Author: Momo Chan

To help her lover, Jack Anderson, become the vice president, my wife Ruby Hayes pretended to have amnesia after a car accident, planning to take my position, Matthew Jacobs. One day, I overheard their conversation as I passed by. Jack asked Ruby, “Aren’t you worried Matthew Jacobs will never speak to you again after this?” Ruby brushed him off, saying, “I’ll only let him play this game for seven days. After that, I’ll just tell him my memory came back. How could he blame a patient for that?” I paused, but I didn’t expose her lie. The next day, at the meeting table, Ruby slammed her hand on the desk and said that Jack was her real husband, ordering me to leave the company and hand over all the projects. All the employees watched me, waiting for me to stop her unreasonable behavior. But I didn’t resist. I simply signed the resignation agreement. What she didn’t know was that the project submission deadline was only seven days away, and the client only recognized me as the core member. After seven days, not only would she not get what she wanted, but she would also face massive compensation fees and even possible prison time.

“You can leave, but you must delete all the clients’ and colleagues’ contact information. These are company assets, and you have no right to take them with you!” Just as I was about to leave, Ruby’s lover, Jack, blocked my path. Having managed the company for years, I knew full well there had never been such a rule. He was just deliberately making things difficult for me. I turned to Ruby. “Is this your wish too?” Ruby paused for a moment, then coldly nodded. If I really deleted these contacts, there would be no turning back. She was sure I wouldn’t leave, so she acted so harshly. It wasn’t surprising she thought this way. We had been married for seven years and had no children. The company was like our child, and I cared for it more than she did. I worked tirelessly, getting up early and staying late, always focused on the business, and never slacking off. Last week, she proposed promoting Jack to head of the tech department. The senior employees flattered Jack to help her out, but I was the only one who stood firm and vetoed her proposal when I saw Jack didn’t have the skills. Ruby knew that I wouldn’t let her make random decisions in the company. So, to get Jack’s promotion, she even went as far as pretending to have amnesia. She was forcing me to give in. Seeing us argue, some colleagues came to try to mediate. “Mr. Jacobs, calm down. Ms. Hayes is just sick. As her husband, you should be more understanding and compassionate during her fragile time.” Ruby was encouraged by this and solemnly declared, “My husband is my everything. Anyone who goes against him is going against me!” The colleagues laughed and teased me, “Mr. Jacobs, look, your wife still loves you. She’s just sick, mistaking someone else for you.” As I felt their envious gazes, I couldn’t bring myself to smile. The truth was the exact opposite of what they thought. Ruby and I were married, and we treated each other with respect. But whenever things got tough, she always pressured me to compromise. No matter who was right or wrong, no matter the situation, she would always stand against me. Because of this, we argued often. But she would always say, “You’re my family. No matter what happens outside, we can always make up at home.” It was different from others. Once she got truly angry, there was no chance of reconciliation. Although I felt uncomfortable deep down, after hearing it so many times, I started to think there was some truth in what she said. But now, seeing her throw away all her principles and bottom lines for Jack, I finally understood that when he truly loved someone, his first instinct when they were hurt was to protect them, not coldly calculate the pros and cons. While I was thinking, Jack suddenly kicked over the chair in front of me. “Matthew, you shameless old man! Ruby’s husband is me! If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth off!” He pointed at me, cursing as if I were the one destroying someone’s family. Ruby watched the whole scene, but she didn’t speak a word to explain. She just silently stood behind Jack, acting as his support. I smiled. “Alright, I’ll delete it.” With that, I pulled out my phone and posted an update on Instagram that I had resigned, then raised my hand to deactivate my work account. Ruby saw that I was serious and suddenly panicked. She quickly stopped me. “Forget it, since you’ve been with the company for so long, you don’t need to delete it. Just go ahead and leave!” Everyone else let out a relieved sigh. But Jack wasn’t happy. He stomped his foot. “Dear, am I not even allowed to have this little bit of authority as Vice President?” Ruby, who usually indulged Jack, gave him a warning look this time, signaling him to stop causing trouble. Then, she softened her tone, transferred fifty thousand dollars to me, and promised, “Don’t worry. The company won’t let its loyal employees feel unappreciated. Even though you’re leaving, you’ll still get everything that’s rightfully yours. It’ll just take a little time. “As for your severance, we’ll give you an answer in seven days. You can go rest for now.” She thought I still didn’t know she was pretending to be sick and naively believed that in seven days, she would use her illness as an excuse to apologize and beg for forgiveness, thinking everything would go back to normal. But what she didn’t realize was that the most crucial project she was responsible for had only seven days left to submit. This project involved a significant amount of money. If it wasn’t delivered on time or faced any issues, she would have to pay a huge penalty. If this were before, for the sake of the company’s stability and her future, I would have swallowed my frustration and quietly endured everything. But I was already exhausted. I didn’t want the company, and I didn’t want her. Right in front of me, Ruby subconsciously reached out to fix my tie but suddenly remembered she was just pretending to be sweet and awkwardly pulled her hand back. I glanced at my phone and reversed the transfer. I deleted the note [Dear Ruby Baby] in one go. After everything was done, I calmly looked at her and said, “Ruby, let’s get a divorce.”

Ruby froze for a moment, then blurted out, “You want to divorce me? Why?” As soon as she said it, she realized her mistake and quickly corrected herself, “Divorce? You’re joking, my husband is Jack. How could I have ever been married to you?” Watching her poor acting, I couldn’t be bothered to expose her lies or waste my breath arguing with her. I played along with her charade and lied, “It was me who tricked you into getting the certificate. Let’s go and divorce now.” Jack immediately grinned, urging, “It’s about time. Let’s go!” Ruby hesitated, frowned, and, ignoring the holes in my story, just wanted to brush it off. “Forget it, this is a bit strange. I’ll make my decision later.” I was confused. I thought, “Doesn’t she like Jack? I’m the one who proposed the divorce to give them space, so why isn’t she happy?” If this were before, I would have asked her why and mockingly questioned if she had ever loved me. But now, I couldn’t be bothered to guess what was on her mind. I just wanted to divorce her as soon as possible. I raised an eyebrow and teased, “You don’t want a divorce because you’re still attached to me, are you?” Jack immediately pulled on Ruby’s sleeve, looking pitiful. “Darling, am I not your favorite husband? How could you marry someone else?” Under the pressure from both of us, Ruby had no choice but to reluctantly agree. When the three of us arrived at the Courthouse and were just about to enter, Ruby suddenly shook her head as if something familiar triggered a memory. She took my hand with a smile. “This place feels so familiar… I remember now. “On Christmas Eve, we stood in line together to get our marriage license.” She knew that day was the happiest day of my life. So, she thought that by mentioning our happy memories, I would hesitate to get a divorce. After all, back then, every time she made me angry, she’d use this trick to win me back. But that day, not only did I overhear her pretending to have amnesia, but I also heard her talk about our marriage. “There’s nothing romantic about it. The reason I chose to marry him on the last day of the year is because I promised to marry him. “But, living the rest of my life with someone I don’t love, I just can’t accept it, so I kept delaying until the very last day when I finally made up my mind. “Anyway, marrying anyone would just be wasting time. He is in good condition and can help me. “He’s a good guy too, a perfect match for marriage…” I stood outside the door, hearing her compliment me, but my heart sank. I thought our relationship was built on love, but for her, it was all about using me. No wonder, after the company started improving, she began to value money and power so much, never letting me touch a single penny. She had always been wary of me. I drifted off for a moment, and Ruby tugged at my hand, asking if I remembered. In a marriage full of mutual distrust, I was exhausted. For me, cutting ties was the best choice. I shook my head, responding casually, “No, you probably just hit your head in the accident and developed a delusion.” Ruby’s smile froze instantly. Seeing her try so hard to please me while I remained indifferent, I realized she was now a patient, yet I couldn’t bring myself to be more understanding. She grew more and more upset, and without another word, she hooked her arm around Jack’s, intertwining their fingers. “Yes, it’s all fake. My husband is Jack. “Once we’re done here, I’m going to marry Jack!” She stomped her foot and walked happily into the Courthouse with Jack as if she were the one here to get married. I didn’t care to indulge her antics and walked in behind them. Once we finished the registration, we were quickly ushered into the mediation room. Ruby immediately sat on Jack’s lap, pulling out grapes she had bought on the way, peeling them, and feeding him one by one. She thought this would make me jealous. But ironically, it only reminded me of the cold, shy Ruby from before. Back then, she wouldn’t even hold my hand in public, saying it wasn’t proper to act affectionately in front of others. Now, she had completely changed. Being so open made everyone uncomfortable to look. Even the mediator couldn’t stand it. With my firm attitude, we quickly entered the divorce process. I kept a completely indifferent expression the whole time, which made Ruby furious. She sulked and gave me the cold shoulder as we rushed through the paperwork. Once we got the divorce certificate, I sighed in relief. The heavy cloud over my head had lifted a little. I hailed a cab to go home. Jack leaned over and saw that I had written our home address. He immediately exploded in anger. “Home? You’re divorced now. That’s no longer your home. “You need to pack your things and get out!” Ruby stood aside, smiling. “Yeah, kick the outsider out. Honey, you come live with me.” She kicked me out to make room for Jack. No normal man could accept that, and I definitely couldn’t have before. But now, I just nodded indifferently. “Alright, I’ll leave right away.” I booked a hotel on my phone in the car, and once I got home, I started packing my things. Things had gone too far to be controlled by Ruby anymore. She rarely softened, but now she pretended to regain some memory and held up our wedding photo, asking, “Matthew, when did we take this picture?” I didn’t even look up as I stuffed clothes into my suitcase, answering casually, “It’s fake. I photoshopped it.” That sentence really set Ruby off. She grabbed my luggage and threw everything outside the door. “Leave! Leave right now!” She slammed the door shut with a bang. I shook my head and said nothing, silently picking up the clothes from the floor, brushing off the dust, and packing them into my bag. Inside, Jack’s anxious voice came through. “This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have gone for that VP position. “Watching you two get divorced… it really hurts. Maybe I should talk to Matthew and clear things up.” Ruby collected herself and comforted him. “It’s not your fault. It’s Matthew being petty. He’s even arguing with a sick person. “Don’t worry about him. I’ll spend these seven days with you. After that, I’ll deal with things. “Matthew is easy to handle. I just have to wave my hand, and he’ll come back.” I walked into the elevator carrying my things. She was wrong. This time, it was over for good. There was no chance of reconciliation.

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My wife brought home the leftover cake from her lover and then had the nerve to say it was a special treat for me. If I hadn’t seen the transfer screenshot from her male assistant, Ethan Carter, I would’ve actually believed her. I, Alexander Reed, had only casually replied with: [Work comes first.] And I got blocked. Then Emma Westbrook called to scold me, “I’ve never met such a petty man!” I rubbed my aching stomach, thinking to myself, “Fine, let you two do whatever you want, but I won’t be part of it.” When Emma walked in, I was tossing the takeout box into the trash. I was just diagnosed with early-stage liver cancer, so the doctor had warned me to keep my diet light this month, but I couldn’t resist. Today was the fifth anniversary of my marriage to Emma. I left the hospital early, excited, and booked a hotel to celebrate with her. But after waiting all day and seeing Ethan’s smug post, followed by a phone call from Emma questioning me, I realized I probably would’ve still been at the hotel waiting for her if I hadn’t seen that. She walked in, saw the empty dining table, and immediately furrowed her brows. “No dinner today?” she asked. I casually nodded, keeping my eyes on my phone screen, and said, “You already ate outside, didn’t you?” In the past, no matter how late or tired I was, I’d always rush home and find ways to make her something nice to eat. Now, just seeing her frown made me feel like the sky was falling. Now, it was laughable how humble I was, but no amount of that got me the same love in return. Emma didn’t notice my change and directly pulled out a cake, placing it in front of me. She said she bought it, especially for me, since I’d mentioned wanting something sweet. But when I looked at the cake, I could tell it had been messed with. The top was uneven, and all the fruit had been picked off. I glanced at it, then continued to look down at my phone. Seeing how indifferent I was, she got upset. “Alexander, what’s with you? I brought this all the way for you, and you’re acting like this? Are you going to keep this up?” “I don’t want something others have touched. It grosses me out,” I said coldly. Her phone buzzed, and I didn’t need to guess who it was from. She looked at me, her eyes cold but with a hint of something like hidden pleasure. Then, she said impatiently, “Fine, fine, I’ll go get you a new one. You’re already so tired from work, and now you have to come home to your gloomy face. Just unbelievable!” She turned to leave. I remembered I had rushed out of the hospital and hadn’t picked up my medication yet, so I followed her, saying I’d go with her. She jumped up, practically hissing like a cat with its tail stepped on. “You’re coming with me to buy a cake too? Are you out of your mind? Trying to tie me by your side?” I sighed, explaining that I only wanted to stop by the pharmacy. She finally gave in, but not before ordering a blueberry cake. At the pharmacy, I got out of the car, and she looked surprised. Her tone softened a bit as she said, “Wait here, I’ll get the cake and then come back to pick you up.” With that, she sped off. Mud splashed all over me, and I wiped it off, irritated. I waited outside the pharmacy, the rain pouring harder and harder. My body was numb from the cold, but she still hadn’t come back. Thunder boomed, and I jumped. Just as I thought about taking a cab, the rain came down in sheets, soaking me completely. Remembering the doctor’s advice, I gritted my teeth through the pain and ran into a convenience store to buy an umbrella. But by then, it was too late. My stomach started to cramp badly, and I collapsed on the ground, hugging my knees. Thankfully, a kind stranger offered to drive me home. Otherwise, I’d have had to call an ambulance. As soon as I got home, dried off, and took my medication, Emma stormed in, slamming the door so hard it shook. “Why didn’t you say you were back? I spent an hour in the rain looking for you! Was that on purpose? Was it fun?”

I froze, holding my water glass, completely stunned. She blocked my number, and now she’s blaming me for not contacting her. I had waited for two hours, just walked through the door, and she said she’d been trying to reach me for an hour. I didn’t have the energy to call out her little game. I darkened my expression and said coldly, “If you want me to contact you, you should at least unblock me first.” She bit her lip, clearly holding back her anger. She placed a cake, soaked from the rain and without a box, in front of me. “It’s too late, the box is gone. It was hard enough to find a place that still had it,” she explained. I stared at the cake, feeling nothing but exhaustion. I was numb to her pathetic excuses. Just then, my phone lit up. Ethan had posted an update, a picture of a blueberry cake, with a caption that was so sweet that it was sickening. I wanted to sneer, but I realized I didn’t even have the energy for that. Countless words swirled in my mind, but in the end, I just said, “Thanks, but throw it away.” Her face turned pale in an instant, and her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. “Are you crazy? I went through all that trouble to get this for you, and you just want me to throw it away?” She shouted. “You think I’m playing around with you? It’s just a bonus for the staff, and you’re making such a big deal out of it? I’m the boss, don’t I have a say in this? And about you cursing me out in private, I haven’t even dealt with that yet!” Her voice grew louder and more agitated. I rubbed my aching head, soaked from the rain, and had no energy to explain myself. “It’s not what you think. I don’t have the time or the energy for that. Back then, I…” Before I could finish, she interrupted me angrily. “Enough! Don’t even start! It’s always the same. You’re in your thirties, acting jealous like you’re still in your twenties. There are so many handsome guys in the world, can you keep up with all of them? This is insane!” Her words stabbed deep into my heart. In the past, I’d argue over every little thing, begging her to love only me. But now, I’d woken up. What was the point of questioning love between adults? I sighed, “If that’s how you feel, I can’t do anything about it.” With that, I stood up and headed for the bedroom. She ignored me, tossing the cake into the trash as she began scrolling through her phone, occasionally letting out a suppressed laugh. She went to the bathroom to make a call. I took the opportunity to tidy up the bedding and prepared to move to the guest room. I almost ran into her as I stepped out the door. She looked at me impatiently, glaring at the bedding in my hands, and finally snapped, “What’s this supposed to mean? You want to sleep in a separate bed? “I didn’t complain about the smell of alcohol on you, and now you’re making a scene? I can’t even stand the sight of you anymore!” She spat, her voice full of venom. “If you can’t sleep tonight, don’t come to me!” I didn’t respond. I just walked straight into the guest room and locked the door behind me. In the past, when she came home late, I couldn’t sleep, and my phone would blow up with messages. Then, the next day, she’d hand me a bottle of sleeping pills. Now, I sleep soundly without taking any pills. Those obstacles I thought I couldn’t overcome? They weren’t that hard to get past. I found a reliable divorce lawyer and was ready to start a new chapter in my life. Meanwhile, Emma’s company account was busy posting a celebration video. In the video, she stood next to Ethan, looking every bit the perfect couple. The necklace she wore was a wedding anniversary gift I gave her last year. This year’s gift? I returned it, along with all those unrealistic hopes.

I was about to shut down my phone when Emma’s call came in unexpectedly, her voice full of excitement. “I sent you the address. I’ll pick you up in a bit. There’s a surprise!” I smiled with a touch of sarcasm. I’d had enough of her surprises to last a lifetime. Before I could even respond, she hung up with a sharp click. It was strange. Before the divorce, she at least knew enough to pull me out of her blacklist. After finishing my medicine, Emma’s car was already screeching to a stop downstairs. I got her message and, still in my loungewear, headed out. The moment I got in the car, Emma’s smile froze when she saw my scruffy face as she’d just tasted something awful. “Aren’t you going to shave or change your clothes? You’re going out like this? Do you want to embarrass me on purpose?” She scolded, her tone sharp with annoyance. At that moment, Ethan, in the front seat, leaned over, looking immaculate in a formal suit, his face full of innocence. “Ah, sorry, Alexander. I forgot to let you know… I couldn’t get through to you on the phone.” I shrugged and smiled. “It’s fine. I mean, I’m a guy. My image isn’t something I’m relying on women to fix.” I glanced at Ethan and added, “Besides, with such an efficient secretary, Ms. Westbrook’s reputation is already well taken care of.” Emma was stunned into silence for a moment. I couldn’t be bothered to engage with her and simply took a seat in the back. Throughout the ride, Ethan chattered non-stop about the birthday party, about how impressive Emma was, his tone full of bragging and subtle provocation. I ignored him completely, treating him like air. When we arrived at the hotel, Ethan naturally moved closer to Emma while I trailed behind them. At the elevator, the company’s people were already waiting. The moment they saw Emma and Ethan, the atmosphere turned noticeably tense. James Donovan, a colleague, quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. Seeing me enter, James greeted me warmly, “Hey, Alexander! You finally made it! We couldn’t have pulled off this project without you! The whole company owes you one today!” I felt a warm glow in my chest and waved my hand with a smile. “James, you’re too kind. No need to go that far. It feels weird. By the time I get back from my overseas trip, maybe I’ll have some new title, still not even close to being decided though.” I smiled back, fully aware he was just trying to help me out. But as soon as those words left my mouth, Emma’s face darkened. She spun around to stare at me. “What do you mean, overseas? You’re going abroad? How come I didn’t know? Did I agree to this?” Her look made me feel like I was a complete stranger to her. I gave a faint smile and didn’t explain. In my mind, I thought, “This marriage is definitely over.”

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By the fifth year of being with Ethan Taylor, he said he was tired of me. Then one day, he brought home a young, beautiful college girl. That’s when I finally gave up completely. I left behind a bank card, booked a midnight flight, and left Kingston without looking back. Our mutual friends all bet I’d be crawling back in no time. Ethan seemed equally confident, casually telling his friends: “She’ll be back within a week, like a dog clinging to my pant leg, begging me to take her back.” But a week passed. Then another. Half a month went by. And I stayed silent. For the first time, Ethan grew restless. He showed up unannounced, his face dark with irritation. “Are you done with this tantrum yet? I don’t have time to play games with you—” Before he could finish, the man sitting beside me chuckled lightly. “Mr. Taylor,” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm, “a woman isn’t someone you coax like a child. You cherish her. If you truly love her, you wouldn’t even dare to let her get upset.” Ethan’s face flushed red with anger. “She’s my girlfriend. That’s none of your business!” The man leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “And she’s my fiancée. Jealous, are you?”

In our fifth year together, it was Ethan’s 30th birthday—his big milestone. I had secretly bought plane tickets to take him to my hometown to meet my father and discuss our marriage. But unfortunately, I arrived a few minutes late to his birthday party. And what greeted me was the sound of his laughter, mocking me with his friends: “Marry Sophia? Are you kidding? I’m already sick of her.” Ethan downed his drink, laughing like it was the funniest joke in the world. “I’ve been keeping her around for five years—she’s long past her expiration date. There are so many younger, prettier girls out there waiting for my attention.” His friends chimed in, laughing along: “Exactly! With your looks and money, Ethan, Sophia should be grateful you’ve kept her this long. Without you, who knows where she’d be—probably stuck in some backwoods nowhere.” Another added, “But to be fair, Sophia’s got her charms. She’s got that unique beauty, you know?” “Yeah, her face is stunning, and her body’s perfect. Remember that black dress she wore to your gala? Had all of us drooling, man.” One of them laughed and said, “But seriously, Ethan, you used to treat her like a queen. Are you really treating her like a dog now?” Ethan’s response was cold, emotionless. “Call her, and she’ll come. Tell her to leave, and she’s gone. What do you think?” The room erupted in laughter. I stood outside the private room, frozen. I didn’t dare go in. Instead, I made up an excuse, called Ethan, and told him I wasn’t feeling well and was heading home. He didn’t even bother replying before hanging up. That night, I made my decision.

For the next few days, Ethan didn’t come home. But unlike before, I didn’t call or text to ask where he was or who he was with. I just quietly went about my life. In a small city like Kingston, though, news traveled fast. I didn’t have to ask to hear what he was up to. Ethan was chasing after a 19-year-old dance major from the arts academy. She was young, vibrant, and beautiful, and he was smitten. He pursued her loudly and extravagantly, showering her with gifts: a house, jewelry, a car—anything she wanted. The girl, of course, was dazzled by the attention. Within a week, they’d already checked into a hotel together. But what I didn’t expect was for Ethan to bring her home. The girl strutted in like she owned the place, wasting no time ordering me around: “Make me a honey-lemon tea. Oh, and don’t forget the ice.” I didn’t respond, just sat at the dining table quietly eating my dinner. Ethan wrapped an arm around her, sitting across from me. His gaze was cold as he said, “Sophia, are you deaf? Do you really think you’re the lady of this house? I’ve never acknowledged you as such.” I gripped my chopsticks tightly, trying to steady my trembling hands. He wasn’t wrong. In the five years we’d been together, I had given everything without ever asking for a title, for acknowledgment. Back when I was in high school, my father had fallen from a construction site and broken his leg. The contractor, heartless and cruel, offered only $300 in compensation to make us go away. Faced with impossible medical bills and my father lying helpless in a hospital bed, I had nowhere else to turn. That’s when I met Ethan Taylor, the developer overseeing the construction project. He not only took on all my father’s medical expenses but also brought me out of my small mountain town and into the bustling capital for school. Over the years, my admiration for him grew into a love even I didn’t notice at first. But Ethan never saw me the same way. For him, I was just a fleeting responsibility—something he soon grew tired of. I bit my lip and nodded, forcing a smile. “You’re right, Mr. Taylor. I’ve overstepped. I’ve been fortunate to have your care all these years.” Ethan raised an eyebrow, surprised by my sudden compliance. After a pause, he said, “Well, I wouldn’t call it care. But you’ve been with me long enough. I suppose it’s time we…” “Part ways,” I interrupted, my voice steady. “Now that you’ve found someone you truly care about, it’s best we go our separate ways. You wouldn’t want such a young, sweet girl to suffer because of me.” “She deserves a proper place in your life.” I smiled politely and excused myself to pack my things. But the moment I turned around, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Five years. In all that time, Ethan had never once acknowledged me in front of his friends, never once promised me a future. That night, I booked a flight out of Kingston. I left behind nothing but a bank card. The bank card was originally given to me by Ethan Taylor, so I returned it to him untouched. Not only that, but I also transferred back every penny he had ever paid for my father’s medical bills and my tuition fees, line by line, according to the receipts. Before leaving, I took off the jade bracelet from my wrist and left it on the vanity. The bracelet was a gift from Ethan for my 18th birthday—a coming-of-age present. I had once promised him I’d never take it off unless the day came when we would never see each other again. My flight was booked for 3 a.m., heading to Southport, my hometown.

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Everyone in Westbridge knew that the heir to the Pierce family, Steven Pierce, kept a girl by his side. Quiet, gentle, and obedient—but tragically, she was mute. On New Year’s Eve, one of Steven’s friends teased him: “I heard your dad’s been pressuring you to settle down. You’re not seriously thinking of bringing her home, are you?” Steven leaned back lazily, a smug, careless smile on his face. “Are you kidding? Would you marry a mute?” Hearing this, the wall I had desperately built around my heart finally collapsed. The bitter chill of winter had blanketed the streets with snow. Carrying a large bag of groceries, I hurried home. The housekeeper had left early to spend New Year’s with her family, and Steven hated restaurant food. So, naturally, I was the one left to prepare dinner. As I stepped into the house, the sound of raucous laughter hit me like a wave. There were people drinking, smoking, playing cards, and chatting loudly in the living room. Steven was in the middle of it all, surrounded by his friends. Someone said something that made him laugh as he playfully kicked one of the guys. I glanced down at the bag of groceries by my feet, then scribbled a note on a piece of paper and handed it to Steven. “Are they staying for dinner too?” That was when the group finally noticed my presence, though none of them acknowledged me. I couldn’t blame them. Steven Pierce was the golden boy of Westbridge—wealthy, connected, and practically untouchable. His friends were all the same: trust-fund kids with billions to their name. And me? I was just a poor, mute girl who had no business being in that world. Steven unfolded the note and frowned. “You don’t want to cook?” I shook my head quickly, pressing my lips together. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to cook—I just hadn’t expected so many people. I wasn’t sure if there’d be enough food. Steven crumpled the note and tossed it into the trash, his expression cold. “Then why ask?” The room, once filled with noise, suddenly fell silent, as if everyone was waiting to see how the mute girl would react. I bit my lip, unwilling to let strangers watch me squirm, and turned to retreat into the kitchen. As I tied my apron, the laughter resumed in the living room. Someone’s voice rang out, loud and mocking: “Man, she really is as obedient as they say.” Another voice chimed in, laughing: “Haha, look at Steven’s setup. If he kept me around, I’d behave better than a dog!” I recognized the voice—it belonged to Andrew Yates, Steven’s closest friend and one of the most notorious troublemakers in Westbridge. “What good would keeping you do? You can’t cook or clean, and God knows what other weird habits you have.” “Well, I can talk.” The room erupted in laughter. The mocking grew louder, each comment sharper than the last. I gripped the knife in my hand, my knuckles turning white as a dull ache spread through my chest. Steven’s voice eventually cut through the noise. “Alright, cut it out,” he said, laughing lightly. “Don’t get carried away.” But he didn’t defend me. He didn’t explain our relationship. His silence was an unspoken agreement. And yet, he knew. He knew I wasn’t with him for his money.

Two years ago, on this very day, the smell of roasted sweet potatoes filled the streets. I had been arguing with an old vendor who had overcharged me ten dollars. The man couldn’t read or understand sign language, and I was growing increasingly flustered. I had only brought twenty dollars with me, and it was already gone. That was when Steven happened to walk by. Perhaps I looked too pitiful, because he casually pulled a hundred-dollar bill from his pocket and handed it to the vendor. “I’ll pay for her. Keep the change.” I froze, turning to get a better look at the man beside me. He was tall, his features sharp and chiseled, with an air of quiet indifference. His long lashes cast faint shadows over his eyes, which were utterly devoid of emotion. Had he… forgotten me? As he turned to leave, I panicked and grabbed his wrist. When his watch slipped into view, my heart raced—I was certain it was him. Steven pulled his hand back with a look of annoyance, letting out a mocking laugh. “What? A hundred bucks isn’t enough?” I stood there, stunned, before finally managing to compose myself. I signed slowly: “No, it’s just… don’t you remember me? You saved me once.” A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but it was gone in an instant. After a pause, he said indifferently, “I’ve saved a lot of people. I don’t remember them all.” Relief washed over me. After five years, I had finally found him. To him, it might have been an insignificant moment, not even worth remembering. But to me, it had been a beacon of hope in the darkest time of my life. I still remembered the day he pulled me out of the river, the words he had said to me: “Sometimes, the most important things don’t come from your mouth, but from your eyes. Don’t lose hope. As long as you’re alive, things can change.” The sun had been shining so brightly that day, the water warm and gentle. It felt like the universe had aligned just for me. So when Steven asked me if I wanted to go with him, I didn’t hesitate. I said yes. Because I believed in him. I trusted him completely.

Three hours had passed before I realized it. I stretched my aching back and carried the prepared dishes to the dining table one by one. Steven Pierce glanced at me and said casually, “Annie, go buy a few cases of wine.” I looked out the window; it was already dark, and the snow was still falling heavily, blanketing the streets in thick, fluffy layers. Was he really asking me to go out in this weather to haul back several cases of wine by myself? I stood frozen in place, hesitant, while Steven sat down with his friends. He didn’t even bother saving me a seat. Noticing my hesitation, he shot me an impatient look. “What are you waiting for?” Around me, a few of the guys started laughing, their voices dripping with mockery. “She hasn’t said no, has she? Probably just trying to figure out how to sign it in that secret language of hers.” “Yeah, c’mon, Steven, translate for us. What’s she saying?” That familiar wave of humiliation began to creep up on me. I started signing, but before I could finish, Steven waved me off with a dismissive glance. “Annoying.” My hands froze mid-air. That word. That single word. It wasn’t the first time he’d said it to me. Steven Pierce. The man who had once pulled me out of the depths of despair when even I couldn’t stand myself. The same man who was now shoving me back down. I felt my eyes sting with tears, but I didn’t want to break down in front of his friends. Grabbing the keys, I turned and ran out the door. At the convenience store, I bought the last few cases of wine they had, hailed a cab, and rushed back. I carried the cases upstairs, one by one, terrified of doing anything to upset him. Inside, the party was still in full swing. No one noticed me as I lugged the last box into the hallway, gasping for air. Outside, fireworks exploded in the night sky, brilliant and dazzling. As the echoes faded, I overheard voices from upstairs. It was Steven and his closest friend, Andrew Yates. At first, I didn’t pay much attention and continued climbing the stairs. “Hey, I heard your dad’s been pushing you to settle down. You’re not actually thinking of bringing her home, are you?” Andrew didn’t name me, but I knew exactly who he was talking about. Everyone in Westbridge knew I was the mute girl Steven had been keeping around for two years. For some reason, on that last flight of stairs, I stopped. From the gap in the staircase, I could see Steven lean back, his expression calm and indifferent. “Are you kidding me?” he said, a lazy smile playing on his lips. “Would you marry a mute?” “When I find someone better, I’ll send her packing. Back to wherever the hell she came from.” Andrew laughed. “Makes sense. She’s basically just a hundred-dollar maid you’re keeping around for fun, right?” At that moment, the last wall I’d built around my heart crumbled. The bitterness, sadness, confusion, and self-doubt all came crashing down at once. I tried to hold back the tears, but they burned hot behind my eyes, threatening to spill over. And in that moment of silence, the laughter from the room above seemed to mock me. Look at you. No matter how good you are to him, what does it matter? You’re nothing but a mute girl for others to ridicule.

I dropped the wine where I stood and walked straight past the crowd into the bedroom. It wasn’t long before the door opened behind me. “You’re not eating dinner?” Steven’s voice was sharp, almost mocking. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. By the time I’d carried in the third case of wine, most of the dishes on the table had already been picked clean. What was I supposed to eat? The plates? I didn’t bother signing or writing anything down for him this time. I just continued packing my things, ignoring him completely. That was when he noticed the duffel bag I’d left on the floor. He kicked it hard, his tone turning harsh. “Annie, are you seriously throwing a tantrum right now?” A tantrum? Me? Maybe he’d gotten so used to me being quiet and obedient, always bending to his will, that even packing a bag felt like rebellion to him. I let out a bitter chuckle but didn’t respond. Let him think whatever he wanted. After all, what could a mute girl say to change his mind? When I didn’t answer, his expression darkened. He turned sharply and stormed back to the living room. I didn’t have much to pack. Most of the clothes and things in the apartment were things Steven had bought for me—expensive, designer items, many of them still with the tags on. If I was going to leave, I wanted to go back to being the person I was before I met him. I didn’t want to owe him anything. I shoved a few simple pieces of clothing and toiletries into a cheap woven bag and headed out. By the time I reached the living room, his friends had already left. Steven was sitting alone on the couch, leaning back lazily with a cigarette between his fingers. The sharp click of the lighter cut through the silence, and the smell of smoke mixed with the stale scent of beer. He exhaled a slow plume of smoke, his voice low. “Are you really leaving?” His words sent a sharp pang through my chest. He’d treated me like this—dismissed me, humiliated me—and yet he had the nerve to ask why I was leaving? My grip on the bag tightened as I mouthed the word silently, incapable of making a sound: “Yes.” “Is it because I asked you to cook and buy some wine?” How could he think that? I’d spent two years of my life caring for him, putting up with him. Did he really think this was about one bad night? I wanted so badly to ask him. What had happened to the Steven who had saved me? The one who had been kind and warm, like a ray of sunshine in my darkest moment? But people like him don’t change. They reveal who they really are when you let them. Steven waited for a moment, then gave a cold, careless laugh. “You know, Annie, once you walk out that door, I’m not coming after you.” Exactly. That’s why I had to leave. Because I knew he wouldn’t. If two hearts aren’t in the same place, dragging things out would only waste time—and make us a bigger joke in the end. I loosened my clenched fist and placed the keys gently on the entryway table. Then, I signed a single word: “Whatever.” As the clock neared midnight, I stepped outside, the icy wind cutting through the air like a blade. The streets were lined with red lanterns, glowing softly against the dark night. For a moment, I found myself lost in thought. I had spent the last few years imagining what it would be like to curl up on the couch with Steven Pierce, watching the New Year’s Eve special together. But fantasy has a way of being very different from reality. When I first moved in with Steven, he told me he liked his women quiet, obedient, and unassuming. So I tried my best to match his preferences, shaping my personality to fit his expectations. All I wanted was to stay by his side a little longer. That’s how I spent two years with him. Two years of being the perfect, compliant version of myself.

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I, Ava Lancaster, went to pick up my car at the wash only to find a box of condoms and two pieces of paper stuck under the wiper. I was furious, my face burning. When I looked at the papers, I felt like I was going to throw up. One was a close-up photo of a man’s private parts, and the other was a WhatsApp QR code. The message that came with it read: [Hey, rich lady, take a look at me. I’m young and capable.] I sneered and immediately sent his contact info to every loan shark platform I could find. I thought, “You want to play, huh? Let’s see how many lives you’ve got to risk!” After work, I happily went to the car wash to pick up my car. But when I got in, I found these things under the wiper. Frowning, I used a stick to carefully remove the box of condoms, but when I did, the contents slowly leaked out of the box, carrying a strange smell with them. “Ugh. ” I turned away, gagging. What the hell was this? Pinching my nose, I used the stick to open the two pieces of paper. When I saw what was on them, I dropped the stick in shock. I snapped a photo in anger, planning to go to the car wash and demand an explanation. I came here often. The one who washed my car was a young girl named Isabella Mason, the boss’ daughter. She was good at her job and always greeted me warmly. In casual chats, I learned that she was only about 17 or 18 and had dropped out of school early. I felt sorry for her, so I decided to support her business, bringing my car here every few days. Over time, we became regulars, and she called me Ava while I called her Isabella. Besides her, there were occasionally one or two men around, probably her dad, Henry Mason, and her brother, Luke Mason. The place was small, and when I showed up, a few cars were already waiting. Isabella was still wearing her black work uniform, smiling as she chatted with customers while washing cars. When she saw me, she smiled and said, “Ava, your car is parked outside, just like usual. You only need to pay me 30 bucks.” Her smile was contagious, but I couldn’t bring myself to smile. I pursed my lips. “Got a minute? I need to talk to you about something. Let’s find somewhere quiet.” She must have noticed how serious my expression was because she quickly called her brother, Luke, to help her with the car washing. Luke, clearly not wanting to get up, groaned and reluctantly dragged himself out of the lounge chair. “What a waste of time. You want me to help with something so simple? Pathetic!”

I frowned, confused. How could someone as nice as Isabella have such a brother? Isabella shot me an apologetic glance, then gently tugged at Luke’s shirt, speaking quietly, “Luke, stop. Ava needs to talk to me.” Luke looked at me. Then his eyes slowly wandered up and down my body, eventually stopping at my chest. He smiled and rubbed his chin, giving me a lecherous look that made my stomach turn. I glared at him, furious. “If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll take your eyes out!” I had a bad temper, and I wasn’t about to let this slide. The tension between us grew thick, and other people nearby started to notice and gather around. Isabella quickly stepped in front of me. Luke gave me a dismissive glance, then rolled his eyes. “You’re wearing this to make us look, aren’t you? Isn’t this all to attract men?” I felt a wave of anger rush to my chest as I glanced at my outfit, a short-sleeve top and a long skirt. Isabella turned bright red, almost in tears, and grabbed Luke’s sleeve. “Luke, stop! Ava is one of our regulars!” Luke didn’t show an ounce of remorse. Instead, he shoved Isabella to the ground with one arm and pointed at her, cursing. “You good-for-nothing, shut up! Crying like a baby, did your mom die or something? You want me to beat you to death? So what if she’s a regular? Who knows how she got that car? Looks like she’s selling herself to afford it!” With that, he pretended to raise his arm, and Isabella instinctively shielded her head, trembling on the ground, crying softly. I furrowed my brows, so angry that I almost wanted to twist his head off and kick it like a ball. Around us, people started whispering, “This guy’s got no shame! He’s hitting his own sister and cursing his own mother to death!” “Ugh, when did we have such scumbags among men?” Someone spat on the ground. Luke heard them, and his face turned gloomy and angry. He slammed his water gun on the ground and yelled at the crowd, “You sons of bitches! What the hell are you talking about?” He got even more worked up, swearing nonstop, and practically cursed out everyone in the store. Isabella quickly tried to calm him down, warning that if he kept it up, they’d lose all their customers. But he just waved her off and slapped Isabella across the face. “Shut the hell up! This is my damn store! Who the hell are you, a loser, to talk back? I’ll do whatever I want!” Most people didn’t want to get involved and decided to leave. They drove off with grumpy faces. Isabella hurried after them, apologizing profusely. In the end, only a few of us were left standing there. “Ugh, just two or three people? Get to work, or what, you gonna sit at home doing nothing?” he spat, waving his hand before storming off to the back room to play on his phone. He slouched on a chair, scrolling through some questionable videos, drooling all over himself. Isabella wiped her tears and silently picked up the water gun, getting back to work. I felt a little bad for her, but I didn’t say anything. I knew that in a family like hers unless she helped herself, no one else could pull her out. Isabella quickly pulled herself together, smiling as she asked, “Ava, you were about to talk to me about something earlier, but I couldn’t leave. If you still want to, go ahead and say it now.” I nodded and gently asked, “Isabella, did anyone suspicious come by the store today?”

“No, not at all,” she replied right away. I nodded, already pretty sure about the answer. If she hadn’t seen anyone suspicious, then it had to be someone she knew. I glanced over at Luke, then took out my phone and showed her a photo. “I found these in the car when I picked it up earlier. Do you know who left them there?” I stared at her, watching her reaction. She froze for a second, instinctively looking toward Luke. Then she looked away, her eyes shifting nervously, and after a long pause, she muttered, “I don’t know, but I’ll wash your car again right away, Ava. Please don’t be mad.” She gave me a pleading look, and I didn’t say anything more. I just nodded and stood by, watching her work. The water from the gun soaked her through, her clothes completely drenched. Her eyes earlier had already given it away. It was Luke who did it. As for why she was covering for him, I could guess. She probably didn’t want to make a scene and mess with the business. Confronting someone like Luke head-on was definitely risky, so I thought for a while before coming up with a better way to get back at him. I posted his QR code on a bunch of different platforms. Study abroad, insurance, renting houses, loans, male infertility treatment, funeral services. Not long after, Luke’s angry voice echoed from the back. “You bastard, who the hell’s dying in my family? Get the hell away from me! “I told you, don’t post any funeral stuff, you dumbasses!” He hung up, only for the phone to ring again a moment later. “Study abroad? You think I’m paying for that? Get the hell out!” Watching him rage like that, I finally felt some satisfaction. A while later, there was some noise at the door. A middle-aged woman was carrying a drunken man inside. The man was mumbling nonsense as they stumbled in. Isabella rushed forward. “Mom, you just got out of the hospital, and your wound isn’t even healed yet! How can you be carrying Dad like this? Put him down now, or your wound will tear open again!” I understood immediately. Isabella’s mother had just been discharged from the hospital, but her father was one of those unreliable men, drunk again and needing his sick wife to drag him back. Chloe smiled and patted her daughter’s head. “The wound’s healed, sweetie. I know I was in the hospital for a while, and you had to take care of the car wash shop on your own. You must be exhausted. Now that I’m back, I’ll help you out.” Isabella’s eyes glistened with tears. She shook her head and said, “Mom, just focus on taking care of yourself.” Chloe Mason sighed, “I’m getting old, not as useful anymore. I’m in and out of the hospital, dragging the family down. And it’s wearing you out.” Earlier, I had been wondering why Isabella put up with her brother’s bullying and didn’t leave her family. Now, I understood, it was because of her mother. I pretended to play with my phone, but I was secretly keeping an eye on them. Henry was holding a bottle of liquor in his right hand, stumbling along with Isabella’s support. As they passed me, Henry shoved Isabella aside. “Who’s this gorgeous lady? Heh, let me touch.”

I was startled and quickly stepped back. But he came at me even more aggressively, grinning maliciously. “This girl’s got some spunk. Running away? Let me show you how I catch you!” At that moment, Luke whistled at me and cheered. “Dad, nice job! This girl’s got a lot to offer.” The whole family acted like they were out of their minds. It was broad daylight, and they dared to act like this! I looked around. The few customers who had been waiting had already left. Panicked, I ran toward my car, hoping to drive off quickly. Suddenly, someone grabbed me from behind. The sickening feeling made my whole body tremble. Luke’s voice was in my ear. “Dad! Come here, I’ve got her.” A sharp pang of fear gripped my chest, and tears instantly filled my eyes. I struggled desperately to break free, but it was useless. Soon, my body’s instinct to protect itself kicked in, and I lost all strength. My body went stiff, and I felt completely helpless, unable to resist. I immediately looked at Isabella and Chloe, crying out for help. They were frozen in place, clearly terrified by what was happening. Henry, clearly pleased with himself, stumbled toward us, praising Luke for his good work. I was frozen in fear, panic flooding my mind. I kept screaming and struggling. “Let go of me! What you’re doing is illegal!” Luke and his dad exchanged a look, then chuckled, “Illegal? We’re not doing anything serious. A few days in jail, and we’ll be out. “And you’re not even resisting. Deep down, you’re probably enjoying this, huh? Playing hard to get,” they mocked. Each word hit me like a slap to the face. I cursed them in my mind. “To hell with enjoying it. I’m terrified, which is why my body’s frozen like this!”

Just then, a loud thud sounded, and Henry fell in front of me. Isabella had rushed up and shoved him to the ground. I seized the moment and broke free from Luke’s grip. Luke didn’t hesitate. He raised his arm and slapped Isabella across the face with all his might. “You damn troublemaker, trying to ruin everything! You think I won’t kill you?” Isabella covered her face and shouted at me, “Ava, run!” I scrambled to my feet and quickly bolted toward my car. Luke tried to stop me, but Isabella held him back, and I could hear them arguing behind me. Once I got into the car, I shifted into gear, my fingers trembling. In the rearview mirror, I saw Isabella desperately grabbing Luke’s leg. Luke kicked her several times, and she fell to the ground like a beaten dog. But she didn’t let go of his leg. My heart surged with warmth for her. As I drove onto the street, my whole body continued to shake uncontrollably. I gripped the steering wheel tight and swore to myself, “I will make them pay for this.” I instinctively drove to the police station, wanting to file a report. But in the end, I stopped in my tracks. “What could I report? Attempted assault? Or would they just charge him with indecent exposure? What punishment would he get? A fine of a few hundred dollars? A few days in detention?” I thought about the condoms and disgusting images in the car. Luke clearly wasn’t doing this for the first time. Even if I reported it now, they’d still find ways to harass other girls. Because we wore nice clothes, we were labeled as sluts. Because I bought the car I liked, they’d spread rumors that I made my money in the wrong way. Because I got a management position, they’d maliciously slander me, claiming I slept around to get ahead. I thought, “Is this really fair? These men’s perverted actions seem to have little consequence, so even their punishments are mild and meaningless. That’s not what I want. I want him to fear me, to never dare to do something like this again.” Standing in the elevator, I thought again about Isabella’s bloodied face in the rearview mirror. I wondered what had happened to her in the end. Maybe I could help her escape from that family if she was willing. A man in the elevator spoke, breaking my thoughts. He was on the phone, his tone furious. “I almost passed out today! Damn it, I drove my sister’s pink car to the car wash, and some idiot shoved a condom in the car! Only picking on young girls, huh? “Don’t let me find out who did it, or I’ll kill that bastard! “The guy at the car wash isn’t any better either. His sister’s been beaten up and is covered in bruises, but he’s still working, playing on his phone. “What kind of world is this? I’m done with it.” Looks like he was another victim of the same kind. The elevator doors opened, and the man walked out. Watching his back as he left, I got an idea of how to get back at them.

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My fiancée, Mia Larson, wanted to travel abroad with her bestie, so I stayed up all night for a whole week to make a super-detailed travel guide for her. Concerned about her safety, I asked her to tell me what she had done every day. Two days after she left, I happened to see the Instagram her childhood sweetheart, Lucas Stewart, posted. In the picture, he and Mia were embracing on a street in Isonia, holding marriage licenses, with deep affection in their eyes as they looked at each other. He posted: [After our 15-year relationship, we finally got married! Sweetheart, thank you for trusting me. We’ll never be apart!] It turned out that the “best friend” she always mentioned was Lucas! No wonder every time I proposed to her, she always said she needed some time. So, she was waiting for the person she truly loved. In that case, I decided to end our relationship so that she could be with her beloved. As my taut body suddenly went limp, I collapsed weakly onto the cold floor. I didn’t know how long I had been lost in thought before I calmed down, took out my phone, and decisively canceled the venue I had arranged to propose to her. A pang of bitterness welled up inside me. This was my fourth time proposing to Mia. The first three times, she always found excuses to turn me down. Although I was frustrated, Mia would always act coy and evade the issue. Back then, I felt so soft-hearted towards her that whenever she acted cute, I couldn’t bear to upset her. But now it seemed that I was so infatuated with her that even after being rejected three times, I still eagerly wanted to propose to her for the fourth time. After hanging up the phone, I got up, walked to the desk, and opened the drawer. Then, without hesitation, I took out the engagement ring and threw it into the trash bin. After that, I sent a message to my friends in the group chat, telling them to come out and that I’d treat them to some drinks. They had come up with quite a few ideas for my proposal this time. Although it had been canceled, I still needed to repay them. We went to a popular bar. As soon as we met, my friends all tried to comfort me. One said, “Zane, you two should talk this through. Don’t do anything rash.” Another said, “Although Mia did go too far this time, is there any misunderstanding?” They all tried to persuade me, not believing for a second that I would break up with Mia. After all, they knew how deeply I had loved her, and marrying her had been my greatest wish. I raised a glass of wine and drained it, then let out a relieved smile and explained to them, “No misunderstanding, guys. Mia and I are about to break up. Today, let’s celebrate my upcoming single life and my escape from this terrible relationship.” Upon hearing this, everyone didn’t take it seriously and stopped persuading me. They all raised their glasses, drained them in one go, and then smilingly caught up on recent events. As everyone became tipsy, my phone rang. It was Mia calling. Stunned, I answered it. Mia asked, “Zane, where are you? My dad’s leg has been hurting really badly these past few days. Take a few days off from work and take care of him.” I let out a scornful laugh. As expected, Mia only ever contacted me when she needed help. As an only child, she had always left all her family matters, big or small, for me to handle. When I was in love with her, I helped her willingly. But now, why should I bear her responsibility? I replied, “I’m not available. Turn to someone else.” Everyone present gaped at me in astonishment. I had never spoken a harsh word to Mia before, but now I was laying it all out on the line, right to her face. Mia was completely infuriated by my words. “Zane, do you even know what you’re saying? I’m outside right now, and you know that. Who else am I supposed to call but you?” Her shrill voice left my friends at a loss, and they all started to meditate. One said, “Zane, maybe you should help her.” “Yeah, are you out of your mind? How dare you talk to her like that?” one of my friends whispered in my ear. They thought Mia and I were fighting. Hearing the voices of my friends, Mia roared impatiently, “Did you go out drinking? How many times have I told you not to drink? I hate men who drink! They reek of alcohol and smell terrible!” I picked up my glass, took a sip, and said nonchalantly, “Are you done? If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.” Then, without a moment’s hesitation, I ended the call. As I looked up, all my friends stared at me in disbelief, astonished by my attitude. I broke the awkward silence and raised my glass, urging them to drink. “What are you all waiting for? Cheers, to my newfound single life!” They were a bit slow to catch on, but once they realized what was happening, they all raised their glasses. It was the first time I truly enjoyed drinking since I had been with Mia.

To prepare thoroughly for the marriage proposal, I took a week off from work. Now that the proposal had been canceled, I decided to go on a road trip. It was the perfect opportunity to clear my head and change my mood. Once I had this idea, I prepared immediately and set off by car. Along the way, I climbed mountains to watch the sunrise and stood by the seaside, gazing at the sunset that painted the sea a tangerine hue. I deleted all my Instagram posts filled with Mia’s photos and uploaded fresh pictures of the beautiful sunset instead. After visiting five cities, I returned home. At that time, I still immersed myself in the memories of the trip, not noticing Mia on the sofa. I was only pulled back to reality when she spoke, “Zane! You’ve really got some nerve now! Instead of taking care of my dad, you went off for a trip! You really have some guts!” With that, she picked up a cushion from the sofa and threw it at me. I picked it up, put it back in its place, and without replying, turned around and went to take a shower in the bathroom. But Mia stormed over and blocked my way, demanding, “Aren’t you going to give me an explanation?” After taking off my jacket, I looked at her in surprise and asked, “What’s there to explain? Your dad is unrelated to me. It’s none of my business.” After draping my jacket over the rack, I sidestepped her. Mia watched with a mocking look on her face as I did that, and then she asked with a hint of amusement, “Did you see Lucas’s post on Instagram? Are you jealous?” She sneered, “Look at you. Can’t you be a little more generous? That marriage license is fake. Lucas just did that to deceive his parents. Otherwise, they would keep pressuring him to find a girlfriend. As his good friend, I just did him a favor.” After Mia explained to me, she looked at me with a petulant expression, waiting for me to apologize for having wronged her due to the misunderstanding. But now, I didn’t care about whether it was true or not as I didn’t love her anymore. “Well,” I casually responded without turning my head and walked straight into the bathroom. Mia’s shouting was completely drowned out by the sound of the running water. I couldn’t hear a word of it. When I finished my shower and returned to the bedroom, Mia was still awake, seeming to be waiting for me. As soon as I entered the room, she spoke to me irritably, “You not going to take care of my dad the other day really hurt his feelings. Tomorrow, you should go and apologize to him, with the latest massage chair as a gift.” Her words made me laugh in frustration. Was he angry just because I didn’t go to take care of him? In that case, he was pretty narrow-minded. I dried my damp hair with a towel and said coldly, “No, I’m not going. I have an important project at work tomorrow.” Mia frowned and looked at me in surprise. “No? My dad is upset, and I’ve even thought of a way for you to make it right. And you refused to visit him?” She folded her arms across her chest and huffed in frustration. “Is the project more important than me? If you don’t go, my dad will never agree to our marriage!” I glanced at her and said indifferently, “Well, let’s drop the idea of getting married.” Mia looked at me in disbelief. “Do you even know what you’re saying?” “Yeah, I’m perfectly clear-headed right now.” Mia’s eyes were filled with disbelief. Seeming speechless with anger, she just cursed and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

I lay in bed, unable to sleep. Bored, I scrolled through Instagram and happened to see a new post from Lucas: [Indeed, people in love do have a special connection. I was thinking of her, and here she came!] In the picture, Mia was snuggled affectionately in Lucas’s arms, with several noticeable red marks on her neck. In the past, I would definitely storm to Lucas’s place with the photo, hysterically demanding an explanation from Mia. But now, looking at the photo, I felt absolutely nothing but disgust. I just liked the photo and commented: [You two are such a perfect match.] After putting down my phone, I suddenly felt sleepy and soon fell asleep. The next day, I was woken up by my alarm clock. After getting up, I washed up and got changed, ready to head out to have breakfast with a colleague before work. Before I could leave, Mia returned, carrying a load of breakfast. “I bought breakfast, all your favorite food. Come on over and eat before you go to work.” After Mia placed the breakfast on the table, I still didn’t budge. Unexpectedly, she came over and tried to hold my hand, but I dodged as if I’d been electrified. It felt strange—I wasn’t used to it. She had never been this nice to me before. Mia frowned, as if complaining, “If you hadn’t ignored me last night, would I have left?” She continued to explain, “And as for the photo you liked, Lucas posted it because of an emergency. His parents suddenly dropped by. I had nowhere else to go, so I ended up at his place.” After hearing her explanation, I stared at the breakfast on the table and suddenly realized Mia was feeling guilty about that post. Then I said nonchalantly, “Oh, it’s fine. You don’t need to explain such a trivial matter to me.” She asked with a hint of confusion, “Are you not upset now?” I chuckled, “Of course not. Didn’t you say you just did him a favor?” Upon hearing this, Mia unconsciously let out a sigh of relief. She then took out her phone and began typing away with a smile. So preoccupied was she that she didn’t even notice when I left without eating the breakfast she had bought. Seeing that, I couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Mia, who had never bought me breakfast, just did this to test my attitude towards Lucas’ post. She had never truly cared about me after all. I let out a soft sigh, then pushed the matter out of my mind and went to have breakfast with my colleague before heading to the company. Today, the office was unusually abuzz with people eagerly signing up for the overseas project. The project was of exceptional importance, and the one chosen would receive a substantial bonus. Everyone had a strong interest in it, including me. Unexpectedly, when I put down my briefcase, just about to sign up, the manager, Jason Cooper, came to me. “Zane, with your capabilities, you’re more than qualified for this project. I really want you to take it on. Nevertheless, it’s an overseas project and may take five to six years. I wonder if you’re…” Before Jason could finish, I interrupted him, “I’m in. Thank you, Jason, for trusting me with such an important project. I’m honored to take it on.” Jason was my senior in college, and we were close. In private, I called him Jason. He really valued my abilities, so he assigned quite a few projects to me. But back then, if I took on too many projects, I’d have to work overtime. Worried that I couldn’t take care of Mia, I turned down his offer repeatedly. Jason was taken aback by my decisive agreement, but once he came back to reality, he happily patted me on the shoulder and said, “Go for it!” I smiled and nodded in response, and then I got the project materials and started to read them. Extremely determined to secure this project, I often worked late into the night and was so exhausted that I just slept in the office. During this time, Mia called me a few times, but I didn’t feel like explaining things to her. So I just told her I was working overtime in another city. A week later, my proposal was met with great satisfaction from Jason, and I was immediately chosen to take on the project. At that moment, the tension in my entire body suddenly eased. After work, I decided to go home. The apartment was filled with memories of Mia and me, and since I was about to leave the country, I decided to sell it.

By the time I got home, it was already evening. The living room lights were all on, and Mia was lying on the sofa, typing away on her phone with a smile. The moment she saw me, her smile vanished. She put down her phone, sat up, and gave me a cold glance. “Finally, you came back.” I casually placed my briefcase on the sofa. “I came back after finishing my work. Besides, this is my place.” I gave Mia a steady look, then turned to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Mia, surprisingly, came into the kitchen. She spoke softly, “Zane, I’m hungry too. Please prepare more.” I ignored her but prepared more anyway. Perhaps sensing my lack of enthusiasm, Mia started a conversation with me. I had fantasized about this countless times before. I would be so delighted to have my beloved help out in the kitchen. But Mia, with her prideful air, said, “Are you even a man? You want your girlfriend to help out in the kitchen? How utterly disappointing.” I just gave an awkward smile when I heard that and never brought it up again. But later, I saw Mia in the kitchen, busy cooking, many times in Lucas’ Instagram posts, which savagely wrenched my heart. Now, the scene I had fantasized about countless times had come true, but all I felt was irony. I didn’t respond to a single word Mia said. Finally, her rare patience wore thin. She clicked her tongue and said, “Zane! I’ve already explained it to you. Lucas and I were just putting on a show! What else do you want? Don’t think I don’t know you’ve been deliberately staying away these past few days. So who are you putting on this sullen face for now?” Mia glared at me, puffing out her cheeks. I leisurely served some food onto a plate and said indifferently, “I’m not angry and don’t care about what you and Lucas did.” Then, I carried my plate to the dining table and began eating, paying no further attention to her. Mia followed behind and slammed her plate down on the table with a sharp, crisp sound. I couldn’t help but scoff inwardly. In the past, I wouldn’t have let her serve herself food. I would have probably served some food on her plate and placed it on the table, just to please her. She just needed to eat. But now she seemed angry because I didn’t serve her food. Whatever, it was none of my business anymore.

As I didn’t try to appease her this time, Mia gave me the cold shoulder. I didn’t feel like going home, so I just stayed in a hotel. After all, there were only a few days left before I left the country. That evening after work, I was thinking about going to a very popular restaurant nearby for dinner. Then my mom called, inviting me to join a family gathering. Considering that I would be leaving the country for several years, I agreed. When I drove to the restaurant and entered the private room, my relatives were already there. Mia was sitting in front of my mom, looking quite aggrieved. Then my mom gave me a stern look and called me over. She gave me a light slap on the back and said indignantly, “How could you upset Mia? Girls need to be coddled. What do you mean by ignoring her? If it weren’t for Mia complaining to me, how long were you planning to keep her in the cold?” My relatives all widened their eyes in disbelief upon hearing my mom’s words because they all knew that I had loved Mia more than anything and could even sacrifice my life for her. Mia complained to my mom not because she cared about me. She could tolerate me arguing with her frantically, but she couldn’t stand that I was so calm that I had given her the cold shoulder for a week. Seeing me being scolded, Mia put on her usual proud and defiant expression, certain that I would soothe her anger flatteringly. But she was wrong. I just pulled out a chair beside me and sat down. My mom sighed and urged me, “Soothe Mia’s anger, and let’s set your wedding date today.” The relatives, hearing this, nodded in agreement and also tried to persuade me. My mom continued, “Otherwise, when you go abroad in a few days, are you going to have Mia wait for you?” Upon hearing that I was going abroad, the relatives became even more eager in their persuasion. One said, “Yeah, Zane, you and Mia have been together for so many years. It’s time to settle your wedding plans.” Another said, “Otherwise, what should Mia do when you go abroad?”

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After finding out that I was a yoga teacher, my college roommates encouraged me to start a class and teach them. I agreed, charging 10 dollars per class and teaching four classes a week. But then, one day, they suddenly stopped showing up. I tried asking around, but no one would tell me what was going on. That’s when I found out my good friend, Emma Parker, had started her own yoga class, and everyone had switched to her instead. She only charged eight dollars per class. The thing is, Emma had only taken a few of my classes and wasn’t really qualified to be teaching yoga. Sure enough, she ended up injuring a student in class by being too rough with the support techniques and causing the student to break her leg. Today, not a single person showed up for my class. The dance studio, usually packed, was completely empty. I felt a wave of disappointment, thinking, “Was there some kind of school event I didn’t know about?” I packed up the mats and props and headed back to my dorm. But when I got back, I found out they’d already done yoga. I just stood there in the doorway, dumbfounded. “You didn’t come to my class, so where did you practice?” “The yoga studios outside the school usually charge over 100 dollars per class. Isn’t 10 dollars much cheaper?” I thought to myself. But no one said anything. They just glanced at me and went back to whatever they were doing. I felt really embarrassed. I turned to my roommate, Lily Woods, grabbing her shoulder. “Lily, what happened? Did I do something wrong?” She turned away, glared at me angrily, and shrugged my hand off forcefully. “Enough! I considered you a friend, but you totally screwed me over!” she shouted. I was completely confused and said, “I didn’t do anything!” Lily stepped forward, tilted her head back, and snapped, “You didn’t do anything? Then tell me how much a yoga teacher charges per class outside.” “You’ve asked the right person,” I thought. My family ran a chain of yoga studios, with both my mom and aunt being certified Iyengar instructors. I had been practicing professionally with them for years. By the time I was in high school, I was already a qualified advanced yoga instructor. So, I explained to Lily right away, “A yoga teacher teaching a corporate group of 15 at a studio can make 300 dollars per class!” “That’s complete bullshit!” she snapped, pushing me away furiously. “We’ve done our research, and the most a yoga teacher makes per class is 100 dollars!” I thought, “How is that possible? Where did she get this rumor from?” I panicked, with my heart racing. “My family…” “Your family what? Stop lying! We checked everything. The ‘Serenity Yoga’ you’re talking about isn’t even yours! The owner of that chain is someone named Parker!” Lily didn’t give me a chance to explain and turned to leave. I wanted to say that the legal representative of Serenity Yoga was actually my grandma!

Watching Lily storm off, I felt upset. But I knew she wasn’t a bad person. She was straightforward and cheerful. Maybe she was also a bit naive, which had made her used as a pawn for others before, not just once or twice. So, I was sure she wasn’t the one spreading that rumor. Who did this? I glanced over at my good friend Emma’s desk, where a few newly bought, unfamiliar yoga books were sitting. A thought popped into my head. Just then, Emma walked in after finishing up her wash. As soon as she saw me, there was a fleeting look of guilt and greed in her eyes—something hard to explain. But she quickly put on her usual smile and said, “Hey, sweetie, when did you get back?” I just stared at her, not saying a word. She came over and took my hands. “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?” Considering she was my best friend, but at the same time might be the one spreading the rumor, my tears suddenly started to fall. I was overwhelmed with hurt. “Emma, are you the one…” Before I could finish, a group of classmates rushed into the room. It was Belle Dassler who showed up with the other classmates. She shouted angrily, “Sophia Johnson! You money-grubber! You’re even scheming against your own classmates!” “Exactly! Are you some wild child raised without a sense of responsibility?” I was so scared that I kept backing away. Emma quickly ducked behind a classmate for cover. Belle’s face came right up to mine as she viciously demanded, “Sophia Johnson! You promised us you’d get us in touch with the factory and get us those yoga mats at the cheapest price. Don’t you have any shame?” Hearing her words, I was trembling with anger. “The factory sold them to us at the wholesale price of 68 dollars and even threw in yoga bricks and stretch bands!” Belle threw two yoga bricks at my face. “Who the hell wants your crappy yoga bricks? Take them back!” “That’s right! Giving away gifts? They were clearly just the leftovers!” Blood immediately started gushing from my nose. Fear flashed across the faces of my classmates, but it vanished just as quickly. I grabbed some tissues and held them to my nose, sniffling, “I have the chat logs with the factory owner. You can take a look.” “Pfft! Chat logs can be faked! You’re both in on it! Who would believe you?” Belle pointed at me and cursed, “Don’t give me that pity act! Refund the money for the yoga mats, now!” “Exactly! We want a refund!” “Give us back the extra charges for the classes too!”

I couldn’t hold back my tears. “Fine, whatever. I’ll refund them! But if I do, I won’t have any friends like you anymore!” “Who the hell wants to be your friend, you Ebenezer Scrooge!” “Haha, that’s right. Let’s call her Sophia Scrooge!” My nose was still bleeding, and I felt a little dizzy. “Give… give me back the yoga bricks and stretch bands I gave you as gifts…” Belle snickered, “You deceived us, and that’s payment enough.” “You guys are going too far. You know how much yoga mats cost in the market,” I cried, grabbing a few more tissues. “Then how did Emma find our yoga mats for 38 dollars?” Hearing this, my heart sank. I stopped crying instantly. I looked up and saw Emma, my best friend, standing behind the others. She quickly gave me a glance and then stepped forward, pulling everyone apart. “Alright, let’s calm down. I think that even if Sophia didn’t handle things right, she did help us practice before. We should be grateful to her.” “Pfft! You think we should thank her? No way! She charged us way too much!” “Totally! We’re all students with limited means, but she took advantage of us. She’s really despicable!” Emma stood in front of me, almost like she was defending me. “Didn’t she get punished already? Look, she’s bleeding.” “Serves her right!” “Okay, we’ll cut you some slack because of Emma, but you better refund the money today!” Belle tilted her head and said to me. The group of them left my dorm in a huff. Someone turned back and asked Emma, “Emma, what time will you teach us tomorrow?” Emma quickly glanced at me, then whispered, “I’ll post it on Facebook later. Please wait for a moment.” Then she hurried out of the dorm. Lily, who had been silent the whole time, clenched her fists tightly. She seemed to have made up her mind and walked toward me. She handed me a warm towel. “Sophia… No matter whether what you did before was right or wrong, I should’ve helped you just now. I didn’t know they’d hurt you.” I pushed the towel away, and it seemed that my movement made Lily look disappointed. I forced a small smile and explained, “Thank you for your kindness, but these are all evidence. I can’t wipe it off.” “I’m sorry, Sophia. I’ll keep an eye on them from now on. If anyone dares to hurt you again, I’ll fight back.” Her words were the only warm comfort I had the whole night. I shook my head at her. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.” Then, I gathered up all the blood-soaked tissues, didn’t change my clothes, and called my mom. “Mom, please call the police for me. I got beaten.”

Lily wanted to accompany me to the police station, but I refused. She nervously said, “Sophia, maybe I misunderstood you. Just now, I didn’t see any guilt in your eyes—only fear and disappointment.” “Of course not. I didn’t do anything wrong, so why should I feel guilty?” She nodded repeatedly. “Exactly. It’s actually Emma—her eyes were darting around, like she was hiding something.” I gave a helpless smile. She finally had a smart moment. She grabbed my wrist and said, “Sophia! She’s lying, right? I’m sorry for what I said to you earlier. I was so angry when I heard her talk about you, and I didn’t think clearly at the time.” I gently patted her hand. “It’s okay, just take care of yourself.” When she heard that, a small smile finally appeared on her face, but then a look of confusion crossed her face. “Take care of myself? What do you mean?” “I mean, don’t follow Emma exactly in her class.” “Got it!” My mom called me back at that moment. “Sophia, come downstairs. I’m at the east gate of your school. We’ll head straight to the police station.” Holding all the evidence, I rushed downstairs. As I was heading down, I passed by Belle’s dorm and she happened to see me. She shouted, “Are you out of your mind? What are you doing out so late?” Then Emma started shouting too. “Don’t let her get away! She’s trying to get out of paying the refund! Let’s bring her back!” By the time I reached the second floor, I could already hear heavy footsteps behind me, like they were chasing a thief. “Damn it, Sophia Johnson! Give us the refund!” “Refund the money! Don’t let her get away!” When I finally reached the door on the first floor, I didn’t stop—I kept running. My mom’s car was parked at the east gate of my school. I jumped in as quickly as I could and slammed the door shut. I looked back and saw those girls yelling at me, frantic and furious. Emma was panting from running, glaring at me with pure hatred. I suddenly felt a cold shiver run down my spine. Emma was a student from a poor background. One time, she casually said to me, “This world is so unfair. Some people have to walk miles to get to school, while others are born into families with cars.” I really wanted to comfort her at that moment, but then she said something that left me speechless. “All rich people should die!”

Emma was really good at pretending. I suddenly realized that from the very beginning, she wasn’t actually interested in learning yoga. At first, she complained that the classes were so tiring and everyone’s necks were about to break. Then she mentioned that yoga seemed really relaxing, and since I was good at it, I could teach them. I thought it would be fun for a group of college girls to get together and chat. So, I agreed. I figured it would just be a few people from my dorm practicing together. But then she went ahead and booked a dance studio. She actually gathered more than ten people for the class. She also told everyone not to let me work for free and that I should get paid for my time. She looked at me with those innocent big eyes and asked, “Babe, how much should we charge per person per class?” I glanced around at everyone, and the number of people was about the same as the smallest class size I usually had for my corporate courses. So, I thought, maybe I could cut the price in half and charge 150 dollars in total—just 10 dollars per person per class. For my corporate classes, each one lasted an hour. But for my classmates, every class I held was at least an hour and a half. I paid close attention to each person’s physical condition and adjusted my approach accordingly. My principle was never to pursue immediate results. I would never push anyone into a pose that looked impressive but wasn’t suitable for their body. My goal was for my students to gradually heal and improve their bodies—aligning the pelvis, realigning the lumbar spine, and restoring the natural curve of the cervical spine. Emma seemed incredibly flexible. But true practitioners understood that a stiff body often indicated better potential. It meant the joints were tight, and the ligaments had enough elasticity, which ultimately protected the body from injury. While it might look a bit clumsy, it was actually a good thing. Emma was the complete opposite. She could do advanced poses right from the first class. However, after observing closely, I noticed that her pelvis was severely tilted forward, and her knees hyperextended quite a lot. If she wasn’t careful, it could easily lead to fractures, which is a common issue in yoga practice. But when I thought about it, I realized she didn’t really take my advice seriously. In fact, she even seemed to think I was jealous of her. The classmates all praised her natural talent. They said things like, “Emma, you’re really made for yoga.” Some even remarked, “Look at Sophia! She’s been practicing for years and still can’t do the splits as easily as you.”

The classmates who had praised Emma before were all pretty eager for quick success. It seemed that it was exactly these irresponsible compliments that made her overestimate her own abilities, leading her to do things that hurt me. I’m afraid if they kept practicing yoga following her, it wouldn’t be long before they got hurt. “We’ve arrived, sweetie,” my mom gently patted my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts. The police, after receiving my mom’s call, had us go to the station to file a report right away. There were photos to be taken and evidence to be collected, and we had to contact the hospital for an injury check the next day. By 10:30 PM, I was finally allowed to leave. My mom then took me to the hospital for a quick check-up. The doctor said nothing serious, just some swelling and bruising on my nose. Only then did my mom feel relieved enough to take me home. “If it heals up, you won’t be able to get it checked tomorrow.” “Mom, there’s no way it’ll heal that fast.” She smiled and gave me a playful look. “I was just joking, see? You smiled.” I hugged her, feeling like a little kid again. She asked me what had happened as we walked home. I told her everything but still felt really angry. She put her arm around my shoulder and said, “People having differences in wealth shouldn’t be friends.” I stopped in my tracks and said, “Mom, I don’t agree with that. Throughout history, so many people have…” She interrupted me, “No, I’m actually not talking about financial differences, but the differences up here.” She tapped my head. I got it. Emma was short-sighted, focusing only on the small gains in front of her. She couldn’t even imagine that if she had just focused on her practice, I could’ve easily gotten her a spot at my mom’s company. Just then, my phone started ringing with a bunch of messages asking for refunds. I handed my phone to my mom. She smiled and asked, “So, what’s your plan?” “I want to refund everyone. That way, I can avoid any further entanglements and stop people from gossiping about it.” “You’re so smart! This way, even if they come back asking for your help again, they won’t have a leg to stand on.” Exactly. Thirty-eight dollars for a yoga mat and two dollars for a pair of yoga blocks—what kind of decent material could those possibly be made of? The yoga industry had already steered clear of these items. They had a strong, unpleasant smell. If left out in the sun, people would be breathing in that toxic air while practicing, which was a direct health risk. I sent a message to everyone. [I’ll refund you all, and I’ll even give you an extra 100 dollars each, but you need to return the yoga blocks and stretch bands I gave you.] Belle was the first to reply.

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When the car accident occurred, Jasper instinctively pulled me close, shielding me in his arms. Afterward, I was left without a scratch, but he ended up in the ICU, where he was treated for nearly five hours before being moved to a regular ward. Friends who came to visit couldn’t help but express their envy: “He’s truly devoted, willing to risk his life for you. You’re so fortunate to have him!” “Tell me where I can find someone as handsome, wealthy, and caring as he is.” I forced a smile and remained silent. They didn’t know that Jasper, their so-called devoted husband, had already found someone new. The night before the accident, he was in the underground garage, wrapped around a young, beautiful intern, lost in a passion I hadn’t seen in his eyes for a long time. I didn’t cause a scene; instead, I quietly planned an accident. Originally, I was supposed to “die” in that accident… “Luna!” A terrified voice suddenly broke the silence in the hospital room. I quickly put down my phone and got up from the sofa, only to be pulled into Jasper’s trembling embrace as I approached the bed. “What happened? Did you have a nightmare?” I gently stroked his back. His grip around my waist tightened, “Don’t leave me…” My hand paused. “I keep dreaming of you lying in a pool of blood these days…” Jasper looked up at me, his eyes bloodshot, “I can’t let you out of my sight again, not even for a moment.” I held him tighter, doing my best to comfort him. “I won’t.” After a while, he released my waist and patted the spot next to him. I stood still. “Please…” His eyes pleaded with me, his voice unusually tender. “Why have you been so distant with me lately…” “Did I do something wrong? Tell me, and I’ll change.” He rubbed his face against my palm, full of dependence, just like the Jasper from years ago. I looked at the scabbed wound on his prominent nose and sighed softly, lifting the covers to lie down. Immediately, he pulled me close again, his eyes content as though he’d regained something precious. “Luna.” “Yeah?” “I love you.” Jasper fought his fatigue, waiting for the words, “I love you too,” but instead, he drifted off to sleep, hearing only, “Sleep.” He instinctively held me tighter, finally giving in to his drowsiness. As his breathing steadied beside me, I opened my eyes and gently tried to push him away. But any slight movement made him hold me tighter, so I gave up, lying silently in his arms. I hadn’t slept well for a while, and wrapped in his familiar scent, I soon fell asleep in Jasper’s arms. But my sleep was light. So, in the middle of the night, when I heard a faint sound behind me, I woke almost instantly. “Don’t cry, Lily, I’m fine.” Jasper’s lowered voice came from the bathroom. “You don’t need to visit me. I’ll come to you once I’m better.” “I miss you too… Take care of yourself. I’ll make it up to you once I’m out of here.” I lay with my back to him, pretending to sleep. But my eyes stared unblinkingly at the pale moonlight outside the window until they ached and filled with tears. It turns out, even when you’ve decided not to love anymore, the heart still hurts. His arms gently encircled me from behind, and I closed my eyes in silence, a tear rolling down my cheek, disappearing into the pillow.

“I feel like having wontons.” Hearing this, I put down the chicken soup in my hand. “Then I’ll go buy some for you downstairs.” Jasper smiled softly, “I want the ones we used to have back in school.” I froze for a moment. That shop was on the east side of the city, an hour’s drive from here, and it was always busy with long lines. A round trip would take the entire afternoon. Whether he genuinely wanted wontons or just wanted to send me away, I no longer cared to find out. I nodded, said nothing, and walked out of the hospital room. Soon, a girl in a white dress hurriedly entered the room from the stairwell. She threw herself into Jasper’s arms. Perhaps she touched a wound, and Jasper instinctively frowned, but he gritted his teeth and said nothing. “I told you not to come, didn’t I?” He wrapped an arm around her waist, playfully pinching her cheek. “But I missed you.” The girl lifted her face, looking at him playfully: “I really want to kiss and hug you.” Jasper’s smile deepened, his tone teasing: “Is that all you want?” Hearing this, the girl, with glistening eyes, leaned against him, whispering: “I want you too.” Jasper’s eyes darkened, suddenly grasping her chin to kiss her. The quiet VIP hospital room was soon filled with the sound of intimate exchanges. Jasper’s fingers slipped under her skirt, and she couldn’t help but moan softly. Just as things were about to get out of hand, Jasper stopped himself in time, gently pushing her away, his voice hoarse: “You should go back.” The girl reluctantly withdrew, “Can I visit you again tomorrow?” Jasper kissed her cheek, soothing her softly: “Don’t come for a while. I don’t want you running back and forth; it’s too tiring.” “I’ll be with you once I’m out. Eat more,” he lazily leaned against the headboard, his palm holding her softness, teasing: “You’ve lost weight.” The girl playfully bit him, making Jasper lightly “tsk,” his voice full of indulgence: “Are you a puppy? You love biting so much.” The familiar tone made me pause. Because he had said the same to me. When Jasper graduated high school, I was in my third year of college. He refused to go abroad, insisting on attending the university in my city. For this, his mom approached me. But surprisingly, there was no dramatic request for a breakup or any difficulties. She was even willing to sponsor my studies abroad and thanked me for tutoring Jasper and supervising his studies. I politely declined, for the sake of my remaining dignity. But I agreed to persuade Jasper to study abroad. For the first time, Jasper got really mad at me, ignoring my resistance, kissing me forcefully and awkwardly. I couldn’t push him away, so I took the chance to bite his lip during a pause for breath, accidentally biting too hard and breaking the skin. He wasn’t angry at all, instead, he gently hummed against my nose, “Are you a puppy? You love biting so much.” As my thoughts returned, tears unexpectedly fell on my clenched fists. My palms throbbed with sharp pain, and I gritted my teeth, holding back the urge to burst in, turning away to leave the scene in haste. But the Jasper in front of me is no longer the boy he once was. I packed the wontons and sat in the hospital lobby for a while. Only after the playful figure disappeared at the hospital entrance did I return to the hospital room with the food. As soon as I placed the food down, Jasper came up from behind, his warm lips brushing my ear, “Thank you.” The chopsticks in my hand fell to the floor, and I stiffened, pushing him away. He froze: “What’s wrong?” “Nothing.” I grabbed a spare set of chopsticks and handed them to him, “Eat, or it’ll get soggy.” Jasper smiled: “Even if it’s soggy, I have to finish it since you went all the way to get it for me.” He took a bite, and I asked if it was good. He nodded, praising, “Still tastes like before.” I couldn’t help but smirk. But it was just something I bought downstairs. How could it taste like before?

On Jasper’s discharge day, many friends and long-time partners came, including Lily. But except for a glance at the beginning, Jasper didn’t spare her another look. Lily stood in the corner, looking disappointed. Until someone raised a glass to toast Jasper, she suddenly stood up, taking the glass from Jasper’s hand, saying, “Mr. Johnson, Jasper just got discharged, I’ll drink this for him.” With that, she drank it all in one go. Everyone fell silent, their expressions varied as they glanced at me, sitting by Jasper’s side. “Who is this?” Jasper smiled, his expression unchanged: “A new intern at the company. She’s new, so if she does anything wrong, Mr. Johnson, please be forgiving.” Everyone present was savvy enough to catch the underlying support in his words. Mr. Johnson obligingly drank his wine, and the atmosphere at the table warmed up again. Under the table, Jasper casually took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, “I don’t know who hired such a clueless intern, eager to show off.” I smirked, “Oh? Maybe we should just fire her then.” The hand holding mine paused slightly. I discreetly pulled my hand back, chuckling softly, “Just joking. Newbies need time to grow.” He looked at me, his expression probing, just about to say something when I stood up. “I’m a bit tired. I’ll head back first.” Without waiting for him to speak, I smiled at everyone and left the room. When I got downstairs and reached for my phone, I realized I’d left my bag in the room, so I had to go back. Passing by the stairwell, I couldn’t help but overhear a familiar voice. I couldn’t resist looking over. “Didn’t I tell you not to show up in front of her? Why can’t you listen?” I discreetly pulled my hand back and gave a soft laugh, “Just kidding. Newcomers always need time to mature.” He looked at me with a questioning look, just about to speak as I stood up. “I’m a bit tired, so I’m heading back.” Without waiting for a response, I smiled and said goodbye to everyone before leaving the private room. As I reached downstairs and went to get my phone, I realized I had left my bag in the room. I had to return. Passing by the stairwell, I suddenly heard a familiar voice and couldn’t help but glance over. “Haven’t I told you to avoid appearing in front of her? Why don’t you listen?” “But I wanted to pick you up from the hospital.” Lily buried her head in Jasper’s chest, her petite frame shaking with sobs. “Jasper, I missed you.” “But why were you so cold to me today? It hurt.” Seeing this, Jasper’s expression softened. “Why are you crying?” He wiped away Lily’s tears, his voice carrying a subtle tenderness. “I told you, as long as you don’t cause a scene in front of her, I’ll do anything for you.” “Then I’ll behave. Will you spend time with me today?” She placed Jasper’s hand on her chest. “Don’t you want to check the results yourself?” “I’ve prepared a surprise for you tonight. Don’t you want to try it?” Jasper’s eyes darkened, and he suddenly grabbed her by the neck, kissing her lips. “Clean up and wait for me.” Lily wrapped her arms around his shoulders, clinging to him as she kissed back. Her eyes, shimmering with triumph and challenge, looked straight at me. I met her gaze calmly for a few seconds, then turned and walked downstairs, leaving my bag behind. As I walked home along the street, I saw a boy at Love Sea Plaza confessing to a girl with a bouquet of roses. Just like that awkward and sincere young boy from years ago. He said, “Age and distance are not problems. As long as you’re willing, I commit to you for life. Nothing can separate us.” But a lifetime is long, and true feelings often change. The next morning, as soon as I opened my eyes, I saw Jasper standing by my bed. He looked at me intently, holding my phone and bag. “Luna, your phone showed a message saying the agreement was signed successfully. What did you sign?” “And why did you delete my fingerprint?” Hearing this, my heart sank, and I suddenly snapped out of my haze. What agreement… Of course, it was my termination agreement. I took the phone from his hand calmly and slowly said, “I joined a tour group. Planning to go out for a while.” “The fingerprint and password issue is probably due to a system update.” Jasper breathed a quiet sigh of relief. He sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over to kiss me, the sweet scent of perfume overwhelming my senses. I instinctively turned my head, and the kiss landed on the side of my face. “Haven’t you always wanted to go to Lake Elara? When I get back from this business trip, I’ll take you. It won’t be long, just a week. When I get back, I’ll take you there.” I stayed silent. He’s probably forgotten how many times he’s said this, always breaking the promise for various reasons. And soon, I won’t need it anymore. Seeing me silent, Jasper was about to say something when the phone rang. He kissed my forehead, “Wait for me.” With that, he walked out, answering the call. As the door closed, a text from an unknown number popped up. I opened it, and there was nothing inside except a screenshot of an ID account. I opened the app and found Lily’s SweetPotato account. Her profile said, “Everyday life with Little Jasper.” The timeline traced back a year, and the account had accumulated over a million followers. She clearly never intended to hide this relationship. Hundreds of posts documented her moments with Jasper. “Picked up from the company by Little Jasper. Now I can see my husband whenever I look up.” “On the day of campus recruitment, there were so many people. Seeing my roommate sweating and squeezing through the crowd, I’m suddenly grateful to have a capable husband who spares me any hardship.” I scrolled through many posts. He took her to see the sea, chase the aurora, and tick off “a hundred little things lovers do.” He even overcame his fear of heights to bungee jump with her… So, it’s not that he didn’t have the time. He just devoted all his time and energy to someone else. I didn’t want to see any more and exited her profile. The page had been open too long, and as I exited, it automatically refreshed, pushing a new update. Posted half an hour ago. The main picture was a half-body shot in a black lace camisole, revealing a hand on her waist, veined and strong. “Who said men over 25 are on the decline? This morning, my legs were weak, and he was just fine.” In the comments, the top-liked pinned reply read: “Try calling me an old man again.” The original poster appeared, and fans went wild in the comments. Lily responded suggestively: “Men remain young until they die, but women approaching thirty become grass. Luckily, I’m still young, with plenty of youth and love to go wild.” A fan replied flirtatiously: “How wild? Tell us more.” Lily replied with a shy emoji. “To make me happy, someone promised to take me to Lake Elara for a honeymoon. Come find us, everyone.” Attached were two plane tickets with key info blurred, showing a man’s hand nearby. On his ring finger was a simple ring engraved with “J·Y.” Those are my initials. In the following days, aside from morning and evening greetings, Jasper didn’t send me any other messages. And I never asked. Perhaps too lost in his affections, he didn’t care if I responded, sticking to routine good mornings and good nights. Until the morning of his departure, maybe out of guilt, Jasper unexpectedly sent a long sentimental essay recalling our past. I wasn’t interested in reading it, ready to turn off the screen when another message from Jasper popped up. “Wife, I miss you.” “Even if I know you can’t see it now, I still want to say, I love you.” “Goodnight, sweet dreams.” I couldn’t help but laugh. Saying you love me while in another woman’s bed, Jasper, doesn’t it make you feel sick? This act of feigned affection, you can keep performing it by yourself from now on. In the morning, I carefully set up the birthday cake and placed the prepared birthday gift prominently on the living room coffee table. Taking one last look at this home, I left without any nostalgia. On the way to the airport, Jasper suddenly called. “Wife, did you forget what day it is today?” “No, I didn’t.” I watched the scenery quickly pass by the car window and softly said, “Happy birthday, Jasper.” He immediately brightened. “I knew you wouldn’t forget. You used to wait until the last minute to send me wishes. This time it’s so quiet…” “Are you secretly preparing a surprise for your husband?” I smiled, “Yes, a surprise you’ll never forget…” Hearing this, Jasper smiled. He glanced at the airport’s flight display. His flight back to Beijing was about to depart. Luna would never guess he planned to fly back a day early. Thinking of this, Jasper’s smile deepened. His birthday should be spent with his wife. After the birthday, he’d take her around. It’s been a while since he took her traveling. First stop, Lake Elara, where she’s wanted to go for so long… “Luna, wait for me—!” “Boom!!” Before he finished speaking, a loud crash sounded through the phone, followed by a phone clattering to the ground. “Luna? What happened?!” “Luna!! Answer me!!!” Jasper called Luna’s name repeatedly, but there was no response, just chaos in the background. Then came the sound of an ambulance siren. “Sir, are you the family of the person involved? Your partner was in a car accident…”

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During college, I spent four years washing Asher’s socks and underwear, and I even booked hotels for him and the cheerleader, helping him win her over. Now, I’m Mrs. Asher, and I’m pregnant with his child. In the Snapchat group, Asher is holding the cheerleader’s daughter in one arm and wrapping his other arm around the cheerleader’s waist. Their gaze in the photo is filled with such affection. On our seventh anniversary, he received a unique gift—the urn of his child. I just finished my prenatal checkup, and everything is normal. I let out a sigh of relief. At the registration desk downstairs, I saw someone familiar. Looking closely, it was my husband, Asher. A woman with long, wavy tea-brown hair, holding a child, reached him before I did. Asher looked down at the woman, pulled her into an embrace, and kissed her. The woman smiled brightly. The man turned around and picked up a little girl. She wrapped her arms around his neck, calling out, “Daddy, Daddy!” I stood there, frozen. Asher had said he would accompany me for the prenatal checkup, but this morning he suddenly claimed he had an urgent matter at the company and couldn’t get away. Turns out, he was accompanying his first love’s child to see a doctor. His first love is back. Freya, the woman everyone admired. Freya clung to his arm, occasionally snuggling her head into his chest like a beloved cat. Asher raised his eyes and met mine, quickly pulling his arm away. “Cora, why are you having your prenatal checkup at this hospital?” “The other hospital was fully booked, so I had to come here. Didn’t you say you had urgent matters at the company? Was it just to accompany them?” The baby in my belly suddenly kicked me hard, and a sharp pain hit. “Cora, listen to me. It’s not what you think. Freya just returned to the country yesterday, her child had a fever, she was too anxious and could only ask me for help. Please don’t make a fuss over a child, okay?” Asher explained with an innocent expression. Freya raised an eyebrow disdainfully, “Oh, the girl who used to wash Asher’s underwear has made it to wife status and even got pregnant. Don’t delude yourself into thinking this will earn his love. You’re just a substitute for me, always have been, always will be!” Asher stood there blankly, letting his beloved maliciously slander me. I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms, leaving marks. Clutching my stomach, cold sweat poured down. “Cora, Cora…” At some point, I passed out. When I woke up again, Asher was gripping my hand tightly by the bed, tears in his eyes, “Thank God you’re awake. Don’t scare me like that, okay?” I avoided his gaze and said coldly, “Leave me alone. I don’t want to see you, just go away!” Asher was slightly taken aback, probably never expecting that someone who was always so compliant could lash out. Asher lowered his eyes, the gentleness in them vanished instantly. “Cora, don’t be ungrateful. I just accompanied an old friend to the hospital! I’m warning you not to act up! I chose to be with you because you were more obedient and sensible than others.” Asher slammed the door and left. How absurd. A man chooses to marry a woman not because he loves her or can’t be without her, but because she’s obedient and sensible. It’s utterly ridiculous. I’ve been in love with Asher for ten years, always trying to be the supportive partner. But in Asher’s heart, there’s always been a space reserved for Freya. Perhaps I should be grateful. I’ve become Mrs. Asher, the wife of a CEO of a public company. I shouldn’t ask for more. Yet I still yearn for his love, for his heart to be solely mine. During college, Freya and I shared a dorm room. Her name suited her well; she had a sweet demeanor, with charming eyes and dimples that would evoke a protective instinct in others. Asher was her instant crush, her dream man. Asher’s features were striking, like a Greek statue, seemingly favored by the divine. His deep-set eyes beneath thick lashes exuded an air of noble aloofness. He was the head of the sports department, and I’d been an athlete since childhood. When I applied for the sports department, he said my passionate speech moved him, and he chose me first. After joining, he would often have me help organize various sports activities. I found not only his appearance captivating but also admired his organizational skills. Under his leadership, many of our department’s large events received high praise from the dean. Asher became a campus sensation, with girls flocking to him like a popular star. He joked that none of those girls compared to being with me. He said being with me was comfortable and different from being with them. Though just a joke, it made me happy for days. Once, my mother was hospitalized and needed surgery that cost a significant amount. My living expenses suddenly dropped, and I was eating only one meal a day. Asher noticed and always invited me to meals, insisting on paying. When he learned about my family situation, he transferred me five thousand dollars without hesitation. That money was half his living expenses for months, yet he gave it to me easily. He survived on instant noodles for over a month. Another time, my roommate bullied me, accusing me of stealing and stuffing tissues into my kettle. That roommate even rallied others to corner me, forcing me to admit and apologize. Terrified, I hid in a corner, crying uncontrollably. When Asher found out, he confronted each of them, ensuring they wouldn’t bully me again. What Asher did made me grow attached to him. I asked why he was so good to me, and he said he couldn’t stand seeing others bully me and instinctively wanted to protect me. I didn’t know if it was affection, but his determined look etched into my heart, and his defense deeply moved me. I’d never felt so cared for, so cherished. Asher was like the warm sun in winter, melting the ice and snow. I even hoped our relationship could develop further. Every time we went out to eat or drink, he liked to bring me along. Asher couldn’t hold his liquor, so I often drank for him. He didn’t know that each time I’d run to the restroom to vomit. Freya and I were roommates, and Asher asked me to help him pursue her. Freya’s beauty was unmatched; I knew I couldn’t compete. Though unwilling, I couldn’t refuse any favor Asher asked. Later, with my help, Asher and Freya started dating. They were the perfect couple, becoming a campus legend. When they went out, they always invited me along. I was the obvious third wheel, carrying bags, saving seats, queuing, and even booking hotel rooms for them. I successfully helped him win the heart of the cheerleader. I even washed Asher’s underwear and socks until we graduated from college. His roommates called me a simp. They said I was a model simp for helping the man I loved chase his goddess. But whenever I was down, Asher would drop everything to comfort me. He’d pinch my cheeks, pat my head, and gaze at me with a smile, saying warm words to cheer me up. He’d order my favorite sweet and spicy dishes. I didn’t like scallions, and he’d pick them out for me. He’d accompany me to watch thriller movies I liked. Even if I was a simp, as long as I could stay by his side, I was willing. When they argued, Asher only confided in me. Asher joked, “Cora, you’re so understanding. Who’ll be lucky enough to marry you?” A warmth filled my heart, and I looked up, “Is it you?” Asher almost choked on his drink, and I quickly patted his back. “Cora, having Freya is enough. But if she had your personality, it would be perfect. You’ll find someone who truly loves you.” I feigned calmness, but my heart stung a little. In senior year, during a campus basketball game, Asher broke his leg. The doctor said he’d need a month in the hospital and couldn’t be left alone. Everyone was busy preparing for graduation. There was an internship opportunity at a big tech company, with only one spot. If you performed well, you’d be offered a full-time position. Everyone in our computer science department coveted this chance, trying every way to get it. But the advisor gave it to me because I consistently had the top grades. But what about Asher? Freya was busy with her thesis and couldn’t care for Asher. For Asher, I turned down the internship. I couldn’t abandon him when he needed me. I researched online about foods that promote bone healing, how to make soups, and how to cheer up patients. “Cora, what’s Freya busy with? Did she ask you to visit me daily? Why doesn’t she come?” “I came on my own. I just want you to recover quickly. Campus recruitment is nearing, and I don’t want you to miss it.” Asher’s expression was complicated, frowning, “But everyone’s busy now, and you’re here taking care of me. What about your own matters? If I caused you to miss an important chance, I’d feel guilty.”

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Upon hearing the news that his beloved Fiona had passed away, my husband, who was on a honeymoon with me, dramatically leapt off the cruise ship, ending his life. It was only then I realized he had never truly moved on from Fiona. Transported back to my teenage years, he decisively let go of my hand and walked towards his cherished Fiona. I watched them leave and turned away. From that moment on, our lives became parallel lines destined never to meet. A decade later, we crossed paths again at a high-profile event in Ocean City. He had become a rising star among the elite, with Fiona affectionately on his arm. When he saw me mistakenly enter the event, he couldn’t help but advise me. “Stop holding onto the past. Even if you wait for me for another ten years, I still won’t love you.” I ignored him and retrieved my cake-eating son from the corner. His eyes suddenly reddened, and he grabbed my hand tightly. “Are you trying to provoke me on purpose? Didn’t you once say you’d love me for a lifetime?”

I never imagined I would encounter Gideon again in this lifetime. At the elite gathering in Ocean City, he stood among the crowd with Fiona, exuding charm and sophistication, showing no trace of his former youthful awkwardness. People around him were all smiles, speaking in flattering tones. “Young Master Gideon is truly promising, securing a major project at such a young age!” “Is this your beloved? You both make such a striking couple.” Fiona gazed at Gideon with deep affection and said softly. “We’re planning to get married by the end of the year. If you have the time, we’d love for you to join us.” There was another round of congratulations, and someone asked. “I heard you’ve been together for ten years. Why wait until now to get married?” This was something I was curious about too. In the previous life, Gideon loved Fiona so much he was willing to die for her. After being given a second chance, he immediately broke up with me. I assumed they would marry right after graduation, but they haven’t even registered yet. Upon hearing this, Gideon’s face momentarily stiffened, but he quickly masked it with a smile. “You need a career before family. I want to give Fiona the best life possible.” He looked at Fiona, his eyes filled with tenderness nearly overflowing. In the past, when we were together, I asked him many times when we could get married. It wasn’t until his family pressured him that Gideon reluctantly agreed to be with me. It turns out, the difference between love and lack of it can be so obvious. I was about to turn and leave when I noticed a small figure and instinctively followed. “Oops!” Champagne spilled everywhere, and the waiter holding a tray looked at me with discontent. “Where did you come from? Are you blind?” His voice was loud, drawing attention from those around us. Seeing my face, Gideon was stunned. “Adeline, why are you here?” I lowered my head to apologize to the waiter and explained. “I’m here looking for someone.” Someone curiously asked Gideon. “Do you know her, Young Master Gideon?” Gideon tightened his grip on his wine glass, his gaze darkening. “Yeah, just an ex-girlfriend.” Someone nearby blurted out, “You’ve been together for ten years; I thought you were each other’s first love.” The smile on Fiona’s face faded slightly as she held Gideon’s hand and said nonchalantly. “We were young back then, separated for a bit during a fight. Who hasn’t taken a wrong turn in their youth?” Gideon said nothing, his gaze brushing past me to the waiter. “Charge the damage to my account and let her go.” He stood there, expression calm, not sparing me an extra glance aside from the initial encounter. It seemed he was eager to draw a clear line between us in front of Fiona. The waiter quickly ushered me out. “Young Master Gideon is being kind, cleaning up your mess, but there won’t be a next time.” He glanced disdainfully at my wrinkled pajamas. “This isn’t a place for you. Hurry up and leave.” I broke free from his grip and explained politely. “I’m here to find someone. Once I do, I’ll leave on my own.” The waiter sneered, rolling his eyes. “I’ve seen plenty like you trying to climb up. Do you even have the qualifications to be here? If you keep lingering, I’ll call security!” “Wait.” Gideon’s voice came from behind him. He sighed as he looked at me, helplessly. “She’s here to find me. Let me talk to her.” Fiona, standing beside him, asserted her dominance by wrapping her arms around his shoulder. “Adeline, Gideon and I are about to get married. Anyone with a bit of self-respect wouldn’t come looking for an ex at this point.” Gideon’s face darkened slightly, and he couldn’t help but advise me. “Stop holding onto the past. Even if you wait for me for another ten years, I won’t love you.” “When I was with you, it was a mistake. Now that I have the chance to correct it, I hope you can let go of the past soon.” Fiona looked me up and down, a mocking glint in her eyes. “I understand why you would seek out Gideon. After all, he’s a renowned entrepreneur now, and there’s no shortage of people trying to cozy up to him.” Perhaps my wrinkled pajamas gave her confidence, Fiona added arrogantly. “You’re a prestigious university graduate, yet you’ve ended up like this? If I were you, I wouldn’t even show my face!” Gideon frowned, pulling out his phone, his tone growing impatient. “If you feel like you were wronged by our breakup, I can compensate you now.” “Is five hundred thousand enough?” His fingers moved over the screen, then suddenly froze. “You deleted me from your contacts?”

I was puzzled, not understanding why he reacted so strongly. Isn’t it normal to delete an ex’s contact after a breakup? Besides, I have someone at home who’s particularly jealous. If he knew I still had my ex’s contact, he’d probably make a fuss. “Didn’t you say you hoped I wouldn’t come looking for you after our breakup?” Gideon’s face turned cold, as if he wanted to say something but held back. I spoke calmly, adding. “I don’t need the breakup compensation.” After facing setback after setback, Gideon’s face darkened further, and he spoke coldly. “What are you pretending for? If it weren’t for your current misfortune, I wouldn’t even bother talking to you.” Fiona quickly soothed him with a gentle voice. “Well, she is a prestigious university graduate. Given her current miserable state, let’s just consider helping her.” “Oh Fiona, you’re still so kind. Why bother with a woman like her? Look at her pathetic state, just get lost.” His tone was disdainful, as if forgetting that ten years ago, he was in a worse state than I was. In the previous life, Gideon’s family didn’t agree with their son being with Fiona because she was a dubious woman who liked shortcuts. The first time I saw Gideon in college, he had just picked Fiona up from a club, forced by his family to break up. During Gideon’s most depressed times, I stayed by his side, helping him through. He loved photography, so I used the money I planned to start a business to buy him expensive equipment. Through freezing winters and scorching summers, I, with my frail frame, carried dozens of pounds of gear following him, just hoping to see him smile sincerely. Who would’ve thought it was Gideon who confessed to me first? I knew about his past with Fiona and had seen him occasionally stare at their photos in a daze. So when Gideon confessed, I seriously asked him. Have you truly moved on from Fiona? At that time, he held me tightly, his tone firm. “Actually, I never loved her. I just saw her as a good friend. It’s you I love, Adeline; let’s be together.” We dated for seven years, even his friends were surprised. “He liked Fiona so much, I thought you two wouldn’t last.” But no one knew, Gideon repeatedly refused to answer my prompts about marriage. “Adeline, I’m against marriage. Can’t we just be like this forever?” Until later, when Gideon’s parents pressured him about marriage, he agreed to marry. During our honeymoon, after hearing about Fiona’s car accident, he jumped off the cruise ship, leaving only a note. The note was filled with love for Fiona, not a single word for me. At the end, he wrote in blood. “Fiona, you’re the only one I want to love in this life. Now, I’m coming for you.” My love for him turned to ashes at that moment. So, after being given a second chance, when Gideon wanted to break up, I didn’t stop him. Because I knew, I couldn’t stop it. Watching them get back together, I deleted all of Gideon’s contact information, thinking there’d be no chance to meet again in this life. But I didn’t expect to encounter them here. I wanted to leave, but Fiona wouldn’t let it go, insisting on humiliating me in front of everyone. “Do you even deserve to speak to me? Look at how you’re dressed, it’s embarrassing!” “Here’s the deal, I’ll introduce you to work as a waiter here. If you learn to serve people, you can earn a five-figure salary a month.” Someone trying to curry favor with her added with a grin. “This is a hotel in the prime location of Ocean City. Working here is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you. You should thank Miss Fiona.” Surrounded by people, I couldn’t leave, so I replied helplessly. “Thank you, but I already have a job.” “As a photographer.” I wanted to leave, but Fiona was relentless, determined to humiliate me in front of everyone. “Do you think you’re even worthy of talking to me? Look at what you’re wearing—it’s such an embarrassment!” “Here’s an idea: I can get you a job here as a waiter. If you learn to serve people, you could earn a five-figure salary.” Someone nearby, eager to curry favor with her, chimed in with a smile. “This hotel is in a prime Ocean City location. Working here is a rare opportunity for you. You should thank Miss Fiona.” Surrounded and unable to move, I reluctantly replied, “Thank you, but I already have a job.” “Photography.” As soon as I mentioned photography, Gideon glanced at me with a complex expression, his lips twitching slightly. He averted his gaze, his tone indifferent. “How much can you really earn from photography? Hobbies don’t pay the bills. Since we’re all acquaintances, I can set you up with a job.” I was taken aback, then realized he misunderstood me. My love for photography wasn’t because I still harbored feelings for Gideon. In fact, when I saw that suicide note in my previous life, I had already given up completely. When I returned to life, I found all my money had been spent on photography equipment. I couldn’t sell it second-hand, so I had no choice but to use it myself. Eventually, I genuinely fell in love with photography. This time around, it’s not about pleasing others; it’s for myself. I politely declined Gideon again, my tone courteous yet distant. “My hobby is enough to cover my expenses, but thanks for your concern.” Seeing my ingratitude, a flash of anger crossed Gideon’s face. “If you don’t seize the opportunity I’m offering, don’t come crying to me later!” I stayed silent, not telling him that now, my photography work is featured in several national publications and top international magazines. The various licensing fees add up to no less than Gideon’s income. But even if I said it, he’d probably dismiss it as boasting. After all, in my crumpled pajamas, I did look quite shabby. It’s my son’s fault; he insisted I play with him in the sandbox. When I turned around, he had slipped downstairs again. I hadn’t had time to change clothes before chasing after him. Just as I was thinking of an excuse to leave, the waiter seemed to have noticed something. He pointed at my clothes and said, “Balenciaga? Where did you find that outfit? Are you a cleaner here, stealing from guests’ rooms?” I couldn’t help but frown. “Why can’t these clothes be mine?” Fiona sneered, mocking, “Yours? Can you afford them? What wealthy person would run around dressed so casually like you?” She pretended to cover her nose. “So dirty, you probably wore it without washing.” Gideon looked at me, his eyebrows furrowed tightly. “Adeline, have you really fallen to this state and still refuse to admit it?” I didn’t want to engage with them, so I directly addressed the waiter. “If you really think I stole something, feel free to call the police now.” I knew he was trying to please Fiona by stepping on me. Sure enough, his bravado dwindled immediately as he mumbled, “If it weren’t for the big shots at the hotel today, I’d have called the police on you already.” Fiona’s eyes lit up, quickly picking up on it. “Is it Mr. Lowe? I heard he’s here in Ocean City with his family, staying at this hotel.” Gideon nodded, a look of anticipation in his eyes. “The project our company is working on would benefit greatly from the Lowe family’s support.” The mention of Mr. Lowe sparked a flurry of discussion, as if a match had been struck in dry tinder. “We’re at this banquet today hoping to meet Mr. Lowe, aren’t we? This entire building is owned by his family.” “I heard he got married and had a child in his early twenties, but who did he marry?” As the crowd was discussing, the lobby manager rushed in, sweating profusely, followed by a group of people. “Everyone, has anyone seen a seven-year-old boy around here, about this tall?” The manager, wiping his sweat, searched the hall anxiously. Someone quick on the uptake guessed immediately, seeing the big commotion. “Is it the Lowe family’s young master? I heard he’s seven this year.” The banquet guests got enthusiastic, searching everywhere. After all, finding him could be a chance to connect with the Lowe family. Gideon and Fiona joined the search, leaving me alone. I watched the chaotic hall and headed straight to the dessert area. Sure enough, I found my son there, his face covered in cream. With a stern face, I extended my hand. “Come here.” Startled, my son clung to the table leg. “No.” Just as I was about to pull him over, Fiona appeared out of nowhere, self-righteously blocking me. “Adeline, what are you doing!” “Even if you want to connect with the Lowe family, you shouldn’t lay hands on a child!” Gideon arrived upon hearing the commotion, his eyes full of disappointment as he looked at me. “Adeline, I can’t believe you’d do something like this for fame and fortune.” The waiter grabbed the manager to complain. “This woman barged into the banquet and stole another customer’s clothes!” The manager’s face turned cold immediately, calling for the security guard. “Arrest this thief and send her to the police! If she scares the young master, none of you will keep your jobs!” A satisfied gleam flashed in Fiona’s eyes as she bent down, putting on a kind face toward the Lowe family’s young master. “Come here, auntie will protect you.” My son ignored her, and to everyone’s shock, carefully reached out to hold my hand. “Mom, I know I was wrong.”

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