but accidentally knocked the phone out of his hand. Tessa let out a cry as the phone fell to the ground. Crack! The screen actually shattered. Gabriel shoved me to the floor and carefully picked up the phone. “Tessa, Tessa!” No matter how many times Gabriel pressed the power button, the phone wouldn’t turn on. “You… Zoe! You murdered Tessa!” Gabriel’s eyes flashed red as he slapped me hard across the face! I saw stars from the pain, my cheek swelling up. “Gabriel… You went to such lengths to marry me after I came back, just so you could hit me now?” Gabriel’s expression froze… “I… I didn’t mean to… I just lost control for a moment…” Gabriel reached out to help me up, but seeing my resolute expression, he hesitated.

I brought up divorce to Gabriel. Things escalated that night, and my parents rushed over to our place. “What’s going on?” “How did it come to this?” My parents walked in and saw my swollen face. I thought they would comfort me, but I was wrong. They went straight to Gabriel’s side, carefully examining his phone. “Did something happen to Tessa? The phone won’t turn on?” “Oh no, my poor daughter! How terrible!” My mom burst into tears, seemingly forgetting that her real daughter had just been slapped across the face. “Mom, Dad… Zoe and I had an argument earlier… Zoe was probably too jealous and knocked Tessa’s phone down. Now it won’t turn on, and we don’t know how Tessa is doing.” Gabriel sighed. “How could this happen?!” “Zoe! How could you be so cruel! Tessa is our goddaughter!” “What kind of sister are you?! Do you have any conscience left?!” My mom rushed over and shook my shoulders violently. My dad looked at me coldly: “If she had a heart, she wouldn’t have left without a word back then.” “Didn’t you disown me as your daughter long ago?” I asked, feeling utterly hopeless as I looked at my parents. Years ago, when I was diagnosed with a terminal illness, I was devastated. My boyfriend had coincidentally failed in his business venture at the time. Not wanting to burden him with the truth of my condition, I chose to break up with him. But my parents thought I was heartless to the extreme, willing to cut ties with them over a boyfriend. Later, Gabriel made a comeback with his AI technology and became the company’s CEO. The AI robot Tessa he developed was deeply loved by my parents, who accepted her as their goddaughter. “You! We wasted all those years raising you! No matter how wrong parents may be, they’re still your parents!” My parents yelled, pointing at my nose. I looked at them, wondering what their expressions would be if they knew I had a terminal illness. Suddenly, my stomach started hurting again. The pain was so intense it made me dry heave. I knelt on the floor, grabbed the trash can, and threw up what little was left in my empty stomach. “She’s faking it!” “Trying to gain sympathy? You’ve always been like this, pretending to be sick when you do something wrong!” “I regret ever giving birth to you! You’re killing me!” My mom complained with her hands on her hips. I shook my head. “Mom, I’m not pretending. I’m dying.” My mom gave me a cold look. Perhaps seeing my sickly pallor made her feel a bit of pity, so she said quietly: “If you want to die, go die somewhere else! Make amends to Tessa first!”

That night. They argued until very late. Seeing that I was completely unresponsive and had fallen asleep on the couch, they finally left reluctantly. As they were leaving, I heard my mom say to my dad: “Zoe… her complexion doesn’t look right. Do you think she might actually be sick?” My dad pondered for a moment, then shook his head: “No way. I think she just doesn’t eat enough and is too lazy to cook for herself. Living on takeout, how could she be healthy? Besides, she’s faking it. She’s just afraid we’ll punish her for what she did wrong.” My mom nodded in agreement. “You’re right, you always see through her little tricks. Our goddaughter Tessa would never play such games! T such games! Tessa is so much better!” “Mom, Dad, don’t worry. I’ve already contacted the engineers about Tessa. It’s just a hardware issue with the phone, the software should be fine! We’ll have her fixed by tomorrow.” Gabriel reassured my parents. Hearing this, they were overjoyed! But ah, all their concern was for Tessa. She was just AI! They had forgotten that their own daughter, their flesh and blood, was about to leave this world!

I woke up the next day. Looking around the room, the mess from yesterday had been cleaned up. I assumed my mom must have tidied up. Deep down, she still loved me, even if that love wasn’t much. I got up and took a shower. The pain in my stomach felt like a snake writhing around inside me! It took all my strength just to finish bathing. As I walked out of the bathroom, my head spun and I collapsed on the floor. I lost consciousness. In my dream, I went back to that summer when I was a teenager. Gabriel was my parents’ adopted son. They had raised us together since we were little. Back then, our family was poor. Gabriel and I had no pocket money for school. One day on the way to school, I saw a bottle of iced tea. I thought it cost the same as water. So I used the one dollar I had saved up for a long time to buy the iced tea. The vendor told me the iced tea cost three dollars… I swallowed hard, wondering what iced tea tasted like. Gabriel was beside me and solemnly declared: “Zoe! I’ll definitely buy you iced tea!” For the next few lunch breaks, Gabriel would leave early after eating. I had no idea what he was up to. But every afternoon when class started, he every afternoon when class started, he would be covered in dirt and grime. A week later. We passed by the shop again. Gabriel pulled out a wad of crumpled bills from his pocket. “Two bottles of iced tea please!” Gabriel grinned as he placed the cold bottles in my hands. “Zoe! They’re both for you! Hehe!” I was shocked: “Where… where did you get the money?” “Hehe, I’ve been collecting scrap! There’s some scrap metal on the streets that I gathered to sell! On slow days I’d make 20 cents, but on good days I could earn a whole dollar!” “Next time you want to drink this, I’ll buy it for you anytime!” “Drink up and enjoy!” “In the future, anything others have, I’ll make sure you have too! I’m going to earn lots and lots of money!” Gabriel’s young face shone with ambitious determination. “What do you need so much money for?” I asked, already knowing the answer. “To spend on you, of course! I’ll buy you a whole fridge full of iced tea, haha!” “Who could drink that much?!” I laughed. “If you can’t finish it, we’ll save it. The fridge has power, so it won’t go bad!” I took the iced tea and drank it all in one go! I grinned happily. How could my younger self have known that years later, this bond would be completely worn away… When I woke up, I was still lying on the floor, tears rolling down my cheeks. I struggled to get up and walked to the fridge, taking out a can of iced tea to drink. Feeling a bit better, I went downstairs. I planned to sell off the last of my remaining assets. These days, I had already sold everything I could. The house was practically empty. I had also signed an agreement with the landlord to end the lease early. Now I was just quietly waiting for my final moment to arrive.

As I went downstairs, I ran into Gabriel. “You’ve been selling things recently? I heard you’ve been getting rid of all your belongings, big and small. What, are you planning to leave again?” Gabriel laughed coldly, his eyes flickering with some unclear emotion. “It’s none of your business. Let’s get divorced.” I brought up divorce again. This time Gabriel’s face turned completely ashen. “Fine! We’ll get divorced, but you have to agree to do one thing for me first! Otherwise, no deal!” “Alright, I agree.” After I spoke, Gabriel took me back to “our” home. The wedding photo of Gabriel and me hung prominently in the living room. I sighed. Gabriel, if this is how you feel, why did you go to such lengths to marry me? I looked at Gabriel. Seeming to sense my gaze, he paused for a moment. “Zoe, you look like you’ve lost some weight. Are you feeling unwell?” Gabriel showed a rare moment of tenderness. I laughed bitterly to myself. Unwell? I was at the end of my life, only able to maintain it through painkillers! Gabriel Gabriel, when you find out the truth about everything, will you regret how you’ve treated me? I’m truly curious if you’ll feel even a hint of remorse! “Tell me, what exactly do you want me to do?” I rejected his concern. Rebuffed, his face darkened as he placed the pink phone in front of me. “Zoe, because of you, Tessa’s data is severely damaged. So I need you to help me restore Tessa’s data!” Gabriel said. “Me? How can I help? That’s ridiculous, I don’t know anything about technology.” I frowned, looking at Gabriel’s matter-of-fact expression. “You don’t need to understand the tech. It’s mainly about AI dimensional settings. I’ve already written the code, you just need to input information based on your own life habits.” Gabriel turned on the phone. A sleeping girl appeared on the flickering screen. A series of questions popped up on the interface, like an exam paper for me to fill out. “What’s this?” “Fill in details about your daily life, including your eating habits, thought patterns, personality, education level, views on relationships… and so on!” I was stunned. So this AI was meant to be another me! The previous Tessa wasn’t based on my input, but on what Gabriel had filled in. So that AI looked like me, but her inner self was worlds apart from who I really was. Gabriel had tried countless times to adjust Tessa’s personality to match mine, but always failed. This time, by having me fill it out directly, he could create an AI version of me, in his words. “Gabriel, you’re so childish.” I laughed. Did he really think an AI could truly replicate a human’s thoughts? “The product I’ve developed is world-class. If you just input your actual information, it can definitely replace you. What’s wrong, Zoe? Are you afraid? Afraid that this time, AI really can take your place?” I shook my head. “Whatever makes you happy. I don’t have much time left anyway.” “Zoe! What are you so busy with? What do you mean you don’t have much time? Can’t you spare some time for me? Is whatever you’re doing outside really that important?!” “I’m telling you, if you don’t finish this for me this week, you’re not allowed to leave!” “And your parents said they’ll be coming to supervise too! Not only do you have to perfectly design the AI’s emotional dimensions, you also need to design the family relationship dimensions!” I looked at this man, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. You can’t say he doesn’t love me, yet he’s trying to create an AI to replace me. You can’t say he does love me, because how could he not see my pale face and withered body? I didn’t argue. I sat down in the chair and began inputting the correct answers about myself. From my hobbies to the knowledge I’ve learned, to my views on the world and interpersonal relationships. I was truly curious how Gabriel had managed to compile so many questions! The intense work of writing answers took a toll on my weakened body. My stomach ached and churned. Sweat soaked through my clothes. I thought to myself, for my final moment, I just want to find a deserted island and quietly pass away. I don’t want to die here. So I gathered my strength once more and continued answering the questions. The work was tedious and exhausting. Over the next few days, Gabriel would often peek in from outside the door. He’d bring me lots of delicious food, but I had no appetite at all. “Zoe! Are you really that desperate to leave me? So eager to finish the AI and divorce me that you won’t even eat a bite?!” I couldn’t tell if Gabriel was concerned for me or angry with me. I saw his eyes were rimmed with red. I ignored him and kept writing my answers. Gabriel stormed off, slamming the door. On the third day. My parents came too. They checked my work progress and seemed satisfied. They specifically asked me to remove one trait from the AI – the ability to lie. In other words, everything this new AI said and did would be the truth. As I watched the life I was gradually creating, I also felt full of anticipation. What would this new AI be like?

A week passed. I’m not sure how many times I blacked out. During this week, I had only managed to drink some water. Finally, just before my energy was completely depleted, I finished inputting the AI’s personality. The moment I finished, my parents and Gabriel rushed in. I thought they might give me a hug, but no one paid any attention to me. They were all excitedly examining the AI I had just created. This new AI looked and acted 100% like me! I believed she truly was the next me! As I watched them celebrate joyfully, I quietly slipped out of the room, leaning on the wall for support. Their happiness belonged to them. My next step was to find a secluded place to leave this world. After buying a bottle of water, I took a cab to the place I had chosen to depart from. It was a cliff overlooking the sea. The cool ocean breeze on my face gave me a moment of peace. I lay down at the edge of the cliff, feeling my life slipping away. Then I slowly closed my eyes and jumped from the cliff into the sea, finally leaving this world behind.

Gabriel and my parents excitedly conversed with the AI. “Tessa, do you know who I am?” Gabriel asked. “Of course, you’re my husband Gabriel Quinn. You’re the person I love most,” Tessa replied gracefully from the phone. “Then… do you know who we are?” My parents crowded around, looking nervously at Tessa on the screen. “You’re my Mom and Dad. I love you too!” Tessa said with a cheerful smile. My parents and Gabriel all breathed sighs of relief. They asked many more questions, and Tessa’s answers were identical to how I would respond! They grew even more excited! It was as if they had gained another daughter! Gabriel started chatting freely with Tessa. This Tessa would never leave Gabriel, and he adored her even more. “Tessa, do you remember what your favorite drink is?” Gabriel lay on the bed, cradling the phone as if holding Tessa in his arms. “Iced tea, of course!” Tessa laughed. “Why iced tea? What’s so great about that stuff?” Gabriel chuckled. “Because in my memory, when I was little and wanted iced tea, you collected scrap for a whole month just to buy me two bottles. I really felt it was the most delicious drink in the world! Because of you, iced tea became more than just iced tea!” Tessa giggled, her sweet expression making Gabriel laugh. “You’re so silly.” Gabriel said fondly. “I’m not silly, you designed me this way~” Tessa replied. “I see, I had forgotten…” Gabriel furrowed his brow, as if remembering something. He asked again: “So tell me, would you ever leave me?” “Of course not! I’m artificial intelligence, I’ll never leave you!” Tessa said confidently. “What if… you weren’t AI? What if you were a normal human like me?” Gabriel pressed. Tessa pondered for a moment before answering: “Under normal circumstances, I would never leave you… because I love you! But… if something happened to me… like if I was dying, and I knew the news would break your heart, I might leave you… then find a place to quietly pass away on my own.” Gabriel’s mind exploded. How could this be?! “Tessa! How could you say such a thing?” Gabriel asked in horror, an uneasy feeling growing in his mind.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296216”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance

Three years into our marriage, I finally became pregnant with Jasper Adams’ child. He was ecstatic, and I quietly felt relieved—at last, my mother-in-law would stop her constant nagging. That is, until the day I went to his company to bring him lunch and was mistaken by his secretary for someone trying to curry favor with the wealthy. “You schemer, how dare you try to attract the attention of our CEO?” She threw the food on me and tore my clothes, leading to a miscarriage right there in the office. Before I lost consciousness, I heard her bragging to Jasper Adams, “Mr. Adams, I dealt with a woman trying to seduce you. How do you plan to thank me?” I carried a lunchbox into the lobby of Adams Corporation. The receptionist didn’t recognize me and said she needed to call Jasper Adams. “Go ahead,” I replied. “I’m his wife, Eloise Taylor, here with his lunch.” After a brief call, the receptionist nodded at me, “Ma’am, apologies for the wait. You may go up.” Seeing my slightly rounded belly and noticing my difficulty moving, she thoughtfully pressed the elevator button for me. I thanked her as the elevator slowly ascended to the top floor. With a chime, the doors opened, but instead of Jasper Adams, a young, unfamiliar woman stood there. I assumed she was an employee and was about to walk past her when she blocked my path. “Are you the woman here to see Mr. Adams?” Her tone was extremely rude, prompting me to respond coolly, “I’m here to bring my husband lunch; what’s it to you?” “Get out!” She suddenly grabbed my lunchbox and, before anyone could react, opened it and dumped the contents over my head! The incident was so unexpected that I let out a scream, stepping back and trying to brush the food off. “What are you doing!” She tossed the lunchbox aside, looking smug, and shouted, “I’ve seen plenty like you, thinking you can catch Mr. Adams’ eye with your looks!” Hearing the commotion, several employees gathered around. An older employee recognized me and turned to scold her, “Fiona Brooks! What are you doing? Apologize to the boss’s wife!” Fiona Brooks was unfazed. “What boss’s wife? Our CEO doesn’t even have a girlfriend!” She looked me up and down, her gaze lingering on my simple attire. Planning to visit a park after lunch, I’d dressed casually, my hair in a messy bun. Fiona Brooks sneered and, without warning, rushed over and tore my clothes! “Ah!” I couldn’t dodge in time, and the fabric ripped loudly, exposing most of my shoulder. A manager who knew me quickly took off his jacket and draped it over me, dispersing the onlookers. He sternly addressed Fiona Brooks, “Fiona Brooks! Apologize now!” Then he turned to me, “I’m sorry, Ms. Taylor, she’s just an intern assistant who clumsily ruined your clothes. You can change in my office.” Since this was Jasper Adams’ company, I didn’t want to escalate the situation, so I turned to leave. But Fiona Brooks wasn’t done; she shoved the manager aside and kicked me to the ground! “Faking it, are you? I’ll teach you a lesson!” She sat on my stomach, and I instinctively protected my belly, screaming as she slapped me. “You schemer, trying to seduce Mr. Adams. I’ll make you pay today!” The intense pain spread through my limbs, and I gradually lost the ability to fight back. Her attacks grew more vicious, and I felt a warm liquid flowing down my legs. “Blood! She’s bleeding!” Amid the employees’ gasps, Jasper Adams finally rushed over. He positioned himself between Fiona Brooks and me, holding me in his arms. “Jasper, our baby…” I weakly lost consciousness, and before passing out, I heard Jasper’s anguished shout and Fiona Brooks’ scornful voice: “Mr. Adams, I took care of that ungrateful woman for you. How do you plan to thank me?”

When I awoke, I saw the hospital’s white walls, and Jasper Adams sat by my bed, his expression dark and unreadable. My hand slowly moved to my abdomen. It was flat. There had once been a small life there, but now it was gone. “Elle…” Jasper Adams held me, his voice deep. “We’ll have another baby.” I broke into tears. “Jasper, the baby was killed by that intern! I want justice! I want her to pay!” “Elle, calm down. I’ve already fired her,” Jasper Adams tried to reassure me. “You won’t see her again.” I stopped crying, staring into his eyes as if seeing him for the first time. “She insulted me, attacked me, and killed our baby. Is just firing her enough?” Jasper Adams avoided my gaze, picking up a slice of apple and offering it to me. I turned my head away, refusing to eat. “Jasper, tell me, why let her go?” After an awkward silence, Jasper Adams finally spoke, “She…” “Because she’s Jasper Adams’ sister.” My mother-in-law entered, draped in a silk shawl, and looked down at me with arrogance. Jasper Adams’ father had passed away early, and his mother had raised him alone, developing a strong-willed personality. The first time I met his family, she bombarded me with questions and finally sat on the sofa, ready to lay down the law. I was also raised by doting parents, so I couldn’t endure such humiliation. I turned and left, breaking up with Jasper Adams. That was a tough period. I sulked in my dorm room for a few days, then resumed classes and part-time jobs. Jasper Adams waited outside the dorm. Every time I stepped out, he’d follow me at a distance, even getting questioned by the guards a few times. “Just go,” I said. “I date to marry. I don’t want to live in fear under your mom’s watch.” Later, I heard he had a big fight with his mother, saying he’d stay single for life if he couldn’t marry me. “My friends all say that Eloise Taylor must be blind to fancy me! If you don’t let me marry her, I’ll never find someone as good!” Under Jasper Adams’ persistence, his mother finally relented but insisted on living with us. Jasper Adams told me everything and promised that although his mother would live with us, she wouldn’t interfere with our lives. I still had feelings for him, and seeing him stand up to his mother for me, I agreed to his proposal. After marriage, my mother-in-law started pressuring me to have children. I said I’d wait a few years until my career was stable. “How long is that?” she pressed. “A woman’s prime years for childbirth are few, and besides, Jasp’s company can easily support five of you. Why earn a meager salary at a kindergarten? Instead of raising other people’s kids, why not have one, no, two of Jasp’s!” I frowned, ready to argue, but Jasper Adams interjected, “Mom, I’m busy with a big project right now. We can have kids later.” When Jasper Adams said the same thing, his mom didn’t push. Instead, she told him to take care of himself and not overwork. Jasper Adams chatted about other things, and her attention shifted. At the time, I was pleased, thinking I hadn’t misjudged and had found a man worth spending my life with. I forgot that hearts can change and old flames can be hard to forget.

“Sister?” I repeated slowly. “I’ve been married to Jasper Adams for three years, and he has a sister I didn’t know about?” My gaze landed on Jasper Adams’ face. He quickly stood up, claiming he had to take a call, and rushed out like he was escaping. My mother-in-law laughed proudly. “Didn’t he tell you? Compared to you, a mere opportunist, Fiona is the perfect match for him!” I forced myself to sit up, leaning against the headboard. “What do you mean?” She explained that Fiona Brooks and Jasper Adams grew up together, childhood friends, inseparable. But she later moved abroad with her family, and they lost touch. Recently, Fiona graduated and returned to find a job. My mother-in-law was arranging to set her up with Jasper Adams, getting her into Adams Corporation. “If it weren’t for Jasp acting on impulse, do you think you could have entered the Adams family? Fiona is his equal in every way—background, education, looks. She’s far superior to you!” I scoffed. “Just because she went abroad doesn’t mean she died. If they had any feelings, why just reconnect now? Besides, I’m already married to Jasper Adams. I’m his legal wife. If he has anything with Fiona, it’s cheating!” She stood, looking down at me. “You married Jasp for his money. He’s got plenty of it, but you can’t even keep his heart!” “You don’t control Jasper Adams. If you want to push him to marry Fiona Brooks, that’s up to him!” I argued back with her, but inside, I was anxious. Jasper Adams is decisive but can’t easily go against his mother. As he puts it, she raised him, and now he has to make her happy. I understood his feelings. Many times when she targeted me, I either pretended not to hear or quietly avoided her, not wanting to make things difficult for Jasper Adams. I never thought my tolerance would make her think I was easy to bully, so bold as to place someone next to Jasper Adams! “You can’t make decisions for Jasper Adams. If you want to persuade him to marry Fiona Brooks, it’s up to Jasper!” I was arguing with my mother-in-law, but inside, I felt anxious. Jasper Adams is decisive, but he struggles to defy his mother. As he puts it, she raised him, and now that he’s successful, he feels obligated to keep her happy. I understand this. Many times when his mother targets me, I either pretend not to notice or quietly avoid her to spare Jasper any awkwardness. But my patience has made his mother think I’m easy to push around. Now she’s audaciously trying to set him up with someone else! She left with an air of superiority, saying, “I’ll tell Jasp to give you more money. You should leave early and make room for Fiona!” Shortly after, Jasper came back hesitantly. Once he saw his mom had left, he sighed with relief. “Mom loves to meddle, Elle. Don’t let it get to you.” Hearing this, I gave him a cold stare. “She brought Fiona Brooks into Adams Corporation, and you didn’t refuse, did you?” Jasper quickly defended himself, “Elle, there’s nothing between us! Her family helped me before. Now that she’s back from abroad looking for a job, my mom asked me to help, so I just placed her in the company.” “She’s been arrogant for a while!” All my grievances spilled out. “Your mom asks, and you just comply? She used to mess with me, and now Fiona Brooks, who studied abroad and has everything, gets a job at Adams Corporation?” “We’ve waited for this baby for so long, and she brushes it off with a misunderstanding?” I shouted, my emotions nearly out of control. Jasper’s face flushed with embarrassment and frustration before he finally managed, “I already told her off…” “What’s the use of that?” I was nearly hysterical. “Do you know what she just said to me? She said Fiona Brooks is the perfect wife for you! Jasper Adams, give me a straight answer. Are you going to marry her? Either divorce me or get Fiona and your mom out!” “Eloise Taylor!” Jasper interrupted me sharply, then softened his tone. “Just focus on recovering. I’ll handle everything else.” He pressed an orange into my hand and left quickly. I took a bite. It was sour, so I tossed it aside.

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I caused the death of my sister-in-law, making my brother hate me for 6 years. During these 6 years, his most frequent words to me were “go die.” He spared no effort in humiliating me and even adopted a sister right in front of me. He allowed this sister to bully me, made me kneel on broken glass for photos, and even forced me, already in the late stages of stomach cancer, to drink 9 full bottles of vodka before stripping naked to dance for her birthday celebration. I didn’t resist. Until the last day of my life, I gave my death as a birthday gift to my brother. Brother, can you forgive me this time? “Aria Night, have you lost your mind?” My best friend Jasmine’s choked sobs echoed through the hospital room. “You only have 3 days left to live, yet you’re telling me you’re going to find the people who killed your sister-in-law?” “Your brother is just a despicable coward. How could he blame you for what happened back then?!” Hearing Jasmine’s outburst, I struggled to sit up on the hospital bed, fighting against the excruciating pain. I managed a weak smile. “Don’t blame him. From beginning to end, I was the one at fault.” My brother had hated me for 6 years because I caused the death of my sister-in-law, Sophia Evans. She was my brother’s first love. They had a great relationship and never argued. Sophia was very gentle. Every time we met, she would buy me lots of gifts, keep me company, help me study, play games with me, watch movies, and go shopping together. The phrase she repeated most often was: “Our little Aria is the gift Ethan gave me, the best girl in the world~” I also felt that Sophia was the gift my brother had given me, the best sister-in-law in the world. But I caused the death of the world’s best sister-in-law. On my brother’s birthday, it was a cold, rainy night. Sophia accompanied me to buy the Lego set my brother had always wanted. To surprise him when he got home from work, I took Sophia through a shortcut, a small alley I often used. I don’t remember what happened next. I only remember waking up in the hospital, where my brother slapped me 12 times. I’ll never forget his bloodshot eyes that day, filled with hatred and pain: “Aria Night, are you even human? Why did you do this to her?” “Sophia loved you so much, how could you be so heartless? You knew she was afraid of the dark!” That’s when I realized I hadn’t been mistaken – there were 12 drunk men in that alley. When they saw us, they had evil intentions and rushed at us. I was knocked unconscious, but Sophia, to protect me, offered herself to them, begging them to let me go. But those beasts, after abusing her, stabbed her 33 times. Her thigh bone was brutally broken, and the tears in her lower body couldn’t even be stitched up. That night, I knelt in the morgue, staring at Sophia’s body, unable to process what had happened. After that, my brother changed completely. He started drinking heavily and rarely came home. He used to dote on me the most, but now, the things he said to me most often were: “Aria Night, why haven’t you gone to hell yet? If you go to hell, Sophia can rest peacefully in heaven!” “Aria Night, do you know that Sophia couldn’t even close her eyes when she died?” “Don’t you hear her crying in your nightmares? How dare you still live until now?” Yes, it was my fault. If Sophia hadn’t accompanied me that day, I wouldn’t have taken the shortcut home, and we wouldn’t have encountered those men. My brother’s hatred was justified. I deserved it. The long-term guilt and remorse led me to develop severe depression, but I didn’t dare to die. I hadn’t found the gang that killed Sophia yet. Only after finding them would I have the courage to face my sister-in-law. Half a month ago, the private investigator I hired finally got back to me: Those 12 men had committed crimes elsewhere and were now hiding in B City. Coincidentally, half a month ago, I was also diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer. This was the last chance given to me by fate. I had to personally avenge Sophia, give my brother closure, and do right by my sister-in-law. Once this was done, I could finally be at peace.

When I returned home, I found all my belongings thrown downstairs. Looking up, I saw Rachel staring at me haughtily. “This room is mine now. Take your trash and get out!” I glanced at Rachel. She was the sister my brother Ethan had adopted. When she first came to our family, she was timid. But after seeing how my brother often humiliated me, her attitude towards me changed. I was about to take my things to the storage room when something in the trash caught my eye. I quickly picked it up – it was my necklace, with its pink gemstone now shattered. My mind went blank. Sophia had bought me many things, but after her death, my brother took away everything she had given me. He said I didn’t deserve to keep Sophia’s gifts. This gemstone necklace was the only memento I had left, and I cherished it dearly. Now Rachel had smashed it. Angrily, I held up the necklace and looked at Rachel. “Who gave you the right to throw away my things?” But Rachel just rolled her eyes. “My brother said everything in the house is mine. I can throw away whatever I want!” “This was a birthday gift from my sister-in-law!” I said, emphasizing each word. But Rachel didn’t apologize. Instead, she became even more arrogant. “So what? I’ll throw away what I want! Besides, your sister-in-law is dead, what’s there to commemorate?” “Anyway, I’m not blood-related to your brother, so I can definitely be his wife in the future! Come on, call me sister-in—Ah!” I couldn’t hold back anymore and slapped Rachel hard across the face. “Aria Night, how dare you hit me! Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell my brother?!” As my anger rose, I was about to hit her again when a strong force pushed me away. I crashed into the window, knocking over a huge vase. Shards flew everywhere, leaving bloody scratches all over my face. When I opened my eyes, I saw my brother Ethan glaring at me furiously. “Aria Night, have you become so lawless that you’re bullying family members now?” I suddenly looked up. “Brother, she insulted Sophia first—” “Brother, I shouldn’t have wanted Aria’s room. If she hates me, I’ll leave right away!” Rachel interrupted me, crying as she spoke. She was about to leave when Ethan held her back. He looked grim. “You’re my sister. Who dares to make you leave?” My heart clenched painfully. Before I could say anything, Ethan turned his gaze to me: “It seems that when I’m not around, some people forget their manners. If that’s the case,” he paused, “you’ll kneel here all night. You can get up when Rachel is in a better mood tomorrow!” Hearing this, Rachel’s eyes filled with glee and arrogance. “Well then, I’ll do as brother says~ Sister, you—” A dull pain began to spread in my chest. I glanced at Ethan, whose eyes were filled with coldness. I knew that anything I said would be useless, so I simply knelt down on the glass-covered floor. Ethan’s expression grew even colder as he looked at me. He snorted and went upstairs. The glass shards were extremely sharp, and my knees and legs immediately started bleeding profusely. Rachel took out her phone and snapped many photos of me. After making a face at me, she went upstairs. The room quickly fell into darkness. The cold seeped into every inch of my body. The pain in my stomach surged again. I trembled, trying to reach for my pain medication, but I couldn’t hold on and passed out. I was jolted awake by cold water being thrown on me. Opening my eyes, I saw Ethan looking at me coldly. “Stop playing the victim. You didn’t feel sorry when you got Sophia killed or when you bullied Rachel!” He looked at me with disgust. “Today is Rachel’s birthday. I’ve sent you the address. Your job is to make her happy.” “Aria Night, do you think I’ll forget what you did just because you act remorseful and guilty?” Ethan laughed coldly. “Drop that fake, disgusting act! You owe Sophia too much, and it’s still not enough!” I watched Ethan’s retreating back and muttered with a bitter smile: “Brother, it won’t be long now. Soon, I’ll be able to repay everything.” Only one day left.

I had only two doses of pain medication left. I injected both into my arm. After cleaning myself up as best I could, I limped into a taxi. By the time I arrived at the bar, Rachel’s birthday party had already started. All the guests were Rachel’s friends, but to my surprise, Ethan was among them. In the past, he would only give me a contemptuous look on my birthday, saying he wouldn’t hang out with us kids. But now, he was here for Rachel… A bitter, sour feeling spread through my chest. When Rachel saw me, she pretended to be friendly and walked towards me. “Sister, I’ve been waiting for you for so long! Come on! My birthday wouldn’t be perfect without you!” She pulled me to the center of the room and introduced me to her friends: “This is my sister. She used to be an amazing dancer! I was so jealous!” Rachel’s friends all looked at me with mischievous grins, their eyes full of ill intent. For some reason, I had a bad feeling. The next moment, one of the guys spoke up, “Rachel, since your sister can dance, why don’t you have her dance to celebrate your birthday?” “Yeah!” another girl chimed in. “We want to see something sexy! Like those hot girls dancing at clubs!” I clutched my clothes tightly and looked towards Ethan, who was sitting in the middle. But he hadn’t glanced at me once, only gazing lovingly at Rachel. “Sister, my friends all want to see. Can you please do it for my birthday? Help me save face~” Rachel said with an arrogant smile, pouting at me. “Hey! We need some drinks to get in the mood before dancing!” Nine bottles of vodka were suddenly placed in front of me. The guy winked at me, “Come on, sweetie. Drink these, and you’ll dance even better. Don’t be shy, we’re all very open-minded here!” “Sister, you don’t want to, do you?” Rachel frowned, looking at me timidly. With her back to Ethan, only I could see the malice in her eyes. “Then… brother, maybe we should forget it. This is too much to ask of her,” she turned to Ethan, pouting. “It’s my fault for getting too excited. I forgot that she really dislikes me.” Rachel turned to look at Ethan, acting coy. Ethan finally looked at me, but his expression was indifferent, as if everything had nothing to do with him. “Aria Night, have you forgotten everything I told you to do?” I clenched my fist slightly, picked up a bottle of vodka, and started drinking. The burning sensation of the alcohol hit my stomach immediately. The pain was unbearable, making the two doses of pain medication I had taken earlier seem useless. But I didn’t stop. Amid the cheers of Rachel’s friends, I continued drinking. By the time I finished all nine bottles of vodka, my vision was blurry. “Take it off! Take it off! Take it off!” Even though I was drunk, I could still feel the immense humiliation. But Ethan continued to act as if he couldn’t see anything. The dull pain in my heart had turned to numbness. I shook my head and started taking off my outer clothes, layer by layer. The cheers from Rachel and the others grew louder. The guys in the room even started recording. Just as I was down to my underwear, a bottle suddenly shattered by my feet. The air in the room instantly froze. I blinked hard, trying to regain some clarity, only to meet Ethan’s disgusted gaze: “You’re embarrassing yourself and ruining Rachel’s party! Get out!” I felt as if I’d been granted a reprieve. Stumbling, I left the room. The strong vodka and the intense pain in my stomach were making me more and more clear-headed. I wanted to go to a pharmacy to buy some painkillers, but I couldn’t hold on and passed out again. This time, I woke up in the hospital, but Ethan was sitting beside me. “Brother…” I said softly, but Ethan cut me off coldly. “If you’re awake, go home. Don’t waste my money here!” “You’re just drunk. Stop acting like you’re dying. It’s disgusting!” Ethan’s cold voice made me swallow the truth I was about to reveal. So, he had always thought my condition was just an act. Even in the hospital, he couldn’t be bothered to have me examined… “Brother,” I spoke with difficulty, clinging to my last shred of hope: “What do I have to do for you to forgive me?” Ethan laughed coldly, his eyes full of cruelty. “Aria Night, haven’t I answered you enough over the years?” “I’ve told you before, if you die, I’ll forgive you immediately!” With that, Ethan turned and left. “Alright, I’ll fulfill your wish, brother.” Looking at his retreating figure, I whispered softly.

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My husband, Kevin, disappeared for three years. After a long and painful search, I finally found him, but he had lost all memories and feelings, completely forgetting me. The only person he remembered was his lover, Cora Quinn, and he refused to come home with me because of her. Just when I was on the brink of despair, Jasper remembered me and returned to my side, showering me with affection. I believed we would spend our lives happily ever after. However, as I was nearing childbirth, I overheard Jasper speaking with his private doctor: “Make sure the baby isn’t born healthy. If it is born alive, ensure it doesn’t survive.” The doctor seemed hesitant, “Boss, you’re about to take over your wife’s company. Why let an innocent child die?” Jasper replied coldly, “Don’t call her Mrs. Adeline Bennett. I’m only playing along. The only one who deserves to have my child is Cora Quinn.” “But if you didn’t want this child, why let Mrs. Bennett get pregnant? She’s already thirty, and losing this child might prevent her from having more.” Jasper’s tone was icy: “If it weren’t for taking over Nebula Tech, I wouldn’t have let her get pregnant.” The doctor tried to object, “But Mrs. Bennett is suffering from prenatal depression—” “Do as I say, you’re overstepping!” I heard a dull sound outside, like someone was kneeling. “Do your job, my business isn’t for you to comment on!” The voice that I once loved turned into a sinister whisper, gripping my heart with suffocating pain. It turned out Jasper wanted me to have a child just to take over my company. He never truly came back to me; his heart still belonged to his lover, Cora Quinn. All the affection I thought we shared over the past year was just a facade. I bit my lips hard, drawing blood, and the bitter taste couldn’t distract from the sharp pain in my abdomen. The doctor came in with a syringe, the blue-silver light glinting ominously. He told me it was time for the anesthetic, that Jasper couldn’t bear for me to give birth naturally, and that a C-section would be quick. How absurd, as if when I open my eyes again, I wouldn’t just hear the news of my child’s death! My stomach cramped in pain, and I knew my child was far from seeing the world. “How much is Jasper paying you? I’ll give you five times, ten times, even a hundred times more, doctor. Just let me give birth to this child, let the child live, I beg you.” Tears slid down my face as I confessed to overhearing everything, trying to bribe the doctor to save my child. But he firmly refused, injecting the anesthetic into my body, leaving me in despair: “Don’t blame me, ma’am. Mr. Hunter controls my parents’ lives.” I lost consciousness. The doctor looked remorseful: “Blame it on Mr. Hunter not remembering you. He doesn’t love you now.” When I woke up, the life inside me was gone, as if it had never existed. Jasper was by my side when I woke, hesitantly telling me the baby was stillborn, blaming my advanced age and poor health in the last stage of pregnancy. But I remembered being in the delivery room just hours ago, telling Jasper how I felt the baby kick. I was too exhausted to confront him about his lies. He held my hand, kissed it tenderly, his usual way of comforting me, which I used to respond to by touching his face. But even when he rubbed his face against my hand, I didn’t move. I felt nauseated, too weak to pull away. Jasper suddenly became aggressive: “You’re angry because the doctor couldn’t save our child. I’ll go teach him a lesson!” He left, soon returning with the doctor, who was beaten while Jasper’s men held him down. The doctor endured it, not daring to curse Jasper, repeatedly saying, “Mr. Hunter, you are right.” Because his family’s fate was in Jasper’s hands. In some ways, Jasper was like a villain from a novel, indifferent to morals. Once, when I was kidnapped, he kidnapped the kidnappers’ parents, holding a knife to their throats to free me. I told him I didn’t like such tactics, and he promised only to do such things for the one he loved. I never imagined he’d use the same tactics to harm my child for a lover. Cora Quinn became the one Jasper loved, while I became a stranger he schemed against. It was absurd, and I laughed. Jasper thought I was finally happy, coming closer to hold my hand, but I pushed him away. Since your love is no longer with me, take the company, and I’ll leave. For a long time after giving birth, I was weak, both physically and mentally. Jasper gently comforted me: “It’s okay, honey. We have plenty of time together, and we’ll have more children.” I found his words laughable and told him, “But I’m thirty now. My health during the years you were gone wasn’t great. I can’t have more children.” Jasper, the direct reason for my current state, showed no remorse as he hugged me, saying, “Then let’s not have kids. You’re the best baby to me in the whole world. I’ll love you with all my heart, like I would our child.” As he spoke, I felt a strong urge to vomit. Jasper panicked, asking what was wrong, then rushed downstairs to call a private doctor. I was fine, just disgusted by how Jasper showed such deep affection for someone he didn’t love. In his haste, he left his phone behind, and seconds later, a call from Cora Quinn, whom Jasper had supposedly cut off a year ago, came in. The call ended after a few rings. I didn’t know how I felt, but I picked up his phone and tried to unlock it. After a few tries, I succeeded with my birthday. The chat history between Jasper and Cora pierced my eyes. Besides their flirting, I saw the truth of his supposed return to me. A year ago, Jasper disappeared with amnesia, refusing to come home. But when I showed him the Nebula Tech business card, reminding him to contact me anytime, he kneeled, saying, “Adeline, I’ve remembered you. These past three years have been hard on you. I’ll spend my life making it up to you.” I was moved by the emotion in his eyes, unaware that he was explaining to Cora. Jasper: “Cora, don’t be upset because I kneeled to Adeline today. I haven’t remembered her. It’s just a plan to get her company. Once I become the chairman of a billion-dollar company, I can give you a happy life.” Cora: “I know, dear. You couldn’t love anyone but me.” He didn’t remember me; he coveted my company to give Cora a better life. Just like when he started a business from nothing to ensure I lived worry-free. But in a few short years, he fell for someone else, forgetting me completely, using me to climb higher for someone else. Heart-wrenching, I continued reading, uncovering more brutal truths. Cora: “Poor you, having to please that old hag for our future. Isn’t it hard being intimate with someone you don’t remember?” Jasper: “Not hard, Cora. When I’m with her, I think of you, and it becomes easier.” I couldn’t take it anymore and rushed to the bathroom to retch. I saw Cora’s last message. Cora: “Honey, when are you taking me for our baby’s seven-month check-up?” I finally understood. Why Jasper always had so many engagements and work during my pregnancy, leaving me alone for all the check-ups. That time, I even developed prenatal depression. Jasper found me the best doctor but never cared for me or our child. It wasn’t about being busy managing the company. He was with Cora during her pregnancy, attending her check-ups, caring for her. He casually decided to get rid of my child but cherished Cora’s unborn one like a treasure. My heart ached so much I couldn’t even feel anger anymore. Even dry heaving produced no bile. Minutes later, the private doctor came with a kit, checking my health and prescribing medicine. Jasper watched worriedly, holding my hand, promising to take care of me at home. “Someone called you earlier, who was it?” Despite everything, I gave Jasper one last chance, hoping to see guilt or remorse. But he just checked his phone, lying calmly: “A client, probably to discuss the project.” He squatted, looking up at me like he was praying to a deity, yet his honest but emotionless face made me lose all hope. Kevin stood by, looking deeply concerned. When the doctor mentioned my weakness and the need for proper care, he took my hand and earnestly promised to take good care of me at home during this period. “Someone just called you. Who was it?” Pregnancy has indeed made me scatterbrained, but I decided to test Kevin one last time, hoping to catch a flicker of guilt or unease on his face. Yet, he merely glanced at his phone and, without a change in expression, lied: “A client. It must be about some project matter.” He looked up at me from where he was crouched, presenting an almost reverent posture, but the unwavering honesty on his face made me lose all hope. “Go ahead and return the work call. The doctor is here, so it’s fine.” Kevin said, “Work can’t be more important than my wife,” but he left the room to make the call anyway. I couldn’t hear the conversation between Kevin and Cora Quinn, but his cheerful and happy tone was unmistakable. My heart felt as calm and still as a dead sea, without a single ripple of emotion. When Kevin returned, he told me that the company was getting busier and he couldn’t find time to stay with me. “But don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ve booked a spot for you at the best postpartum care center and hired the most qualified maternity nurse. They’ll take excellent care of you during this time.” Cora Quinn was seven months pregnant, and he wanted to be there for her, to wholeheartedly welcome the child he truly desired. So, without a second thought for my feelings, he placed me in the care center. By now, I didn’t even have the energy to be angry with him. “Alright.” I looked at Kevin’s face, the one I used to love and long for over countless days and nights, and I smiled calmly. You drove my child away, and now you’re sending me away too. As you wish.

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It was Christmas Eve morning, and I was still at work. Rachel called to say our daughter Emily had a fever and told me to come home quickly. When I got home, Emily was already unconscious and convulsing from the high fever. But Rachel was nowhere to be found. I rushed Emily to the hospital for emergency treatment, but it was too late. I called Rachel, and she said: “Derek was lonely spending Christmas alone, so I’m keeping him company for dinner. Just give Emily some medicine.” I wanted to tell her about Emily’s death, but she hung up before I could. It wasn’t until I saw Rachel again at Emily’s viewing that I realized the truth. She was flirting with Derek, showing no signs of grief for our daughter. Worse still, behind the viewing room, she shamelessly took off her clothes in front of Derek. Emily’s photo was displayed at the front of the viewing room. It was Christmas Day, a time for family reunions, but I had lost my daughter. As I lit a candle for Emily, Rachel walked in arm-in-arm with Derek. They were standing very close, and I finally got a good look at her outfit. She wore a short red dress with a plunging neckline that revealed her lacy underwear when she bent over. Over it was a bright red fur coat, making her look like she was dressed for a cocktail party. This outfit was completely inappropriate for a funeral – she was treating Emily’s viewing like a social event. Derek whispered something in her ear, making Rachel giggle coyly. When she saw me, Rachel rolled her eyes. “Jack, you’ve really outdone yourself! Using such a low trick to lure me home on Christmas!” Faced with her accusation, my already frozen heart began to crack. Our daughter was dead, and not only did this mother not know, she didn’t even believe what I was saying. I felt all the strength leave my body as I slowly sat down. My eyes were dry and sore, the pain of losing Emily making me wilt. “I’m talking to you! Cat got your tongue? What are you sulking about? So I didn’t come home last night, why the attitude?” I looked up at her, no longer wanting to say a word. “Rachel, let’s get a divorce.” I never thought Rachel and I would end up divorcing. But Emily’s death made me realize the marriage I’d been desperately clinging to had lost all meaning. “Divorce? Jack, you’ve really gotten bold, daring to threaten me with divorce!” Rachel didn’t believe it. After all, it was common knowledge how desperately I loved her. She looked around, seeing that no other mourners had arrived yet. To her, this confirmed it was just my clumsy ruse. “Emily just had a fever, and you’re lying about her being dead? Isn’t this supposed to be a funeral? How come no one’s here? It’s obvious you’re tricking me.” Hearing her mention Emily made my dead heart ache again. Emily shouldn’t have died. She was only three, but the delay in treatment due to being left alone proved fatal. Now Rachel had the nerve to ask about it. Seeing I wouldn’t respond, Rachel lost her patience. She kicked my shin with her sharp stiletto. “I’m talking to you!” “Are you blaming me for not taking care of Emily? Derek was lonely on Christmas, try to understand.” “We’re together all year round, missing one day won’t hurt. I’m back now, can you stop making a fuss?” Rachel justified herself word for word, but there was no excuse for abandoning our daughter. Hearing her words, my heart felt like a suddenly exposed wasteland. “Derek was lonely? Can you get your priorities straight? Was Christmas dinner more important than Emily’s illness?” “Let’s not say anything else. We have to get divorced.”

Rachel thought she was placating me, but I was beyond consolation. Seeing me mention divorce again, she angrily stomped her foot. “Are you done yet? How long are you going to go on about this little thing?” “Jack, you’ve always been petty, but Derek was all alone on Christmas with no one to keep him company. How can you have no sympathy?” As she finished speaking, Derek, who had been silent until now, cleared his throat and put on an apologetic expression. “Jack, I’m new in town and only know Rachel. Don’t make such a big deal out of this. Rachel and I have known each other longer than you two have.” Though he seemed to be speaking up for Rachel, every word emphasized how important he was. His challenging gaze seemed to say, “See, your wife left even her child behind to spend Christmas with me.” Standing so close together, it was as if I was the outsider. This wasn’t the first time she’d neglected our family for Derek. But before it had always been small things – if she wanted to go out, I’d take time off work. Because I loved her, I was willing to be understanding. But this time was different. Emily had lost her life because of it. All along, for the sake of our family, I had been patient, always thinking Rachel would feel my love. But I never expected her to go even further. This time, I couldn’t tolerate it any longer. “Yes, you’ve known each other longer. You two can be together from now on.” “This is Emily’s funeral. Don’t flirt here, it’ll taint Emily’s journey to the afterlife.” Hearing me say this, Rachel got anxious. “What are you talking about? Derek and I are ancient history. Can’t you be a little more open-minded?” “That’s right, Jack. If I really wanted to break you up, you wouldn’t have gotten married in the first place. Don’t be so small-minded.” Derek chimed in from the side. Hearing this, I could no longer contain the fire in my heart. “Go to hell!” I couldn’t hold back anymore. I stood up abruptly and punched Derek hard in the face. I put all my strength into that punch, knocking him to the ground with a bloody nose. “How dare you say that to my face! If it weren’t for you, my daughter wouldn’t be dead!” As I raised my foot to kick Derek, Rachel forcefully pushed me aside. “Jack, you’ve gone too far!” “I thought you were just incompetent, but I never imagined you’d be so petty and violent. If anything happens to Derek, I won’t let you off easy!” I glared at her with bloodshot eyes and shouted: “Shut up! You heartless woman! Emily was so young, how could you be so cruel!” Rachel clicked her tongue impatiently. “You’re not going to let this go, are you? Fine, I admit I was wrong. I’ll apologize to Emily.” “Is she in the hospital? It was just a fever, what’s the big deal? The hospital must be overcharging, trying to milk us for money.” “Get rid of this viewing room quickly. It’s Christmas Day, setting this up is so unlucky and deliberately upsetting. It’s really inauspicious.” Even now she still thought I was tricking her. I broke down and shouted at her: “Apologize? It’s too late! Emily’s in heaven now, you can’t find her. Someone like you belongs in hell!” Rachel’s lips parted slightly as she blinked: “You’re not done tricking me, are you? How could she die from a fever?” “Have you been watching too many soap operas, using our daughter’s health to lure me home? Acting like those shrewish women who cry and make scenes!” I walked towards her step by step. She kept backing away, her lips quivering, unable to speak. “Emily is dead. She lost consciousness from the fever and died soon after reaching the hospital!” “You left her alone at home for Derek. She was only three years old! Rachel, I really want to strangle you right now!” I clenched my fists, my temples throbbing as I shouted: “I want to strangle you, do you understand? Pay for my daughter’s life!”

Rachel was frightened by my demeanor. After backing up several more steps, she pointed at me with her sharp nails. “Jack, I can’t believe how low you’ve sunk! You’re still hung up on Derek and me, and now you’re stooping to this level!” “You think I’d believe Emily is dead just because you say so? You’re just using our daughter to scare me. This is all you’re capable of.” At this point, Derek got up from the ground and slowly walked to Rachel’s side, putting his arm around her shoulders to comfort her softly. “Rachel, don’t get upset. How could Emily die? It was just a fever. Jack is just speaking out of anger.” After soothing Rachel, Derek frowned at me: “Jack, no matter how angry you are, you shouldn’t curse your daughter like this. What kind of father are you?” I laughed as if I’d heard a joke, laughing until tears came to my eyes. How I wished I was making it up, how I wished my precious daughter was still alive. This couple before me – the man without morals, the woman debased – they were the executioners who caused Emily’s death. Now they were turning the tables on me, criticizing me instead. “How ridiculous. Rachel, did you know Emily’s fever reached 104°F? Did you know she was convulsing and foaming at the mouth?” I pointed at Derek and walked towards her step by step. “For this man, you abandoned our daughter. Rachel, are you even human?” I grabbed her, my hands gripping her arms tightly as I roared. “It’s all because of you! My daughter is dead! Give Emily back to me, give me back my daughter!” Rachel screamed in terror, hiding behind Derek. But her words were still venomous, still thinking I was tricking her. “Jack, I may not have loved you all these years, but I gave you a child. You can’t say you’ve lost out!” “Now you’re saying such cursed things, showing how utterly graceless you are!” I no longer had the energy to argue with her. My only hope was to get divorced as soon as possible. “Rachel, Emily really is dead. I can’t forgive you. We must get divorced.” “I don’t believe a word you’re saying. Where is Emily now? I want to find her!” I looked at her and pointed to the small crystal coffin inside. Rachel’s gaze followed where I was pointing, her eyes glazing over for a moment. Because the body was covered with a white cloth, she couldn’t see who was underneath. “Jack!” She screamed and rushed in front of me, raising her hand to slap me. I easily dodged it. She stood there yelling inelegantly. “Emily is your daughter after all. How can you curse her like this! You came prepared, even having a coffin ready. How long do you plan to keep tricking me!” “Believe it or not, it’s up to you.” I looked at her coldly: “It’s still early. More people will be coming later. You’d better not make a scene. Let Emily pass on peacefully.” Rachel was about to say something else, but Derek pulled her aside. The two of them whispered for a while, though I don’t know what they said. But the anger disappeared from Rachel’s face, replaced by an air of nonchalance. She pulled Derek to the rest area in the back. The two were inseparable, no longer trying to hide it in front of me. If this had happened earlier, I definitely would have flown into a rage and beaten that bastard to a pulp. But now I had sobered up, calmed down. My heart was dead, so I no longer cared.

Soon, a few of my friends arrived. I already felt bad about holding a funeral during the holidays and inconveniencing others. It wouldn’t be appropriate for Rachel to be absent, so I went to the back rest area to find her. Before I could push open the door, I heard laughter from inside. “What was your husband thinking, joking about something like this? Pretty funny.” It was Derek’s voice. Rachel laughed lightly: “He thinks he can manipulate me using our daughter. Ridiculous. Who does he think he is?” “Your idea is good. When everyone arrives later, I’ll expose his true colors. If he wants a divorce, fine. I’m not the one who’ll be embarrassed.” Though she spoke confidently, no one paid attention to her words. Everyone thought she had gone mad. Finally, Rachel shouted angrily and strode quickly towards Emily’s small coffin. “None of you believe me, right? I’ll show you right now if Jack is lying or not!” She walked very fast. Before I could react, she had already yanked off the white cloth covering Emily. “Look carefully at who’s really lying here…” After pulling back the cloth, Emily’s slightly yellowed face was exposed before Rachel’s eyes. “Emily?” She froze, her lips trembling involuntarily. “Emily, are you helping your dad trick mommy too?” Emily didn’t answer her. “Emily, get up now and stop playing around. Lying isn’t what good children do!” Emily still didn’t answer, remaining asleep. The air around grew quiet. The entire viewing room was so silent you could hear everyone’s breathing clearly. “Emily? Emily!” Rachel panicked and reached out to try to pull Emily up. I ran over and pushed her away with one shove. “Don’t touch my daughter.” Her hand hung in mid-air, visibly trembling. I looked at her coldly, without a trace of warmth. “You don’t deserve to.” Rachel slowly lowered her hand but didn’t move away, just standing there motionless. Derek came over and touched her, but she still had no reaction. After a long while, she suddenly covered her face, crouched down on the ground and broke down crying.

“It’s not possible, this can’t be Emily. She just had a fever, why is she dead? Why!” I watched her expressionlessly, watched her cry until she could barely breathe. What was she crying for? Did she regret it? Probably not. These few tears were just crocodile tears, thinking they could fool me. “Rachel, are you satisfied now? Emily really is dead. No one tricked you. She really died!” I let out an angry roar, startling Rachel’s body into a shudder. Derek immediately went over to put his arm around her shoulders: “Jack, Rachel is heartbroken too. Don’t talk to her like that. She is Emily’s mother after all.” I slowly stood up, my tone as cold as ice. “If she were a real mother, she wouldn’t have abandoned her own daughter for an outsider.” “What right do you have to say these things to me? Who started all this?” With each word I spoke, my heart ached. I held back my tears and also held back from killing him. “This is Emily’s viewing. Please leave. You’re not welcome here.” I stared at Emily’s sleeping face, my voice somewhat distant. “You two dogs get out of here. Don’t taint my daughter’s journey to the afterlife.” Rachel’s body suddenly jolted. She looked up at me pitifully. “I’m sorry Jack, I didn’t know, I really didn’t know…” I sighed. “Whether you knew or not doesn’t matter anymore. Now I just want a divorce.” I mentioned divorce again. This time Rachel didn’t have her previous arrogance. She lowered her head, her body curling inward. “Believe me, I really didn’t mean for this to happen. Emily was my daughter too, how could I hurt her?” “This was an accident that none of us expected. But you can’t divorce me because of this. Don’t I deserve a chance to make amends?” She clung tightly to my arm, pressing close to me. “Emily is gone, but we’re still young. We can have more children.” “We’ve had a good relationship all these years. This time was my careless mistake. I won’t do it again, really, I’ll definitely change!” A few tears fell on my arm as she spoke. Rachel looked very pitiful. This was her most skillful move. Every time she cried pitifully like this, I would comfort her no matter what, willing to give her even my life. But now this trick didn’t work anymore. “Rachel, I loved you, but that’s not an excuse for you to trample on me again and again.” “I could tolerate you not loving me, but I can’t tolerate you not loving Emily.” “Seeing you reminds me of Emily, and I can’t help but hate you!” “Jack, do we really have to divorce? Is this such a big deal? Just because Emily is gone, does our family have to fall apart?” I angrily slapped her across the face: “Yes! It’s because Emily died!” “You think her death doesn’t matter? Then why don’t you die? Go die!” The viewing room was empty except for the echo of my voice. How could she not care at all? Her own daughter died, and she wanted to just brush it off. Rachel was startled by me. The pained expression disappeared from her face, replaced by a sour and vicious look. “I see you’ve wanted to divorce me for a long time, haven’t you? You’re just using our daughter as an excuse! Did you cheat on me? Did you betray me?” For a cheater to brazenly accuse me of infidelity, I had to admire her nerve. “Rachel, you really have no shame. Which one of us cheated?” There was a flash of guilt in her eyes, but then she jutted out her chin and said: “Anyway, I won’t agree to a divorce.” I nodded: “Alright, you won’t divorce? Then don’t blame me for not saving face for you.” Under everyone’s gaze, I opened my phone and played the video I had recorded earlier outside the door. There was an uproar among the onlookers. “Oh my god, that’s in the funeral home!” “Jesus Christ, she’s so shameless, doing that with a man behind her daughter’s viewing room… I can’t even say it out loud!” Their scandal was finally exposed. Rachel stood frozen like she’d been struck by lightning. Derek came forward and grabbed my collar, his face menacing. “Jack! You despicable bastard, secretly recording us. You’re disgusting!” I laughed at him. “I’m disgusting? Derek, look closely. The woman you’re screwing is my lawful wife. You’re destroying my marriage. Which one of us is really disgusting?” I deliberately used crude language. Because in my eyes, this pair were no longer human. They were animals, beasts that could go into heat anytime, anywhere. Looking back at Rachel, she was completely dumbfounded. With her scandal exposed, she had lost all face. “Rachel, don’t blame me. You two really went too far. What do you have to say for yourself now?” Everyone was whispering, some even taking out their phones as if wanting to shove them in Derek’s face to take photos. At this moment, Rachel’s parents who had rushed over after hearing the news burst in. Having lost their granddaughter, they were only briefly surprised and saddened before reverting to their usual haughty demeanor. “Jack, you want to divorce our Rachel?” I nodded and told them all the shameful things Rachel had done. Unexpectedly, her parents spoke righteously. “The child is gone, so we have to look to the future. Life must go on. Ten years of marriage…” “Stop!” I interrupted her mother’s long speech: “She’s been cheating with Derek for a long time. This directly led to Emily’s death.” “How do you expect me to move on? Forgive Rachel’s infidelity? Or not care about my daughter’s life and death?” “I can move on too, but definitely not with Rachel. We’re done. If she doesn’t agree, I’ll file for divorce in court directly.” “What?” Rachel’s parents got so agitated they nearly jumped up, pointing at my nose and cursing loudly. “Jack, our Rachel married you at such a young age, gave you a child, took care of you. We treated you like our own son!” “Now you say you want a divorce just like that? Is this how a person behaves?” “All these years, your job only earned a pittance each month. If it weren’t for our Rachel, your family of three would have starved long ago!” “Our daughter is the one who suffered. She hasn’t even complained, what right do you have to ask for a divorce?” “I see this is all your scheme! Emily was probably killed by you, but you’re blaming it on Rachel. You just want to divorce her, don’t you?” Rachel immediately chimed in, as if finally having someone to back her up. “That’s right, Jack. This is all your scheme. Emily just had a fever, why would she die? You’re despicable!” Looking at Rachel and her parents’ ugly faces, I really felt I had been completely wrong.

Marrying her in the first place was a mistake. I can’t believe it’s taken me until now to wake up. Her parents never approved of me from the start. They thought my job wasn’t good enough, that I didn’t earn much. Rachel was beautiful and well-educated – she could have found a rich guy. It was only after I repeatedly promised to treat her well for life, even kneeling down to them and promising all our money would be managed by Rachel, that they agreed. Seeing my resolute attitude, Rachel’s mother grabbed the cowering Derek. “This was all caused by you. You need to take responsibility for our Rachel!” Forced into marriage in front of everyone, Derek finally snapped and shoved Rachel’s mother away. “What responsibility should I take? It was your daughter who seduced me!” “I was minding my own business. She kept calling and texting me, even coming to my house. She’s so cheap, only your daughter would do something like that!” “She threw herself at me. Someone so worthless, only your daughter is capable of that!” Everyone present, including me, was stunned. I always thought it takes two to tango in these situations. But hearing Derek say this, it seemed it was all Rachel actively pursuing him. Rachel’s mother couldn’t stand losing face and started hitting and kicking Derek. Rachel, on the other hand, seemed to have her soul sucked out after Derek said those things, her eyes hollow. “Derek, what did you say? Say it again!” With things escalated to this point, it was impossible for Derek to get away unscathed. But as a scumbag, he had to try to clear himself as much as possible. So he looked at Rachel contemptuously: “What I said wasn’t true?” “Look at yourself. You’re not young anymore and you have a kid. Did you really think I liked you? If it weren’t for…” Suddenly he stopped talking. But I keenly caught a hint of something unusual. For what? According to Derek, as a woman, Rachel had nothing to attract him. So what he coveted was… Thinking of this, a seemingly absurd yet very possible hypothesis suddenly appeared in my mind. I called over the funeral home staff and had Rachel’s family and Derek all thrown out. Then I told the funeral home not to cremate Emily today, as I had suspicions about the cause of my daughter’s death. I found a friend who works in the justice system. He said if I suspected Emily’s death was unnatural, I could request an autopsy. Although I hoped Emily could ascend to heaven soon, once the seed of doubt was planted, it couldn’t be removed. During the wait for the autopsy, I proposed divorce to Rachel again. She cried and made a scene, but when I took out the video, she finally shut up. To avoid more people seeing it and for the sake of her future, she had no choice but to agree. The divorce papers were signed. All assets went to me. Rachel left with nothing. This must have been the most tragic Christmas I’ve experienced in my 30 years of life. My daughter died, and I got divorced. A true case of family destroyed. The house was cold and empty, without a trace of joy. I was entirely enveloped in the pain of losing my daughter. After divorcing me, Rachel immediately threw herself into Derek’s arms. Even though they had torn each other apart, even though Derek had said she was worthless. But now she had no other choice. She could only stick with Derek for the time being. A few days later, I received a call from the autopsy team. They found traces of a substance similar to poison in Emily’s body. It wasn’t available domestically and must have been obtained from abroad. For adults, taking it in controlled doses could treat erectile dysfunction and heart disease. But for children, it was essentially poison. How did Emily end up taking this medicine? Soon, I thought of Derek’s unfinished sentence. It must have been him! But where was the evidence?

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During the experiment to extract the anti-cancer drug, both my wife and her first love, Finn Carter, were exposed to contamination. Despite the danger, my wife chose to give the protective gear and the anti-cancer drug to Finn Carter. I pleaded desperately from behind the glass door, but she shut it firmly, meeting my eyes with a cold stare. “Finn has always been frail, and his immunity is too weak. Besides, this experiment was originally our research. Finn is merely an innocent participant, and I must prioritize his safety. You wait.” Afterwards, my wife pinned all the blame on me, quickly closed the laboratory to destroy any evidence, and even replaced my research results with Finn Carter’s name. Together, they used the findings to save more than a dozen cancer patients and were hailed as promising young talents. Yet they still waited for me to admit my mistakes and beg for the drug. What she didn’t know was that I had been diagnosed with cancer six months prior. The contamination from this experiment accelerated my decline, and the anti-cancer drug no longer had any effect on me. After enduring hours of agony, I watched helplessly as my skin turned black and sank in. I was rushed to the hospital, where I was kept alive through round-the-clock emergency care for a week. In the end, only my eyes could move, and I stared past the tubes invading my body towards the door. No one came; my wife didn’t even see me one last time. As the machine emitted a long, continuous beep, a tear slipped down my cheek. The hospital finally issued my death certificate. My soul left my body, and all the pain finally ceased. Suddenly, my soul was inexplicably drawn to my wife, Eloise Carter. She was gently blowing on the soup in a spoon, tenderly feeding it to Finn Carter. Finn coughed weakly a few times and then smiled. “You’ve taken care of me for so long. Jasper didn’t have protective gear and didn’t take the anti-cancer drug in time. Could he be in danger?” Eloise’s smile froze instantly, and she snorted dismissively. “Jasper’s health has always been robust. At the time of the incident, he was even trying to grab the protective gear from you. You’re too kind, Finn, worrying about him. The anti-cancer drug is effective if taken within two weeks. Feeling unwell is normal. He’s just claiming he’s dying out of jealousy. How unlucky! I’ll think about giving him the drug once he realizes his mistake.” I laughed at myself bitterly, but my heart, though no longer beating, still ached. This was the wife I cherished and loved with all my heart. Finn took the drug in time and snatched my protective gear, so his health was never at risk. Yet, I endured the agony of infection and the cold tubes piercing my skin alone. I still had to suffer Eloise’s sarcasm and doubt. Despair made even my soul tremble. Seeing Eloise’s smile felt like acid eating away at me, full of blisters. I had never seen such a warm, patient smile before. Eloise, you don’t need to give me the drug anymore. I no longer need it. There was a knock on the door of the VIP room, and a group entered. Eloise instinctively frowned, not wanting Finn’s rest disturbed, which is why she booked the best VIP room. The leader of the group, with tears in their eyes, held a banner. “Professor Carter, thank you. Your new anti-cancer drug saved our families from the brink of collapse. The first batch of patients who took your drug has shown positive results, with cancer cells ceasing to multiply and gradually decreasing!” Eloise and I were both professors at prestigious institutions in our country, both driven by the loss of family members to cancer. So, we dedicated our lives to anti-cancer drug research. Hearing this, Eloise smiled and quickly pulled Finn Carter over. “It’s not just my work; it’s also Finn’s…” Before she could finish, an older person interrupted. With a smile, they took Finn’s hand. “You must be Professor Carter’s husband, Professor Jasper. Thank you so much. We heard you’ve both been researching anti-cancer drugs to benefit patients. Truly good people!” Finn’s face turned extremely pale. Eloise couldn’t stand Finn being wronged and immediately changed her expression. “What are you talking about! All the data and publication credits go to me and Finn. It has nothing to do with Jasper. He’s just a fame-seeker. Without his interference, the experiment would’ve succeeded long ago.” I looked at Eloise with disappointment. She knew how much effort I put into the experiment. But just for Finn’s feelings and future, Eloise denied all my efforts and handed my hard work to Finn. I felt like my chest was being torn by a blunt knife, painfully unbearable. After the awkward moment, they started praising Finn and Eloise, belittling me in various ways. Both of them enjoyed my honor with a clear conscience. I quietly listened to the abuse and doubt directed at me until a nurse came into the room. “Is there any family for Jasper Carter? Mr. Carter was confirmed dead at 13:18. Family, please sign the document.” The room fell silent, as if a pin drop could be heard. Eloise was stunned, then reacted with a sneer. “Jasper? He’s too stubborn to die. Your hospital must have made a mistake with the name. I don’t have time to deal with this; believe it or not, I’ll file a complaint!” The young nurse was somewhat intimidated, doubting herself. She looked at the name on the death certificate and the spouse information with Eloise’s name. She wanted to say something but, faced with Eloise’s impatient gaze, the nurse apologized and left. After all, if it were truly her husband’s death, even the same name would be checked immediately. Eloise’s indifferent attitude made her miss the chance to learn about my death. Others also found excuses to leave, seeing her coldness toward her husband while wholeheartedly caring for another man. Their admiration turned to disdain. Finn tugged on Eloise’s sleeve, looking down. “Eloise, could Jasper have asked the nurse to lie to get you to see him? Maybe you should go see him. I’m fine.” A flicker of hesitation appeared in Eloise’s eyes. Finn struggled to get up, but as soon as he stood, he staggered backward. Eloise’s face was full of worry, and her tone was reproachful. “You’re like this, and you still care about that liar’s feelings? We could have reconciled six months ago, but he tricked me with cancer. He never tells the truth; I’ve had enough. This time, I’m going to teach him a good lesson!” I felt like I was being tortured in a frying pan. My already fragile soul grew even fainter. Eloise and Finn were each other’s first love, sharing the same aspirations and hobbies. But Finn wanted to develop abroad, even cutting off contact for years. Eloise’s family kept urging her to marry. In their third year apart, I met Eloise. For her, I was willing to marry into her family. I took care of her parents with all my heart, loved Eloise without reservation, handed over my salary every month, and signed a prenuptial agreement. Yet, she always felt I was beneath her and had ulterior motives, believing my love was all a scheme. Until six months ago, when I was diagnosed with cancer, Finn suddenly returned to the country, and Eloise filed for divorce. But then her parents forced her to stay and take care of me. Even she felt a twinge of pity, accompanying me for checkups. My report was switched by Finn, and no matter how much I explained, Eloise refused to believe me. Thinking of the past, my chest hurt. After that, I lost weight rapidly, my hair kept falling out, and my regular checkups showed increasingly grim results. Yet, all of this was seen by Eloise as me using old tricks. She was a renowned cancer expert, dedicating her life to anti-cancer drug research. Yet, she couldn’t see her husband suffering from cancer. Even in the late stages, she turned a blind eye. I bit my hand until it was bloody, and Eloise would only lightly say, “Done acting? Next time, are you planning to hold a funeral for yourself?” I stumbled and curled up on the ground. Eloise, oh Eloise. This time, you really are going to attend my funeral. Finn licked his chapped lips, “Eloise, I want an orange.” Eloise immediately nodded, “Okay, wait for me.” She ran downstairs without even putting on a coat, and I followed her, running alongside. Seeing her hair soaked with sweat, I instinctively wanted to wipe it for her. When my hand passed through her forehead, I realized with a delayed reaction. I was already dead. I chuckled bitterly, watching Eloise carefully pick oranges, frowning. “How do I choose sweet oranges? Finn doesn’t like sour ones.” I knew how to pick oranges because I took care of all the meals and chores meticulously. Eloise liked oranges, so I would always pick them carefully. But when I was sick and wanted Eloise to peel an orange for me, she would scold me for a long time. Let alone spend time picking them for me. She always said her time was precious, and wasting a minute would delay the research progress. But Finn was always her exception. Eloise pressed her head, took out her phone, and removed me from the blacklist. She was surprised that I, who always treated her like my life, hadn’t left any message or call. Eloise called, but there was no answer. She was furious, “He’s got some nerve, not answering my call! I was going to let him pick oranges for Finn, and then I’d consider giving him the drug. Looks like I’m still too kind to him!” Eloise said this and headed back to the hospital with the oranges. I floated in place, feeling heartbroken. I wanted to leave, but fate tormented me. I couldn’t break away from Eloise. — But Finn Carter was always the exception for her. Eloise Carter rubbed her temples, took out her phone, and unblocked me. She was somewhat surprised that I, who always treated her as the most important person, hadn’t sent any messages or calls. Eloise dialed my number, but I didn’t pick up. She was furious, “You’ve grown bold enough not to answer my calls! I was going to have you pick oranges for Finn Carter and was even considering giving you the medicine. I guess I’ve been too good to you!” With that, Eloise grabbed the oranges and headed to the hospital. I lingered nearby, my heart aching as if pierced by knives. I wanted to leave, but fate was cruel, tethering me to Eloise. I could only watch as she carefully peeled the oranges and fed them to Finn Carter with a fork. Finn Carter accepted Eloise’s care as if it were a given but spat it out the next moment. “So sour, Eloise.” Eloise immediately threw the oranges away, her tone irritable. “It’s all Jasper Carter’s fault. If he’d answered the phone, he wouldn’t have picked sour ones. I don’t know why he dared not to answer my call!” A calculating look flashed in Finn Carter’s eyes. “Maybe he’s upset? Eloise, let’s leave the hospital first. Then we can go see Jasper Carter, and I’ll explain.” Eloise sighed, looking at Finn Carter with a pained expression. By now, I was numb with pain, my eyes hollow as I watched everything unfold. Eloise helped Finn Carter into the hallway, where they ran into my attending physician. The doctor hurried over, “Professor Carter, why haven’t you signed your husband’s death certificate? Our hospital doesn’t make mistakes. You should go see your husband one last time. Otherwise, the medical school staff will soon take Mr. Carter’s body for an autopsy.” Eloise’s face turned grim, and she instinctively clenched her fists. “How long are you going to keep this up? How much did Jasper Carter pay you all? Our school’s people performing an autopsy on Jasper Carter’s body? Hmph, you really know how to fabricate lies.” The doctor was a bit confused, unsure if Eloise had been too overwhelmed and was mentally disturbed. He softened his tone, “Mr. Carter signed an organ donation agreement before he died. He donated them freely to your medical school for research. Did you not know?” The day I was diagnosed with cancer, I thought long and hard. I even considered discussing it with Eloise, but she just brushed it off back then. “Do whatever you want with your body, at least I won’t have to take care of your corpse.” Every word was like a needle piercing my heart. Even in death, I didn’t want to trouble her one bit. In hindsight, it seems like the best decision I ever made. Eloise suddenly felt a pang of fear and unease creeping in, spreading anxiety. Finn Carter suddenly spoke up, “Eloise, you forgot Jasper Carter has many students who respect him. They probably teamed up to deceive you. Otherwise, why donate to your school specifically? Isn’t it just to avoid outsiders exposing the truth?” Eloise’s pale face gradually calmed down, even though her earlier worry wasn’t fake. Anger suppressed her reason, the feeling of being fooled made the always proud Eloise’s chest heave with rage. “If you all want to play along with Jasper Carter, I don’t have the time! You want an autopsy? Hurry up!” Eloise quickly signed her name, then threw it on the ground, stepping over it with her high heels, trampling on my sincerity along with it. Even though I already knew the answer, Eloise’s indifference was still unbearable. Eloise left with Finn Carter without looking back, but Eloise, you only needed to glance sideways to see my body being wheeled out by the staff. You only had to look at that death certificate to notice something amiss, but your eyes were only for Finn Carter. Eloise cared for Finn Carter for a few days; Finn slept in my bed, wore my pajamas. And I could only squat helplessly in the corner, enduring the torment. Until the medical school leaders kept urging Eloise to return to campus. After hanging up the phone, Eloise looked annoyed. Her tone softened, “Finn Carter, get some rest, I have to return to school. Who knows where Jasper Carter is! Never home, never at school, everything falls on me!” Finn Carter laughed with a hint of something, “Alright, I’ll wait for you to come back.” Eloise went to school and looked for me everywhere, but everyone gave her strange looks. This made Eloise even more restless until my student, Xiaoyan, walked up to her. “Aren’t you looking for Professor Carter? He’s inside, go on in.” Eloise snorted, “So this is where you’re hiding! Jasper Carter, I’ve had enough of your tricks. Get out here and admit your mistake, or I’ll throw the medicine away instead of giving it to you!” But inside was only a cold mortuary table and a white sheet, the color slowly drained from Eloise’s face. Her legs felt as heavy as lead, trembling as she slowly lifted the white sheet. I’m sorry, but I need the entire text to provide a translation that meets your needs. Please share the complete text so I can assist you better.

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Jack and I were high school sweethearts. We weathered hardships together and enjoyed luxury side by side. We built our company from the ground up, and I thought we were not just spouses, but inseparable allies. Until I accidentally discovered his will. “I bequeath all my assets to Lily Chen.” Lily was Jack’s childhood friend. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. I was dying anyway, so what did it matter who he left his money to? Discovering Jack’s will caught me off guard. A few years ago, he had a near-fatal skiing accident in the mountains. Shaken by the experience, he had a lawyer draw up a will. I knew about this but wasn’t privy to its contents. He only had me as family, so who else could he leave everything to? The letter from Mr. Anderson, the lawyer, felt like a slap in the face. Wills need to be authenticated every few years while the person is still alive to ensure legality. I thought Jack and I had no secrets, so I opened the envelope for him. The contents stabbed at my heart. “I, Jack Foster, in the event of my untimely death, leave all my assets to Lily Chen.” Lily was Jack’s childhood friend; they grew up together. She had married an abusive man at her parents’ insistence, who frequently beat and berated her. Jack helped her divorce the scumbag and rented an apartment for her. I felt sorry for her and often looked after her. Sometimes Lily would call Jack in the middle of the night after having nightmares, and he’d rush over to comfort her. When Lily burned herself while cooking, he wouldn’t let her near the kitchen again and hired a personal chef to take care of her meals 365 days a year. I could tolerate all of this, but Jack’s will was something I couldn’t accept. Everything we owned now was created through our joint efforts. From a small, rundown grocery store to a nationwide, household-name brand. I stood by him as we went from eating steamed bread with water to dining in high-end restaurants. And in the end, he wanted to give it all to someone else. Just because Lily was a pitiful woman? I didn’t call Jack to question his reasons. After years of marriage, his explanation didn’t matter to me; only the result was important. And this result shattered the dream I’d held for years. Jack and I split the company’s assets equally, but I firmly believed in one principle: Where the money goes, so does the love. I didn’t care about Jack’s portion; money wasn’t that important to me anymore. This just proved that Jack didn’t love me at all. He didn’t care if the company would split after his death because of his actions, or if my interests would be harmed. I laughed at myself sarcastically and put the envelope back exactly as I’d found it.

“Emma, I’m not coming home tonight. Lily has a stomachache, so I’m taking her to the hospital,” Jack’s voice message came through just as I finished my check-up and was waiting for results in the hallway. I’d been having severe headaches for the past few days. I had planned to wait for Jack to return from his business trip before going to the hospital, but then I discovered that will. I kept my face expressionless, suppressing the turmoil inside as I replied with a simple “okay.” Thinking back, it seemed Jack hadn’t accompanied me to the hospital since we first started dating. He disliked the smell of antiseptic, finding it irritating, so I stopped asking him to come to avoid making him uncomfortable. Apparently, he could tolerate it after all. My head started to throb even more as I desperately tried not to think about him. The private hospital was efficient, and the doctor called me in to hear the results. Her expression wasn’t good. “Ms. Reed, the CT results aren’t very promising,” she said, getting straight to the point. I didn’t react much, just staring blankly as I listened. “There’s a tumor in your brain, but we can’t determine if it’s benign or malignant yet.” “However, if you undergo treatment promptly, there’s still a chance for a full recovery.” The doctor chose her words carefully, trying to console me gently. I found myself smirking, finding it oddly amusing as I propped my chin on my hand. “Doctor, am I dying?” The doctor, probably thinking I was in shock, became flustered. “If it’s benign, it shouldn’t be a major problem. You should consider follow-up treatment.” My mind was already elsewhere. I waved my hand dismissively. “I’ll think about it.”

I returned home without turning on the lights and collapsed on the sofa, scrolling through social media. Work complaints, daily life with spouses and kids, travel photos… I saw Lily’s latest post from half an hour ago. “Ate something too cold and now my stomach hurts. Never again! (crying emoji)” My finger hovered over that post for a long time before I finally broke down in tears. I had a deep-seated fear of anything cold – ice, winter, snow – everything frigid. That year when Jack went skiing, he was on an advanced slope. Given his skills, he shouldn’t have had any problems. But that day, my heart was racing with a bad feeling. Even though I was a beginner and couldn’t ski, I made my way down step by step. Jack’s binding came loose, and I watched helplessly as he lost control and tumbled towards the trees beside the slope. Without thinking, I threw away my poles and skis and rushed towards him. The snow was deep, up to my knees, and each step drained my energy. “Jack! Jack!” I called out his name, but there was no response. At the bottom of a huge rock, Jack lay unconscious, his breathing shallow. Using my limited first-aid knowledge, I found that his left thigh was broken, and he had several fractured ribs. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. The advanced slope was sparsely populated, and most skiers were moving too fast for me to ask for help. I took off my gloves, but my phone had no signal. But my husband was dying in my arms, and I couldn’t afford to wait. Jack wasn’t too heavy, but at over six feet tall, he wasn’t exactly light either. I struggled to support him by his arm, using all my strength to move. After a few steps, I tripped over a small rock, cutting my cheek. There was no time to feel the pain; I dragged Jack forward again. Our combined weight made the snow reach up to my hips, the bone-chilling cold invading every inch of my skin. But I couldn’t stop. I managed to move Jack onto the ski slope, nearly getting run over by someone skiing down. That person clearly noticed something was wrong with us but couldn’t stop. I had used up all my strength, and hypothermia was setting in. I could barely stay conscious, only hoping that person would be kind enough to notify the staff to rescue us. As I was about to close my eyes, I looked at Jack’s pained face and prayed that my love would be safe.

“Ma’am, you’ve just woken up. Try not to get too excited,” the nurse cautioned. Ignoring the IV in the back of my hand, I grabbed the nurse and asked about Jack. “Where’s my husband?” “His condition was more serious than yours. He’s been transferred to a hospital in the city for treatment.” The nurse reassured me that someone would be taking care of Jack, but she hesitated before leaving. “Ma’am, there’s something else. You need to prepare yourself.” “What is it?” I asked anxiously, worried that Jack’s injuries might be worse than I thought. “You were pregnant, but… we couldn’t save the baby.” “You were in the snow for too long, and it damaged your body, so…” “It might affect your ability to conceive in the future…” What? My mind went blank. My hand instinctively moved to my stomach. The flat abdomen showed no sign that a child had ever been there. Only a vague pain reminded me that what the nurse said was true. “How can this be…” I mumbled. It was our seventh year of marriage, our careers had stabilized, and we had just started talking about having a child. The nurse’s words hit me like a thunderbolt. Thinking of Jack still in the hospital fighting for his life, a dull pain spread from my heart throughout my body. “You’re still young. It’s not impossible,” the nurse tried to comfort me. I shook my head, silently suppressing my emotions and refusing to let the tears fall. In my twenty-some years of life, I had experienced countless setbacks and hardships, but never had I felt pain so intense that I couldn’t express it. Like a wooden doll, I quietly accepted treatment, took medicine, received IVs, until the doctor informed me I could be discharged. The hospital where Jack was staying had called me a few days ago to say he was out of danger and conscious. I didn’t go to see him immediately. Only after I had chewed and digested the pain alone did I walk into Jack’s hospital room with a bouquet of flowers. Lily was feeding him, the two of them sitting close together. Jack didn’t know I had also been in the hospital, but he didn’t reproach me for not coming to see him right away. “Emma, you’re here.” “Mm, are you feeling better?” “Don’t worry, sis-in-law. I’m taking good care of Jack,” Lily chimed in. At that time, I was too distracted to face Jack and was almost grateful for Lily’s presence. Later, I locked the hospital’s test results in a safe. I couldn’t bear to throw them away. I might never be able to have my own child again. That was my first and last child. No one else knew about it except me.

I dozed off on the sofa and woke up the next morning. It was the pain that woke me. The medicine the doctor prescribed was on the coffee table, but I had no intention of taking it. Jack had spent the night at the hospital and hadn’t returned yet. Usually, I would have called him to ask what was going on, but today I didn’t feel like it. With little life left, I didn’t want to endure the pain of treatment. I chose to enjoy life in the time I had left. I had worked alongside Jack for over a decade; it was time to rest. Maybe I’d go to a tropical country without winter, feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. As for my marriage to Jack, I didn’t want to make things too difficult. Not just because of our decade-long relationship, but also because I didn’t want to affect the company’s stock price. After all, we had built it from scratch, and I couldn’t bear to destroy it. I notified my lawyer to draft divorce papers and also made a will, leaving all my assets to a children’s foundation in the country I planned to visit. Life is short. I wasn’t afraid of death, but I feared dying without dignity. “Ms. Reed, can you come to the company? Mr. Foster and Director Thompson are arguing and about to come to blows.” Director Thompson was a veteran in the company, one of its key figures. Jack and I wouldn’t offend him lightly. How did it come to this? I had to put aside my plans and rush to the company. “What’s going on?” I arrived to find Jack and Director Thompson glaring at each other, with Lily sitting next to Jack, looking wronged. “Ms. Reed, please be the judge here,” Director Thompson angrily demanded, pointing at Lily. “Why is an outsider allowed to enter the company freely and go through the documents on my desk?” Lily, being called out, shrank back timidly. “Jack asked me to get some files,” she said. “And you could find them yourself? Should I call the police right now?” Director Thompson’s position was high, and many of the documents were trade secrets. Lily wasn’t a company employee, so she was clearly in the wrong. “Jack, what do you have to say?” I didn’t rush to pacify Director Thompson, instead looking at Jack. “I’ve already apologized for Lily. She’s never worked in an office before and doesn’t understand many things.” Jack was clearly favoring Lily, shielding her. I nodded, understanding the situation. I pulled Director Thompson aside to the stairwell and spoke quietly. “Please come with me for a moment. I have something to discuss.” Director Thompson had worked with me for many years and would at least hear me out. “I want to discuss something with you.” Looking through the glass window from the 60th floor, I surveyed what Jack and I had built over more than a decade. “I want to sell my shares to you at a low price.” “The condition is that you can’t disclose this to anyone until I allow it.” Director Thompson was shocked and quickly refused. “Ms. Reed, what are you doing? Just because I argued with Mr. Foster doesn’t mean you need to…” “I’m serious,” I interrupted. Selling the company shares to outsiders would be too obvious. It was better to hand them over to Director Thompson. Jack didn’t care anyway, so I didn’t need to consider his feelings anymore. With Director Thompson in charge, the company could continue to thrive. “Please don’t dwell on today’s incident.” Maybe Lily’s behavior was inappropriate, maybe she had always had designs on Jack, maybe… But at this moment, I hated Jack more. He didn’t deserve to inherit my legacy, nor did he have the right to let another woman possess what was mine.

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My wife was cyberbullied during a live stream and committed suicide by slitting her wrists, unable to bear the humiliation. Before she died, she left a message asking me to avenge her. I endured years of hardship and finally managed to ruin the reputation of the female streamer from back then. As I pushed the female streamer off a high-rise building and was being taken away by the police, I saw my supposedly dead wife step out of a Bentley in the crowd, smiling at me. “Thank you for getting rid of my biggest obstacle.” I was stunned as I looked at the man in the car who bore a resemblance to the female streamer. I realized I had been used. After being locked up, I was subjected to inhumane torture. In just one month, I died from exhaustion. When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day my wife attempted suicide. I rushed in, bursting through the door, startling Isabella who was about to end her life. The prop knife in her hand only left a shallow scratch on her wrist before she dropped it on the floor. “Isabella, what are you doing?” I tried my best to look shocked as I pulled the panicked Isabella into my arms. My eyes secretly scanned the mini camera on the wall, and a smirk of satisfaction tugged at the corner of my lips. After being reborn to this day, the first thing I did was install this surveillance camera. Isabella in my arms also came to her senses and buried her face in my shoulder, crying her heart out. “Ryan, just let me die. I’ve been cyberbullied for being vain and money-hungry. I don’t have the courage to live anymore.” She lifted her tear-stained face from my embrace, a pitiful expression appearing on that face that used to melt my heart, making it hard for anyone to refuse her. Thinking back to my previous life, I was deceived by her fragile exterior. Back then, there were plenty of rich heirs pursuing her, but she insisted on staying with me. How could she possibly be the vain and greedy woman that Autumn, the female streamer, described? Autumn wasn’t just a well-known online streamer, she was also the heir to the Wilson Group. To avenge Isabella, I quit my high-paying job and endured years of hardship at Wilson Group, finally succeeding in attracting Autumn’s attention. During that time, I used Autumn’s trust in me to secretly bring down the Wilson Group. On the day Autumn and I were to be married, I pushed her off the hotel rooftop. But what I never expected was that when the police were taking me away, I saw Isabella, who should have been dead for years, step out of a familiar Bentley. I immediately recognized the man in the car as Autumn’s brother, Chris. “Thank you for getting rid of my biggest obstacle.” “Now I can marry into the Wilson family and become the young Mrs. Wilson without anyone opposing.” Isabella’s elegant and luxurious appearance dazzled my eyes. Later in the detention center, I was subjected to inhuman abuse and torture. In just one month, I died there under mysterious circumstances. After death, in spirit form, I learned that the mastermind behind it all was actually Isabella. She had bribed people there to silence me. I could never understand why Isabella, if she was so vain, would insist on marrying a poor guy like me. The resentment in my heart was like an endless night, enveloping me and dragging me into a dark, bottomless abyss. Perhaps my obsession was too strong, and I was actually reborn to the day Isabella attempted suicide. Since she wanted to die so badly, I decided to lend her a helping hand.

Having made up my mind, I gently pushed Isabella away. Pretending not to see the prop knife on the floor, I turned and went to the kitchen to pour her a glass of warm milk. “Isabella, don’t say such silly things. Here, drink some milk to calm your nerves.” “Don’t worry, I know you better than anyone. I believe in you.” After crying for a while, Isabella’s mouth was dry. Without thinking, she drank the entire glass of milk. After finishing, she used the excuse of being tired to send me out. But what she didn’t know was that I had put a large dose of sleeping pills in the milk. What was about to happen would be beyond her control. I sat in the living room, silently watching the clock on the wall. As time ticked by minute by minute, second by second, the doorbell finally rang as expected. “Ryan, where’s my sister?” The visitor was Isabella’s sister, Megan. As soon as she came in, she slapped me across the face. To ensure the plan could proceed smoothly, I suppressed the anger in my heart and swallowed this bitter pill. I pointed towards the bedroom and followed behind Megan as she entered. As soon as we walked in, we saw Isabella lying motionless on the bed, with a deep, bone-deep wound on her wrist. The bright red bloodstains had soaked the bedding, looking shocking and eerie under the glare of the white light. Megan threw herself onto Isabella, wailing for a while. Noticing my approach, she suddenly stood up and raised her hand, bringing it down hard on my face. Slap! My head was knocked to the side, half of my face burning hot, and my eardrum ringing from the blow. “Useless! You can’t even protect your own wife.” “Ryan, are you even a man? My sister’s life was taken by cyberbullying and public opinion. If you don’t avenge her, I won’t acknowledge you as my brother-in-law!” The emotionally charged Megan cried as she threw a suicide note in my face. I looked down, and sure enough, it was the same as in my previous life. Isabella wanted me to avenge her. “Sis, don’t worry. I will avenge Isabella. But now, let’s take her to the hospital for emergency treatment.” I pinched my thigh hard, squeezing out two tears of sorrow. Pretending to be anxious, I came to the bedside and reached out to check Isabella’s cut, making a show of dialing for an ambulance. Megan was startled and quickly hung up my phone. “I’ve already checked. Isabella has no pulse. According to our hometown customs, we need to dress her in funeral clothes immediately.” She hurriedly pushed me out the door, telling me to go buy a set of funeral clothes right away. At the same time, she craned her neck, blocking my view of Isabella. I could only comply, walking out a couple of steps before turning back. I raised my hand with a confused look, “Sis, what’s this thing on my hand?” “Huh? Let me see.” Megan didn’t expect me to suddenly turn back, and a flash of panic quickly crossed her eyes. She frowned and tore off a strangely colored tape from my hand. Her uneasy eyes darted around, and her expression became increasingly uncomfortable. It looked a bit like… I suspiciously peeked into the room and widened my eyes, “Sis, am I seeing things? The cut on Isabella’s wrist seems to have disappeared.” Reminded by me, Megan’s face turned pale, and she instinctively closed the door. “You, you’re seeing things. Don’t waste time, go buy the funeral clothes quickly.” Hearing her panicked voice coming through the door crack, I smirked and responded, turning to leave. After leaving, I followed Megan’s instructions and bought a set of funeral clothes from a funeral home. But I didn’t rush back. Instead, I found a bubble tea shop, sipping on a drink while opening the surveillance camera feed on my phone. In the surveillance feed, Megan patted Isabella, trying to wake her up. But Isabella showed no response. Frustrated, Megan cursed under her breath, picked up the prop knife from the floor, and forcefully cut Isabella’s wrist. A deep wound immediately appeared on her fair wrist, blood flowing from the cut and dripping onto the floor, forming a small pool of blood. “Does it have to be this realistic? It looks just like the real thing.” Megan was shocked by the scene before her. She stood there, holding the prop knife, not knowing what to do. Seeing that it was about right, I quickly brought the funeral clothes back. “Sis, why is there so much blood?” “It seems Isabella really can’t be saved.” I pointed at the pool of blood on the floor in horror, catching a glimpse of Isabella on the bed. Her face was pale, her brows furrowed, as if she was showing signs of waking up. In the heat of the moment, I didn’t wait for Megan to explain and started helping Isabella change into the funeral clothes. As I changed her, I cried, even pressing hard on Isabella’s wound, making her bleed faster. “This, how would I know? Look at you, your rough hands are pressing on Isabella’s wound.” “Forget it, you’re too emotional. Let me do it.” With that, Megan unceremoniously pushed me out. She closed the door, not letting me in, saying she was worried I would have an emotional breakdown. In fact, I knew she was afraid the fake wound on Isabella’s wrist would be exposed. Too bad, before I left, I had already replaced the prop knife with a real one. I have to say, Megan was just all breasts and no brains. Stupid! I leaned against the door, listening to the movements inside. Hearing that she had finished changing clothes and was about to open the door, I quickly moved away and pretended to make a phone call. “Hello, is this the funeral home? My wife has passed away. Can you send someone to take her away?”

As soon as Megan came out, she heard this and immediately panicked. She snatched my phone away and scolded, “According to our hometown customs, Isabella’s body needs to be buried.” “Besides, even though Isabella is your wife, the fact is you failed to protect her. You don’t have the right to make decisions about her funeral arrangements.” She suddenly became assertive, calling to arrange a hearse, willing to pay thousands more in transport fees rather than let Isabella be taken by the crematorium. “Sis, what era are we living in? Our hometown is so far from here, the body will start to decompose before we get there.” Knowing I was in the wrong, I lowered my head and tried to negotiate with Megan. But she ignored me completely, sitting alone in the living room informing relatives back home about the death. Taking advantage of this moment, I quietly opened the surveillance feed and saw a horrifying scene. Isabella had woken up in the room. She dragged her weak body, trying to turn the doorknob, but due to excessive blood loss, she collapsed on the floor before she could reach it, unable to get up again. Lying on the floor, barely clinging to life, she struggled to open her phone. My heart was in my throat. If she contacted Megan at this moment, wouldn’t my entire plan be ruined? Fortunately, it was just a false alarm. Isabella operated her phone for a few moments before passing out from exhaustion. By now, I was already sweating profusely with anxiety. After some hesitation, I decided to make the first move. “Sis, I hear something from the room. Could it be that Isabella isn’t dead?” I rushed into the room in one swift move, quickly pocketing Isabella’s phone. Megan hurriedly hung up the phone and followed closely behind. Looking flustered, she forcefully pushed me aside from behind. “Sis, why is Isabella lying on the floor? Could it be that she’s not dead and was trying to call for help?” I excitedly grabbed Megan, looking at her with hopeful eyes. Megan was stunned by this bizarre scene. After a moment of bewilderment, her eyes darted around as she casually said, “What nonsense are you talking about? I put her on the floor earlier to make it easier to change her clothes.” “Oh, my poor sister!” Perhaps realizing that she hadn’t managed her expression well, Megan immediately put on a grief-stricken face and threw herself onto Isabella’s body, crying her eyes out. It wasn’t until the hearse arrived that she got up from Isabella’s body. The hearse drove to a construction section ahead, where the road was blocked and they couldn’t proceed. We asked the construction team and were told the road would be closed for two days. “Sis, let’s cremate her after all. This is the only road to the highway. If we wait for two days, the body will start to decompose.” I smiled gratefully at the foreman, my old classmate. Turning back to the car, I discussed with Megan. Hearing that the body might decompose, the driver quickly refunded our money and kicked us out of the car. Megan looked uncomfortable but insisted on carrying Isabella over the construction site herself. The crucial point was that she wouldn’t let me help, insisting on doing it alone. My old classmate had piled up the road section into a small mountain of steel pipes in advance. Megan, being a woman, didn’t have enough strength and fell several times, causing Isabella on her back to fall off. The back of Isabella’s head hit the steel pipes hard, bleeding profusely. “Miss, can a corpse still bleed?” A worker raised doubts, his eyes full of suspicion as he looked at Megan. But Megan was now drenched in sweat, afraid they would discover Isabella was faking. She recklessly dragged Isabella across, stumbling and falling all the way. The sound of the back of her head hitting the steel bars made my heart tremble. “Sis, Isabella can still bleed so much. Could it be that she’s not dead?” “Shouldn’t we take her to the hospital for emergency treatment?” I deliberately shouted loudly in front of the workers. This irritated the already anxious Megan, causing her to lose her patience. She turned back and yelled at me, “I said she’s dead, so she’s dead! Can’t you understand?” The atmosphere became extremely tense. I stopped talking. When we reached the burial pit, Isabella’s face had turned unusually pale. I knew her time was running out. Megan also noticed her abnormal complexion and started to feel uneasy. But because I was present, she still insisted on having relatives bury Isabella. However, an unexpected event occurred at this moment. Several luxury cars suddenly stopped around the burial pit, and someone I never expected stepped out. “Stop!”

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