Author: Momo Chan

The Alpha I’d been mated to for ten years finally became Alpha King. But the woman crowned Luna Queen wasn’t me. Pack members whispered their sympathies. Ten years of loyalty. All for another woman’s throne. I sat unbothered in my new quarters, slowly sipping water. Because I’m not really from this world. I’m a System User. My mission was simple: help Alaric become Alpha King, then die by his hand. Play the perfect unimportant role. Do that, and I go home with a hundred million dollars. I know this water is laced with Wolfs bane. The new Luna Queen slipped it in. But the water was a gift from Alaric. So this counts as dying by his hand, right? Perfect. I can finally go home. With a hundred million dollars. Back to my world. — Pain exploded through my body. Darkness crept into the edges of my vision. The metallic taste of blood flooded my throat. I gripped the table’s edge, but a grin pulled at my lips anyway. Finally. It’s finally ending. I crashed to the floor, swallowed by darkness. But the System notification I’d been waiting for never came. I forced my heavy eyelids open. Above me—the familiar silver-threaded canopy. The Luna’s Quarters. I was still in the Luna’s Quarters. I blinked. Was I hallucinating? Had the System glitched? “Elara! You’re awake?” A sharp voice cut through my confusion. Alaric’s face came into focus, leaning over me. He still wore his ceremonial robes from the coronation—black silk embroidered with gold thread. A few strands of dark hair had escaped his crown. Clearly, I was still alive on his mating day to Seraphina. Seraphina. The White Wolf. Alaric’s first love from his youth, who’d been claimed by his late father, the previous Alpha King. Their forbidden romance, now tragically sanctioned. To hide his shame, he’d mated with me instead—convenient, disposable me. Now that he was Alpha King, his first act was retrieving Seraphina from the Sanctuary of the Moon and making her his Luna Queen. I coughed weakly, finding my voice. “I didn’t die?” “Of course you didn’t die! A servant found you in time. You didn’t drink much Wolfsbane, and the Pack Healer’s antidote worked. You’re going to be fine.” Alaric’s brows were drawn tight. “Oh. That’s… unfortunate.” I mumbled. There went my hundred million dollars. Alaric gripped my hand, his voice dropping lower. “Elara, don’t worry. I’ll find whoever did this. I’ll make them pay.” Before I could respond, hurried footsteps echoed outside. Seraphina swept into the room. “Alaric, we found out who it was.” Alaric released my hand instantly, turning to her. “Who? Who dared?!”

Seraphina hesitated. “Perhaps you should question him yourself. I… I don’t know what to say.” An male omega servant was dragged in by guards and thrown to the floor. He prostrated himself immediately. “Alpha King, mercy! Luna Queen, mercy! She ordered me to get Wolfsbane from outside and mix it into her water. I was only following orders, Alpha King!” He slammed his forehead against the floor. Silence crashed through the room. Seraphina let out a theatrical sob and rushed to Alaric’s side. “Sister… today is my mating day with Alaric. I know you’re upset, but you can’t hurt yourself to win his attention.” Alaric’s body went rigid. He turned slowly, his gaze locking onto mine. “Elara. Is what he’s saying true?” I shook my head instinctively. “I didn’t. I—” “Enough! The evidence is clear. You still want to lie? Elara, I always thought you were just cold. I never realized you were this vicious. You wanted to die? I’ll make sure you live a long, miserable life instead. Maybe you’ll learn something.” He took a breath, then snapped out orders. “By my command as Alpha King: Elara is guilty of deception. Effective immediately, she’s confined to the Luna’s Quarters. No one enters or leaves without my direct permission. Remove all her privileges—food rations, healers, everything. Let her reflect on her sins.” He didn’t look at me again. Just wrapped his arm around Seraphina’s waist and strode out. At the threshold, Seraphina glanced back. She was pretending to wipe tears, but I caught the smirk curling her lips. The door slammed shut. I collapsed back onto the bed. Fine. No healers. No food. That works. If I slowly starved to death like this, wouldn’t that still count as dying by his order? After all, it was his decree. Maybe the System would accept it. I would got that a hundred million dollars and got back to my world. I closed my eyes, forcing myself to ignore the lingering pain in my body, and waited for death to come again. But I underestimated this werewolf body’s resilience. Day after day, I suffered. But somehow, impossibly, I started to heal.

When I could finally stand without collapsing, I stumbled outside, desperate for sunlight. The Pack House was decorated everywhere—banners, flowers, ribbons. Almost obscenely festive. I grabbed a passing omega maid. “What’s… what’s the celebration for?” My voice came out raspy. She yanked her arm away irritably. “Mistress Elara, have you lost your mind locked up in there? The Luna Queen is pregnant! The Alpha King is overjoyed—he’s pardoning prisoners across all territories and throwing a feast in the gardens tonight! I’m busy collecting my bonus, so don’t hold me up!” She fled like I had a disease. I stood frozen. Then an unexpected surge of excitement rushed through me. This was perfect. A territory-wide celebration feast. If I caused a scene—attacked the Alpha King in front of everyone—he’d kill me for sure. Grinning to myself, I turned to head back and prepare. But just outside the Luna’s Quarters, Beta Silas appeared, bowing low. “Mistress, the Alpha King’s orders: in consideration of your years together, you’re permitted to attend tonight’s feast. He’s sent you clothing and jewelry. Please dress appropriately.” Behind him, two servants carried forward several boxes. I stared at the fabric they unfolded. A memory crashed into me, unbidden. Years ago, during a pack hunt, I’d taken a blade meant for Alaric. As I bled out on the forest floor, he’d knelt beside me, fingers tracing the wisteria embroidery on my torn dress. “Elara, hold on. Just hold on. When you wake up, I’ll give you everything you love. Everything.” I ran my fingers over the embroidery now. So he remembered. Too bad. Too late. I didn’t want to remember anymore. After changing into the dress, I slipped a small silver dagger up my sleeve. The feast hall blazed with light and noise. Seraphina sat in the Luna’s seat, radiant in gold. When she saw me enter, something dark flickered in her eyes. But she plastered on a smile. “You came! Quickly, prepare a seat for Mistress Elara.” I took my place below the high table, hand wrapped tight around the dagger hidden in my sleeve, scanning for the right moment. Then Alaric arrived. I tensed, ready to lunge. Ready to end this. But everything went wrong in an instant.

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The day my Harvard acceptance letter arrived, everyone expected me to frame it. Mount it on the wall like a trophy. Proof that Liam Vance had finally made it. Instead, I declined the offer and enrolled at MIT. It wasn’t impulse. It wasn’t rebellion. It was survival. Because I reborn. In last life, accepting Harvard meant becoming the perfect husband for Seraphina. It meant watching her, six months pregnant with my child, stand over me with a smile. “If you hadn’t gone to Harvard,” she’d whispered, rope cutting into my wrists as I hung from the ceiling beam, “my family never would have chosen you. And my love wouldn’t have drowned his heartbreak at that club. They wouldn’t have found him dead in some backroom, servicing strangers for pills.” Her voice had been so calm. So rational. “You stole his place. So you’ll pay with your life. Piece. By. Piece.” She deliberately had a miscarriage that night. The reason was that she didn’t want to have a child with me. She felt disgusted. I died at the same night… And then I woke up. Eighteen years old. Acceptance letters scattered across my desk. The same day. My phone buzzed. Mr. Kowalski, my guidance counselor. “Liam, the deadline’s tonight. Harvard’s waiting. You’re really going to make them sweat?” I ended the call and stared at the MIT enrollment form on my laptop screen. Different path. Different future. No Seraphina. The door flew open. “Liam.” My mother swept in. Her hands fluttered. “Tell me you’ve confirmed Harvard. Please. I need to hear you say it.” Seeing mom now—alive, whole, not beaten to death by Hawthorne security—made my throat close. In that other life, she’d found my body. Seen what Seraphina had done. And she’d lunged at the woman who’d butchered her son. The Hawthorne guards hadn’t hesitated. I reached for her hand. “I’m going to MIT, Mom. The research programs align better with my focus. Cybersecurity architecture, AI ethics, systems integrity—” “No.” She yanked her hand back. “You’re going to Harvard. Do you understand me? When you fall, you get back up where you fell. I taught you that.” My blood went cold. She remembers. She reborn too? “Mom—” The front door slammed. My father’s voice boomed through the house, followed by a second set of footsteps. Lighter. Deliberate. “Julian! Come on in, son. Let me grab you something to drink.” Julian Vance. Not my brother by blood. Not really. But my father—decorated veteran and self-made businessman—had adopted him at thirteen after his father, Dad’s Army buddy, died in combat. Except Julian’s father hadn’t died in combat. He’d died of a heart attack in a motel with his mistress, but my father had needed a redemption arc more than he’d needed the truth. I watched Julian glide into my room, all easy smiles. “Liam.” He clasped my shoulder. “Dad wants to talk to you about Harvard. He’s really proud, man.” My father appeared behind him, already talking. “Two spots. Harvard only takes two from Riverside Prep, and this year it’s a miracle we got that many. Liam—” He looked at me the way you’d look at a stain. “You’re going to withdraw your acceptance.” My mother stiffened. “Excuse me?”

“Julian needs this.” Dad’s voice carried the weight of absolute authority. “His father gave his life for this country. For me. The least we can do is make sure his son has every advantage. Liam’s smart—he’ll land on his feet. MIT, Stanford, whatever. But Harvard?” He put his arm around Julian. “That’s Julian’s spot. And the Hawthorne family is looking for a Harvard man to marry their daughter. That’s his future. Not Liam’s.” “He earned his acceptance—” “And Julian earned our loyalty!” My father’s face flushed. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to owe someone your life? His father took a bullet meant for me. So yes, Elena. Julian gets the girl, the school, and the life. That’s not negotiable.” My mother looked at me, and I saw it again—that flash of something ruthless beneath her beauty queen mask. She remembered Julian sitting outside while I bled out. She was trying to weaponize me against him. I pulled out my phone and opened the photo album. Found last night’s graduation party. There. Julian and Seraphina Hawthorne, tucked into a corner booth at The Dorset Club. Her hand on his thigh under the table. His mouth at her ear. The angle of the shot made it clear—this wasn’t friendly. This was ownership. I held up the phone. “They’ve been together for months.” My voice came out flat. Clinical. “So it doesn’t matter where I go. I’m not in the running.” Julian’s smile never wavered. “Liam.” He sighed, wounded. “I know you had feelings for Sera. But she sees you as a friend. A brother, even. You need to let her go.” He checked his watch. “Actually, I’m late. We’re catching a movie. Dad, you coming?” My father was already grabbing his keys. “I’ll drive you.” The door slammed. Silence. Then my mother’s hand cracked across my face. “You coward.” I tasted blood. “I thought getting a second chance meant you’d be smarter. Faster. But you’re still the same pathetic boy who let them walk all over him.” Her voice shook. “Do you have any idea how hard it is for me in this house? Your father worships Julian. Your grandmother thinks I’m worthless because I can’t control you. My entire future depends on you marrying into the Hawthorne family, and you’re just going to—what? Run away to MIT and play with computers?” The same script as before. Always the same. In last life, I’d internalized it. Believed I owed her my success. My sacrifice. My life. I’d studied until I couldn’t see straight. Married a woman I didn’t love. Let myself be reshaped into the perfect Hawthorne son-in-law because I thought it would finally be enough. It never was. “I’m going to MIT,” I said quietly. “And this time, I’m living for myself.” She opened her mouth, but I was already walking out.

I should’ve known it wouldn’t be that simple. That night, I woke to the sound of my bedroom door clicking open. My father stood silhouetted in the hallway light. Behind him—Seraphina. I lunged out of bed. “What the hell—” But they were already at my desk. My laptop glowed, enrollment page still open. Seraphina’s finger hovered over the keyboard. “Don’t you dare—” My father caught me in a bear hug, pinning my arms. “She’s doing you a favor, son. Trust me.” “That’s my MIT enrollment—” Seraphina clicked DELETE. The page refreshed. Application Withdrawn. I went numb. “Seraphina—why?” She didn’t even look at me. Just reached down and unplugged the laptop, lifting it by the screen. “What are you—” “If I leave the computer intact, you’ll find a way to re-enroll.” Her voice was ice. “I won’t make that mistake.” She raised the laptop above her head. “No no no—please—” It shattered against the hardwood. Glass and circuitry exploded across the floor. I stopped fighting. My father released me, and I collapsed to my knees, staring at the wreckage. “You knew I picked MIT,” I whispered. “I told you this morning.” Seraphina crouched in front of me, and for the first time, I saw her eyes. Empty. Flat. She’d reborn too. “You said a lot of things last time,” she murmured. “You said you didn’t want me. You said you weren’t interested. But the first night we were together, you were in my bed before I’d even finished unpacking.” My stomach lurched. “That wasn’t—Sera, your roommate drugged me. You know that. She wanted to humiliate me at the party, and I came to you because I trusted—” “Liar.” The word landed like a slap. She stood, smoothing her skirt. “You manipulated me from day one. Played hard to get so I’d chase you. And the moment you had me, you ruined everything.” She turned to Julian, who’d appeared in the doorway. Her voice went soft. Tender. “It’s done, baby. He can’t threaten you anymore.” Julian’s smile was small. Satisfied. “Wait—” My mind raced. “Sera, I’m not trying to come between you two. I want you to be together. Just let me go. I’ll transfer schools, move across the country, whatever you need—” “You really think it’s that simple?” She leaned close, her breath cold against my ear. “Did you think I’d forget what you did to Julian in last life? How you let him die?” “I already paid for that. I died—” “Not enough.” Her whisper was a blade. “I’m going to make you watch Julian and me build the life you stole from him. And you—” Her lips curved. “You’re going to spend every day in hell.” She straightened. “Oh, and before I deleted your enrollment? I submitted a formal withdrawal letter to MIT on your behalf. Citing personal reasons and a commitment to Harvard.” She tilted her head. “Congrats, Liam. You’re going to be a Hawthorne after all.”

They locked me in my room after that. Took my phone. My laptop. Even the old iPad I kept in my desk drawer. For three days, I was a prisoner in my own house. But they didn’t know about the backup phone taped under my bed frame. The one I’d bought with cash the day I woke up reborn, because some paranoid part of me knew they’d try this. I powered it on and opened my email. One unread message. From: MIT Admissions Subject: Enrollment Confirmed Dear Liam Vance, Welcome to MIT. Your enrollment in the Computer Science and Engineering program has been finalized. We look forward to seeing you at orientation on September 1st. I closed my eyes, exhaling for what felt like the first time in days. The system Seraphina had accessed wasn’t real. I’d built a dummy server the day I got the acceptance letter—a perfect replica of MIT’s enrollment portal, hosted locally on my laptop. If anyone tried to tamper with my decision, they’d be deleting a ghost. The real enrollment had gone through the morning I woke up in this timeline. I texted my best friend Marcus: Need you to grab my dorm stuff and meet me at South Station. Day before move-in. I’ll explain later. His reply came in seconds: Dude. What did you DO? Escaped. — Move-in day. I waited until my mother left for her book club and my father took Julian shopping for his dorm at Langford College—the private liberal arts school Seraphina’s family had paid to accept him after his 140 SAT score. Picked the bedroom lock in twenty minutes. Walked out the front door. Took the subway to South Station and didn’t look back. The train to Boston pulled away from the platform, and I watched my childhood disappear through the window. For the first time since I’d woken up in this nightmare, I let myself breathe. — I dozed off somewhere around Providence. When I woke up, something felt wrong. The train had stopped. But we weren’t at South Station. I looked out the window—and my blood turned to ice. We were at a private rail platform. Sleek. Modern. The kind of place you only accessed with a keycard and a seven-figure bank account. And standing on the platform, arms crossed, was my mother. She smiled when she saw me. “Liam. You’re awake. Perfect timing.” The train doors hissed open, and two men in black suits stepped aboard. “Mrs. Vance.” The taller one nodded. “We’ll take him from here.” “Wait—Mom—what is this?” She leaned into the train, her smile bright and terrible. “The Hawthornes are very excited to meet their future son-in-law, sweetheart. Seraphina’s been asking about you.” “I’m not—I don’t want—” “You’re eighteen. You’re brilliant. And you’re exactly what the Hawthorne family looks for in a match.” She stepped back as the men hauled me to my feet. “Oh, and I have wonderful news. They’ve agreed to let you and Seraphina get engaged today. Isn’t that romantic? The wedding will be right after her graduation.” “You can’t do this—” “I can. And I am.” She waved as they dragged me onto the platform. “The Hawthorne estate is lovely this time of year. You’ll see.”

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On the day of the UN Summit, I noticed a new smartwatch on my husband’s wrist. Julian claimed it was a gift from Chloe—a device to monitor his heart rate—mocking me for not being as “caring” as his high school sweetheart. I found it suspicious. During his lunch break, I secretly checked it and discovered a sophisticated spyware bug hidden in the casing. In a panic, I reported it to the Bureau, using my hard-earned ten-year promotion to cover for his “negligence.” Chloe became a federal fugitive. During her escape, she died in a fiery car wreck. Julian pretended to grieve the right way, telling me she deserved it while becoming the “perfect” husband. But it was a trap. During a high-stakes meeting, he leaked my classified translation files, framing me as a foreign asset. “Clara, you’re the one who planted that bug,” he hissed as the feds dragged me away. “You were just jealous of Chloe. You wanted her dead!” I’ll never forget the cold fury in his eyes as he tied me to the back of his car and dragged me across the asphalt for miles. “Go to hell and beg Chloe for forgiveness!” When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Chloe gave him that watch. This time, I didn’t say a word. I simply signed the divorce papers. — “Clara, can you stop being so uptight? You think Chloe would actually hurt me?” Julian’s irritated voice snapped me back from the shock of waking up in the past. Our argument caught the attention of our team members. “Team Lead, that smartwatch on your wrist—didn’t you report it?” One sharp-eyed translator spotted the device and tried to help. Julian’s jaw tightened. “It’s a personal gift. I don’t need to report personal items.” “But that’s against Bureau proto—” He cut them off with a glare. “I’m the team lead on this assignment. If there’s a problem, I’ll handle it.” The translator glanced at me, helpless. I lowered my eyes. Last time, I’d been terrified he’d make a career-ending mistake. So I’d checked that watch behind his back, found the bug, and traded my decade-long shot at promotion to save his skin. All I got in return was his insane revenge. I’d never forget the feeling of asphalt tearing my flesh as he dragged me behind his car for miles. A flash of hatred crossed my eyes. “Team Lead knows what he’s doing,” I said coolly. “We don’t need to micromanage him.” Julian’s expression softened slightly. Then Chloe appeared, dragging her suitcase, breathless and theatrical. “Julian, take me with you! I haven’t been abroad in forever.” The translator didn’t hesitate. “No. You’re contract staff. You’re not cleared for an assignment this sensitive.” “The delegation list was approved by the Director personally. Even Team Lead can’t add or remove personnel.” Chloe’s eyes immediately filled with tears, weaponized and ready. “Julian, I didn’t realize you had so little authority as team lead.” “And why does your team check with your wife before answering? I didn’t know Clara was running this operation.” Julian’s face flushed red. “Who’s the team lead here, me or Clara? You all listen to her so well—maybe I should request a staff replacement!” No one dared speak. He softened his tone just slightly. “Chloe’s contract staff, which means she needs learning opportunities to advance. That’s why she’s coming with us.” “That violates protocol,” I said. My voice was flat, cynical. Julian’s expression hardened. He stared at me, eyes full of undisguised fury and warning. “I know you’re jealous of Chloe, but don’t bring personal feelings into work.” “Anyone who disagrees can remove themselves from this assignment.” The team’s faces paled. This was a career-making opportunity. No one wanted to lose it. Julian swept his gaze across the room, arrogant. “If you don’t want out, shut up. Or pack your things and get the hell out of the Translation Bureau.” I swallowed my anger and said nothing. Julian, this time I won’t interfere. Let’s see how this plays out for you.

After we landed in New York, everyone spent the evening prepping for tomorrow’s summit. Everyone except Chloe. “Julian, I’ve never been to New York! Can you take me sightseeing?” Right in front of me, she wrapped herself around his arm without shame. “There’s a dress I can only get here. Come shopping with me? I’ll wear it for you tonight.” I frowned. “We have work to do.” She rolled her eyes, voice dripping with contempt. “You have all these people. Why does the team lead need to be involved?” “Julian’s one of the primary translators tomorrow. His work can’t have errors. If you two want to fool around, wait until after the summit.” Chloe immediately turned to Julian with a wounded expression. “I just wanted to buy a dress. I didn’t mean to interfere with work. Does Clara have to humiliate me like this?” “I know she didn’t want me to come. Fine, I’ll buy a ticket home right now!” She made a show of heading for the door. Julian pulled her into his arms, then turned his fury on me. “People with dirty minds see everything as dirty! Clara, if you bully Chloe again, you’re out of tomorrow’s summit!” Several team members who liked me looked ready to explode, but I stopped them. Because I knew—the more Julian and Chloe played these games now, the worse their ending would be after the summit. Julian still had some sense of self-preservation. He didn’t abandon the prep work to take Chloe shopping—just promised to go after we finished. Chloe was dissatisfied but agreed. Then she started targeting me. At dinner, she complained she couldn’t eat “white people food” and demanded I cook her congee. When I refused, she ran to Julian. He used both his authority as team lead and husband to force me to play maid. By the time I delivered the congee to the hotel room, she was wearing my pajamas, curled against Julian’s chest watching TV. When she saw me, her smile turned triumphant and vicious. “Thanks so much, Clara.” “Oh, I forgot to pack pajamas, so Julian gave me yours. You don’t mind, right?” “These are so ugly though. No wonder Julian’s not interested in you. When we get home, I’ll buy you some pajamas Julian actually likes!” I forced down the rage bubbling in my chest. “Keep them.” I handed over the bowl. She tilted her head, lips curving into a meaningful smile. “Julian says you’re a great cook. I’ve been dying to try it.” She stood and took the bowl. Her voice dropped to a whisper only I could hear. “Bitch, you’ve been blocking my Bureau application, haven’t you? Then I’ll just steal Julian from you instead. Fair trade.” The next second, the bowl crashed to the floor. Most of the scalding congee splashed on me, but she screamed like she’d been murdered. “Julian, it’s so hot! If Clara didn’t want to cook for me, fine, but why did she have to burn me on purpose!” Then Julian’s hand connected with my face. “Clara, when did you become this vicious? Apologize to Chloe. Now!” I’d had enough. I glared at them both, then stormed out of the room. Looking at the mess covering my clothes and my scalded, reddening arm, my hatred for Julian reached its peak.

When I arrived at the team briefing after cleaning up, everyone looked uncomfortable. “What happened?” They exchanged awkward glances. “We went to get Team Lead for the meeting, but Chloe was in there… He said he’s busy and canceled tonight’s briefing.” Someone muttered under their breath, “This is ridiculous. Pre-mission briefings are Bureau protocol. How can he just cancel? And with you here, his wife, he just—” I dug my nails into my palm to keep my expression neutral. “I’ll check on him.” I pushed open Julian’s door to the sound of Chloe’s girlish laughter. She sat on his lap, one hand hooked around his neck, posing for her phone camera with exaggerated coyness. When she saw me, her smile widened. “Clara, don’t misunderstand. Julian and I are just really close siblings.” Julian gave me a dismissive glance, letting Chloe continue her performance on his lap. “Don’t act superior just because you’ve been at the Bureau longer. If you want to keep this marriage, apologize to Chloe.” “And when we get back, talk to the Director. Get Chloe’s contract-to-permanent transfer approved.” I wanted to slap them both and scream “I’m divorcing you!” But rationality won over rage. Not yet. Not the right time. I clenched my fists until my knuckles went white. “The Bureau isn’t my family business. The Director isn’t my father. I can’t just get contract staff promoted on a whim.” Julian laughed coldly. “You got that commendation last week, didn’t you? Trade your medal for a permanent position slot. Should be easy for you.” I took several deep breaths. Don’t engage with garbage people. “I came to tell you we’re having the team briefing. Everyone’s waiting for you.” Before Julian could respond, Chloe cut in irritably. “Are you all useless? It’s just a briefing. Why does Julian need to attend personally? Did you all get into the Bureau through connections and backdoor deals?” Her hands started wandering across Julian’s body. “Julian promised to spend tonight with me. He can’t break his word. I prepared several sexy costumes!” Julian’s eyes filled with lust. Whatever professionalism he had evaporated. He looked at me coldly. “Get out. Do I need to throw you out? You’re killing the mood. I don’t know what my mother saw in you when she picked you as a daughter-in-law.” He scooped up Chloe and headed for the bedroom. Soon, obscene sounds of laughter and moaning filled the suite. The sounds stabbed into me like needles. Once, Julian and I had been sweet together. But everything beautiful ended the moment Chloe appeared. Last time, I thought he’d just been deceived by her. After waking up in the past, I finally understood—this was the real Julian.

Maybe satisfaction made him magnanimous. The next morning, Julian looked refreshed and energized. Chloe walked with a slight wobble but looked at me with undisguised smugness. “Julian, I’m not official delegation, so I won’t go to the venue and cause problems. I’ll wait at the hotel. Do your best!” Julian’s expression was sickeningly indulgent. “Our Chloe is so understanding. Unlike some people who only know how to ruin the mood.” He shot me a pointed look. I laughed silently. Was it consideration? Or guilt? Julian, you have no idea what’s coming. Because of the summit’s high security classification, all attendees underwent a final security screening before entering the venue. My team members and I passed through smoothly. Julian didn’t. The metal detector wouldn’t stop beeping. Security pulled him aside. “Please wait, sir. We need to conduct an additional search. Your cooperation is required.” The security officer’s tone left no room for argument. Other delegates stared with curiosity. Julian’s face flushed. “I’m the Translation Team Lead. You think I’d violate protocol?” He waved his ID at the officer, but they weren’t impressed. “I’m sorry, sir. Regardless of your position, you must comply with our screening. Please remove all items from your person and place them in this tray.” “Comply?” Julian’s eyes went cold. He turned to me. “Clara, you’re deputy team lead. Handle this.” I shrugged helplessly. “Sorry, Team Lead. I can’t help with this. But if you haven’t violated protocol, just let them search. I’m sure the truth will speak for itself.” The other team members nodded in agreement. Julian’s eyes turned bloodshot. “Clara, kicking someone when they’re down? You’re really something. When we get back, I’ll make sure you regret this.” I ignored his threat and followed security with my team to the screening room. As Julian’s colleagues, our belongings would be re-screened as well. The results came quickly. The security supervisor walked to Julian with the smartwatch, expression deadly serious. “Mr. Smith, we detected a micro-surveillance device in your smartwatch. Your summit credentials are revoked. You need to come with us to Homeland Security for questioning.”

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I stared at the patent application for the anti-cancer drug I’d spent five years developing. The name in the inventor column made my blood run cold. Ryan Brooks. Not Dr. Julian Vance. Not the oncologist who’d sacrificed countless nights, missed family gatherings, and poured his soul into this research. Ryan Brooks. A medical resident who’d been at Sterling Memorial Hospital for barely six months. I stormed into my wife’s office, patent application clutched in my fist. Elena Sterling sat behind her desk, perfectly composed in her CEO power suit. She didn’t even look up from her laptop. “Elena, what the hell is this?” She glanced at the paper, then back to her screen. “Oh, that. I had Ryan submit it under his name. What’s the problem?” “What’s the problem?” I could barely keep my voice steady. “This is my research. Five years of my life. You put his name on it?” “Ryan needs this, Julian.” Her tone was casual, dismissive. “He’s young, ambitious. This kind of breakthrough will launch his career.” “Launch his career? This is intellectual property theft!” “Don’t be so dramatic.” She finally looked at me, her expression cold. “Can’t you stop being so petty for once? Give the new generation a chance.” “Petty? This is academic fraud, Elena. This could destroy both of our careers—” “Effective immediately, you’re relieved of your position as Department Head of Oncology.” Her words cut like a scalpel. “Report to General Logistics and Maintenance. You’ll be reassigned to janitorial duties.” The room spun. “You’re demoting me to… you’re making me a janitor?” “Maybe some time cleaning toilets will teach you about humility and teamwork.” She returned to her laptop. “We’re done here.” I walked out in a daze. My phone buzzed—a notification from Instagram. Ryan Brooks had posted a new photo. The image showed two hands intertwined on white sheets.One hand wore a wedding ring. I recognized that ring instantly—the custom-designed platinum band with microscopic engravings I’d commissioned for our fifth anniversary. There was only one in the world. The caption read: “My boss. My lover. ❤️” I didn’t hesitate. I liked the post and commented: “Congratulations to you and CEO Sterling. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together.” The next day, they announced Ryan’s promotion to Department Head at the morning meeting. I showed up with two envelopes. The first was a lawyer’s letter citing intellectual property theft and demanding a full investigation. The second was a divorce petition with Elena’s signature from a month ago—she’d signed it without reading, too eager to rush off to check on Ryan’s parents’ blood pressure. I slammed both documents on the conference table and walked out. On my way to the parking lot, I sent my father a text: “Pull the investment. All of it.”

My phone vibrated. The restaurant hostess calling to confirm my reservation. “Dr. Vance, we’re confirming your party of two for seven PM this evening.” I looked at the empty seat across from me at the coffee shop. Elena was supposed to join me tonight to celebrate the patent filing. That plan died the moment I saw Ryan’s name on the application. “Change it to a table for one.” I ended the call. Another notification popped up—a video in the hospital’s staff group chat. Ryan’s face filled the screen, eyes red and glistening with theatrical tears. “Dr. Vance, I’m so sorry you misunderstood. That Instagram post was about my girlfriend. I thought CEO Sterling’s ring design was beautiful, so I had a replica made for her. I should have told you first. Please forgive me.” Below his video, Elena had commented: “No apologies needed, Ryan. Small minds see corruption everywhere.” The group chat exploded with ass-kissing responses. “We never doubted you for a second, Ryan!” “Some people are just too insecure to handle young talent.” “Dr. Brooks and CEO Sterling are beyond reproach. Certain individuals need to check their jealousy.” I almost laughed. Everyone at Sterling Memorial knew about Elena and Ryan’s “mentorship.” These hypocrites were just hedging their bets with the person who controlled their paychecks. From Department Head to janitor in one day. How could I compete with the CEO and her boy toy? I didn’t bother replying in the chat. Instead, I opened my desk drawer and pulled out the divorce papers. Elena had signed them a month ago without reading—she’d been in a rush to accompany Ryan to his parents’ house for a “routine check-up.” When did Ryan’s needs become more important than our marriage? Didn’t matter now. This farce was over. My phone rang again. Elena’s name flashed on the screen. She’d called ten times already. Part of me wondered if she’d finally realized how badly she’d screwed up. Maybe she wanted to apologize. I answered. “Where the hell are you, Julian?” Her voice dripped with fury. “Do you know what time it is? You’re AWOL. Get back to the hospital immediately!” My brief flicker of hope died. “AWOL? Elena, you demoted me to janitorial staff. I don’t have a shift today. Your new Department Head, Dr. Brooks, is supposed to be on call.” Silence on her end. She clearly hadn’t expected me to push back. “The night shift is understaffed. Ryan has a family emergency. I need you to cover.” Of course. She’d forgotten about our dinner reservation. Or maybe she’d never bothered to listen when I told her about it. “Dr. Brooks has an emergency, and you need coverage?” I kept my voice level. “Perhaps you should handle it personally. After all, you’re his boss and his lover. Isn’t that what his post said?” “Julian, you—” I hung up and blocked her number. I checked the time. My restaurant reservation was in twenty minutes. I gathered my things and headed out. The restaurant was elegant and quiet.I sat alone at my table, surrounded by dishes I’d ordered for two. The irony wasn’t lost on me. How many years had I believed we were unshakeable? That our relationship would never fall victim to something as cliché as an affair? Then Ryan Brooks showed up, and everything changed. I’d hoped the novelty would wear off. That Elena would remember what we’d built together. I was a fool. I picked up my chopsticks, tried to eat. The food tasted like ash. Through the thin wall separating the private dining rooms, I heard champagne glasses clinking and voices raised in celebration. “Congratulations to Dr. Brooks on his breakthrough anti-cancer drug development!”

I gripped my fork so hard my knuckles went white. The voices next door grew louder, more exuberant. “Dr. Brooks, you’re a prodigy! This kind of achievement at your age—unprecedented!” “CEO Sterling, you have an incredible eye for talent. Promoting Dr. Brooks was a masterstroke!” “Hey, where’s Dr. Vance tonight?” someone asked. “I heard CEO Sterling reassigned him to…janitorial duties?” The speaker lowered their voice, but the contempt was clear. “Probably too embarrassed to show his face. Can’t handle the competition.” “Good riddance. Let’s not ruin the mood talking about jealous has-beens.” I heard Elena’s voice, warm and affectionate in a way she hadn’t spoken to me in months. “Ryan, don’t let the pressure get to you. This success is yours. You earned it.” “Thank you, Elena.” Ryan’s voice oozed false modesty. “I couldn’t have done it without your support. This achievement belongs to everyone here!” The food in front of me looked delicious. My stomach churned with nausea. I dropped my fork. The clatter echoed in my empty room. I couldn’t stay here another second. I pushed back from the table and headed for the exit. As I rounded the corner, the bathroom door opened. Elena stepped out, her face flushed from wine. She froze when she saw me. “Julian?” Her eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here? Are you following me?” Following her. Of course that’s what she’d think. “Your imagination is working overtime, Elena.” I turned to face her fully. “You forgot. This time, this place—this was supposed to be MY celebration dinner. The one you scheduled with me two weeks ago.” Her expression crumbled. A flash of panic and embarrassment crossed her face. “I’ve been swamped with work. I forgot about—look, Ryan really needed this patent to establish himself. The hospital needed a young success story to showcase. The research would have brought prestige regardless of whose name was on it. As long as I knew the truth, what’s the harm?” She took a step toward me, her voice softening. “Julian, I know you’re upset. But think about the bigger picture. Once things calm down, I’ll reinstate you as Department H—” “Don’t bother.” I cut her off, “Keep the position. Keep the patent. You and your protégé Ryan deserve each other.” Shock flickered across her face. She’d expected me to cave, to swallow my pride for the sake of our marriage and her precious “bigger picture.” “Julian! Stop being so childish! I’m trying to give you an out here—” Her phone rang. She glanced at the screen. Her entire demeanor shifted in an instant—the anger and impatience vanished, replaced by warmth and concern. “Hey, Ryan. I’ll be right there…” Her voice turned syrupy sweet. “Don’t worry, I’m just outside. You can’t survive five minutes without me? Silly boy… okay, okay, I’m coming now.” She turned toward the private room without another glance at me. As if I’d ceased to exist the moment Ryan’s name appeared on her screen. “Wait for me, sweetheart. I’ll be right there.” The hallway fell silent. I was alone again. I looked at the closed door of their celebration one last time. Then I walked out of the restaurant and didn’t look back. My phone buzzed. A message from my doctoral advisor, Dr. Marcus Johnson . “Julian, please tell me you haven’t submitted that patent application. There’s a critical flaw in the compound interaction data.”

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After Mark’s brother passed away, his mother insisted that Mark should take on the responsibility of caring for his widow-Jessica. Jessica managed the income. I managed the expenses. The entire family’s income went to Jessica, while I was responsible for the spending and the savings. I work hard on it. When expenses exceeded income, I even paid the difference from my own pocket. At year-end, the whole family gathered to settle the household accounts. Jessica smiled. “Mark, this year you made $150,000 salary plus a $50,000 bonus—that’s $200,000 total! You’re amazing!” The whole family cheered. Only I remained expressionless. Mark turned to me, a smug grin on his face. “I got a raise this year, Chloe. Since we lived frugally, the savings account must be fat compared to last year. How much do we have?” I said flatly, “Not a penny.” Mark’s smile vanished instantly. His face contorted. “We scrimped and saved all year! Where is the money? Did you funnel it to your own secret stash?” The entire family looked at me like I was a criminal. I laughed coldly and looked at Jessica’s guilty face. …… “Chloe, I’m talking to you. Why do you keep staring at Jessica?” The next second, Mark roared at me. His face was dark as storm clouds. “Chloe, tell me the truth. Where did the money go? Did you give it all to your family?” “You’re the only one managing this household. My monthly salary is $12,500. Even if groceries and bills cost $4,000, that still leaves $8,500!” “Over a year that’s at least $102,000, plus the $50,000 bonus—$152,000 total. How could there be nothing left? Where’s the money? Did you steal it!” I replied indifferently. “The money is indeed gone.” As soon as I spoke, Mark got even angrier. “Chloe, I’m warning you. Don’t push it!” Mark’s parent immediately tried to smooth things over. “That’s right, Chloe. In previous years when Mark made less, you still saved almost $100,000. This year with more money, how is there nothing left? That doesn’t make sense.” “Or think harder—maybe you put it in a different account and forgot?” In previous years, Mark’s month salary was $120,000. After household expenses for five people, we’d save over $80,000 annually. This year his salary increased $30,000, plus a $50,000 bonus. Yet somehow there was nothing. No wonder they were so angry. I shook my head again and said calmly. “I didn’t miscalculate. There really is nothing.” “CHLOE!” Mark’s voice nearly broke. “I trusted you completely—I put this whole household in your hands. Is this how you repay my trust?” I glanced at Jessica. She showed no reaction. Just smiled ingratiatingly. I sighed helplessly. “There’s no other way. This year, that’s just how it was.” Unexpectedly, Jessica spoke up. Acting sincere and concerned. “Chloe, think harder. Are you in some kind of trouble?” “I remember last month you took out a loan to help your brother, right?” Her words were vague but the meaning was clear. “If you really took the money, just admit your mistake. We’ll definitely forgive you.” After Jessica’s words, everyone’s expressions changed drastically. Mark instantly exploded and slammed the table. “Chloe, normally I overlook when you slip your family little favors. But now you dare touch our foundation? Do you have any respect for us?” “Don’t forget—you married into the Miller family. You are Chole Miller.” Mark’s mom immediately screeched in agreement. “This is sinful! My son works himself to death earning that money, and you use it to fill your family’s bottomless pit?” Mark’s father pointed at my nose. “You ungrateful leech! My son was cursed the day he married you!” Mark’s sister chimed in. “Exactly. So selfish.” Jessica looked at me with pity. “Stop yelling at her. Just get the money back from your brother, Chloe. We can move past this.” I almost laughed at her shamelessness. Since that’s how it is, no need to save face. “Jessica, aren’t you confused?” “The one who borrowed money for her brother’s loan sharks—wasn’t that you? Last month you said it was urgent. Didn’t you take all that money?” “We should actually be in the negative. I was afraid it would look bad, so I even added a few cents from my own pocket.” Jessica’s face flashed with panic. She looked at Mark helplessly, her eyes instantly reddening. “Mark, it wasn’t me…” Mark didn’t even hesitate. He turned on me like a rabid dog. “Enough, Chloe! Stealing the money wasn’t enough? Now you’re framing Jessica?” I sneered. Ten years of marriage. And he trusted her crocodile tears over me in a heartbeat. I pulled out my phone and opened the chat history. “Look. This is proof of when Jessica borrowed money from me.” “She promised to pay it back by year-end. She still hasn’t.”

Jessica’s face instantly turned pale. This was Jessica’s usual trick—playing weak, using her dead husband as an excuse. Painting herself as the world’s most innocent victim. The first time she came to me crying. “Chloe, I know I shouldn’t ask, but my brother is really in trouble. He desperately needs money to save his life.” “My husband is gone. He’s my only family left. I can’t just watch him…” “You’re the only one I can ask in this family. Mom and Dad are too old. Mark is a man. Chloe, please help me. I promise this is the last time. I’ll pay you back by year-end, okay?” I felt sorry for her, so I transferred the money. I even helped hide it from Mark’s parent to avoid causing problems. Never expected she’d turn around and accuse me. Jessica, caught in front of everyone, glared at me. “Chloe, I admit I asked to borrow money from you. But I already paid it back!” “How can you deliberately keep the records and slander me?” She said this while her eyes reddened. “Fine. Since you insist I took the money, then I guess it was me. My husband is dead anyway. In this house, I’m just an outsider.” She fumbled for her phone, constantly glancing at Mark. Sniffling. “I’ll transfer the money to you right now.” Sure enough, the next second Mark exploded. He grabbed her hand. “Jessica, Chole did wrong. Why are you giving her money?” “Chole is clearly bullying you. She stole from us and won’t admit it—now she frames you.” “Chloe, do you have any humanity? Bullying a widow—has your conscience been eaten by dogs?” Jessica playfully tapped him. “Mark, don’t say it like that. Maybe Chloe just got confused.” “Since I’m part of this family and you’ve all helped me over the years—I have $20,000. I’ll help cover $20,000 for Chloe.” “As for the rest, as long as Chloe admits her mistake and makes up the difference, we’re still family. We can be harmonious, okay?” I laughed coldly. What a perfect plan. Using that $20,000 to sweep this under the rug. To confirm my crime of secretly helping my family. All these years she’d been using her dead husband’s name to play both sides. Whenever there was anything good, she’d take it first, using me as cover. Before, I pitied her and was willing to help. But now it’s clear—all that kindness was wasted. Before I could speak, Mark got angry again. Pointing at my nose and cursing. “Chloe, are you really so vicious you’d bully a widow? Look what you’ve driven Jessica to!” “People would think we couldn’t tolerate Jessica after my brother died. Today you MUST repay every penny. And you need to apologize to Jessica!” Watching him lose control, I suddenly understood. The real issue wasn’t about money. He couldn’t stand me saying one harsh word to Jessica—not even a look. Seeing me stay silent, he assumed I felt guilty. He got more aggressive. “I bet you’ve stolen more than just this year’s money. All these years everyone was fooled by your act. Who knows how much you’ve given your family.” “Today since Mom and Dad are here, let’s thoroughly audit your accounts. Go through every expense and income from all these years and see exactly how much you stolen.” As soon as he finished, Jessica’s expression changed drastically. #$ She blurted out “Mark, it’s New Year’s! Why audit accounts? It’ll hurt everyone’s feelings.” “Whatever the issue is, let’s talk it through. Chloe, I’ll transfer you the money right now.” “Jessica.” Mark stopped her again. “I already said—SHE did wrong, not you. How can I take your money? You’ve had it so hard all these years. Keep that money for yourself.” Mark’s mom gratefully squeezed her hand. “That’s right, Jessica. You’re so thoughtful. Don’t worry—Mom will protect you. If Chloe bullies you, tell me. I’ll back you up.” Mark’s father agreed. “You are so considerable. Having a daughter-in-law like you is a blessing. Even though you’re struggling, you still think of the family.” “Even though Mark’s brother is gone, in our hearts you’ll always be our daughter.” Maybe one of the kids opened the door. Our argument had been too loud—the doorway attracted nosy neighbors. Pointing and whispering. Jessica shot me a pleading look, wanting me to let it go. Though their actions made me cold inside, they were still family. And there were children. I didn’t want outsiders laughing at us. So I spoke softly. “Fine. Let’s eat dinner first. We can discuss this after.” Hearing this, Jessica’s face relaxed. I didn’t expect Mark to remain relentless. “Eat? That’s all you think about! If we don’t settle this today, you’re not eating this meal.” After saying this, he glanced at the doorway and sneered. He walked over and opened the door wider. “So you do know shame. Well, now I’ll let you be thoroughly humiliated.” “Let everyone see exactly what kind of person you are.” Instantly, more onlookers crowded the doorway. Jessica rushed over, trying to close the door. Clearly, Mark completely misread the situation. “Jessica, don’t be afraid. Everyone will support you. This woman won’t get away with framing you.” Jessica saw things spiraling out of control. In desperation, she lied outright. “Chloe, I really did give you that money—in cash. You even said there was no rush, that we’re family so why keep strict accounts.” “Also, I’ve seen you inflate grocery costs, pocketing the difference for your family. Just admit your mistake in front of everyone, and we’ll let it go. It’s New Year’s—don’t make this ugly.” I froze, stunned by her words. All these years my family had been subsidizing me. When had I ever given them a penny? Ignoring my reaction, she continued, looking at Mark. “Mark, since we’re all family, let’s not be too hard on Chloe.” “Have her repay this year’s $152,000, plus a $152,000 penalty—$304,000 total, into the family fund. How about that?”

“Mark.” Jessica gently tugged his sleeve. “Please? It’s New Year’s. Auditing accounts would hurt feelings.” Mark glanced at Jessica. He snorted and reluctantly nodded. “Fine. For Jessica’s sake—Chloe, hand over the money and we’ll turn the page.” I laughed coldly. So they’d calculated this all along. They knew my parents recently felt bad I’d been struggling without a car. They’d given me exactly $304,000 to buy one. Jessica saw him agree and quickly signaled me to transfer the money. “Chloe, see? Mark is compromising. $304,000 isn’t difficult for you.” “Whatever misunderstandings there are, we can discuss privately later.” I almost laughed at her shamelessness. “Jessica, what makes you think I’ll keep being your scapegoat?” “Since you claim you withdrew $152,000 in cash and gave it to me, show me the withdrawal record right now.” Jessica immediately looked away. “Chloe! You’re deliberately making this difficult. You know I lost my bank card recently. Fill in the money first, and once I get my replacement, I’ll show the withdrawal records to Mom, Dad, and Mark.” Then she pleaded, tugging at my sleeve. “Please, Chloe. Help me this one last time. I swear I’ll pay you back.” I scoffed. I shook her off coldly. By now, how could I not see her true face? Once the Millers got their money, would they care how it came? “Dream on!” “Since you can’t provide proof, well—I have proof.” “Proof of who’s been secretly taking all the family money these years.” “Ahh!” But she deliberately stumbled into the table corner, crying out dramatically. Mark saw this and immediately rushed over, slapping me hard. “Chloe! Look what you’ve become—bitter, mean. For a few dollars you’ve stopped being human?” “Jessica was trying to help you, and you dare lay hands on her.” “Believe me or not, I’ll call the police right now. Report you for theft, transferring marital assets, and assault. Let the cops throw you in jail.” My face burned with pain as I stared at him. Never imagined he’d hit me for another woman. Years of feelings, gone in an instant. “Fine. Then let the police investigate thoroughly who really stole the money. Let them examine everything one by one.” “Mark, listen carefully. If I took even one extra penny, forget $300,000—even 3 million dollars, I’ll pay you back if it bankrupts me.” I paused, pointing at Jessica. “But what if it was her? Would you still call the police?” He sneered. “You think everyone is like you—two-faced? Jessica would never do such a thing.” “Even if Jessica used family money, I believe she didn’t do it on purpose. I’d willingly pay for her.” “Great!” I nodded repeatedly. If it weren’t so inappropriate, I’d laugh. The heart I’d loved for years suddenly died. Jessica immediately rushed over in panic. “Mark, we’re all family! How can we call the police? Quick, put your phone down!” Mark reassured her with a smile. “Jessica, you’re just too kind. That’s why this woman keeps slandering you.” “Don’t worry. We all believe you. When the police come, they’ll clear your name.” I laughed coldly and pulled out all the account statements from my bag. “Is that so? Then open your eyes and look carefully.” Did she think she could lie without evidence? “Police! Who called the police?” Just then, a voice rang from the doorway. Mark’s mom proudly waved her phone at me. Jessica’s pupils contracted sharply. #$ “Officers! It was me! This woman stole every penny my son earned working himself to death. Not a cent left!” “Nearly $200,000! Officers, you must help us!” “Not only that, she viciously framed Jessica. Jessica is a young widow—so honest. You must investigate this evil woman thoroughly.” Mark’s mom ran up, pointing at me with a twisted expression. “Chloe, you refused the easy way. Now the police are here—let’s see how you explain. If you don’t pay up, enjoy prison!” I laughed coldly and pulled up a chair. Perfect. Saved me the trouble. The neighbors started whispering. “They called the police—this must be serious.” “Right? That woman secretly transferred all the family assets. The year-end audit caught her. Not a penny left. I bet she’s stolen way more. Calling the police was right.” Another person quietly said. “Don’t be so sure. Look how confident she is. She even volunteered to audit. She’s not scared at all. Meanwhile, Jessica’s face has been off from the start. Maybe there’s something fishy. If they wrongly accused her, that marriage is over.” Mark’s sister munched sunflower seeds like watching a show. She didn’t care who took the money. She just wanted drama. “Chole, weren’t you acting tough? Now that the police are here, show us those statements. Let us see how this family got drained.” Jessica immediately panicked. “No! You can’t!” She tried to grab the statements from my hands. I sneered and dodged. When that didn’t work, she ran to Mark. “Mark, quick—tell Mom to send the police away. This is our private matter. We can resolve it. We can’t let it go public. How will we live together after?” “Harmonious?” He smirked. “Jessica, you’re too kind. When this woman was stealing and smearing you, did she think about ‘harmony’?” “Since she has no shame, we don’t need to save face for this woman.” He walked to the officers and pointed at me. “Investigate her, officers. Please examine this woman thoroughly and see how much she stole and how much she transferred.” The two officers exchanged glances. The older one looked at me. “Ma’am, please cooperate.” “Regarding your family’s accusations, we need to understand the situation.” I smirked, glancing at Jessica’s ashen face. I handed over the statements. “Officers, these are all the household income and expense records since I took over, with bank statements and transfer receipts.” “From hospital bills to a bottle of soy sauce—everything is documented.” I’d originally prepared these just in case. Never thought there’d be a day I’d need them. Before this, I’d always pitied her widowhood. I didn’t want to make things ugly. This year not covering for her was just to see her attitude. If she’d admitted it, I never would have revealed how much she’d secretly transferred to that gambling-addict brother. But today’s actions truly broke my heart. Since that’s how it is, no need to keep being the scapegoat. #$ Instantly, everyone’s eyes were drawn over. Neighbors outside craned their necks. Jessica tried to snatch the documents. One look from the police froze her. The officers’ expressions grew complex as they read. After a while, one asked: “Who is Jessica Miller?” “Jessica?” Mark froze. The angry denunciation he expected never came. He frowned in confusion. Mark’s parent immediately crowded forward. The longer they looked, the grimmer their faces. Mark couldn’t take it anymore. “What’s wrong with these statements? Let me see.” “Is the amount more than Chloe lied about? I knew it—this woman is calculating. She never had good intentions.” He glared at me, walking over cursing. “Chloe, I was blind to marry a traitor like you.” “Look at Jessica—how considerate, filial, caring. You’re not worth a single hair on her head.” I laughed coldly. The words buried for years finally came out. However, the moment he grabbed the statements, he roared and tore them to shreds. “No! Impossible! This can’t be real! It’s fake!” Mark got more agitated, nearly lunging at me. The police blocked him. “Chloe, you’re shameless! Making fake accounts to frame Jessica!” I scoffed and pulled out backup copies. “Mark, can you tear up all of them?” The police photographed the statements. Some curious neighbors squeezed inside. They picked up statements and read aloud. “‘Chloe, Mom’s in the hospital—emergency. Can you transfer $50,000? I’ll pay you back next month. Please don’t tell others.’ Date: March, two years ago.” “‘Chloe, help! Danny gambled and owes loan sharks. They’ll break his legs. Please lend me $80,000. My husband’s dead—I have nowhere else. Please help.’ Date: June, last year.” “‘Chloe, $100,000. Danny swore this is the last $100,000. Once paid, he’ll quit gambling. Please. I’ll pay you back by year-end.’” For easy accounting, I’d pinned large amounts to the top. Smaller amounts were organized chronologically, clear at a glance. Those who thought I was helping my family fell silent. Only Mark kept screaming. “Officers, no—it’s not like this! I don’t believe it! She photoshopped these—forged the records!” “It’s slander! This much money—how would I not know? How could she transfer it without discussing?” “Besides, previous years’ accounts were correct. Where would you get this money?” His words gave Jessica courage to lie. She snapped back. “Chloe, I’ve always respected you. How can you treat me this way?” “I never asked to borrow that much! I never said those things!” She turned to Mark, crying. “Mom, Dad, Mark—please believe me. I really didn’t.” “Chloe is trying to destroy me.” Mark stared at me venomously. “Chloe, look what you’ve done to Jessica. What is your heart made of?” “Apologize to Jessica publicly right now. Admit you forged evidence. Otherwise, you’ll never enter this house again.”

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Chloe had perfected the art of weaponized incompetence. She’d stumble into class late, wide-eyed and breathless, clutching a Starbucks cup like it was a lifeline. “Oh my God, you guys, I’m so bad at mornings!” And just like that, someone would offer her their notes. Someone always did. Even Hayden—my childhood best friend, my first kiss behind the bleachers in eighth grade—would drop everything to help her. He’d smile that patient, indulgent smile and say, “Don’t worry about it, Chloe. I’ve got you.” He never questioned her. Not when she “accidentally” deleted his Google Drive folder senior year. And definitely not on the day she logged into his Common App account and torched his future. I watched it happen. I said nothing. Because in my first life, I’d tried to save him. I’d caught her red-handed, reported her to the Honor Council, and fixed his college applications with minutes to spare. And Hayden? He called me a jealous bitch. Said I was threatened by Chloe’s “sweetness.” Said I’d fabricated the whole thing because I couldn’t stand to see him happy. Two years later, when I was a graduate student at MIT, he destroyed me. He filed a false academic misconduct report. Forged emails. Planted evidence in my research files. The investigation was brutal. The hearing was worse. I was expelled, blacklisted, and facing federal charges for research fraud I didn’t commit. “What did you expect?” he said through the plexiglass during his one and only visit to the jail. “You tried to ruin Chloe. Did you really think I’d let that slide?” In prison, the violence was methodical. A woman named Reina ran our cell block, and she had very specific instructions: make it hurt, but don’t leave marks. I learned later that Hayden had paid her. Five thousand dollars to make sure I suffered. She earned every penny. I died on a concrete floor, my body shutting down from starvation and internal bleeding, clutching a shell casing my father had given me before he deployed to Afghanistan. He never came home. Neither did I. Until I did. I reborn. I woke up to the smell of industrial cleaner and the mechanical hum of desktop computers. My fingers were on a keyboard. The screen in front of me glowed with the Common App portal, a countdown timer ticking in the corner: 4 hours, 27 minutes until submission deadline. “Ava? You done yet?” The voice hit me like a fist to the sternum. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. My entire body locked up as footsteps clicked across the linoleum floor behind me. I didn’t need to turn around. I knew exactly who it was. Chloe. And I knew exactly what she was about to do. “Almost,” I managed, my voice coming out strangled. I kept my eyes on the screen, but my peripheral vision tracked her movement. She drifted toward the back corner of the computer lab—the one spot the security camera didn’t cover. I’d discovered that blind spot in my previous life, right after I’d discovered what she was doing there. This time, I was ready. My phone was already propped between two textbooks, camera lens aimed directly at that corner. Recording. Chloe glanced around, her ponytail swishing as she checked to make sure no one was watching. Then she slid into the chair, her fingers flying across the keyboard with the kind of confidence that didn’t match her “oops, I’m so clumsy” persona. She logged into Hayden’s account. He’d given her his password months ago—because of course he had. He trusted her completely. I watched her navigate to his application. Watched her delete MIT, Stanford, Columbia. Watched her replace them, one by one, with the local community college. Not even the good one. The one that advertised on bus benches. When she finished, she stared at the screen for a long moment. And then she smiled. It wasn’t the ditsy, giggling smile she wore around guys. It was cold. Satisfied. Surgical. “Chloe?” Hayden’s voice shattered the silence. I flinched so hard I nearly knocked over my water bottle.

“Hayden!” Chloe’s mask snapped back into place with terrifying speed. She bounded toward him, all bright eyes and breathless energy. “Oh my God, you scared me! I was just, like, checking my email and I think I clicked something weird? The screen went all crazy.” Hayden caught her by the shoulders, steadying her. “You’re fine. Just log out if something’s acting up.” She nodded, burying her face against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, and for just a second, his eyes flicked toward me. The look in them made my blood run cold. He turned away, guiding Chloe toward the door with his hand on the small of her back. I sat frozen until their footsteps faded. Then I looked down at my phone. The video was crystal clear. Every keystroke. Every smile. Every lie. Last time, I’d run after them. I’d screamed. I’d begged Hayden to check his account. He’d looked at me like I was delusional. This time, I closed the recording and saved it to three separate cloud drives. Then I deleted the application I’d already filled out—Boston University, Finance major, the school Hayden had picked for me because he liked the idea of us in the same city. I typed in a new name: United States Military Academy at West Point. My father’s alma mater. The place I’d spent my whole childhood trying to forget. “I’m done running,” I whispered to the empty lab. The submit button glowed green. I clicked it. — The Common App portal locked at midnight. By the time Hayden’s mother found out, it was three days later. I was restocking shelves at the campus bookstore when I heard the screaming. “WHO TOUCHED HIS APPLICATIONS?” Mrs. White’s voice cut through the hallway like a siren. I peeked around the corner and saw her storming toward the administrative office, heels clicking like gunshots, a printout of Hayden’s college list clutched in her hand. The entire hallway went silent. Chloe was at her locker. I watched the color drain from her face. Her fingers twisted the hem of her skirt. “Mrs. White, I—” Chloe’s voice broke beautifully. Tears welled up in her eyes on cue. “I was trying to help. The system was glitching, and I thought—I thought I clicked save, but—” “You thought?” Mrs. White’s voice could have stripped paint. “You thought? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” In my first life, this scene had played out differently. I’d fixed Hayden’s applications before the deadline. Mrs. White had shown up angry, but ultimately relieved. She’d thanked me stiffly, then never spoken to me again. Hayden had called me a meddling bitch and told me to stay out of his life. This time, I stayed in the bookstore. My phone was recording from my jacket pocket. “Mom.” Hayden appeared in the hallway, his jaw tight. He put himself between Chloe and his mother. “I told her to do it.” The hallway erupted in whispers. I nearly dropped the book in my hand. “What?” Mrs. White’s voice cracked.

“I asked Chloe to change my applications.” Hayden’s voice was calm. Too calm. “Community college is fine. I don’t need some fancy name on a degree to prove I’m worth something.” He pulled Chloe against his side, his arm locked around her shoulders. “If I can be with her, that’s all that matters.” Chloe’s tears froze halfway down her cheeks. Mrs. White looked like she’d been slapped. And Hayden turned his head, just slightly, and looked directly at me. He smiled. It was the kind of smile that said checkmate. I turned off the recording and went back to stacking books. — The senior class dinner was held at Marcello’s, the kind of Italian restaurant with cloth napkins and candles on every table. Chloe wore white. Of course she did. She floated between tables, laughing and hugging people, her hand occasionally brushing Hayden’s arm. “Can you believe Hayden’s giving up everything for me? He’s so sweet.” She stopped by my table, leaning down so her hair fell across her shoulder. “Ava, I heard you got into West Point? That’s so… intense. Are you, like, trying to get away from us or something?” A few people laughed. I peeled a shrimp, methodical and slow, and didn’t look up. “Ava.” Hayden’s voice. Sharp enough that the table went quiet. I met his eyes. “Your dad died in the military, right?” He swirled his drink, ice clinking against glass. “Blown up or something?” My hands stilled. “You planning to follow in his footsteps?” He leaned back in his chair, his smile cruel and lazy. “Get yourself killed too?” Someone sucked in a breath. Chloe’s hand flew to her mouth, but her eyes glittered with something that wasn’t sympathy. “I mean, it’s kind of sad,” Hayden continued, his voice carrying across the restaurant. “No parents. No family. Just… desperation. You’re really going to some desert hellhole because you’ve got nothing else, huh?” The table was silent. I set down my fork. Picked up my glass of Coke. Raised it. “To you and Chloe,” I said evenly. “I hope community college is everything you dreamed of.” Hayden’s smile faltered. For just a second, I saw it—the flicker of recognition. The rage simmering beneath the surface. He knew. He remembered. “Cheers,” I said, and took a sip.

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I spent ten years chasing the woman who would burn me alive. My wife. All because she was afraid I’d expose what she’d done with my halfbrother. As the flames consumed me, I saw a stranger rush into the fire. She pulled me into her arms. Her tears burned hotter than the flames on my skin. “Ethan,” she sobbed. “If there’s a next life… can you choose me first?” My soul scattered. But I saw her before I died. This woman—Serena Vance. She built me a gravestone. *”My Beloved Husband.”* She destroyed Rose and Julian without mercy. Then she took her own life. When I opened my eyes again, I’d been reborn. I broke off my engagement to Rose Miller. I married Serena instead. Two years later, Rose was on her knees in front of me. She’d been reborn too, apparently. But I’d already sworn to love Serena in this life. So why was everything falling apart? Serena started going to clubs with Julian. My stomach ulcer flared up. I collapsed at home, alone. She was having dinner with my brother. When Julian ran over the stray dog we’d adopted together, she did nothing. I held the small body in my arms, shaking. “Why?” My voice cracked. “Why are you doing this to me?” Serena looked at me like I was pathetic. “Do I need a reason to stop loving someone?”

I told Mrs. Vance I wanted a divorce. “Please don’t tell Serena yet,” I begged. She squeezed my hand. “I’m so sorry, Ethan.” I took the divorce papers and went to find Serena myself. I found her at a private club. Through the VIP booth window, I saw her wrapped around Julian. Her chin rested in the curve of his neck. He whispered something. She smiled. I knocked. Serena’s eyes flicked up. Annoyed. “Who let you in?” I held out the papers. My arm stayed frozen in the air. Five seconds. Ten. My shoulder started to ache. Finally, she pinched Julian’s waist. “Take it.” Julian leaned into her like a cat, flipping through the papers lazily. His eyes widened. “What’s this?” Serena frowned. “What?” “Nothing.” Julian’s smile stretched wide. He turned to the signature page. “Serena… I think Ethan brought you some company documents. You should sign them so he can leave.” My blood went cold. But Serena barely glanced at the papers. “You sign,” she said. “I’m giving you full authority.” I watched Julian scrawl Serena’s name across the divorce agreement. “Wait,” I said. “Serena, don’t you want to read—” She laughed. “He speaks for me. What, afraid I’ll go back on my word in front of all these people?” Something inside me cracked. She used to check every document I gave her. Every single one. Now she trusted Julian more than me. Julian handed me the signed papers. I turned to leave. A hand grabbed my arm. Serena pulled me back. “Hold on.” “What?” She smiled. It didn’t reach her eyes. “Come home with us. I’m pregnant. Julian’s moving in to help me through it.” My vision blurred. “And Ethan?” Her voice was sweet as poison. “Make him that chicken soup he likes so much.” Pregnant. Serena was pregnant with Julian’s child. Bile rose in my throat. “I won’t do it.” Julian tugged her sleeve. “It’s okay, Serena. Don’t force him.” “Shut up.” Serena’s voice turned to ice. “You’ll do what I tell you to do. Now let’s go.” She didn’t wait for an answer. She dragged me back to the villa.

The car pulled up to the villa. Serena dragged me straight to the kitchen. She watched me take out the chicken and vegetables. Fill the pot with water. Only when the flame was lit did she finally leave. I stared at the bubbling broth. This was pathetic. “My dear brother.You must be so disappointed. Serena didn’t even look at those divorce papers, right?” Julian’s voice came from behind me, , full of mockery. “The woman who used to love you so much… now her heart belongs completely to me. That’s just how women are, I guess.” He laughed. “But wow, you’re so obedient. You were about to leave, but she told you to make soup and here you are. You’re such a good little dog.” “Are you done?” My voice was flat. Julian’s smile vanished. His eyes landed on the pot of boiling soup. Before I could react, he grabbed the handle and swung it at me. The scalding liquid hit my face, my chest, my arms. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t scream. My skin blistered instantly. Then Julian started screaming instead. “Help! HELP!” The door burst open. Serena ran in. For just a second, when she saw me, something flickered in her eyes. Concern? “Serena!” Julian sobbed, clutching his hand. “I tried to help Ethan carry the soup, but he tried to throw it on me!” The pain was unbearable. I curled into myself, shaking. “You’re lying,” I gasped. “Check the security camera. Check it!” Serena looked at Julian. Doubt crossed her face. “The camera will show everything,” I said desperately. “ENOUGH!” Serena snapped. “I believe Julian. You tried to hurt him and burned yourself instead. You deserve this.” Julian held up his finger. A tiny blister. “Serena, it hurts.” “Let’s get you to the hospital.” She didn’t look at me again. A dull ache spread through my chest. I shook my head with a bitter smile. What an idiot I was, thinking she might actually care about me. Her heart only had room for Julian. I couldn’t hold on anymore. Darkness swallowed me. “Ethan!” As I fell, I thought I heard Serena running toward me. Thought I heard panic in her voice. But I was probably imagining it. When I woke up, I was in a hospital room. My blood was draining into Julian’s arm. I tried to pull out the IV. Serena grabbed my wrist. “Don’t even think about it,” she hissed. “You’re giving Julian your blood whether you like it or not. This is your fault. He fell because of you.” Her eyes were cold. “You should be grateful your worthless blood can save him.” The room spun. My burns screamed. The needle in my arm kept sucking me dry. I passed out again. Before I lost consciousness, I heard Serena’s angry voice. “I told you to take 20ml to scare him. Not 2000ml, you idiots. Do you want to kill him?” When I woke up again, Serena was sitting by my bed. She tapped her fingers on the table. Her eyes were ice. “Stop pretending to be dead. We’re going to the old manor this afternoon.” “I don’t know what kind of spell you put on my mother, but she’s throwing you a networking party. How manipulative.” I tried to speak. But my throat was too dry. So I was right. That worried voice I heard was nothing but my imagination. Why would Serena ever care? I was a fool to hope for even a second.

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At the Gala in Palermo, I stood in a row with twelve other heiresses, waiting to be chosen. As Don Moretti’s bastarda—his illegitimate daughter, I knew the stakes. If I didn’t receive the White Lily from Lorenzo tonight, I would be shipped off to New York tomorrow for an arranged marriage. Lorenzo Rossi, the Heir of the Rossi Family and my childhood friend, had promised me this flower. But at the last second, he changed his mind. He smiled and handed the White Lily to the trembling charity case beside me—Mia, the scholarship girl he’d been sponsoring. He leaned in, his voice low against my ear. “Let Mia have the spotlight today, Elena. The poor thing has never known happiness. Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, no one will dare arrange your marriage.” I looked at him with pleading eyes, but he ignored me, placing Mia’s hand on his arm. “Mia is elegant and noble,” Lorenzo announced to the room, handing her the pristine White Lily. “She is worthy of this honor.” Noble. That single word turned me into the evening’s punchline. The room erupted in whispers. I stood empty-handed, the Don’s bastard daughter, publicly discarded for a stray. The next day, I left for New York alone. And that was when he panicked—buying out every flight from Palermo’s airport. Right now, Mia’s hand rested elegantly on Lorenzo’s arm. Under the spotlight, they looked like the perfect couple. My chest twisted, but I kept my face calm. He didn’t see my desperation. When the crowd dispersed, I stood alone. No flower. My fate was sealed. Lorenzo approached me, wine glass in hand. “These idiots. I told them to at least save you one flower. They didn’t even listen to me.” I looked at the man I’d grown up with and took a deep breath. “Do you even know what tonight means?” The Gala wasn’t just theater. The White Lily was a marriage proposal between families. As the Moretti bastard, Lorenzo was my only option. No other man would choose me. Donna Moretti had summoned me here to make one thing clear. Accept arranged marriage, or else. So I’d made Lorenzo a deal—protect me for three years, then he could love whoever he wanted. Yesterday, he’d agreed. Today, at the worst possible moment, he chose someone else. Eighteen years of friendship, gone in one night. Guilt flickered across Lorenzo’s face. He sent Mia away. “You’re used to these events, Elena. But Mia’s poor—this is her one chance to feel special. Just this once. For me.” He leaned down, his expression almost boyish. “Any other night would’ve been fine. Why tonight?” I stayed silent. He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Today’s her graduation day. After tonight, I can’t sponsor her anymore. I promised her one unforgettable memory.” Unforgettable for me too. But it was too late. “Lorenzo, do you understand what the gala—” Mia returned before I could finish, interrupting us. “Elena, did I ruin everything? Please don’t blame Lorenzo. I begged him to—” Lorenzo saw her shrinking back and his expression darkened. Toward me. “Enough, Elena. It’s just a flower. I’ll buy you another one.” He reached into a nearby vase and pulled out a rose and shoved it into my hand. “Roses suit you better anyway. A lily isn’t worth throwing a fit over. This isn’t like you.” The rose was dripping wet. Its thorns had been cut, its stem snapped short. Just like me. But the White Lily meant honor—the wife of a Don. A queen. The red rose meant mistress. A woman you kept in the shadows. The laughter around me grew louder. “A bastard playing lapdog, thinking she could marry the Rossi heir? Didn’t you hear him say ‘noble’? Even a beggar was better than her.” Lorenzo silenced the woman with one look. But the damage was done.

“Elena, I’m sorry,” Mia said softly, still clutching her cake. “You’ve always had everything. I just wanted one night to feel special…” “Everything?” I stared at her. “I’m a bastard, Mia. Do you have any idea how the Moretti family treats me?” Mia’s cake slipped from her hand and landed on her shoe. Her eyes filled with tears. Lorenzo frowned. “Look, it’s already done. Let her enjoy tonight. I’ll take her to change her clothes. You can go home if you want.” Home? I didn’t have a home. As soon as Lorenzo left my side, the vultures circled. Antonio Ricci, a low-level thug from a rival crew, sidled up to me, sniffing the air near my neck. “You smell good, Elena Moretti.” Without Lorenzo, I didn’t even get basic respect. “Lorenzo told me to give you a flower,” Antonio smirked. “I didn’t. I told you before—stop chasing him and try me instead. But you didn’t listen. How’s it feel now? Humiliating, isn’t it?” I turned, shocked, staring at this man who barely reached my shoulder. Lorenzo had given him the task of delivering my flower? Knowing Antonio had been harassing me for months? My fists clenched. Another betrayal. I only asked for three years. Three years to build enough power to escape the Moretti family’s grip. But Donna Moretti wanted me gone. She wouldn’t even give me time to breathe. Antonio’s sweaty hand landed on my shoulder. “Elena, if it wasn’t for that pretty face, you’d be nothing. Just a bastard I could do whatever I wanted with. You think the Rossi family will protect you forever?” His hand tightened—and then Lorenzo was back, knocking it away. “Ricci. Did I not warn you? Don’t touch my people.” “Your people? You just picked the charity girl. What do you need Elena for?” “That’s none of your business.” Antonio spat and walked away. Lorenzo spun me around to face him. “He touched you and you didn’t fight back?” I stared at him, exhausted. “Wasn’t this your idea?” “Listen, I can protect you at events like this. But that doesn’t mean I have to stand next to you every second, does it?” “But you knew what the gala meant—” Mia appeared again, all smiles. “Lorenzo, I’d love some champagne. Is that okay?” One woman was difficult. One woman was sweet. Lorenzo’s choice was easy. “Of course. Tonight, you’re the star. Whatever you want.” He glanced at me. “We’ll talk tomorrow. I’ll come by your place.” Tomorrow? I smiled coldly. Tomorrow, you’ll have to come to New York to find me. Lorenzo left to greet the other capos, and Mia walked back to me holding a glass of wine. The timid scholarship girl was gone. In her place stood someone who’d tasted power. “You have everything, Elena,” Mia said quietly. “Why do you need to take this one moment of glory from me?” I should never have helped Lorenzo choose her for the scholarship. “You grew up in luxury,” she continued. “I only wanted Lorenzo’s protection for one night.” “Luxury?” I said. “You think I’m better off than you?” My mother died early. Don Moretti brought me back to the estate when I was small. Donna Moretti looked at me like she wanted me dead. My father had mistresses everywhere and didn’t care about one more bastard daughter. I learned to read faces young. Without this face, I wouldn’t have survived. I found Uncle Luca in the cracks and asked him to train me.

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I’m a transmigrator with a mission. My task is to marry Caden Holt. But the Holt pack has a bloodline law: only a she-wolf who bears a son can become Caden’s true mate. I carried nine pups over six years. Every single one was female. So every pup was ripped from me before six months. Forced termination, every time. When I fell pregnant with the tenth, a nurse pulled me aside and whispered congratulations. She said the scans showed a boy. I ran to find Caden. I was practically glowing. Then I heard him talking to the pack doctor through a cracked door. “You’re going to tell Lyra her pup is female again. Tell her it needs to be terminated.” The doctor’s voice cracked. “Caden, she’s already terminated nine pups. Her womb is tissue-thin. One more procedure could trigger hemorrhage. She could die. She might never carry again.” Caden’s voice was ice. “She has a system. She could carry a hundred pups and she’d be fine.” “But my sister-in-law only gets one shot at becoming Pack Mistress. I won’t let anything threaten her position. Once Sera takes over as Alpha of the Holt pack, I’ll make it up to Lyra.” I stood frozen in the hallway. My nine dead pups. All boys. Caden didn’t know. My system gave me exactly ten chances to carry. Ten. That was it. If this tenth pup didn’t survive, if I failed to marry him, the system would erase me. So when the system asked how I wanted to go, I had one answer. “Let me die on the operating table. When they take my last pup.” I wanted Caden Holt to spend the rest of his life regretting it. — Even the doctor, Marcus, who had been Caden’s closest friend for years, had finally had enough. “Don’t you think this is monstrous? Lyra would have waited for you. If you had just told her to wait, she would have agreed. You know she would have.” “I know.” Caden’s voice went quieter. Heavier. “But I couldn’t risk it.” “The Alpha Mistress position carries absolute power in this pack. You’ve seen what Lyra would sacrifice. She cut off her own birth family just to be with me. How am I supposed to trust she won’t secretly carry my pup to term the moment she thinks it gives her leverage?” Hearing that hollowed me out. I’m a transmigrator with a mission. If I marry Caden, my original body, dying in my home world, gets healed. But I hadn’t planned on falling in love with him. On day one of being with him, I told him everything. Every truth. I told him even after the mission ended, I would stay. He turned my honesty into evidence of an ulterior motive. And that evidence became the blade that killed nine of our pups. Marcus wasn’t done. “Even if you were scared she’d use the pup against Sera, why did you keep dragging it to six months? Gender can be confirmed at three or four months. Why wait until six?” “At six months the pup is fully formed. It’s not a simple termination. It has to be induced. Some of them come out crying.” His voice broke slightly. “Even with her system, the physical damage is irreversible. How could you do that to her?” My nose burned. My body still remembered every one of those procedures. The tearing pain. The sound of tiny cries. It felt like someone had ripped my heart out with bare hands. Caden’s voice came back rougher. “Every time, I was in agony too.” “But there was no other way. My nephew Eli has a heart condition. A specialist told me that a pup’s heart, extracted at six months of development, could be used in a treatment compound.” Marcus exploded. “What? You had those pups’ hearts cut out and fed to your nephew? Caden, what is wrong with you?” And then my legs gave out. I fell into the door. The two men went completely silent. I didn’t wait. I crawled back to my room before Caden could find me. By the time I was back in bed I was shaking so hard I couldn’t stop. Tears ran straight down into the pillow. No wonder Caden always told me not to think about the pups after each procedure. He said they didn’t count as ours if they never reached full term. I thought he was trying to comfort me. He just didn’t want me to mourn something he’d already decided were ingredients.

When Caden came back, my eyes were dry. He wrapped his arms around me tight. His voice was low and deliberate. “Lyra. Scans confirm it’s a female pup again. We need to terminate. I’ve already told the doctors to prepare.” “Caden.” I pulled back and looked at him. I kept my voice steady. “I want to carry this one to term.” He went white. “Are you out of your mind? You only become my mate if you birth a son.” The Holt bloodline carried an anomaly. Male pups born to Holt blood came out brilliant, powerful, exceptional. Female pups born to the bloodline didn’t survive past three days. It had happened enough times that the pack had made it law. Any she-wolf who wanted to bond with a Holt male had to first birth a healthy son. Because of this, Holt mates held extraordinary rank. They received major pack shares. The Alpha Mistress position itself was always filled by the bonded mate, not by blood. My silence made Caden go still. “Lyra. Did you hear something?” Part of me screamed to keep lying. If I could keep him from knowing the truth, my pup still had a chance. “No,” I said. “I just… find it hard to let go.” He pulled me close again. “Don’t grieve, Lyra. We’re young. I promise you, the next one will be a son.” He didn’t know there was no next one. If I failed to bond with him this time, my body in this world would be erased. I could accept dying. But this pup was innocent. I had to get him out alive. So when the nurses came to take me to the procedure room, I asked to stop at the bathroom first. Inside, I stripped off my jewelry and swapped it with a woman in the hall, trading for her clothes and a handful of cash. I was going to run. My system tried to talk me down. “Caden does love you, in his way. If you confronted him honestly, he might let you carry this pup to term. He might actually bond with you properly.” Before I’d heard that conversation, maybe I would have tried. But when it came to his sister-in-law Sera, I had never once won. From the beginning I noticed how Caden treated Sera. Every time we went out and I found something I liked, he bought two. One for me. One for Sera. He sent her flowers on my anniversaries with him. He delivered them personally. I made a scene about it once. Caden told me gently, “Lyra, don’t misread it. I love you. With Sera, it’s guilt. Nothing more.” That was when I learned Caden’s older brother had died years ago. He’d driven drunk after a fight with Caden and his car went off the road. Caden had spent every year since believing he caused his brother’s death. He’d made Sera and her son Eli his personal responsibility. I used to think that kind of loyalty was something to admire. I know better now. What Caden feels for Sera isn’t guilt. It’s something that rotted into obsession long ago. Enough to make him harvest our pups’ hearts for her sick child. Enough that if she asked, he’d probably cut out mine too. I thought I had time. I hadn’t even made it to the hospital entrance when his hand closed around my wrist. I turned. Caden looked at me. Then his face went rigid. “Lyra. Where are you going?” Before I could answer, he already knew. All the color left his face. “You were outside that door. You heard everything.”

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The Rogue Invasion erupted across the borderlands. As a Beta warrior, I was assigned to the frontlines—defending our territory while evacuating civilians to safety. My fiancé, Alpha Slade Corvus, served as the convoy’s chief guardian. We’d packed everything. Everyone was ready to leave. But Slade suddenly blocked the convoy door. “We’re waiting for Celeste.” The Omega he’d loved since childhood—who couldn’t resist staying behind to loot jewelry stores during the chaos. The Rogues were closing in. The sounds of snarling and screaming grew louder. With the entire convoy trapped in danger, I had no choice but to knock him unconscious and drag him away. After returning pack, we escaped the bloodshed. We lived peacefully for a while. He promised we’d complete the mate bond. I thought he’d forgotten about that woman. But on our mating ceremony day, he tied me up and ran me over with his car. Before I died, I heard his vicious laughter. “Lyra Ashford, you killed my Celeste! You left her to be torn apart by Rogues!” “She was just a young girl who liked pretty things. What’s wrong with that?!” “This is what you owe her. I’ll make you die a thousand times worse than she did!” When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the moment he blocked the convoy way. This time, I’d grant his wish. Let him and his true love stay together forever.

“The Rogues are closing in! If we don’t leave now, we’re all dead!” Howls and screams echoed closer. The scent of blood thickened in the air. Everyone was packed and ready. But Slade stood at the door, arms crossed, blocking the way. “We’re waiting for Celeste.” Several panicked wolves rushed forward, trying to pull him aside. The enraged Alpha kicked them away. He glared at everyone, his Alpha aura pressing down on them. “Celeste is on her way. What’s wrong with waiting for her?” Marcus—a fellow Beta warrior—clutched his chest where Slade had kicked him. “So we should all die for her?!” “The Rogues will be here any minute! How long do we wait? We have Elder Thornwood with us!” He pointed to the white-haired elder sitting in the corner, pale and weak. Elder Thornwood was our pack’s most legendary healer. He was the core of this mission. He’d come to the borderlands to treat wounded warriors and civilians. If anything happened to him, countless pack members would lose their only hope of survival. “What, your lives matter but Celeste’s doesn’t?” Slade’s voice was ice-cold. “We’re all packmates. We should stick together.” His words infuriated everyone, but most couldn’t argue against an Alpha’s will. Marcus turned to me, desperate。 “Lyra, talk some sense into your fiancé! This evacuation involves every wolf in the borderlands!” “If we don’t leave now, we’ll never make it out!” “Elder Thornwood’s condition can’t handle this risk!” All eyes turned to me. As a Beta warrior and second-in-command of this mission, they expected me to stand against him. Slade whipped his head toward me. His eyes flashed with viciousness. He was afraid. Afraid I’d say to leave Celeste behind. For a split second, I caught the killing intent in his gaze. I took a deep breath and made a completely different choice from my past life. “Slade is right. We can’t abandon any packmate.” Angry protests and disbelieving hisses filled the truck. Slade relaxed. A victorious smile crossed his face. “Fuck this! Psychos! All of you!” Marcus cursed, struggling to his feet. Slade’s expression twisted. He punched Marcus down again, then grabbed a steel crowbar from the rack. As the convoy’s head mechanic and guardian, he knew every vehicle inside and out. He slammed the crowbar against the transport wall. His Alpha presence flooded the space. “Anyone says another word, don’t blame me for what happens next!” The convoy fell silent. Only distant howls and screams reminded us danger was closing in. Slade looked around, satisfied to see everyone shrinking back—even the other Betas couldn’t resist an Alpha’s direct threat. He smirked, then his gaze softened when it landed on me. “Lyra, thank you for speaking up for Celeste. I knew my fiancée was the kindest, most understanding person in the world.” “Since you’re being so good, I promise—once we’re safely home, we’ll complete the mate bond.” “From now on, I’ll only be yours.” His scent should have been warm, reassuring. But I caught it—the acrid edge of deception. The sour scent that betrayed his lie. As a trained Beta warrior, I’d been taught to read scent markers. He was lying. Such a familiar promise. In my last life, he’d deceived me the exact same way. I swallowed my disgust and nodded shyly. He kissed my forehead. I lowered my lashes, hiding the coldness beneath.

Outside, snarls echoed. Smoke billowed in the distance. Shifted Rogue warriors were visible, getting closer. Slade still blocked the door, eyes burning as he stared into the distance. But I knew—even if Celeste arrived, we’d never make it home. When he slammed that crowbar down, I’d heard a faint *crack* from the vehicle’s axle joint. In my past life as a warrior, I’d trained in vehicle mechanics for emergency situations. Metal fatigue causing critical bolts to shear. On the rough mountain terrain ahead, it would cause the truck to collapse. And now, that bolt had snapped. Even if we left now, this truck wouldn’t survive the first steep incline. The atmosphere inside grew more oppressive. Some civilians sobbed quietly. Young warriors glared at Slade, but his Alpha aura and the crowbar kept them back. “Damn it, if we keep waiting, we’re all dead!” one warrior finally roared. Slade sneered and slammed the crowbar against the wall. “Don’t want to wait? Then get out and face the Rogues yourself!” Just then, the click of heels echoed from outside. “Slade! I’m here!” Celeste ran toward us, breathless, cheeks flushed, blonde hair flying. She carried a bulging leather satchel. Gold jewelry glinted at her wrists and neck. She wore fresh lipstick and perfect makeup, like she was heading to a gala instead of fleeing. Slade’s expression changed instantly. He dropped the crowbar and rushed to embrace her. “Celeste! You’re finally here!” Celeste playfully swatted him. “Oh! I almost didn’t make it! Good thing I’m fast.” She patted her bulging satchel. When her gaze landed on me, her lips curled into a provocative smile. Slade followed her line of sight. His expression stiffened for a moment before softening. “Lyra, Celeste’s here. We can leave now.” But Marcus exploded. “What the hell is in that bag?! Is that—is that *gold jewelry*?!” “You made us all risk our lives waiting so she could loot jewelry stores?!” His words drew everyone’s furious glares. Several warriors surged forward, eyes locked on the satchel. Slade grabbed the crowbar again. His Alpha aura flared. “Say one more word. I dare you. I’ll crack your skull open right now.” Chaos broke out inside the convoy. “She was looting stores while we were dying!” “For some damn jewelry!” “She put us all at risk for shiny things!” Celeste hid behind Slade, flashing everyone a smug smile beneath her fake tears. She clutched the satchel tighter. She leaned into Slade’s arms. As they climbed into the truck and passed me, she whispered sweetly. “Thanks for waiting, Lyra. You’re such a *good* Beta.” Her Omega scent was cloying, deliberately provocative. “Rogues! They’re here!” someone screamed. Panic spread through the people. “Slade! Now you’re satisfied?!” Marcus surged to his feet, pointing at Rogue warriors were approaching. “For her to steal gold, we’re all going to die here!” A mother clutching her child sobbed. “My baby is only three years old… just so she could loot jewelry…” Celeste’s eyes reddened. She shrank into Slade’s embrace. “I… I didn’t mean to. I just wanted to grab some things to donate to the orphaned pups back home…” Slade tightened his hold on her. “Exactly. Celeste is so kind-hearted. Why are you all attacking her?” The transport descended into chaos. Some sobbed. Some cursed. In the distance, Rogue howls drew closer. I looked at the panicked faces, then lowered my voice to Marcus: “The truck’s damaged. We need to abandon it and run for the mountain caves.” Marcus’s eyes widened. “How? The Rogues are everywhere!” “There’s a hidden cave entrance fifty meters north. Follow me and stay low.” I threw open the transport door. “Everyone out! Move fast and stay quiet!” The civilians scrambled out one by one. Only Celeste remained frozen in place, staring at the dark forest. “It’s so dirty out there. My new dress…” Slade immediately comforted her. “Don’t worry, I’ll carry you.” I watched them coldly, then turned and led everyone through the trees. Behind me, Elder Thornwood coughed weakly. “Lyra, I’m afraid this old body…” “Don’t worry, Elder.” I steadied him. “You are vital to the pack. I’ll get you home safely.” We moved through the underbrush in silence. Distant Rogue howls echoed behind us. Finally, we reached the cave entrance and slipped inside.

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