Author: Momo Chan

Before my mother passed away, she had wished for a grandchild. However, my wife, who disliked children, refused to have one. But when her beloved “Adeline” fell gravely ill and wanted a child to carry on his lineage, she changed her mind and decided to have a baby for him. My father-in-law was worried I might cause trouble. So, while I was volunteering in a remote countryside, he bribed a female student to falsely accuse me of misconduct. I was imprisoned and only cleared of the charges a year later. On the day my wife gave birth, my mother-in-law held her hand and reassured her: “Fiona, don’t worry. Your dad and Asher are just outside the delivery room. They won’t let him cause any trouble.” Even when the baby cried, I never appeared. My wife was pleased, thinking I had finally learned my lesson and wouldn’t make a fuss over Adeline anymore. She never understood—it’s just about leaving a child for Adeline—why couldn’t I just empathize with her? She thought generously that if I visited her in the hospital the next day, she might consider letting me be the child’s nominal father. But she didn’t know, I was completely disheartened. In ten days, I would be leaving as a volunteer teacher in a conflict zone, never intending to see her again in this life.

The day I filled out the volunteer teacher registration form was the very day Fiona Lin was discharged from the hospital. Bringing home my resignation paperwork, I witnessed their family of five in the living room, basking in joy. Fiona Lin was wearing a maternity dress, happily nestled in Asher Young’s arms. My mother-in-law fondly kissed the baby’s cheek: “Look, this child’s eyes are like Fiona’s, but the features resemble Asher. He’ll surely grow up to be a handsome young man.” My father-in-law beamed, smiling: “Yes, this child is destined for greatness. Luckily, he’s Asher’s child. If he were Ethan Quinn’s, he might have a hard life!” Hearing this, I couldn’t help but mock myself. There was a time when my father-in-law was proud of me being a teacher. During family visits, he often boasted about me. But now, everything changed. I became the target of his disdain, labeled as having a “hard life.” How ridiculous. Three years ago, when I volunteered to teach in a remote countryside, Fiona Lin, teary-eyed, said she was proud of me and would wait at home for my return. My in-laws were equally moved, praising me: “Ethan, you are the pride of Mom and Dad. We will wait for you to come back with Fiona!” When I first went, I struggled with the harsh conditions and climate, falling sick frequently, and nearly dying due to a lack of medication. But I pushed through, driven by the desire to return to my family. Until the third year of my teaching, a friend told me my wife was pregnant. “Ethan? Why didn’t you say you were coming back?” Asher Young spoke as if he were the head of the house, naturally blaming me. Fiona Lin and my in-laws turned to look at me. My father-in-law frowned, seeing my resignation papers, and reproached: “Fiona just gave birth and needs to recuperate. Raising a child requires money. You just got reinstated as a teacher, and you dare to quit?!” “Prison must have fried your brain! I must have been blind to let my daughter marry you!” Fiona Lin was also impatient, speaking coldly: “Ethan, you spent a year in jail, and the family is barely getting by! What about the child now that you don’t have a job?” Hearing this, I sneered: “Is this child mine? What does it have to do with me?” Fiona Lin’s face darkened, glaring at me: “Just because the child isn’t biologically yours, you won’t raise it? Ethan, you’re so selfish!” “Three years ago, I had a car accident. If not for Asher, I would’ve died! He has liver cancer now and is dying soon. I just wanted to give him a child to continue his bloodline. Are you really so petty and jealous?” Hearing this, mockery flashed in Asher Young’s eyes, but he feigned pitifully: “Ethan, the child will call you dad from a young age. Won’t it become your child when it grows up?” “If you’re upset because of me, I can leave. After all, I’m about to die. Just take care of my loved ones and child.” He said he would leave, but didn’t move an inch. Fiona Lin immediately held him back, her eyes full of pain: “Asher, where can you go? You don’t have much time left.” Not much time left? Diagnosed with liver cancer a year ago, yet still lively now. Is this what they call not having much time? It’s just an excuse from Fiona Lin! Fiona Lin looked at me coldly, speaking impatiently: “Ethan, if you behave and don’t cause trouble, you’ll still have a place in this family!” “In ten days, it’s the child’s one-month birthday banquet. Attend as the child’s father to avoid gossiping about our family, understand?!” Ten days from now is when I leave for overseas. Since that’s the case, I’ll give them a big gift before I go! I said nothing, turned, and went to my room.

I packed my luggage, but outside, endless laughter continued. “Asher, rest assured, I promise Ethan will only ever be the nominal father to the child. I won’t hide this from the child.” “The child will take the surname Young, not Quinn.” Hearing this, it felt like shards of glass tore through my heart, causing sharp pain. I remembered a year ago, during the New Year, when I filed a report to return from the mountains. Opening the door, I saw Asher Young. He frowned, asking who I was and who I was looking for in his house. As confusion about whether I had entered the wrong house set in, Fiona Lin walked out with a pregnant belly. Seeing me, her eyes showed no joy, only panic and helplessness. “Honey, aren’t you teaching in the mountains? Why did you suddenly come back?” Hearing this, Asher Young showed no panic but greeted me as if he were the host. “Ethan, I planned to hide it from you, but since you’re back, there’s no point.” “Let me introduce myself. I’m the biological father of the child in your wife’s belly…” He smiled as he spoke, but I couldn’t hear the rest. What did he say? Fiona Lin is pregnant with his child! Before my mother died, she longed for a grandchild. Fiona Lin coldly refused, citing her dislike for children. But now, she had an affair and conceived for this man! I lost my mind, tackling Asher Young, punching him repeatedly, venting my grievance and rage! At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to kill this shameless pair! Fiona Lin screamed, but with her pregnant belly, she dared not approach, so she called the police. The arriving officers restrained me. After understanding the situation, they awkwardly said it was a domestic issue for us to resolve. My in-laws rushed over, urging the police to arrest me for “disturbing the peace” to “cool me down.” They took Asher to the hospital with care, while the police took me away, leaving me with no home to return to, locked in a cold cell for seven days. I realized that this home no longer had a place for me. Everything about me was replaced by another. My DINK wife bore a child for him. My in-laws treated him as the perfect son-in-law. And I was nothing more than an obsolete object. Seven days later, Fiona Lin came reluctantly with her pregnant belly to pick me up. “Ethan, can you stop causing trouble? Asher is not in good health and is about to die. I just want to leave him a child before he goes.” “He’s willing to let his child call you dad, why can’t you learn from him and be more magnanimous?” Hearing this, I buried my head in darkness, my voice slightly hoarse: “Then why didn’t you want to have a child with me when my mother died?” Fiona Lin fell silent, but I already knew the answer. In that moment, I felt like a joke. I left the police station and didn’t follow Fiona Lin. After all, that was no longer my home. However, at that moment, the internet was flooded with news that my female student falsely accused me of defiling her, even producing surveillance of me leaving her house at night, but I was merely tutoring her out of kindness. Yet, no matter how I explained, it was all in vain. Everyone condemned me, the police took me, my in-laws cursed me, Fiona Lin said I was unfit to be her husband. I was jailed for a year, carrying a notorious reputation. It wasn’t until my lawyer found evidence proving the female student lied that I was exonerated, cleared of infamy, and reinstated. Fiona Lin walked in. “Ethan, at least you’re sensible. Pack up and sleep in the study. Asher and I still need to take care of the child at night.” “Asher… doesn’t have long to live. You don’t need to be jealous of a dying man. I just want him to be happy in his final days…” Fiona Lin wanted to explain more, but I didn’t want to listen. An affair is an affair. With a cold face, I took my luggage to the study. It was late; I’d find a hotel tomorrow. But just as I was about to fall asleep, indecent sounds came from the master bedroom next door. “Asher… a bit gentler, the house isn’t soundproof.” “Isn’t that better?” “Asher… he doesn’t have much time left. You don’t need to be upset over someone who’s dying. I just want him to enjoy his last days…” Fiona Lin tried to explain further, but I didn’t want to hear it. Cheating is cheating. With a cold expression, I took my luggage to the study. It was too late to find a hotel tonight; I would look for one tomorrow. Just as I was drifting off to sleep, inappropriate noises came from the master bedroom next door. “Asher… take it easy, the walls aren’t soundproof.” “Isn’t it more exciting that way?” “You’re incorrigible… I meant don’t wake the child.” So much for their happiness. Holding my wife and making sure I could hear everything—could they flaunt their joy any more? Fiona Lin, you truly are heartless.

The next day, before dawn, I took my luggage to the education bureau to finalize the paperwork. Unexpectedly, a staff member exclaimed: “Are you Teacher Ethan? It’s me, Peach! Are you… heading abroad to volunteer teach?” It turned out to be a former student who had joined the education bureau. We chatted, exchanged contact information, and I left after completing the paperwork. At the mall and supermarket, I was planning to buy gifts for children in the war zone when I unexpectedly ran into Fiona Lin with her family of five. “Ethan, what are you doing here? You’re not working as a supermarket clerk, are you?” Asher Young, looking sharp in a burgundy suit, chimed in. On hearing this, my father-in-law immediately scolded: “Ethan Quinn, have you lost your mind?” “If word gets out, you’ll disgrace the Lewis family again!” Fiona Lin, with a cold and impatient demeanor, reproached me: “I told you not to volunteer teach, but you didn’t listen! What good has it done you?” “You spent a year in jail for nothing, dragging us down with you. Now that your name is cleared, you’re not even taking your teaching job and instead working as a store clerk!” I couldn’t help but mock myself. Once, Fiona Lin said she admired people like me, ordinary yet noble. She was proud of me. But now, her tone was full of blame and disdain. Time can truly change a person, or maybe, it’s just that love is gone. My mother-in-law, holding a child, rolled her eyes at me: “When you go out, don’t say you know us. Just say you and Fiona are divorced.” “It’s embarrassing! Let’s go somewhere else, this is such bad luck.” Hearing this, Asher Young wore a mocking smile but pretended to hesitate: “Isn’t that bad? Ethan is earning money for my child’s baby formula.” “Let’s go, Asher. It’s his duty; otherwise, why would the child call him dad?” With that, Fiona Lin linked arms with Asher Young, surrounded by her parents, and left without looking back. Truly, they belong together. Since that’s the case, I’ll grant them their wish and divorce Fiona Lin! Before the one-month birthday banquet, I received a message from my lawyer. He learned from a female classmate that she was bribed by my father-in-law to slander me, asking if I wanted to sue or report it. My father-in-law paid to have me slandered and cyberbullied? I stared blankly at the message, feeling as if I had fallen into a dark hell. The insults and humiliation I suffered over the past year, and the more than three hundred days I spent in prison, were all thanks to my “beloved” father-in-law?! I clenched my fist involuntarily, wanting to rush to him and ask why he did this to me!! Just then, Fiona Lin’s family came over with the child. My father-in-law’s happy face turned dark the moment he saw me. “Ethan Quinn, you’re the child’s nominal father. It’s the child’s one-month party today. How can you be so indifferent?” “Dressing like this! Can’t you learn from Asher? You’re embarrassing us!” I stared at him, about to speak, but Asher Young immediately chimed in, dissatisfied: “Exactly! Ethan, have you been in prison so long that you’ve lost your sense of priority?! “My child’s one-month milestone, and you’re so casually dressed. Even if the child is mine, he still has to call you dad!” My mother-in-law also rolled her eyes, holding the child with a sarcastic tone: “He’s not a teacher anymore; he’s a junior store clerk. It’s normal he can’t afford good clothes.” Seeing this, Fiona Lin pulled me aside with a stern face. “Ethan Quinn, stay here, keep your head down, and don’t embarrass us.” “And after the banquet, quit that clerk job! Cry, beg, whatever, get back to teaching! Stop embarrassing me!” With that, she turned and left. Looking at their retreating figures, I was fuming with anger. They slandered me and got me imprisoned, and now they keep belittling me, wanting me to be a fool to raise their child?! Do they really think they have me cornered?! Well, I’ll give them an even bigger gift at the banquet later!

Not long after, the one-month banquet began, and the hall was filled with friends and family. “Ethan?! Ugh, how did this scumbag get out?!” “Probably here for the child, what a beast. Has a wife and child, yet violated a female student!” Those who didn’t know I was wrongfully accused recognized me and spat insults, keeping their distance. I remained expressionless, explaining nothing. Then, the staff brought in a large family photo, showing Fiona Lin and Asher Young’s family of five, but I was absent. Someone wondered, “Why isn’t Ethan Quinn in it? Who’s the guy holding his wife, is it her brother?” I smiled and responded: “That’s Fiona Lin’s husband. I’m her ex.” Hearing this, everyone around me was shocked. They whispered and spread the news throughout the hall. Sensing something was wrong, my in-laws pulled me aside, threatening: “The friends and family here don’t know you were wronged. If you keep causing trouble, don’t blame us for using this as an excuse to kick you out!” “If it weren’t for the Lewis family’s reputation, we wouldn’t let a loser like you be our grandson’s dad!” Fiona Lin also came over with a stern face: “Ethan Quinn, today is your child’s one-month party. You should know what to say and what not to say. If you speak out of line, don’t blame me for divorcing you!” I calmly nodded, assuring them I wouldn’t “cause trouble.” They let me go, and the family smiled as they went on stage. Fiona Lin took the microphone, happily saying: “Dear friends and family, welcome to my son’s one-month celebration. I believe the happiest moment in a woman’s life is marrying a good husband.” “And even happier, having a child with that husband. Because when the child appears in the world, it represents happiness becoming tangible!” She spoke passionately, occasionally gazing lovingly at Asher Young. But when her eyes landed on me, her warmth vanished instantly. Seeing this, I smiled and walked on stage, her expression changed, and she whispered cautiously: “Ethan Quinn, what are you doing?” “Today is the child’s one-month party. As your ‘husband,’ I naturally have something to say.” Fiona Lin frowned, but under the watchful eyes of all, she could only grit her teeth and warn me softly: “If you dare speak out of line, don’t blame me for never letting it go!” Not only was Fiona Lin’s face full of panic, but Asher Young and her parents were also wary. I even saw my father-in-law clench his fist, ready to stop me if I said anything wrong. I smiled faintly, reassuring them I wouldn’t speak out of line. “First, as the child’s ‘father’ and Fiona Lin’s ‘husband,’ I thank all the friends and family for coming from afar to celebrate the child’s one-month.” Seeing me so docile, Fiona Lin’s eyes flashed with joy, and she breathed a sigh of relief. But Asher Young and my in-laws showed a hint of disdain and mockery. Seeing this, I immediately changed my tone: “But I must tell everyone the truth about the child! This child isn’t mine! It’s the child of Fiona Lin and this man, Asher Young!” Hearing this, the faces of all the friends and family changed, especially those on my side, who angrily slammed the table. Seeing this, Fiona Lin immediately came to grab my microphone, Asher Young, and my in-laws frantically tried to control me. I dodged them and continued: “Fiona Lin not only had a child with someone else, but she also wanted me to claim this child and raise it for them! This is outrageous!” “As a husband, I refuse to take the blame! As a teacher, I refuse to lie and cover up!” “From today, Fiona Lin, I want a divorce!” With that, I voluntarily dropped the microphone, slamming down a divorce agreement in front of everyone. Fiona Lin quickly picked up the microphone, her eyes red with tears as she cried out to everyone: “Ethan Quinn! What nonsense are you talking about! It’s not like you said!” I sidestepped their attempts to interrupt and continued speaking: “Fiona Lin didn’t just have a child with someone else; now she wants me to accept and raise this child. It’s absolutely preposterous!” “As a husband, I won’t take the fall for their actions! And as a teacher, I refuse to lie and cover for them!” “From today onwards, Fiona Lin, I want a divorce!” With that, I set down the microphone and presented a divorce agreement on the table for all to see. Fiona Lin quickly picked up the microphone, tears brimming in her eyes as she cried out to everyone: “Ethan Quinn! What are you saying? That’s not true at all!” My father-in-law, furious, grabbed my shirt and slammed me onto the table, shouting: “You little scoundrel, I knew you had bad intentions!” “Friends and family, don’t believe him! He’s lying! Watch me deal with this deceitful scum who even preys on his female students!” He grabbed a bottle of liquor, ready to smash it over my head! Just then, the doors burst open, and a group of police officers rushed in! “Stop!” Seeing the police, my father-in-law was momentarily stunned but then laughed heartily: “Ethan Quinn! You’ve done wrong for so long, and now it’s catching up to you! Look, the police have come to arrest you!” “Officer, quickly take this criminal away!” My mother-in-law had a grim expression as well. “Ethan Quinn, this is your comeuppance! The law won’t let any wrongdoer go unpunished! This proves that Asher Young is the better son-in-law for us!” Hearing this, I smirked, “Oh really? Are you sure the police are here for me?” The next moment, the police approached and presented an arrest warrant, but the suspect’s name wasn’t mine. “Gideon Lin! You’re suspected of false accusations and framing! Please come with us for questioning!”

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In the fifth year of my marriage to Gregory Chapman, the girl he kept in a hotel was exposed, and it became public knowledge. To keep her from being labeled as the other woman, Gregory came to me holding the divorce papers and said, “Her father, Harold Palmer, helped me back in the day. Before he passed, he asked me to take care of Alice. Now that this has come to light, I can’t just ignore it.”  Over the years, Alice Palmer had always been Gregory’s first choice. In my past life, when I heard this, I broke down, yelling and refusing to divorce him. It wasn’t until I fell into severe depression that Gregory, after hearing Alice say, “Katherine doesn’t look like she’s sick,” concluded that I was faking my illness. He thought I was just playing hard to get and setting me up to accuse me of cheating, and he filed for divorce. It was then that I realized I could never compete with a favor owed. In despair, I tried to take my own life. When I opened my eyes again, I didn’t hesitate to sign those divorce papers.

“Katherine, after this is all over, will you remarry me?” I was sitting on a stone bench in the villa garden, lost in thought when Gregory and Alice walked up to me. Just three hours ago, Alice was exposed by the paparazzi as Gregory’s lover. The whole internet dug into her past, calling her the mistress who ruined the sweet love between Gregory and me, a homewrecker. Gregory’s image as the loving husband collapsed, and the Chapman Group’s stock began to tumble. In my past life, when Gregory came to me with those divorce papers, I was furious. I tore up the roses he had planted for me in the yard and screamed at him, demanding to know his relationship with Alice. She was just the daughter of his mentor. There were a million ways he could have handled this. But he chose to sacrifice me. He did it only to avoid worsening Alice’s depression. What he didn’t know was that, during the media frenzy, I had been diagnosed with moderate depression. “Katherine,” Gregory called my name again, pulling me out of my daze. I looked down at the divorce papers on the stone table. He kneeled on one knee before me, his deep eyes fixed on mine. His warm hand gently covered my hand, his tone coaxing and gentle. “Katherine, please, for me, will you? “We’ll tell everyone that our marriage was already on the rocks. We planned to divorce a year ago but just didn’t find the right time.” I stayed silent. Behind him, Alice, dressed in a white dress with Gregory’s jacket draped over her shoulders, had pale lips and red, swollen eyes. “Katherine, please help me,” she pleaded, her voice weak, tears in her eyes. “My mother killed herself because of online bullying and depression. I don’t want to follow in her footsteps. Please, Katherine, I’m begging you…” Just as Alice was about to kneel, Gregory quickly stood up, caught her, and held her close. His face darkened as he softly scolded, “What are you doing?” Alice swallowed, her voice still trembling with emotion. She looked down with her tearful eyes. “I… I just want Katherine to feel better.” Gregory’s expression grew impatient, and he looked at me, the tenderness in his gaze fading completely. “Katherine, I didn’t come here to negotiate. “I’ve already made up my mind. If you’re unwilling to divorce, don’t blame me…” I slowly looked up to meet his gaze. His words stopped, but I knew what he was about to say. He wanted to say, “Katherine, you know my methods. I have countless ways to make you sign those papers. “If we go to court, you won’t win against the Chapman Group’s lawyers.” Those were his exact words in my past life. Eventually, I was set up and sent to the beds of several male models with proof of my affair. Overnight, I became the adulterous woman, publicly humiliated, while he and Alice were seen as innocent victims. “I can sign the papers, but you have to promise me one thing,” after a long pause, I spoke.

Gregory glanced at me and then nodded in agreement. He handed me the pen, and without any change in my expression, I signed my name on the divorce agreement. “Aren’t you going to look over the agreement again?” Gregory asked, furrowing his brow. I smiled faintly, “No need.” He left with almost nothing, giving up all his assets to me, just for Alice, just to repay a past kindness. “Take some time tomorrow to go to the courthouse,” he said. “Okay,” I replied. Gregory paused for a moment with the divorce papers in his hand. He looked at me, his eyes filled with confusion, but in the end, he said nothing. As they were leaving, Alice turned around and shot me a mocking glance, her lips silently moving. “You lost.” I did lose. I lost last time, so now I didn’t want to lose anymore. After a while, my phone lit up with a message from Gregory. [I’m sorry for making you go through this today, Katherine.] [Once this is all over, I’ll throw you a grand wedding, and we’ll remarry.] [I couldn’t just stand by and watch Alice’s depression worsen. You understand, don’t you?] I read his message and couldn’t help but smile, tears welling in my eyes. It was the same in my past life. To force me into a divorce, Gregory had his friends come up with schemes and then got so drunk. But he forgot, his friends were also my friends. Arthur Dodson had tried to persuade Gregory, telling him not to sacrifice his marriage just for Alice. Then, he came to me, trying to get me to understand Gregory, saying that he was a good man. If it hadn’t been for Alice’s father recognizing Gregory’s abilities, investing in him, and helping him start his business, Gregory wouldn’t be where he was today. Back then, I had cried and argued back. “Gregory could have cleared things up a thousand different ways. Why did it have to be a divorce?” Arthur fell silent. He had asked Gregory, and Gregory had replied at the time. “There has to be someone I let down, so I’ll make Katherine suffer. She loves me, and she’ll understand.” Because I loved him, I sacrificed myself. Where was the fairness in that? Luckily, I still had a chance.

When it came to anything involving Alice, Gregory always acted quickly. Just hours after signing the divorce papers with me, he arranged a press conference and sent his assistant to invite me to attend and clarify things. I hadn’t even said a word yet. The assistant thought I might refuse, but fortunately, he relayed Gregory’s message to me. He said, “Ms. Buckley, you should attend this press conference. Even if it’s not for Mr. Chapman, at least for your reputation.” I paused for a moment and then gave a cynical laugh. Gregory was threatening me. He was trying to use the same tactics he had in my past life to force me into submission, to smear my name, and let me struggle under public opinion. In the end, I would have no choice but to give in. I still couldn’t figure out whether Gregory saw me as his wife or as his enemy… Now, he wanted to publicly clarify his relationship with me. I had no choice either. The press conference was held in the grand lobby of Jymara’s most luxurious hotel, with only the most influential reporters invited. When Alice appeared in a dress, arm-in-arm with Gregory, the reporters swarmed them. Gregory instinctively shielded Alice, stepping in front of her to block the microphones with a smile. “I’ll answer all your questions one by one. Please give us some space.” His voice was gentle, and as he looked up, he happened to meet my eyes. I was surrounded by reporters. At that moment, I actually hoped Gregory would step in and help me out of this situation. But the next second… He calmly shifted his gaze away, his smile still present as he held Alice’s hand and walked onto the stage as if he hadn’t seen me at all. I gave a bitter laugh. The reporter closest to me seemed to be an intern, nervously handing me the microphone and asking. “Ms. Buckley, is it true that you’re divorced from Mr. Chapman?” “Yes,” I smiled and nodded in response. The intern adjusted her glasses. “But you met Mr. Chapman in high school, dated for seven years, and were married for five. “Mr. Chapman even bought you an island last month, spending a fortune, and named it after you.” I kept smiling, but it was not a warm one. “That’s what he owes me.” To make up for missing my birthday while caring for the sick Alice, he gave me that gift. In my past life, I had even felt proud of that gesture, only to later learn that the idea was Arthur’s, the island was picked by Gregory’s assistant, and Gregory didn’t even know where it was. “Do you still love Mr. Chapman?”  She looked at me nervously, and the reporters around me fell silent. Even Gregory, on stage, looked at me. His brows furrowed slightly. I met his gaze for a moment and then smiled and said, “Not anymore.”

I didn’t stay for the rest of the interview. After Gregory clarified that our marriage had been falling apart for over a year, I left. Overnight, I became Gregory’s dumped woman. Meanwhile, Alice became the only victim of this public scandal. That interview stayed pinned on social media for days, and the buzz didn’t die down. Especially the part where Gregory said: [Katherine and I had already planned to divorce a year ago, but it wasn’t the right time.] [We wanted to handle it quietly, but now it has affected others, so we had to clarify things publicly.] [Alice is not the cause of our breakup.] [She is the only person my mentor cares about in this world. I take care of her, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I hope everyone can look at this rationally.] Some fans, led by this, claimed that the reason our relationship fell apart was because I couldn’t stand the idea of Gregory’s pure sibling bond with Alice and that I was too petty, unable to understand his deep loyalty. They said I was small-minded, and after five years of marriage, I hadn’t learned Gregory’s sense of loyalty and care. The topic kept gaining traction for days. I became the target of public scorn. After getting the divorce certificate from the courthouse, I walked out. Gregory stopped me. “Don’t take what’s said online to heart. It won’t be long before everyone forgets about it.” I stopped in my tracks and couldn’t help but laugh lightly. How was it that the difference was so stark, even though we were both being slandered online? “Katherine, the Christmas is only two months away. “Why don’t we remarry early next year?” He looked at me, stepping closer, but I took a step back and, with a calm expression, turned my gaze to the reporters not far away, blocked by the bodyguards. Gregory seemed to sense that it wasn’t the right moment and stopped in his tracks. “Gregory, I’m going back to Gerelden.” “You really haven’t been back in a long time. It might be good for you to visit. When Christmas comes, I’ll come to pick you up…”  “I’m not going back to Jymara,” I calmly interrupted Gregory. His faint smile froze on his face, and his eyes were filled with confusion. I continued, “When I agreed to sign the divorce agreement, you promised me something. Now, it’s time to fulfill that promise.” Gregory stared at me, stunned. When I first came back to life this time, it only took me a few seconds to digest my feelings of love and resentment towards Gregory. The moment I saw the divorce papers, I considered going crazy and tearing them up, maybe even causing more trouble with him. But in the end, reason prevailed. After a long silence, I smiled. “Gregory, I hope you never show up in front of me again.”

After Katherine finished speaking and disappeared into the crowd, Gregory was left frozen, unable to react. For a brief moment, he felt a strange panic, as if he were about to lose something incredibly important. It was the same feeling he had when Katherine calmly signed the divorce papers, a quiet unease in his heart. She hadn’t yelled or caused a scene. It seemed as though she had already predicted the outcome. But just not long ago, Katherine had been furious with him for forgetting her birthday, causing a huge uproar. He even got slapped by her. He had thought when he brought up about faking the divorce, Katherine would have gone crazy, causing a scene, and he was even prepared for it. But she didn’t. She picked up the pen. Her expression was calm. At that moment, he had thought about stopping her, but in the end, he did nothing. He convinced himself it was okay, that Katherine loved him. They were only faking it, and after things settled down, he would propose to her again, giving her the marriage she deserved. But Alice was different. She couldn’t be hurt because of him. If it hadn’t been for Alice’s father recognizing his talent all those years ago, taking the risk of being kicked out of the shareholders’ meeting to invest in his project, and helping him grow and rise as a new force in Jymara, he wouldn’t have achieved what he had today. He didn’t deserve Alice. Before Alice’s father passed away, he had asked him to protect Alice, to ensure she lived a peaceful life. He didn’t want to be the kind of person who betrayed his word. Arthur had once asked him, “If one day, both Alice and Katherine fall off a cliff, who would you save?” At the time, he laughed, thinking the question was beneath him. He would save Alice, but he would die with Katherine. Arthur laughed along but then asked, “But what if Katherine doesn’t want to die? “Gregory, you can’t always take Katherine’s love for granted. If she can’t feel your love, she will despair.” At the time, he didn’t take his words seriously. He had never even considered them important. He didn’t expect it, but in the end, his words came true.

That night, Gregory returned to the villa. Since their marriage, Katherine had always lived in the villa halfway up the mountain. She was an outstanding artist. At the age of ten, her extraordinary landscape oil painting earned her the title of a young prodigy, and everyone believed she would become a leader in the art world. In fact, she did. However, after marriage, Katherine’s style changed and was never the same again. Her teacher tried to guide her but had little effect. Eventually, Katherine gave up painting, even resisting picking up a brush. Gregory walked into Katherine’s studio. When he saw the landscape painting on the easel, he froze for a moment. A few simple strokes, yet it was vivid and lifelike. The maid, Joan Cross, noticing the light in the studio, came over and was surprised when she saw Gregory. “Mr. Chapman.” Gregory looked up. “When did Mrs. Chapman paint this?” The maid, Joan, answered, “The day you came back with Ms. Palmer.” Gregory nodded and tried to smile, but it wouldn’t come. He left the studio and went to the room he had shared with Katherine. Despite telling himself countless times that he and Katherine were only pretending to be divorced, he kept reminding himself that once the storm passed, he would propose to her again, giving her the grand wedding she deserved. But somehow, he couldn’t shake the feeling of something being wrong. His heart always felt empty. Today, he took Katherine’s words as nothing more than the nonsense she spoke when angry. He wondered how Jymara had their home and how she could not come back. The door to the master bedroom was suddenly knocked on. Gregory, sitting at the end of the bed, looked up to see Alice. She was dressed in a thin outfit, her face slightly flushed, standing at the door, silently watching Gregory. “What are you doing here?” Alice bit her lip. “I was scared of being alone at the hotel, so I came to find you. “Is it…?” She looked down as she spoke, “Did I… disturb you?” Gregory furrowed his brows slightly but still said, “It’s fine. It’s just a little late. “I’ll have Joan prepare a guest room for you. You can stay there for now.” As he was about to call Joan, Alice stepped forward, entering the room, her soft, tender eyes fixed on Gregory. “Gregory, I don’t want to stay in the guest room. “Is that okay?” she asked softly, her voice tentative. Gregory’s brows furrowed deeper. He opened his mouth to refuse, but when he met her slightly reddened eyes, his resolve softened.

The plane landed in Gerelden, and Edward Fleming was there to pick me up. When he was eighteen, he had been falsely accused of assault after saving a girl and was sentenced to three years. Because of his criminal record, no company would hire him. I met him at an art exhibition. He never spoke to anyone and always kept his head down. When others approached him, he would only shrink back in fear. Then, one night, on my way home, I was accosted by some thugs and nearly assaulted. He happened to pass by, and I thought he would ignore me. But he didn’t. Without a moment’s hesitation, he intervened. That night, I asked him, “What if I sue you?” He gave a wry smile. “Then I’d accept it.” I used my family’s influence to clear his name, and when the truth came out, he stood from afar, looking at me with reddened eyes, bowing to thank me. Three years in prison hadn’t dulled his kindness. My father, grateful for how he had saved me, offered him a job and brought him into the company. Starting from the ground up, now he was my father’s most trusted assistant. “Ms. Buckley, long time no see,” Edward said, wearing a trench coat and casually taking my suitcase. I nodded, inexplicably feeling tears in my eyes. Five years ago, after I married Gregory, I went north with him. In my previous life, when I got into trouble, he had been sent by my father to Anloria for closed training. I never saw Edward again until today. “Ms. Buckley, are you leaving again after coming back this time?” he asked. “No, I’m not leaving,” I replied. Edward smiled, “Mr. Buckley was very happy when he found out you were back.” Suddenly, I froze for a moment. My hand, which had been in my pocket, clenched involuntarily, and a bitter feeling rose in my chest. Back then, my divorce with Gregory had been the talk of the town. My father, fearing I’d be wronged, had flown to Jymara overnight. He tried to persuade me earnestly. “Gregory always thinks things through poorly. “Back then, he chose to cooperate with that old man from the Palmer family instead of accepting your help. To put it nicely, he didn’t want to rely on you, but let’s face it, wasn’t he relying on the Palmer family’s investment? “Katherine, if you’re divorced, then so be it. Gregory isn’t right for you.” He wanted to take me back to Gerelden, but I refused, crying and begging to stay. With tears in my eyes, I said, “I love Gregory. I don’t want a divorce. “Why should I sacrifice myself to fulfill his favor? Even if he pushes me to death, I won’t divorce. I’m not leaving.”

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To help Adeline rise to fame, my wife drugged me and handed me over to be a subject in her human research experiment. In my previous life, I pleaded with my wife to spare me, but she looked at me with disdain and said, “Can’t you stop being so selfish? Can’t you bear to see others succeed?” Ultimately, I was tortured to death by her beloved Adeline. As I lay dying, covered in blood, she was cozy in Adeline’s arms. But fate took pity on me, granting me a second chance at life. This time, I vow to make that deceitful pair pay for their blood debt. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself hovering beside Cora. I watched her anxiously pacing outside the laboratory door. I’d never seen such concern on her face before. Whenever she faced me, there was only sarcasm and disdain. The door opened. Cora immediately rushed to the door and grabbed Declan’s hand, asking with concern, “Declan, how did it go? Was the experiment successful?” Declan didn’t look too pleased. He forced a smile and said, “Sorry, Cora, the experiment failed again. The subject’s rejection response was too strong, and none of the drugs worked.” The “subject” he mentioned was me. The reason I became his human research subject was that my wife had lost her mind. She was so obsessed with supporting her beloved Adeline’s career that she was willing to sacrifice my life. She drugged my coffee and personally delivered me to the operating table. As she left, I begged her not to do it, “Declan’s not performing a legitimate surgery! I’ll die here!” But all I got was her cold response: “You’re lucky he’s doing an experiment on you. Instead of thanking me, you’re being ungrateful.” “You’re full of lies, always talking about life and death to scare me. It won’t work! Even if you die, I won’t care!” With that, she left, her high heels echoing her departure. I could only watch as Declan’s scalpel cut into my skin, the last scene I saw in my previous life. At this moment, Cora had long forgotten about my safety. No, to be accurate, she never cared. She tenderly caressed Declan’s cheek, comforting him, “Declan, the experiment will definitely succeed.” Declan sighed, “Cora, even though you brought Jasper Grey, I still failed. I’m sorry I let you down…” He slumped into a chair, seemingly full of guilt. But I knew it was a ploy to gain Cora’s sympathy, a trick he’d used many times. Sure enough, Cora frowned and sat beside him, resting her head on his shoulder, “It’s okay, Declan. Jasper Grey, that selfish liar, should be honored to contribute to your research.” “If it failed, it’s just because his body couldn’t handle it. It’s not your fault!” Having shared a bed with her for years, I didn’t expect her to love me as I loved her, but this was too cruel. She seemed to forget I was lying on a cold dissection table. She began insulting me, just as she had defended Declan countless times before. I clenched my fists tightly, watching the harmonious scene unfold, anger surging through me. Suddenly, a white light appeared, and the Grim Reaper walked up to me, handing me two wooden plaques. Two choices appeared before my eyes. Reincarnation or rebirth for revenge?

I was reborn, back to before the human experiment. The surgery hadn’t started yet. I stabbed my thigh with a small knife to wake myself from the sedative quickly. I hid behind a wall, watching Declan take off his protective clothing and naturally hold Cora’s hand as they walked out. Cora wore a sweet smile, full of girlish tenderness. My heart ached. Deceitful pair. In my previous life, I deceived myself, believing Cora’s lies, thinking they were just close friends and had done nothing wrong, which led to my tragic end. In this life, I won’t deceive myself anymore. As Declan walked, he sighed, and Cora immediately noticed, asking with concern, “Declan, what’s wrong?” A sly look flashed in Declan’s eyes, “Cora, won’t Jasper Grey argue with you for tricking him here? It’s my fault for upsetting him…” He inadvertently revealed the scars on his arm. Sure enough, Cora immediately grabbed his hand, asking anxiously, “What happened? You were fine before you went in!” Declan quickly pretended to be flustered, pulling back his arm and shaking his head with a bitter smile, “It’s nothing… You know he doesn’t like me, so when I was focused on the surgery, he found an opportunity to scratch me. But it’s okay now, you see.” Cora’s face darkened quickly. She gritted her teeth and said viciously, “He’s a mad dog! With so many bacteria in the lab, what if you get infected? He wants you dead! How can he be so vile!” “I knew he’d use such underhanded tactics. He even accused you of doing an illegitimate surgery, that liar!” As she spoke, her face turned red with anger. I stood aside, feeling colder with each word. In my previous life, everyone saw how I treated Cora. Even if I wasn’t romantic, my character was well-known. Besides, Cora should think about it, how could I, in a sedated state, possibly scratch Declan? It was clearly Declan who scratched himself before leaving the lab. Yet Cora bought it, cursing me all the way, her words more hurtful with each step. Declan enjoyed it, grinning several times. His smug face made me want to tear him apart. As they reached the car, a tall figure suddenly charged out, punching Declan and knocking him to the ground. Cora glared angrily at the man before her, “Finn! What’s wrong with you?” Finn was my junior at work, someone who learned the ropes from me and was a good friend in life. At that moment, his eyes were red with rage as he stared at Cora, “Cora, you beast! You brought Jasper here! Don’t you know how much Declan hates him? You’re heartless! Do you want him dead? Where is he?” Cora helped Declan up from the ground, retorting defiantly, “Are you crazy? Declan is a future genius scientific researcher! Jasper is lucky to contribute! Besides, it’s just a research project. How can it be fatal?” “You’re just like him, full of nonsense and violence! You two are the real beasts!”

Finn laughed at her words, pulling out his phone and pointing at Declan, “Bullshit! The lab called me to save Jasper, where’s my brother?” Declan, on the ground, spoke up, clutching his swollen cheek with a pitiful voice, “I know you don’t like me, but you can’t slander my innocence. This experiment’s drug will only make Jasper healthier, not harm him…” “He’s Cora’s husband. How could I harm him?” At that moment, I truly admired Declan’s acting skills. It’s a shame he didn’t pursue an acting career. After Finn’s words, Cora’s face showed disdain, “I see, you said all this to get me to see Jasper, didn’t you? He put you up to this, didn’t he? Hah, you’ll say anything to get my attention.” She tossed her hair and said to Finn, “Tell him to give up! If he keeps causing trouble, I’ll divorce him! He better not push his luck!” Finn glared at them, rushing into the lab. They didn’t find me, and I held back from appearing. Now wasn’t the time. I stood in the shadows, watching the deceitful pair with a cold smile, thinking: “Cora! Remember what you said today, I won’t let you off!” With that, I left quickly. On the streets, my mind raced. In my past life, I loved Cora for years, always dedicated, yet ended up like this. Hatred filled my heart as I returned home, secretly installing surveillance. I knew that once I disappeared, with Cora’s nature, she’d become even more blatant, possibly bringing her Adeline home. I rented a room across the street and watched for three days. Sure enough, Cora eventually brought Declan home, into our home. Watching them holding hands in familiar surroundings on the monitor, hatred consumed me. I recalled how, after graduation, I worked tirelessly to ensure Cora wouldn’t suffer when she married me, working late nights. Sometimes until dawn, taking on side jobs secretly. Eventually, I bought this house in full, thinking it would bring a smile to Cora’s face. But she frequently stayed out all night, leaving only a cold emptiness when I returned home. As anticipated, Cora eventually brought Declan back to our home. Watching them through the surveillance camera, holding hands in the familiar setting, I was overwhelmed by a surge of resentment. I recalled my previous life, freshly graduated and working relentlessly to ensure Cora would have a comfortable life with me. I often burned the midnight oil, working late into the night. Sometimes, I’d work until dawn, picking up extra jobs in secret. I finally managed to buy this house outright, hoping to see a smile on Cora’s face once she moved in. Yet, she frequently stayed out all night, leaving me to return to a cold, empty house. On the surveillance camera, Declan entered without the slightest hesitation, heading straight for the sofa like he was familiar with the place. He even went directly to the fruit cabinet, taking out some fruit to eat. After entering, Cora smiled warmly at him on the sofa, saying, “I remembered you like these, so I bought them to suit your taste. This way, you won’t dislike the fruits here every time you visit.” Declan nodded and responded, “Cora, I always knew you were the best to me.” Then his eyes drifted to the floor, and he frowned, “Why is this vase still here? It’s such a nuisance!” I was taken aback. What did he mean? How did Declan know about the vase? Wasn’t this his first time here? Without any hesitation, Cora stepped forward, picked up the vase, and smashed it on the floor. The shards scattered everywhere, but Cora looked at them emotionlessly. Then she fetched cleaning tools and swept the pieces into the trash can, saying, “If you don’t like it, we won’t keep it. I think it’s disgusting too.” I stood there, staring at the shattered vase. The entire house was designed according to Cora’s preferences. All the furniture was bought under her guidance; the vase was the only item I managed to keep after much argument. Despite her many taunts, I couldn’t bring myself to remove it. I never imagined that just because of a single word from Declan, Cora would destroy my vase without a second thought. She clearly didn’t care if I would argue with her upon my return. After all, I loved her so much that I couldn’t even bring myself to say harsh words, let alone argue. It was my love that gave her such confidence. Looking at the broken pieces on the floor, Declan smiled smugly but pretended to be troubled and said, “Won’t Jasper be upset when he comes back? After all, he seemed to like that vase. What if he scolds me? I’m so scared…” After saying this, he snuggled into Cora’s arms, pretending to still be haunted by me. Cora merely scoffed, “How dare he? What right does he have to scold you? You’re too kind, letting him bully you like this!” As she spoke, her chest heaved violently as if just mentioning my name made her uncomfortable. Declan nodded, lowered his eyelashes, and said, “Thank you, Cora. You’re really good to me. Without your support, I wouldn’t have been able to establish this research institute…” Cora smiled, “What are you saying? My money is your money. Who else should I be good to if not you?” Hearing “her money,” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Since marrying me, Cora had stopped working and spent her days shopping and playing around. All the money was from me. Ever since Declan returned from abroad, her expenses skyrocketed. Maintaining it was already taxing for me. I was initially suspicious, but now I knew she used the money to support Declan! Declan held her hand tightly, “Cora, once I make more money, I’ll ensure you live a good life. You won’t need to stay with him for money. I’ll make you happy.” Cora was so moved she couldn’t say a word, nodding with tears in her eyes. Watching them, I couldn’t hold back my urge to curse, so I closed my eyes to avoid looking at them. Night fell, and I ordered some takeout while continuing to monitor my home. I saw Cora preparing a table full of dishes, inviting Declan to sit, and smiling as she said: “Declan, do you remember what day it is? It’s our sixth anniversary.” She placed a piece of pork rib in his bowl, watching him eat with satisfaction. She looked every bit the virtuous wife. I felt an indescribable sadness. After being together for so many years, she had never cooked for me. She hadn’t even stepped into the kitchen; I had handled all the household chores alone. I thought she couldn’t cook, but she just didn’t want to cook for me. Declan raised his wine glass, smiling as he said: “Of course, I remember, Cora. Thank you for entering my life. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to hold on many times.” Seeing his tears about to fall, Cora held him tightly, comforting him: “Declan, I’ll never leave you.” Upon hearing this, Declan lifted his face to look at her and said: “Cora, I actually came today to discuss something with you.” At this moment, no matter the request, even if it was the moon in the sky, Cora would give it to him without hesitation if Declan asked. She cradled his face, constantly caressing it: “Declan, what are you saying? Your matters are my matters. What can’t you tell me?” Declan hesitated for a moment and then said: “Recently, my lab wants to start a new project. I’ve already discussed it with the folks abroad. We just need the funds to start. I wanted to borrow some money from you…” Sure enough, Cora agreed without hesitation: “That’s not a problem. If you need money, I’ll fully support you! After all, you’re doing something profitable, much better than Jasper being stuck as a junior employee forever!” I was left speechless. Cora seemed to forget that both she and Declan were supported by me, the “junior employee.” How could she look down on me now? Declan coughed and said: “This time, the amount is quite large. I’ve gathered a portion, but I’m still short a few hundred thousand. So, I thought…” Cora froze; it was indeed not a small amount. Declan noticed her unease and sighed: “Never mind, it really is too much. I’ll think of another way.” But Cora wouldn’t really abandon him. She grasped his hand and smiled: “No problem. Jasper recently bought a new car. I’ll have him mortgage it for you.” Declan said excitedly: “Really? Let’s hurry to the bank!” But Cora pulled out her phone, dialing as she said: “I need to ask Jasper where the car keys and stuff are. Let me call him and ask where he is.” My phone rang in my pocket. Cora gestured for Declan to sit down, smugly waiting for me to rush to answer her call, then dutifully hand over the car keys. Unfortunately, that was the past. “Hello.” I adjusted the voice changer to a sweet, sticky female voice, and spoke with it.

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During a social gathering with friends, my husband’s former classmate sat on his lap and shared a drink. I didn’t think much of it. After all, if my husband were to like someone, it certainly wouldn’t be her. He often complained to me: “I can’t fathom how she got into college with her intellect!” “Every time, I have to fix her mistakes. She never knows anything and is as clueless as a pig.” Everyone knew he disliked her. Yet later, when her parents pressured her into marriage, he was moved to tears and spent a fortune to secure her freedom. Jasper Grey found himself entangled with a former classmate, who insisted he was the only one she would marry. Adeline Blake was the classmate in question. They were paired up for a graduation project. At the time, Jasper and I weren’t married, but we were already living together. Initially, Jasper complained to me daily, criticizing Adeline for her lack of intelligence. “I can’t believe she got into college. She can’t even manage basic calculations!” “Every time, I have to clean up her mess. She never knows the answer to the professor’s questions and is as clueless as a pig.” “I can’t take it anymore. If she holds back our team again, I’ll ask the professor to replace her!” … He complained incessantly but never replaced her. After graduation, I married Jasper, and he became the CEO of Grey Enterprises. However, Adeline’s name kept cropping up between us. One day, after returning from a class reunion, I could tell Jasper was upset. When he’s in a bad mood, his brows furrow slightly, and there’s a hint of irritation in his eyes. While he was showering, I secretly looked at his phone. The pinned message was from Adeline. I didn’t open it, but I saw her message saying, “Upperclassman, after graduation, I’m going back home to get married.” My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t understand why Adeline needed to inform Jasper of her post-graduation plans or whom she was marrying. Especially after their reunion. That night, as Jasper lay beside me, his hands wandered. I wasn’t in the mood, so I couldn’t help but ask about Adeline. “Isn’t she your classmate? Why does she need to inform you if she’s going back home to get married?” I thought Jasper would immediately clarify to prevent any misunderstanding. But he suddenly sat up and looked at me with angry eyes, “Did you check my phone?” His outburst caught me off guard. The man who was so tender moments ago was now full of anger. I was bewildered and looked at him helplessly. Realizing his overreaction, Jasper quickly tried to soothe me, “I’m sorry, honey. I was in a bad mood today and took it out on you. Please don’t be upset.” He gently consoled me while explaining, “Adeline isn’t very bright. I didn’t even talk to her today, and she sent me that message. Who knows what she means?” Afraid I wouldn’t believe him, he showed me his chat history with Adeline. Their last conversation was six months ago. “She’s incredibly dense, can’t get anything right. Going back home to get married is good; at least she won’t be a nuisance to others.” He spoke with undisguised disdain, but it felt like a thorn in my heart that I couldn’t touch or remove. I didn’t know when, but Jasper’s attitude toward Adeline had subtly changed. In the first year after graduation, Jasper attended a friend’s gathering, and I didn’t hear from him until midnight. Just as I was debating whether to call him, I saw a friend’s social media post. In the photo, Jasper was sitting on a sofa with Adeline on his lap. They were linking arms, sharing a drink. Honestly, Adeline wasn’t particularly attractive—skinny and small, appearing malnourished. Among Jasper’s female classmates, she was unremarkable. To be honest, I agreed to Jasper’s pursuit because of his looks. There’s a saying online: even if you don’t consider family background, think about your kids’ genes. Plus, Jasper was outstanding and a good choice. And among the girls who pursued Jasper, they were either rich and beautiful or high-valued beauties. Yet he didn’t choose any of them, so why would he be interested in someone as unremarkable as Adeline? So when I saw that picture, I wasn’t too rattled. Before the gathering, Jasper had specifically told me Adeline would be there. He assured me he wouldn’t speak more than a word to her. So seeing that photo, I instinctively thought it was Adeline clinging to him. Because when I went to find Jasper, I had encountered Adeline a few times. She wore a worn-out white T-shirt, ill-fitting jeans, no makeup, and up close, you could see freckles on her face. Among a group of young, beautiful, vibrant female college students, she didn’t stand out. And Adeline would always avoid eye contact when she saw me. Due to Adeline’s calculation error, the whole team had to start over. She was teary-eyed, quietly apologizing to everyone, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” Back then, as the team leader, Jasper threw the data sheet at her face, “What’s wrong with you? Can’t handle the basics? If you can do it, do it. If not, leave!” Adeline was crying but bit her lip to hold back her sobs. She was so ordinary, so plain, even hard to spot in a crowd. So initially, I felt no threat from her. I thought Jasper truly disliked her. But how did things change in just a year? He even irrationally spent a million on her.

I asked a friend to investigate the situation. It turned out Adeline’s parents favored her brother over her. To gather a dowry for her brother, they pressured Adeline to return home and marry right after graduation. Initially, Adeline refused to go back, but her parents somehow found out where she worked and caused a scene at her company. They introduced her to an older divorced man, whose ex-wife left because he was abusive. When Adeline refused to return, they physically assaulted her and even forced her boss to fire her. Jasper’s upperclasswoman, who worked at the same company as Adeline, informed him of the situation. Jasper dropped his company business, not only saving Adeline but also transferring a million to her parents. The condition was that they wouldn’t bother her anymore. When I received the notification of the transfer, I was shocked. Before I could message Jasper, he texted me first. “Honey, something urgent came up. I’ll explain when I get home tonight.” I thought there was an issue at work, so I rushed to the office. But when the elevator doors opened, I saw Jasper carrying Adeline like a princess, walking towards his office. My legs felt like lead, unable to move. I watched as Jasper laid Adeline on the sofa and gently kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone bully you.” He tenderly wiped the blood off her face with his jacket. I stood there for a long time, unable to process what I was seeing. I never imagined infidelity would happen to me, especially with someone I didn’t even consider a threat. It’s not that a “Cinderella” doesn’t deserve love. But she shouldn’t use her vulnerability as a way to intrude on my marriage. I laughed at myself. So this was his urgent matter. On the way home, I held back the sting in my eyes. My heart thudded with resentment with every beat. At home, I saw the freshly pressed suit I had prepared for Jasper still hanging. Suddenly, I felt so ridiculous. I tore the suit from the hanger, cut it to pieces with scissors, and threw it in the trash. If he likes trash, let him stay in the trash. After all, trash and the trash can are a perfect match!

Jasper didn’t come back until midnight. I didn’t greet him at the door like usual. And the first thing he did after coming home was head to the bathroom to wash up. I saw his phone light up with a message from Lydia Bennett. I felt the name was familiar. I recalled she was also part of the graduation project group. I listened to the running water from the bathroom, picked up his phone, and entered the password. But when I saw the chat with Lydia, my breath caught. The room was silent, except for the water and my heavy heartbeat. “Adeline is a good girl. When we worked on the research together, I could see she liked you.” “Seeing you married, she hid her feelings. She planned to go back home to not disturb you, or she wouldn’t have gotten tangled up with her parents.” “She sacrificed so much for you. I don’t believe you can’t feel her love.” “Treasure the one in front of you. If you miss out, you’ll regret it forever.” Jasper’s reply was simple. Just one word: “Okay.” The only sounds in the room were the running water from the bathroom and the echo of my pounding heartbeat. “Adeline Blake is a good girl. When we did research together, it was clear she had feelings for you.” “She saw you get married and kept her feelings hidden. If she wasn’t afraid of interfering, she wouldn’t be planning to go back home, nor would she be tangled up with her parents.” “She’s sacrificed so much for you. I can’t believe you haven’t felt her love.” “Treasure the person in front of you, or you’ll regret it for a lifetime.” Here was Jasper Grey’s response. A simple “okay.” But it shattered all my fantasies about love. With every moment he allowed Adeline Blake into his life, my heart broke a bit more. I switched off my phone and pretended nothing had happened by marking Lydia Bennett’s last message as unread. I opened the drawer, signed my name on the divorce papers. I didn’t want to fight anymore. I wanted to be happy. In this relationship, I had given and tried. But the door to happiness never opened for me. When Jasper Grey finished his shower, I lay on the bed pretending to sleep. In the darkness, I heard him pick up his phone. A few minutes later, he lay down beside me. Once, he would cling to me at night, holding me like an octopus. During a business trip, he once messaged me at three in the morning. “Without you by my side, I can’t sleep.” Now, as I listened to his steady breathing behind me, my heart slowly turned cold. I finally understood what it meant to break down in the early hours, while someone else sleeps soundly till dawn. The next day, Jasper Grey left for work early. As I was about to leave, I received a friend request from Lydia Bennett. “Let’s meet.” At the meeting place, Lydia Bennett eyed me with hostility. “You’ve heard about Adeline Blake, right?” “Honestly, I support Adeline being with Jasper Grey.” “She doesn’t have your background or looks, but she loves Jasper Grey. She’s willing to give up her future to comfort him when he’s sad.” “Unlike you, who graduated and became a rich wife, spending your days arranging flowers and sipping tea. Do you even know how much pressure Jasper Grey is under? Do you care about his feelings?” Hearing this, I wondered if I misheard. “So that’s why you encourage someone to be a mistress?” “Adeline knows Jasper Grey is married but still goes after him. That’s not love she’s missing; it’s a slap.” “You know Jasper Grey has a family, yet you urge him to cheat. What’s wrong, are you lacking both sense and morals?” Lydia’s face turned a mix of colors, trying to argue, “Jasper Grey isn’t happy with you. He likes Adeline. If you were smart, you’d let go and stop deceiving yourself.” Just then, the server brought a freshly brewed coffee. I grabbed a cup and splashed it in Lydia’s face. Coffee dripped from her head, still steaming. She covered her face, screaming, “Willa Grey, are you crazy!” I didn’t hold back, even throwing the cup at her head. “If you dare disgust me again, next time it won’t be coffee; it’ll be acid!” Under the server’s surprised gaze, I left calmly. Later, I found out Lydia is Adeline’s cousin, so no wonder she supported her. When I first got together with Jasper Grey, my parents warned me to reconsider because of his background, but I was determined to be with him. After marriage, I stepped back to support Jasper Grey’s career, watching him rise step by step. Even friends said without me, Jasper Grey would still be working for someone else. I suddenly remembered his words when he confessed to me, promising word by word. “Willa, I promise you, I will work twice as hard to give you the life you want. I’ll be good to you forever and never let you down.” He said it and did it. But now, he says he’s unhappy with me. I didn’t even need to guess the truth in Lydia’s words. If Jasper Grey didn’t complain to her, how would she know? If he hadn’t prompted Lydia, how would she have come to me? Thinking this, my heart ached intensely. I messaged the board, stating I would take over company matters starting tomorrow. I also contacted a lawyer to divide assets between Jasper and me. In the evening, Jasper Grey made a full dinner waiting for me. When I came in, he warmly took my bag. “Why are you home so late today, honey?” Though he smiled, I sensed something was off. When a man suddenly becomes enthusiastic, he must be guilty of something. Sure enough, during dinner, I got a text from the HR Department. “The deputy GM recruited this girl as an assistant. Did you know about this?” I opened the resume he sent. Adeline Blake’s ID photo was glaring at the top. I glanced at Jasper Grey, who was serving me food, and laughed at myself. I initially wanted to part peacefully, but I changed my mind. I told HR to approve Adeline Blake as Jasper Grey’s assistant. The next day at the company, I saw Adeline being guided through the business by a supervisor. Seeing me, she greeted me warmly, “Madam Grey.” I glanced at her. Unlike before, her arrogance and provocation were undisguised. “Ms. Blake, since you joined the company, you should follow the rules and focus on your duties. Keep your little thoughts in check.” I deliberately put on a stern face to warn her. Sure enough, Adeline’s gaze changed. Seeing no one around, she dared to speak up, “Sis, you’re old. You can’t compete with me for Jasper.” “Be smart and step down from the CEO’s wife position.” Her provocations were blatant, no longer the weak, scared girl she pretended to be. I couldn’t help but admire her acting skills. I raised an eyebrow, “Well, I’ll be waiting then.” Don’t let me down. She didn’t know that the CEO of Grey Enterprises wasn’t Jasper Grey. It was me, Willa Grey. Grey Enterprises is my family’s business, but I wasn’t interested in running it. After marriage, when Jasper was struggling to find a job, I suggested he take over the company. At first, he refused, “I’m a man. I want to earn a good life for you with my own efforts.” Until later, even my dad saw his abilities and approved of him. Only then did he replace me in handling the business. Because we both have the surname Grey, people thought Jasper Grey owned Grey Enterprises. Like Adeline, the fool. When Jasper saw me at the company, his face changed, forcing a smile, “Why are you at the office, honey?” I shrugged, “Bored at home, thought I’d come to the office to kill time.” While talking to me, his eyes kept darting to Adeline at her desk. I patted him lightly, “The new assistant is nice.” Hearing this, Jasper’s smile instantly faded, and I stopped teasing him, heading back to my office. That night at home, Jasper hid in the bathroom for half an hour. When I was wondering, I heard him lowering his voice, “Don’t worry, I’ll come get you!” The next second, he slammed the glass door open, the frame hitting the wall loudly. He stormed over, grabbed my wrist, and demanded angrily. “Is this fun for you? She’s just a young girl. Why are you picking on her?” “I told you she’s my upperclasswoman, why take it out on an innocent person?” I was bewildered, not knowing what happened. Jasper barely contained his anger, threw my hand aside, dressed, and stormed out, “If anything happens to her, we’re done!” The door slammed shut. I was baffled by Jasper’s outburst, feeling resentful. I opened my phone, and the first social media post was from Adeline Blake.

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Clara decided to have a baby for Ryan, her childhood best friend who was battling kidney failure. They were constantly on edge, expecting me to show up and ruin their plan. On the day of delivery, they even hired a team of high-priced bodyguards to guard the hospital. But I stayed away, much to their relief. Thinking I’d finally learned my place, they celebrated with their newborn in hand, smiling and saying, “At least he knows when to back off. It would’ve been so embarrassing if he’d tried to cause a scene.” Even Clara chimed in, sneering, “If he behaves, I might even let the kid call him Dad one day.” What they didn’t know was that I no longer cared. As I ran my fingers over the patch on my uniform for the International Extreme Rescue Team, I felt nothing but peace. In a few days, I would leave the country and join the rescue unit. This time, I would leave them behind for good. After Clara gave birth, her parents, David and Margaret, spared no expense in booking her into a luxurious postnatal care center. She stayed there until fully recovered, only returning home a month later. During that time, I completed my pre-departure training and finalized all the paperwork. One night, I lay in bed, ready to enjoy a good night’s sleep. But then I heard voices outside the door. “Oh, look at that little nose. It’s just like Clara’s!” Margaret exclaimed, “And those eyes? Definitely Ryan’s.” “Such a perfect blend. You did amazing, Clara,” David praised. “It’s nothing,” Clara replied sweetly. “I’m just happy I could give Ryan this child.” They entered the house, beaming like one big happy family. Clara, her parents, and Ryan all gathered around the baby, passing him between them like a treasure on the sofa. “This baby had to come from Clara and Ryan,” Margaret declared. “A handsome man and a beautiful woman. It’s the perfect combination!” “Exactly,” David agreed. “Imagine if Clara had had Luke’s child. It would’ve been a disaster! Dark, ugly, and stubborn as a mule.” I walked out of the bedroom just as David finished his sentence. The laughter died instantly. They stared at me like I was a ghost. “Luke!” Clara gasped. “What are you doing here?” “Why didn’t you make a sound? You scared us!” Margaret scolded, clutching her chest. I scanned their faces, their expressions a twisted mix of guilt and irritation. These were the same people who once took pride in having me as their son-in-law. Clara and I first met at a blind date, the kind set up by well-meaning relatives who thought they knew best. It was traditional, yes, but surprisingly full of promise. From the moment we sat down, the conversation flowed effortlessly. From hobbies to life goals, we found common ground in everything, as if fate itself had been weaving a thread to connect us. Clara’s parents were equally enthusiastic. They expressed deep admiration for my career. Margaret often told me how she’d boast about me to friends and relatives, her face lighting up with pride whenever she spoke my name. To Clara, I was more than a partner. I was a man of integrity, a protector who gave her a sense of security she’d never known before. Back then, I truly believed it all. But now, as they sat on the couch, huddled together like a perfect little family, I realized I no longer belonged. “Well, since you’re here, I’m sure you already know the situation. You’ve stayed out of it so far, so I take it you’re in agreement.” David cleared his throat, adopting the tone of a patriarch. He glanced around the room, signaling the others to support his conclusion. I chuckled dryly but didn’t bother to respond. Clara bristled at my reaction. “Luke, what are you laughing at? Do you have a problem with this?” she snapped. “You’re so selfish! Ryan has kidney failure. After everything he’s done for us, giving him a child is the least I could do. It’s only right!” Ryan coughed weakly on cue, gripping Clara’s arm for support. “Clara, please don’t upset yourself because of me,” he murmured, his voice trembling with feigned exhaustion. “Your health is what’s most important.” His performance was flawless, eliciting immediate sympathy from everyone in the room. But I saw through it. There was no sign of the desperation or fatigue of someone battling a terminal illness. Clara, draped in the soft glow of new motherhood, leaned against Ryan’s shoulder. Her voice took on a sharp edge as she glared at me. “Look how considerate Ryan is. Why can’t you learn from him?” Margaret stepped in to play the peacemaker. “Luke, you’re always so busy with work. You’re never home, always off somewhere. Clara is our only daughter, and this family needs a man around.” She gestured to Ryan. “Ryan has always been here for us. He grew up with Clara, and we’ve treated him like our own son. Now that he’s sick, how could we not help him?” Her words dripped with irony. Since when did their “son” have a child with their daughter? Their dynamic was painfully clear. They’d formed a cozy little loop, and I was the loose thread ruining their perfect picture. Ryan coughed again and offered an apology. “Luke, I understand why you’re upset. It’s my fault… I’m sorry for causing all this trouble.” The room filled with exasperation. They were all growing tired of my presence. Clara waved her hand dismissively, her tone sharp. “Ethan, we’ve said everything we can. Next week, we’re hosting a reception to introduce the baby to the family. Relatives and friends will all be there.” She fixed me with a pointed look. “If you’re smart enough, you’ll tell everyone the baby is yours. If you insist on making a scene, you’ll only embarrass yourself.” I did some quick calculations. Next week would be the day of my flight. By then, I’d be gone, fully committed to my new life as a member of the International Extreme Rescue Team. But before leaving, I could leave them with a memory they wouldn’t forget. I shrugged, keeping my face neutral. “Sure,” I said, my voice calm. “No problem.”

If I had decided to leave, then I should leave nothing behind. I began packing my belongings in silence. Every item I picked up carried with it memories of Clara and me, resting quietly in drawers and shelves like relics of a happy life. No, perhaps it was only I who thought we were happy. My eyes swept over the shared mementos, the carefully preserved gifts, and the movie tickets documenting each of our dates. Once, these things had warmed my heart, reminders of love and laughter. Now, they felt like shards of glass, cutting into me with each glance. Three months ago, on a cold, fateful night, I had returned home after weeks of international rescue work. Exhausted but excited, I’d been yearning for the warmth of home and Clara’s embrace. But when I opened the door, I saw another man lying in my bedroom. I knew him. It was Ryan Sullivan, Clara’s childhood best friend. My chest tightened, the betrayal threatening to suffocate me. And Clara’s pregnant belly was the final blow, a hammer striking with brutal finality. I didn’t need to ask. The child wasn’t mine. “Hey, Luke! You’re back!” Ryan had said, lounging in my pajamas like the rightful owner of the house. “Come in!” I was trembling with rage. My vision blurred as my reason gave way to fury. I lunged at him, fists clenched. Before I could land a blow, Clara intercepted me, her broom striking my back with surprising force. “Luke, what the hell are you doing?!” she screamed, shielding Ryan like a lioness protecting her cub. “If you dare lay a finger on him, you’ll regret it!” Her voice cracked with righteous indignation. “Ryan is sick! He has kidney failure. I had to give him a child. If you have something to say, say it to me!” My love for her shattered in that instant, scattering into irreparable fragments. David and Margaret had arrived soon after, turning the scene into a full-blown circus. David grabbed my arm, his face red with anger. “What’s wrong with you?! Can’t you see Clara’s pregnant? You come home and start a fight? You’re an embarrassment!” Margaret even burst into tears. “This is such a tragedy! Ethan, why can’t you be more understanding? Don’t you see how hard this is for Clara? You’re being so selfish!” They hurled accusations at me as if I were the one who had betrayed them. I stood there, alone against a tide of righteous hypocrisy, my heart hollow and dead. That was the moment I realized there was nothing left for me here. The next day, I signed the application for the international rescue team and threw myself into training. Now, back in the present, my thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Clara stood there, her gaze as cold as ever. “I see you’ve finally come around,” she said. “The baby’s just finished the postpartum period. Since this bedroom is where I’ve always stayed, I think Ryan should move in here. It’s only practical.” I looked into her eyes, searching for a trace of the woman I once loved. From the living room, David’s voice rang out, loud and commanding. “This house is under Clara’s name! She can decide who lives where. That’s her right!” The arrogance in his tone was almost laughable. I listened to their self-serving logic, my heart devoid of any fight. There was no point in arguing. I no longer cared enough to engage. I picked up my suitcase silently and headed toward the storage room. The storage room was dark and damp, the air thick with the scent of mildew. Surrounded by forgotten junk and broken things, I placed my suitcase in a corner and sat down on it. The silence of the room felt like a balm, a haven away from memories and heartbreak. Here, there were no shared moments, no echoes of laughter. Only darkness and quiet. I lit a cigarette, letting the smoke curl around me like a veil. Through the haze, fragments of happier times flickered before my eyes. From the living room, their laughter rang out, loud and carefree. “I’m going to get the baby a protective charm,” Margaret said. “What should we engrave on it?” “Why not ‘C&R’? It’s their child, after all!” David suggested, his tone light and approving. Clara chimed in, “I think we should engrave ‘Sullivan’. He’ll take Ryan’s last name.” I took a deep drag of my cigarette, the smoke burning my throat. I imagined exhaling all the pain and sorrow, pushing it out of my lungs in one long, bitter breath.

The confidentiality protocols of the International Rescue Team were like an invisible shackle, cutting me off from everything I once knew. As part of my final preparations to leave the country, I had one last task—to officially erase my existence from the national records. It was a declaration, a severance from my past life, including my name, my identity, and all the memories tied to Clara. The first rays of sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, cool and gentle on my face. I woke early, ready to take this final step. I stood for a moment in the house that had once been filled with warmth and laughter, a place I’d poured my heart into building. Then, without hesitation, I turned my back and walked out the door for the last time. At the registry office, I moved through the process methodically. The staff, efficient and detached, treated it as just another task on their list. I watched as they cut my ID into fragments. Oddly enough, I felt exhilarated. This wasn’t just a piece of paper disappearing. It was the end of a life I no longer wanted. With my identity officially erased, I wandered the bustling streets, searching for a way to say goodbye to the remnants of my old life. At a local market, vibrant and noisy, I decided to sell off the things I no longer needed. As I handed over an old jacket to a vendor, a familiar sight stopped me in my tracks. There she was, Clara, with Ryan by her side. They were shopping for baby supplies, their faces glowing with happiness. Trailing behind them were David and Margaret, laughing and chatting as if they were the perfect, harmonious family. “Having a baby comes with so many responsibilities,” Clara said, examining a stroller. “Ryan, you’re so thoughtful, bringing us all out for this shopping trip. Once we’re done, let’s renovate the house. I’ve never liked the current style.” I had bought that house with my savings before we were married. Every inch of it bore the weight of my sweat and tears. When we were married, I’d signed it over to Clara as a gesture of love. And now it was their cozy little nest, while I stood there as a stranger, unacknowledged and forgotten. They spotted me, their surprise quickly replaced by indifference. Clara approached, her words dripping with sarcasm. “Well, if it isn’t the busy man himself. Always disappearing early in the morning. Do you even remember you have a home?” Margaret added her disapproval, glancing at me with disdain. “You’re here for once, and you couldn’t even make breakfast? Clara’s recovering. You should be helping!” Ryan sidled up with a smug grin, his eyes daring me to react. His expression was a silent taunt. “Look at what I’ve taken from you.” I bit back my anger, swallowing the words threatening to spill out. It was impossible that Ryan was dying. If I said anything, I was sure they’d go a step further, perhaps asking me to donate a kidney to Ryan. But Clara’s next words pushed me to my limit. “Luke, you’ve been away for so long on that rescue mission. You must’ve made a decent amount. Give me some money. I need new clothes now that I’ve put on weight from the pregnancy.” I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Why don’t you ask the father of the child? Can’t Ryan afford it?” Ryan’s face fell, his eyes glistening as he played the victim. He lowered his head, feigning anguish. David and Margaret immediately leaped to his defense. “Luke, what’s wrong with you?! Ryan is sick! All his money goes to treatment. How dare you say such a thing?” “You’re so selfish!” Margaret cried. “We’re ashamed to have you as a son-in-law!” Their greed and hypocrisy filled me with nothing but disgust. I turned them down and left without another word. Deep down, I felt no need to justify myself anymore. The last few days before my departure, I moved into a nearby rental. It was a cheap, cramped space, but it was peaceful, a place where I could exist without being haunted by them. At this moment, I was no longer the fool who had been blinded by love. Clara loved Ryan and wanted to play happy families with him. Let them have their picture-perfect life.

I stayed at the rented hotel until the day of the family banquet. No one came to bother me during this time. They were too busy basking in the joy of the new baby, completely ignoring my existence. I didn’t mind. I welcomed the quiet. The banquet was held at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels, far grander than my modest yet heartfelt wedding years ago. To call it a celebration for the baby was an understatement. It resembled an elaborate engagement party for Clara and Ryan. They stood in the lavishly decorated hall, Clara in her custom gown and Ryan in his tailored suit, looking like a fairy-tale prince and princess. Their perfect image burned my eyes. Finally, I mustered the resolve to go. Pushing open the grand doors, I was greeted by dazzling lights and a cacophony of voices. I stepped inside, feeling utterly out of place, like an uninvited guest crashing a dream I no longer belonged to. Clara’s face darkened the moment she saw me. She strode over, her voice sharp and scolding, completely disregarding the onlookers. “What are you wearing?!” she snapped. “This shabby outfit? You couldn’t even put on a suit? Are you trying to embarrass me in front of everyone? “All my relatives are here, and this is what you do to me? Just you wait!” Her words dripped with disdain, as though my presence alone desecrated her perfect day. The murmurs from the crowd grew louder. Relatives glanced between me and the baby, who didn’t look like me at all, their whispers buzzing with speculation. Everyone here knew Clara and Ryan’s childhood bond. The scene before them was enough to stir a storm of judgmental stares and disapproving whispers. Clara took the stage, her voice calm but brimming with pride. “Thank you all for coming today,” she began, addressing the audience. “We’re here to celebrate the arrival of a new member of our family. Becoming a mother was unexpected, but… “It brings me great happiness. I…” I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my composure. But as Clara and Ryan continued their intimate display, my patience snapped. I strode to the stage, grabbing the microphone. The chatter in the room died instantly, all eyes turning toward me. “Ladies and gentlemen,” I began, my voice steady and unwavering. “I want to clarify something. This child is not mine. “And for those of you who don’t know, Ryan Sullivan here claimed to have kidney failure, a tragic excuse to have Clara give him a child. I’m sure you can tell what’s really going on here. “I refuse to play the fool, and I’m done being cheated on constantly. From this moment on, I sever all ties with Clara Bennett and her family. We are done.” The room erupted in chaos. Gasps of shock, murmured gossip, and even outright shouts filled the air. Clara and Ryan’s faces turned ashen, their carefully curated facade crumbling. They didn’t expect me to expose their affair in front of everyone. David and Margaret surged forward, their fury written across their faces. “You bastard!” David bellowed. “You couldn’t wait to humiliate us? You’ve been planning this all along, haven’t you?! Clara is so unlucky to have married someone as selfish as you!” Ryan glared at me, his eyes filled with anger and frustration. Clara screeched, lunging for the microphone, but I sidestepped her effortlessly. But her desperation only fueled my resolve. I must tell everyone the truth, no matter what. David’s face reddened as he turned toward me. He raised his cane, swinging it toward me with all the strength he could muster. “I’ll kill you!” Just then, the grand doors of the banquet hall suddenly burst open. My team finally arrived. The leader, his voice calm but firm, announced, “I’d like to see anyone try to lay a hand on our captain!”

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In my previous life, I merely tried to protect our female CEO from excessive drinking, but out of jealousy, Manager Declan spread rumors that I was a sugar baby climbing the corporate ladder through women. What was once a harmonious workplace became a hostile environment. Colleagues viewed me with contempt, mocking and ridiculing me. There was even an online rumor that I had been a male model. My mother’s house was vandalized with paint and funeral money—an act so cruel it caused her to have a heart attack and pass away. When I sought revenge on Manager Declan, he hit me with his car, killing me. After being reborn, I decided to win over the female CEO and start my path to revenge. It’s been two months since my rebirth. Based on past events, today marks a turning point in my life. At 3 PM, the HR Department posted the candidate list for the branch company general manager position. There were only two names: Declan and me. It’s understandable for Declan, a vice president in charge of operations and management at headquarters, to be a candidate for branch company general manager. However, as someone who had been a group leader in the Planning Department for just over two years, my inclusion on the list caused quite a stir. The newly formed branch company encompasses the most profitable projects, such as online marketing, digital media, and social media platforms, representing the future of the entire group. Thus, the position of branch company general manager is incredibly important. “Why is Ezra’s name on the list? How long has he been here that he can already compete for the branch president position?” “If something seems unusual, there must be something hidden.” “Could it be that he traded something unspeakable for it?” “Since Ezra joined our company, I’ve noticed he’s not simple. In just a year, he rose to the group leader position.” “Maybe he even got into the CEO’s bed.” “Damn, these days, it’s all about looks in the workplace. Pretty boys are popular everywhere, while those of us who work hard see no hope.” In the Planning Department, colleagues mocked me with cold sarcasm, their eyes like daggers. “Everyone in the Planning Department, meeting in the conference room,” the supervisor called out. In the conference room, I saw Declan sitting at the head of the table, looking grim. After listening to the reports from the supervisor and each group leader, Declan’s tone shifted, and his eyes latched onto me like hooks. “I want to say something off-topic here: if you want a promotion and a raise, you need to follow the right path. Don’t engage in underhanded tactics. Protecting the CEO from drinks and currying favor won’t create a shortcut in life.” “Even if you get that position, do you think you can hold onto it forever? Short-term opportunism won’t be successful. Being a pretty boy and a sugar baby will make you a social outcast. Even if the CEO wants to protect you, she’ll have to think about the consequences.” “I absolutely won’t allow the unhealthy trend of being a gold digger and reaching the peak of life to spread in our company. Therefore, I’ve already instructed the Public Relations Department to set up a personal development class. Ezra, your name is already on the list. I hope you study hard and reform your thinking.” After the meeting, my colleagues’ disdain for me reached its peak. “Sure enough, he relied on shielding the CEO from drinks to climb up. Shameless.” “Comparison is infuriating. Some people get to the top with just a few drinks, while we work like dogs and are stuck in the same place.” “Damn, I’ve decided. Tomorrow, I’ll take out a loan to get plastic surgery and become a pretty boy. No point working hard.” “Group Leader Ezra, so when you said you had a stomach illness, it was because you were shielding the CEO from drinks? You truly ‘worked hard.’ I’ll have to learn from you.” All sorts of sarcastic remarks surrounded me.

In my past life, these sarcastic, cutting words tormented me into insomnia night after night. Eventually, I begged CEO Genevieve to remove me from the candidate list, but Genevieve said she had given it careful thought. In this life, my colleagues’ words won’t affect my mood or life anymore. In my youth, I didn’t know the value of a wealthy woman, mistaking young women for treasures. Since a wealthy woman favors me, why should I resist? It’s been two months since I was reborn, and in these two months, I’ve already won over Genevieve. Two months ago, Genevieve asked me to accompany her to meet an important client, and during the event, I protected her from drinking again. Afterward, Genevieve drove me home and helped me upstairs. Taking advantage of my slight intoxication, I confessed my feelings to her. She remained silent… I blamed myself for confessing too hastily, too abruptly. “Let me think about it and get back to you,” Genevieve said shyly. Her words surprised me. The following days were filled with anxiety. I thought, with Genevieve’s status and wealth, finding someone more handsome than me would be easy. Just when I thought there was no hope, Genevieve sought me out and agreed to be my girlfriend. I was shocked and overjoyed. “I’m nine years older than you. Do you mind?” Genevieve asked sincerely. At that moment, I found her so charming, my heart rippled with emotion. Although she is nine years older, she takes such good care of herself that she looks younger than me. “An older woman is like hugging a golden brick, and I’m lucky to hug three. I’d be overjoyed, why would I mind?” I replied with a smile. And so, we were together, but kept it private. The next morning, I saw Beatrix, the group leader of Planning Group 2, struggling with a pile of folders, so I went to help. “Beatrix, let me help you with that.” “How could I trouble the future president?” Beatrix said sourly. We used to have a good relationship. “I just wanted to help.” “No need. Offering unsolicited kindness is either deceitful or thieving. I can’t afford help from a pretty boy like you. Besides, I have no money, so there’s no point in you taking advantage of me.” With that, she hurried away. I sighed. It was the same in my past life, but my mindset is much calmer now. After lunch, I returned to my desk and checked my chair. As expected, there was a thumbtack. In my past life, I didn’t notice and sat on it, jumping up in pain, looking ridiculous. I picked up the thumbtack, initially wanting to confront them, but I held back. “Who is so wicked to put a thumbtack on Group Leader Ezra’s chair?” It was my team member, Cora, speaking. “We wouldn’t do such a thing. Maybe the wind blew the thumbtack, and it just landed on his chair,” a male colleague said sarcastically. “How is that possible?” “These days, pretty boys can run for president. There’s nothing impossible.” “Watch your mouth,” Cora said indignantly. “Group Leader Ezra earned his spot with his own ability.” “Cora, are you eager to pledge loyalty?” “I just can’t stand your attitude.” I interrupted their argument, “Alright, stop talking.” “Group Leader Ezra…” Cora looked aggrieved, standing up for me. I nodded in appreciation.

Around 8 PM, I was working on a proposal at home when the doorbell rang. It was Cora. She had a bag of alcohol and smiled, “Group Leader Ezra, I know you’ve been feeling down and stressed lately. I happened to be passing by and thought I’d share a drink with you. You can tell me all about your grievances.” “Thank you. Come in.” The scenario was exactly like my past life, but this time, I was prepared… Early the next morning, people from the Public Relations Department stormed into the Planning Department to find me. “Ezra, why didn’t you attend the personal development class after work yesterday? Do you dare defy the company’s arrangements? Do you have any self-awareness at all? This class was set up specifically for you,” they said aggressively. I laughed and replied, “I’m here to work, not for some ridiculous thought reform. Also, after-hours belong to personal time, and the company has no right to interfere.” “As a company employee, you must comply with company regulations. If you refuse, you can resign.” “Whether I resign is not for you to decide.” “Fine, since you’re unrepentant, I’ll report your bad attitude to the HR Department and ensure you’re penalized in your evaluation.” “Go ahead.” “Hmph.” The Public Relations Department person turned and stormed off. “Wait.” “What, are you scared? Changed your mind? It’s too late. I must report your behavior to HR.” “Tell your boss, Declan, that I am determined to become the branch company president.” Upon hearing this, the person from the Public Relations Department looked shocked and angry before leaving. In my past life, I obediently followed Declan’s orders and attended the personal development class. I was the only one there, and the Public Relations Department people humiliated me, shattering my spirit. This time, I won’t be foolish enough to let you toy with me.

On a Sunday afternoon, I was cooking at Genevieve’s house. Every weekend, Genevieve and I spent time together. Over time, I slowly fell in love with this female CEO nine years my senior. She never flaunted her wealth or status around me. Instead, she was gentle and considerate, sometimes acting coy and snuggling in my arms. This was unexpected for me. The doorbell rang. I thought Genevieve was back. When I opened the door, I was stunned. The person at the door was stunned too. “Ezra, why are you at Genevieve’s house?” It was Declan. “Why can’t I be at Genevieve’s house?” He angrily shoved past me and stormed into the room. “Genevieve, Genevieve…” In the time we’ve spent together, I’ve gradually fallen for Genevieve, the female CEO who’s nine years older than me. Despite her status and wealth, she’s never been condescending. Instead, she’s gentle and considerate, sometimes even playfully leaning on me. I wasn’t expecting this. The doorbell rang. I thought it was Genevieve coming back. I opened the door and was caught off guard. The person at the door was equally surprised. “Ezra, why are you at CEO Genevieve’s house?” It was Declan, the manager. “Why shouldn’t I be here?” He angrily pushed past me and barged in, calling out, “CEO Genevieve, CEO Genevieve…” “Stop shouting. Genevieve went to the bank.” “Genevieve?” Declan was seething, “Who do you think you are to call her by her first name?” “Do I need your permission for that?” I replied with a smirk. He then noticed the apron I was wearing and the steaming dishes on the table, “You shameless gold digger, taking such a disgraceful path at your age.” “I have no choice. I’m handsome and I like this path. What can you do about it?” “Do you really think cooking and pouring drinks will make you the branch company general manager? You’re just a backup; that position is mine.” “Manager Declan, the announcement for the new branch company general manager is tomorrow. Your presence here today shows you’re not confident,” I chuckled. He glared at me, full of rage, “Ezra, I can’t believe someone as smart as CEO Genevieve would fall for someone like you.” “Anything is possible. Sometimes looks matter. Blame your parents for not making you handsome,” I teased. Just then, Genevieve returned. “Declan, why are you at my house?” Genevieve asked, confused. “CEO Genevieve, why is Ezra here? Is he really your kept man?” Declan asked, exasperated. Genevieve frowned, clearly displeased: “My personal life is none of your business, and he’s not a kept man. He has a name, so show some respect.” “Genevieve, you’re being blinded by him. He’s no good; he’s just using you for your position and money.” “Declan, I’ll say it again: my personal affairs are not your concern. Please leave, and in the future, let’s discuss work matters at the office. I don’t want you coming here,” Genevieve said coldly. “Genevieve, I’ve been with you from the start, building this company. You’re not just my CEO; you’re the woman I admire and love.” Declan’s unexpected confession shocked Genevieve. “Declan, we have a professional relationship only. Please know your place and stop speaking nonsense. Besides, I already have a boyfriend.” “What? You have a boyfriend? Is it Ezra?” “Yes, it’s Ezra.” I proudly wrapped my arm around Genevieve’s waist and kissed her, “Jealous?” Declan was furious, “CEO Genevieve, you’ve really let me down.” With that, he left in a huff. In a previous life, Declan spread rumors that I was Genevieve’s kept man. In this life, I might as well make the rumor true. Having a successful and beautiful girlfriend is really quite nice. The next day, on Monday, the HR Department posted an announcement: After thorough consideration, Ezra is appointed as the branch company general manager of Big Digital Network. The announcement led to some colleagues mocking and ridiculing. “Damn, in the end, looks win. Gold diggers are popular in any era.” “From today on, I need to spruce myself up and improve my drinking skills, waiting for my chance to charm.” Some colleagues tried to flatter me. After using the restroom, a male colleague quickly handed me a tissue. “Mr. Ezra, please look out for me in the future. I’ve wanted to follow you for a long time. Can you transfer me to the branch company?” “Mr. Ezra, this is top-notch Pu’er tea from my hometown. Please give it a try.” “Mr. Ezra, can I treat you to dinner tonight?” When Declan found out he was not selected, he was furious and stormed into Genevieve’s office with his team to demand an explanation. Genevieve decided to hold a staff meeting. The auditorium was packed, with some employees standing due to the lack of seats. Declan took the initiative: “CEO Genevieve, even though you’re the company chairman and have absolute control, the company belongs to all of us. You can’t just give Ezra such an important position because he’s your boyfriend. This behavior will dishearten employees and lead the company to ruin.” With that, the room erupted in murmurs. “What? Ezra is the chairman’s boyfriend?” “I thought it was just a rumor, but it’s true.” “I thought he was just a male escort, but he’s actually a boyfriend.” “This company is doomed.” “Quiet, quiet!” Genevieve called out several times with the microphone, then had her assistant turn on the projector to display an analysis PPT. “Everyone, throughout history, there’s been a saying about not avoiding relatives when selecting talents. Ezra is my boyfriend, but he’s also an outstanding talent. In the two-plus years he’s been with the company, he’s accomplished several innovations. He built the big database, established the client management service system, opened up online sales, and led the development of a social app. In just one year, it reached 30 million registered users, and his proposals have brought the company huge profits.” “In interactions with major clients, his demeanor and conduct have earned him their praise. Moreover, this personnel appointment was thoroughly discussed with several major shareholders and wasn’t just my personal decision.” The audience buzzed with conversation. “CEO Genevieve is right. Ezra has contributed a lot to the company.” “We were misled by Manager Declan’s rumors, focusing only on Ezra’s looks and forgetting his strong abilities.” “Comparatively, Ezra is indeed more suitable as the branch company general manager. He treats his subordinates fairly, unlike Manager Declan, who likes to form cliques and suppress dissenters.” At this point, Cora stood up and walked onto the stage. “Colleagues, I believe Ezra isn’t qualified to be the branch company general manager because he’s morally corrupt and a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” “During the time he was being criticized, I went to his house to comfort him. He pushed me down, and we had a relationship. Afterward, he said I would be his girlfriend and that we would get married. But this morning, he told me to pretend nothing happened that night because he’s with CEO Genevieve now. He abandoned me. He’s a modern-day Chen Shimei. I’ve sent the photos from that night to all the work groups. Check your phones.” Colleagues checked the group messages. I also looked, and in the Planning Department group, Cora had posted over a dozen photos from that night. The entire venue was in an uproar. “I can’t believe Ezra is such a scumbag. He’s with CEO Genevieve but also slept with Cora.” “What a dog. No matter how capable, his character is so low.” “This scumbag only knows how to play with women.” Declan smiled grimly and stood up, loudly addressing the colleagues, “Do you think Ezra deserves to be the branch company general manager?” “Unworthy, unworthy…” Colleagues stood up to protest. “If Ezra becomes general manager, we’ll all resign together.” Genevieve also checked the group messages, her face pale and embarrassed… “CEO Genevieve, you should know what kind of person Ezra is now, right? Make a decision quickly to stabilize morale,” Declan said smugly. I calmly walked onto the stage and questioned Cora, “Are you sure we slept together?”

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My mother, Jenny Dawson, fell in love with a man. That man, named Henry Lewis, called himself a prince from a country in the Tropica Isle region. He fell in love with Jenny at first sight and wanted to take her back to Tropica Isle to enjoy a good life. Jenny believed him and emptied her savings to go abroad with Henry. I warned Jenny that she might be getting scammed. But Henry claimed he wasn’t after money. He just wanted to be with my mom. Jenny loved him even more. But she didn’t know that Henry wanted more than just her money. He wanted her heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys, too. I was worried Jenny would get hurt, so I hid Jenny’s passport. Jenny hated me for breaking them apart. She drugged a glass of juice and knocked me out. I was taken to the remote mountains. But when I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day before Jenny was supposed to go abroad. I looked at Jenny, who was in love and handed her the hidden passport. “Mom, have a safe trip!” “Babe, I can’t wait to meet your family. They will certainly like me. Okay, bye. I love you!” As soon as I opened my eyes, I was disgusted by Jenny’s overly sweet cooing, giving me chills. I was momentarily dazed, suddenly realizing I had traveled back to the past. Jenny was in a good mood, humming a tune while packing for her trip. Seeing me sitting motionless on the bed, she kicked me. “You lazy girl, what are you doing? Hurry up and get my passport. If you delay me from going to Tropica Isle with my sweetheart, see how I deal with you.” The sweetheart Jenny referred to was a balding man in his forties. They had met a month ago. Henry claimed to be a prince from a country in the Tropica Isle. He came to our place for diplomatic talks and met Jenny, who was working as a cleaner at McDonald’s. They fell in love at first sight. A prince who enjoys eating at McDonald’s—anyone with common sense knew Henry was a scammer. But Jenny believed him. Henry also said that his country was suffering from an economic blockade imposed by an enemy nation and was on the brink of bankruptcy. Jenny was heartbroken and immediately took out all the money she had saved up from her cleaning job. Henry was so grateful he didn’t know how to repay her, then he took the money and disappeared without a trace. The neighbors heard of it and knew Jenny had been scammed. Jenny didn’t believe it. She spent her days clutching the McDonald’s napkin that Henry had used, crying tears of sorrow. Faced with the neighbors’ ridicule, she firmly rebutted, “My babe loves me. He promised to marry me.” Even the police who came to inquire were scolded by her. But love couldn’t be seen as food. A few days later, Jenny ran out of money and had to look for another job. With experience only as a cleaner at McDonald’s, she ended up applying at another branch. Unexpectedly, as soon as Jenny walked in, she saw Henry, the prince of Tropica Isle, enjoying a Mega Meal.

They locked eyes. Jenny was deeply moved and rushed to hug Henry, crying loudly, “Babe, I knew you wouldn’t abandon me. “They all said you were a scammer, but I didn’t believe it. If you were a scammer, how would you know I was coming here to apply for a job? You must have used the whole power of your country to find out.” Henry hesitated for a few seconds, then quickly came up with a response, claiming he returned specifically to take Jenny back to Tropica Isle to enjoy a good life. Before my time travel, on that very day, I had just finished my last high school exam. As soon as I heard this news, I knew Jenny had been scammed. Countless people had been scammed to go to Tropica Isle and then disappeared. I tried to reason with Jenny, but she refused to listen. She said I didn’t understand what love was. With no other options, I resorted to the dumbest method and hid her passport a day before her trip. Henry wouldn’t delay his grand plans for a little fish like Jenny. He abandoned her and flew away. Jenny hated me for breaking her and Henry apart. She drugged my juice and made me collapse on the way to college. Jenny took me, who was dazed, back to her hometown on a mountain that required a day and night of hiking. Then, she sold me to her friend’s silly son for ten thousand dollars. I was tortured there, repeatedly pregnant and then miscarrying, tied up like a dog, and ultimately, I couldn’t survive even a year before dying miserably. Before I died, I saw a small TV broadcasting the news. A group of illegal immigrants trying to reach Tropica Isle drowned due to not knowing how to swim, and among them was Jenny. She gave that ten thousand dollars to a smuggler, hoping to reach Tropica Isle to find Henry. “Are you deaf? Bring me my passport.” Jenny kicked me again. Recalling my tragic experience before traveling back, I quickly ran into the bedroom and obediently handed the passport to Jenny. “Mom, here’s the passport.” Jenny took the passport, and I sincerely wished her well. “Mom, wish you live happily with Henry!”

Jenny neatly placed her passport and ID card into her small purse and began calculating her savings. She had exchanged all her meager savings for cash, but there was only a thin stack. With a distressed expression, Jenny said, “How could this little money be enough?” To trick Jenny into going to Tropica Isle, Henry had promised to cover all expenses on the way. However, Jenny was love-struck and wouldn’t let her beloved man spend money on her, so she refused. She sweetly expressed that she would never become a burden to Henry. Henry looked at Jenny as if she were a fool. But when he heard her say that, he hurriedly agreed. In those days, Jenny scrimped and saved, working from dawn till dusk. Yet, more than half of what she earned was spent on Henry. She feared that he would be even a little unhappy. In the end, the money Jenny saved wasn’t even enough to buy a ticket to Tropica Isle. She called Henry to complain, “Why are the tickets so expensive?” Henry patiently coaxed her, “Babe, didn’t I tell you? You don’t need to worry about money. I’ve already bought the ticket for you. Just come with me!” Jenny called him dozens of times a day. Henry was starting to show signs of impatience. Jenny keenly sensed Henry’s annoyance and realized she couldn’t continue with that topic, so she playfully changed it. The ticket issue was resolved, but Jenny still wore an unhappy expression. After hanging up, she unexpectedly broke down in tears. “Did I upset my babe? Will he hate me? I’m just useless. I’m a burden to him.” My heart sank at her words, fearing she would give going with Henry. Just as I was about to comfort Jenny, she stopped crying and fixed her gaze on me, murmuring, “My babe has already spent so much money. I need to help him out. That old bitch should still have some savings, right?”

The “old bitch” Jenny referred to was my grandmother, May Dawson. Jenny had me when she was still young, but my dad passed away in an accident when I was just a fetus. At that time, May felt sorry for Jenny and advised her to abort me, saying that it would be easier for her to remarry someone else without me. But Jenny was infatuated and insisted on leaving my dad a descendant. Later, I was born, and for a while, Jenny loved me. However, she soon fell for other men, and gradually, I really became what May had described—a burden on Jenny’s love life. When Jenny was twenty-five, she fell in love with a married man. In the end, she was beaten by that man’s wife at home. During the scuffle, my dad’s picture fell from the wall, and his ashes were knocked over, scattering all over the room. Those troublemakers cursed and left, thinking it was bad luck. But Jenny believed that my dad was still protecting her after death, so she fell in love with him again, a dead man. At that time, she had already agreed with May that I would live with May, which was good for me and wouldn’t hinder Jenny from continuing her love life. But when it came down to it, Jenny backed out. May sued Jenny for custody of me. Fearing that May would take me away—her late husband’s child—Jenny had me lie in court. In the end, May lost the case, and her reputation was ruined by Jenny. Heartbroken, May returned to her hometown. Because of Jenny, I had a poor impression of May, so before time travel, my relationship with her was very cold. It wasn’t until my death that I realized how good that seemingly cold-hearted old lady had been to me. Throughout my life, all my tuition fees were paid by May. Jenny never contributed a penny. When Jenny wouldn’t let May see me, May secretly asked neighbors to bring me nutritional supplements and snacks. In that remote mountain, the last person I saw was May. That old lady, who was seventy or eighty, walked countless miles, asking around just to find me. She dragged a ragged bag, pretending to beg, going from village to village, all to find her missing granddaughter. She found me, but by then, I was beyond saving. My last memory was of May, with her silver hair, throwing herself on top of me to shield me from a heavy kick from that fool. Thinking of this, I clenched my fists. Jenny had drained May’s savings for so many years but still wanted to scam her for money. I must make her return all the money she had previously taken from May.

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Both my sister and I are true heiresses, but our parents favor her, treating me like I’m invisible. My sister is eager to climb the social ladder, but she thinks the billionaire is too old for her. So, during a party, after drinking too much, she sneaks into the billionaire’s son’s bed and comes home with suggestive marks. Mom couldn’t stop smiling, thinking our family would soon have a daughter-in-law. Unexpectedly, the billionaire shows up at our door with his entourage, forcing my sister to marry the family’s driver, Mr. Lee, who is over fifty! Everyone in A City knows that Mr. Lee is a creep who enjoys tormenting women! Three days later, Mr. Lee’s wedding car was parked in front of our house. My sister held scissors to her neck, crying, “Mom and Dad! I’d rather die than marry that old man!” Mom, in tears, stopped her, then turned to me and ordered, “Nora, pretend to be your sister and marry him!” “Mom! I’m your daughter too! How can you ask me to marry that old man without a shred of compassion?” My smile faded, disbelief filling my eyes. But Mom ignored my protests: “You’re the older sister; what’s wrong with helping your sister?” My sister added fuel to the fire: “Exactly, sister, I’m too delicate to withstand mistreatment. You’ve been doing hard work at home since you were little, your physical strength is better than mine, so just endure the beatings and scoldings. But I’m different!” They were pushing me into the fire! I placed all my hope on Dad, who sat silently on the sofa. “Nora, please help her, she’s your sister after all.” These people were no longer my family; they were demons out to ruin my life. I instinctively stepped back: “No! I won’t go!” Seeing my firm stance, Dad’s expression turned fierce, and he signaled the relatives to tie me up. They forcibly dressed me in a wedding gown: “If you don’t drink the toast willingly, you’ll have to drink the penalty! It’s your blessing to take the fall for your sister!” As I was pushed into the car, an overwhelming sadness engulfed me. We were both born to the same parents, yet our fates were so different. Since childhood, I was the neglected and despised one. Mom and Dad cherished my sister like she was their treasure, afraid she’d fall or melt away. But they didn’t care about me. I had only two sets of clothes year-round, and I could only eat after my sister finished. Whenever my sister and I argued, my parents never asked who was right or wrong; they’d just slap me twice. I thought they were just a bit biased, but I never expected them to be so heartless as to marry me off to a perverted old man! The car swayed as it headed to the mansion, and my heart was equally unsettled. My sister’s plan to make an irreversible mistake was definitely flawed, or else the billionaire wouldn’t force her to marry an ugly, filthy driver. That driver, Asher, was said to have been with the billionaire for a long time, having a deep bond with him. They blindfolded me and pushed me into a dark room, where all my senses were heightened. I trembled, waiting for my groom to arrive.

Just as I was in utter despair, contemplating ending it all, the door suddenly opened. The light streaming in made me involuntarily close my eyes. When I opened them again, I was stunned to see a handsome man standing before me. Wasn’t Asher supposed to be a man in his fifties? How is he so good-looking! I heard that the billionaire once ordered him to acquire a real estate company, but the owner changed his mind at the last minute and demanded more money. He simply had the owner’s son kidnapped and sent a video back. The owner was so scared he cried while signing the papers. Since then, both political and business circles knew him as someone ruthless. Looking at the man in front of me, though handsome, but rumored to be a complete lunatic, I felt a chill. “Don’t recognize me? Celeste? Have you forgotten that night?” My expression changed. How does he know my sister’s name? Could it be that they… But how could a driver appear in the billionaire’s son’s room? That’s impossible. Oh well, it’s too late now. Since I’m here, I should just make the best of it. Besides, he is indeed handsome. With such a stunning man in front of me, how could I refuse? To protect myself, I gave him a shy, timid look: “Since we’re married, I’m now your wife…” I figured men like obedient wives. Unexpectedly, Asher’s expression remained unchanged, only raising an eyebrow slightly: “You don’t have to force yourself. I know my reputation isn’t great, I won’t go against your wishes, tonight you can sleep in the bed, I’ll sleep outside.”

Seeing him really about to leave, I panicked. Without a child, how can I ensure my safety? I quickly grabbed his wrist: “Wait! I meant what I said, anyway, neither of us has anyone who cares for us, so why not keep each other warm?” Saying that I wrapped my arms around his neck, my hands unconsciously caressing those enticing abs. There were rumors he lost his manhood after a wild night at the nightclub, my heart ached at the thought. Such a handsome man with issues, my life is so tough! He helplessly ruffled my hair: “Since you’re my wife, from now on I’ll protect you with my life if necessary.” I couldn’t listen to what he was saying anymore, just pulled him to bed with me. In the darkness, I felt his gaze lingering on me, thinking about something. But I was too exhausted, holding him, I quickly drifted into a deep sleep. When I opened my eyes again, he was gone. Only then did I have time to look around the room— It’s worthy of being the billionaire’s trusted aide. The luxurious decor was more extravagant than any wealthy home I had ever seen, as I marveled. Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and several servants carrying the latest clothes and jewelry appeared before me: “Madam, Mr. Asher has left, he asked us to take care of you.” My eyes widened, he, a driver, could afford such extravagance? The necklace in the box was a new model from this year’s show, worth over a million. The diamonds sparkled brilliantly. Simply dazzling. I trembled as I picked it up, still unable to believe it was real. Friends around me faced in-law relationships after marriage, but Asher was alone with no family. So I was in charge of everything in the mansion, and no one dared to contradict me. I have to admit, life was truly comfortable. Except… he was all show and no go, unable to have children. Everything was perfect. Except… sometimes he would hold me and call out: “Celeste.”

My expression darkened instantly, realizing that this fleeting happiness came from being my sister’s stand-in. Seeing my reaction, he gently shook me: “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” I forced a smile: “No, I just feel you’re too good to me, I don’t know how to repay you.” He seemed a bit helpless: “Silly, you’re my wife, it’s only right for me to be good to you, there’s no need for repayment.” I fell silent, wondering if he’d hate me if he knew it was all a lie? “Your birthday is coming up, I want to host a party, and let you meet my friends.” He placed a photo in front of me: “This is Oscar, in charge of the company’s construction department, and this is Ethan, responsible for economic trade relations.” Since childhood, my sister had prepared to marry into the billionaire’s family, not only researching the billionaire’s company information but also bringing me along to learn. When the billionaire was young and poor, he married his first wife, using her family’s resources to rise quickly. The first wife bore two sons and a daughter, but passed away due to illness. Afterwards, he married a second wife, who had another son and daughter. Since the eldest son passed away. Two opinions gradually emerged within the group. One was that the company’s establishment was inseparable from the first wife, and the second son should be the heir. Another voice said the third son was most capable and fit to lead. The people Asher just introduced me to were all supporters of the third son within the group. I pursed my lips, realizing this was not just a party, but an exchange of resources. I’ve never liked such occasions, but now as his wife, I should help share some of his burden. Clutching his hand, I smiled slightly: “Okay.”

“I’ve long heard the Lin family has two beauties, seeing Celeste today proves it’s true.” Miss Beatrix hugged me, sizing me up. Asher chuckled: “All thanks to your father for sending such a wonderful wife to my side.” Miss Beatrix laughed: “You better treat her well, or I won’t agree.” The table was filled with exquisite delicacies, guests exchanging glasses, chatting and laughing. I suddenly thought, maybe the billionaire had his reasons for wanting my sister to marry him. How did my sister manage to sneak into the second young master’s bed so smoothly? Could it be the billionaire suspected this was a tactic by the third young master to ruin the second young master’s reputation, and used this method to test the truth? As everyone drank to the end, the third young master sighed, “Yesterday I took some documents to Dad’s study and heard him scolding my second brother again.” “What did that spendthrift do this time?” Ethan was curious. “You’d better treat her right, or I won’t agree.” The table was laden with a variety of delicious dishes. The guests, who clearly had a lot of prestige, were happily clinking their glasses and engaging in lively conversation. I suddenly thought perhaps the billionaire had his own reasons for marrying my sister off to him. Why did my sister manage to get into the Second Young Master’s bed so easily back then? Could it be that the billionaire suspected this was a scheme by the Third Young Master to tarnish the Second Young Master’s reputation and used this method to uncover the truth? As the evening wore on, the Third Young Master sighed, “Yesterday, I took some documents to Dad’s study and overheard him scolding my second brother again.” “What did that troublemaker do this time?” Oscar asked with curiosity. “A few days ago, Second Brother showed interest in a new college student. But she wasn’t interested, and he used unsavory methods to force her. Afterward, the girl posted about it on social media and then took her own life. It’s causing quite an uproar now.” The Third Young Master sighed helplessly. I was a bit taken aback. I had always known the Second Young Master was arrogant, but I hadn’t realized he was so indifferent to human life. I exchanged a glance with Asher and tactfully changed the subject. After returning home, I pressed Asher: “What’s really going on here?” Asher didn’t respond immediately. He took off his suit jacket, revealing his well-toned chest. “Celeste, do you regret marrying me?” I didn’t know why he asked, but I shook my head. “Being with you makes me truly happy.” He looked into my eyes. “Really?” “I’m willing to spend the rest of my life with you,” I said, courageously expressing my feelings. Asher’s expression shifted slightly. I watched as he removed the last piece of clothing. “Are you sure?” My heart raced. “I am.” In his surprised gaze, I decisively shed my robe, revealing my hidden beauty. Desire flared up instantly, and he showered me with kisses. I moved with him, and I knew from this moment, we were truly husband and wife. In the rush of excitement, I fainted. The overwhelming emotions almost consumed me. The next morning, sunlight touched my face as I woke up, rubbing my aching body. As I looked up, Asher was sitting at the edge, his gaze probing. “Celeste, why are you still a virgin?” It was then I noticed the red on the sheets, evidence of my first night. My nerves instantly went on alert, and I couldn’t help but tremble. I had completely forgotten about this! Everyone believed Celeste had been with the Second Young Master, yet here I was, still a virgin. It was suspicious. My mind raced. “You were too rough last night. I bled, and now you’re asking me…” He’s not naive. He wouldn’t be easily fooled. Staring into my eyes, he seemed to want to say something but just smiled. “Since you’re with me, the past doesn’t matter.” He kissed my forehead and left the room. “Ma’am, the sir mentioned transferring the mansion to your name.” “Ma’am, the sir wants you to handle the transfer of his assets.” “Ma’am, this is the latest designer handbag, sent over for you to choose from.” Since we crossed that final line, our relationship has become more stable. He wants to give me everything. I sat on the large apartment’s sofa, swirling a wine glass as I looked down at the bustling scene below. I suddenly remembered the days living at home. A biased dad, a foolish mom, a spoiled sister. And I was the only normal one in the family. I had to give in to Celeste in everything. No matter how much I gave, I could never earn my parents’ love. Even when my sister caused trouble, I had to pay with my life to clean up after her. Thinking back, it scared me. If Asher really was the violent man people said he was, my life would have ended. The next day, in spring, I was out shopping with the servants. I spotted a new handbag and was about to pay when I noticed the servant’s hesitant look. “What’s the matter?” I asked, puzzled. “Ma’am, your mother called saying your sister is getting married in a few days and hopes you can come back to help,” she cautiously checked my reaction. After all, since my marriage, I hadn’t been in contact with my family, and everyone knew we didn’t get along. Sure enough, my expression didn’t change, but I snapped the straw in my hand. “That’s good news. Who’s my lucky brother-in-law?” I asked calmly. The servant thought for a moment. “Your sister is lucky. The Second Young Master personally came to propose. Her future seems promising.” The Second Young Master? I was puzzled. The Second Young Master’s position in the corporation is precarious. Why would a vain father still agree to marry my sister off to him? Thinking about my sister getting into bed with the Second Young Master and then being forced to marry Asher, I suddenly felt that there was a big secret hidden in all of this.

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Accompanying my four-month pregnant sister-in-law for her prenatal checkup, we were devastated to find out that the fetus was no longer viable. I strongly urged my sister-in-law to opt for induced labor. She followed my advice and terminated the pregnancy immediately. However, upon learning that the fetus was male, she was filled with regret. When her husband Ethan confronted her, she absolved herself entirely, blaming an erroneous diagnosis by the doctor and claiming I had pressured her into it. Ethan believed her and, accusing me of ending his family line, pushed me off the balcony to my death. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day of the prenatal checkup with my sister-in-law. Smiling, I said, “Olivia, as you mentioned, it could very well be a misdiagnosis. You might want to consider keeping the baby!” …… Olivia, holding the report indicating fetal demise, challenged me: “Look at these tiny letters. Isn’t this my name? How could they say there’s no heartbeat? Did the doctor make a mistake?” “I’m talking to you! Why are you spacing out?” Looking up, I saw my sister-in-law’s worried expression. When I looked down, she thrust the report at me. Seeing the bustling crowd and doctors in white coats around me, the scene felt eerily familiar. Before I could respond, my sister-in-law waved the report in my face, confronting me again: “Sophia, are you even listening? Can’t you just take this?” Instinctively, I took the report from her and glanced at my phone. It hit me—I had been given another chance, back to the day of the prenatal checkup with my sister-in-law. In my previous life, when the doctor discovered the fetal demise, they recommended induced labor. Wanting to protect my sister-in-law, I explained the medical risks of keeping a non-viable fetus and urged her to proceed with induced labor. She looked at the report and, trusting my advice, decided to terminate the pregnancy. But upon seeing the fully formed male fetus, she was stricken with fear and regret. When Ethan arrived at the hospital and learned the fetus was male, he lost control, attacking my sister-in-law and accusing Olivia of ending his son’s life, demanding revenge. Terrified of losing her life and her status as Mrs. Ethan, she pushed all the blame onto me, claiming I had frightened her with a quack doctor’s false diagnosis and pressured her into ending the pregnancy. Ethan directed his fury at me, convinced I intended to wipe out his lineage. He attacked me, choking me hard. I struggled desperately, pleading for mercy. Even my mother-in-law didn’t intervene, taking pleasure in my suffering, saying, “How could you not want my daughter to be well and even harm my precious grandson? You deserve the punishment!” My sister-in-law stood by, allowing me to take the fall, adding fuel to the fire: “Honey, it’s all Sophia’s fault. She pushed me into this. It’s all her doing. Punish her to avenge our son.” Blinded by rage, Ethan only desired my death to avenge his son, choking me and pushing me off the hospital room balcony, leading to my immediate demise. Yet, heaven granted me another chance at life. This time, I wanted to see what would happen if I didn’t persuade her to terminate. Suppressing my inner rage, I calmly told my sister-in-law: “Olivia, the report isn’t mistaken. It really is your name.” Upon hearing the report was hers, my sister-in-law roared in disbelief: “How can this be? Just a few days ago, I could still feel him moving in my belly. This must be a misdiagnosis.” I knew that, regardless of this life or the last, she wanted to keep the child. After all, the child was her bargaining chip, a means to elevate her status. In my previous life, I persuaded her for the sake of her health to agree to induced labor to save her life, but she ended up resenting me for meddling, costing me my life. So in this life, I’ll let her do as she pleases. I followed her train of thought and comforted her: “Right, right, it’s probably a misdiagnosis. You don’t always have to listen to the doctor’s advice for induced labor.” “If there’s a problem with the child in my belly, how could I not know?” “Exactly, that’s why I said it’s probably a misdiagnosis. Doctors make mistakes all the time. You should consider keeping the child.” In this life, I won’t persuade her to abort. If she ends up with a massive hemorrhage, that’s her problem. Let her do as she pleases. Olivia snatched the report from my hand, muttering to herself: “It must be a misdiagnosis. Those quack doctors.” At this point, I naturally fueled the fire, making it burn even brighter so that Olivia would cause a scene at the hospital, scaring the doctors away from treating her. I said to Olivia: “These doctors are unscrupulous. They want you to undergo induced labor, which is practically a death sentence! It’s despicable; they’ll do anything for money. You can’t let this go. You must hold the doctors accountable.” Olivia stormed into the doctor’s office, slamming the test results on the desk. “You heartless quacks! I felt fetal movement just a few days ago, and now you’re telling me the fetus is dead? You must not have checked properly. You want me to abort my child? No way.” The doctor explained: “Based on your results, we’ve confirmed it multiple times. The results are accurate; the fetus has indeed died. That’s why we recommend induced labor.” Olivia grew more agitated, throwing a fit: “What confirmation? You just did a slapdash job! You didn’t check carefully. You’re just after our money. Who knows how accurate this result is?” The doctor remained calm and continued: “We’re a legitimate facility, and our results are based on thorough examinations. We recommend induced labor because carrying a dead fetus poses high risks. A massive hemorrhage could endanger your life. But ultimately, your life is your own, and how you choose to proceed is up to you.” Olivia was fuming, taking a few steps back. Luckily, she sat down on a chair; otherwise, if she had accidentally sat on the floor, who knows whom she would blame next. Not long after, my profit-driven mother-in-law showed up at the hospital. It seems Olivia had already contacted her. She arrived and slapped me twice: “Sophia, why are you so useless, standing there like an idiot? You’re supposed to be taking care of Olivia, but you can’t even help her, letting her be bullied by those unscrupulous doctors. You’re so worthless.” I cried, covering my face, explaining: “Mom, it’s all my fault for being tongue-tied.” “Crying? All you know is how to cry. No wonder the doctors can manipulate you to take your money. You’re useless.” After hitting me, she started causing a scene at the doctor’s office entrance. “Come and see, everyone, look at this heartless hospital, these heartless doctors. They told my daughter the fetus is dead and to induce labor. This is practically murder for money. They’ll do anything for dirty money. I’ve had two kids, all healthy. How could there be so many problems?” My mother-in-law made an unreasonable scene, refusing to listen to the doctor’s explanations and causing a huge ruckus in the doctor’s office. The doctor, overwhelmed by the disruption, finally said: “Just go home. You don’t have to go through with the induced labor. Just don’t make a scene here. I won’t treat you anymore. Do as you please.” With that, we were kicked out of the office. My mother-in-law, not satisfied with her rant, continued muttering curses. As we left, I overheard the doctor muttering: “Ignorant mother and daughter. You’ll pay for the decisions you make today.” After all the ruckus, Olivia seemed exhausted, asking me and my mother-in-law to send her home. Seeing her so fatigued, more so than a typical four-month pregnant woman, I suspected the dead fetus was deteriorating inside her. If not dealt with promptly, I couldn’t imagine what would happen next. However, I’m quite curious to see how she’ll fare living with a dead fetus and what fate awaits her. As soon as we entered Ethan’s Family home, we ran into Ethan, who was about to head out. Seeing us come in, Ethan, as usual, was cold, accusing: “You’re pregnant and still running around outside. If anything happens to the child, I’ll have your head.” Looking at the man before me, I felt an inexplicable fear. In my last life, it was him who, without distinguishing right from wrong, firmly believed I was responsible for the loss of his son, accusing me of wanting to end his lineage. Yet he didn’t know that I advised Olivia to terminate the pregnancy for her health, planning to have children after recovering. He cruelly pushed me off the balcony, ending my life. Before I could gather my thoughts, Olivia, with a smile, approached him: “No, honey. This morning, my mom and the others accompanied me to the prenatal checkup.” Ethan, still in his cold tone, asked: “What did the doctor say?” Facing Ethan, Olivia’s fatigue vanished as she playfully said: “Honey, the doctor said the baby is very healthy and developing well. It’s just that I’m a bit weak as a pregnant woman, and my nutrition isn’t keeping up.” Olivia could lie without batting an eye. My mother-in-law chimed in: I was shoved off the balcony, my life taken away in a cruel twist of fate. Before I could fully grasp what was happening, Olivia flashed a smile and said, “No, sweetie, my mom went with me for a prenatal checkup this morning.” Ethan, maintaining his cold demeanor, questioned, “What did the doctor say?” Olivia, shedding her earlier fatigue, replied sweetly, “Darling, the doctor said the baby is doing well, developing perfectly. It’s just that I’m feeling a bit weak and undernourished.” Olivia was so smooth with her lies that she didn’t even blink. My mother-in-law chimed in, “Son-in-law, you have no idea how much Olivia struggled this morning, waddling around with that belly. Pregnancy is truly exhausting. You mustn’t mistreat her in the future!” Ethan glanced at Olivia’s belly and remarked, “Five million for a son, two million for a daughter. Just focus on your pregnancy.” With that, he left. My mother-in-law was overjoyed, exclaiming, “Oh my, my dear daughter, you’re carrying my grandchild, and that’s five million!” She then turned to me, boasting, “Did you hear that? That’s five million. Why are you just standing there? Can’t you see you should help?” I silently cursed in my heart, “Ha, why drag me into this? Five million, my foot! Dream on; you need a living baby for that.” I deliberately moved slowly towards Olivia, reaching out but not touching her hand. She suddenly collapsed, clutching her belly and crying out, “It hurts, it hurts.” My mother-in-law shoved me aside, causing me to fall heavily to the ground. “Sophia, if anything happens to my grandchild, I’ll hold you responsible, you useless thing.” She even tried to slap me, but Olivia was wailing on the floor. Blood flowed from her thighs, staining her pants. The driver quickly rushed her to the hospital. On the way, Olivia insisted that the previous hospital was trying to exploit her and refused to go back, opting for a different one. “As if switching hospitals would revive the lifeless fetus inside her.” At the hospital, she was rushed into the emergency room. My mother-in-law anxiously paced outside, muttering, “My grandchild, my grandchild, please be okay.” She blamed me, “It’s all your fault. If you had helped Olivia sooner, this wouldn’t have happened. If anything happens to her, see how I deal with you.” A nurse came out with a troubled expression, “The fetus has stopped developing. We need to induce labor.” My mother-in-law panicked, realizing this meant losing her five million. “No, you can’t induce labor. My son-in-law promised five million.” The nurse scolded, “What are you thinking? If the mother hemorrhages, her life is at risk. The fetus has already stopped developing.” “No, no!” “Auntie, is a life or five million more important? When a life is lost, where will the five million come from? Preserving life is crucial.” Both hospitals confirmed the diagnosis, and my mother-in-law had to accept reality. The nurse’s words made her realize she could have many more five-million grandchildren in the future. She quickly agreed to sign. In this new life, I couldn’t let Olivia easily abort the baby. I swiftly took the pen from my mother-in-law’s hand. Pretending to care for Olivia, I said, “Mom, you can’t sign. How can you abort Olivia’s baby? She cares so much about this child. You’re risking her life!” My mother-in-law slapped me again, “Get lost. It’s not your place to decide for my daughter. Let go. I can’t harm my daughter. First, save Olivia. Abort the baby.” “Mom, you must reconsider!” My mother-in-law got the pen back, about to sign, when Olivia’s voice came from the emergency room, “I decide what happens with my child!”

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When I was seven, I accidentally wandered into the basement and saw a woman in a red dress chained to the corner like an animal. That’s when I learned the ugly truth: my dad wasn’t just a monster—he was a maniac. The woman chained in the shadows wasn’t a stranger. She was my mother. For ten years, they’d been married. For ten years, he’d subjected her to unspeakable horrors. He forced her to eat rotting meat crawling with maggots, raped her whenever the mood struck, tore into her flesh with his teeth, and drank her blood. Sometimes, he’d make her dance barefoot on shards of broken glass, laughing as she bled. After that day, I started secretly helping her, slipping her food and water when I could. The summer I graduated high school, I saw my chance. My dad had left town on one of his business trips, and I finally worked up the courage to get her out. I thought I’d done it. I thought I’d saved her. But as we reached the front door, he appeared. It was like he’d known all along. What happened next still haunts me. The mother who had just moments ago been crying tears of gratitude, clinging to me as if I were her last hope, suddenly turned on me. Her face twisted with venom as she pointed at me and screamed, “Honey, I told you! She’s been trying to get rid of me so she can have you all to herself!” I froze, unable to process her words. “She’s jealous!” she shrieked. “She’s always hated me! I only set a tiny trap, and she couldn’t wait to send me away. You see, darling? You see how cruel she is?” Then she turned to me, her eyes blazing with hatred. “How could I have raised such a disgusting little wretch like you?” she spat. My world fell apart in that moment. I was dragged to the basement, where I became my mom’s replacement. For months, they tortured me. My dad’s cruelty was expected, but my mom? She stood by his side, watching with a smug smile as he tore me apart, her hand resting lovingly on his arm. They whispered sweet nothings to each other, their romance blossoming as I screamed for mercy. In the end, I couldn’t take it anymore. I threw myself against the concrete wall until everything went black. When I opened my eyes, I was back in my room. I recognized the date instantly. It was the day my mom first begged me to save her.

“Eat it.” My dad kicked a plate of maggot-infested meat toward my mom. He stood there, pristine in his tailored suit and polished leather shoes, his hair neatly combed. Everything about him screamed elegance—everything except the blood-stained, damp basement that reeked of iron and rot. In stark contrast, my mom sat huddled in the corner, chained like a dog. She wore a tattered red dress, her thin, gaunt face lifted toward him, eyes wide with fear. “Luke, I… I’m not hungry,” she stammered, her voice trembling. Luke narrowed his eyes, his tone chilling. “Are you defying me, Anna?” Anna bit her lip, her gaze darting to me as I stood silently in the doorway. The same pleading look I’d seen a hundred times before—the one that always tore me apart. “Lila…” she whispered, her voice breaking. In my last life, I’d fallen for that look. Every single time. She never begged outright. She never asked me to intervene. Instead, she’d put on a mask of despair, murmuring things like, “Lila, don’t worry about me. As long as you’re safe, I can endure anything. It’s just a few bugs—it’s nothing I can’t handle.” Then, she’d reach for the plate, her hand trembling as if summoning every ounce of willpower to make the sacrifice. But before she could touch it, she’d start retching, tears streaming down her face as she gagged and sobbed. And every time, I’d break. My heart would twist with guilt, as though her suffering was my fault. And like the fool I was, I’d always fight for her. In my last life, on this very night, I’d snatched that plate of rancid meat from her and made her a bowl of noodles instead. Luke hadn’t said a word. He’d simply turned and walked away, his cold indifference like a knife to my chest. The next day, Anna was allowed out of the basement. She wore an apron and greeted me with a radiant smile as she served me a plate of braised ribs. “Lila, I made this just for you. Try it!” I’d eaten every bite, beaming at her, grateful for even the smallest sign of normalcy. For a moment, sitting at the dining table with both my parents, I’d allowed myself to hope—maybe, just maybe, we could be a real family. But then, Anna covered her mouth, giggling as she leaned into Luke’s chest. Her smile was wide and triumphant, her voice dripping with amusement. “Of course it’s delicious,” she said, grinning from ear to ear. “You’ve been taking care of that dog for a whole year. Its meat is so tender!” Her laughter was like the chime of a bell, each note slicing into me like a blade. I stared at her, frozen in disbelief. She swayed her hips as she left the dining room, returning moments later with a blood-stained pelt—a dog’s pelt. It was perfectly skinned, the features intact, almost lifelike. “Luke’s knife skills are impeccable,” she said, holding up the pelt for him to admire. “Look at this! It’s almost like it’s still alive!” The hollow eyes of my dog, the same one that had been wagging its tail at my feet just the day before, stared back at me. I clutched my stomach and ran to the sink, vomiting until there was nothing left. Luke finally glanced at me, his expression cold and mocking. “Lila,” he said flatly, “kindness without strength always comes with a cost.” Anna, emboldened by his words, chimed in. “She’s right, Luke. She ate so much of it—clearly, she enjoyed it. Why pretend to be disgusted now? Such a hypocrite.” The feel of soft fur against my leg jolted me from the memory. I looked down to see my dog, Scout, wagging his tail and nuzzling against me. I scooped him up, holding him close as I looked at Anna. She was already putting on her usual act, her eyes brimming with tears. “Mom,” I said, my voice cold as ice, “Dad works so hard every day. The least you could do is eat what he gives you without being so dramatic.” Luke’s expression shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing in approval. But Anna froze, her face twisting in shock. She hadn’t expected this. Not this time. Her lips quivered as she forced herself to look pitiful, her voice trembling. “Lila, you’re my only daughter. I’d do anything for you! If you want me to eat it, I’ll eat it.” She picked up a piece of the rotting meat, bringing it to her nose. The stench made her gag, and she hesitated, her fingers trembling. She wasn’t eating. She was waiting—waiting for me to crack, for me to snatch the plate away and protect her like I always did. But this wasn’t my first life. I’d seen this too many times before. Her fake tears, her empty promises of love. I’d tasted the maggot-infested meat myself, forcing it down my throat while she stood by, pretending to care. This time, I simply stroked Scout’s fur and looked away. Luke’s patience finally snapped. He grabbed Anna by the hair and shoved the meat into her mouth, piece by piece. She choked and gagged, tears streaming down her face as bits of meat and maggots spilled onto her clothes and crawled over her skin. Her face twisted in agony, but Luke’s expression was one of satisfaction, almost ecstasy. He gently brushed the crumbs from her shoulders, his voice soft and loving. “Anna, I love you. I’d never treat anyone else like this. This… this is how you know you’re special to me.” Anna’s tear-filled eyes glowed with a disturbing intensity, her lips curving into a trembling smile. It hit me then. She liked it. She wanted it. They deserved each other.

I never met my mother. Not really. Growing up, whenever I dared to ask about her, the housekeepers would shuffle nervously, muttering vague excuses before quickly changing the subject. It wasn’t until I was seven years old that I learned the truth. I wandered into the basement by accident one day and saw her. She was chained to the wall, a rusted dog collar wrapped around her neck like a noose. Her red dress was torn and filthy, clinging to her skeletal frame. Her skin was ghostly pale, the kind of sickly white that comes from years without sunlight. The air reeked of mildew, blood, and something worse—something rotting. She sat slumped against the wall, combing her brittle, thinning hair with a broken comb. Her bony fingers moved mechanically, and every now and then, she’d hum a tune or let out a soft, eerie laugh. Her hollow cheeks and sunken eyes made her look like a corpse, but even then, I could see it—the faint resemblance between us. That’s when she noticed me. A little girl clutching a doll, chubby and wide-eyed. “Are you… Lila?” she croaked, her voice raspy and strained. Before I could answer, she lunged at me. Her bony hands grabbed my arm, her grip so tight it left five bloody scratches. “You’ve grown so much,” she whispered, her face inches from mine. “I’m your mother, Lila. I’m your mother!” I froze, too scared to move, but then her eyes dropped to my bare feet. Her expression twisted into something monstrous. “You walk around like that in front of your father?” she screamed, her voice shrill and hysterical. “You little whore! You think you can seduce him, don’t you?” Before I could react, her hand shot out and struck me across the face. I was sick with a fever for a month after that. The next time I saw her, Luke—my father—had brought her to my bedside. She stood by my bed, her posture stiff and submissive. Her trembling fingers brushed my hair as she leaned down to whisper, “Lila, I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have hit you. Can you forgive me?” Her apology felt hollow, her voice shaking with every word. She kept glancing at Luke like a frightened animal, her whole body trembling whenever his shadow crossed hers. I forgave her, of course. I was desperate for a mother. I’d longed for her my entire life. From then on, I shielded her from everything. When Luke whipped her, I threw myself over her body, letting the lashes tear into my back instead. When he drained her blood, I held the knife myself, matching each cut on her skin with one on my own. When he forced her to eat rotting meat, I swallowed bite after bite until I was retching and sobbing, just to spare her the pain. Eventually, Luke’s affection for me faded completely. “You’re just like her,” he said one day, his cold, sharp eyes boring into mine. “Stupid and weak. It’s in your blood, Lila. You inherited her pitiful, filthy nature.” From that moment on, he stopped trying to mold me into his perfect heir. No more lessons in etiquette or business. No more late nights learning foreign languages or memorizing the weaknesses of his corporate rivals. When Anna heard, she was overjoyed. “Finally, he’s letting you off the hook!” she said, her laughter bubbling like champagne. “Girls don’t need to learn all that nonsense. What, does he think you’re going to inherit the company? How ridiculous. “Your job is to grow up pretty and happy. Find a good man to marry. That’s all that matters. Come, let me teach you how to make men adore you…” I sat there, confused, her words gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. She’s my mom, I told myself. She wouldn’t hurt me. Would she? When I turned eighteen, I was accepted into a university overseas. That summer, Luke left town for a business meeting. The moment he drove off, I ran to the basement, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst. “Mom,” I whispered, fumbling with the lock on her chain. “We’re leaving. I’m getting you out of here.” The collar fell away, clattering to the floor. For the first time in eighteen years, she was free. “Dad’s gone,” I told her, my voice shaking with excitement. “I already bought tickets. We’re flying to a new city. I’ll go to school, and I’ll take care of you. I’ll fix this, Mom. I’ll fix everything.” Anna blinked at me, her eyes flicking to the chain on the floor. Slowly, a smile spread across her face. “Okay, Lila,” she said, her voice bright and cheerful. “Let’s go.” The plane was in the air when I finally allowed myself to breathe. It was over. We were free. I turned to share my relief with her, but she was staring at me, her expression unreadable. And then she smiled. It wasn’t a kind smile. The intercom crackled. “Attention passengers, this flight will be making an emergency return to the airport. We apologize for the inconvenience.” My stomach dropped. Ten minutes later, the plane landed. The other passengers were ushered off, leaving just me and Anna. Luke was waiting for us at the gate. Anna ran to him, throwing her arms around his waist. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, “Luke! You stopped a plane for me! You love me that much…” She looked like she might faint from the joy of it all. For her, it was a grand romantic gesture, proof that no one could ever come between them. She turned to me, her expression hardening. “She forced me,” Anna said, her voice trembling. “She wanted to send me away so she could have you all to herself. She’s jealous, Luke. She’s always been jealous of us.” I was dragged back to the basement, my neck chained to the wall where hers had been. Luke tilted my chin up with his foot, sneering. “You’re useless,” he said. “Just like her. But at least she’s entertaining. You? You’re nothing.” He turned to Anna, his voice softening. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ve adopted a son. He’ll take over the company someday. You don’t have to think about her anymore.” From that day on, I became Anna. She thrived. The life of a wealthy socialite brought color back to her cheeks. She draped herself in diamonds and pearls, smiling down at me like a queen visiting her subjects. “Lila,” she said one day, letting a box of pastries fall to the floor. “Luke only does this because he loves you. You should be grateful. No man will ever love you as much as he does.” When Luke demanded my blood, she wielded the knife. When he forced me to eat rotting meat, she shoved it down my throat. When he set his wolfdog on me, she handed me a knife and told me to fight. She laughed as I bled, her voice as bright and clear as a bell. “She’s more dog than the dog itself!” she said, grinning at Luke. The night I killed myself, she cried. “Lila,” she sobbed, clutching my lifeless body. “Don’t leave me. Don’t leave me alone with him. I need you…” But I was already gone.

It took a death for me to see things clearly. In my past life, I thought saving Anna—dragging her onto that plane bound for a new city—was the right thing to do. I was so wrong. How could I have been so delusional? How could I have believed she wanted saving? Anna and my father were a match made in hell. Luke was right about one thing: kindness without strength always comes at a cost. Looking into Anna’s hollow eyes, watching her revel in the torment she claimed to hate, I felt nothing. No pity. No anger. Just a cold, detached clarity. Without a word, I turned and walked away. When I was reborn, I knew exactly what I needed to do. This time, I wouldn’t waste my energy trying to fix what couldn’t be fixed. I resigned as student council president, stepped down as class leader, quit all my extracurriculars, and declined every invitation to events or parties. I poured every ounce of my time and focus into my studies. Because I knew what was coming. Soon, my father’s company would welcome a new rising star—a man as sharp, ruthless, and cunning as a younger version of Luke himself. His name was Jason King. In my past life, by the time I died, Jason had already climbed the ranks to the boardroom. He wasn’t just a rising star—he was a force, someone my father trusted to make major decisions for the company. I remembered the night Jason was promoted. Luke brought him home to celebrate. They stood at the top of the basement stairs, dressed impeccably in tailored suits, red wine swirling in their glasses. From where I was chained below, I could see the faint smirk on Jason’s face, the glint of amusement in Luke’s eyes as they both glanced at me. “Mr. White, such… refined tastes,” Jason had said, his tone polite but laced with mockery. Luke chuckled, pleased by the compliment, but Jason’s gaze never left me. After Luke left the room, Jason came down the stairs. He handed me a sandwich, his expression soft with pity. “Poor girl,” he murmured, his voice almost kind. Starved and desperate, I devoured the sandwich without hesitation. And then I felt it—the sharp, cold edge of a razor blade slicing through my throat. I choked, blood gushing from my mouth as I clawed at my neck. Jason crouched down, dipping his fingers into the pool of blood spilling onto the floor. He brought them to his lips, licking the crimson from his fingertips, his eyes shining with a sick, twisted excitement. He was just like Luke. In this life, I knew what I had to do. The day before my final exams, I returned home. I made a calculated choice to gain Luke’s favor. I prepared a dish—one I remembered from my past life—a delicacy meant for Anna. When I brought the dish to him, Luke looked at me with something I hadn’t seen in years: approval. For the first time in what felt like forever, he smiled. “Lila,” he said, his voice warm. “You’re finally starting to remind me of myself.” I lowered my eyes, smiling sweetly. “Of course, Father. I am your daughter, after all.” The dish was called “Three Squeaks.” When I opened the container, the tiny pink baby mice inside squirmed and squeaked loudly, their little bodies writhing as they tried to escape. Anna gasped, her face pale with horror. I turned to her, my smile bright and cheerful as I gently patted her cheek. “Mom,” I said, my voice soft and sweet. “I made this just for you.”

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